….I did a fair bit of flying. There was the TXL meet, then 2 trips to MAN on LX, a week near Alicante also with flights on LX, a day in DUS with AB and another trip to MAN. All pretty standard flights so no need to cover them here.
It was time to plan something a bit more exciting, but where to go? I realised that silver status with Flying Blue was in reach, so thought some Skyteam legs would fit the bill nicely. Fellow a.netter Markus/Flieger67 also needed some flights to keep his gold status so we decided to have another day out to France. Yes, believe or not, there are still a few places unvisited on the map! There’s a wide choice of routes available out of MLH and as they are classed as domestic flights then some reasonable fares can be found. We settled on Biarritz. AF gave us a bit of a headache though when they decided to up the prices whilst we were in the middle of the booking process but we still managed to go ahead with things. We booked MLH-LYS-BIQ-ORY-MLH.
The routing looked like this, as always courtesy of gcmap:
The usual lottery ensued during OLCI, where we could check-in for some legs but not others, no surprises here!
13.9.12
Another early morning alarm call at 4am. After the usual 45minute run over to Basel, this time I park on the French side of the airport. 7E cheaper just for crossing the border, not bad. It’s a 5 minute walk from where I leave my car to the terminal.
Lyon is pünktlich, very good
As I reach check-in I see someone at the AF machines in the process of selecting the last row on the seatmap. Excellent choice, I do the same myself!
We proceed through security, again a certain gold card helps speed this up. I have to take my shoes off, despite there being no metal or buckles or anything of the like attached and get given a very fetching pair of blue plastic things to put on my feet, something new here.
We settle down near the gate, I borrow a newspaper courtesy of Swiss and we catch up on our news.
MLH-LYS
AF5411
STD 06.50 / STA 07.40
ATD 06.56 / ATA 07.32
F-GRGH, Embraer 145 operated by Regional
Seat 19A
Load: 50%
1st leg on the E145 & this aircraft
There aren’t many people at the gate so it looks like a light load for today’s flight to Lyon. Boarding is called at 06.30 and we head down to the tarmac.
Neighbour ready for CDG
Our first ride of the day
There’s one female FA on this flight. The pilot gives us some information about the short hop to Lyon this morning, estimated flying time of 40mins with a temperature of 11C at our destination.
We pushback early at 06.45, taxi along to runway 15 and take off at 06.56.
Turning
Au revoir Basel! The golden BA is just visible in the centre.
I was treated to some nice views of Basel
Legroom
Cabin shot
Between the cloud layers
Petit déjuner
Sunrise
Nice lighting on approach into LYS
We land at 07.32, 8 minutes ahead of schedule.
Thanks!
Lyon
There is certainly a sense of déja-vu here at Lyon. The procedure is the same as 4 months previously on our trip to Pau. We head to the lounge only this time nobody responds to the knocking at the door. The transfer desk is closed, despite a huge number of flights departing in the next hour. So we loiter by the lounge entrance until a local appears, enters the PIN and the door opens. We follow him, nobody asks to see our boarding pass or anything, so anyone could just sneak in here.
After stocking up on some nibbles we leave the lounge and find a seat near the gate, where it’s actually less crowded.
AF wherever you look
ATR-72
LYS-BIQ
AF5432
STD 0845 / STA 1000
ATD 0855 / ATA 0950
F-HBXO, Embraer 170 operated by Regional
Seat 19F
Load:70-80%
3rd leg on the E170 & 1st on this aircraft
Our aircraft arriving at the gate
Departures
Boarding starts at 08.30 and as usual we are among the last to enter the aircraft. I was hoping that one of us could change to an A seat so that we’d have some different pictures (we both have F), but every single A seat is taken. So we take our original places.
The seats on this Embraer are possibly the comfiest I’ve ever sat in on an aeroplane. I’m a little puzzled, as they’re definitely different to the ones I remember from my last AF Embraer flights 2 years ago. The seatbelt buckle helps to solve to mystery.
They are like sitting in your favourite armchair, I could happily stay in this seat for hours.
Legroom
There’s one female & one male FA on this flight, flying time should be 1hr5 and the temperature in Biarritz is a bit warmer at 16C.
Pushback is at 08.44
Queue for the runway
Some more exotic visitors!
At 08.55 we start the take off roll and soon ascend into the grey sky
Leaving LYS
Nice lighting again
Finally, some sun!
The male FA starts service from the back of the cabin and we are among the first to be served. I ask for an orange juice, but he says they only have limited drinks on this flight, so I opt for a tea. This will prove to be a mistake.
Anyway, I take a mini Danish pastry and add the milk (well, coffee cream) to my tea. I haven’t even taken the teabag out when the fun starts: turbulence. There are 3 or 4 big bumps and my tea begins to slosh over the tray table. Then it really starts to get bad. The pilot is on the pa immediately and tells the crew to suspend service and return to their seats. I don’t see the FA for dust -there is no messing here. My tea is now a big problem. Leave it on the table and it will run all over my clothes, hold it in my hand and I scald myself. I go for option two. Markus rescues my camera from death by tea (thanks!). I hold the cup as far towards the window as I can and watch the liquid splash onto the walls of the plane.
After a couple of minutes things calm down and air is smooth again. The table is covered in tea & my jeans are wet down one side. Some extra serviettes help to clear the mess up. Still, I’m lucky compared to the woman in 19A who chose coffee. It seems the whole cup spilt as not only does she need about 30 serviettes to clean up with, but the crew hand her a damage form to fill out, so I guess some of her clothes were ruined.
The aftermath after I cleared up. You can see how much tea there is still left in the cup, hard to believe such a small amount of spilt liquid can cause so much mess.
Thankfully the rest of the flight is uneventful, that was certainly enough excitement for one day!
Cabin shot
On descent
Arrival at BIQ at 09.50 after a 55minute flight, where it’s now a pleasant 18C
The nice, comfy seats
Deboarding at BIQ
Arrivals
Biarritz
We see a bus about to depart outside the terminal so make a run for it, but in fact it’s the wrong one. The timetable is quite confusing, it takes a while to work out which service goes into the centre of Biarritz and we have a good 20 minutes or so to wait. In the meantime an FR flight from Sweden has landed and we watch some of the passengers have the same long discussion in front of the timetable trying to work out which bus is the one they need.
A day pass costs just 2E and the ride into town takes about 15minutes. Just as we get off the bus it starts to rain. It stops again shortly after, but the judging by the weather you’d think it was April, rain one minute, sun the next.
Then we find the sea. Beautiful. It’s times like this when you realise what a great hobby we have. We stroll along the promenade, soaking up the sun when it appears from behind the clouds, sheltering from the rain when the next downpour comes along.
Tidy beach
Further down
Sun vs dark clouds
Maritime decoration
Mini harbour
More walking
Gozo or France?
New house?
Museum
Along the walkway
Solitude on the beach
Grand plage
Strange to find this in such a residential area
"Do nothing in haste, look well to each step and from the beginning think what may be the end" - Edward Whymper
infodesk From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 1242 posts, RR: 34 Reply 1, posted (6 months 1 week 23 hours ago) and read 2864 times:
Airport
We are back at the airport in plenty of time. I buy a sandwich and some crisps from the soul landside café, for some strange reason the crisps cost twice the price of the sandwich.
A lounge is advertised with the Diners logo so Markus makes some enquiries at the information desk as to where it is. The lady is very friendly and offers to book it for him immediately but this sets the alarm bells ringing (not literally of course!). We suspect that a fee is involved, but the staff can’t confirm whether anything will be charged to the credit card. So the offer is declined and we sit down for some people watching.
An empty AF Check-in area
Not much variety on the departure board
Something new for me, a vending machine with flowers. Who tops the water up?
Poor quality, but I had to capture this from FR’s promotional video for their seasonal flights to MAN!
As well as our ORY flight there is also an FR service to STN departing at the same time and as a result the queue for security is long and slow moving (no priority lane here). We keep ourselves amused with more people watching and decide that when the end of the queue reaches a certain point we will join it, but it’s just endless, our departure time is getting nearer and so we accept defeat and stand with everyone else.
The queue then splits into two lanes, we debate which side will be quicker and decide to put it to the test, I take the right, Markus the left. I have an immediate disadvantage as I see how the local gold card members work the priority lane, this means they queue jump and just barge in in front of me. Sadly my command of French swear words is not the best so I just glare at the offenders and mutter something in German instead.
As it happens, I do make it through security first. There isn’t much time left, they are already making the final boarding call for our flight to Paris. Then again, we aren’t missing much. Airside at BIQ is nothing special.
Our plane
Neighbour to STN
“Last & final boarding call for all remaining passengers to Paris Orly. Yes, those two taking photographs, we mean you!”
BIQ-ORY
AF7499
STD 1530 / STA 1650
ATD 1535 / ATA1641
F-GTAO, A321
Seat 19A
Load: 80%
3rd leg on the A321 & 1st on this aircraft
The flight is well loaded, lots of seats at the front are taken and even the last row is already occupied. Funnily enough, there are several rows in the centre that are free. We decide to take one of these and it seems we are not alone with our idea. After a few minutes we hear “boarding completed” and settle down in our new seats.
3 female & 2 male FAs on this flight, a flight time of 1hr10 and the same 18C in Paris is forecast.
Bye Biarritz! Pushback is at 15.27, so again early
There is no taxiway here at BIQ, so we trundle down the runway before turning at the end and take off towards the sea at 15.35.
Cabin shot
Legroom
Flying up the coast
Snack number 3
It’s a smooth flight and we chat some more. Before long the engines spool down and we start our descent into Orly, where we land at 16.41, another early arrival on AF.
Bonjour Paris
Arriving at the gate
Slimline seats
Merci!
Paris Orly
FIDS
Looking down at Hall 2
It’s a little too tight to catch the shuttle over to Orly Sud to see some exotic metal, so we make do with admiring some AF planes instead (as if we hadn’t done enough of that today)!
We watch the following CRJ arrive. Could it really be that this plane, with the perfect registration, will be taking us back to MLH?
Hall 3 for us
AF everywhere
Looks like we’re in luck!
ORY-MLH
AF7430
STD 1800 / STA 1900
ATD 1813 / ATA 1856
F-HMLH, CR-J1000, operated by BritAir
Seat 10A
Load: 60-70%
1st leg on the CRJ1000 & on this aircraft
Security is at the gate and once again, there is a long queue. We don’t worry, as we assume everyone is also getting the same flight. However, like at Biarritz, the queue never seems to get shorter so we join it, only to realise once we’re through that most people are waiting for a later flight. We are among the last few passengers to board.
Only one passenger arrives after us. We spend some time on the tarmac taking photos much to the intrigue of the purser. He seems a little perplexed at first, greets us rather suspiciously and then watches with amusement as we debate where to sit.
Across the tarmac
My first CRJ flight and a very nice plane it is too.
Loads of legroom
One male & one female FA are on this evening’s flight. We pushback at 18.04.
Big and small
Two beauties
We leave Paris at 18.13
Au revoir
Service starts promptly and when the purser gets to our row he has a little grin on his face. I think he’s curious as to why I changed seats again after take off. He obviously doesn’t understand how a.net days out work, but it seems to amuse him. And he’s very friendly. In fact, I find the crew on this flight make the best impression. The English announcements are clear and easy to understand, which was not the case on the previous 3 flights.
Snack number 4
Cruising over France
Cabin shot
Some mood lighting outside
Peugeot factory near Mulhouse
Nearly there
It’s a quick flight to Basel on this lovely autumn evening, taking just over 40minutes and we land, yes, you guessed it, early at 18.56.
Deboarding
Before we know it we are back in the terminal, it’s a quick walk to the car park where we say our goodbyes and 45 minutes later I am home.
My verdict:
There aren’t too many European airlines where you can take 4 domestic flights in a day on four different aircraft and this is something I really like about AF. The E90 was by far the comfiest aircraft, but I found the crew on BritAir’s CRJ to be the best. Every single flight was early, which I think has to be a record. 2 new aircraft types & 2 new airports, what more do you want?
Biarritz was a super place for a day out, I love visiting the seaside.
As always many thanks to my travel companion for another very enjoyable day of flying together. Who knows, maybe there are still some unvisited places on AF’s routemap for 2013?
Thanks for reading and if you’ve made it this far, then please leave a comment.
Happy flying
Infodesk
"Do nothing in haste, look well to each step and from the beginning think what may be the end" - Edward Whymper
I39OO From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2012, 43 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (6 months 1 week 22 hours ago) and read 2864 times:
Hello Hannah,
thanks for the read!
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): 7E cheaper just for crossing the border, not bad. It’s a 5 minute walk from where I leave my car to the terminal.
That's a nutshell of how life runs on the Swiss borders, isn't it? You just miss a local party collecting signatures for a referendum to prevent cross-border drivers from parking their cars in France and then walking into Switzerland!
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): We proceed through security, again a certain gold card helps speed this up. I have to take my shoes off, despite there being no metal or buckles or anything of the like attached and get given a very fetching pair of blue plastic things to put on my feet, something new here.
Oh that's an improvement over what I see usually, i.e. ladies being forced to walk barefoot on the airport floor. Honestly, I understand that ladies' shoes can contain metal and should be sent through the X-ray, but as far as I remember it only was men trying to blow their shoes off!
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): There is certainly a sense of déja-vu here at Lyon. The procedure is the same as 4 months previously on our trip to Pau. We head to the lounge only this time nobody responds to the knocking at the door. The transfer desk is closed, despite a huge number of flights departing in the next hour. So we loiter by the lounge entrance until a local appears, enters the PIN and the door opens. We follow him, nobody asks to see our boarding pass or anything, so anyone could just sneak in here.
I don't know about you, but I absolutely adore scenes like that. You're in a big international terminal and, all of a sudden, it looks like you've arrived in some small town's cafe.
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): The seats on this Embraer are possibly the comfiest I’ve ever sat in on an aeroplane. I’m a little puzzled, as they’re definitely different to the ones I remember from my last AF Embraer flights 2 years ago. The seatbelt buckle helps to solve to mystery.
Alitalia had the proper, Embraer-approved seats that also LOT uses (even though I don't think that AZ had foldable "wings"). Now that they've ditched the E170 for the 175 they've gone for some horrid pieces of junk with absymal legroom, little padding and no comfort at all, which is a shame.
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): After a couple of minutes things calm down and air is smooth again. The table is covered in tea & my jeans are wet down one side. Some extra serviettes help to clear the mess up. Still, I’m lucky compared to the woman in 19A who chose coffee. It seems the whole cup spilt as not only does she need about 30 serviettes to clean up with, but the crew hand her a damage form to fill out, so I guess some of her clothes were ruined.
Nice of them, as it wasn't strictly their fault, wasn't it?
Quoting infodesk (Reply 1): Something new for me, a vending machine with flowers. Who tops the water up?
There's something similar in my hometown's hospital. I guess they work on the same principle so there's some spongy thing soaked in water at the bottom of the flower pot. Of course, by the time you've paid them, taken 'em out of that revolving door and brought them up to wherever you want to go they look crap and you're soaked in water. Better bring chocs instead!
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): here aren’t too many European airlines where you can take 4 domestic flights in a day on four different aircraft and this is something I really like about AF.
That's right, but it doesn't really help AF having a "+" rather than a "-" at the bottom of its financial statement, doesn't it?
As usual a great tale Hannah, hope to read from you soon!
roberts87 From Netherlands, joined Dec 2011, 660 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (6 months 1 week 15 hours ago) and read 2864 times:
Hi Hannah,
Great report! Like I said, I had been looking forward to this one. I visited Biarritz several times when I was young for the annual summer holiday, and since I had so many fond memories of the place I've been going back there for the past few years. Biarritz train station and BIQ are very familiar for me therefore! I am glad to hear you enjoyed it too.
I was at LYS again the other day, and that AF domestic hub is impressive. At one point the terminal is deserted, that within 30 minutes a large amount of small jets and props arrive, there are on the ground for 30 minutes, and then they all leave again! A great way to see a connection hub in action.
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): The aftermath after I cleared up. You can see how much tea there is still left in the cup, hard to believe such a small amount of spilt liquid can cause so much mess.
Yikes!
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): Then we find the sea. Beautiful. It’s times like this when you realise what a great hobby we have. We stroll along the promenade, soaking up the sun when it appears from behind the clouds, sheltering from the rain when the next downpour comes along
It so beautiful indeed! A dreary and gray November evening is not a good time to read this report. I want to go back!
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): There is no taxiway here at BIQ, so we trundle down the runway before turning at the end and take off towards the sea at 15.35.
Shame about the clouds; the view of the coastline on take-off is pretty nice
CaptainRed From Germany, joined Oct 2010, 578 posts, RR: 19 Reply 4, posted (6 months 1 week 12 hours ago) and read 2863 times:
Hi Hannah,
thanks for yet another enjoyable report. Always nice to spend a day flying around, and with a nice variety of plane types as well. Congrats of course for logging your first CRJ-1000!
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): I haven’t even taken the teabag out when the fun starts: turbulence.
Oops, hot drinks and turbulences don't really go together well, especially if it comes so surprising, but that can always happen. Fortunately you managed it without too much damage and you even rescued a lot of your tea ...
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): Then we find the sea. Beautiful. It’s times like this when you realise what a great hobby we have.
Indeed. To hop in a plane just to spend a few hours by the sea is truly wonderful. And Biarritz is certainly a very nice place to do so. The coast with the rocks is quite impressive. I have been there as well a couple of years ago, by car though, and really liked it as well.
FLIEGER67 From Turkey, joined Sep 2003, 4391 posts, RR: 57 Reply 5, posted (6 months 1 week 12 hours ago) and read 2863 times:
Hoi, H.,
ah, that´s the one I´am waiting for.
Well done, memories here, great pictures and good story.
Such a number of firsts and together with the Silver level ahead, superb.
Do you remember this one?:
These turbulent situation short after departure ex LYS was definitely not amusing.
Thanx god, it doesn´t hurt you further and ruined the whole day.
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter):
As always many thanks to my travel companion for another very enjoyable day of flying together. Who knows, maybe there are still some unvisited places on AF’s routemap for 2013?
My pleasure, you know and oh, yes, hopefully, count me in, as soon as possible!.
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): Anyway, I take a mini Danish pastry and add the milk (well, coffee cream) to my tea. I haven’t even taken the teabag out when the fun starts: turbulence. There are 3 or 4 big bumps and my tea begins to slosh over the tray table. Then it really starts to get bad. The pilot is on the pa immediately and tells the crew to suspend service and return to their seats. I don’t see the FA for dust -there is no messing here. My tea is now a big problem. Leave it on the table and it will run all over my clothes, hold it in my hand and I scald myself. I go for option two. Markus rescues my camera from death by tea (thanks!). I hold the cup as far towards the window as I can and watch the liquid splash onto the walls of the plane.
After a couple of minutes things calm down and air is smooth again. The table is covered in tea & my jeans are wet down one side. Some extra serviettes help to clear the mess up. Still, I’m lucky compared to the woman in 19A who chose coffee. It seems the whole cup spilt as not only does she need about 30 serviettes to clean up with, but the crew hand her a damage form to fill out, so I guess some of her clothes were ruined.
Wow, that's really bad. Good to hear the camera could be saved!
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): We watch the following CRJ arrive. Could it really be that this plane, with the perfect registration, will be taking us back to MLH?
sultanils From Belgium, joined Mar 2010, 1188 posts, RR: 29 Reply 9, posted (6 months 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 2863 times:
Hiya Hannah,
A nice read for sure! How cool to able to take 4 domestics on 1 airline and have 4 different types. My prefs are really for the CRK, I'm quite a sucker for those CRJ's. So have you done a walk to the back loo to experience the milling machines
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): Yes, believe or not, there are still a few places unvisited on the map!
Well, if you were FLIEGER67 I'd definitely not believe you!
Those seats really look nice and different. AZ style with and AF touch.
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): He seems a little perplexed at first, greets us rather suspiciously and then watches with amusement as we debate where to sit.
Ha ha, you have me chuckling quite a bit here. You 2 make the perfect a.net couple
infodesk From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 1242 posts, RR: 34 Reply 10, posted (6 months 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 2863 times:
Hello gentlemen,
Thank you for your kind replies, they are much appreciated!
I3900,
Quoting I39OO (Reply 2): That's a nutshell of how life runs on the Swiss borders, isn't it? You just miss a local party collecting signatures for a referendum to prevent cross-border drivers from parking their cars in France and then walking into Switzerland!
Well, judging by the amount of Swiss registered cars that were parked there I wasn’t the only one with the idea. So no guilty conscience here!
Quoting I39OO (Reply 2): Oh that's an improvement over what I see usually, i.e. ladies being forced to walk barefoot on the airport floor. Honestly, I understand that ladies' shoes can contain metal and should be sent through the X-ray, but as far as I remember it only was men trying to blow their shoes off!
Oh yes, I’d rather put these plastic things on than walk barefoot over the dirty floor (as I remember being the case in LHR once), but they just looked so funny.
Quoting I39OO (Reply 2):
I don't know about you, but I absolutely adore scenes like that. You're in a big international terminal and, all of a sudden, it looks like you've arrived in some small town's cafe.
And there are countless AF flights departing within a half hour period but nobody at the transfer desk?!
Quoting I39OO (Reply 2): Alitalia had the proper, Embraer-approved seats that also LOT uses (even though I don't think that AZ had foldable "wings"). Now that they've ditched the E170 for the 175 they've gone for some horrid pieces of junk with absymal legroom, little padding and no comfort at all, which is a shame.
That really is a pity. At least AF have kept the comfy seats and not decided to get rid of them to save fuel.
Quoting I39OO (Reply 2): Nice of them, as it wasn't strictly their fault, wasn't it?
Well no, it was nobody’s fault, just one of the risks of flying but good to see the crew took it seriously.
Quoting I39OO (Reply 2): There's something similar in my hometown's hospital. I guess they work on the same principle so there's some spongy thing soaked in water at the bottom of the flower pot. Of course, by the time you've paid them, taken 'em out of that revolving door and brought them up to wherever you want to go they look crap and you're soaked in water. Better bring chocs instead!
And they were charging 20E for such a little vase!
Quoting I39OO (Reply 2): That's right, but it doesn't really help AF having a "+" rather than a "-" at the bottom of its financial statement, doesn't it?
It doesn’t help them at all, but it makes for a nice day of flying!
Robert,
Quoting roberts87 (Reply 3): Great report! Like I said, I had been looking forward to this one. I visited Biarritz several times when I was young for the annual summer holiday, and since I had so many fond memories of the place I've been going back there for the past few years. Biarritz train station and BIQ are very familiar for me therefore! I am glad to hear you enjoyed it too
It’s always nice to return somewhere where you have so many memories and to see how the place changes over the years. I can understand why you like Biarritz, we certainly only got a brief impression of the place, but it was a positive one.
Quoting roberts87 (Reply 3): I was at LYS again the other day, and that AF domestic hub is impressive. At one point the terminal is deserted, that within 30 minutes a large amount of small jets and props arrive, there are on the ground for 30 minutes, and then they all leave again! A great way to see a connection hub in action.
Oh indeed. It’d be difficult to find an airport an Europe with such a variety of domestic flights in such a short space of time.
Quoting roberts87 (Reply 3): It so beautiful indeed! A dreary and gray November evening is not a good time to read this report. I want to go back!
I’ll come with you!
Quoting roberts87 (Reply 3): Shame about the clouds; the view of the coastline on take-off is pretty nice
Yes, I remember that you mentioned some of the excellent views on take off. Not only was it cloudy but my window misted up which didn’t help either.
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 4): thanks for yet another enjoyable report. Always nice to spend a day flying around, and with a nice variety of plane types as well. Congrats of course for logging your first CRJ-1000!
Thank you, it was for sure another successful day out.
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 4): Oops, hot drinks and turbulences don't really go together well, especially if it comes so surprising, but that can always happen. Fortunately you managed it without too much damage and you even rescued a lot of your tea
I will certainly think twice now before ordering tea in the air! I couldn’t believe how much tea was left after it was all over, it felt like the whole cup had spilt.
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 4): Indeed. To hop in a plane just to spend a few hours by the sea is truly wonderful. And Biarritz is certainly a very nice place to do so. The coast with the rocks is quite impressive. I have been there as well a couple of years ago, by car though, and really liked it as well.
That’s interesting. Although it must be quite a drive by car?
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 4): What a proper registration for a flight to MLH, cool.
It was a very fitting end to the day.
Markus,
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 5): ah, that´s the one I´am waiting for.
Well done, memories here, great pictures and good story.
Such a number of firsts and together with the Silver level ahead, superb.
Well, what else to expect? Another great day of flying together.
Yes, I do remember you taking that one! Looking forward to seeing some more.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 5): These turbulent situation short after departure ex LYS was definitely not amusing.
Thanx god, it doesn´t hurt you further and ruined the whole day.
Yeah, it could have been very nasty, but we were lucky & it’s another flight I’ll never forget.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 5): My pleasure, you know and oh, yes, hopefully, count me in, as soon as possible!.
CFE?
PH,
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 6): very nice report with good pictures! Biarritz looks impressive, very nice city.
Thanks PH & yes, Biarritz is certainly a nice place for a trip.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 6): Wow, that's really bad. Good to hear the camera could be saved!
That’s thanks to Markus. Typical female, I was more bothered about walking around in tea stained clothes all day
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 6): I haven't tried those yet. How would you rate them? LH's seats look better, that's certain.
Well, I’ve not tried LH’s seats and I’m not a fan of the slimline ones anyway, give me the comfy armchairs like on the Embraer any day.
Philip,
Quoting OA260 (Reply 7): As usual a lovely report. Lovely destination pics and aviation ones. I agree its great to get so many varied AC on a trip like that .
Thank you.
Quoting OA260 (Reply 7): Pain Au Chocolat always a winner with me
Anything with chocolate is a winner with me!
Lars,
Quoting The777Man (Reply 8): Thanks for another great report with great pictures !
It looks like you had a great day of flying with very good company.
Thank you & oh yes, it was another great day out.
Quoting The777Man (Reply 8): Biarritz looks nice, both the downtown and the beach. I just love Cote D'Azur so that's usually where I go when I go the France.
I can highly recommend Biarritz, although of course the Cote D’Azur also has its charms. The waves are just a bit bigger on the Atlantic coast!
Quoting The777Man (Reply 8): I'm going to Paris next weekend so looking forward to that.
Very much looking forward to your next report !
Have fun, I’ll be in Paris in a couple of days.
Nils,
Thanks for your feedback.
Quoting sultanils (Reply 9): A nice read for sure! How cool to able to take 4 domestics on 1 airline and have 4 different types. My prefs are really for the CRK, I'm quite a sucker for those CRJ's. So have you done a walk to the back loo to experience the milling machines
No, I didn’t. Did I miss out on something?!
Quoting sultanils (Reply 9): Well, if you were FLIEGER67 I'd definitely not believe you!
You know, I really do think there are still some places missing!
Interesting FIDS....4 London flights in 90 minutes. I guess BA is going to get rid of that 2nd LHR departure sometime?
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): The transfer desk is closed, despite a huge number of flights departing in the next hour.
Very poor given the number of transit pax...was anyone waiting to be helped?
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): The aftermath after I cleared up. You can see how much tea there is still left in the cup, hard to believe such a small amount of spilt liquid can cause so much mess.
Crikey....better stick to water next time!
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter):
Then we find the sea. Beautiful. It’s times like this when you realise what a great hobby we have
Ha, yes, a great hobby....shame about the expense!
MSS658 From Belgium, joined Oct 2010, 2212 posts, RR: 14 Reply 14, posted (6 months 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 2863 times:
Hi Hannah
Great report, thanks for sharing! Looks like a great flight down to BIQ and great aircrafts as well.
The E145 is one of my favorite RJ's. However the E170 looks comfortable indeed.
Nice to know you had the CRK on the return leg as well.
rogerbcn From Andorra, joined Sep 2006, 1135 posts, RR: 19 Reply 15, posted (6 months 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 2863 times:
Hola Hannah!
Oh lalalalà, a great TR.
Loved the small planes you flew, I am planning on flying the CRJ-200 next year to visit a friend to PMI, so this TR came in really handy to see what it looks like in the bigger version, I have only flown the CRJ-700 so far so I get an idea, same plane, but smaller.
Biarritz is supposed to be a very nice vacation town, especially among wealthy people, at least, it was so in the past, and from your pictures one can see it has kept some of its charm. BTW, Biarritz is supposed to be one of the most important centres of the French Basque country, any Basque language around? Ezkerrik asko! (thanks a lot) for your answer in advance. It is also a center for surfers, I guess you saw some in that rough sea.
Those seats look really comfortable, grazie AZ for installing them and merci AF for keeping them!
Salut!
Roger
"At reise er at leve" H.C. Andersen (Travelling is Living)
infodesk From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 1242 posts, RR: 34 Reply 16, posted (6 months 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 2863 times:
More replies, super.
Reifel,
Quoting reifel (Reply 11): excellent daytrip, thanks a lot for sharing! I never considered a visit in Biarritz but I am very impressed! This place is really worth seeing...
Thank and glad you enjoyed it. I must admit I didn’t know too much about Biarritz before the trip, but I was very pleasanlty surprised.
Quoting reifel (Reply 11): Sorry about the tea incident, it somehow made me laugh however
I’ll forgive you
Nils,
Quoting sultanils (Reply 12): The whining noise of the engines I was referring to!
Ah, ok, I thought there was something special about the toilet! I have another flight on the CRJ coming up this week so I’ll sit at the back for the full experience!
Gab,
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 13): Interesting FIDS....4 London flights in 90 minutes. I guess BA is going to get rid of that 2nd LHR departure sometime?
Well, it wouldn’t surprise me. I looked at some fares for January and they were really cheap.
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 13): Very poor given the number of transit pax...was anyone waiting to be helped?
Didn’t see anyone. Lots of business travelers around who seemed to know what they were doing. Perhaps it’s only open when there are irregularities, but still a bit strange nevertheless.
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 13): Ha, yes, a great hobby....shame about the expense!
Still, apparently people who spend their money on holidays and the like than those who spend it on material objects. So even if we’re broke, we’re happy
Marc,
Quoting MSS658 (Reply 14): Great report, thanks for sharing! Looks like a great flight down to BIQ and great aircrafts as well.
The E145 is one of my favorite RJ's. However the E170 looks comfortable indeed.
Nice to know you had the CRK on the return leg as well.
Oh yes, you can always bank on AF to give you some interesting aircraft.
Quoting rogerbcn (Reply 15): Loved the small planes you flew, I am planning on flying the CRJ-200 next year to visit a friend to PMI, so this TR came in really handy to see what it looks like in the bigger version, I have only flown the CRJ-700 so far so I get an idea, same plane, but smaller.
The CRJ is all quite new to me, but that-200 does look rather small!
Quoting rogerbcn (Reply 15): Biarritz is supposed to be a very nice vacation town, especially among wealthy people, at least, it was so in the past, and from your pictures one can see it has kept some of its charm. BTW, Biarritz is supposed to be one of the most important centres of the French Basque country, any Basque language around? Ezkerrik asko! (thanks a lot) for your answer in advance. It is also a center for surfers, I guess you saw some in that rough sea.
Interesting. I don’t remember seeing or hearing anything unusual language wise, but if I’d realised in advance then would have perhaps been more alert to it. Surfers, yes, any amount of them. Brave guys, you wouldn’t get me in that water.
Quoting rogerbcn (Reply 15): Those seats look really comfortable, grazie AZ for installing them and merci AF for keeping them!
Now that’s what you call intra-alliance teamwork
Happy flying
Infodesk
"Do nothing in haste, look well to each step and from the beginning think what may be the end" - Edward Whymper
jwhite9185 From United Kingdom, joined May 2007, 721 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (6 months 16 hours ago) and read 2730 times:
Hi Hannah - glad to have finally finished reading this one - started on my flight back from AGP the other day but descent started so didn't get a chance to finish!
Biarritz looks like a very nice place - and I'm slightly ashamed to admit id never heard of it.
Shame about the turbulence - why does it always show up when theres drinks around?! Seems like both yourself and Markus had a good day out though.
infodesk From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 1242 posts, RR: 34 Reply 18, posted (5 months 3 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 2374 times:
Hi James,
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 17): Hi Hannah - glad to have finally finished reading this one - started on my flight back from AGP the other day but descent started so didn't get a chance to finish
don't worry, I have a lot of reports to catch up on at the moment!
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 17): Biarritz looks like a very nice place - and I'm slightly ashamed to admit id never heard of it.
Well, that's the beauty of this hobby, you discover some real gems and it does wonders for your geography
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 17): Shame about the turbulence - why does it always show up when theres drinks around?! Seems like both yourself and Markus had a good day out though.
It's certainly put me off oredering tea for a while! Still a great day though.
Happy flying
Infodesk
"Do nothing in haste, look well to each step and from the beginning think what may be the end" - Edward Whymper
adamspotter From Netherlands, joined Feb 2011, 782 posts, RR: 2 Reply 19, posted (5 months 3 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 2273 times:
Hi Hannah,
Another nice report with many nice pictures, thanks for sharing! Looks like you had another great day out with Markus, quite special to get 4 different types on a domestic run through France. Love your pictures of Biarritz, it sure is beautiful and peaceful Sorry to hear about the tea, but that happens during sudden turbulence unfortunately.
Congrats on your "firsts" and achieving ST Silver status
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): Something new for me, a vending machine with flowers. Who tops the water up?
akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 2332 posts, RR: 53 Reply 20, posted (5 months 3 weeks 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 2151 times:
Dear Hannah,
What a catchy title you have got here!
I assume sea, sand stand for Biarritz and for the airline member Skyteam, but also split tea unfortunately. I hope that your clothes could be saved after washing.
Nevertheless, look at exciting types you flew with… E145, E170 and the best of all, CRJ1000! I am fascinated by it since Garuda took delivery of this subtype. Congratulation with your first flight ever!
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): All pretty standard flights so no need to cover them here.
Why not? Would you reconsider at least the LX flight to Alicante?
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): I realised that silver status with Flying Blue was in reach, so thought some Skyteam legs would fit the bill nicely.
I assume you are now a proud Silver Flying Blue member by now? If so, congratulation!
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): As I reach check-in I see someone at the AF machines in the process of selecting the last row on the seatmap.
Sadly, Air Austral will soon suspend its flight to LYS.
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): I ask for an orange juice, but he says they only have limited drinks on this flight,
Odd!
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): Still, I’m lucky compared to the woman in 19A who chose coffee. It seems the whole cup spilt as not only does she need about 30 serviettes to clean up with, but the crew hand her a damage form to fill out, so I guess some of her clothes were ruined.
How unfortunate of Mrs. 19A! Coffee can indeed ruin your cloth badly.
Quoting infodesk (Thread starter): Then we find the sea. Beautiful. It’s times like this when you realise what a great hobby we have. We stroll along the promenade, soaking up the sun when it appears from behind the clouds, sheltering from the rain when the next downpour comes along.
All at 18 Centigrade! How I miss this temperature.
Could the bucket come with a mini water jar underneath?
Quoting infodesk (Reply 1): Sadly my command of French swear words is not the best so I just glare at the offenders and mutter something in German instead.
A lady is not supposed to say swear words.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 1): We spend some time on the tarmac taking photos much to the intrigue of the purser. He seems a little perplexed at first, greets us rather suspiciously and then watches with amusement as we debate where to sit.
Thank you for sharing this enjoyable evening read. Have a nice weekend to you and your husband.
infodesk From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 1242 posts, RR: 34 Reply 21, posted (5 months 2 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 1900 times:
Hi Brendan,
Good to read your reply.
Quoting adamspotter (Reply 19): Another nice report with many nice pictures, thanks for sharing! Looks like you had another great day out with Markus, quite special to get 4 different types on a domestic run through France. Love your pictures of Biarritz, it sure is beautiful and peaceful Sorry to hear about the tea, but that happens during sudden turbulence unfortunately.
Congrats on your "firsts" and achieving ST Silver status
Thank you & I’m glad you enjoyed the report. Yes, a successful day with nice planes and an interesting destination to explore. The tea incident was a lesson to me!
Would probably be the easiest thing, but they didn’t look it!
Suryo,
Quoting akhmad (Reply 20): What a catchy title you have got here!
Thank you and & also for your feedback.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 20): I assume sea, sand stand for Biarritz and for the airline member Skyteam, but also split tea unfortunately. I hope that your clothes could be saved after washing.
10 out of 10! Yes, thankfully no damage to the clothes.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 20): Nevertheless, look at exciting types you flew with… E145, E170 and the best of all, CRJ1000! I am fascinated by it since Garuda took delivery of this subtype. Congratulation with your first flight ever!
And did I enjoy it! Although I bet that bird looks even better in Garuda’s colours.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 20): Why not? Would you reconsider at least the LX flight to Alicante?
Well, I did think about it for a while. However it’s a route I’ve covered before and the views were very similar to my VLC trip last year so I decided to leave it.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 20): I assume you are now a proud Silver Flying Blue member by now? If so, congratulation!
Nearly…just a couple of KL legs next week and then it’s official
Quoting akhmad (Reply 20): The least Swiss can do after blocking seats too many during online check-in when you fly them.
You have such a good memory Suryo!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 20): Sadly, Air Austral will soon suspend its flight to LYS.
Such a shame. Always sad to see the exotic flights disappear
Quoting akhmad (Reply 20): All at 18 Centigrade! How I miss this temperature.
Oh yes, if only it was Spring already……
Quoting akhmad (Reply 20): Probably waiting for her surfing brother/boyfriend/husband?
And making sure she doesn’t lose sight of him with those big waves.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 20): Could the bucket come with a mini water jar underneath?
Could well do, but it still really needs daily attention to keep them looking good.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 20): A lady is not supposed to say swear words.
I know, but queue jumpers bring out the worst in me
Quoting akhmad (Reply 20): Thank you for sharing this enjoyable evening read. Have a nice weekend to you and your husband.
Thank you for your kind reply. Have a good week and regards to H too.
Happy flying
Infodesk
"Do nothing in haste, look well to each step and from the beginning think what may be the end" - Edward Whymper
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