infodesk From Switzerland, joined exactly 7 years ago today! , 1236 posts, RR: 34 Posted (2 years 10 months 3 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 6691 times:
Background
One of the highlights of the month of January is the planning of our summer holiday. After a lovely stay in Santorini two years ago we decided we’d like to try another Greek island and went for Mykonos. Our flight to JTR had touched down there and we liked what we saw from the air. Anyway, for personal reasons we weren’t able to book the trip at that point and by the time we did in March, not only had the price gone up but the hotel we wanted no longer had any sea view rooms. Not to be deterred, we paid the extra and settled for the garden view. Flights were direct to Mykonos with Edelweiss, although on certain dates they are operated by Swiss and sure enough, this was to be the case for us.
Seat reservation was done through the travel agents, highly recommended on holiday flights, for the fee of 30chf each.
The trip
OLCI was not necessary as we already had our seats. The alarm woke us at 0330 and we set off at 0415, arriving at Zurich just 25 minutes later. I enjoy driving at this time of the night (or morning). I wasn’t sure what the check-in queues would be like as there were a few other charters departing at a similar time so allowed plenty of time, too much as usual. There was of course no wait at check-in. Look at how quiet the place is. It was so early, I couldn’t even say hi to my colleagues, as they hadn’t started work yet!
Check-in 3
Shopping landside
Fids
Transit zone A
Our gate was A73 and there was one security point open along with one bar, which was making a fortune selling bottled water. You know who profits from the liquids ban……
Boarding started at 0555 and those sitting at the back were asked to board first. Free newspapers were available in the air bridge. I guessed from looking at the seats that this was one of the old Swiss Sun planes- they still have the nice big leather ones. My records tell me it was my second flight on this aircraft. It was a full load today with 3 rows of business class. Someone behind wanted to change seats, to which the crew replied it was impossible. Interesting to note there was only one child on the flight – Mykonos is not the best place for kids.
Boarding was completed remarkably quickly and we pushed back bang on 0620. The crew welcomed us on board, played the saftey video and the pilot greeted us quickly.
Pushback
Air France coming up soon for me
KL and their E90
Work still ongoing at Dock B
Wonder what AY was doing here? They don’t usually overnight in Zurich
AB in the old colours and Hello MD-90
Our take off was from runway 34 at 0630, the restrictions at this time mean we couldn‘t fly over Germany so shortly after we were airborne we made a sharp turn to the right and headed for the Austrian border.
Turning
Wheel cam, a feature of the ex-Swiss sun machines
Take off
Just look at the horrible weather in Switzerland……
About 20 minutes or so after take off, the pilot made a very detailed announcement in Swiss German, which was a nice touch. He told us extensively about our routing which was to be over Innsbruck, the Dolomites, Venice, along the Adria past Zadar, Dubrovnik and on towards Athens. He then gave some information for the „technically interested“, telling us that our take off weight was 71 tonnes; we would use 6 ½ tonnes of fuel on our way; our take off speed was 300kmh and our crusing altitude was to be 10000m to start with, climbing to 11000 later. I didn’t catch the pilot’s name unfortunately, but thanks for such a detailed announcement!
Dolomites
Those clouds on the left were pretty high
We had a bottle of water in the seat pocket, something usually reserved for C-class pax on LX, and the breakfast service began promptly. I was interested to see what we get as WK offer „proper“ meals on their flights, but we were on an LX machine.
This was the vegetarian breakfast offering:
And the standard one:
A very comprehensive tray on a holiday flight with no extra cost - thumbs up. First we were offered soft drinks, later tea and coffee. Alcohol was extra. To be really picky, cucumber and roasted peppers wouldn’t be my first choice at 7am, but I was hungry so it all went.
We overtook this OS F70
Adria
Over Greece now
We were still over the mainland when I heard the engines spool down and the pilot announced that we had started our descent and those on the right could see Athens.
Andros & Tinos
Syros - somewhere down there is an aiport with a 1000m runway!
Tinos
Mykonos in sight!
Turning over the sea
Delos / Rinia
Paranga beach
Paradise beach
Nearly there….
Landing was remarkably smooth as it was a wind-free day on the island, at 0955 on runway 34, approach from the south
After landing, turning
Backtracking
Terminal
What’s the rush? You’re on holiday!
I’m always a bit wary about taking pictures at Greek airports so try to be as discreet as possible, hence the fact that people kept walking in the way !
Deboarding, thanks LX
Baggage claim
Eric – they moved the seats
The rep from our tour company met us and showed us to the bus. After a very short ride we arrived at our hotel, the Vencia, located above Mykonos town, offering great views and a divine infinity pool. I cam warmly recommend this place, a small family run business offering excellent service and very nice rooms. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered such friendly staff in any other hotel. Definitely a place for couples and not kids.
Some impressions of our stay :
Hotel
Plane spotting from the pool. Edelweiss returning to Zurich on the mid-week flight
Plane spotting from the beach, think this was Psarou
Mykonos town
Little Venice
Windmills
Delicious food
Elia beach, my favourite
Chill out area, Ornos beach
Paranga
The return
Sunday June 21st
After about 6 hours of sleep the alarm woke me to remind me there was still packing to be done. I was cursing the liquid ban, as this meant I had to carefully pack 3 bottles of Santorini wine in the case in a way I was sure they wouldn’t get broken. Breakfast was officially from 8, but we went down a bit earlier and enjoyed some fresh bread and honey. I used the free internet to check that our plane had left Zurich on time, which it had. Our pick up was at 8.25 on the dot and we were at the airport in a matter of minutes. Our minibus timed it just perfectly as shortly after we joined the queue it trippled in length. There was also a Germanwings flight for CGN checking in. After receiving our boarding cards we took our luggage back from the belt and took it to the x-ray machine where it was sent on its way to the aircraft.
Mykonos airport
Check-in queue
Departure board
Departure hall
An advert for Munich airport in Mykonos ?!
We then spent some time outside, soaking up some final rays of sun, as we knew the weather was bad back in Switzerland. Security was a lot more laid back than usual – I seemed to be the only one who produced my plastic bags of liquids and even when the machine beeped when I walked through, the chap took one look at me and waved me away. I obviously don’t look suspicious then
Airside there were 3 gates, one cafe and one rather large tax free which had a good selection for such a small airport. The 4U 319 took off, to my disappointment I realised we would be taking off to the south so no nice views of the town as I’d hoped for. The whole holiday all the planes took off to the north, but of course today had to different……
Gate area
JMK-ZRH
WK355
A320-200 HB-IJV
STD 1040 / ATD 1050
STA 1230 / ATA 1220
Seats 32 A&B
At 1000 I saw the LX machine land. We started boarding about 25 minutes later from gate 3 and were bussed out to the waiting aircraft. It was another ex Swiss Sun machine, with the nice leather seats. We were welcomed on board by a young male member of the cabin crew, and once again free newspapers were ready for us.
Olympic…or is it Flybe? G-FLBE Dash 8
It’s so much more exciting boarding by steps
The second busload of passengers was also the last and I was amazed that the aisle seat remained empty. It seemed that quite a few holidaymakers had decided to stay for 2 weeks. Boarding was completed quickly and we pushed back at 1045. It seems the crew were a bit surprised by the short taxi to the runway as the pilot actually had to wait for the safety video to finish before we could take off.
Taxiing
Turning
Unsurprisingly it was a powerful take off as the runway at JMK is just 1900m long. Shortly after we were airborne at 1050, the plane banked steeply to the right which meant that view i had was just water.
Only 5 minutes after take off the captain, Jakob Schmid, gave us some details about the flight. Our route was to be similar to the outbound: Athens, Tirana, Zadar, Split, Venice and St. Moritz. As it was a holiday flight, he also gave us some more technical details ; 126passengers, take off weight 67 ½ tonnes, landing weight approx 60. Cruising speed was to be 800kmh and it was a journey of 2000km taking us 2 ½ hours. The cloud built up quite quickly and we had a few bumps.
airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 4015 posts, RR: 52 Reply 1, posted (2 years 10 months 3 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 6355 times:
Hi Hannah,
fantastic report! My beloved island of Mykonos.
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): After a lovely stay in Santorini two years ago we decided we’d like to try another Greek island and went for Mykonos.
Exactly our place to go. We have a good relation with the staff now, and go again in a few months for another visit. It's not the cheapest place to go, and as you mentioned, definitely not for kids. Actually, kids are not welcome in this hotel. And I think that's a good thing also, keeping in mind their other clientele. Their kitchen is good also, can't wait to have lunch again on the terrace overlooking the Aegean and old town, with a windy breeze on the hot midday.
rogerbcn From Andorra, joined Sep 2006, 1127 posts, RR: 19 Reply 2, posted (2 years 10 months 3 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 5997 times:
Hola Hannah!
Thanks for this beautiful TR.
I remember reading your last report to the Greek Isles, Santorini, and took down the name of the hotel you stayed at, this one in Mykonos seems a great asset too. Thanks, I think Greek tourist board should offer you better deals you visit them next time
Flying LX is always an assured satisfaction as it is proved from your comments. I think you were really lucky in getting that informative captain, I have never heard so much information about a particular flight.
I flew that very same plane, HB-IJW, on one of my trips to ATH at the end of last year but, unfortunately, the nose cams were not on.
Keep them coming.
Salut!
Roger
"At reise er at leve" H.C. Andersen (Travelling is Living)
lychemsa From United States of America, joined Oct 2009, 904 posts, RR: 3 Reply 3, posted (2 years 10 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 5821 times:
I was in Mykonos in 1979. Since then, they seem to have built a lot of wonderful hotels. The sea water in July was very cold and one day there were so many jelly fish, it was impossible to swim in the ocean.But it's a wonderful place.
I remember your nice report on Santorini and cannot believe it was already 2 years ago. I think they have charter flights to the island of Zante or Zakynthos from Zurich. Do me a favour next year. Go there and write a trip report. Just kidding. It looks also very nice there and I always wanted to go. I think Edelweis have charter flights there.
FLIEGER67 From Georgia, joined Sep 2003, 4387 posts, RR: 57 Reply 5, posted (2 years 10 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 5585 times:
Hoi, Hannah,
you made my afternoon after a long and hot biz day.
That´s what I call a nice preparation for the weekend and also some more flying next week with such a good number of superb pictures and also an interesting story.
These island looks definitely nice and also you´re accomodation, good choice, well done.
Weather seems also really nice for this time of the year against that pre-winter mess in Germany/Switzerland back in early June.
So, looking forward to some more stories from you´re point of view.
Contact Air From Germany, joined Apr 2001, 1154 posts, RR: 14 Reply 6, posted (2 years 10 months 3 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 5350 times:
Hi Hannah,
Great report and fantastic pictures of youf flight and of Mykonos - make me want to visit the Greek Isles again, too! Obviously Swiss for Edelweiss provided a similar good service as does Edelweiss itself - the breakfast looks very good.
infodesk From Switzerland, joined exactly 7 years ago today! , 1236 posts, RR: 34 Reply 7, posted (2 years 10 months 2 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 4856 times:
Not sure what happened to the last bit, here we go:
Interesting clouds
Following the Gulf of Corinth
The Rio-Antirrio bridge, connecting the Peloponnese with the mainland
It remained bumpy the whole way along the Adria and the meal service can’t have been too pleasant for the crew. My drink was sloshing around in the cup. Even after the meal service, trying to read the newspaper was a task which I gave up on.
The offering was definitely not as good as the way out and my vegi meal was virtually identical to the outbound. I had a pot of grapes which looked like they were fit for the compost heap.
My husband got acouple of slices of meat and cheese and a traditionla Swiss „Biberli“. Soft drinks and tea and coffee followed again.
Preveza airport, pretty impressive
Unusual islands, Croatia I think
The nice views eventually gave way to a thick layer of cloud and we knew we weren’t far from Switzerland.
The town of Brugg. Note how brown the river Aare is after a week of rain
Quarry at Villigen
The final approach into Zurich was turbulent, so much so that on two occasions there were squeals from a number of passengers when the plane dropped a bit.
Rhine
Bülach
Rwy 14
We landed at 1220 on runway 16 and taxied along to an open standplatz behind Dock B. Obviously somebody felt that after a week in the sun we wouldn’t mind getting wet boarding the bus that would take us to baggage claim. Whilst we were waiting for the rest of the passengers, the SQ A380 took off, causing a bit of excitement in the bus.
LX long haul fleet ready for departure at Dock E
Busy at Dock A too
Rain, what’s that?!
Cabin shot
Getting wet
Waiting for the bags
We were dropped at the so called Grüezi Z, the Schengen entry point into baggage claim Arrival 2. There was a wait of about 10 minutes until our cases turned up. A colleague from work turned up to welcome us back, after which we made our way to the car and set off for home.
Verdict
Once again a good experience on these holiday flights. Aircraft & crew from Swiss, the on board service matching what you would get on Edelweiss. In the days when free meals are becoming less and less common, it was nice to have this service on a short flight. WK are refitting their A320s with new Recaro seats, this might explain why we ended up on LX metal. I won’t hesitate in using them again for our next summer sun trip.
Questions & comments welcome as always. Thanks for reading.
Happy flying
Infodesk
"Do nothing in haste, look well to each step and from the beginning think what may be the end" - Edward Whymper
infodesk From Switzerland, joined exactly 7 years ago today! , 1236 posts, RR: 34 Reply 8, posted (2 years 10 months 2 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 4733 times:
Hi guys & thanks for your feedback!
Eric,
I cannot believe that of all the hotels in Mykonos we chose the same one! We must both have very good taste
Lucky you going back again this year. The food was excellent too as you say, the best we had on the island. I’m always happy to pay a bit more money and get something special as is the case here.
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 1): Sandro perhaps? He's also into these things...
It wasn’t Sandro for sure. I knew he wouldn’t be flying for us this time
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 1): That poster is on sale in the taxfree area bookstores at MUC
Good to know. Maybe a staff member from Mykonos visited Munich and liked the poster so much they put it up!
Roger,
Quoting rogerbcn (Reply 2): remember reading your last report to the Greek Isles, Santorini, and took down the name of the hotel you stayed at, this one in Mykonos seems a great asset too. Thanks, I think Greek tourist board should offer you better deals you visit them next time
I’m up for that! So with Eric & me fans, what further recommendations do you need?!
Quoting rogerbcn (Reply 2): unfortunately, the nose cams were not on.
That’s a shame. It’s a nice feature and a pity not to use it.
Lychemsama,
Quoting lychemsa (Reply 3): one day there were so many jelly fish, it was impossible to swim in the ocean
That’s interesting, of all the beach holidays we’ve had, Greece is the only country where we’ve had no problems with jelly fish. It’s a real pain when you can’t go in the water cos of them
Quoting lychemsa (Reply 3): I think they have charter flights to the island of Zante or Zakynthos from Zurich. Do me a favour next year. Go there and write a trip report.
Zakynthos is an island we’ve looked at in the past, so who knows! There are so many beautiful places in Greece.
Akhmad,
Quoting akhmad (Reply 4): Way to go! I assume they were turned on during the landing.
No, unfortunately not….whether this was because the approach was completely over the sea I don’t know.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 4): Did you experience full brakes upon landing?
We certainly didn’t brake as hard as I though we’d have to.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 4): It looks great.The pool view is just stunning. Did you enjoy any sunset from that place?
Yes, nice sunsets, although most nights we spent in the town and enjoyed the view from the seafront.
Hi Markus,
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 5): you made my afternoon after a long and hot biz day.
Nice to hear, thank you!
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 5): These island looks definitely nice and also you´re accomodation, good choice, well done.
Highly recommended indeed. Is JMK missing in your log?
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 5): Weather seems also really nice for this time of the year against that pre-winter mess in Germany/Switzerland back in early June.
Mid-June was just perfect for me in Greece as I wouldn’t like it any hotter. Anything to escape the cloud & rain we had here!
Hi Christoph,
Quoting Contact Air (Reply 6): make me want to visit the Greek Isles again, too!
I know what you mean, as soon as we were back I started looking at brochures again deciding where we could go next time!
Quoting Contact Air (Reply 6): always like it if flight crews provide detailled information - somehow typical for holiday flights.
Yes, there’s nothing worse than a Captain that hardly says a word on the mic. I remember a very pleasant Belair flight to PMI where the pilot gave us a running commentary as to which peaks you could see as we crossed the Alps. I’m sure he must have been a mountaineer to know so much.
Happy flying
Infodesk
"Do nothing in haste, look well to each step and from the beginning think what may be the end" - Edward Whymper
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