Now it is my goal to catch something new for this travel day, with the first takeoff not that early as usual for me.
A new departure airport is on duty, you know and something southern side seems also interesting.
Well, Zadar comes in handy with a domestic connection from Zagreb and nice weather conditions, at least till my travel day. Everything ok around Zadar airport, we will see what happens along the way.
Service 4U 2976 operated by Germanwings
Scheduled: 11.05 // 12.25
It´s main travel season in southern Germany, like you all know from my previous story.
Not that easy to catch some acceptable fares and nice timings.
This service is booked with Germanwings directly, cheaper this way than on any other website during my fare check.
65.00 Euro´s, ok should be cheaper, but finally ok for me.
The airline offers Web-Check-In from 72 hours prior to departure, no question that I´am at the laptop as soon as possible.
25F is open, the last row window, fixed without any further questions.
A relaxed start, on the way by car at 09.00 am, 10.00 am at the airport well ontime for boarding at 10.35 am, no lounge here, at least till now with Germanwings from STR.
Zagreb top of the board, ok it´s the second page, from gate 124
Close to no time to wait at security this time, sure ok.
124 is a bus gate on the ground floor terminal 1.
Leaving for Croatia needs a passport check, also no time to wait and in the small gate area for my flight to Zagreb.
Carpatair to Timisoara boards also here a couple of minutes later and also Split not an hour thereafter will be from the same gate. So a huge number of pax around and not yet clear how many of them heading with me to Zagreb.
Boarding starts ontime, we will see if there is something interesting on the apron.
Well, it´s the scheduled A319
D-AKNP, leg no. 63 on type and my second service on this plane.
Delivered to US Airways at 11.01.2000 and with Germanwings since 01.06.2005.
One of 30 examples in the actual fleet
What about some under the wing pictures, always good for me
The load is some 80%, checked quickly during boarding.
And to my surprise there are three seats for me here in the last row, warm welcomed, recline is also possible.
New seats here on this machine in mixed grey leather, clean so far
Cockpit crew is from Germany, the captain with a nice welcome during boarding.
It´s 11.10 am, close to ontime, when we leave cloudy and wet STR, what seems the norm these days, from runway 25. The temperature is 14 degrees.
1 hour, 5 minutes to Croatia.
The actual safety card
Cabin crew is one middle aged female, also one middle aged male together with another young male, all ok, but for sure nothing special.
Service is BOB.
Also the legroom is ok here
The new Germanwings magazine
And the well filled cabin today
Just above the clouds, the magic moment
The captain is once more on the speakers with quick informations short prior to approach.
We´re cruising at a maximum of 33000 feet above MUC-SZG and KLU.
Some sheepy clouds on approach to ZAG
Touchdown on the 3252 meters runway 05, 12.20 am, short ahead to schedule, partly cloudy and nice 23 degrees.
On the apron, AF by Britair is also here
Some guys and girls from the States on a visit to Croatia
Apron disembarking, sure ok with these nice weather conditions
Bye D-AKNP, may we meet again somedays
Service OU 674 operated by Croatia Airlines
Scheduled: 14.10 // 15.00
A couple of minutes only at passport control and once more in Croatia.
ZAG airport recently reopened the refurbished visitors terrace, something to do for me now
It´s a glass fence but good to take pictures above it and it´s nice designed, for sure well done here at ZAG airport
Also some minutes in the sun in front off the terminal with my book, before I check the screen, my flight to Zadar on schedule, so it seems
A quite moment for me at the security check and soon thereafter I´am in the domestic gate area.
These doors to the apron feels always for me like every strong wind push it open, very oldfashioned
A nice lineup of different tails from my point of view
There is a lounge available, but it´s behind passport control in the international gate area, so nothing for me today.
A good number of people around my gate 6 and also a good number of small delays on the screen.
Sarajevo is a no go today
The ticket is booked with Croatia directly, the fare 30.00 Euro´s only.
What I really like, is the seat selection mode during booking, a really good feature and it works!.
Check-In is also done here online, quick and easy via the company´s website, 20F as secured during booking.
It´s the second last row window.
Boarding time comes and goes, no action at the gate. Well, nothing what I really like.
The apron is good to overlook from the gates.
More to my dislike, it´s only one Dash 8 visible with technicians working at the tail of the airplane. So it seems that´s the tech machine for Sarajevo, 9A-CQC by the way.
Finally a middle aged female in croatia dress showing up.
What´s going on here?.
"Dear passengers, there is a problem around Zadar airport,
please stay at the gate, the next info will be given at 2 pm".
A couple of pax asked her for more details.
"There is a complete blackout at Zadar airport right now, also all communications are lost ,the airport is closed and it´s not sure when it will reopen.That might be in a minute or that might be never more today. Technicians working, please do not leave the gate and dont walk away till the next info".
No, that sounds not that nice.
Boarding for my flight from Zadar to Stuttgart is scheduled at 4.35 pm, but that might be also a no go with the closed airport. Nothing else to do than sit and wait.
The usual complaining guys are around, but it calmed down very quick, it´s not the airlines fault, we know.
What the heck is this at around 2.00 pm, the screen shows boarding but there is no gate agent to see.
Maybe an automatic update according to the original departure time?.
She shows up some minutes later.
"They fixed the problem and the airport should reopen soon"
But there is no Dash visible?.
A bus arrived, filled up fast and around the corner in front off the Croatia maintenance hangar is another Dash parked
It´s 9A-CQD that will bring me finally to ZAD
"Dalmacija" is the scheduled Dash 8-400. Leg no. 21 for me on type and a new registration. In service with Croatia since 23.06.2009. One of six in the actual fleet
It´s finally 2.30 pm, despite all the confusion only 20 minutes late, when we leave ZAG for the 35 minutes to ZAD, again from runway 05.
25 degrees and partly cloudy here.
That´s the place where we departed from a couple of minutes ago
Two middle aged females here in service, ok so far.
Strictly no comment from the flightdeck along the whole duration.
Two seats for me in the end, no recline here.
The cabin with a load very close to 100%
And the safety card
Legroom is for sure ok here with the clean dark blue leather seats.
Service is free drinks
The weather forecast for ZAD is not that really nice.
After a good number of sunny and dry days it shows gusting winds and a significant weather change for today, with rain later on.
So it seems when we´re approached ZAD above the coastline.
There are no real thick clouds, but the air is so murky, it feels we´re flying through water
No route info but flightlevel is according to one of the FA´s 23000 feet.
Coming closer above some islands
Dry landscape down there
Along the airport
Finals
Touchdown on the 2500 meters runway 32. It´s 03.05 pm, that´s a close to ontime arrival finally. 25 degrees, cloudy but thankfully dry, no taxiway here, so backtracking on the runway
Parked on the apron
Bye 9A-CQD
Self service to the small terminal
Monday, 13.06.2011
.
.
.
.
Service 4U 2967 operated by Germanwings
Scheduled: 17.05 // 18.30
Welcome to Zadar now, the new departure airport for my log.
But first at all, I should check if my flight outbound to STR is operational
Yes, it is, with a delay like the other flights on the screen.
Time enough now to walk around and see the surroundings.
Mediterranean flowers and trees all around, looks nice also this way
It´s a small and compact building
The ceiling is somewhat low inside, so it feels a bit dark
A couple of light aircrafts parked and the airport Landy fit´s well to the rural landscape around.
Btw. that´s my machine on departure in the background
Booking is also done here via Germanwings directly, the fare ok, 45.00 Euro´s.
OLCI shows the last row occupied also during my early try.
So it seems, someone payed the fare to reserve these seats.
24 A for me now in this case.
Through security in no time and in the gate area.
Ibiza feeling here
There is also an open bar with a view to the apron available, but no lounge
Blondie and the guy on the way to Poland, at least the plane is SP registered
Engines running, not with the first attempt, but now running
An Swiss HB registered private Pilatus coming in
It seems I should earn more money soon to fly this way.
The sole pilot opened the door, picked up a couple with a number of kids and soon they are on the way again
I like these open scenery with the flowers and the mountains in the background, btw. my plane coming in
There are actual 30 A319´s in the Germanwings fleet, you know, so I will see a new registration, for sure
Well, a good friend hold the copyright for "Nothing´s worse than flying the same reg twice".
But that´s not only a well known registration, no, that´s simply the same plane like in the morning
Yes, it is D-AKNP again, leg no. 64 on the scheduled A319, my third time with this plane
Adria is scheduled for July, maybe on something bigger like this
Self service to the plane finally from gate 2.
It´s 5.40 pm, 35 minutes late, still 25 degrees and cloudy for the 1 hour, 10 minutes to STR.
One young ok male together with an also young female in the cabin.
There is also a middle aged female FA in the rear cabin, the load is very close to 100%, so we talked at the rear door with me boarding late till the other pax taken the seats.
A nice chat about the problems around the airport today and flying in general. She noticed my Senator tag.
An retired couple in 24 B/C.
It´s my charme or ok, maybe also the Senator status, till she finally told me, she will check the cabin personally if there is another seat option for me.
Super nice service here. She´s back with an middle seat in the exit row open, but I decide to stay with the window in the second last row, but sure above the ordinary standard here.
Cockpit crew is from Germany, the captain is on the mike when boarding is completed and informed the pax about the delay. The plane was ready at STR but was not allowed to go with the Zadar airport closure.
Bye, Zadar
Turning for ruwnay 32
The final apron view
Looks like Africa this way
Just departed
The FO is on the speakers very nice and detailed inflight. We´re cruising at 38000 feet above VCE, INN and MUC.
Legroom is ok here
A couple of clouds around, but the sun is still above
Touchdown at STR´s 25, 6.50 pm, 20 minutes late.
Welcome back to Germany with 18 degrees, cloudy and light rain. Should I really leave this plane here with this conditions and the nice FA at the rear door?.
No chance to stay, so at home not that long thereafter!.
What a difference around these two Germanwings legs.
More and more, all depends on the crew level.
Croatia was ok, one more interesting leg on the Dash 8-400.
And Zadar airport ist somewhat special, they want to copy the Ibiza biz modell there, so it feels like.
Malmoe tomorrow. Is it only me, or what about these self built connections, feeling much more relaxed on the paper during booking than in real life?.
Another one of these situations coming up now at Arlanda.
I will show you more, if it works in the end!.
Comments welcome,
FLIEGER67 or
"Markus Klaus Felger", that´s the way Facebook knows me.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6182 posts, RR: 79 Reply 2, posted (1 year 10 months 1 week ago) and read 10904 times:
Hi Markus,
very nice report about your trip to Zadar, I cannot remember having read anything about that destination here. Good to hear you didn't get stuck longer.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): New seats here on this machine in mixed grey leather, clean so far
They look like LH's new seats.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): ZAG airport recently reopened the refurbished visitors terrace, something to do for me now
Wow, that looks very nice. Do the chairs and tables belong to a bar or restaurant?
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): "There is a complete blackout at Zadar airport right now, also all communications are lost ,the airport is closed and it´s not sure when it will reopen.
That's bad. Hopefully that won't frequently happen in Germany in a few years...
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): Well, a good friend hold the copyright for "Nothing´s worse than flying the same reg twice".
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): But that´s not only a well known registration, no, that´s simply the same plane like in the morning
That's bad indeed. How many 4U planes are based at STR?
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): Adria is scheduled for July, maybe on something bigger like this
JP A320? Sounds good.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): Is it only me, or what about these self built connections, feeling much more relaxed on the paper during booking than in real life?
aflyingkiwi From New Zealand, joined Nov 2010, 487 posts, RR: 7 Reply 3, posted (1 year 10 months 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 10883 times:
Hi Markus,
Thank you for providing me my sunday night read.
Good to see that you made it, a blackout isn't something you see every day. Also Croatia looks like a lovely country. I really hope that I can visit it someday, especially the riviera that they have down there.
FLIEGER67 From Georgia, joined Sep 2003, 4387 posts, RR: 57 Reply 5, posted (1 year 10 months 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 10826 times:
Hey, good to see some comments.
@PH:
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 2): very nice report about your trip to Zadar, I cannot remember having read anything about that destination here. Good to hear you didn't get stuck longer.
Quoting aflyingkiwi (Reply 3):
Thank you for providing me my sunday night read.
Thanx for reading and you´re comment.
Quoting aflyingkiwi (Reply 3): Good to see that you made it, a blackout isn't something you see every day. Also Croatia looks like a lovely country. I really hope that I can visit it someday, especially the riviera that they have down there.
Do it, sure a nice place.
Quoting aflyingkiwi (Reply 3):
Looks fantastic!, hope that furniture doesn't get wet.
Good point, I hope they know also this way.
Quoting aflyingkiwi (Reply 3):
Looking forward to the Arlanda adventure!
Coming up soon.
@Suryo:
Quoting akhmad (Reply 4):
This is what I call an inspiring start for Sunday. A day trip to a cute Croatian city. A good read with lots of beautiful pictures.
Thank you.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 4):
Hey, only one emergency exit door on each side, not two?
So it is, the last row is also noticed as exit row.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 4): I would mistake it for LH. It looks like the seat design becomes more popular among other German airlines.
So it seems.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 4):
Hopefully for a well deserved holiday.
Hopefully, indeed.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 4):
It looks great. You can basically make yourself comfortable on the couch and do some spotting.
infodesk From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 1236 posts, RR: 34 Reply 8, posted (1 year 10 months 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 10711 times:
Hi Markus,
Seems I'm not the only one enjoying this weekend read.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): New seats here on this machine in mixed grey leather, clean so far
Looking smart.
Love the terrace at ZAG, that lounge furntiture looks very inviting. And I like your picture of ZAG from above.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): That might be in a minute or that might be never more today. Technicians working, please do not leave the gate and dont walk away till the next info".
Not often you hear an announcment like that. Glad that the delay wasn't as bad as it could have been.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): OLCI shows the last row occupied also during my early try.
So it seems, someone payed the fare to reserve these seats.
Must be a very keen flyer!
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): But that´s not only a well known registration, no, that´s simply the same plane like in the morning
Now that really is bad luck, the same reg twice in one day (only exception, the A380 ).
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): Adria is scheduled for July, maybe on something bigger like this
Well you'd better reserve the last row quickly then!!
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): Malmoe tomorrow. Is it only me, or what about these self built connections, feeling much more relaxed on the paper during booking than in real life?.
Another one of these situations coming up now at Arlanda.
I will show you more, if it works in the end!.
Now that sounds exciting, looking forward to it.
Happy flying
Infodesk
[Edited 2011-07-17 02:18:50]
"Do nothing in haste, look well to each step and from the beginning think what may be the end" - Edward Whymper
luxair747SP From Germany, joined May 2010, 444 posts, RR: 18 Reply 9, posted (1 year 10 months 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 10692 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW FORUM MODERATOR
Hi Markus,
nice TR about a daytrip to Croatia.
The service on OU doesnt seem to be bad, even on the short sectors, and the viewing terrace looked very good too.
Germanwings looked nice too, but as you said, same reg twice is not that much liked
Quoting infodesk (Reply 8):
Now that really is bad luck, the same reg twice in one day (only exception, the A380
Well, the A380 is for sure an exception.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 8):
Well you'd better reserve the last row quickly then!!
Sure the case to do.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 8):
Now that sounds exciting, looking forward to it.
Coming up soon,
@Johannes:
Quoting luxair747SP (Reply 9): nice TR about a daytrip to Croatia.
The service on OU doesnt seem to be bad, even on the short sectors, and the viewing terrace looked very good too.
Thank you and these terrace is definitely a nice place.
Quoting luxair747SP (Reply 9):
Germanwings looked nice too, but as you said, same reg twice is not that much liked
Sure the case here.
@Roger:
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 10): Great again! Seen you at the pictures at the FRA meeting and I have heard you had a great day, really a pity I could not attend, next time I guess.
Thank you, next time, hopefully.
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 10):
Let me ask you a question, when is it not?
No way without a goal, you know.
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 10): You got the Royal Germanwings treatment here, I am sure they know about you and they are looking forward to having you on board.
Ah, good point.
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 10):
Great idea! I remember when BCN had a viewing terrace. Sadly there are none nowadays.
That´s a real pity with the BCN weather conditions it might be a nice place.
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 10): Let me know about it and I will gladly join you on one of those
Looking forward to reading about your next trips north.
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 14 Reply 13, posted (1 year 10 months 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 10588 times:
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): And to my surprise there are three seats for me here in the last row, warm welcomed, recline is also possible.
New seats here on this machine in mixed grey leather, clean so far
Looks clean and comfortable!
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter):
ZAG airport recently reopened the refurbished visitors terrace, something to do for me now
Nice job for ZAG
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): Legroom is for sure ok here with the clean dark blue leather seats.
Service is free drinks
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6079 posts, RR: 56 Reply 18, posted (1 year 10 months 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 10156 times:
Hi Markus !
Thanks a for a nice report with nice pictures! Legroom actually looks a bit cramped to me om 4U. Like people already mentioned, the terrace at ZAG looks very cozy and comfortable. Nice picture of the the tales at ZAG as well. Wouldn't mind spotting there for a little bit but traffic seems a bit slow.......
The terminal in Zadar looks very nice as well although very small. Love the plants airside!
Flight on the Dash 8 seems okay, always nice with a short flight!
Too bad you got the same plane on the return on 4U.......but always nice to get home on time.
Looking forward to your next report!
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
parton87 From Sweden, joined Sep 2008, 523 posts, RR: 2 Reply 19, posted (1 year 10 months 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 10032 times:
Hello Markus!
Thanks for another nice story. Great to see one from you again, it feels like a long time since your last on!:D
Great to see Croatia. It´s for sure on my "to do list". I have many friends that been there and they have only good things to say about it Have yo ever been there on a "proper" holiday?
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): This service is booked with Germanwings directly, cheaper this way than on any other website during my fare check.
65.00 Euro´s, ok should be cheaper, but finally ok for me.
Was this the cheapest ticket class? And could you choose a seat for free?
FLIEGER67 From Georgia, joined Sep 2003, 4387 posts, RR: 57 Reply 20, posted (1 year 10 months 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 10014 times:
Hey, nice to see more comments.
@Lars:
Quoting The777Man (Reply 18): Thanks a for a nice report with nice pictures!
Thank you.
Quoting The777Man (Reply 18): Like people already mentioned, the terrace at ZAG looks very cozy and comfortable. Nice picture of the the tales at ZAG as well. Wouldn't mind spotting there for a little bit but traffic seems a bit slow.......
Sure the case here. A nice place with not that really much traffic.
Quoting The777Man (Reply 18): The terminal in Zadar looks very nice as well although very small. Love the plants airside!
Flight on the Dash 8 seems okay, always nice with a short flight!
Also my opinion and the Dash was for sure ok.
Quoting The777Man (Reply 18):
Too bad you got the same plane on the return on 4U.......but always nice to get home on time.
Definitely the thing to accept here.
@Robert:
Quoting parton87 (Reply 19): Thanks for another nice story. Great to see one from you again, it feels like a long time since your last on!:D
Thank you and some more to come, you know.
Quoting parton87 (Reply 19):
Great to see Croatia. It´s for sure on my "to do list". I have many friends that been there and they have only good things to say about it Have yo ever been there on a "proper" holiday?
Sure the place for a couple of days, never been there longer.
Quoting parton87 (Reply 19):
Was this the cheapest ticket class? And could you choose a seat for free?
Not the cheapest, seat selection is possible, but you need to pay for.
Quoting parton87 (Reply 19): have notice that germanwings have a slightly expensive ticket-class were a "snack" is included. Have you ever tried this?
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24873 posts, RR: 60 Reply 21, posted (1 year 10 months 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 9770 times:
Hey Markus ,
Another nice read That viewing terrace is amazing , looks really nice. Its a shame not many airports in Europe have those but then again the security prevents that.
I feel the pain of the electricity cuts !! We have had 4 powercuts in the last 8 weeks here in Ireland .
Look forward to the next one .
Regards
Philip
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
mal787 From Australia, joined Jul 2007, 687 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (1 year 10 months 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 9755 times:
Another good read Markus , yet again great pictures and some good info . So makes me want to jump on a QF744 and head over that way realsoon to see it all for myself. Awaiting the Arlanda report
signol From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2007, 2948 posts, RR: 7 Reply 24, posted (1 year 10 months 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 9580 times:
Hi Markus, another nice little trip
Looks like you were very lucky with the problems in Zagreb - that could have been much worse. At least, if the Zadar departures were also delayed, the problem could have been national, throughout Croatia?
I booked my first Germanwings flight myself recently, I paid extra for the Plus service, with luggage, snack and choice of seat - did it look to you that the 1st 10 rows had much extra room? Looking forward to a new airline for me
Thanks
signol
Flights booked: none :(
25 FLIEGER67: Hey, nice to see more comments. @Phil: Thank you. Exactly my opinion, you know. We will see what´s going on when Croatia join´s the EU. Sounds terri
26 FlyingFinn76: Hallo, Markus! Great for you to be catching up on that vast backlog! Read this yesterday at the CSA Crystal Lounge in PRG, but only got around comment
27 CaptainRed: Hi Markus, interesting report with some nice pictures. Zadar is indeed a place we don't read that often about, looks like a nice and cozy little airpo
28 FLIEGER67: Hi, good to see more comments. @P.: Thank you and hope to see a couple of lounge pics from you´re point of view soon. Six stories to go right now!. C
29 AlwaysOnAPlane: Hi Markus. Very enjoyable to read your latest trip with the new destination thrown into the books too. Glad for you that there were no long term probl
30 FLIEGER67: Hi, Lee, Thanx for you´r reply. Sure the case here, it works in the end, that´s the most important thing. Well, that´s it. Good point, I will show
31 SPLTA: Hello Markus, another great story on , though not so distant, yet exotic destination. I wonder where will your "new departure airports" challenge get
32 FLIEGER67: Hi, M., Thanx a lot for you´re feedback. Something done, something more to come and still a lot to do, you know. Definitely a great place to spend so
33 stipica: I am behind ...I know ...but business commitments ...you now ...hehhehe LH installed such seats in all companies that controlled and of course OU begi
34 FLIEGER67: Zdravo, stipica, Sure ok, you know. Interesting, also OU comes with these seats. That was only a very short ZAG stopover, you know. Exactly what it fe