CrimsonNL From Netherlands, joined Dec 2007, 1618 posts, RR: 42 Posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 8 hours ago) and read 7133 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW CHAT OPERATOR
Hello all, and welcome to yet another one of my trip reports! This report will cover AMS-ZRH-CDG, on Edelweiss and Swiss, and also a short coverage of CDG-MUC-AMS on Lufthansa and LH Cityline.
In late October, my good friend and fellow Anetter “Windowseat” let me know that he’d soon be on my side of the pond for business. In Paris this time. I hadn’t seen him in a while and had never been to Paris, so I was interested in visiting him while he was there.
By the time the dates were confirmed however, one week in advance, most of the cheap fares were already sold. I was originally planning on taking AF/KL, who usually sell seats for around 100eu for a round trip, however they were all around 200 euros now. Looking at train fares on Thalys, I found that these too were near 200 plus the times sucked.
I finally found a fare on LX/LH for 160 euros. I’d fly out on Saturday morning, and go back on Monday evening. It showed that the flight to ZRH would be operated by Edelweiss. I had never been to Zurich, and had never flown WK and LX, so this was a pretty sweet deal! The way back would be via MUC which was perfectly acceptable, as it’s by far my favorite airport in Europe to transfer. The equipment would be a rather boring combination of Airbi and a CR9. I only had a 40 minute transfer time in ZRH and MUC.
The early ZRH flight out of AMS usually leaves around 7 AM, and these days it is frequently operated by Edelweiss Air. A nice opportunity to try out a new airline! I left home at around 0515 and got to the airport 20 minutes later. I had checked in online the day before to ensure a window seat. I tried the Airbuseric approach for a change, and chose a seat near the business class curtain for some extra legroom. Security was rather smooth today and I cleared it in no time. After picking up a box of Stroopwafels for WS I headed to the gate. LX used the B pier at AMS, IMO one of the better ones.
The Edelweiss tail can be spotted very easily
Typical B-pier line up at AMS
My ride for today, HB-IHZ “Viktoria”, a stunning looking A320!
After making some pictures I purchased some coffee at the sports bar and walked down the B pier. I said hi to my various coworkers who just arrived at the gate to work on the different night stop flights. Boarding had started when I got back to the gate, and there were a lot of CAI bound pax with oversized luggage. It seemed to be a pretty full flight.
05-NOV-2011
AMS-ZRH
LX737 operated by Edelweiss Air for Swiss Int’l.
A320-214
HB-IHZ “Viktoria”
Seat 5A 1st time on airline 9th time on type
I settled down in seat 5A next to a very large Egyptian man. Luckily he moved to a different seat and the middle seat remained empty. The legroom was very decent and the cabin looked modern and clean. The f/a’s seemed like a friendly bunch except (of course) the one serving my cabin section.
Legroom
The MUC night stop
After pushing back the captain welcomed us on board and informed us about the 4KM taxi to the dreaded Polderbaan. I wasn’t too happy about this as my transfer time in ZRH would only be 40 minutes.
Taxi out
Beautiful pink sunrise
The take-off was rather smooth, with a fantastic buzzsaw sound so close to the engine!
I was quite impressed by the video screens with flight info
The sunrise was still below the clouds, and purple rays of sun were visible from below the overcast, a very pretty sight!
The snack service consisted of a very tiny, warm chocolate pastry. I asked for some OJ and coffee, but the coffee cup was only filled halfway. The female f/a serving me wasn’t very friendly but her colleagues seemed very nice. After finishing on the snacks I explored the contents of the seat pocket.
In-flight magazine
Safety card
Duty free and IFE info
The cabin, I really like the color of the seats
Finally the crew came around with the famous LX chocolates
The co-pilot informed us about the enroute weather, and said that we would be encountering turbulence caused by the mountain waves from the Alps, as well as from the Fohn. We were running a little behind schedule now and I started to get a little worried about my connecting flight. If I’d miss it the next flight wouldn’t be for another 3 hours, and that would ruin my time in Paris. The info screens showed connecting flights which I found very convenient. I had already looked up the registration for the next flight so I would try to spot it from the window upon landing.
Terminal map
Connecting information
The descent into ZRH was indeed bumpy as the f/o had predicted
By now my connecting time was reduced to 30 minutes. However we kept taxiing and taxiing until we got to what felt as the very most remote stand of the airport! After disembarking we got onto a bus, which was a good moment for some pictures.
I too love “under the wing” shots
Bye bye Viky!
Unfortunately the bus had stickers on the windows so no chance for pictures. I spotted my next plane, which thankfully was parked at the very beginning of the concourse. The drive to the terminal was very long and by the time we got there I only had 15 minutes left. I passed some people and sprinted up the stairs into the terminal. I was shocked to see that I had to re-clear security! I quickly glanced at the FIS screens, and indeed this was the way to go. There were long lines and not a single “short connection” or priority lane! So far for Swiss efficiency! I joined the end of a line and looked at my watch. Little over 10 minutes left! I decided to just walk past the line and apologized to the guy first in line. I quickly cleared security and ran to the gate with only a few minutes left! So far for seeing ZRH I thought, but at least I made my flight. I still don’t see why I had to clear security in the first place, and why there wasn’t a priority lane!
05-NOV-2011
ZRH-CDG
LX634 operated by Swiss Int’l
Airbus A320-214
HB-IJO
Seat 30A 1st time on airline 10th time on type
The service consisted of a similar chocolate pastry as the way in, only it was twice the size this time. Of course accompanied by chocolates. The cabin crew were very friendly.
After a short while the descent started into CDG
I wonder what this question mark is..
Overflying CDG
T1, where I’d be heading
On approach
Unfortunately the landing video file on my SD card was damaged and I could not retrieve it.
AF territory
The old T1, now basically a Star Alliance stronghold in a Skyteam hub.
This terminal is so old, that a lot of the gates are taxi out gates where the planes park parallel to the satellite. No pushback truck is needed which is obviously an advantage. The copilot of this SK M82 was hanging from the window to make sure they wouldn’t clip the wing of a LOT ERJ parked next to them!
Finally some time for exterior pics
I headed towards the arrival hall via the underground walkways at T1. Though it’s all very old fashioned and French, I have to say I quite like this terminal. I would be taking the AF Coach into town, which is a convenient and affordable option. The bus stop provided limited spotting opportunities.
Big Qatari Airbus
French L’armee de L’air (The army of the air) 313
The coach ride into Paris was little over half an hour. The legroom was incredibly cramped and I could not sit normally so I was happy there was no one in the aisle seat. The bus actually had “IFE” with AF ads, including a nice short film about the Constellation days at AF. The hotel we were staying in was right across the street from this bus’ final stop. I met WindowSeat and after catching up we headed into town for some sightseeing. I’ll post a couple of Paris impressions but I’m sure most of you have seen them before.
L’Arc de Triompf
TunisAir office, just as old and worn down as their planes I used to work with
Exposition hall
The unmistakable Eifel Tower
Notre Dame - I always imagined it was much larger
Louvre museum
Versailles palace
Mirror room
Palace gardens
Sacre Couer, with a lot of drunken teenagers and hobo’s in front of it.
The Eifel tower, due to the bad weather I decided not to climb it.
We’re definitely in France!
I spend two days sightseeing with WS, however on Monday he had to go back to work. I spend some time walking around Paris in the morning, before heading back to CDG around 4PM. It was my first time in Paris apart from an earlier CDG transfer. I did like the city and I’m glad I’ve finally visited. However I did not “fall in love” with it as a lot of people (especially ladies) have! Even now in low-season it was very busy at the tourist sights, and I don’t even want to think about the lines in high summer!
I got on the AF coach again back to CDG. T1 is the very last stop and it gives you some spotting opportunities from the bus. I had repeatedly tried to check in with LH the previous day, and eventually after at least 10 tries it went through. I selected a window seat on the mobile phone application. I was impressed by the lower level of T1. It’s a round terminal and this is where all the check in desks and ticket desks of the various airlines were. It was basically star alliance all around.
I noticed an earlier MUC flight on the screens, and tried my luck at the ticket desk. I explained my short transfer time and that if possible, I would like to fly on the earlier flight instead. The lady made some phone calls but in the end the answer was no. Oh well!
I got onto a moving conveyor belt that takes you below the taxi way, and into one of the terminal’s satellite concourses. It’s quite a long walk and it takes 3 minutes if you stand still on the conveyor The security officers were quite friendly and after I was cleared, I entered a small Lufthansa stronghold. Everything in the concourse was LH, very impressive! It featured a Senator lounge, service desk and multiple gates. Flights from HAM, DUS, FRA and MUC, as well as ZRH depart here. All the staff was in LH uniforms as well. In typical French airport fashion however, there wasn’t a functional restaurant anywhere.
LH to MUC
Either to HAM or DUS
My flight info
My ride pulling up
It had to taxi all the way around the concourse to park parallel to the building, again so no pushback is needed.
Coming round the corner
Parked on the middle of the ramp
Registration, check!
Around the time boarding was called it was already dark outside. I pulled up the mobile boarding pass on my phone and walked into the jet bridge. Halfway through I checked my seat again and to my horror it showed 20D! I had an A seat the day before! I was not amused! I’m sure this happened with the check in problems I had. Any hopes of moving to a different seat disappeared when I entered the plane as it was completely packed. This flight would join a very short list of flights where I did not get the seat that I wanted..
17-NOV-2011
CDG-MUC
LH2235 operated by Lufthansa
A319-114
D-AILB “Wittenberg/Lutherstadt”
Seat 20D 5th time on airline 10th time on type
I got seated in 20D next to a kind French gentleman. It was rather dark inside and as I had nothing to see, I didn’t make any pictures. We left the stand a few minutes late, but I had no idea about our whereabouts. I seriously don’t understand why people actually like aisle seats! The flight itself was pretty eventless. The crew was friendly and the service consisted of a pasta salad and drinks. I have no further pictures of this flight as there was nothing to see in the first place. We landed in Munich a little late and I had 30 minutes of connecting time left. I had been to MUC before and so I wasn’t too worried.
D-AILB at the gate in MUC
I had to walk from one side of the terminal to the other, and my flight’s final boarding call was already made on the pa system. I hurried to the gate and got on the bus to a remote stand. D-ACKK would be taking me to AMS, my second CR9 and a new registration. We always call her “Kaputt Kaputt” around AMS, but thankfully she did not honor her nickname today.
“KK”
17-NOV-2011
MUC-AMS
LH2312 operated by Lufthansa Cityline
CRJ-900LR
D-ACKK “Furstenwalde”
Seat 8A 4th time on airline 2nd time on type
I sat down in seat 8A, and the seat next to me was quickly occupied. It seemed like a rather full flight. A second bus pulled up with 15-something passengers on it. The doors were closed and the captain announced that due to a slot time we’d have another 20 minutes on the ground. The reason was the foggy weather in MUC. It was indeed very foggy at the moment and I couldn’t see any further then the ramp. About 10 minutes into the slot time a minivan pulled up, the doors were opened, and some more pax were let on. I guess these were connecting passengers, great LH service!
One row behind me were a couple of “know it all” Dutch guys who complained that it wasn’t foggy at all, of course in a loud enough volume that the entire cabin could hear them. A good example of why I don’t like running into fellow Dutchmen when I’m abroad! After about 20 minutes the engines were started and we taxied to the active. Nice and quit in the front of the CR9. We had to hold short for about 3 landing planes before it was our turn. Due to the darkness I did not film anything.
Okay legroom
Snack, a “Butterstecke”. It was pretty good.
The trademark Warsteiner bottle on all LH Europe flights
I spend the remainder of the flight listening to music. I personally kinda like the CRJ’s, at least anything from a 700 and up, however I wouldn’t want it on any flights longer than 2 hours! The crew was friendly and it was a typical LH flight as I have come to expect and appreciate them. I don’t remember what runway we landed at AMS. After disembarking and having a quick chat with my coworker who was meeting the flight, I got on the bus and was home less than 40 minutes after I left the pane.
This quick Star Alliance city trip was in all pretty good. The only complaint I have was the transfer at ZRH however, and I would urge anyone not experienced with connecting in airports to book a longer connecting time! MUC transfer was of course, painless and efficient.
WK, LX and LH are IMO quite comparable. The Swiss however have nice enroute information on monitors which LH does not offer. The catering product on LH is slightly better if you ask me.
As I said before I liked Paris, but it won’t be a yearly recurring trip for me. My 2nd CDG experience wasn’t half bad, and I sometimes wonder if all the criticism CDG gets is uncalled for. I must add that I have never been in any of the non-schengen terminals that AF uses.
roberts87 From Netherlands, joined Dec 2011, 660 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 8 hours ago) and read 7024 times:
Thanks for sharing! Interesting read, efficient service as always at LH and friends. As an architecture buff I actually like T1 at CDG, very different and unique, especially those walkways and escalotors. And yes, as long as you don't have to change terminals CDG is okay.
And good to see that the service is just LX-service on Edelweiss, including the chocolates. I've always wondered what the service on those flight would be like.
That's really interesting, I had always thought that the MCT in ZRH was 45 minutes? Or perhaps you're just referring to the time between arrival and gate close?
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): After picking up a box of Stroopwafels for WS I headed to the gate.
That seems like a thing all dutchmen bring when they travel abroad? Suppose it's good for me since I love those cookies, especially those that Eric brought me
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): and there were a lot of CAI bound pax with oversized luggage.
Seems like a common thing for passengers headed for Egypt...
I'm generally not a fan of blue leather. Also it looks like they've just taken the LX seats and re-clad them in the blue leather. Brown and blue doesn't fit in very well, at least not in my opinion.
Look at that! I flew her in december, on my way to Shanghai via ZRH.
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): I would be taking the AF Coach into town, which is a convenient and affordable option.
Yes the AF coach is really to prefer over the RER. Same money but a much better ride, also it takes you directly to the city centre.
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): However I did not “fall in love” with it as a lot of people (especially ladies) have!
I've to agree with you on this one. Paris is a nice city, but waaay too overrated. There are more charming cities on the planet, that's for sure!
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): I seriously don’t understand why people actually like aisle seats!
Well when the flight is packed and it's night with not much to see it's pretty nice with an aisle seat, at least for me since I like to get up quite a lot during the flight. Suppose they come best handy on long haul flights.
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): A good example of why I don’t like running into fellow Dutchmen when I’m abroad!
Hmm, that's exactly what Eric said. But yeah not too fun to run into fellow countrymen on your holiday. Thank God I don't look much like a Swede
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): The trademark Warsteiner bottle on all LH Europe flights
How big is that bottle anyway? Must be waay more then 185 ml?
Thanks for sharing
//Jonas
I won't stop complaining until SAS reintroduces free service in Economy Class!
Oh yes, you get in holiday mood with all of the blue colors around you. Very appropriate for Edelweiss.
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): I decided to just walk past the line and apologized to the guy first in line. I quickly cleared security and ran to the gate with only a few minutes left!
Good to know that the guy did not object and let you through.
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): One row behind me were a couple of “know it all” Dutch guys who complained that it wasn’t foggy at all, of course in a loud enough volume that the entire cabin could hear them. A good example of why I don’t like running into fellow Dutchmen when I’m abroad!
I can understand you. Or countrymen who were arguing about the change of Eurocents, like the ones I met in Chiang Mai.
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): The trademark Warsteiner bottle on all LH Europe flights
ROGERBCN From Andorra, joined Sep 2006, 1135 posts, RR: 19 Reply 6, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 5 hours ago) and read 6397 times:
Hola Martjin!
Interesting routing to go to Paris, ZRH and MUC are two of the best airports in Europe; despite having such a rush connection I still tend to think ZRH is a great airport; I guess you were there before the centralized security checks were introduced, now you go from plane to plane without any extra security, at least for European flights... which saves quite a lot of time and hassle.
WK is a great airline... did they show the pictures of the captain and first officer while boarding? I have flown them about three times and they tend to show them on the over head screens before the security video is played.
Great to see that LH offers a full bottle of beer on their flights, good to have them while they last.
Paris is always a great destination.
I got an email today from AF where they informed me that you can get a personal assistant for your transfers at CDG, they charge you 200€, at least, for the service.... speechless.
Salut!
Roger
"At reise er at leve" H.C. Andersen (Travelling is Living)
globalflyer From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 806 posts, RR: 2 Reply 7, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 4 hours ago) and read 6240 times:
Hi Martijn, great TR as usual. I am not familiar with WK so it was nice to see this service. Great pics of Paris as well. I love the old architecture there. Love that Warsteiner beer on LH too! Are you going to be in BER? If so see you there. Cheers, Will
Landing on every Continent almost on an annual basis!
deltamartin From Sweden, joined Dec 2010, 1059 posts, RR: 9 Reply 8, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 2 hours ago) and read 5961 times:
Hi Martijn!
Nice report!
Your experience on LX and LH seems pretty nice, I'll be flying LH in a couple of weeks so it was nice to read about your experience with them!
Paris is indeed a nice city but I must agree with you and Jonas that there's better cities out there.
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): I headed towards the arrival hall via the underground walkways at T1. Though it’s all very old fashioned and French, I have to say I quite like this terminal.
I arrived T1 this spring, and I must agree it seemed to be a fairly nice, if old fashioned, terminal. It's very funky and interesting.
I haven't departed from CDG since 2002 so I won't comment on that though!
Sultanils From Belgium, joined Mar 2010, 1188 posts, RR: 29 Reply 9, posted (1 year 3 months 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 5406 times:
Dag Martijn,
Nice report! Oh how I wish I would we able to sample that Edelweiss as well. We only get the Helvetic F100’s on a more regular basis, operating for LX to ZRH. I’ve never been on those ones either. Your connection at ZRH was pretty short, I bet you had some nerve wracking moments there...
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): I still don’t see why I had to clear security in the first place, and why there wasn’t a priority lane!
Some airports indeed have that annoying extra security when connecting intra-Schengen. ZRH is one of them. I don’t get it since you get these ultrashort connections sometimes.
airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 4015 posts, RR: 52 Reply 10, posted (1 year 3 months 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 5317 times:
Hey Martijn,
cool to read your WK/LH experience. Since my flights on WK (in C) the seats changed to slimline like on mainline LX and LH. Lovely 'different' colour design indeed.
I hate this extra security checkpoint at ZRH, it's not really well designed this way. Even in a small place like GVA you can bypass when making a transfer! Some improvement is needed here. Plus, ZRH security seems to be quite 'strict' as well.
I hate CDG T1, what a dump. From the outside though, it's a piece of architecture (inside as well of course). I remember the dirty place, like yesterday. My last flight out of it was on RG's MD11 to AMS I think... good memories.
Well, you dislike Paris it seems, I must admit, I felt the same after visiting for the first time. Now I get a bit older, I have been there a few times more and everytime again I try explore new places in town, and take more time to explain the sites. It seems to work and I like the city more and more. For shopping I prefer other places though, but to get some touches of the French life it's definitely worth to visit.
Well, chat soon again!
Regards
Eric
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
aviationmaster From Switzerland, joined Oct 1999, 2464 posts, RR: 38 Reply 11, posted (1 year 3 months 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 5112 times:
Great report!
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 10): I hate this extra security checkpoint at ZRH, it's not really well designed this way. Even in a small place like GVA you can bypass when making a transfer! Some improvement is needed here. Plus, ZRH security seems to be quite 'strict' as well.
As of Dec. 1st, the set up of security checkpoints at ZRH has changed remarkably. There is now a centralized security checkpoint for local passengers and those arriving at ZRH from Schengen or EU-Secure destinations no longer require an additional security check when connecting.
CrimsonNL From Netherlands, joined Dec 2007, 1618 posts, RR: 42 Reply 12, posted (1 year 3 months 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 4873 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW CHAT OPERATOR
Hello all! Thanks for the many replies.
Quoting roberts87 (Reply 1): As an architecture buff I actually like T1 at CDG, very different and unique, especially those walkways and escalotors.
Hi Robert, I can see why!
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 2):
That's really interesting, I had always thought that the MCT in ZRH was 45 minutes? Or perhaps you're just referring to the time between arrival and gate close?
Hi Jonas, this was actual transfer time as I booked it, I checked my ticket when writing it. I wouldn't recommend less then 45 min however :P
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 2): That seems like a thing all dutchmen bring when they travel abroad?
Haha I guess it is!
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 2): Look at that! I flew her in december, on my way to Shanghai via ZRH.
Very nice!
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 2):
I've to agree with you on this one. Paris is a nice city, but waaay too overrated.
Glad to hear I'm not the only one with that thought!
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 2):
How big is that bottle anyway? Must be waay more then 185 ml?
It was a regular beer bottle AFAIK, I didn't really looked at the amount :P
Quoting akhmad (Reply 3): Perhaps it was typical weekend scene. I cannot remember such fellow passengers when Herman and I went to CAI on Thursday sometime ago.
Hi Suryo, LX has had loads and loads of CAI pax from AMS in the past few months, they must have some good offerings!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 3): Err, help me to locate it.
Hmm seems like one of the links was copied wrong! Oh well, here it is;
Quoting akhmad (Reply 3):
I should come back to Paris to visit this one.
You should, it is well worth a visit!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 3): Is she notorious for going tech?
Haha yes it happened a few times!
Quoting FatmirJusufi (Reply 4): I have been once on HB-IHZ, twice on WK in total. Back then it was independent from LX — pretty decent airline.
Hi Fatmir, I think WK still flies some holiday charters in summer independent of LX.
Quoting buck3y3nut (Reply 5): Great report and pictures from Paris. Brought back some memories
Thanks! Glad you liked it.
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 6): Interesting routing to go to Paris, ZRH and MUC are two of the best airports in Europe; despite having such a rush connection I still tend to think ZRH is a great airport;
Hi Roger, I can't really say anything about it as I didn't see much of it. Perhaps I should go back sometime!
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 6): WK is a great airline... did they show the pictures of the captain and first officer while boarding?
Indeed they did, a nice personal touch if you ask me!
Quoting globalflyer (Reply 7): Hi Martijn, great TR as usual. I am not familiar with WK so it was nice to see this service. Great pics of Paris as well. I love the old architecture there. Love that Warsteiner beer on LH too! Are you going to be in BER?
I hope so Will! No promises yet however.
Quoting deltamartin (Reply 8): Your experience on LX and LH seems pretty nice, I'll be flying LH in a couple of weeks so it was nice to read about your experience with them!
Hi Martin, looking forward to your report
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 9): We only get the Helvetic F100’s on a more regular basis, operating for LX to ZRH. I’ve never been on those ones either.
Hey Nils, we get them on a rare occasion in AMS. They look pretty good on the inside!
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 9): Your connection at ZRH was pretty short, I bet you had some nerve wracking moments there...
Yeah no kidding!
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 10): I hate CDG T1, what a dump. From the outside though, it's a piece of architecture (inside as well of course). I remember the dirty place, like yesterday.
Hmm well at least the LH part was clean enough! I hear a lot of people who hate it however..
stipica From Croatia, joined Feb 2011, 398 posts, RR: 8 Reply 14, posted (1 year 3 months 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 4075 times:
Hi Martijn !
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): I tried the Airbuseric approach for a change, and chose a seat near the business class curtain for some extra legroom.
heheh my tactic too ...
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): to just walk past the line and apologized to the guy first in line. I quickly cleared security and ran to the gate with only a few minutes left!
I really do not understand who calculated the 30 minutes transfer time is sufficient ...
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): Though it’s all very old fashioned and French, I have to say I quite like this terminal.
I agree ... architecture of the sixties and early seventies was a bit avant-garde ... JFK ( ex-TWA terminal and Worldport now terminal 3) CDG ( terminal 1) or LED ( terminal 1) or GVA satellite concept (French influence hehe)
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): It had to taxi all the way around the concourse to park parallel to the building, again so no pushback is needed.
interesting game hehehe but the satellite concept is spatially inefficient
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): I sometimes wonder if all the criticism CDG gets is uncalled for
Martijn do not open Pandora's box hehehe
I enjoyed ...thanks stipica
MSS658 From Belgium, joined Oct 2010, 2212 posts, RR: 14 Reply 15, posted (1 year 3 months 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 3770 times:
Hi Martijn
Great trip report, thanks for sharing!
It seems like the Star-Alliance duo pleased you quite well
Concerning CDG. T1 is actually one of the better ones IMO.
Just when it gets crowded it can be a bit of a pain (will talk about this one later)
signol From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2007, 2948 posts, RR: 7 Reply 16, posted (1 year 3 months 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 3676 times:
HI Martijn,
great report of a short European trip. Paris looks as beautiful as ever, and Star flights as good as expected. Short turnaround on both legs, gave you a chance to compare transfers. MUC we know is smooth, efficient, but ZRH I would have expected to be the same.
I hope you went inside, if not... I'll have to send you back right away.
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): The service consisted of a similar chocolate pastry as the way in, only it was twice the size this time. Of course accompanied by chocolates. The cabin crew were very friendly.
Hmmm, looks like a sausage roll to me. Now that would be delicious!
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): This terminal is so old, that a lot of the gates are taxi out gates where the planes park parallel to the satellite. No pushback truck is needed which is obviously an advantage. The copilot of this SK M82 was hanging from the window to make sure they wouldn%u2019t clip the wing of a LOT ERJ parked next to them!
Seriously, it looks funny and all but from the airplane's view it looks very inconvenient. T1 looks old as well.
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): The trademark Warsteiner bottle on all LH Europe flights
My god look at the size of that bottle. That's why I just admire LH. You don't have to pay for it on board,
and what you get is the best. I love LH
Thanks for the pleasant TR. It's been an honor to read it, colleague. I can't wait for the other remaining TRs
Regards,
Niek
'A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.' - Winston Churchill
FLIEGER67 From Turkey, joined Sep 2003, 4391 posts, RR: 57 Reply 18, posted (1 year 3 months 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 3433 times:
Hej, Martijn,
sure a good read and also a nice way to fly Edelweiss. Definitely something special and not featured here every day.
Shame that you need to run around ZRH, thats something what I absolutely dislike.
And also not a good idea there with the extra secuity. I was also suprised when it happens to me lately.
infodesk From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 1242 posts, RR: 34 Reply 19, posted (1 year 3 months 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 3341 times:
Hi Martijn,
Always a delight to read about Edelweiss, with the coolest livery in aviation if you ask me. They do operate a few flights for LX, particularly in winter and I've noticed that the crews seem a little bit less motivated on these flights than on the regular charters.
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): I passed some people and sprinted up the stairs into the terminal. I was shocked to see that I had to re-clear security! I quickly
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): I still don’t see why I had to clear security in the first place, and why there wasn’t a priority lane!
As has already been mentioned, this is already a thing of the past. Security at ZRH was centralised in December, so if you were to do the trip now you wouldn't have this problem. The priority lanes were sadly kept for business and status pax.
Yes, beautiful shot you have there. You can clearly see the effects of the Föhn wind the pilot mentioned, everything seems so close you could touch it and the the lake has that lovely orange tinge to it.
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 2): That's really interesting, I had always thought that the MCT in ZRH was 45 minutes? Or perhaps you're just referring to the time between arrival and gate close?
Jonas, depends whether you're transferring within the Schengen area (as Martijn was) or to/from Non-Schengen (as you were).
Happy flying
Infodesk
"Do nothing in haste, look well to each step and from the beginning think what may be the end" - Edward Whymper
CrimsonNL From Netherlands, joined Dec 2007, 1618 posts, RR: 42 Reply 20, posted (1 year 3 months 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 3268 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW CHAT OPERATOR
Hello all, thanks for the continuing replies!
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 13):
nice report with good pictures! I really need to try Edelweiss Air one day.
Yes it's a nice airline, and not one you would easily stumble upon!
Quoting stipica (Reply 14): I agree ... architecture of the sixties and early seventies was a bit avant-garde ... JFK ( ex-TWA terminal and Worldport now terminal 3) CDG ( terminal 1) or LED ( terminal 1) or GVA satellite concept (French influence hehe)
Indeed, it has some charm though!
Quoting MSS658 (Reply 15): Great trip report, thanks for sharing!
Thanks Marc!
Quoting MSS658 (Reply 15): Just when it gets crowded it can be a bit of a pain (will talk about this one later)
Hmm yes I can imagine that satellite filling up fast on some days!
Quoting signol (Reply 16): MUC we know is smooth, efficient, but ZRH I would have expected to be the same.
That's what I thought, but apparently it has improved now
Quoting photoshooter (Reply 17): Me too, never heard of the place ''Giethoorn'' before!
Hi Niek, it's actually a very popular place, with lots of small canals. I've never been there though!
Quoting photoshooter (Reply 17): I hope you went inside, if not... I'll have to send you back right away.
Nope, it was busy and it was already late in the afternoon.. I'm not really into art anyway
Quoting photoshooter (Reply 17): Hmmm, looks like a sausage roll to me. Now that would be delicious!
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 18): Shame that you need to run around ZRH, thats something what I absolutely dislike.
Hi Markus, I too don't like running for my flights. I usually book with more transfer time but it was not possible on this trip. In MUC it's a different story as it's just one long terminal, but when security checks and stairs are involved it gets really frustrating!
Quoting infodesk (Reply 19): Always a delight to read about Edelweiss, with the coolest livery in aviation if you ask me.
Hi Infodesk, it sure is a stunning livery!
Quoting infodesk (Reply 19): As has already been mentioned, this is already a thing of the past.
Very good!
Quoting infodesk (Reply 19): Yes, beautiful shot you have there.
I should go back sometime and actually visit the city. I've never spend any serious time in Switzerland!
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 21, posted (1 year 3 months 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 3229 times:
Nice report - good that you could take an interesting routing down to CDG.
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): I noticed an earlier MUC flight on the screens, and tried my luck at the ticket desk. I explained my short transfer time and that if possible, I would like to fly on the earlier flight instead. The lady made some phone calls but in the end the answer was no. Oh well!
LH are often like this. They never help you out unless it helps them out
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): Halfway through I checked my seat again and to my horror it showed 20D
At least it wasn't a middle seat. I don't mind an aisle seat if it's a short hop at night
CaptainRed From Germany, joined Oct 2010, 578 posts, RR: 19 Reply 22, posted (1 year 3 months 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 3219 times:
Hi Martijn,
interesting report, good to read something about Edelweiss, seems to be a nice little airline. And the red livery with the edelweiss looks just great, really like it. Glad to hear that you made your connection in ZRH despite the short delay, seems like it was a close call.
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): Even now in low-season it was very busy at the tourist sights, and I don’t even want to think about the lines in high summer!
Yes, indeed. Paris is a great city, but also extremely touristy. Still, I have been there several times but the sight alone of the Eiffel Tower always fascinates me again (You can actually pre-order a ticket to go to the top, good idea if you want to avoid the long lines).
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): A good example of why I don’t like running into fellow Dutchmen when I’m abroad!
That's about the same reason why I don't like to run into fellow Germans when abroad ...
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): I sometimes wonder if all the criticism CDG gets is uncalled for.
Well, you didn't have to connect there and you (probably) didn't have to check any luggage (as this would have very likely not make it into your plane , I had my fair share of experiences with lost luggage at CDG )
Parton87 From Sweden, joined Sep 2008, 524 posts, RR: 2 Reply 23, posted (1 year 3 months 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 3199 times:
Hello Martijn!
Thanks for the great story! Love the videos in your report! They´re really good!
Paris looks great, it´s on my to do list! Hopefully I can make a visit there this year! I will start with a new EU capital next week, Amsterdam Really looking forward to that!
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): clear security in the first place, and why there wasn’t a priority lane!
That´s bad. I´m glad you manage to catch your flight though. This reminds me of my 20 min connection in BRU back in 2007. Have to change terminal and re-enter security then a passport control. But I made it
CrimsonNL From Netherlands, joined Dec 2007, 1618 posts, RR: 42 Reply 24, posted (1 year 3 months 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 2946 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW CHAT OPERATOR
Hello all, thanks for the many replies!
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 21):
LH are often like this. They never help you out unless it helps them out
Well you can't blame them, if they'd just rebook everyone with a cheap fare, noone would buy the more expensive flexible tickets anymore!
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 22): That's about the same reason why I don't like to run into fellow Germans when abroad
Haha good luck with that, German tourists are everywhere
Quoting Parton87 (Reply 23): So Edelweiss just operate some flights for LX? I thought they had merged?
I think they are fully owned by LX but they do continue to operate on their own AOC. They have some 330s as well that they send to popular holiday destinations.
Quoting Parton87 (Reply 23): Nice! It must be a special feeling when you see it for the first time!?
Indeed it was
Quoting Parton87 (Reply 23): Hopefully I can make a visit there this year! I will start with a new EU capital next week, Amsterdam
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): Unfortunately the bus had stickers on the windows so no chance for pictures.
Always a pity here in ZRH. I really dislike it.
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): I still don’t see why I had to clear security in the first place
That's strange. Aren't the flights from "secure" destination exempt from a further security check? Maybe the bus driver dropped you off at the wrong entrance.
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): I noticed an earlier MUC flight on the screens, and tried my luck at the ticket desk. I explained my short transfer time and that if possible, I would like to fly on the earlier flight instead. The lady made some phone calls but in the end the answer was no. Oh well!
Hm, I think I once read or heard that LH will always allow you to take an earlier flight if space is available and if you had a connection at FRA or MUC. Maybe I'm wrong.
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): Halfway through I checked my seat again and to my horror it showed 20D! I had an A seat the day before! I was not amused!
Ouch, that's painful! A seat change like that really should not happen.
Quoting CrimsonNL (Thread starter): I seriously don’t understand why people actually like aisle seats!
Well, any flight without a window is a bad flight for me, but I prefer aisle over middle seat if there's no window.
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