DunaA320 From United Kingdom (England), joined Feb 2009, 181 posts, RR: 3 Posted (8 months 4 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 3996 times:
LGW-AGP-LGW on easyJet
Hey everyone! My name is Matt and ive just joined up to A.net, so I thought I would kick off with posting a trip report!
Background:
This trip was from last year when I did my usual visit as I do every summer to Spain with my best mate Doug and his family to their apartment in Benalmadena on the Costa Del Sol.
The previous year I flew on BA (GB Airways) from LHR but since easyJet brought GB, the GB flights from LHR no longer operated, which is a bit of a pain as im only 10 mins away from LHR. However BA now did a daily departure and I checked it out found it a bit pricy for my budget, plus I didnt really fancy an afternoon departure.
I ended up finding a good deal on easyJet from LGW so it was booked!
My Dad drove Doug and myself the 30miles down to Gatwick on his way to work. We arrived 30 minutes later, our flight was due to depart at 8AM but my Dad ended up getting us to the airport at 4AM! Check In was open when we arrived so we checked in and then made our way through security to departures. We had a long wait for our flight and were pretty tired so we had a bit of a sleep.
We then went up to Weatherspoons for some Breakfast and spotted Lisa Maffia and Chico from CelebAir trying to sell CelebAir goodies, we avoided them
Me enjoying a nice breakfast!
At 7am out flight was announced for boarding, we then made our way down to one of the bussing gates as our flight today was departing from a remote stand.
Date: 29/08/08 Route: LGW-AGP Flight: EZY8605 Aircraft: Airbus A321 Reg: G-TTIC (9th flight on A321 and 2nd flight on this aircraft) Seat: 32A Scheduled Departure Time: 08:00 Actual Departue Time: 08:20 Scheduled Arrival Time: 11:55 Actual Arrival Time: 11:40
This was my second time flying G-TTIC, I flew on this machine to AGP last year from LHR when it was flying for GB Airways. It was originally delivered to GB Airways on 12/12/2002 and onto easyJet 30/03/2008
We boarded the aircraft at about 7.30 and we were one of the first on board, after the speedy boarders. Crew welcomed us onboard and were a friendly bunch. We went for the back row, 32A and 32C. Its a shame easyJet aren't keeping these ex-GB aircraft as the BA seats onboard are really comfortable
Doug and Myself looking forward to a bit of sun!
Passing the South Terminal - MON, XLA, Oman Air
We had a relitavly short taxi and were airborn at 8.20am. It was a particularly cloudy day and visibility wasnt too good. We were soon above the cloud layer. Unfortunatly thats all we saw until we were just south of Madrid
Just after take off
The crew then came around about half an hour into the flight selling food and drink from the easykiosk. I brought a Coffee and some pringles.
Our routing took out out towards Southampton then turning left over the English Channel, over the Brest Penninsilua, Bay of Biscay then down the middle of Spain and we started out decent just past Madrid to land on the South Easterly runway at AGP
The only IFE on the flight was the moving map, which I quite like as I have my iPod and I like to know where I am!
Decent into Malaga
We touched down 15 minutes ahead of schedule
Construction of the new terminal
G-TTIC from the terminal
After passport control we went downstairs to the baggage hall and our bags had just started to arrive. We collected our bags and headed out to the Train Station. Because of the major building work happening the route to the station from previous years had been re-routed, we had to walk through the mult-storey car park to find the new bridge over to the station. We waited about 10 minutes for our train and 20 minutes later we arrived in Benalmadena to enjoy a week of sun!
Here are a few pics from my week in Spain
As we visit every year we have made quite a few friends, namely the girls at CJ's bar! We joined Hannah (one of the bar maids) one night for her birthday!
Birthday girl
Mmmmm melted Ice cream cake!
My Arctic Monkeys impersonation
A few beach pics
Doug and his mum
Sunset from the balcony
My last night in Spain - Doug was staying on a few more days with his family
Now Saturday had come and I had a relativly early start, compared to what I was used to for the week. My flight was leaving Malaga at 12.50, so I set my alarm for 9am, got up had a shower and finished off packing and headed off to the Station.
I arrived at the Airport at about 10.30 so had plenty of time to kill. As it was a Saturday, the terminal was heaving with people, Checkin for my flight was empty and I passed straight through to security. I had to wait about 10 minutes here, but it seemed alot less. I then headed upstairs to the shops to buy myself a big bottle of Jack Daniels and some little presents for the family. I did plan on getting something to eat but the terminal was so busy I thought it just best to buy something on board.
I then headed down to the gate area to wait for my flight
Some pics from the gate area
FCA 757 G-OOBA heading back to LGW
Last time I saw XLA - They went bust 5 days later!
DL 757 arriving from JFK
My ride back to LGW G-TTII
LS 757
Date: 06/09/08 Route: AGP-LGW Flight: EZY8606 Aircraft: Airbus A321 Reg: G-TTII (10th flight on A321 and 1st flight on this aircraft) Seat: 28F Scheduled Departure Time: 12:50 Actual Departue Time: 13:10 Scheduled Arrival Time: 14:40 Actual Arrival Time: 11:20
This aircraft was deliverd to easyJet on 2/7/08 and has recently been transfered Monarch as G-OZBU
I was again boarding the flight from a remote stand. We were bussed over to the Aircraft. I was pleased to be flying on G-TTII as this was a new A321,originally ordered by GB Airways. I boarded through the front door and sat in 28F towards the rear. Again this had the nice blue leather BA seating and it also had the new style interior which was alot more modern looking. The flight today must have been 100% full
Taxiing out to departure - MON A321 to LTN and the new terminal building
Our routing would take us out over the sea before turning back inland and heading up the middle of Spain, over the Bay of Biscay, up towards Portsmouth then turning right and heading along the South Coast before turning back on ourself for a landing on the easterly runway at Gatwick
I noticed this aircraft to be a little bit quiter on take off, perhaps as it was newer maybe?
Take off
About 10 minutes after take off, the IFE screens dropped down and displayed the moving map, but a newer version than on our previous aircraft with 3D views.
The crew then announced they were coming round with the easykiosk but they had sold all the food on the outbound flight, which I was a little bit annoyed about as I was going to buy something to eat. I ended up going for some Pringles and Jack Daniels and coke!
The crew on todays flight were brilliant, they kept having jokes and banter with eachother. I remember one of the crew saying over the PA "easyJet operate a very strict dress code on all our flights, any passenger wearing a Manchester United top will be given a parachute and thrown out the nearest emergency exit" He was obviously a City fan!
Above Bilbao
On the approach to LGW.
LGW - EZY central!
TOM 738
We then taxied over to Pier 6 of the North Terminal, I was one of the last off. The great thing about Pier 6 is using the bridge as you get some great views.
G-TTIH off to TFS
G-TTII
Air Transat A330 passing below me on the bridge
I hope you enjoyed reading my first Trip Report!
I will do another one for my trip to New York I went on a few weeks ago!
Egmcman From United Kingdom (England), joined Jun 2005, 898 posts, RR: 16 Reply 9, posted (8 months 3 weeks 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 2853 times:
Hi Matt
Thanks for you report I fly U2 to AGP to visit my parents several times a year but I fly from STN in A319's.
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 7): I still find it amazing DL fly into AGP!
The route is doing well according to the local English newspapers. The region is one of the wealthiest in Spain. Aviation wise the flights to BCN and MAD aren't doing well because of the high speed railway which is cheaper and more convenient.
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