knightsofmalta From Malta, joined Nov 2005, 1409 posts, RR: 17 Posted (1 year 6 months 1 week 19 hours ago) and read 10832 times:
Dear reader,
Welcome to my latest trip report. This is a trip that was undertaken purely for leisure purposes and probably best described as 'Knights of Malta get on a plane for the sake of getting on a plane. As for the, shall we say, surprising title of this report, please read on until the end...
This trip covers the outbound legs from Basel to Frankfurt and then on to Edinburgh. I had decided not to do report on the return leg because I was rather heavy laden with shopping and had all y hands full for the return. As it turned out though, the return leg would have been the more interesting one. So here goes...
First Leg
Flight: LH1201, Operated by Lufthansa Cityline
Aircraft: Canadair CRJ-700
Route: Basel to Frankfurt
Date: 12. 12. 2011
Departure: 08h00
Arrival: 09:00
Seat: 16A
I shall spare yet another series of shots taken in the SWISS lounge in Basel as I've covered this on quite a few reports this year. The report starts therefore, as I make my way from the lounge to the departure gate. SWISS and the Star Alliance seem to have their own dedicated area in the terminal.
While I waited, I spotted this in the distance over at the Jet Aviation MRO facility. It appears to be a B. 777-300 that used to operate for the government of the UAE but the livery seems to have been covered up.
And here's my bird, looks rather sexy me thinks.
There was a large group of Americans sitting in Business Class on this flight. As a result, this meant that Economy Class did not start until row 14!
For us lowly Economy Class passengers, catering consisted of two Corny bars (never heard of them before), which were handed out upon entering the aircraft. Later once we were airborne there was also a drink service.
The cabin appeared to be in pretty decent condition.
And here are some views from Basel airport.
About to enter the active runway...
This part of the terminal with the tower is part of the original structure of the airport from the 70'. The Y shaped structure (not visible) that houses the lounge was built much later.
The flight was rather uneventful and quick, with beautiful views of the clouds below.
knightsofmalta From Malta, joined Nov 2005, 1409 posts, RR: 17 Reply 2, posted (1 year 6 months 1 week 19 hours ago) and read 10785 times:
As usual, Frankfurt was just one big mess. My onward flight to Edinburgh would be departing from one of the B gates. However, as I still had three hours to make my connection I decided to explore the A pier and see if i could find the infamous Senator Tower Lounge. Perhaps to explain: pier A in on more than one level. The Schengen level is the lower one, with non-Schengen long-haul flights leaving from the gates one floor up. That's where the Tower lounge is. So I went up the escalator where there were two persons checking passports before emigration. I asked if I could go through, even if I wasn't travelling from anyone of theses gate, to which the passport checker replied that this was a secured area only for people holding a German and an American passport! What a load of poo!
Well in any case I decided to head to the Senator lounge at the B pier instead and took some cool pics on my way there. What I really like about FRA is that the aircraft park really up close to the building. Like this one here:
Well, hello...
The renovated lounge was quite full but crowded, which is why I did not take any pictures of the lounge itself. The views are of course just brilliant!
Something I saw outside got me all excited...
This here is my favourite shot. I've never considered the A340-600 to be small, but next to the A380 it seems positively minute!
knightsofmalta From Malta, joined Nov 2005, 1409 posts, RR: 17 Reply 3, posted (1 year 6 months 1 week 18 hours ago) and read 10672 times:
Second leg
Flight LH962
Aircraft: A 319
Route: FRA to EDI
Date: 12. 12. 2011
Departure: 12:45
Arrival: 13:25
Seat: 9A
We were bussed to the aircraft. Very nice of Lufthansa to give us a complimentary tour of the airport. And here she is:
This was my first flight with an Lufthansa aircraft in the new cabin layout. And I have to say, I really liked it. It's very subtle but all in all I think more elegant. The seats though, were really hard and thin. For a short flight one can't complain, but if you're on a flight of two hours or more, you better take a cushion. But at least this gives you more leg space.
This was interesting: the row numbers have been moved up into a position where they are easier to see when standing in the cabin. Funnily enough though, when you're sitting down you can only see them upside down, which is rather confusing if, like me, you're on row 9 and not 6.
And here's the seatbelt.
Here are some views out the window. Frankfurt is always good for some exotic traffic, like that little black one...
Very soon after take-off we were out of the mist and surrounded by a beautiful clear blue sky. The climb was surprisingly steep I thought.
Watching our own reflection.
Then came the meal. What can I say? Lufthansa is obviously trying to save money here and that's fine, can't blame them for that. The potato salad and the Italian biscuit thingy tasted okay, but the sausage was just an obscenity to look at. From what I could tell, nobody in our row ate it.
The approach into EDI was really beautiful and sunny.
The ground crew were already expecting us.
And here's a last look at my chariot.
From the airport I took the Airlink bus service which takes you straight to the centre and Waverly train station. The journey took about 35 minutes as they're building a tram network in the city, causing many roads to be closed.
knightsofmalta From Malta, joined Nov 2005, 1409 posts, RR: 17 Reply 4, posted (1 year 6 months 1 week 18 hours ago) and read 10593 times:
I stayed at the Missoni Hotel in Edinburgh, which is conveniently located on a corner, just off the Royal Mile. Much to my surprise, the hotel is actually much better than it looks on Tripadvisor.
But enough of that. Yes, about that Champagne. The return flight was totally packed and an announcement was made that booking would be by rows only to speed things up a little. As I was on row 6 for the return, I decided to wait for the rush to calm down. When I got to the counter, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I'd been upgraded to Business Class and would be sitting on row 1D. This allowed my to observe the proceeding in the galley. In any case, we took off and the food service started. Somewhere behind me a passenger ordered a glass of Champagne. The flight attendant took the bottle from the galley when suddenly the cork shot out with a loud popping sound. For a moment we all sat there stunned, looking at the flight attendant. She was really lucky the damn thing didn't hit her in the face, especially seeing as she wore glasses. It took a while for one of the passengers to notice that she'd actually produced a huge gaping hole in the ceiling of the cabin with the cork. To which the attendant simply said: 'I guess I better go tell the boss...' and vanished into the cockpit.
This brings to an end my latest escapade to Scotland. I hope you enjoyed.
deltamartin From Sweden, joined Dec 2010, 1059 posts, RR: 9 Reply 5, posted (1 year 6 months 1 week 18 hours ago) and read 10500 times:
Hi William!
Nice tripreport, looks like you had a couple of nice flights with the LH group.
Those NEK seats sure look thin!
Indeed that hotel room you had in EDI looks really nice.
I enjoyed your little story about the champagne and the FA at the end!
ROGERBCN From Andorra, joined Sep 2006, 1129 posts, RR: 19 Reply 6, posted (1 year 6 months 1 week 18 hours ago) and read 10476 times:
Hola Knightsofmalta!
Very good report, liked the way you organise the suspense... great idea to keep us reading to the very end.
Liked your flights with LH and great finding a hotel right in the center of Edinburgh, it looks nice.
I am looking forward to trying those new NEK setas, it seems they do something for the tight legroom we are used to, I hope soem airlines in Spain start using them without adding more rows.
Quoting knightsofmalta (Reply 4): . She was really lucky the damn thing didn't hit her in the face, especially seeing as she wore glasses. It took a while for one of the passengers to notice that she'd actually produced a huge gaping hole in the ceiling of the cabin with the cork. To which the attendant simply said: 'I guess I better go tell the boss...' and vanished into the cockpit.
Very good, no major damage I guess... did you get some? What did the 'boss' say?
Salut!
Roger
[Edited 2011-11-14 10:42:02]
[Edited 2011-11-14 10:43:08]
"At reise er at leve" H.C. Andersen (Travelling is Living)
EuroWings From UK - England, joined Sep 2011, 298 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (1 year 6 months 1 week 18 hours ago) and read 10465 times:
Hi,
Thanks for this, it was a good read.
Quoting knightsofmalta (Thread starter): What I really like about FRA is that the aircraft park really up close to the building. Like this one here:
I like the closeup!
Quoting knightsofmalta (Thread starter): The potato salad and the Italian biscuit thingy tasted okay, but the sausage was just an obscenity to look at. From what I could tell, nobody in our row ate it.
It doesn't look that bad... Although, it seems that LH is trying to be innovative in short-haul catering l (e.g. hot wraps, salads and toast, cereal), however some of the food is not exactly conventional.
Quoting knightsofmalta (Thread starter): The flight attendant took the bottle from the galley when suddenly the cork shot out with a loud popping sound. For a moment we all sat there stunned, looking at the flight attendant. She was really lucky the damn thing didn't hit her in the face, especially seeing as she wore glasses. It took a while for one of the passengers to notice that she'd actually produced a huge gaping hole in the ceiling of the cabin with the cork. To which the attendant simply said: 'I guess I better go tell the boss...' and vanished into the cockpit.
Oops I bet that was interesting conversation with the captain....
They are. And what puzzles me is that although it's the same seat BMI has, theirs doesn't seem quite so thin:
Hi Roger
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 6): Very good report, liked the way you organise the suspense... great idea to keep us reading to the very end.
Thanks, glad you like it.
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 6): I am looking forward to trying those new NEK setas, it seems they do something for the tight legroom we are used to, I hope soem airlines in Spain start using them without adding more rows.
I guess it really is a trade off: either better seating comfort of more leg space. Personally I appreciate a bit of room for the legs.
Well, speak for yourself. I think the Germans eat a lot of sausage and on a flight leaving from FRA what else to serve but a Frankfurter? But it just looked so...you know!
gpbcroppers63 From Ireland, joined Jan 2008, 511 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (1 year 6 months 1 week 17 hours ago) and read 10288 times:
Nice report. Really enjoyed it. Interesting story about the champagne cork too. I would have loved to have seen that!
Quoting knightsofmalta (Reply 8): And what puzzles me is that although it's the same seat BMI has, theirs doesn't seem quite so thin:
Actually, the BD seats are not the same as the LH NEK seats. They are the old LH seats recovered in BD brown leather. That explains why they aren't so thin. OS do have the same seats as LH though. Hope that clarifies.
Thanks again for the great report.
Gareth
According to one of my colleagues, my problem is that I'm addicted to travel!
knightsofmalta From Malta, joined Nov 2005, 1409 posts, RR: 17 Reply 10, posted (1 year 6 months 1 week 16 hours ago) and read 10116 times:
Hi Gareth
Quoting gpbcroppers63 (Reply 9): Nice report. Really enjoyed it. Interesting story about the champagne cork too. I would have loved to have seen that!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the report. The popping cork really was brilliant and in hindsight it really was funny. But she really was lucky she didn't get hurt. The thing missed her only just.
Quoting gpbcroppers63 (Reply 9): Actually, the BD seats are not the same as the LH NEK seats. They are the old LH seats recovered in BD brown leather. That explains why they aren't so thin. OS do have the same seats as LH though. Hope that clarifies.
Yes it does, thanks. I knew BD had LH's seats but didn't realise they had the old ones instead.
AlwaysOnAPlane From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2010, 299 posts, RR: 2 Reply 13, posted (1 year 6 months 1 week 14 hours ago) and read 9558 times:
Hi William,
Really interesting write up this one for me. Your story pretty much sums up my flying year for 2011 as I have been focusing on the FTL 30 segment challenge with LH.
Also for me in my last report with the CRJ-7. I think there were a large group from the company Siemens flying J out of NUE.
Quoting knightsofmalta (Reply 2): What I really like about FRA is that the aircraft park really up close to the building. Like this one here
Brilliant isn't it? Really good picture opportunities as you have shown. Some interesting perspective.
Quoting knightsofmalta (Reply 3): The potato salad and the Italian biscuit thingy tasted okay, but the sausage was just an obscenity to look at. From what I could tell, nobody in our row ate it.
Hmmm!! Does look a bit random. Another new one for me. I wonder how many different food options LH actually have on their Intra-Euro services? Nice to get a surprise though.
Looks like you found quite a stylish pad for your stay in Edinburgh, nice one.
Congratulations with the upgrade on the return. Good story about the cork, how embarrassing. Crew wrecking cabins is a new one.
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6080 posts, RR: 56 Reply 15, posted (1 year 6 months 1 week 10 hours ago) and read 9046 times:
Hi William !
Nice report with nice pictures!
Those new seats on LH sure do look thin!
No picture of the hole in the ceiling ?
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
Tigerguy From United States of America, joined Aug 2010, 446 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (1 year 6 months 1 week 8 hours ago) and read 8767 times:
Nice report on this little leisure trip you've got here! Nice planes seen and a neat-looking Edinburgh hotel. Too bad the same couldn't be said about the LH meal, but I suppose it could have been worse. At least they bother to give you something. (Although, I don't know if they should continue to subject passengers to "obscene sausages"... )
Quoting knightsofmalta (Thread starter): This is a trip that was undertaken purely for leisure purposes and probably best described as 'Knights of Malta get on a plane for the sake of getting on a plane.
Oddly enough, I don't think anybody here will fault you for that!
Mike89406 From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 1266 posts, RR: 3 Reply 17, posted (1 year 6 months 1 week 6 hours ago) and read 8582 times:
Great report, and very explanatory. I liked to clarity of the photos what kind of camera did you use if you don;t mind me asking. I always enjoyed traveling around Europe however its been a while and long overdue. Never been to FRA but its next on my list of long haul flights. Anyways Cheers.
Knightsofmalta From Malta, joined Nov 2005, 1409 posts, RR: 17 Reply 18, posted (1 year 6 months 1 week 4 hours ago) and read 8452 times:
Hi alespsel
I missed you the first time round, sorry about that.
Quoting alespesl (Reply 1): Nice report, great pics, I like BSL airport a lot.
Thanks for commenting in any case. Basel is indeed a lovely airport. It's a pity SWISS lacks any clear strategy or focus for it, other than irritating Easyjet that is.
Hi Marc
Quoting MSS658 (Reply 11): Nice trip report, thanks for sharing it with us!
Thanks, my pleasure.
Quoting MSS658 (Reply 11): Quite interesting that more than half of the plane was J-class on your BSL-FRA sector!
Many years ago I travelled to London from Basel with BA when they still operated the B. 737-400 on the route. I remember that on that flight too, Economy Class was only the four last rows, which is even more impressive on a B. 737-400 somehow.
sultanils From Belgium, joined Mar 2010, 1173 posts, RR: 29 Reply 19, posted (1 year 6 months 1 week 3 hours ago) and read 8380 times:
Hi William,
A nice report once again. It seems you were at FRA 1 day after me, I was there on the 11th! You had som egreat eather as well, same here. These late autumn days are very nice with the low sun and the beautiful colors outside.
Congrats as well on scoring an update on the return flight and did you have a nip of that champagne as well?
Quoting knightsofmalta (Thread starter): This is a trip that was undertaken purely for leisure purposes and probably best described as 'Knights of Malta get on a plane for the sake of getting on a plane.
Quoting knightsofmalta (Thread starter): The potato salad and the Italian biscuit thingy tasted okay, but the sausage was just an obscenity to look at.
Was that warm or cold? It maybe looks obscene but I would eat that, no doubt
They apparently just finished their game of cards lol!
Quoting knightsofmalta (Thread starter): It took a while for one of the passengers to notice that she'd actually produced a huge gaping hole in the ceiling of the cabin with the cork. To which the attendant simply said: 'I guess I better go tell the boss...' and vanished into the cockpit.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6183 posts, RR: 79 Reply 20, posted (1 year 6 months 1 week 3 hours ago) and read 8287 times:
Hi William,
nice report with good pictures. I had NEK once and even found the seats quite comfortable compared to similar thin models.
Quoting knightsofmalta (Thread starter): This is a trip that was undertaken purely for leisure purposes and probably best described as 'Knights of Malta get on a plane for the sake of getting on a plane.
Well, that's many A.netters' philosophy.
Quoting knightsofmalta (Thread starter): It appears to be a B. 777-300 that used to operate for the government of the UAE but the livery seems to have been covered up.
That's 77W A6-SIL of Presidential Flight Authority (which used to be Amiri Flight). It's still active according to ATDB - interesting to see it in that state.
Quoting knightsofmalta (Thread starter): Then came the meal. What can I say? Lufthansa is obviously trying to save money here and that's fine, can't blame them for that. The potato salad and the Italian biscuit thingy tasted okay, but the sausage was just an obscenity to look at. From what I could tell, nobody in our row ate it.
Well, Germans like sausages, but this one looks like the cheap ones you get in big packages in the supermarket. Serving potato salad is a good idea IMO.
Sure, LH tries to save money, but all European carriers do. LH's new catering concept with various different items is definitely better than what AF, BA or KL offer on similar flights.
Quoting knightsofmalta (Thread starter): The flight attendant took the bottle from the galley when suddenly the cork shot out with a loud popping sound. For a moment we all sat there stunned, looking at the flight attendant. She was really lucky the damn thing didn't hit her in the face, especially seeing as she wore glasses. It took a while for one of the passengers to notice that she'd actually produced a huge gaping hole in the ceiling of the cabin with the cork. To which the attendant simply said: 'I guess I better go tell the boss...' and vanished into the cockpit.
Knightsofmalta From Malta, joined Nov 2005, 1409 posts, RR: 17 Reply 21, posted (1 year 6 months 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 7888 times:
Hi Lee
Quoting AlwaysOnAPlane (Reply 13): Your story pretty much sums up my flying year for 2011 as I have been focusing on the FTL 30 segment challenge with LH.
Thanks for posting. So how's it going with the FTL30 challenge?
Hi LazialeMKD
Quoting LazialeMKD (Reply 14): FRA must be really big for TK since they sent A330 over there
Probably all of Germany must be one of TK's most important single markets. They seems to send a lot of variation though. On my way home the same flight was operated by an A321 if I'm not mistaken.
AlwaysOnAPlane From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2010, 299 posts, RR: 2 Reply 22, posted (1 year 6 months 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 7712 times:
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Reply 21): Thanks for posting. So how's it going with the FTL30 challenge?
One to go Some bad luck with delays and cancellations earlier in the year saw me have to drop 2 segments on a trip via FRA when they were moving to the new tower. One was credited, the other one, well LH would not play ball so I had to book another trip (not that I mind).
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 20): That's 77W A6-SIL of Presidential Flight Authority (which used to be Amiri Flight). It's still active according to ATDB - interesting to see it in that state.
Thanks for the clarification. Just out of curiosity: where on earth do you find such information?
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 20): Well, Germans like sausages, but this one looks like the cheap ones you get in big packages in the supermarket. Serving potato salad is a good idea IMO.
Actually I was wondering, perhaps somebody knows the answer: in FRA they have Frankfurters in the lounge, do they have Weisswurst in the lounge in MUC? Would be a nice touch I think.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 20): Sure, LH tries to save money, but all European carriers do. LH's new catering concept with various different items is definitely better than what AF, BA or KL offer on similar flights.
As far as BA and AF are concerned you're quite right. Usually it's just a biscuit and a cold drink. With KLM I'm not so sure though. Of course it gets a bit monotonous after a while but their sandwiches are rather tasty.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6183 posts, RR: 79 Reply 24, posted (1 year 6 months 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 7416 times:
Quoting knightsofmalta (Reply 23): Just out of curiosity: where on earth do you find such information?
My source is www.aerotransport.org - I use an extended subscription and it's worth every penny.
Quoting knightsofmalta (Reply 23): in FRA they have Frankfurters in the lounge, do they have Weisswurst in the lounge in MUC?
I'm quite sure they do have it.
Quoting knightsofmalta (Reply 23): With KLM I'm not so sure though. Of course it gets a bit monotonous after a while but their sandwiches are rather tasty.
I have heard some complaints recently about very dry sandwiches - personally I haven't flown KL on European routes for a while.
PH
Nothing's worse than flying the same reg twice!
25 akhmad: Hi William, Great report! Nice to know that you like LH’s new European interior as well. How disappointing! A good old friend! Maybe it is just me,
26 Knightsofmalta: Hi Suryo Thanks. Definitely, it look a lot more stylish than what they had before. I like the chrome look of the bulkhead. Oh yes. I'm off to Stockhol
27 infodesk: Hi William, Once again your title intrigued me and had me guessing until the very end! Another UK shopping trip? A man after my own heart!! Very corny
28 knightsofmalta: Hi Hannah Good to hear from you. I hope this finds you well! Well, I mean, what can I say? After all, Christmas really is just around the corner you k
29 flightsimboy: All that I wanted to quote has been quoted, and replied to, so all I will say it made an enjoyable read. However I would probably have sat in that blu
30 knightsofmalta: Hi flightsimboy Thanks, that's nice of you to mention. You have a point there. Although how cool would that be to be sitting there when the big bird p
31 flightsimboy: By big bird you mean the A380? I would have probably got up and left when it did, purely based on the noses of both. One is gorgeous, the other is bu
32 knightsofmalta: Hi Flightsimboy Actually, as you mention it, it's not just the nose which is bulbous on the A380. And not even the engines can remedy that. Even so, I
Sponsor Message: 
From Malta, joined Nov 2005, 1409 posts, 
From Czech Republic, joined Jan 2004, 579 posts, 
From Sweden, joined Dec 2010, 1059 posts, 
From Andorra, joined Sep 2006, 1129 posts, 
From UK - England, joined Sep 2011, 298 posts, 
Although, it seems that LH is trying to be innovative in short-haul catering l (e.g. hot wraps, salads and toast, cereal), however some of the food is not exactly conventional. 
I bet that was interesting conversation with the captain....
From Ireland, joined Jan 2008, 511 posts, 
From Belgium, joined Oct 2010, 2202 posts, 
From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2010, 299 posts, 
From Macedonia, joined Oct 2009, 143 posts, 
From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6080 posts, 
)
But what can you do about it…
Sultanils
From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6183 posts, 
Sponsor Message: 
Printer friendly format
