FLIEGER67 From Turkey, joined Sep 2003, 4391 posts, RR: 57 Posted (1 year 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 12967 times:
Upgraded by KL and "Pink" to PRG
Ahoj, dear readers,
my schedule shows me a heavy upcoming travel month.
8 trips, 27 legs to go, we will see how it all works in the end.
Anyway this is the first story around these series.
Let me show you a new airline and a new departure airport.
An upgrade on the very first leg comes in also handy.
Service KLM KL 1866 operated by KLM Cityhopper
Scheduled: 06.05 // 07.30
The cellphone alarm is set for 03.00 am, as a good friend told me, nothing else expected!. On the road at 04.00 am and at the airport at 05.00 am. Such a lovely Sunday morning. Only some fog around. Well, it´s spring here, not autumn, clear sky beside that and freshly 11 degrees.
Booking is done with KL directly to catch a good fare without fees.
45.00 Euro´s secured together with the return AMS-STR later in the week.
OLCI works perfectly fine with KL´s website.
AMS on schedule from gate 316, note XG to Kayseri, that´s the recently started German registered Sun Express division
It´s Whitsunday, top vacation time in southern Germany and when I look around, I see the expected pax today.
No biz people, but thousands of less experienced holiday travellers.
Like these couple with a number of kids scolding to each other from one side of the terminal to the other, unbelievable.
Thanks god, most of the early flights leave from Terminal 3, so T1 security is open for me.
Boarding is printed for 05.35 am, well enough time to hit the lounge, collecting some of these delicious cakes and cookies to cater me around the day
The lounge is surprisingly well used this early morning, looks like a good load on my flight.
Anyway a nice welcome from a goodlooking young female agent.
Let´s go for a view from the lounge to my plane at the gate, it spends the night here, with a number of Germanwings machines in the background
Time to leave the lounge as boarding is on the screen, down to the upper gate level and the steady stream of searching passengers for whatever they only know.
PH-EZE is the registration with my plane.
It´s the scheduled Embraer 190, in service with KL Cityhopper since 27.06.2009.
One of 17 examples in the actual fleet.
Leg no. 6 on type and a warm welcomed new registration
Boarding hasn´t really started when I´am there, but wait, this sounds like my name on the speakers?.
"Good morning, you´re called me actually".
"Ah, Mr. Felger, welcome, there is a seat change for you".
"Hopefully a good one".
"Sure, is seat 1F and an upgrade ok for you?".
"Well, in this case!".
Boarding is in process and I´am one, if not the last pax, not that far to go this time!.
The captain is on the mike short after boarding is completed. We see some late luggage loading due to a lot of departing flights at the same time this early Sunday morning, but nothing serious for the connecting pax.
It´s 06.05 am, ontime, taxi now for a runway 25 departure.
1 hour, 5 minutes to AMS.
Sun Express Germany boards a little late
The view from my seat, definitely warm welcomed and no legroom complaints here. Dark grey leather, clean so far
That´s an somewhat unusual wing view for me from seat 1F, should I do this more often?
The aisle is also taken by an middle aged male.
The load is 100% or at least very close to 100%.
It´s quiet here, how I miss the noise!.
Holland Herald´s well coloured actual issue
Cabin crew is one nice young male serving biz and one also young and nice female in eco.
The E90 safety card
Well, these box looks good from the outside
Wanders tableware and the breakfast menue card
Also inside, well done KLM this morning
The captain is on the speakers again with detailed arrivals informations during approach, but no route or flightlevel announcement.
Touchdown on the 3800 meters "Polderbaan" 18R. It´s 07.25 am, close ahead to schedule, clear sky and some fog, 9 degrees, should be a nice day in AMS.
Parked at the gate, it´s blue territory here, definitely
The captain is at the planes door during disembarking,
nice, he´s not that old, seem´s the norm here.
Cityhopper, yes I know, but anyone else on the plane noticed it also?
Engine view
No bus ride, simply up the stairs, a good couple of meters to walk and out in the public.
Let´s go for the next step, how to reach Eindhoven, the departure airport for the next leg?.
"Nederlandse Spoorwegen", the dutch railway runs directly from the AMS airport station to Eindhoven Central, so far, so good.
It´s only possible to buy online tickets from the NS website with a dutch registered credit or bank card, that should be improved soon.
The ticket machine at the station works with my german maestro card, lowered my account with 15.00 Euro´s, catched the ticket and down to the tracks.
No train change, departure 08.14 am, arrival 09.43 am.
Beside some drunk young lads on the way back home after a night in the city, an enjoyable ride through the dutch countryside that early Sunday morning
Arrival at Eindhoven central ontime.
There is a direct bus link to the airport, no customers at the ticket desk, lost another 3.00 Euro´s and a minute later I´am on the way to the waiting bus, called "Phileas", a somewhat strange modell, nothing seen something like this before
Sunday, 12.06.2011
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Service W6 2642 operated by Wizz Air
Scheduled: 11.55 // 13.15
This flight is booked via the company´s website. The fare
45.00 Euro´s, a bit steep for my personal liking with a so called low cost airline, but anyway, the chance to collect a new airline and also a new airport for my log now.
OLCI works fine with Wizz´s website.
What about a view around the terminal?.
Modern and well designed
Also inside airy and spacious
Ryan, Transavia and Wizz on the board for the next hours
No action around these Cityjet F50, it seems parked for the day
The main visitors registered in Ireland, pictured from the open deck at the upper level, well done at Eindhoven Airport
Some check-in desks and the main hall
I´ve catched a quiet moment, through security in no time.
Short thereafter in the gate area, also airy with an somewhat industrial style
Well, also Ryanair looks nice with these colours, by the way this plane is also in my log
Something pink coming in
The 738 from behind
Ground handling action around my machine
That´s definitely dutch style with the bike on the apron
Transavia parked beside
As soon as gate 4 is announced to PRG, people running for good positions.
Originally I´ve booked flight only, but after some remarkable airport scenes with free seating airlines lately, I´ve decided to go for a little extra.
Right hand side from a strap priority boarders, left hand side all the others.
Well, it´s a somewhat catwalk feeling, not that it is a problem for me, but I am simply the only one to use the right hand part, some 150 people queuing on the left hand side.
They waited for me to open the gate and I´am the first inside, again with a separate waiting area for the priority boarders.
Two dutch guys join me finally, that´s it, everyone else on the other side.
FLIEGER67 From Turkey, joined Sep 2003, 4391 posts, RR: 57 Reply 1, posted (1 year 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 13005 times:
...................................
The door opened, welcome to the sunny apron
The rear stairs for me, no question
Under the wing, my preffered place to catch the registration
HA-LPF, leg no. 77 on the scheduled A320 and a new registration for me.
First in service with ACES Colombia from 15.01.2003 and for Wizz since 03.06.2004.
There are 34 planes in the actual fleet and that´s one of the oldest examples.
One male, three female FA´s, the two girls in the rear cabin nice.
A view to the seats, bordeaux red leather, clean so far
Legroom is by surprise ok in the last row.
That´s finally 30A, the middle seat is open, the aisle taken by a young guy, no recline here. The load is very close to 100%
The strange coloured safety card
And Wizz´s magazine
It´s 11.50 am, short ahead to schedule, 18 degrees and only some clouds around when we leave the Netherlands.
Turning on the active 3000 meters runway 22 for the 1 hour, 10 minutes to Prague
A last view to Eindhoven airport
The "beach" just after departure
Cockpit crew is eastern european, the captain with a short info inflight in english only.
We´re on 33000 feet maximum and cruising above NUE.
The cabin
Service is BOB.
Curving for PRG
Sheepy clouds beneath us
Touchdown on the 3715 meters runway 06. It´s 1.10 pm, short ahead to schedule, 16 degrees here, cloudy and rainy.
Where is the sun gone, Czech holidays on a wet PRG apron beside us
Disembarking but thankfully no more rain
A last view from the waiting bus
First thing to do now is to go for check-in on the outgoing flight from PRG in the afternoon.
Why that?.
It´s a Czech Airlines operated service, booked as a codeshare by Alitalia, this way is significant cheaper than on the Czech flight number.
Several tries on AZ or OK are not succesful to check-in online.
Finally I´ve called the AZ helpline, the female agent there is nice, but it´s definitely not possible to check-in online via the AZ system on codeshared services like this, I´am not amused, to say the least.
Flying Blue Gold Status allows me to use the biz class check in desks, a middle aged male agent there.
"I´ve tried to check-in online but it doesn´t work, maybe something with the code share flightnumber".
"Well, show me you´re passport".
"You´re not in the system, let me check you´re confirmation".
Several more tries later I´am definitely not in the system.
"You should go to the Czech counter and try to sort it out there, but let me do a last idea.
Here you are, but it´s only possible to check you in with the OK flightnumber".
"Sure, that´s ok for me".
No I´am definitely not amused with these check-in mess.
Not that much time left for PRG now, but anyway I decide to give the city a view.
Not my first time here.
There is a public transport kiosk on the arrivals level.
What a long queue there, should I wait here for an hour to collect a ticket?.
My book told me that there is also another kiosk in the other terminal, with finally simply no customers there.
Catched my ticket, around 5.00 Euro´s, out of the terminal where the next arriving bus runs to Dejvicka metro station, ok for me.
I remember these long and steep escalators, that´s finally also here.
Down to the subway for the city center.
Lot´s of water on the streets, but no more rain
A good number of tourists here in Prague today
Some old town view with the upcoming blue sky
How I like these historic buildings
To the airport now by sub, this time via Zlicin station
and back there as scheduled.
Sunday, 12.06.2011
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Service Alitalia AZ 7563 operated by Czech Airlines
Scheduled: 17.05 // 18.35
With the check-in mess sorted I´ve decide to go straight through security. No time to wait there.
Fare for this leg is 65.00 Euro´s, booked together with the return in September by AZ directly.
This is my place to rest now, OK´s Chrystal lounge
Not that easy to catch some pictures with a good number of customers in the lounge.
Well presented wine offers
Comfortable and stylish seaters
Sandwiches and drinks, bottled water, what I really prefer beside that tap stuff
Coffee and wine
Well, let´s go to gate D2 for Milano-Malpensa,
not a long way, directly opposite the lounge
My ride, I like these open scenery in the background
Norwegian at the gate beside
Nice Czech colours
A special livery on the Travel service machine at the gate beside
"Prague love you"
The reg is not that easy to spot.
It´s OK-MEI, the scheduled A320, leg no. 78 on type and a new entry to my log.
In service with OK since 16.03.2007 and one of eight in the fleet
5.10 pm, short after schedule, is the actual departure time from runway 06 again for the 1 hour, 10 minutes to Milano-Malpensa. The weather ist much better now, 21 degrees and sunny.
Seat detail, 27F for me, the last row window, three for me, recline is ok. The load is in the end not far from 100%.
Grey fabric with red stripes, clean so far
The modern cabin with the small drop down screens
Five female FA´s here, three middle aged, two elder, ok but for sure nothing special.
Service is snacks and free drinks.
The good looking safety card
Cockpit crew is czech. The captain with a short nice comment inflight.
Flightlevel is maximum 34000 feet and we´re running between MUC and Salzburg via Innsbruck.
Let´s go for "Hamburk"
Legroom is not that really great here
Touchdown at the 3920 meters runway 35L. It´s 6.25 pm,
pretty well ontime, cloudy with 23 degrees and parked at the gate.
No extra security, ready to go for the last leg of the day.
No lounge access here, so my book and some people watching is the thing to do.
Sunday, 12.06.2011
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Service airberlin AB 8757 operated by LGW Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter
Scheduled: 21.00 // 22.00
55.00 Euro´s is the fare for this leg, booked by Lastminute.de.
As usual a first view for the screen.
It seems anything ok around my flight to STR.
Also the gate A19 is on the screen
Now that´s a well designed pre gate info
Bus boarding here, a good number of passengers around.
My evening ride for STR
It looks like D-ABQD, leg no. 20 on the Dash 8-400 as scheduled and a new registration.
In service with LGW since 10.11.2008, one of ten planes in the fleet
Engine view
One young nice female FA and one young, totally different, cold male FA. I´am the last pax to board, 1A/B is open.
The nice female FA offered me to change for 1A, so I don´t need to go till the rear of the plane.
Well, no legroom complaints here in the first row.
Dark blue leather, clean so far, the load is 80%
Cockpit crew is from Germany, the captain with a nice relaxed welcome during boarding.
Departure from the 3920 meters runway 35R.
It´s 09.00 pm, ontime, 21 degrees and cloudy, 45 minutes for STR.
Sure a comfortable ride
The safety card
The captain is once more on the speakers with detailed inflight informations.
Service is free snacks and drinks.
Flight level is 20000 feet maximum, no route info.
Running above the cloud covered alps
Back at STR´s runway 07, pretty ontime at 09.50 pm with 19 degrees and cloudy sky. Not long thereafter finally at home.
The upgrade on KL was definitely warm welcomed, also nice staff there. My first impression with Wizz was for sure ok, nice staff and ontime.
OK is somewhat lower, not as nice as expected and AB was sure ok with the nice female FA and the seating offer.
A couple of hours to sleep now, leaving STR again tomorrow late morning .
We will see, how a complete blackout at Zadar airport affect my travel plans.
Comments welcome, as usual,
FLIEGER67
and btw. Facebook know´s me as "Markus Klaus Felger".
Parton87 From Sweden, joined Sep 2008, 524 posts, RR: 2 Reply 2, posted (1 year 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 12840 times:
Hello Markus!
Nice to see a new report from you! I have waited for this since you talk about last Wednesday. Nice to see some pictures of PRG and also OK. As you know I transit via PRG last Thursday.
The pictures of Prauge looks nice. Maybe I also should have give the city a try. I had a four hours wait in Prauge so I had probably enough time to do that. Well, maybe next time!
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): That´s an somewhat unusual wing view for me from seat 1F, should I do this more often?
CrimsonNL From Netherlands, joined Dec 2007, 1618 posts, RR: 42 Reply 3, posted (1 year 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 12798 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW CHAT OPERATOR
Hi Markus, thanks for sharing. Good to see some impressions of the new KL business class product. Did they give you anything to put in the yoghurt? Cereal, honey or blueberries or something? Apart from that it looks decent. The engine view is fantastic!
I hope you liked EIN, it's a nice little airport if you ask me. Good to see EIDCL (also in my log) visiting again.
Luftfahrer From Germany, joined Mar 2009, 967 posts, RR: 5 Reply 4, posted (1 year 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 12756 times:
Hi Markus,
as usual, nice trip report! I was especially curious to read about your experiences on the KLM Cityhopper flight from STR to AMS, as I have been on one about three months ago (TR here: Goede Vlucht! From Germany To Scotland On KLM). It looks like the early morning departure also has a good loadfactor.
I happened to fly on -EZD, delivered around two months before -EZE, in April 2009. I boarded through the same gate, but it appears they had the shades down... so I had to duck my head in order to take this picture.
Ah yes, I remember that - from my one and only use of Eindhoven - Round Europe In 4 1/2 Days (by Signol Dec 6 2009 in Trip Reports)
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 1): It´s a Czech Airlines operated service, booked as a codeshare by Alitalia, this way is significant cheaper than on the Czech flight number.
Several tries on AZ or OK are not succesful to check-in online.
Good job to get a good fare on OK, as with KL they are normally very expensive, especially with one-way tickets. I'm hoping they satisfy, as one of my friends used to be an F/A with them (she left about 5 years ago).
Shame about the checkin mixup, they really need to sort their systems out!
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 1): My book told me that there is also another kiosk in the other terminal, with finally simply no customers there.
Also machines at the bus stops (if you have CZK coins)
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 1): OK is somewhat lower, not as nice as expected
infodesk From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 1242 posts, RR: 34 Reply 7, posted (1 year 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 12750 times:
Hi Markus,
Good to read the first report from your busy week of flying.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): It´s Whitsunday, top vacation time in southern Germany and when I look around, I see the expected pax today.
Oh yes, I was one of them too a couple of hundred kms away in Zurich!
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): Boarding hasn´t really started when I´am there, but wait, this sounds like my name on the speakers?.
"Good morning, you´re called me actually".
"Ah, Mr. Felger, welcome, there is a seat change for you".
"Hopefully a good one".
"Sure, is seat 1F and an upgrade ok for you?".
"Well, in this case!".
Well, if you're going to be paged, it might as well be for something nice like an upgrade. That's a very impressive breakfast box you got, nice presentation too. I'm sure you could get used to it.....
And what about those two abandoned bags in the middle of the hall?! No security alert?
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): Originally I´ve booked flight only, but after some remarkable airport scenes with free seating airlines lately, I´ve decided to go for a little extra.
Don't blame you!
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): There are 34 planes in the actual fleet and that´s one of the oldest examples.
Impressive, didn't realise they had such a large fleet.
That was indeed a big check-in mess at PRG, glad they finally managed to locate you on the system but they're not the kind of words you want to hear!
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): No lounge access here, so my book and some people watching is the thing to do.
Great Prague loves you livery, a nice touch.
Did you have any problems with the camera sitting on the first row for two of your flights? Hope the crew didn't tell you to stop taking pictures.
Thanks for sharing & happy flying
Infodesk
PS. nice shoes
"Do nothing in haste, look well to each step and from the beginning think what may be the end" - Edward Whymper
ROGERBCN From Andorra, joined Sep 2006, 1135 posts, RR: 19 Reply 8, posted (1 year 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 12645 times:
Hola Markus!
Great to see you around flying; Europe was feeling somehow orphan without you touring its skies.
Sometimes airlines have the grace to offer you upgrades, it has happened to me twice, even with a basic status and then you feel a slight difference, I really welcome space more than catering or service but it is really worth it.
Glad to see weather respected your day tour at Prague.
Nice and interesting liveries on the TR, loved the Ryanair, and the Love Prague.
Looking forward to reading your next ones.
Salut!
Roger
"At reise er at leve" H.C. Andersen (Travelling is Living)
FLIEGER67 From Turkey, joined Sep 2003, 4391 posts, RR: 57 Reply 10, posted (1 year 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 12559 times:
Hi, good to see some comments.
@Robert:
Quoting Parton87 (Reply 2): Nice to see a new report from you! I have waited for this since you talk about last Wednesday. Nice to see some pictures of PRG and also OK. As you know I transit via PRG last Thursday.
The pictures of Prauge looks nice. Maybe I also should have give the city a try. I had a four hours wait in Prauge so I had probably enough time to do that. Well, maybe next time!
Thank you and Prague is for sure a place to visit from my point of view.
Quoting Parton87 (Reply 2):
Nice, having a bath and do some spotting
My way, you know.
Quoting Parton87 (Reply 2):
ha ha that´s funny I notice this also when I fly OK.
A good laugh for me and you.
Quoting Parton87 (Reply 2): Thanks again Markus for the nice report. I waiting for the others now
Coming up soon, you know.
@Martijn:
Quoting CrimsonNL (Reply 3): Hi Markus, thanks for sharing. Good to see some impressions of the new KL business class product. Did they give you anything to put in the yoghurt? Cereal, honey or blueberries or something? Apart from that it looks decent. The engine view is fantastic!
Thank you. I´ve dont asked about some yoghurt details, but the FA walked around the whole time, so there might be some more to order.
Quoting CrimsonNL (Reply 3): I hope you liked EIN, it's a nice little airport if you ask me. Good to see EIDCL (also in my log) visiting again.
Sure, a nice place from my point of view.
@M.:
Quoting Luftfahrer (Reply 4): as usual, nice trip report! I was especially curious to read about your experiences on the KLM Cityhopper flight from STR to AMS, as I have been on one about three months ago (TR here: Goede Vlucht! From Germany To Scotland On KLM). It looks like the early morning departure also has a good loadfactor.
Thank you, I remember you´re story and sure the load was really good here.
Quoting Luftfahrer (Reply 4): I happened to fly on -EZD, delivered around two months before -EZE, in April 2009. I boarded through the same gate, but it appears they had the shades down... so I had to duck my head in order to take this picture.
Good point, no problem here with the shade.
Quoting Luftfahrer (Reply 4):
Overall the E-Jets were a very pleasant experience, in my opinion.
Also my opinion.
Quoting Luftfahrer (Reply 4): Both the design and the contents looks highly appealing. The design by Marcel Wanders is excellent... I've become a huge fan of it.
Count me, looks like really nice.
@R.:
Quoting signol (Reply 5): Nice read as usual, thanks Markus!
Thank you.
Quoting signol (Reply 5):
A good price for KL, they are usually very expensive!
Quickly booked when I noticed that fare.
Quoting signol (Reply 5):
Ah, the benefits of status! Do you do much work travel, to build up miles as well?
Sure, but usually not on FlyingBlue, Miles and More is the company thing.
Quoting signol (Reply 5):
Ah yes, I remember that - from my one and only use of Eindhoven -
Never seen that anywhere else.
Quoting signol (Reply 5): Good job to get a good fare on OK, as with KL they are normally very expensive, especially with one-way tickets. I'm hoping they satisfy, as one of my friends used to be an F/A with them (she left about 5 years ago).
Shame about the checkin mixup, they really need to sort their systems out!
Sure the thing here, not a nice experience.
Quoting signol (Reply 5):
Also machines at the bus stops (if you have CZK coins)
Good to know.
Quoting signol (Reply 5): Shame, it must be because my friend left
airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 4015 posts, RR: 52 Reply 11, posted (1 year 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 12543 times:
Hi Markus
good to read about your KLM experience, the trainride and EIN. Indeed, a good start with that upgrade I preferred the older meals, e.g. a cold plate with smoked salmon and a cereal yoghurt, fresh bread. The design of the box is nice, but to me it looks a bit 'cheap' for business class. These kind of boxes are quite similar to intercontinental KL flights in Y-class.
You're so right about the ticket issue online for the railways, and you know, if paid by creditcard at the ticketmachines, an additinal EUR 0,50 will be charged for using the card. It's a rip off and not consumer friendly.
Wizzair, 45 euro fare seems a bit steep to me also since I notice many cheaper fares on them. Never flew them so far, but it will online be till the time has come... I think to try them soon also. I'm off to BCN also, not with Wizzair though
CSA, shame about the legroom, even worse then Wizz, don't like it. I remember some good flights on them, B734/B735 though years ago, and could've been better in those days.
Regards
Eric
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
Quoting 717Flyer (Reply 6): Czech Holidays is something I have seen here at HEL also a couple of times. No idea what it was doing here though.
Maybe on original OK routes.
Quoting 717Flyer (Reply 6): Looking forward to the continued story.
Already on the production line.
@Hannah:
Quoting infodesk (Reply 7):
Good to read the first report from your busy week of flying.
Thank you.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 7):
Oh yes, I was one of them too a couple of hundred kms away in Zurich!
But you know the way, for sure.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 7):
Well, if you're going to be paged, it might as well be for something nice like an upgrade. That's a very impressive breakfast box you got, nice presentation too. I'm sure you could get used to it.....
It looks definitely nice and also inside, real good.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 7):
And what about those two abandoned bags in the middle of the hall?! No security alert?
Nothing at all. The guy walked away during my picture!.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 7): Impressive, didn't realise they had such a large fleet.
Me, too.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 7): hat was indeed a big check-in mess at PRG, glad they finally managed to locate you on the system but they're not the kind of words you want to hear!
With time enough, ok, but on short connections, not nice.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 7):
Great Prague loves you livery, a nice touch.
It looks definitely great, like these special liveries.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 7): Did you have any problems with the camera sitting on the first row for two of your flights? Hope the crew didn't tell you to stop taking pictures.
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 8):
Great to see you around flying; Europe was feeling somehow orphan without you touring its skies.
Thank you.
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 8): Sometimes airlines have the grace to offer you upgrades, it has happened to me twice, even with a basic status and then you feel a slight difference, I really welcome space more than catering or service but it is really worth it.
That was a very good week in this term, four upgrades at all.
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 8):
Glad to see weather respected your day tour at Prague.
Exactly my opinion.
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 8): Nice and interesting liveries on the TR, loved the Ryanair, and the Love Prague.
Like these special liveries, you know.
@PH:
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 9):
good to see a new report after a while! What's better than an upgrade at the beginning of a trip?
Thanx and for sure the perfect way to start these travel week.
FLIEGER67 From Turkey, joined Sep 2003, 4391 posts, RR: 57 Reply 14, posted (1 year 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 12435 times:
Hi, good to see more comments.
@Eric:
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 11): good to read about your KLM experience, the trainride and EIN. Indeed, a good start with that upgrade
Thank you and that was indeed a perfect start for the day.
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 11): I preferred the older meals, e.g. a cold plate with smoked salmon and a cereal yoghurt, fresh bread. The design of the box is nice, but to me it looks a bit 'cheap' for business class. These kind of boxes are quite similar to intercontinental KL flights in Y-class.
No comparison for me, but it seems that´s also the usual downgrade here.
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 11): You're so right about the ticket issue online for the railways, and you know, if paid by creditcard at the ticketmachines, an additinal EUR 0,50 will be charged for using the card. It's a rip off and not consumer friendly.
It seems it was good that I´ve used my Maestro card in this case.
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 11):
Wizzair, 45 euro fare seems a bit steep to me also since I notice many cheaper fares on them. Never flew them so far, but it will online be till the time has come... I think to try them soon also. I'm off to BCN also, not with Wizzair though
Exactly my opinion with Wizz.
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 11): CSA, shame about the legroom, even worse then Wizz, don't like it. I remember some good flights on them, B734/B735 though years ago, and could've been better in those days.
Do you noticed the 735 base at BTS.
@R.:
Quoting signol (Reply 13):
I remember reading at the time, the idea is for a kind of electric bus, with "magnetic" guidence systems built into the road:
Quoting signol (Reply 13): Not sure if it works or if the bus simply uses a traditional engine and driver still! Aparently the system is also used on a route in Istanbul..
Thanx again for the further information.
Also in Istanbul, strange.
dalce From Netherlands, joined Feb 2007, 1581 posts, RR: 7 Reply 15, posted (1 year 10 months 3 weeks 5 days ago) and read 12349 times:
Hi Markus,
Good to see you flying via the Netherlands again. Interesting route to arrive at AMS and depart from EIN. EIN is a nice little airport and is growing like mad! Which by the way is a good feature, since we can use some different flavours than AMS.
The KL upgrade is also nice, and the food offered is also sufficient for C-class on a short hop like this.
When I flew STR-AMS KL still operated the F70 on this route, a lot changed in a year or 3.
Wizz is an airline less of my liking, but when the route matches the wish, I would not hesitate to fly them.
CZ seems ok to me, nothing special though, just like your last stretch of the day on AB.
All in all another nice read supplemented with interesting pictures!
THanks for sharing!
Joost (D-ALCE)
flown on : F50,F70,CR1,CR2,CR9,E75,143,AR8,AR1,733,735,736,73G,738,753,744,319,320,321,AB6. Next flights AMS-ZRH-AMS on
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): No biz people, but thousands of less experienced holiday travellers.
Was it a revelation?
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): Like these couple with a number of kids scolding to each other from one side of the terminal to the other, unbelievable
Ouch, Markus Jr. should come along to set some examples.
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6086 posts, RR: 56 Reply 17, posted (1 year 10 months 3 weeks 5 days ago) and read 12247 times:
Hi Markus !
Very nice report with nice pictures!
Very nice to get an upgrade on KL ! I like the design of the box!
Legroom is impressive for the last row on Wizz especially for a low cost carrier.
Very bad for OK with such poor legroom on such a fairly new aircraft.......
As for check in on OK, here in the US, you ALWAYS need to check in with the operating carrier. Otherwise check in not possible.
So no surprise for me it did not work with OLCI on AZ site.
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
FLIEGER67 From Turkey, joined Sep 2003, 4391 posts, RR: 57 Reply 18, posted (1 year 10 months 3 weeks 5 days ago) and read 12241 times:
Hi, nice to see more comments.
@Joost:
Quoting dalce (Reply 15): Good to see you flying via the Netherlands again. Interesting route to arrive at AMS and depart from EIN. EIN is a nice little airport and is growing like mad! Which by the way is a good feature, since we can use some different flavours than AMS.
Thank you and EIN is definitely a nice point beside all the flights from AMS.
Quoting dalce (Reply 15): The KL upgrade is also nice, and the food offered is also sufficient for C-class on a short hop like this.
When I flew STR-AMS KL still operated the F70 on this route, a lot changed in a year or 3.
Mostly E-Jets nowadays, for sure a lot of changes lately.
Quoting dalce (Reply 15): Wizz is an airline less of my liking, but when the route matches the wish, I would not hesitate to fly them.
CZ seems ok to me, nothing special though, just like your last stretch of the day on AB.
All in all another nice read supplemented with interesting pictures!
Good point, Wizz fit´s perfectly here, but it´s for sure not my way to fly them more often.
@Suryo:
Quoting akhmad (Reply 16): This is what I call the best way to put an end to the weekend. A nice report of your travel to Netherlands, including an upgrade!
luxair747SP From Germany, joined May 2010, 444 posts, RR: 18 Reply 20, posted (1 year 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 12185 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW FORUM MODERATOR
Hi Markus,
very nice TR with many good shots.
The food in the KL biz class looked very good for this sector.
Also nice to see that W6 legroom wasnt that bad. PRG looks like a nice destination and the flights with OK and AB also seemed to be nice and enjoyable
Looking forward to the next report and the meeting on Saturday
Cheers
Johannes
CaptainRed From Germany, joined Oct 2010, 578 posts, RR: 19 Reply 21, posted (1 year 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 12158 times:
Hi Markus,
another nice and interesting report, glad you liked Wizzair. I have tried them once as well, coincidentally also to PRG, and really liked them as well (and another flight with them coming up later this year).
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): "Sure, is seat 1F and an upgrade ok for you?".
"Well, in this case!".
Of course, and what a great way to start a day of flying.
Indeed, looks good, a nice breakfast, certainly adequate at this time of the day.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): Right hand side from a strap priority boarders, left hand side all the others.
Well, it´s a somewhat catwalk feeling, not that it is a problem for me, but I am simply the only one to use the right hand part, some 150 people queuing on the left hand side.
Certainly a good idea to get priority, makes the whole procedure a lot easier and makes you feel like someone special . Although I doubt that anyone besides you would have taken the last row anyhow
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 1): Under the wing, my preffered place to catch the registration
Nice shot, and the Wizzair colors look great in the sunshine.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 1): Catched my ticket, around 5.00 Euro´s,
Was this some sort of express bus? I remember on my visit there I have just bought my ticket at a machine and it was much less then 5,-. But then it also was a rather uncomfortable ride in a bus.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 1): A good number of tourists here in Prague today
Yes, that's Prague, but still worth a visit, awesome city.
Thanks again for sharing this day with us
CaptainRed
Quoting The777Man (Reply 17):
Very nice to get an upgrade on KL ! I like the design of the box!
Also my impression with the design, looks good.
Quoting The777Man (Reply 17):
Legroom is impressive for the last row on Wizz especially for a low cost carrier.
Very bad for OK with such poor legroom on such a fairly new aircraft.......
Wizz win´s the race this time.
Quoting The777Man (Reply 17): As for check in on OK, here in the US, you ALWAYS need to check in with the operating carrier. Otherwise check in not possible.
So no surprise for me it did not work with OLCI on AZ site.
Good point, but it also doesn´t work with the AZ ticketnumber on the OK website.
@LXM83:
Quoting LXM83 (Reply 19):
Good report again, thanks! Wizz is still missing from my log, I will try to catch it this year.
Thanx and sounds like a good idea with Wizz.
Quoting LXM83 (Reply 19):
Well, I kinda liked your last row stories, I have to say.
Some more last row ride´s to come, you know.
Quoting LXM83 (Reply 19):
Well, it seems you may be getting used to row 1, indeed!
Sure this time.
@Johannes:
Quoting luxair747SP (Reply 20): very nice TR with many good shots.
The food in the KL biz class looked very good for this sector.
Thank you, KL was for sure ok here.
Quoting luxair747SP (Reply 20): Also nice to see that W6 legroom wasnt that bad. PRG looks like a nice destination and the flights with OK and AB also seemed to be nice and enjoyable
Wizz win´s the race here against OK and Prague is a nice place to visit.
Quoting luxair747SP (Reply 20): Looking forward to the next report and the meeting on Saturday
More to come soon and I´am also looking forward to Saturday.
@Captain:
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 21): another nice and interesting report, glad you liked Wizzair. I have tried them once as well, coincidentally also to PRG, and really liked them as well (and another flight with them coming up later this year)
Thank you and good to know for something more on Wizz.
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 21):
Of course, and what a great way to start a day of flying.
Definitely.
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 21):
Indeed, looks good, a nice breakfast, certainly adequate at this time of the day.
Sure the case here with KL.
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 21): Certainly a good idea to get priority, makes the whole procedure a lot easier and makes you feel like someone special . Although I doubt that anyone besides you would have taken the last row anyhow
No way to miss the last row this time.
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 21):
Nice shot, and the Wizzair colors look great in the sunshine.
Thanx again.
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 21):
Was this some sort of express bus? I remember on my visit there I have just bought my ticket at a machine and it was much less then 5,-. But then it also was a rather uncomfortable ride in a bus.
Sure, express service and subway included.
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 21):
Yes, that's Prague, but still worth a visit, awesome city.
SPLTA From Poland, joined Jun 2011, 121 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (1 year 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 11814 times:
Hello Markus,
Very interesting read, as always. Thanks for sharing.
Congratulations on the upgrade!
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): That´s an somewhat unusual wing view for me from seat 1F, should I do this more often?
If you care for wing view - no, if you care for the legroom and the service - definitely yes!
It looks you had a decent flight on Wizz. Despite its' strong presence in WAW, it is still missing in my log. Hope to try it out before it transfers its' operations to a new "low-cost" airport north-east of Warsaw next year.
OK's lounge looks fine. Too bad you didn't enjoy the flight that much.
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8264 posts, RR: 56 Reply 24, posted (1 year 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 11734 times:
Hi Markus,
Good read,thanks for posting.
KL looks good, nice upgrade & reasonable snack box by the looks of it, did you eat anything?
Legroom looks tight on CSA, though I'm not likely fly them out of choice since they ditched flights to LHR.
25 767747: Hi, Markus - Very nice report as usual, and how lucky to get the upgrade on KL! I find it funny how she asked if "this was okay for you" like you woul
26 aflyingkiwi: Hi Markus, Thanks for the great report. Getting an upgrade on KL sounded like a great way to start a day. Also interesting to know you had never flown
27 MSS658: Hey there, another nice trip report. Lucky you got the upgrade on your STR-AMS sector, how can a flying day start better than to hear such news.
28 Sultanils: Hi Markus! A great start of a new series! It feels somewhat unusual: KL iso AF (at least i'ts still Skyteam) and for God's sake a W6 flight Nice start
29 tobbry: Hi As usual e very intresting report! I Like the E70-90 because i find them very comfortable! Have a great summer T
30 FlyingFinn76: Hi Markus, Good to have you working on lightening that impressive backlog of yours a bit! A good starter, very interesting for me as I'll be visiting
31 FLIEGER67: Hey, good to see more comments. @M.: Thank you. Good point, will do so. Sounds interesting, a new airport around Warsaw. It was simply nothing special
32 Contact Air: Hello Markus, Great report and pictures - a very colourful story with different airlines and airports again. What a nice surprise! Business Class brea
33 oa260: Hey Markus , WOW you certainly have a busy schedule I couldnt cope with that LOL... Very nice to get the KLM upgrade and I like the bulkhead design. A
34 flightsimboy: It is always nice to read about these trips within Europe, and thank you for bringing them to us!!
35 RvXKaz: Hi Markus! Glad to see another nice report of yours! I was starting to miss them! I look forward to them all! I realised that you have a knack for sta
36 FLIEGER67: Hi, good to see more comments. @Christoph: Thank you. Exactly my opinion, you know. Something more to come this way. Sure worth the money. @Phil: Some
37 LH4116: Hi Markus, Great report! Nice that you finally got an upgrade with your gold status on FlyingBlue. The short haul C product on KLM look rather decent,
38 FLIEGER67: Hi, Jonas, Thank you and I hope there is more time around the weekend to read you´re actual story also. Good point, it was sure ok in the end. Also m
39 tk747: Hey Another great report. I'm so thankful that you make so many trips flying around Europe, the reports are always so interesting to read . That is gr
40 FLIEGER67: Hey, J., Thanx for you´re nice feedback, Warm welcomed, you know. Maybe the next time, you never know. Exactly my background to catch OK here. Greeti
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