Ps76 From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 538 posts, RR: 0 Posted (1 month 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 4203 times:
Hello(!),
Thought I'd try to write a report of a morning/afternoon flight I took last Friday wanting to fly on the FlyBe Embraer 195 which they fly from London Gatwick to Belfast (City). Flying FlyBe with the Embraer 195 was cool and I quite like Belfast as a city so even though I was only there for a few hours I managed to visit the city again and at least have a Starbucks while enjoying the city a little. Anyway on with the pics (hope the report turns out ok):
Weather was cloudy when I left home in the morning but dry. The flight was at 8.55am (I had only come back from my afternoon/evening trip with Easyjet to Edinburgh the evening before so was quite a lot of flying for me which was cool). The return flight was at 14.30 so was really only a morning/afternoon trip to fly the Embraer 195:
London Gatwick's South Termial entrance in the morning when arriving by car. I parked the car in the Long Stay Car Park because I didn't have the time to park in the free place (and walk half an hour to the terminal) so I thought this was easier and I think it was only 9 pounds for the day which was cool:
I proceeded directly to departures in the South Terminal. This is the South Terminal airside shops etc. (bottom floor):
Departure board (BE962 departing at 8.55am to Belfast City):
The gate was gate number 1-10, the pier which seems to be used at London Gatwick for flights to mainland UK or Ireland (have gone with Ryanair to Shannon and Dublin from this pier and they also have Easyjet planes and other FlyBe planes and a FlyBe lounge):
Entering the Embraer 195 via the airbridge (FlyBe have the aircraft's environmental level with a rating of it's cleanliness etc. both on the website when you book and also on the actual aircraft itself to the right of the door):
Legroom. I found the legroom to be quite good and the aircraft cabin to be quite roomy feeling (not like I thought a Regional Jet would feel like). The cabin was also nice and clean too which was quite cool.
Embraer 195 wing view (with little winglet). There's also a FlyBe Dash 8 and another FlyBe Embraer 195 parked next to our aircraft:
Interior cabin shot. Quite roomy with bigger windows that I normally see which was cool for looking at planes etc.:
Ps76 From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 538 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (1 month 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 4152 times:
FlyBe Embraer 195 parked:
Air Aurigny ATR at the South Terminal. Air Aurigny are based in Guernsey or Jersey I think and fly several times a day from the Channel Islands to London Gatwick:
Air Transat A330 (flying to Canada) and an Easyjet airbus and Meridiana plane (I think Meridiana flies to Italy):
Air Europa Boeing 737 (with winglets):
Croatia Airlines Airbus narrowbody:
Viking Boeing 737 (with winglets) (I think there are two of them in this picture). I don't know that much about Viking airlines but I guess they fly to Scandinavia and are mayeb low-cost(?) and the planes are quite a common sight in Gatwick:
Ps76 From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 538 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (1 month 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 4131 times:
Lining up Runway 8R:
Rolling:
Departure Runway 8R:
Climbing to Flight Level 3-number-0:
Sunnier above the clouds:
Cruise. The cabin crew (I think there were 3 of them) came round to offer a buy-on-board product. As it was a short flight of about 1 hour I didn't buy anything so can't say how good value for money it is etc. There's also I think a FlyBe magazine and there was a duty free/gifts offering too (I bought a FlyBe Embraer 195 model aircraft for 8 pounds on the way back).
In cruise:
Approaching Belfast (City). There were no views etc. as the weather was pretty windy/cloudy/a little rainy when we arrived. Was quite comfortable though (although obviously a little bumpy on final approach because of the wind):
Ps76 From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 538 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (1 month 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 4118 times:
Landing at Belfast (City). I like Belfast City airport and the Harland and Wolff cranes from the shipyards (where Titanic was built and you can do Titanic tours) are clearly visible when you land:
Parked next to another FlyBe Dash 8. The main airlines that fly to Belfast (City) airport I think are FlyBe, Ryanair (from London Stansted and East Midlands I think) and BMI. The airport is small but normally from my experience quite busy with aircraft.
Belfast (City) airport (arrivals concourse):
Belfast (City) airport (main entrance/departures). (Quite a nice and airy room).
I took bus no.600 the airport express which runs every 20 minutes into the city centre and it only takes 15 minutes from Belfast City airport. I really quite like Belfast as a city (it's quite modern and has lots of pretty nice shops and quite a few cafe's etc. and I don't think it has that many tourists which makes it for me quite a different place to visit and quite laid back). Belfast City streets:
The main street near the Europa bus station:
Heading towards City Hall which is like the main central square in Belfast City:
Ps76 From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 538 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (1 month 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 4110 times:
Pedestrianised shopping street near City Hall. Although I didn't get time to visit this time there's a nice large shopping centre called I think Victoria Court where there's a big House of Fraser and Cinema, restaurants etc.
Starbucks coffee. I took a break here and had a nice coffee sitting outside (the weather had improved since I had arrived):
Returning to the Europa bus terminal to catch the 600 Express back to the airport:
Harland and Wolff crane seen from the bus back.
Belfast (City) airport departures hall:
Airside flight board. I kinda like this flight board at Belfast (City) because when you're gate hasn't been called yet it reads "Relax and Shop"(!)
Ps76 From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 538 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (1 month 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 4101 times:
Belfast (City) airport airside. There's a duty free place and a few small sandwich/beer/coffee places and a WHSmith. It was pretty busy when I was there waiting for the flight back with Ryanair flights etc. I had a panini from the cafe there which was pretty good and more importantly helped pass the time (although they had a few paid internet desks too):
Boarding the FlyBe Embraer 195 for the flight back:
Ryanair Boeing 737-800 departing (I think to East Midlands airport):
Wing view:
Cabin pic:
Taxiing past the terminal (to Runway 22 I think):
There's a giant new Ikea store next to the airport which is visible from the runways too:
Ps76 From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 538 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (1 month 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 4093 times:
After takeoff we were immediately in the clouds (although it was less windy than when we landed):
Above the clouds:
The only time in the Embraer 195 when I didn't feel like I was on a Boeing 737 or something in terms of roominess was in the lavatory which was a little smaller than those normally found on the Boeing 737.
In cruise (nice and roomy/airy cabin):
Closer to Gatwick the weather was much clearer and we had some quite nice scenery. Flying over England:
The South Coast on our approach to London Gatwick:
Turning right (with a little speedbrake):
That's pretty much all the pictures I managed to take before my camera ran out but the final approach and landing at Gatwick (again on Runway 8R) were kinda clear like the other pics too. The Embraer 195 was definitely quite a comfortable plane to be in (roomy, big windows etc.) and I quite liked flying FlyBe for the first time to Belfast (City) too. Although it was only a very short trip was quite a nice destination to fly to for a morning/afternoon.
Hope people liked the report. Any comments/criticism etc. welcome.
Jamesontheroad From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2005, 318 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (1 month 2 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 4054 times:
Quoting Ps76 (Reply 2):
Parked next to another FlyBe Dash 8. The main airlines that fly to Belfast (City) airport I think are FlyBe, Ryanair (from London Stansted and East Midlands I think) and BMI. The airport is small but normally from my experience quite busy with aircraft.
BE are indeed the largest operator at BHD. Ryanair have one based aircraft at BHD that does return sectors to STN, LPL, PIK, BRS and STN most days, with additional STN, LPL and EMA rotations served by a/c based at those airports.
Glad you enjoyed your short trip to Belfast. BHD is undergoing a massive internal re-fit right now (glad it didn't disrupt you too much). The entire airside lounge is moving upstairs to what used to be the landside cafeteria and bar. Security will be pushed back into the present ground floor airside lounge. Entering security near the landside WHSmiths, pax will then ascend to the first floor for a larger lounge / bar / café area, before either re-descending through a new staircase and elevator block (currently under construction beside stand 7) to the gate corridor. BMI flights to LHR will continue to use the airbridge adjacent to the Diamond Club lounge.
In addition to the 600 Airport bus you used, BHD is also adjacet to Sydenham railway station, which you can access by requesting a free shuttle from the info desk outside arrivals. Trains run every half hour between Bangor, Belfast and Portadown (usally around xx20 and xx50 towards Belfast) and it's cheaper than the bus, also handier for Queens and the south of the city.
Thanks for sharing! I still have to fly the E195, hope to catch it soon.
Signol From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2007, 985 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (1 month 2 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 3989 times:
Good read and pictures! Brings back memories of the daytrip to Belfast I did last year from STN on FR! There's a trip report on here somewhere...
Which day did you go? I was rushing round the South Terminal myself the other day (Sat 31st).
BAViscount From United Kingdom (England), joined Mar 2004, 1781 posts, RR: 3 Reply 9, posted (1 month 2 weeks 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 3902 times:
Re: pic number 1...if I'm not mistaken, that's the A217 at the top of the Mad Mile!!
Quoting Ps76 (Thread starter): Air Aurigny are based in Guernsey or Jersey I think and fly several times a day from the Channel Islands to London Gatwick:
Aurigny Air Services are indeed based in Guernsey.
FlyBE's E195's are really nice, and so much better than their old Avros! I flew the BHD-LGW route last year...it was a great flight! And Belfast is a really nice city too.
Nice report on a great way to pass an afternoon!
Ladies & gentlemen this is Captain Tobias Wilcock welcoming you aboard Coconut Airways flight 372 to Bridgetown Barbados
Ps76 From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 538 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (1 month 2 weeks 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 3846 times:
Hello(!),
Just to say merci for the replies/encouragement etc. I also was quite impressed with the Embraer 195 in terms of comfort etc. It doesn't feel much smaller than a Boeing 737 or too much like a tube or anything and the 2-2 seating makes it quite roomy.
Many thanks,
Pierre
P.S. To BAViscount yes that is the A217 just at the end of the mad mile(!) It's just near the place where I managed to run out of petrol a couple of months ago(!)
FlyingFinn76 From Finland, joined Jun 2009, 173 posts, RR: 3 Reply 11, posted (1 month 2 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 3598 times:
Hi (Bonjour?),
A very enjoyable little report about your short trip to Belfast. The E-jets are definitely very comfortable planes, especially considering that they are still regional jets. They do have that big plane feel, you know.
I've yet to fly an E195 (done numerous -170s and -190s), this route looks like a good opportunity to do so.
Quoting Ps76 (Thread starter): Viking Boeing 737 (with winglets) (I think there are two of them in this picture). I don't know that much about Viking airlines but I guess they fly to Scandinavia and are mayeb low-cost(?) and the planes are quite a common sight in Gatwick:
Viking Airlines (4P) is actually a Swedish charter airline. At LGW they operate flights for some British tour operators to warmer climates and also the couple of weekly flights to ARN for the Swedish virtual airline Aer Olympic (I recently booked myself a flight on this service for next year!).
Ps76 From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 538 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (1 month 2 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 3164 times:
Hello(!),
Just to say merci for the reply/encouragement. I definitely also found the Embraer 195 to feel like a Boeing 737 rather than what I thought a regional jet would feel like.
Merci too for the info regarding Viking airlines. It makes sense that they fly charter flights from the Uk to sunny spots because there normally at least one or two in the South Terminal during the day.
Ps76 From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 538 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (1 month 2 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 2759 times:
Hello(!),
Just to say merci for the reply/encouragement etc. I definitely quite enjoy Belfast as a city to visit (it's just the right size to wander around for a day etc.). Would be cool to do the trip in reverse and fly the Embraer 195 to London Gatwick for the day(!) (I guess Ryanair also have flights to London Stansted and BMI have flights too although they might be a bit more expensive).
QatarA340 From Qatar, joined May 2006, 970 posts, RR: 1 Reply 17, posted (1 month 1 week 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 2453 times:
Another great TR Pierre! I loved those EMB 190s; i have flown an EMB 170 from Doha to Sharm El Sheik a distance of 3 and a half hours! I was one of 10 in the whole plane, which was cool! It feels like an A320 or 737..
One thing though, the Belfast City Airport Arrival concourse with the black ceilings is simply horrible! Did they think of putting a ceiling or something to cover up the metal work?
Amazing and looking forward to another exciting adventure!
Ps76 From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 538 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (1 month 1 week 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 2348 times:
Hello(!),
Just to say merci for the replies/encouragement etc. Will definitely not think twice about booking on another Embraer 170/190/195 in terms of comfort/roominess etc. Plus I bought the Embraer 195 model from the duty free which is a cool reminder.
Ps76 From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 538 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (1 month 1 week 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 2216 times:
Hello(!),
Just to say many thanks for the reply/encouragement etc. I agree too the 2-2 seating was cool (sorry!) and it definitely felt like the windows were big, larger than the already quite large Boeing 737/Airbus A320 windows.
Many thanks (will try to use the word "cool" a little less!),
A342 From Germany, joined Jul 2005, 3858 posts, RR: 1 Reply 22, posted (1 month 1 week 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 2180 times:
Quoting Ps76 (Thread starter): The only time in the Embraer 195 when I didn't feel like I was on a Boeing 737 or something in terms of roominess was in the lavatory which was a little smaller than those normally found on the Boeing 737.
A "no smoking" sign and then an ashtray right below that. Had the same on an Air Caraibes A333 which was also almost new. Stupid, isn't it?
BFS From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2001, 728 posts, RR: 2 Reply 23, posted (1 month 1 week 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 2140 times:
Quoting A342 (Reply 22): A "no smoking" sign and then an ashtray right below that. Had the same on an Air Caraibes A333 which was also almost new. Stupid, isn't it?
This is a mandatory requirement and is in most cases a no-go item, i.e. they cannot depart without the ashtrays fitted. Regardless of the no-smoking rules, some passengers will still light up and when they do so, they need a safe place to extinguise their cigarettes. Anywhere else would be a fire risk.
IrishLPL From Ireland, joined Sep 2009, 17 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (4 weeks 5 hours 50 minutes ago) and read 1491 times:
Hi there! Glad to hear you had a positive experience in BHD, my local! Shame it rained on you, its much nicer in the sunshine! It is expanding a bit thankfully; it gets so crowded in the departure lounge when there is a couple of FR flights at the same time. If you get a bit more time, you could come visit the Queen's Quarter in the south of the city. It's where the university is based and there are some lovely buildings and parks to see. Regs, Lawrence
Ps76 From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 538 posts, RR: 0 Reply 25, posted (3 weeks 6 days 7 hours 45 minutes ago) and read 1096 times:
Hello(!),
Just to say merci for the reply/encouragement etc. Belfast is definitely quite a cool laid-back city I've found and would be cool to see a bit more of it. FlyBe were also quite a cool airline (it was the first time I flew with them) and the Embraer 195 was of course very comfortable and I would recommend it as a comfortable regional jet to fly in (although I'm flying in a real regional jet for the first time next week so then I'll be able to compare the experiences).
Many thanks,
Pierre.
26 Airbuseric: Hi, that's a 'cool' report No really, I enjoyed it. You' ve a good amount of quality pics, and it seems that Belfast is indeed a nice city for a visit
27 Ps76: Hello(!), Just to say merci for the reply/encouragement etc. I would definitely reccommend the route with FlyBe if you want to try it and of course Be
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