gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Posted (3 years 2 months 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 12905 times:
Easter in Ukraine with Austrian
Hi Everyone!
Less than two weeks after I got back from Oman and the UAE I was off on another trip. Whilst the Middle Eastern trip was arranged at fairly short notice, I booked this trip a few months ago. As normally I don’t go on too many trips, I like to spread them out so I was a bit perturbed by having these two so close together. However, not long after I arranged the Oman trip, however, I ended up organising another trip to Asia (Korea, China, Hong Kong and Malaysia) – I’m doing this trip in late April/early May, so I’ll go into more detail about that next month. It seems like my self control for buying flights has been completely lost as yesterday I booked to go to Helsinki for the second May bank holiday (outbound on BA, back on Blue1). I’m also off to Romania with Blue Air (why are there so many airlines with Blue in their name?) in late June – this is definitely the most leisure travel I’ve ever done in a short time. Anyway, back to the subject matter – Austrian Airlines to Kiev….
Perhaps it was growing up in Tokyo in the late ‘80s that I first became interested in the USSR and communism. My old school was next to the Russian Embassy so I always saw lots of Russian guards standing around. However, it wasn’t until I was twelve that I finally stepped over the ex-Iron Curtain with a trip to Prague. My parents tales of taking travelling around Berlin certainly drew my attention. Since then I’ve ticked off a fair few ex-USSR countries including (Russia of course!), Latvia, Lithuania, Armenia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Romania, Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic. I’m not sure if the Cyrillic script, the cheap vodka, or the expressions of people’s faces when I say where I’m going on holiday, but I just love it! So Ukraine, Europe’s largest country (after Russia) was of course always on the ‘to-do’ list somewhere. After reading ‘Eva’s Story’ I became a bit obsessed with going to Odessa, but up until now I hadn’t got round to going. Kiev, however, was a bit more accessible for a short trip, and so now that the visa restrictions on EU citizens are no more, Easter 2010 turned out to be the perfect time for this trip.
As well as getting a good fare, I really quite fancied another trip to the BMI Great British Lounge at Heathrow. To do this I’d have to fly on a Miles and More airline (LOT, Lufthansa, Swiss or Austrian). LOT was my preference as I’d never flown them before, but their flights were really expensive. Much like the last couple of times I’ve headed into Eastern Europe (Tirana, Yerevan and Timisoara) Austrian and their superb Vienna hub came to the rescue with a fare of just over GBP150 return. In order to give myself time for a lie in, and time in the lounge, I booked an evening flight out of Heathrow and a night stop in Vienna for Good Friday. I was planning on staying in the NH hotel in Vienna Airport, but as you’ll see that didn’t work out.
To the Flights!
As always, I took the tube down to Heathrow. Surprisingly for a bank holidays all the tubes seemed to be running smoothly, and my local station, Warren Street, was open (it’s always shut at the weekends for “refurbishment”. An hour after leaving home I was in the main departures area of Terminal 1. Lufthansa, Austrian, LOT and possibly a couple of other airlines have moved to a new check in area (Area K?), which is a bit of a hike. Luckily, there was no queue at all for the business class desk, and the slighltly weird guy behind the desk printed my boarding cards. I’d been following the loads closely over the previous few days. Both this flight and the one just before had been zero-ed out in all classes. The morning flight was also subbed for a B767 instead of a B737, so I was expecting an Easter oversell situation. I had prepared a list of possible diversions (hey, I’m on holidays, and I like flying!) including routing though ZRH, FRA, WAW and HAM, but when I asked, the guy looked completely confused. I said I’d was interested in being VDBed (voluntary denied boarding), and he said he’d never heard of it. After explaining he said that I had a confirmed seat and shouldn’t worry about being bumped. Doh! A night in Vienna it would be!
I headed for security, which for the firs time ever was completely empty. Of course BAA wouldn’t let me get though that easily so the x-ray machine was stopped and staff changed when my bag was inside. Seriously!?! It was almost as if BAA has a charter giving the minimum security check times! Never mind. I headed off though the particularly busy shopping mall (sorry, departure lounge) and headed for the airplane spotter heaven that is the BMI lounge.
The last time I was here before flying to ZRH on LX it had been dark. This time, however, the sun was shining, and I managed to get a day bed right in the corner with fantastic views over the departing runway. In got myself a couple of beers and a scone (don’t really go, but I rarely get the chance to eat scones!), and settled in for a pleasant few hours drinking and plane spotting – the perfect bank holiday afternoon!
My spot in the lounge
Departures
Poor paintjob of the old Star Alliance
My A321 taxiing in
Unfortunately, after probably one beer too many my flight flashed up as boarding. Thankfully, the gate was just a minutes walk away. If it had docked at the gate I was going to arrive back into on Monday then it would have been a good 20 minute slog across to the other side of the terminal.
Once boarding had got underway (a good five minutes after I arrived, and probably 20 minutes after the first people started queuing), the queue moved quite fast condisering the full load.
April 2010
London Heathrow (LHR) – Vienna (VIE)
Scheduled: 1925-2240 (2h15m)
Actual: 1948-2228 (1h40m)
Austrian OS 456
Airbus A321 (OE-LBE)
My window seat in the rear part of the plane wasn’t too comfy (a bit tight on the legroom), but it was ok for the relatively short flight (as long as the person in front doesn’t recline).
We taxied out a few minutes late and took off into the last of the sun’s rays. Service consisted of a sandwich and drinks service. The crew started at the front of the cabin, so it took a while to get served.
Sorry, the photo wasn’t very good – I was trying to not draw attention to myself!
The Belgian Coast
Despite the delay, we landed early. We taxied to a remote stand behind what will (hopefully) shortly become the new international terminal. I disembarked from the rear door, and was happy to see that the back bus left before the front one.
After a little tour of the tarmac, we were deposited by the arrivals area. Instead of joining the crowds to get though immigration, I went upstairs into the non-Schengen area to try and use the lounge before I shut for the night. Despite saying open until 2330, at 2300 the agent was very unhappy at letting me in. I grabbed a drink and headed to the service desk. I asked about a hotel room – the guy there told me to ask in arrivals.
I went though immigration, and asked at the arrivals desk and was told that they didn’t have any ‘transit’ deals for the hotels, so I walked over the road to the NH Hotel myself to enquire about any last minute rooms. Unfortunately their last minute deals were more than my plane ticket cost, so I decided to stay the night in the terminal instead.
A few scenes of an empty VIE Airport
How many airports have a sex shop?
I went back though to the departures area and found a nice metal bench to spend the night on. Unfortunately sleep was evasive, so around 2am I went for a wander. I found Starbucks (which was closed), but their trademark couches did just the job. I was awoken at five by the guy setting up the seating area for Starbucks. I got my stuff together an wondered over to the lounge (scheduled to be opening at 5.30).
I was the first person though the doors of the lounge when it opened. I wasn’t very impressed with the morning selections – there were apples, croissants and rye bread. That’s it. They didn’t even have any hot chocolate on offer from the machine. I took a stack of croissants and some tea and settled down waiting for sunrise.
Around 7 I packed my stuff up and headed though immigration to the Schengen lounge. This is the only Business lounge with a shower (only one though). This lounge is quite a bit smaller than the Schengen lounge, but the views were a bit better (especially in the morning on a clear day). After waiting for an Indian family to finish with the shower (they were in there for over an hour), it was my turn. I must say after a night on a bench/Starbuck, a shower feels great.
After a bit longer in the lounge, I headed down to the very depressing ‘D’ gates – these are all bus gates for destinations in Eastern Europe. Luckily I didn’t have to wait too long before our bus was ready for boarding.
April 2010
Vienna (VIE) – Kiev Boryispol (KBP)
Scheduled: 1035-1330 (1h55m)
Actual: 1044-1324 (1h40m)
Austrian OS 661
Fokker F100 (OE-LVB)
Poorly painted BMI again
I managed to hop off the bus pretty quickly and was the third person onboard. My seat was the first behind the curtain. The cabin gradually filled up, but thankfully there was no one in the middle seat. Business Class was empty until two people in the row behind decided they wanted more room so moved to the row in front. The FA said that they weren’t allowed to do this – after a few sentences between the two parties, the FA said that they could stay there “for this flight only as a favour”. Of course these two proceeded to make themselves confirmable, with BOTH of them reclining their seats all the way back before we had even moved (one of them onto me). Once the FA had got them to out their seats up, we moved off, only for the woman in the aisle to out here seat back down again. Some people.
The FA said that the guy in the aisle could move to some other spare seats in Business so he didn’t have to have anyone reclining onto him. I, on the other hand, moved into the middle of the row, so had three seats to myself.
On this sector, two tasty open sandwich were served, along with drinks. Once everyone else was served I enquired about having another sandwich, but the FA said that they were all out. A few minutes later, however, she returned with three pieces of bread rolled up in a napkins – not sure where she got them from (spare C-class or crew meals?!), but it very much appreciated. Thumbs up!
We began our descent into a very dark and murky Kiev. The ground was nearly completely obscured until a minute or two before landing.
Kiev airport was full of random Western and Russian built machines, most of which looked like they were parked for the long term. On the tarmac in front of the small terminal was a ERJ from DniproAvia, and then not long after we arrived, an E190 from LOT, as well as a B767 from Aerosvit.
Kiev airport has just one air bridge (well, there are two, but the other is not linked to the terminal, starting and finishing in mid-air), which was being occupied by Air Arabia. We were therefore bussed to the arrivals area. Immigration was fairly fast (maybe took 10 minutes), and before I knew it I was in the extremely busy and crowed arrivals area. After tracking down an ATM to get some Hyrvnias, I went outside and located the bus into the city.
A few pictures from Kiev….
A piece of the Berlin Wall outside the German Embassy
Local Bastardo wine and Borjomi water
Local Ukrainian Fayre
The Very deep Metro
The Monastery
Giant Easter Eggs
This sign says ‘Entrance to the Caves’ I think – my Ukrainian isn’t too hot
The War Musuem
Dynamo Kiev Football Grounds
Baltica Beer (from St.Peteresburg)
Menus caused some issues….
I did understand the Vodka bit though! Russian Standard please!
Vehicles outside the Chernobyl Museum (closed unfortunately)
St.Sophia Church (?)
After an all too brief stay in Kiev it was time to head home. Instead of getting the bus I managed to negotiate a taxi to the airport, arriving about 90 minutes before the flight. I went a bit wild in the supermarket in Kiev and bought 4 bottles of Borjomi water, and a few bottles of wine so had to check my bag in (hand luggage only on the way over).
I tried to find a post box to send my postcard that I had dutifully completed, but there were none to be seen. The Austrian check in desks were swamped with people. The Business class desk was marginally less busy, and I was seen in around 10 minutes. My bag tagged, and boarding cards in hand, I went upstairs and joined a long and occasionally rowdy line for security, then an even longer line for immigration.
Once though immigration, I was in the very boring departure lounge. I have 42 Hyrvnias left (about USD 5), so I went into the duty free to see if there was anything – unfortunately everything was priced in Euros (why do some countries not left you spend the rest of your local currency?), so didn’t buy anything. I found a bar near the gate though, so enjoyed a couple of Stellas before boarding.
Departures Board (in Ukrainian)
Views from the terminal of the tarmac are very limited – I could make out the lucky aircraft that got allocated the sole air bridge – a CSA A320 to Prague. I missed the first bus out to the aircraft, so followed on the second.
SK to CPH
LH to DUS
New Terminal?
April 2010
Kiev Boryispol (KBP) – Vienna (VIE)
Scheduled: 1515-1625 (2h10m)
Actual: 1518-1627 (2h09m)
Austrian OS 661
Fokker F100 (OE-LVE) Star Alliance Livery
This flight seemed a bit fuller than the last, and there were even people booked in Business (including one guy that was in the same row as me on the way out). We departed a few minutes late into another overcast sky.
Views of Kiev from the air
The service on this sector consisted on drinks (more Austrian beer), and some Do&Co cakes.
Unlike the beautiful weather in Vienna when I left, this time Vienna was freezing cold. Everyone ran from the plane into the relative warmth of the bus. On the way back to the terminal we past the B738 that would be taking me to London.
I had just enough time between flights to go up to the lounge, where I indulged in some very nice chocolate pear cake, and a glass of Prosecco.
April 2010
Vienna (VIE) – London Heathrow (LHR)
Scheduled: 1715-1835 (2h20m)
Actual: 1729-1834 (2h5m)
Austrian OS 455
Boeing B737-800 (OE-LNS)
This flight, like the LHR-VIE leg, would be going out full. The incredibly small departure lounge was completely full, with not a single seat left, and people standing in every conceivable space. The new terminal can’t come quick enough.
Walkaround
I like the Niki paintjob
The BMI flight that now codeshares with OS – part of the LH bigger picture.
We took off a little behind schedule into the cold grey skies. The snack, once the crew had worked their way down the length of the plane, was a chicken sandwich and chocolate mousse, which was pretty tasty.
The cloud line stopped abruptly as we left the continent – England was enjoying a very sunny Spring evening.
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 1, posted (3 years 2 months 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 12852 times:
A SAS B738 holding
LCY
Fun Fair No.1
Fun Fair No.2
Nowhere can beat Heathrow’s evening selection for variety of exotic airlines and destinations
The Europeir
My Ukraine drinks selection
Conclusion
Austrian were pretty good. No delays, tasty on board catering, friendly staff and clean planes. Ukraine is somewhere I definitely need to go back to, Odessa and Chornobyl being top of the list. It’s not the easiest of places to travel around (due to everything being in Cyrillic), but I found it easier than Russia!
Upcoming Flights
April
London – Doha Qatar Airways A346 Business Class
Doha – Seoul Qatar Airways A332 Business Class
Seoul – Dalian China Southern A321 Economy Class
Dalian – Beijing China Southern A321 Economy Class
May
Beijing - Shenzhen Hainan Airlines A346 Economy Class
Hong Kong – Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Airlines A330 Economy Class
Kuala Lumpur – Penang Malaysia Airlines B737 Economy Class
Penang – Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Airlines B737 Economy Class
Kuala Lumpur –Hong Kong Malaysia Airlines B777 Economy Class
Hong Kong – Doha Qatar Airways A332 Economy Class
Doha – London Qatar Airways A333 Economy Class
London – Helsinki British Airways A320 Economy Class
June
Helsinki – London Blue1 MD90 Economy Class
Luton – Sibiu Air Blue B737 Economy Class
Sibiu – Luton Air Blue B737 Economy Class
FlyingFinn76 From Finland, joined Jun 2009, 1705 posts, RR: 41 Reply 2, posted (3 years 2 months 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 12667 times:
Hi Gabriel,
Great report with lots and lots of nice pictures. Reminds me of my trip to Ukraine last summer - although it was in late June with great weather, hot temperatures (especially in Odessa) and some impressive thunderstorms in the evenings as a result. There's a series of TRs in this forum about that trip. Your first picture of Kyiv (I still usually refer to it as "Kiev" as I've gotten used to, this new translittering business is confusing...) is actually a few hundred meters (downhill) from my hotel.
You got an amazing fare with Austrian as well, Ukraine still isn't the cheapest place on earth to get to, although one can sometimes get great fares with Wizz Ukraine.
Munich does, at least. Probably FRA as well. You can buy "Travel Vaginas" from the vending machines at the mens toilets of DUS!
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): I went a bit wild in the supermarket in Kiev and bought 4 bottles of Borjomi water, and a few bottles of wine so had to check my bag in (hand luggage only on the way over).
Heh, I had this water in the BT lounge at RIX a couple of weeks ago - actually brought a bottle home as well (whoops, it accidentally fell into my closed bag, how strange is that?) - great stuff although I'm not sure I'd go over the trouble you did for bringing it home...
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter):
Once though immigration, I was in the very boring departure lounge. I have 42 Hyrvnias left (about USD 5), so I went into the duty free to see if there was anything – unfortunately everything was priced in Euros (why do some countries not left you spend the rest of your local currency?), so didn’t buy anything. I found a bar near the gate though, so enjoyed a couple of Stellas before boarding.
Actually you can pay in Hrivnas in that store, it's just that they quote the prices in Euros. I did so.
BrusselsSouth From Belgium, joined Aug 2001, 598 posts, RR: 5 Reply 4, posted (3 years 2 months 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 12170 times:
Hi Gabriel,
Nice report ! I read it with great interest as I'll be traveling to Ukraine next month (connecting in Warsaw on LOT). Nice pictures of Kyiv (and I like the SAS 737 holding around Heathrow...).
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): I must say after a night on a bench/Starbuck, a shower feels great.
Definitely !
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): On the tarmac in front of the small terminal was a ERJ from DniproAvia
I'm due to fly on one of those between Simferopol and Kyiv, then between Kyiv and Lviv.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Once though immigration, I was in the very boring departure lounge.
Good to know that the lounge is boring. I'll be flying in and out of Kyiv, but only on domestic flights. Anyone knows what to expect in the domestic terminal ?
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Nowhere can beat Heathrow’s evening selection for variety of exotic airlines and destinations
I hear you ! I've connected at LHR in the past even when more convenient connections were available, just for the pleasure of watching all the action there !
B747forever From United States of America, joined May 2007, 16598 posts, RR: 11 Reply 5, posted (3 years 2 months 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 12140 times:
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 6, posted (3 years 2 months 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 12074 times:
Thanks for the replies so far.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 2):
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter):
How many airports have a sex shop?
Munich does, at least. Probably FRA as well.
I'm not sure an airport is the best place for a sex shop - might get some funny looks as you go though security with weirdly shaped items!
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 2): Actually you can pay in Hrivnas in that store, it's just that they quote the prices in Euros. I did so.
I'm not sure I had enough left anyway to buy anything. I think it was better spent on beer!
Quoting rcaq (Reply 3): You DID like the DO&CO on board snacks?
Everything I had this time was very nice (clearly someone had thought about what to serve). A few years ago enroute to EVN from LHR, a horrible jam cake was served - that wasn't good.
Quoting rcaq (Reply 3): Nice TR, looking forward to your QR ICN TR in J!
Can't wait to go - hopefully the ash will have settled by then
Enjoy your trip, the sun should be shining by then
Quoting BrusselsSouth (Reply 4):
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter):
so I decided to stay the night in the terminal instead.
I just *hate* doing tha
Me too, but seemed like an ok option when I was planning.
Quoting BrusselsSouth (Reply 4): Good to know that the lounge is boring. I'll be flying in and out of Kyiv, but only on domestic flights. Anyone knows what to expect in the domestic terminal ?
FlyingFinn76 From Finland, joined Jun 2009, 1705 posts, RR: 41 Reply 7, posted (3 years 2 months 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 11857 times:
Quoting BrusselsSouth (Reply 4): Good to know that the lounge is boring. I'll be flying in and out of Kyiv, but only on domestic flights. Anyone knows what to expect in the domestic terminal ?
Not much. Airside is a tiny area with 3-4 bus gates and one bar, with a tendency to get horribly crowded at peak times. I'd recommend staying somewhere else (in the summertime there's a rather nice outdoor beer garden in front of the terminal but May might be too early for that) and going through security at late as possible...
FLIEGER67 From Bulgaria, joined Sep 2003, 4421 posts, RR: 56 Reply 8, posted (3 years 2 months 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 11188 times:
Hey, Gabrielchew,
I´ve never been to Ukraine myself, therefore a real interesting read.
Love the local pictures, always good to know that some guys here are a bit more interested than just flying in and out.
Also good to follow you´re positive experience on OS, something to do for me also the next time.
Palmjet From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2001, 1053 posts, RR: 16 Reply 9, posted (3 years 2 months 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 11095 times:
Great report and pics - thanks for posting this report. I am thinking of going to Ukraine as well. Did you have time to get to the aviation museum in Kiev? It is apparently excellent.
Also, can I ask what date you flew back into LHR on? I was spotting at LCY on Easter Monday in the early evening, so if you arrived home on Easter Monday, I was down there on the ground at LCY !
767747 From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 1759 posts, RR: 25 Reply 10, posted (3 years 2 months 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 10626 times:
Nice report and pictures! I flew Austrian Airlines a few years ago and enjoyed them very much .. looks like they provided nice service on your flights!
lukeyboy95 From Papua New Guinea, joined Apr 2008, 953 posts, RR: 34 Reply 11, posted (3 years 2 months 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 10506 times:
Good report.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): after probably one beer too many my flight flashed up as boarding.
no such thing
Flight looked good... but everything else looked amazing - Ukraine is somewhere I have alwyas wanted to go to. And it looks sufficiently soviet. Lviv is my first place I wish to go to. And I loved the arrival photos in LHR. Well captured!
Did you take water home?! Or was that vodka in plastic bottles!?
ronerone From Jordan, joined Aug 2004, 1550 posts, RR: 54 Reply 12, posted (3 years 2 months 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 10127 times:
Excellent report!
I think OS is one of the better European airlines, and i hope to give them a try one day. Nice to see that Do&Co is used for catering! They are my favorite catering company.
Was also interesting to see some pictures of Ukraine, and it looks beautiful!
Thanks a lot for sharing!
Regards,
Roni
A Stop Away From One-Stop, Is Non-Stop : Airbus A340-500
AI151 From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2009, 303 posts, RR: 17 Reply 13, posted (3 years 2 months 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 10068 times:
Hi Gabriel, nice TR and Kiev looks like a very nice city to visit for a few days.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): It seems like my self control for buying flights has been completely lost
That's probably happened to most A.netters.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): The FA said that the guy in the aisle could move to some other spare seats in Business so he didn’t have to have anyone reclining onto him. I, on the other hand, moved into the middle of the row, so had three seats to myself.
Its a shame the FA didn't ask you to sit up front, but then again I suppose having 3 seats to yourself isn't so bad.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): I have 42 Hyrvnias left (about USD 5), so I went into the duty free to see if there was anything – unfortunately everything was priced in Euros (why do some countries not left you spend the rest of your local currency?)
Maybe that's their way of enticing you back into the country to spend more of the local currency?..LOL!
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 14, posted (3 years 2 months 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 9913 times:
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 8): Love the local pictures, always good to know that some guys here are a bit more interested than just flying in and out.
I do make an effot to see new stuff, even if just for a few hours. The World is too full of places to not take the time to stop and look (and maybe have a beer!)
Quoting Palmjet (Reply 9): Did you have time to get to the aviation museum in Kiev? It is apparently excellent.
I never read a guide book to Kiev so didn't know that there was an aviation musuem. However, being there over Easter a lot of placs were shut.
Quoting Palmjet (Reply 9): Also, can I ask what date you flew back into LHR on? I was spotting at LCY on Easter Monday in the early evening, so if you arrived home on Easter Monday, I was down there on the ground at LCY !
I did fly in on Easter Monday - did you get a photo of my OS B737?
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 11): Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter):
after probably one beer too many my flight flashed up as boarding.
no such thing
You're probably right!
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 11): And I loved the arrival photos in LHR. Well captured!
Thanks - it was a pretty wet period around Easter so I was lucky to get some sun at LHR both flying in and out.
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 11): Did you take water home?! Or was that vodka in plastic bottles!?
The plastic bottles are full of mineral water from Borjomi in Georgia. It's famous all over the ex-USSR. It's got a strong, almost salty taste - I love it, but lots of people that I've forced to try it don't really appreciate it!
Quoting ronerone (Reply 12): Nice to see that Do&Co is used for catering! They are my favorite catering company.
They're not bad - a lot more imaginative than most catering companies. With an OS boarding pass you can actually get a free afternoon tea ta the DO&CO store in the British Musuem for up to 10 days after the flight. Unfortunately, depsite living 10 minutes from the British Musuem, I forgot (again).
Quoting AI151 (Reply 13): Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter):
It seems like my self control for buying flights has been completely lost
a330300 From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 172 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (3 years 1 month 3 weeks 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 8502 times:
Thanks for the pics of Kiev! Your pics bring back some memories of AeroSvit...
I flew AeroSvit JFK-KBP-IST last year and ended up having a last minute schedule change that resulted in me spending 8 hours at the airport. Wishing I had taken the time to head into the city, but finding out you have an 8 hour layover instead of a 90 min connection as you're on your way to JFK doesn't help!
gardermoen From Australia, joined Jul 1999, 1518 posts, RR: 1 Reply 16, posted (3 years 1 month 3 weeks 3 days ago) and read 8267 times:
Hello.
Cool report and very nice pictures. Ukraine sure looks like an exciting place to visit. I'd love to go there one day.
That metro escalator sure looks very deep, I'm getting claustrophobic just looking at that!
The mural in the metro of two men looks very Tom Of Finland-esque. Wow, very nice!
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter):
How many airports have a sex shop?
I'm sure FRA has one, I'm certain I saw one there a few years ago.
I like the Niki paintjob
I do like the tails, but the fly on the fueslage just ruins it for me.
I really love your pics of the SK 738 holding over London. Envious, that never happens to me!
Fabo From Slovakia, joined Aug 2005, 1111 posts, RR: 1 Reply 17, posted (3 years 1 month 2 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 7493 times:
I consider Kiev one of the most stunning cities I have ever visited (not that I have much under my belt) - and I sure as hell recommend to everyone to visit it. I hope to get me to more post-soviet countries soon, I am too quite inclined to them
Russian Standart is perfect choice by the way [self-promotion] I have started a fan page for it on Facebook [/self-promotion]. Too bad it isnt too much to be found in clubs of Prague. But I can find other sources anyway
Now, the Zhuliany aviation museum, DEFINITELY a place to go. One of the early Tu-154s, first succesful jet airliner - 104, and you will get to sit in a captains chair of Il-62 and maybe Mi-8 A bargain for a bunch of Hrivnas. I recall we paid a euro for three students, granted, that is almost 5 years back.
The light at the end of tunnel turn out to be a lighted sing saying NO EXIT
staralliance38 From United States of America, joined Jan 2008, 1445 posts, RR: 4 Reply 18, posted (3 years 1 month 2 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 6998 times:
Thanks for the TR! Kiev looks like a great city to visit. That metro tunnel must be really deep! Great pics of Austian and VIE!
Reifel From Germany, joined Feb 2005, 1153 posts, RR: 1 Reply 21, posted (3 years 1 month 1 week 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 5653 times:
Very nice report, thank you for sharing. I had the chance to work 5 months on a river cruise ship in Ukraine and I must say there is so much stuff to see in that country. Kiev is absolutely beautiful, as well as Odessa and Crimea. And all the smaller cities along the Dnepr inbetween, glad you enjoyed!
I slept on that same red bench in front of the duty free shop in that curbed aisle that you've pictured. I used to sleep in airports a lot, and I must say VIE isn't bad. The benches are good, since you can use the whole length, but you need a sleeping bag or something soft under you... There are not much people overnighting there, most oft them leave the airport and do not remain in transit. And staff is rare and don't bother you like in other airports...
That metro escalator sure looks very deep, I'm getting claustrophobic just looking at that!
The mural in the metro of two men looks very Tom Of Finland-esque.
I don't imagine Tom of Finland was what they were going for!
Quoting gardermoen (Reply 16): Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter):
How many airports have a sex shop?
I'm sure FRA has one, I'm certain I saw one there a few years ago.
Quoting djb77 (Reply 19): Coming back to the sex shop question, I can confirm:
Frankfurt has two, used to have three, one of which had a full adult cinema
Stuttgart has one
Munich has one
Not that I have been in any of them, of course *cough*
#
I *think* there might have actually be one in HKG when I passed though yesterday - didn't see it very clearly though.
Quoting Reifel (Reply 21): I slept on that same red bench in front of the duty free shop in that curbed aisle that you've pictured. I used to sleep in airports a lot, and I must say VIE isn't bad. The benches are good, since you can use the whole length, but you need a sleeping bag or something soft under you... There are not much people overnighting there, most oft them leave the airport and do not remain in transit. And staff is rare and don't bother you like in other airports...
I found the bench quite uncomfortable - a sleeping bag would have definitely helped.
Palmjet From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2001, 1053 posts, RR: 16 Reply 23, posted (3 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 5353 times:
Sorry I did not get a pic of your OS 738 - although I probably did see it as I was watching arrivals into LHR when I was at LCY - it was cloudy for some of the time if I recall. Thanks again for your trip report.
Sponsor Message: 
From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, 
From Finland, joined Jun 2009, 1705 posts, 
From Austria, joined Aug 2009, 98 posts, 
From Belgium, joined Aug 2001, 598 posts, 
From United States of America, joined May 2007, 16598 posts, 
From Bulgaria, joined Sep 2003, 4421 posts, 
From Papua New Guinea, joined Apr 2008, 953 posts, 
From Jordan, joined Aug 2004, 1550 posts, 
From Australia, joined Jul 1999, 1518 posts, 
From Slovakia, joined Aug 2005, 1111 posts, 
From UK - Scotland, joined Sep 2001, 214 posts, 
From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6211 posts, 
Sponsor Message: 
Printer friendly format
