Thursday, 24.09.2009
STR (Stuttgart-Echterdingen) Sunny, Temperature 16 degrees
BUD (Budapest-Ferihegy-International-Airport) Sunny, Temperature 24 degrees
Duration: 1 hour, 35 minutes announced
1 hour, 30 minutes actual
Service MA 513 operated by Malev Hungarian Airlines
Scheduled: 09.30 // 11.05
Actual: 09.35 // 11.05
Gate: 161 Seat: 20A
Load factor: Around 90%
Malev operates two times daily from STR, but usually with high biz fares for oneway or daily return flights.
I was therefore surprised to see that acceptable fare, less than 80.-- Euros per leg and booked quickly.
No online check in for Malev flights from STR.
That means time to go early for the airport today. MA is handled by LH at Terminal 1.
A friendly girl directed me to kiosk check in but immediatelly after I´ve told her about Malev she send me to a
separate counter to check in.
The nice lady was somewhat surprised with my seat question, window last row. Especially with that smalish plane on the second leg,
it seems this seatmap is not well known here at STR´s LH check-in.
Good morning STR:
Departures 1:
Departures 2:
Another interesting arrival, Sun Express B752 from AYT:
And the daily Delta machine:
Some pix later I´ve passed security at T1 and headed downstairs to check my gate.
The usual Schengen bus area for the regional planes with flights to MUC, VIE and else around.
Boarding was called ontime, the screens showed my planes arrival from BUD some minutes late.
Boarding:
Under the wing:
Close up:
Full view:
Side view:
The nose:
Any idea about the previous operator?:
We approached HA-LQA, a real interesting bird. Sometimes ago SK had several landing incidents with the Dash 8/400 and all the planes
taken out of service. Some sold to other operators, some parked till now at CPH and other airports.
And this example was one of these birds, delivered at 21.03.2002 to SK and in service with MA since 26.11.2008.
Malev operates four Dash 8/400s and LQA is the first one.
Leg no. 7 for me on type and the first on this machine.
That should be interesting to follow what happens when the other pax know that special plane history.
The cabin fitted with dark blue slimline, hard leather seats, clean so far and good legroom.
Seats:
Cabin and mag:
Cabin again:
Two elderly and friendly female FA´s.
Cockpit crew was from Hungary, a also friendly welcome from the male captain with departure infos during taxi, no comment from the young female FA.
Departure form the 3345 meters runway 07 in direction north of MUC-VIE-BTS, no flightlevel info.
Ready to go:
After an Contact AT 72 arrival:
On the way:
Service was a muffin and water followed by free coffee and tea.
Service:
Close to BUD:
Nice city views:
And again:
Once more:
Passing the airport:
Gear down:
The flight was calm. Arrival at BUD´s 3707 meters runway 31R nearly ontime and taxi to the apron opposite T2.
Taxi:
Parked on the apron:
Travel Service and Delta:
Sister machine:
My machine:
By bus to the terminal. Now I had some hours to spend here till the next flight, time to go for the city.
Expensive taxi´s or the slow minibus service runs to the center.
Another way was to go by bus to Terminal 1 and further by the local train to Nyugati palyudvar.
Tickets are available by the bus driver, but cheaper from the out of order machine or, after a short talk to the infodesk, from the post office upstairs.
Ok, collected two tickets there, by local bus to Terminal 1 where I´ve never been before.
Is this Tempelhof or BUD T1, such a oldfashioned and historic air terminal, long ago since I was somewhere else.
T1 has a open terrace, really nice for some spotting.
View from T1:
Thats history:
And again:
Back to the train station opposite T 1, secured a return ticket from the machine.
The first train arrived, but it wasn´t possible to go while it was an Intercity service according to the conductor.
And after some more minutes the next very oldfashioned local train arrived, dirty, smelly but cheap and finally arrived at Nyugati station.
Me doing to right hand one:
Some walking around, always interesting when you explore a city for the second time after some years.
Doing the Siklo again, expensive but no way to miss some of these oldfashioned cable escalators.
Panoramic view:
Kettenbrücke:
The siklo:
Lets go:
View from above:
The bridge again:
In the city:
Back to the airport the same way in the afternoon.
Thursday, 24.09.2009
BUD (Budapest-Ferihegy-International-Airport) Light clouds, Temperature 28 degrees
ZAG (Zagreb-Pleso) Sunny, Temperature 26 degrees
Duration: 50 minutes announced
1 hour actual
Service Malev Hungarian Airlines MA 472 operated by Budapest Aircraft Service
Scheduled: 17.35 // 18.35
Actual: 17.30 // 18.30
Gate: 13 Seat: 11A
Load factor: 100%
Back at the airport, through passport control and security and in the gate area.
T2:
Apron view:
The board:
Malev dominates:
Also a good number of Travel Service flights:
BUD T2 has enough seating capacity and good, but not the really best views to the apron with the runways to far from the terminal.
So no way to see my plane, hopefully no changes.
Moldavian Saab 2000:
The gate opened around the announced boarding time, down to the bus which surprisingly filled up quickly.
I count 33 pax in the bus, that looks like a 100% load today.
The neighbour machine:
My machine:
Wing view:
Close up:
Two of the warm welcomed E120´s parked on the apron and the bus approached HA-FAI, delivered at 23.04.1989 to DAT from Belgium,
further to french Regional at 30.04.1998 and in service with Budapest Air Service since 16.08.2005.
One of three planes on type in the fleet.
BAS has a real interesting fleet, beside the three E120´s they operate several An-26´s, Let410´s and Mil-Mi 2 heli´s on cargo and charter services.
Premiere, leg no. 1 for me on the Embraer 120, not that easy to catch these type around Europe nowadays.
Another one:
The nose:
The engine:
Close up:
The neighbour again:
One friendly female FA on that service.
The cabin fitted with dark blue leather seats, clean so far, no recline seats and low legroom.
Cabin:;
My seat:
Taxi:
Again:
Takeoff:
We´ve done a rolling takeoff from the 3010 meters runway 31L and climbed very slowly away, thanx to the good load.
A big rail station:
The captain with long and detailed informations inflight in hungarian, later on in english also, but not that good to follow.
No route information, flightelvel 18000 feet.
No comment from the FO.
Service was orange juice and a small snack.
There is no front galley on the E120, therefore the FA had to prepare all service details beside my seat and walked the cabin up and down,
ok, its not that long way to walk here!.
The flight was calm despite the upcoming black clouds around BUD.
Inflight:
Again:
The FA performed another information during approach with time and temperature details around ZAG.
Close to ZAG:
Finals:
Touchdown at ZAG´s 3252 meter runway 05 and taxi along two cargo Let 410´s to the apron.
ZAG terminal:
Disembarking by bus to the terminal.
Bye-Bye:
Parked on the apron:
Thursday, 24.09.2009
ZAG (Zagreb-Pleso) Clear sky, Temperature 22 degrees
STR (Stuttgart-Echterdingen) Clear sky, Temperature 17 degrees
Duration: 1 hour announced
1 hour, 5 minutes actual
Service 4U 2977 operated by Germanwings
Scheduled: 20.30 // 22.00
Actual: 20.30 // 21.35
Gate: 13 Seat: 25 F
Load factor: Around 60%
Not that easy to return from ZAG with only a limited number of flights and usually with high fares all around.
4U fills the gap for around 60.-- Euros.
Check-in for the last leg today was done the day before online, so no need to go out in the public.
It was dark outside and not that much time for my next departure.
A sign prior to passport controll shows international departures but the door there was closed.
A female police officer was nearby, I´ve asked and she answered that she will call airport security for me.
It seems they dont expect international transfer pax on these flight.
A male guy opened the door, security was quickly done and I was in ZAG´s gate area.
Now that´s rather oldfashioned here, a number of gates, one beside the other, only a few number of seats, some broken,
duty free was closed and the bar looks also if the staff dont now to close it now or let it still open.
Maybe I was to early here for local impressions. No screen or something else to locate the flights.
Some more pax arrived but when I saw the letters on their newspapers, it seems thats not the load for STR.
Tel Aviv on OU shows up on one of the gate screens. Lots of elder travellers arrived, it seems a special charter flight.
Finally STR comes up on the gate screen beside.
So I know that´s nothing wrong here.
My planes arrival was announced on the speakers, the pax formed a line, who knows why.
Gate staff arrived and opened the door to the bus for the plane.
It was completely dark outside, not easy to catch some pix.
D-AKNV was on the apron, the scheduled A319 delivered at 09.12.2005 to Germanwings.
One of 26 in the fleet.
Leg no. 44 for me on type and thankfully a new registration for my log.
Boarding:
Again:
One male, two female FA´s on that service, ok so far.
The cabin fitted with dark grey leather seats, clean, legroom ok, comfortable so far.
Cabin:
Departure again from runway 05.
No comment from the Captain. The FO with detailed informations during cruise in a friendly way.
Were going above Klagenfurt and Salzburg to Munich on flightlevel 28000 feet.
Buy on board here, nothing for free.
We passed STR airport southern side during the approach really low and lined in for a immediate arrival on the 3345 meters runway 07.
By bus to the terminal, not a minute at passport control and soon on the way back home.
A good job here with Malev and real interesing aircraft.
The E120 seems undersized from my point of view for actual airline services, but nevertheless good to catch that machine here.
No problem for me to fly 4U again with that low load a comfortable run.
And now?. Looking for VCE to catch another premiere on an Embraer machine, the also tiny E135!.
Airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 1994 posts, RR: 20 Reply 1, posted (1 month 2 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 3800 times:
Hi Markus,
nice!! Both Q400 and E120 missing for me, and I've been looking to catch them already. Schedules a bit difficult for me from AMS. But, I'll find something good.
Pics are great, especially the view from Budapest city. And lucky you to combine all together on a daytrip originating from STR with good times. I wish to have such possibilities here!
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): another premiere on an Embraer machine, the also tiny E135!.
LOL... that one I have already Finally I win
Regards,
Eric
Flying is finished for 2009. In 2010: I booked to secure the Q400 on a new route from LCY, for January...
Kurt From United States, joined Oct 2001, 248 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (1 month 2 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 3705 times:
FLIEGER67: Good report!
I've flown on the EMB-120 many times up and down the California coast on SkyWest (UA codeshares); LAX-SBA/SMX, SFO-SBA, SJC-SBA. It's a great little aircraft and you really get a sense of flying, not just being strapped into a huge, impersonal jet.
The views up and down the coastline are often superb, but be warned that the little Embraers get tossed around pretty good if the weather turns bad.
If you ever get the chance to try a SkyWest EMB-120, try to get seats 9B/C. They have awesome amounts of legroom due to the nearby exit door. 9A is regular legroom, though.
I've got LAX-SBA and SBA-SFO booked for late December (Christmas trip). I'm looking forward to my flights.
FlyingFinn76 From Finland, joined Jun 2009, 173 posts, RR: 3 Reply 5, posted (1 month 2 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 3234 times:
Hi Markus,
Thanks for this excellent report about something a bit out of the ordinary. That was some fast work from you, just a few days after the Linate report
How does the Embraer 120 compare to the Saab-340? From the pics it looks to be pretty much the same size, cabinwise at least? I've never been on the Embraer, but have logged dozens of Saab flights so I have a pretty good idea of the dimensions.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): Malev operates two times daily from STR, but usually with high biz fares for oneway or daily return flights.
I was therefore surprised to see that acceptable fare, less than 80.-- Euros per leg and booked quickly.
Tell me about it - until recently all decent fares ex-HEL on MA required at least a Sat night stay, one-ways, day-returns etc. were very high, as you put it "business fares". Recently, probably being cash-strapped as they are they've started relaxing the fare rules, and I've been shopping around trying to nail a decent trip on them - no luck yet. Almost booked HEL-BUD-TGD and back on them, including two legs on these Embraers, but that didn't fit into my schedule after all and then they canceled the Pogdorica route. Oh well.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): We approached HA-LQA, a real interesting bird. Sometimes ago SK had several landing incidents with the Dash 8/400 and all the planes
taken out of service.
And this example was one of these birds, delivered at 21.03.2002 to SK and in service with MA since 26.11.2008.
Even though I've never flown Malev, I've logged two legs (ARN-VNO-ARN back in 2004) on this bird, when it was still flying for SK as OY-KCD. Oh and yes, the landing gear did work properly.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): Is this Tempelhof or BUD T1, such a oldfashioned and historic air terminal, long ago since I was somewhere else.
My Hungarian friend called BUD T1 "the world's ugliest airport terminal" - he may have a point there, but some of those sorry excuses for airports FR flies to surely have better qualifications for this title!
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): My planes arrival was announced on the speakers, the pax formed a line, who knows why.
Does Germanwings assign seats nowadays at check-in? Anyway that's typical loco behavior - FR have been very good at educating people to do that - sort of a Pavlov reaction when seeing the plane appear, I reckon
Rogerbcn From Spain, joined Sep 2006, 598 posts, RR: 10 Reply 6, posted (1 month 2 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 3203 times:
Hola Markus!
Another interesting read.... nice to see you catch those quite unusual aircraft.
Here, in BCN, I think I have never seen the tiny Embraer but the Q800 is used by Air Nostrum on some local routes.... like to fly one of those these days.
I liked the pictures of BUD, remember my summer 07, next time for relaxation get to one of the baths, pretty interesting places.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 3176 posts, RR: 70 Reply 7, posted (1 month 2 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 3196 times:
Hi Markus,
very interesting report with great pictures from Budapest. I visited the city some years ago and was impressed, even though it wasn't a holiday trip.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): And after some more minutes the next very oldfashioned local train arrived, dirty, smelly but cheap and finally arrived at Nyugati station.
Two of Travel Service Hungary's 738s are stored now, only one is still active.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): Premiere, leg no. 1 for me on the Embraer 120, not that easy to catch these type around Europe nowadays.
True. Just flew on Skywest's E120 on the US West Coast.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): There is no front galley on the E120, therefore the FA had to prepare all service details beside my seat and walked the cabin up and down,
It depends on the configuration. They galley was in the front section on my Skywest plane so I felt quite relaxed in the back section.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): The E120 seems undersized from my point of view for actual airline services, but nevertheless good to catch that machine here.
I was positively surprised by the E120. It wasn't as loud as expected and I didn't feel as cramped as on the ERJs. Legroom was also quite good on Skywest. It was a great flight, would prefer the E120 over the ERJs any time.
Airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 1994 posts, RR: 20 Reply 8, posted (1 month 2 weeks 1 day ago) and read 3043 times:
Quoting Rogerbcn (Reply 6): Here, in BCN, I think I have never seen the tiny Embraer
Hi Roger, BCN is served by Swiftair's Emb120's. In cargo configuration though...
Quoting Rogerbcn (Reply 6): but the Q800 is used by Air Nostrum on some local routes....
Isn't it the Q300 Air Nostrum used? I think they stopped service for them after an incident lately? Q400's, like the one Markus flew on, are not with the Spanish airline. Correct me if I'm wrong please
Regards,
Eric
Flying is finished for 2009. In 2010: I booked to secure the Q400 on a new route from LCY, for January...
MH017 From Netherlands, joined Apr 2005, 1089 posts, RR: 24 Reply 10, posted (1 month 2 weeks 23 hours ago) and read 3012 times:
Quoting Airbuseric (Reply 1): Both Q400 and E120 missing for me, and I've been looking to catch them already. Schedules a bit difficult for me from AMS
Eric,
Flybe operates to SOU from AMS, so, maybe, you can fly that stretch or try something domestically in the UK ? (or, how about a flight into DUS, which regularly passes overhead SPL daily at around 1230 hrs from the UK) ?
CrimsonNL From Netherlands, joined Dec 2007, 652 posts, RR: 10 Reply 12, posted (1 month 2 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 2881 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW CHAT OPERATOR
Hi Markus, once again great report! I'd love to try that little Embraer one time! The pictures of the city are real nice. I recently flew my second Q400 flight on another ex-SK machine, now operating for BE.
Egilsml From Norway, joined Feb 2007, 11 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (1 month 2 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 2480 times:
Hi Markus
Another great Trip Report
Great you got to go on a former SAS Dash8. Remembered they used to send them up to Widerøe for maintenance when they didnt have a clue what's wrong with them! And that Widerøe also had to let go of the Q400 when SAS ditched them! Even they was very happy about they'r performance.
Contact Air From Germany, joined Apr 2001, 900 posts, RR: 16 Reply 16, posted (1 month 2 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 2446 times:
Hi Markus,
again a great report about one of your very interesting day-trips with nice pictures.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): The nice lady was somewhat surprised with my seat question, window last row. Especially with that smalish plane on the second leg,
I know that situation, nearly everybody seems to prefer seats in the front. I also usually opt for a seat in the back - if the aircraft isn't fully booked, you often have a lot of space for yourself.
Very nice indeed. Places with such a close access to the apron have become rare in these days. Apart from that, T1 really reminds of the building of THF.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): Premiere, leg no. 1 for me on the Embraer 120, not that easy to catch these type around Europe nowadays.
Congratulations - the Emb 120 is really hard to get today. I got my flight on it on SkyEurope on STR-BTS several years ago and I enjoyed it a lot - despite the really small cabin.
Quoting Kurt (Reply 3): I've flown on the EMB-120 many times up and down the California coast on SkyWest
Quoting Kurt (Reply 3): If you ever get the chance to try a SkyWest EMB-120, try to get seats 9B/C. They have awesome amounts of legroom due to the nearby exit door. 9A is regular legroom, though.
Quoting Kurt (Reply 3):
I've got LAX-SBA and SBA-SFO booked for late December (Christmas trip). I'm looking forward to my flights.
Good to know and hopefully also something to read for us.
I really enjoyed reading about your experience on the Q400 via BUD. Very nice pictures of the city as well.
Thank you.
@P.:
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 5): Thanks for this excellent report about something a bit out of the ordinary. That was some fast work from you, just a few days after the Linate report
Thank you.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 5): How does the Embraer 120 compare to the Saab-340? From the pics it looks to be pretty much the same size, cabinwise at least? I've never been on the Embraer, but have logged dozens of Saab flights so I have a pretty good idea of the dimensions.
The Saab is more spacious from my point of view, the Embraer feels more like a
biz prob.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 5): Tell me about it - until recently all decent fares ex-HEL on MA required at least a Sat night stay, one-ways, day-returns etc. were very high, as you put it "business fares". Recently, probably being cash-strapped as they are they've started relaxing the fare rules, and I've been shopping around trying to nail a decent trip on them - no luck yet. Almost booked HEL-BUD-TGD and back on them, including two legs on these Embraers, but that didn't fit into my schedule after all and then they canceled the Pogdorica route. Oh well.
You know, I was also really surprised to catch that fare.
Podgorica was also on the list but doesnt fit at all.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 5): Why does the screen then say Ankunft / Arrivals?
Thanx, I should check my pix closer!.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 5): Even though I've never flown Malev, I've logged two legs (ARN-VNO-ARN back in 2004) on this bird, when it was still flying for SK as OY-KCD. Oh and yes, the landing gear did work properly.
Good point. I ve done also several rides on that machines during SK times, without any problems at all.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 5): My Hungarian friend called BUD T1 "the world's ugliest airport terminal" - he may have a point there, but some of those sorry excuses for airports FR flies to surely have better qualifications for this title!
Not that bad from my point of view.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 5): Does Germanwings assign seats nowadays at check-in? Anyway that's typical loco behavior - FR have been very good at educating people to do that - sort of a Pavlov reaction when seeing the plane appear, I reckon
Fixed seating nowadays at 4U, but the people building the lines anyway.
@Roger:
Quoting Rogerbcn (Reply 6): Another interesting read.... nice to see you catch those quite unusual aircraft.
Thank you.
Quoting Rogerbcn (Reply 6): I liked the pictures of BUD, remember my summer 07, next time for relaxation get to one of the baths, pretty interesting places.
Yeah, that baths, something to do again also.
@PH:
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 7): very interesting report with great pictures from Budapest. I visited the city some years ago and was impressed, even though it wasn't a holiday trip.
Thank you.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 7): Two of Travel Service Hungary's 738s are stored now, only one is still active.
Good to know.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 7): True. Just flew on Skywest's E120 on the US West Coast.
Hopefully also something to read for us.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 7): I was positively surprised by the E120. It wasn't as loud as expected and I didn't feel as cramped as on the ERJs. Legroom was also quite good on Skywest. It was a great flight, would prefer the E120 over the ERJs any time.
Cabin layout is similar from my point of view, but with that heavy load on my flight it feels not that really comfortable.
@Eric:
Quoting Airbuseric (Reply 8): Isn't it the Q300 Air Nostrum used? I think they stopped service for them after an incident lately? Q400's, like the one Markus flew on, are not with the Spanish airline. Correct me if I'm wrong please
I know the Q300, but also dont know about the Q400.
Quoting MH017 (Reply 10): Flybe operates to SOU from AMS, so, maybe, you can fly that stretch or try something domestically in the UK ? (or, how about a flight into DUS, which regularly passes overhead SPL daily at around 1230 hrs from the UK) ?
Good point. Flybe and the LGW-DUS run was also on schedule, but finally cancelled due to biz reasons.
@AlexEU:
Quoting AlexEU (Reply 11): Nice and somehow exotic trip report. BUD and ZAG are very nice cities.
On which other routes is MA using E 120 ?
Thank you.
I´am not sure if Malev leases BAS during the winter timetable.
@Martijn:
Quoting CrimsonNL (Reply 12): Hi Markus, once again great report! I'd love to try that little Embraer one time! The pictures of the city are real nice. I recently flew my second Q400 flight on another ex-SK machine, now operating for BE.
Thank you and hopefully something to read for us.
@Suryo:
Quoting Akhmad (Reply 13): Nice report with beautiful pictures of Budapest. I have never been there and your experience is truly inviting.
Thank you. Budapest is indeed a place for a nice weekend trip.
Quoting Akhmad (Reply 13): It amazes me everytime how you manage to figure out the most interesting routing with exotic airplanes.
Well, the long nights at the laptop, you know.
Quoting Akhmad (Reply 13): The service of MA on your flight to Budapest looks disappointing. The muffin is just too small for that flight duration.
Also my opinion, lowest level here.
@A342:
Quoting A342 (Reply 14):
Thanks for the great TR! Interesting to read about unknown airlines.
Thank you.
Quoting A342 (Reply 14): God, that fuselage in front of the wing looks awfully patched-up! Are you sure this isn't one of the birds that crash-landed?
Well painted. I´am not sure about the actual history of the machine beside that SK/MA change.
Quoting Egilsml (Reply 15): Great you got to go on a former SAS Dash8. Remembered they used to send them up to Widerøe for maintenance when they didnt have a clue what's wrong with them! And that Widerøe also had to let go of the Q400 when SAS ditched them! Even they was very happy about they'r performance.
Good to know. I´ve done several flights on the SK machines prior to that issues.
@Christoph:
Quoting Contact Air (Reply 16): again a great report about one of your very interesting day-trips with nice pictures.
Thank you.
Quoting Contact Air (Reply 16): I know that situation, nearly everybody seems to prefer seats in the front. I also usually opt for a seat in the back - if the aircraft isn't fully booked, you often have a lot of space for yourself.
Absolutely my opinion.
Quoting Contact Air (Reply 16): Great pictures of the City of Budapest! I only know the city from the ground, having visited by bus many years ago.
Thanx again, a nice place for a short stay.
Quoting Contact Air (Reply 16): Very nice indeed. Places with such a close access to the apron have become rare in these days. Apart from that, T1 really reminds of the building of THF.
Looks like THF isnt it?. That was my first impression there.
Quoting Contact Air (Reply 16): Congratulations - the Emb 120 is really hard to get today. I got my flight on it on SkyEurope on STR-BTS several years ago and I enjoyed it a lot - despite the really small cabin.
Hey, good to know that you´ve done that flights years ago.
T1 at BUD looks very 1930s! Very ancient but very nice at the same time. What airlines use that terminal ?
Amazing that you could this trip all in one day! I'm sure it took some planning!
Thank you and me and the lonely nights at the laptop, you know.
@Mark:
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 18): Another real interesting trip, you really are great at this kind of planning, you should give up teh day job and become a specialist travel agent!
Goldenshield From United States, joined Jan 2001, 4086 posts, RR: 13 Reply 22, posted (1 month 1 week 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 1222 times:
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 7): Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter):
The E120 seems undersized from my point of view for actual airline services, but nevertheless good to catch that machine here.
I was positively surprised by the E120. It wasn't as loud as expected and I didn't feel as cramped as on the ERJs. Legroom was also quite good on Skywest. It was a great flight, would prefer the E120 over the ERJs any time.
Undersized for airline service? The fact that there is not enough demand for a 737, but enough to sustain a route with an E-120 proves that there is need for more aircraft in this category. The airlines that flew them, love(d) them. Heck, here in the US, golfers are buying up old E120s since they are fast (yes, the Q400 is faster, but it's also a lot younger,) reliable, and cheap to operate. As for "small", an airline can be running around with Cessna 172's, if they so desired (and the local authorities let them.) The size of aircraft matters not, as long as it gets the job done profitably.
Many markets wouldn't have service at all if it wasn't for aircraft such as the E-120. Having a "big" jet, such as a 737, on such a route, without enough demand to sustain it, is a good way to kill an airline.
"I heard that there are rumors on the internets" -- G. W. Bush at the second 2004 debate
FLIEGER67 From Tunisia, joined Sep 2003, 2158 posts, RR: 50 Reply 23, posted (1 month 1 week 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 1174 times:
Hey, Goldenshield,
Quoting Goldenshield (Reply 22): The size of aircraft matters not, as long as it gets the job done profitably.
Good point and I agree 100%.
Better air service on smaller planes than no airservice. Especially from my point of view.
I love to fly that regional props anytime.
But, the situation here in Europe is somewhat different than in the US with more and more
short routes going down and gone replaced by high speed train services.
And if you followed the comments from some of the pax on the apron, they´re not really amused to board such a small plane.
Infodesk From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 425 posts, RR: 7 Reply 24, posted (1 month 1 week 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 1165 times:
Hi Markus,
Budapest looks a really stunning city. You got some fantastic shots from above. And I love the old-fashioned funicular you took, not to mention the train!
Seeing your shot of the back ow on 4U reminds me of my last flight on them. I got 27F and there was no window. The flight was pretty full and there were no other window seats I could move to ;-(
Great that you managed to catch the special E120 at such a good price. Those fares with the Saturday night rule and so on can be quite annoying. I guess the time will come when certain airlines will have to react.
Oh, and BUD airport also looked interesting. I like the special architecture.
Happy flying!
Infodesk
"Do nothing in haste, look well to each step and from the beginning think what may be the end" - Edward Whymper
FLIEGER67 From Tunisia, joined Sep 2003, 2158 posts, RR: 50 Reply 26, posted (1 month 1 week 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 1095 times:
Hello, Hannah and Stefan
and thanx for the comments.
@Hannah:
Quoting Infodesk (Reply 24): Budapest looks a really stunning city. You got some fantastic shots from above. And I love the old-fashioned funicular you took, not to mention the train!
It seems I was lucky with that approach above the city and you know, I like to fit in some more transport things than usual.
Quoting Infodesk (Reply 24): Great that you managed to catch the special E120 at such a good price. Those fares with the Saturday night rule and so on can be quite annoying. I guess the time will come when certain airlines will have to react.
A 100% agreement, especially with that biz routes, not easy to manage.
Quoting Infodesk (Reply 24): Oh, and BUD airport also looked interesting. I like the special architecture.
Me absolutely, too.
@Stefan:
Quoting StefanPAD (Reply 25): it was a long afternoon for me to read all your latest TRs to Spain, Africa, Italy, LHR T5 and BUD/ZAG.
Good to know that there are still some airports and planes missing to your log. That keeps you busy flying and many more TRs for us to read
Such a lot of things to do all around and such limited time and also money, but I will do my best!.
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