Part 1 has seen me arriving at PMI from STR on a fully packed holiday configured AB A333. However, some questions are still left unanswered (see *). This part will reveal more
Palma de Mallorca airport - PMI
The Cobus drops us off at the bottom of an escalator which leads up to the terminal building. When I arrive upstairs, there’s an AENA employee awaiting shouting out a lot of destinations. I overhear him saying to some other pax: ‘Barcelona? C61!’, so that’s where I go. These live FIDS really are quite handy when you’re in a hurry. With some 30 mins to spare, I make my way over to the boarding gate, feeling quite confident that I will make the short connection.
To the left, at the end of the corridor, is the gate that I need to be at. I obviously don’t have much time to explore but by the looks of it, there’s no need to. The terminal looks not too inviting and is expectedly quite full with people.
Boarding is already well under way, but with a long line - and obviously a healthy load today - I have some time to sit down and watch the whole scene.
PMI to BCN
AB7526
B738 D-ABMD
STD-STA 15:00-16:00
Y class
seat 4F
With the boarding pass scanned, I make my way down for what appears to be a boarding-by-bus procedure. Now you also have the answer to the first question in the first part of this trip report: I have indeed made the connection and it was a quite comfortable one by my standards
During the walk down, I see this ‘retro’ scheme of the airline I’m about to fly for the 2nd time. I must admit I like the new one better.
The bus drives off in the Mediterranean heat and drops us at one of the multiple Air Berlin occupied apron stands. This ramp worker tries to prevent sunburn by standing under the wing. Was he maybe expecting FLIEGER67 to take a pic?
This plane looks nice in the Mallorcan sun:
Another engine view:
Deliberately I’m the last in line to climb the aircraft stairs. My eyes feast on an abundance of white and red planes:
I turn around and spot a familiar one: there’s the A333 that brought me here:
Finally I enter the cabin as the very last passenger. I’m pretty excited to see the aircraft is a rather new one and equipped with the Sky Interior.
I get a nice greeting by a young male and female crew member. I only notice now what uniforms the FA’s are wearing, they look more like casual clothing and give certainly a different expression than, let’s say more ‘conservative’ FA’s clothing. I have not yet figured out if I like that or not...
I’m seated pretty much upfront, at 4F. The dropdown screens are down and my mood is up as I anticipate some nice clear views on departure out of PMI. This is a first good view, a Niki sistership with an Air Berlin tail! Have you ever seen that
The seats are comfy and the legroom is fine as well:
The airshow is showing our current position and it is quite a show. The flight time is very short, the captain says we will only need 35 mins to BCN.
Sky Interior, yes:
We leave the stand pretty much on time and taxi out to the active departure runway, which is the southwest oriented one. Luxair seems also active here:
JFK or PMI?
This military plane landed just after our A333 and is standing idle at a parking position next to 24R:
Finally, our turn has come and we turn onto the runway to go for a rolling take off:
The take off is nothing less but scenic:
La Palma city in the distance:
Some cruisers for OA260:
We climb further and overfly the holiday beaches in the southwest part of the island:
Beaches full of burning meat
I’m able to get a last glimpse of PMI:
And after that it is mountains and sea...
Meanwhile inside the plane, the crew is released and ready to service. Well, service...? They race up and down the aircraft with Air Berlin branded paper bags and hand one out to every passenger who fancies one. The contents is a bottle of mineral water and some cheese cookies. Being very thirsty I drink the whole bottle at once but the cheese snack disappears in my backpack. Quite some other people have the opposite idea and decide on eating those cheese thingies. I don’t need to describe what kind of disgusting smell fills the cabin immediately...
Our route until now looks like this:
The views over the Med are hazy and fluffy white and blue:
Hmm, I didn’t notice the ceiling turning from blue to pink. Anyone knows how these colours are controlled (time of day,...?)?
The engines revving down and some gentle left turns initiate the descent into BCN’s El Prat. After a scenic departure now follows a scenic arrival
The sprawls of Barcelona:
Another cruiser for OA260!
Crossing the ‘rio Llobregat’ means we are very near the airport perimeter:
We touch down at 25R some 10 minutes ahead to schedule. Last time I saw this view was in Jan this year, coming from MAD on an Air Europa B738. My Ryanair flight to CRL was already visible - perhaps now as well? - but I had to get myself from T1 to T2 in 30 mins, a task I completed with not a second to spare. You can read the full details here: My Fit-o-meter & RyanAir Europa: CRL-MAD-BCN-CRL (by Sultanils Dec 8 2011 in Trip Reports)
Just like PMI is Air Berlin territory, BCN is Vueling territory:
This one is for The777Man:
We dock into one of the furthest gates on T1, next to - of course - some Vueling metal. I bid adieu to the crew and manage to have a short chat with the pilots in their office:
The crew apparently has some rest now, since this plane will be leaving again for BCN in 2,5 hours. A bit strange scheduling if you ask me...
One last look to my plane:
Barcelona El Prat airport - BCN
Once inside the terminal I’m feeling a little peckish and thus head for a food hunt. As BCN is an airport in a shopping annex eatery mall, this is not too difficult.
Since I didn’t have any time to admire the beauty of this terminal last time, I know have ample time to look around and indeed: it’s a pretty nice terminal.
Well, nice and hot it is. I’m sweating like a pig - the deo comes in handy here - neither the airco nor the hygroconditioning (if there is such a thing) are working properly:
Btw, there you got the answer again to one of the final questions in part 1 of this trip report
And the FIDS doesn’t work properly as well: still no gate for the flight to ‘Bruselas’...
There are not too many planes around, but those that are present are all nice ones:
45 mins delayed
What is the thing with SN and it’s Spanish destinations, they’re delayed almost all of the time.
I sit myself at a table - no window view unfortunately - with a parmesan cheese salad and some cold lemon tea and enjoy my meal whilst watching the Barcelona beau-monde walk by. At T-60 mins I notice on a FIDS that a gate has been assigned but since I have some time left I decide to walk all the way to the very end of the terminal which would permit me a nice view on the active runways. There really is not a living soul in sight so I make myself comfy and have a sit-in on the floor. I even dare to take off my shoes
Nope, it doesn’t go any further than this:
After some tranquil zen moments I grab hold off my belongings and head off to the assigned gate where the boarding process is in full swing. To my surprise, there is no line formed, it is all very informal and peaceful. Are we in Spain?
BCN to BRU
VY8990
A320 EC-JGM
STD-STA 18:05-20:05
Y class
seat 23F
Ah, ‘The Joy Of Vueling’ is my soulmate for this flight. I hope she comes true to her name!
Walking on the aerobridge I realize that in FlyingFinn76’s worst nightmares, all planes are white , although taken strictly, that doesn’t apply to this one:
As I enter the plane, a good looking and friendly FA greets me with a jolly ‘Hola’ to which I reply ‘Hola’ (as well). The plane is already well filled - and will be 100% full in the end - and I immediately notice that the legroom will not be anything to be enjoyed this evening.
I sit straight in my seat and still my knees are jammed.
This is by far the worst legroom I have ever come across. On top of that I get 2 female seatmates. That’s not all bad because they turn out to be all giggly and chatty, most likely they had a nice stay in the city. I overhear them saying what I am thinking: ‘This legroom is awful’. ‘Yes indeed me ladies, I agree on that’. ‘We didn’t have this when coming over here, the seats were much slimmer’. ‘Oh, really?’.
So it appears there are Vueling planes around who do have better seating comfort than this one. This one has seen better days as well: the crack on the seat support is awkwardly placed as it cuts into my arm when I lay it horizontal:
On a positive note: the crew is very helpful in assisting passengers. They try to seat some families together - to which they succeed in a diplomatic way - and assist with putting bags in the overhead bins.
A look out of the window:
‘Boarding complete’ sounds barely audible through the speakers and some moments later the pilot shifts this lady in reverse. When the tug is disconnected and the engines are started, we make a beeline for 25L for departure into this glorious blue sky:
Some friends are following us:
The takeoff is really overpowering. I’ve never experienced this in a mundane A320 before. The angle of attack is so steep and liftoff is so sudden that for a moment I think the plane is about to go into a stall. Luckily this is not the case, but I do get butterflies in my stomach. I believe the pilot in charge must be an ex-jetfighter pilot!
The views on takeoff are very nice again:
We do a series of turns over the sea and come back inland to continue our course to the north, next stop BRU:
We pass over the Pyrenees and since it is summer, there’s no snow to be seen. It’s not the Alps, but nevertheless the views are nice enough:
All too soon, the curtain closes and the show is over. Time for some mellow tunes!
It takes the crew quite a long time to roll the cart out, but as I’m still full from my evening meal, I let them pass without placing an order. The ‘ling’ magazine is actually a pleasant read:
The rest of the flight passes by quietly. I occasionally try to re-seat myself to get the strain out of my knees but it’s difficult to find a good position. If you take this flight from let’s say the Nordics to Tenerife or so, you leave bruised and battered.
Occasionally, the clouds make way for some ground views. This is somewhere over France:
But as we come closer to BRU, I realize it’s game over for today with the sightseeing...
One of the cockpit crew comes on and mumbles something about ‘centigrados’ stuff, but I’m not quite susceptible for this fast Spanish and the English translation is also not one I’ll remember for a long time. Well, at least they said something...
We do an approach from the west, flying north over the airport and finally establish the final descent coming in from the east inbound for 25L:
It’s haziness and clouds galore at BRU this evening:
At 19h50, 10 minutes ahead to schedule, we make contact with the runway and some 5 minutes later, we dock into the A terminal, next to an Aegean bus as always:
Conclusion
I enjoyed myself to the fullest on this excellent flying day: 4 flights, 3 new airlines and my 1st Sky Interior Boeing. Everything worked out as scheduled, which is a nice bonus.
Germanwings were a pretty nice surprise. For a (semi) LCC they are very good value. The cabin was immaculate and pleasant, with plenty of space and not only because I practically had the whole plane to myself. The crew did their jobs, but nothing more. I do hope this route will sustain as they have some interesting connecting destinations via STR, so I hope todays load was not exemplary for the usual load on a normal working day.
Air Berlin I found to be a bit of a mixed bag. Sure there was the A333 which was the main highlight of the day, but the plane itself was totally worn out. No IFE but worst of all the service was not good. What is the purpose of ordering your meal online beforehand and having to ask for it in the plane? Was the crew not aware or they didn’t care?
The next flight was a whole lot better, the nearly new Boeing was a nice surprise and the small service round was not expected but fully appreciated. The crew was OK, but please Air Berlin, do something about your crews’ uniforms!
Last but not least, there’s of course Vueling, of which I did not have high expectations from the start. While the crew was by far the most pleasant one of the whole day, the legroom and seating comfort on this airline is one’s worst nightmare - yes, even worse than albino planes. Heck, even Ryanair and easyJet offer better seating comfort! Another main gripe I have with this airline is it’s abominable website. While making a booking was doable, viewing, let alone editing was virtually impossible. So Vueling, get your act together: don’t try to be too much hip and trendy but make your website work and throw out at least one row of seats on your planes and you have my business again. But anyway, thanks for the € 10 voucher
And no, luckily my knees are not sore anymore so that’s all questions answered!
Thank you for reading and feel free to leave your comments!
MSS658 From Belgium, joined Oct 2010, 2212 posts, RR: 14 Reply 1, posted (8 months 2 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 7066 times:
Hi Nils
Interesting report, thanks for sharing!
Suprised to see the Sky Interior, really want to catch one of those one day sooner or late.
Vueling does not look to bad at all, specially with the older seating!
Thankfully the crew was a bit better.
The uniform was styled by outstanding German fashion designer Jette Joop, daughter of mode guru Wolfgang Joop! The uniform is a unique, high quality masterpiece in Civil Aviation (at least what AB is thinking)...
MIAspotter From Spain, joined Nov 2001, 2274 posts, RR: 26 Reply 3, posted (8 months 2 weeks 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 6966 times:
Hi Nils.
Looks like a nice daytrip to catch some sun.
Air Berlin also sounds pretty good, even managing a FREE snack service on a 35 minute flight! the Sky Interior looks nice and the cool mood lightning certainly adds a touch of class, I experienced it on a Qatar flight and it makes the cabin feels more welcoming
Vueling... well, they really need to set up a Cabin Appearance department, I flew with them to MXP and on the way back the armrest was botched up with tape, my girlfriend flew to Nantes and also her armrest was botched up with tape, and now yours was cracked.. I find this unaceptable, imagine what nervous flyers would think, if the seats look like this, imagine the rest of the airplane.
And yes, they do have some planes with the Slimline seats, but they are not that much comfortable, they have a funny mix of airplanes, some new ones with new cabins, some ex Iberia (with appaling cabins) and now some Ex Spanair birds.
But at least their crews are pleasant enough (and some are really cute)
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6088 posts, RR: 56 Reply 4, posted (8 months 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 6930 times:
Hi Nils !
Thanks for a great conclusion to your short day trip.
Very good to get three new airlines in one day and some nice weather flying.
Very nice scenic short flight from PMI to BCN!
Legroom on VY looks really, really bad almost like Linjeflyg (LF) a Swedish domestic carrier that was merged into SAS about 15 years ago.
burj From United States of America, joined Nov 2007, 839 posts, RR: 4 Reply 5, posted (8 months 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 6921 times:
Cool trip report...
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): They race up and down the aircraft with Air Berlin branded paper bags and hand one out to every passenger who fancies one. The contents is a bottle of mineral water and some cheese cookies.
Considering how little was in the bags...why bother with bags? They could have just handed out the water and "snack" out separately...
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6191 posts, RR: 79 Reply 6, posted (8 months 2 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 6808 times:
Hi Nils,
very nice second part of your series. I'm glad you made it onto your connecting flight!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): This is a first good view, a Niki sistership with an Air Berlin tail! Have you ever seen that
Good catch...but it's sad that the Niki colors will really disappear soon.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Meanwhile inside the plane, the crew is released and ready to service. Well, service...? They race up and down the aircraft with Air Berlin branded paper bags and hand one out to every passenger who fancies one. The contents is a bottle of mineral water and some cheese cookies. Being very thirsty I drink the whole bottle at once but the cheese snack disappears in my backpack. Quite some other people have the opposite idea and decide on eating those cheese thingies. I don’t need to describe what kind of disgusting smell fills the cabin immediately...
You don't like cheese, eh? But it's impressive that AB serves a snack on such a short hop.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Hmm, I didn’t notice the ceiling turning from blue to pink. Anyone knows how these colours are controlled (time of day,...?)?
Well, who knows. I noticed such a light show several times, e.g. on Jet Airways 77W. It didn't make sense.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Ah, ‘The Joy Of Vueling’ is my soulmate for this flight. I hope she comes true to her name!
Ah, that's exactly the plane I had on the MAD-BCN hop some years ago. I was so "impressed" by Vueling that I put the expression "The pain of Vueling" in the title...oh, and while the armrest was damaged, the wing seemed to be complete on your flight.
Quoting MSS658 (Reply 1): really want to catch one of those one day sooner or late.
Oh, I’m sure you will one day!
Quoting debonair (Reply 2): The uniform was styled by outstanding German fashion designer Jette Joop, daughter of mode guru Wolfgang Joop! The uniform is a unique, high quality masterpiece in Civil Aviation (at least what AB is thinking)...
Thanks debonair for this insight. Well, as opinions may vary, I don’t share Air Berlin’s opinion on this
Hello MIAspotter, thank you for your reply. Indeed, your home airport is always good for some sunny shots (as is PMI).
Quoting MIAspotter (Reply 3): even managing a FREE snack service on a 35 minute flight!
True and it was perfectly adequate for me.
Quoting MIAspotter (Reply 3): I find this unaceptable, imagine what nervous flyers would think, if the seats look like this, imagine the rest of the airplane.
I agree fully, it makes you wonder about the maintenance state of the plane in general. Although it wasn’t a major issue, I found it a very annoying defect.
Quoting MIAspotter (Reply 3): but they are not that much comfortable
Oh, are they not? So the same amount of seats with the same horrible seat pitch?
Thanks for a great conclusion to your short day trip.
Hi Lars, thanks very much!
Quoting The777Man (Reply 4): Legroom on VY looks really, really bad almost like Linjeflyg (LF) a Swedish domestic carrier that was merged into SAS about 15 years ago.
I’ve never heard of that carrier before. Have you flown it personally?
Quoting The777Man (Reply 4): Many thanks for that! Reminds me of my day in Seattle at the roll-out ceremony.
I remember vividly you reporting on that exclusive event. Now if you could only manage a flight on that particular plane, that would be great.
Quoting burj (Reply 5): Considering how little was in the bags...why bother with bags? They could have just handed out the water and "snack" out separately...
I think it’s still faster to hand out just 1 item iso 2, hence the bag.
very nice second part of your series. I'm glad you made it onto your connecting flight!
Thanks PH for your comments.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 6): Good catch...but it's sad that the Niki colors will really disappear soon.
Sure you know there is no such plane around: Niki with Air Berlin tail? Look closely at the photo and you’ll notice. Anyway, it’s indeed kinda sad to see this wonderful and distinctive Niki livery disappearing soon. No more ‘fly in the sky’
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 6): You don't like cheese, eh? But it's impressive that AB serves a snack on such a short hop.
No, I’m not a cheese fan and I’m not Dutch either But as you said: Air Berlin surprised me with this kind of service on this short hop to the mainland
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 6): Ah, that's exactly the plane I had on the MAD-BCN hop some years ago. I was so "impressed" by Vueling that I put the expression "The pain of Vueling" in the title...oh, and while the armrest was damaged, the wing seemed to be complete on your flight.
Ha ha, I remember reading that one yes. So we flew the same aircraft, it’s a small world, isn’t it My wing was complete luckily!
deltamartin From Sweden, joined Dec 2010, 1059 posts, RR: 9 Reply 8, posted (8 months 2 weeks 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 6605 times:
Hello Nils!
Nice continuation of your Mediterranean getaway!
Glad to see that airBerlin impressed on that short flight. Too bad about the lousy seat comfort on Vueling, it kind of puts me off trying their BCN-ARN service, which I have been looking at a couple of times.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Now you also have the answer to the first question in the first part of this trip report: I have indeed made the connection and it was a quite comfortable one by my standards
Glad to hear it!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): During the walk down, I see this ‘retro’ scheme of the airline I’m about to fly for the 2nd time. I must admit I like the new one better.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Hmm, I didn’t notice the ceiling turning from blue to pink. Anyone knows how these colours are controlled (time of day,...?)?
I think it's completely up to the cabin crew.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Just like PMI is Air Berlin territory, BCN is Vueling territory:
It used to be JK territory though.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Since I didn’t have any time to admire the beauty of this terminal last time, I know have ample time to look around and indeed: it’s a pretty nice terminal.
Quokkas From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 9, posted (8 months 2 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 6536 times:
Hi Nils,
Good to see your second half of the day trip posted.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): the answer to the first question in the first part of this trip report: I have indeed made the connection
Well I am glad you made it but for an extra exciting read a tale of delays and frustrations would have provided for more comment. Seriously, it is good to see that the earlier delay did not result in any inconvenience (as the airlines like to call it.)
Good to see that the white trousers still have no tomato stains.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Hmm, I didn't notice the ceiling turning from blue to pink
The general idea is that they are supposed to adjust gradually for the time of day and on long haul flights crossing several time zones is supposed to offset the effects of jet-lag. Don't know if it actually works, though. I have only ever encountered it once, but on a flight PER-DXB the crew even played a recording of the dawn chorus (birds) as the light changed from the night sky to early morning.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): manage to have a short chat with the pilots in their office:
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 11, posted (8 months 2 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 6286 times:
Thanks for posting Nils...nice to see another AB flight
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Deliberately I’m the last in line to climb the aircraft stairs. My eyes feast on an abundance of white and red planes:
I'm still staggered at the size of AB's PMI operation...is it year round?
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): They race up and down the aircraft with Air Berlin branded paper bags and hand one out to every passenger who fancies one. The contents is a bottle of mineral water and some cheese cookies
Looks good for a short hop
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter):
The crew apparently has some rest now, since this plane will be leaving again for BCN in 2,5 hours. A bit strange scheduling if you ask me...
Well, it's all down to making the PMI hub work efficiently
adamspotter From Netherlands, joined Feb 2011, 784 posts, RR: 2 Reply 12, posted (8 months 2 weeks 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 6233 times:
Hi there Nils,
Nice to see part 2 online
Another great report with some very nice pictures! Looks like you had 2 OK flights there, except for the legroom on Vueling ofcourse but that was too be expected.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Now you also have the answer to the first question in the first part of this trip report: I have indeed made the connection and it was a quite comfortable one by my standards
reifel From Germany, joined Feb 2005, 1135 posts, RR: 1 Reply 13, posted (8 months 2 weeks 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 5982 times:
Thanks for sharing!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The Cobus drops us off at the bottom of an escalator which leads up to the terminal building. When I arrive upstairs, there’s an AENA employee awaiting shouting out a lot of destinations. I overhear him saying to some other pax: ‘Barcelona? C61!’, so that’s where I go. These live FIDS really are quite handy when you’re in a hurry. With some 30 mins to spare,
AB has an impressive hub operation in PMI, and connecting is very easy as there is no safety check and usually all planes arrive and depart at the same pier of this (very huge) airport. Seems to have changed a little seen your picture as some of the planes are parked in front at the refurbished pier with the big glass windows, but still no too far away to walk.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The crew apparently has some rest now, since this plane will be leaving again for BCN in 2,5 hours. A bit strange scheduling if you ask me...
This makes perfectly sense. You need to keep in mind that everything from/to PMI is scheduled around the hub time in PMI. Means that let's say 20 planes arrive from several destinations from Germany in PMI more or less at the same time, then these 20 planes depart again at more or less the same time to destinations in Spain and Portugal, Allowing basically a one-connection-only flight from literrally anywhere in Germany to anywhere in Spain/Portugal.
Same the other way round. Planes are scheduled to be back at exactly the same time in PMI. This means that shorter destinations, like BCN or VLC will need to wait longer in BCN or VLC than planes flown to LIS, which will turn around right away, because the flight is much longer. In the end they will arrive at the same time again in PMI. Hope this makes sense
FLIEGER67 From Turkey, joined Sep 2003, 4391 posts, RR: 57 Reply 14, posted (8 months 2 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 5864 times:
Hi, Nils,
that´s for sure an enjoyable read this Saturday afternoon with the sun coming in.
Nice pictures also.
Really good to follow´you´re comparison about airberlin and Vueling.
That Vueling plane looks like worn out, definitely.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): This ramp worker tries to prevent sunburn by standing under the wing. Was he maybe expecting FLIEGER67 to take a pic?
FlyingFinn76 From Finland, joined Jun 2009, 1705 posts, RR: 41 Reply 15, posted (8 months 2 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 5779 times:
Hi Nils,
Great to see the second part of your very unusual (for you) two part report. Brings back some (not necessarily nice) memories from my "catch the Condor 757-300" trip back in November when I flew Vueling between PMI and BCN.
Very nice that there was no need to rush through BCN this time and you even seemed to have a rather relaxed transfer experience.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): When I arrive upstairs, there’s an AENA employee awaiting shouting out a lot of destinations. I overhear him saying to some other pax: ‘Barcelona? C61!’, so that’s where I go.
Oh yeah, on my single time flying through PMI on an AB to AB transit this also happened to me. The connection time wasn't that long so this certainly helped.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Finally I enter the cabin as the very last passenger. I’m pretty excited to see the aircraft is a rather new one and equipped with the Sky Interior.
Interesting, I had no idea AB had any Boeings with the SI. Oh and congratulations on popping your cherry with one!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): a Niki sistership with an Air Berlin tail! Have you ever seen that
Hmm, that flight to Vatry sounds so weird. I thought the only passenger traffic they got were the Ryanair folks from Norway and Sweden heading to Disneyland!
More like burning fat, but unfortunately the wrong way.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Well, service...? They race up and down the aircraft with Air Berlin branded paper bags and hand one out to every passenger who fancies one. The contents is a bottle of mineral water and some cheese cookies.
Wow, now I'm impressed. They hand out this bag on such a short hop!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): I don’t need to describe what kind of disgusting smell fills the cabin immediately...
Urgh, tell me about it. Despite loving most cheese to death (it'll probably kill me in the form of cholesterol) I can't stand the smell of these kind of processed cheese snacks like cheese crackers, cheese squiggles etc. - they smell just like shite!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The engines revving down and some gentle left turns initiate the descent into BCN’s El Prat. After a scenic departure now follows a scenic arrival
Nice for you. My view last November was covered in clouds.
Quite an appropriate airline for operating the 1000th example, methinks.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The crew apparently has some rest now, since this plane will be leaving again for BCN in 2,5 hours. A bit strange scheduling if you ask me...
A bit strange route as well. Do they even take off or just taxi out to the apron and then back to the gate to save fuel?
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Well, nice and hot it is. I’m sweating like a pig - the deo comes in handy here - neither the airco nor the hygroconditioning (if there is such a thing) are working properly:
Hmm, that doesn't look too good. I guess they are trying to cut down on their energy bills a bit, with the whole country being in bankruptcy and all...
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): To my surprise, there is no line formed, it is all very informal and peaceful. Are we in Spain?
No, it is Catalonia. But yeah, the principle should be the same. Looks like you got lucky!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Ah, ‘The Joy Of Vueling’ is my soulmate for this flight. I hope she comes true to her name!
You could ask PH for a second opinion on that name...
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Walking on the aerobridge I realize that in FlyingFinn76’s worst nightmares, all planes are white , although taken strictly, that doesn’t apply to this one:
Well no tall! But thanks for the mention anyway.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): I sit straight in my seat and still my knees are jammed.
Yes, this is the famous Vueling legroom. Or actually the lack of it. Lovely airline.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): ‘We didn’t have this when coming over here, the seats were much slimmer’. ‘Oh, really?’.
Maybe they were were much slimmer themselves coming over to BCN before devouring all those divine Patatas Bravas and other killer food they have down there...
Or maybe they flew a different airline down?
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): This one has seen better days as well: the crack on the seat support is awkwardly placed as it cuts into my arm when I lay it horizontal:
Eww, that looks horrible!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Occasionally, the clouds make way for some ground views. This is somewhere over France:
Sorry, too tired (and drunk) to play around with Google Maps tonite. You are on your own!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): I do hope this route will sustain as they have some interesting connecting destinations via STR, so I hope todays load was not exemplary for the usual load on a normal working day.
This is kinda interesting. You have the LH network at your disposal when flying this route under the LH codeshare and then again you have the 4U (Fouryou, geddit?) network when flying with their own genuine flight number. What's there not to love?
Hey, if you won't use it I'm sure our resident mascot animal Jonas will find it very handy indeed to bring down the price on an ARN-BCN flight. We will then enjoy a lagom report about his trip where he didn't get anything for free despite paying 25 EUR for his ticket and how Barcelona is full of crooks...
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24929 posts, RR: 60 Reply 16, posted (8 months 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 5707 times:
Hey Nils
Thanks so much for a wonderful report and nice sunny photos. Also nice to get the cruise ship pics for me. Looks like Royal Carribean and Costa in PMI. I think I would take Royal Caribbean as I don't trust or like the latter lol..
In BCN it looks like a Celebrity Solstice class ship but I could be wrong. If so its a fantastic ship.
Anyway enough ships lol... The flights were nice to follow and I can't wait to read the next report especially with your new gadget
Widebodyroga From United States of America, joined Sep 2008, 473 posts, RR: 4 Reply 17, posted (8 months 2 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 5624 times:
Hey Nils. Glad to hear that everything worked out at the end and you made your connection. It seems like you came up with a fun itinerary and with 3 new airlines, none of which I've had the chance to fly with yet.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): the answer to the first question in the first part of this trip report: I have indeed made the connection and it was a quite comfortable one by my standards
Congrats! Even though I can think of much worse things than being stuck in BCN for a few extra hours. Like being stuck in MAD for example...
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): During the walk down, I see this ‘retro’ scheme of the airline I’m about to fly for the 2nd time. I must admit I like the new one better.
Yeah, the new one is a huge improvement on the old scheme but the new logo looks kinda odd. It's way too post-Soviet for my liking. It's like something a Bulgarian would have come up in the mid/early 90s.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): This is a first good view, a Niki sistership with an Air Berlin tail! Have you ever seen that
Ha, you almost got me there. I was like "that tail sure looks screwed up". I gotta have my eyes checked...
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Quite some other people have the opposite idea and decide on eating those cheese thingies. I don’t need to describe what kind of disgusting smell fills the cabin immediately...
I'm starting to suspect that you are a picky eater, Nils... No seefood and now the smell of faux cheese bothering you? :p
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Walking on the aerobridge I realize that in FlyingFinn76’s worst nightmares, all planes are white , although taken strictly, that doesn’t apply to this one:
The Horror! The return of the semi-albinos...
Thanks for the fun read Nils!
Stojan
Visit my aviation page: http://widebodyroga.weebly.com/
Quoting deltamartin (Reply 8): it kind of puts me off trying their BCN-ARN service
Well, if it might persuade you, I have a € 10 voucher that you can have.
Quoting deltamartin (Reply 8): I think it's completely up to the cabin crew.
I think it is as well, but question is: does it make sense on a 35 min flight? Don’t think so...
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 9): Hi Nils,
Good to see your second half of the day trip posted.
Hello Roy, nice to hear from you!
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 9): but for an extra exciting read a tale of delays and frustrations would have provided for more comment.
I bet that would’ve made it more exciting for you readers, yes. But for the moment I have enough of tight schedules and connections
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 9): Good to see that the white trousers still have no tomato stains.
Ha ha, it’s always tricky to be dressed in white indeed. But I’ve learned in my early childhood to eat without (too much) spilling.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 9): The general idea is that they are supposed to adjust gradually for the time of day and on long haul flights crossing several time zones is supposed to offset the effects of jet-lag. Don't know if it actually works, though. I have only ever encountered it once, but on a flight PER-DXB the crew even played a recording of the dawn chorus (birds) as the light changed from the night sky to early morning.
A dawn chorus, ha ha ha! Good one. It does set your morning mood maybe. I believe on a longhaul flight this mood lighting can made sense but not on my flight.
Quoting reifel (Reply 13): Seems to have changed a little seen your picture as some of the planes are parked in front at the refurbished pier with the big glass windows
I was questioning myself about that glass construction, but indeed it seems to be a renovation or a new part of the terminal. Too bad I had little time to explore.
Quoting reifel (Reply 13): Allowing basically a one-connection-only flight from literrally anywhere in Germany to anywhere in Spain/Portugal.
I noticed that during the booking process, AB has quite some Spanish destinations covered via PMI.
Great to see the second part of your very unusual (for you) two part report.
Hello Petteri, how are you? Ha ha, this will probably be the only time ever I split a report in 2.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 15): Brings back some (not necessarily nice) memories from my "catch the Condor 757-300" trip back in November when I flew Vueling between PMI and BCN.
Oh yes, I remember reading that one, the earliest of early bird departures at FRA and then the crap legroom on VY, talking about a good day.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 15): Interesting, I had no idea AB had any Boeings with the SI.
Me neither, I was happily surprised and now there’s photographic proof that they indeed have some of these.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 15): More like burning fat, but unfortunately the wrong way.
True, but not everyone’s opinion on a ‘good holiday’ is the same. You like verturing into the uknknown, other people like to bake themselves at a beach all day.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 15): Wow, now I'm impressed. They hand out this bag on such a short hop!
I was quite surprised as well and needed some water urgently.
Damn, and that approach for the 25’s is so nice in good weather. Luck has had it every time I landed here, so I’m definitely happy.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 15): Yes, with the demise of Spanair I imagine even more so...
Was Spanair bigger than Air Berlin at PMI?
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 15): Hmm, that doesn't look too good. I guess they are trying to cut down on their energy bills a bit, with the whole country being in bankruptcy and all...
Maybe so, but I expect an airport terminal of this grandeur to be perfectly climatized. Not at all it seems...
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 15): You could ask PH for a second opinion on that name...
‘The pain of Vueling’, oh so true.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 15): Sorry, too tired (and drunk) to play around with Google Maps tonite. You are on your own!
Isn’t your geographical knowledge not sufficient to identify this one?
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 15): This is kinda interesting. You have the LH network at your disposal when flying this route under the LH codeshare and then again you have the 4U (Fouryou, geddit?) network when flying with their own genuine flight number. What's there not to love?
I would rather have the 4U prices on the LH network, that would be the best option!
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 15): Hey, if you won't use it I'm sure our resident mascot animal Jonas will find it very handy indeed to bring down the price on an ARN-BCN flight.
Thanks so much for a wonderful report and nice sunny photos.
Hi Philip, thanks my friend.
Quoting OA260 (Reply 16): Also nice to get the cruise ship pics for me.
Hey anything for my Irish friends, you know
Quoting OA260 (Reply 16): especially with your new gadget
Ha ha, next time probably yes.
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 17): Hey Nils. Glad to hear that everything worked out at the end and you made your connection. It seems like you came up with a fun itinerary and with 3 new airlines, none of which I've had the chance to fly with yet.
Hi Stojan, thank you for commenting. It was a succesful day for the log, I give you that!
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 17): Even though I can think of much worse things than being stuck in BCN for a few extra hours. Like being stuck in MAD for example...
If it’s MAD’s T4 or T4S, then it’s still quite OK, no?
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 17): It's like something a Bulgarian would have come up in the mid/early 90s.
FlyingFinn76 From Finland, joined Jun 2009, 1705 posts, RR: 41 Reply 19, posted (8 months 2 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 5493 times:
Quoting sultanils (Reply 18): Yes, with the demise of Spanair I imagine even more so...
Was Spanair bigger than Air Berlin at PMI?
Err, your picture was taken at BCN, thus this was about BCN airport, not PMI . And to answer your question, no, JK wasn't bigger than AB at PMI. Nobody is.
deltamartin From Sweden, joined Dec 2010, 1059 posts, RR: 9 Reply 21, posted (8 months 2 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 5452 times:
Hi again,
Quoting sultanils (Reply 18): Well, if it might persuade you, I have a € 10 voucher that you can have.
Thanks for the offer, but I don't have any proper plans to try the flight as of right now, if I ever come as far as deciding on booking one I'll remember to poke you to see if you still have it!
Quoting sultanils (Reply 18): I think it is as well, but question is: does it make sense on a 35 min flight? Don’t think so...
True. Adds for a nice touch though, if used properly, even on such a short flight.
Knightsofmalta From Malta, joined Nov 2005, 1419 posts, RR: 17 Reply 22, posted (8 months 2 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 5435 times:
Hi Nils
Another lovely report from the man who writes the trip reports with the nicest opening title photo.
It looks like you had to very interesting flights with Air Berlin and Vueling, it also looks like Vueling didn't really stand a chance in hell in the duel.
I've always found Air Berlin a bit hard to place. I don't really have anything to fault them with on the few flights I've taken with them, but I can't really say they're one of my favourites either. I think I just find them a bit too nondescript.
As for Vueling, alas your report simply confirmed the low opinion I already had of them without actually having every flown with them.
Well, in any case it looks like you had another fun flying experience. And I certainly enjoyed reading it, so thanks for that. Where's the next trip taking you?
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6088 posts, RR: 56 Reply 23, posted (8 months 2 weeks 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 5354 times:
Oh yes, many times. They flew Fokker F.28s and later 737-500s. They mainly flew domestic; just the last few years they had a ARN-LGW flight. They were partially owned by SK and eventually merged into SK by 1Jan93 or so. SK kept their aircraft for a while and even painted the F28s in full SK colors. The 735s went to BD and wound up with WW.
Quoting sultanils (Reply 7): I remember vividly you reporting on that exclusive event. Now if you could only manage a flight on that particular plane, that would be great.
I would have to be very lucky for that to happen. Normally I wouldn't write another report on them but if I do end up on A6-EGO, I'll write a report especially for you, Nils!
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
Another lovely report from the man who writes the trip reports with the nicest opening title photo.
Hi William, thanks for your flattering words
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Reply 22): it also looks like Vueling didn't really stand a chance in hell in the duel.
Indeed it seemed a lost battle from the start but I can't say I didn't give them a chance. Besides the crappy legroom, the flight itself wasn't too bad...
I have a 'retro trip' planned in 2 weeks but I deliberately will not take my camera - or maybe my new one to test it - and there will be no TR. And after that it's a trip to OTP with Blue Air and the Luftwaffe, that should be interesting.
Quoting The777Man (Reply 23): Oh yes, many times. They flew Fokker F.28s and later 737-500s. They mainly flew domestic; just the last few years they had a ARN-LGW flight. They were partially owned by SK and eventually merged into SK by 1Jan93 or so. SK kept their aircraft for a while and even painted the F28s in full SK colors. The 735s went to BD and wound up with WW.
Interesting Lars, thanks for the info.
Quoting The777Man (Reply 23): I would have to be very lucky for that to happen. Normally I wouldn't write another report on them but if I do end up on A6-EGO, I'll write a report especially for you, Nils!
Allright, we have a deal
Sultanils
Make some noise Rolls Royce!
25 roberts87: Nice report Nils! Air Berlin sure has impressive operation at PMI, and great that you got a Sky Interior plane. PMI-BCN looks like a small and scenic
26 infodesk: Hi Nils, A really super conclusion to your Spanish adventure, nothing else expected. Great that you got to board the BCN flight by stairs, loved all y
27 sultanils: Hi Hannah, thanks for your kind words And now probably you regret not having taken a memory card full of pics I think it is a clever thing to deliver
28 CaptainRed: Hey Nils, great report about the rest of your little day trip. Glad that everything worked out well and you made that connections so easily. Nice to c
29 sultanils: Hi there Cpt! Thank you for your reply! The other way around would be way more cool, more flies in the skies! Yes, the right right side, if you know
30 akhmad: Haai Nils, I have been looking forward to this exciting report. Especially, because I am curious about your experience with Vueling. Good to hear abou
31 lukeyboy95: Hi Nils. Enjoyed both the reports. I am a fan of PMI airport. She is an old girl but I like going through it when it is off-season. You had some nice
32 rogerbcn: Hola Nils! Nice way of getting back home with these two interesting flights in between. AB is decided to steal some other airlines business with such
33 LXM83: Hello sultanils Good conclusion of your trip. Agree, the dark (black) uniforms really don't look that nice. Vueling indeed does have some aircraft equ
34 sultanils: Haai Suryo, nice to see some comments of yours! So you have flown Vueling as well? How was your flight back then, legroom wise? It seems like that. I
35 akhmad: Outbound in row 28. Horrible! The tightest legroom I have ever experienced. Even until now! Hence, we upgraded ourselves to bulkhead seats during inb
36 LXM83: Yes, logged a total of 29 flights on VY (I called BCN my home for about 1.5 years) and at least a couple of them had the Recaro seats. I believe one
37 sultanils: That's the best decision to take! Thanks, I do my best Omg that's really crazy... Hmm, it's diifcult to judge still if it is any better or not. Thank
38 lukeyboy95: Indeed - Magaluf to the left. Palma Nova to the Right. And that little island in the middle that no doubt some drunk British idiot was trying to swim
39 stipica: Hi Nils ! found it ... nice of you to put links of yours trip reports in your profile ... nice report ... my opinion of Vueling is a same ...it was to
40 Parton87: Hello Nils Thanks for another great story! Really nice pictures of the climb-out from PMI! Impressive service from AB on such a short flight. You woul
41 sultanils: Hello Robert, how are you? My pleasure. In fact I expected really nothing, no service at all. So the water bottle and the cheese cookies were a nice
42 sultanils: Hello stipica, thanks for your reply! Oh, you flew VY this summer? I didn't know they flew to SPU. Sure one good thing about the decent crew, otherwi
43 signol: Hi Nils, excellent as usual! AB does what it says on the tin. Though I'm pleasantly surprised they bothered at all with any kind of service on such a
44 sultanils: Hello signol, thank you for your nice words. Me too. A bottle of mineral water really can make people happy Hmm, the website needs improvement as wel
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