MSS658 From Belgium, joined Oct 2010, 2204 posts, RR: 14 Posted (5 months 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 15199 times:
Brussels-Frankfurt, The Kuwait way!
Background:
March 2012, some talks were going around to have a meeting at Berlin for the (at that time) planned opening of Berlin Brandenburg on June 3rd, which is just a few days after my birthday. For sure I was planning on attending. I could have gone directly with Brussels Airlines or Easyjet or with a simple connection in Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt.... But since it was my birthday, why not do something special? As many know their are different foreign airlines operating fifth freedom routes in Europe. These flights are usually enjoyable since it’s a bit different than the usual A320 flight with cookies. Originally I was planning on taking Singapore Airlines from Manchester to Munich on their Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. However since it was a holiday weekend over in the UK airfares were quite high. Another option was the Air China A330 (Athens-Munich) or LAN Chile Airbus A340 (Madrid-Frankfurt) but timings did not fit so good. There was one last option. Kuwait Airways flight twice a week Kuwait-Rome-Paris (A300) and Kuwait-Frankfurt-Geneva (A340-300) and soon found a decent deal on it’s Geneva-Frankfurt segment. It was easy and not too pricey to connect to this flight from Brussels Airlines early morning flight from Brussels.
Pre-departure:
June 1st 2012. My 22nd birthday started off with an email from Brussels Airlines to invite me to check in online for my flight to Geneva. The load looked very light but I did notice that the blight cabin only started from row 15. I selected row 19 for the first leg of my journey. A few hours later I wanted to check in for my Kuwait Airways flight to Frankfurt but I could not use the online check-in function, a bit of an annoyance since my transfer time was only 1 hour between both flights. I soon called the Geneva office and they informed me that OLCI was not available ex-Geneva but the girl would find a solution and call me back. A few minutes later I received a phone call from the swissport agent I had to go to check in and gave her and her supervisor’s personal number and to urged me to call if there were any problems. I was pretty speechless and amazed after that call. Never has any airline or ground handling done this to me, and the best was yet to come.
Later that afternoon there was another surprise for me. When checking the route of the inbound flight (KU175 flies on friday Kuwait-Frankfurt-Geneva and stays overnight in Geneva) I noticed the flight was not going to be operated by the scheduled A340-300 but got swapped for a A300-600. Today 9K-AME was dispatched for KU175 this afternoon. It’s by far the first time that 9K-AME was dispatched on the route. Fellow member Nils (Sultanis) flew this bird when he took Kuwait Airways 175 from Frankfurt to Geneva. You can read his report here. A Taste Of The Middle East On KU: BRU-FRA-GVA-BRU (by sultanils Nov 14 2011 in Trip Reports)
After the good news the usual packing ritual started and went to bed early. The next day I woke up at 3:30am. A familiar time for some members, but pretty early for me! By 4:15 I hit the road and at 5:15 I arrived at the airport. Due to the early arrival I decided to go the front park in Brussels.
Leaving Brussels airport
Check in was at this time deserted and found a machine rather quickly. As on my trip to Copenhagen the kiosks failed to work. Soon I was approached by an agent who explained that I could not use the machines if I checked in online. Oh well, at least I got an explanation this time. Up to the desk and get a real boarding pass. Flight SN2711 to Geneva is running on time today!
Next step is the free morning gymnastic you get when leaving towards a schengen or a Brussels Airlines long haul destination. The long walk towards the gate. There was a rather long wait at the security lane, mainly due to Thomas Cook Airways and Jetairfly departure bank between 06:00 and 07:00 as well as a lot of transfer passengers from Brussels Airlines’ long haul network arriving between 05:00 and 06:30. Finally at 05:50 I arrived inside the A-terminal. Today A46 would be used again for our flight to Geneva. When passing that gate I noticed our aircraft is present. Today OO-SSR would have the honors to take me to Switzerland.
Traffic consisted mainly of Jetairfly, Thomas Cook and Brussels Airlines to destinations all over Europe. Some other European airlines were present as well. Like D-AEBF, a Lufthansa Regional Embraer 195 being prepared as LH2297 to Munich. I took this very flight back in December 2010 when travelling down to Miami. Lufthansa, There Is No Better Way To Fly! (by MSS658 Jul 5 2011 in Trip Reports)
For the ones who still need some work out after the walk to Concourse A, there are still some bicycles.
One of the many Jet Airways ads in Brussels. Are they starting to feel the competition from Qatar/Ethiad/Thai?
For the remainder of the wait I filled in some paperwork and waited boarding to begin. At 6:19 Boarding began and at 6:25 I was onboard of
9. Brussels Airlines flight SN 2711 from Brussels to Geneva
Saturday, June 2 2012.
Brussels (BRU/EBBR)- Geneva (GVA/LSGG)
Brussels Airlines 2711 (SWISS International Airlines 4151)
Airbus A319-112 OO-SSR (LN: 4275) B.light 19A.
Built and delivered to Mexicana Airways as N275MX on 1 june 2010. Later transferred to Brussels Airlines on 21 January 2011.
06:40-06:47 (Gate A46; wheels up on runway 25R at 06:58)
07:55-07:50 (Gate A1; wheels down on runway 23 at 07:48)
Announced flying time: 1 hour
Cruising Altitude: FL 350
Load factor: 50% in Y
Routing: EBBR-HUL-GTR-MOROK Personal statistics
164th flight registered
9th flight in 2012
5th flight on Brussels Airlines
16th flight on the Airbus A320 family
7th flight on the Airbus A319-100
1st flight on OO-SSR
Once onboard I was greeted by 2 middle aged flight attendants. When walking towards the back I was greeted by another female flight attendant in her 40s. As usual the chocolate box appeared out of the carry on quickly and I received a big thank you. Something else I found out is that the b.flex cabin would be the largest cabin on the flight, however the load was 50% in all cabins. I suppose this configuration was set for a later flight. We were parked alongside OO-VEN a Boeing 737-300 from Brussels Airlines. I flew this bird back in 2005 from Faro to Brussels when she still was with Virgin Express
Like all carriers in the Lufthansa group, Brussels Airlines has the NEK seating throughout the cabin. Legroom was sufficient for the hop to Geneva.
Soon our scheduled departure time was approaching and the doors were still opened. Apparently there were some connecting passengers from one of the longhaul flights who hasn’t arrived yet. Given my situation I was starting to get nervous, thankfully a few mins later the missing passengers have arrived and we were set to go at 06:47. Just a few minutes passed our departure time. But with the flight time to be announced for 1 hour, my connecting time in Geneva was starting to shrink.
Airbus and Boeing alongside
While taxiing to the runway I saw OO-SFW being towed to the far end of the A/T concourse. She arrived about 30 minutes ago from New York JFK as SN502 after returning from the inaugural flight over the Atlantic. I’m actually taking this very same flight in just a few days from now. Just before takeoff we had to wait for a Thomas Cook A320 in special livery heading towards a warm sunny holiday destination.
At 06:58 it was our turn to speed up on runway 25R starting a new adventure, well adventure it would be since I wasn’t feeling so comfortable with my dense connection further down the road. Soon we broke the clouds and climbed in a Southerly direction.
As said earlier Brussels Airlines has fitted it’s A319/A320 fleet with the NEK seating found on all airlines within the Lufthansa group. I usually find these seats ok for 1hour flights, but would not want to fly a flight that is longer than 2 hours in the NEK configuration. I do like the dark blue seat covers that SN uses, a bit better than Lufthansa’s in my opinion.
When returning into the cabin I could hear this strange noise of birds whistling. Birds in the cabin? Not at all. Just the boarding music that hasn’t been turned off yet. Maybe not the best buy the book procedure but actually quite entertaining and certain more variety than your usual 737/320 flight. Soon the service came. It was the same Buy on Board as my flight to Copenhagen in April (and at the same price). I ordered some Orange juice, did forget the picture but I suppose that everybody knows how a glass of Orange juice looks like. A warm sausage was served in the b.flex cabin. It looked ok, but I would not pay 100 EUR more for just a warm sausage. Due to my seat facing the sunlight it was quite hard to make decent pics. For the ones who want to read more about SN’s BOB, you can read my CPH trip here. Avrojetting To And From Copenhagen! (by MSS658 Nov 26 2012 in Trip Reports)
At 07:30 the engines roared back and our descent into Geneva started above the French Alps.
Interesting how some mountain tops raise above the clouds.
Even with the scenery being magnificent I was still quite nervous and not so optimistic about my connection to Frankfurt. While the crew was making a final walkaround into the cabin I asked If I could move to another seat upfront to deboard faster. But that did not work...
Approaching Lac du Geneve
The French side
Don’t the alps look great?
a usual question when flying Brussels Airlines, how many B’s can you find per trip?
Flaps down!
Final approach on runway 23
Almost there:
At 7:47 OO-SSR touched down on runway 23. 10 minutes before our scheduled arrival, I was a bit relieved but still a bit nervous at the same time. while slowing down on the runway we passed the Kuwait Airways A300. Bound to depart for Frankfurt and Kuwait in just over an hour... Hopefully with MSS658 onboard. Going to the far end of the concourse where we docked in at gate A1 at about 7:50 alongside with EC-KRJ, an Iberia A319 ready for it’s departure as IB 3489 to Madrid.
Soon the doors were opened and an agent walked onboard. Soon something on the P/A sounded in the form of. “This is a personal announcement for Mr MSS658, please report yourself to the ground staff when disembarking” I got my belongings as soon as possible and after thanking the crew I was in the airport at 7:55
Transferring in Geneva Cointrin airport
At the end of the jetway I was awaited by a swissport agent holding a boarding pass in her hand. You probably have guessed it, that boarding pass was for one passenger that is crazy enough to fly from Brussels to Frankfurt via Geneva. After receiving my boarding pass I was immediately allowed into the departure zone. I was quite amazed since I did not give any flight info (just my origin info) and that both sectors where on different tickets. I usually don’t even get this kind of service on connections between the same carrier on the same ticket at all... After thanking her quite a few times I went on towards gate C58. On the way a rather unclear FIDS, for one or other reason our departure time has been set back to 08:50. Operations where pretty much on time, with the exception of United Airlines UA957 to Newark which was delayed by almost 4 hours.
Since Kuwait Airways flight 176 continues down to Kuwait I needed to pass passport control. Shortly after passing I noticed a United Boeing 767-300 that arrived from Washington IAD as UA 974. N660UA operated this overnighter from the United States.
When looking at my boarding pass I noticed that my seat assignment has been changed to seat 10K. When I arrived at the gate I asked if I could change my seat to a row in the rear section. The gate agent replied that I could choose any seat that I want since there would be only 41 passengers on board. After ending my conversation I noticed the station manager walk in. I thanked him for the extra effort with my connection. “No problem, Problems are there to solve” The Swissport and Kuwait Airways staff really performed well here. An example for each ground handling company in the world. At 8:20 Boarding was called for:
10. Kuwait Airways flight KU0176 from Geneva to Frankfurt Main
Saturday, June 2 2012
Geneva (GVA/LSGG) - Frankfurt Main (FRA/EDDF)
Kuwait Airways 0176
Airbus A300-605R 9K-AME “Al-Rawdhatain” (LN: 721) Economy 26K
Built and delivered to Kuwait Airways on 18 November 1993
09:00-08:54 (Gate C58; Stand 19, wheels up on runway 23 at 09.03)
10:15-10:11 (Terminal 2; Stand V115; wheels down on runway 25L at 10:01)
Est flying time: 55minutes
Cruising Altitude: FL 260
Load factor: 20% in Y
Routing: Geneva-Zurich-Stuttgart-Frankfurt Personal statistics
166th flight registered
10th flight in 2012
1st flight on Kuwait Airways
2nd flight on the Airbus A300-600
1st flight on 9K-AME
C58 is a busgate and soon all 41 passengers were onboard the bus, but there still was a wait for a passenger. While waiting on the bus a familiar A319 taxied by. Here goes OO-SSR again on the way to Brussels as SN2712.
Soon the bus departed to a remote stand on the apron. Boarding was via the 2L door. First impression of this big old boy.
Can’t life get any better than boarding by stairs.
Engine number 1
At 8:35 it was my turn to board 9K-AME
I was greeted by the purser and a hindi F/A and was asked to turn to the right. I had the chance to pass through Business class. While Kuwait Airways is way behind the standards of Emirates, Qatar and Etihad the recliner seats still looked comfortable. When entering the Economy cabin I was greeted by a female filipino flight attendant. After showing my boarding pass I asked if i could move to the back which I was allowed to do. In the second cabin I was greeted by another Filipino female F/A. The tone was set for my second sector of the day. A view from row 26 where I settled down.
Parked next to a Saudi Boeing 747SP? Does anyone know more details about it’s destination?
Kuwait Airways has it’s A300s equipped with small PTV’s. The entertainment system remained off during the entire duration of the flight which was not a problem at all on this short sector to Frankfurt. However on longer flights the PTV would be a bit too small. .
Once everybody boarded we were distributed some refreshing towels. Soon at 8:50 the doors were closed and the saftey video commenced in Kuwaiti and in English. This video was followed by a prayer. After a short taxi we were back on runway 23, During our taxi I spotted HB-JJA, a Privatair Boeing 737-700 that used to commute on behalf of KLM between Amsterdam and Houston. I flew this airframe back in 2009 from Houston to Amsterdam. 1hr15mins after arriving on OO-SSR from Brussels, Al-Radtwhein spooled up her engines at 9:03 into the Swiss sky.
When reaching our cruising altitude I had a great view over the alps.
The seat was comfortable and well padded, however legroom was a bit on the cramped side. While it was still ok for this sector, I would not want to be on a fully loaded medium haul flight on this aircraft.
The seats were equipped with footrests as well
I must say each Alp hop, unregardless of the airline is always magnificent and spectacular.
Soon the meal service began. The breakfast consisted of some orange juice, a cheese sandwich and a yogurt. The quality and quantity where very high. The meal was more generous than a Lufthansa flight between Geneva and Frankfurt or even on some long haul flights i’ve taken.
With still some time to go on an almost empty aircraft I decided to make some pics of the cabin.
Forward Y cabin
Smoking is not allowed on any..... Kuwait Airways flight
A view from the other side somewhere above Germany
The remainder of the flight I started a conversation with the flight attendants, I must say it was a very nice bunch and friendly crew.
As all good stories have to come to an end, so does this sector of Kuwait Airways flight 176 have to end. At 9:40 our descent started over a rather cloudy Germany. The crew did not have that much work preparing the cabin for it’s arrival and where in their jump seats fast. Noticed one of the flight attendants taking a quick nap before touchdown in FRA in her jumpseat. Above the rhein main Area.
Overhead panel
Nearing Frankfurt’s 25L.
At 10:01, just under an hour after departing Geneva 9K-AME touched down in Frankfurt on runway 25L and the arrival announcement was made. Passengers continuing on towards Kuwait were invited to stay on board during the stopover in Frankfurt. We soon taxied towards one of the ramp stands near Terminal 2.
Wait a minute, I see something familiar. The United 777-200 N77006 who just arrived from Newark as UA 50 in the background carried me on the same route in August 2011, you can read this report here. Going Home, The Star Alliance Way! (by MSS658 Mar 21 2012 in Trip Reports)
At 10:11 we came to a final stop at stand V115 besides the Eterian Airbus A320 LZ-AOA
All passengers terminating in Frankfurt deboarded, all flying to Kuwait stayed on board. After bidding the crew farewell they thanked me for the chocolate box and wished me a happy Birthday. Another view from on the ground.
Arrival in Frankfurt Am Main Airport
Among the 40 passengers onboard Kuwait Airways 176 there were a small dozen ending their travels into Frankfurt. On the way to terminal 2 we passed this Lufthansa A320
Air Canada Boeing 767-300 C-GHOZ
Delta Air Lines Boeing 767-400 N836MH
At 10:20 we came to a halt at Terminal 2 and a few minutes later I was in line for the passport control, I did not get the sense of it since all passengers boarded in Switzerland and we were not mixed up with passengers originating or terminating in Kuwait. On the way to passport control I had one last view of 9K-AME being prepared for the continuation of Kuwait Airways 176 to Kuwait city at 11:20
A few minutes later I recieved a text message from KU welcoming me to Frankfurt and Thanks for choosing Kuwait Airways. They say it’s the little things that make or break a flight. After exiting to Terminal 2 I took a bus connection to the Fernbanhoff. I arrived at the Fernbanhoff at 10:45 where I met fellow member and friend Daniel (LH4532).who will be joining me on my next leg.
Overall verdict
The main focus on this trip was flying Kuwait Airways. I must say I was definitely impressed by them. Off course they don’t come near the standards as you would read from Qatar, Etihad or Emirates but as you know it’s the little things that count in life. From Boarding to deboarding the crew took very well care of me. The advantage of having a full meal on a short European hop was very welcome after a long morning. The hardware was more than enough on this Geneva-Frankfurt hop I wouldn’t have been that happy if I had to continue on to Kuwait.
The biggest bonus however goes to the Swissport staff in Geneva going beyond their books to make my transfer as seamless and easy as possible given my situation. I can’t recall this being happened to much to me or others and they are definite an example to other handling companies in the world.
And finally Brussels Airlines brought me to Geneva well and safe without any major ups or downs. This was however my first flight in the NEK configuration (loose from a LH flight from Frankfurt to Brussels in the emergency exit row). The NEK was comfortable enough and not to firm for my Brussel-Geneva/Frankfurt leg. However I would find the seat to hard on flights over 2 hours.
Overall Remarks.
Brussels Airlines 2711 from Brussels to Geneva (Total score is 77%):
Departure: 70% (Check in kiosks did not work, Agents however were very friendly)
Aircraft cleanliness : 90% (This A319 had a very nice and fresh look)
Seat Comfort: 80% (NEK, a bit on the hard side. But ok for this sector)
Crew: 70% (Friendly and professional, but a little bit off)
Catering: 70% (BOB, Orange juice was okl)
Arrival: 80% (Clear and well signed)
Kuwait Airways 0176 from Geneva to Frankfurt FRA (Total score is 83%):
Departure: 100% (Excellent performance by swissport.)
Aircraft cleanliness : 80% (Ok despite it’s age)
Seat Comfort: 70% (ok for the sector, but a bit cramped)
Crew: 90% (Friendly,sweet and very interactive)
Catering: 80% (Good service and towel)
Arrival: 80% (Good signage and easy to find the Fernbahnhof despite the long walk)
As a bonus I would like to give a list of regs I spotted in Brussels, Geneva and Frankfurt FRA
airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 4015 posts, RR: 52 Reply 1, posted (5 months 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 14854 times:
Hi Marc,
really cool to read about your AB6 experience. It's a nice aircraft for sure, but as you say, not sure if the KU example is nice enough for these 6 hour journeys between KWI and Europe.
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): Parked next to a Saudi Boeing 747SP? Does anyone know more details about it’s destination?
It's privately owned, a lot of Saudi royals have houses in Switzerland, or, they come to private clinics there to get medical treatments (I heard)
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): A few minutes later I recieved a text message from KU welcoming me to Frankfurt and Thanks for choosing Kuwait Airways. They say it’s the little things that make or break a flight.
Impressive!
Regards
Eric
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6183 posts, RR: 79 Reply 3, posted (5 months 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 14085 times:
Hi Marc,
nice report about your KU A300 mission! Good to hear you enjoyed it. I also enjoyed my KU flight from FCO to CDG, but I wouldn't take that carrier on a longer flight.
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): I usually find these seats ok for 1hour flights, but would not want to fly a flight that is longer than 2 hours in the NEK configuration. I do like the dark blue seat covers that SN uses, a bit better than Lufthansa’s in my opinion.
I like the NEK seats - and LH's version looks very classy IMO.
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): The entertainment system remained off during the entire duration of the flight which was not a problem at all on this short sector to Frankfurt.
really cool to read about your AB6 experience. It's a nice aircraft for sure, but as you say, not sure if the KU example is nice enough for these 6 hour journeys between KWI and Europe.
Hi Eric
Thanks, as said I would have toughts about them on longer flights aswell!
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 1): It's privately owned, a lot of Saudi royals have houses in Switzerland, or, they come to private clinics there to get medical treatments (I heard)
nice report about your KU A300 mission! Good to hear you enjoyed it. I also enjoyed my KU flight from FCO to CDG, but I wouldn't take that carrier on a longer flight.
Hello PH
Thanks, glad you liked it. I remember reading your story!
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 3): I like the NEK seats - and LH's version looks very classy IMO.
Could have been on the airframe itself (D-AILA) but found the colors rather dull IMO
ManchesterMAN From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2003, 1192 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (5 months 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 12821 times:
Thanks for the great trip report. I flew the KU A340 for a similar short hop from GVA-LHR in the summer and I have to say the A300 looks a lot better inside than my A340! Agree with others that I wouldn't fancy flying them on longer sectors to KWI or JFK!
roberts87 From Netherlands, joined Dec 2011, 660 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (5 months 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 12733 times:
Nice little report Marc! Those 5th freedom sure are a nice way to sample a foreign carrier, KU is certainly on my list too. And impressive service by the ground staff in GVA indeed!
Sultanils From Belgium, joined Mar 2010, 1173 posts, RR: 29 Reply 7, posted (5 months 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 12643 times:
Hi Marc my friend!
Good to see this nice report finally online. It has been a while since you've flown it! Not much to say about SN, a pretty much standard and OK flight. You seem to have the same impression on KU as me: friendly crew, good and plentiful meal and a lovely old school A300-600. No match for it's Middle Eastern counterparts but still quite enjoyable to fly on and a nice addition to the log.
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): A few hours later I wanted to check in for my Kuwait Airways flight to Frankfurt but I could not use the online check-in function, a bit of an annoyance since my transfer time was only 1 hour between both flights. I
I fully remember being stuck in the same kind of situation: very tight transfer at FRA but it all worked out in the end. It always does... until now!
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): Fellow member Nils (Sultanis) flew this bird when he took Kuwait Airways 175 from Frankfurt to Geneva.
I did indeed. Tnx for the reference.
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): who explained that I could not use the machines if I checked in online.
That explains indeed why haven't been able as well to produce me a BP. Still it's kinda stupid since I believe many people would do the checkin at home and pick up their BP at the airport.
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): We were parked alongside OO-VEN a Boeing 737-300 from Brussels Airlines. I flew this bird back in 2005 from Faro to Brussels when she still was with Virgin Express
Lucky you. I only flew VEX's -400 version...
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): After receiving my boarding pass I was immediately allowed into the departure zone.
Good service! But you know: GVA has a few holes in their fence by which you can get in the departure zone without security screening
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): since there would be only 41 passengers on board.
That's 35 pax more than on my flight back then
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): Built and delivered to Kuwait Airways on 18 November 1993
Built and delivered on the same day? Impressive lol!
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): Soon at 8:50 the doors were closed and the saftey video commenced in Kuwaiti and in English.
I guess you must mean Arabic iso Kuwaiti? Or is that a language?
MSS658 From Belgium, joined Oct 2010, 2204 posts, RR: 14 Reply 10, posted (5 months 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 12281 times:
Hello Again!
Quoting ManchesterMAN (Reply 5): Thanks for the great trip report. I flew the KU A340 for a similar short hop from GVA-LHR in the summer and I have to say the A300 looks a lot better inside than my A340! Agree with others that I wouldn't fancy flying them on longer sectors to KWI or JFK!
Hi ManchesterMAN
Thanks for the comment, did not realize that GVA-LHR is flown by KU as well (unless you transferred in FRA). Based on pics the 300 looks better indeed!
Quoting roberts87 (Reply 6): Nice little report Marc! Those 5th freedom sure are a nice way to sample a foreign carrier, KU is certainly on my list too. And impressive service by the ground staff in GVA indeed!
Good to see this nice report finally online. It has been a while since you've flown it! Not much to say about SN, a pretty much standard and OK flight. You seem to have the same impression on KU as me: friendly crew, good and plentiful meal and a lovely old school A300-600. No match for it's Middle Eastern counterparts but still quite enjoyable to fly on and a nice addition to the log.
Goedemorgen Nils
Thanks, glad you liked it! You sum exactly in a phew phrases what this TR is about
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 7): I fully remember being stuck in the same kind of situation: very tight transfer at FRA but it all worked out in the end. It always does... until now!
Hope it stays that way!
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 7): That explains indeed why haven't been able as well to produce me a BP. Still it's kinda stupid since I believe many people would do the checkin at home and pick up their BP at the airport.
I can only agree!
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 7): Lucky you. I only flew VEX's -400 version...
I have OO-VEG/VEH as well in the log.
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 7): Good service! But you know: GVA has a few holes in their fence by which you can get in the departure zone without security screening
Good to know
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 7): Built and delivered on the same day? Impressive lol!
Oops!
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 7): I guess you must mean Arabic iso Kuwaiti? Or is that a language?
I was almost sure Kuwaiti is a seperate language.
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 7):
Eritrean you must mean Nice colours on that one.
Parton87 From Sweden, joined Sep 2008, 524 posts, RR: 2 Reply 12, posted (5 months 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 11780 times:
Hello Marc!
Thanks for the great story! KU look nice on this short hop. Nice birthday present you got with the A300 and also the very impressive serivce by Swissport!
SK736 From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2006, 414 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (5 months 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 11349 times:
Great report, I really enjoyed it! Did you get any security questions about why you were travelling on Kuwait Airways? I recently travelled on the SQ 777 from MAN to MUC and was surprised at the questioning I received at check-in about why I was travelling to MUC, why I only had a one way ticket and why I was travelling on SQ! It made me feel quite uncomfortable and has put me off the idea of 5th freedom flying, though I would love to try KU!
ManchesterMAN From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2003, 1192 posts, RR: 1 Reply 15, posted (5 months 16 hours ago) and read 10789 times:
Quoting MSS658 (Reply 10): Hi ManchesterMAN
Thanks for the comment, did not realize that GVA-LHR is flown by KU as well (unless you transferred in FRA). Based on pics the 300 looks better indeed!
They flew it in the summer this year, the aircraft routing KWI-GVA-LHR-KWI every Saturday between June and September I think. I hadn't heard about it either until it appeared in a Kayak search! Not sure if this happens every year or if it will be repeated next year but was a great way to try an airline that would otherwise be off my travel radar.
SK736 From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2006, 414 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (4 months 3 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 10171 times:
Quoting ManchesterMAN (Reply 15): They flew it in the summer this year, the aircraft routing KWI-GVA-LHR-KWI every Saturday between June and September I think. I hadn't heard about it either until it appeared in a Kayak search! Not sure if this happens every year or if it will be repeated next year
I just tried a few dates between June and September and none come up with an A340. Shame, as I'm still to get an A340-300 in my logbook!
FLIEGER67 From Georgia, joined Sep 2003, 4387 posts, RR: 57 Reply 18, posted (4 months 3 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 9488 times:
Hi, M.,
good to follow you´re interesting KU experience
and also these personal ground handling.
Sure out of the ordinary to fly the AB6 these days.
Saw it also in FRA some weeks ago.
Thanks for the great story! KU look nice on this short hop. Nice birthday present you got with the A300 and also the very impressive serivce by Swissport!
Greetings
Robert
Hello Robert, thanks! Glad you liked it.
SWISSPORT really made the day that day in GVA
Quoting SK736 (Reply 13): Great report, I really enjoyed it! Did you get any security questions about why you were travelling on Kuwait Airways? I recently travelled on the SQ 777 from MAN to MUC and was surprised at the questioning I received at check-in about why I was travelling to MUC, why I only had a one way ticket and why I was travelling on SQ! It made me feel quite uncomfortable and has put me off the idea of 5th freedom flying, though I would love to try KU!
Hey SK736
Thanks, nop I did not get any questions concerning me flying KU to FRA. As matter in fact, a few monts after this trip I flew SQ on the same route and did not have any problems neither.
Good that you tried a new carrier and especially something exotic as Kuwait Airways.
Hi Lars
Thanks
Quoting The777Man (Reply 14): I don't like those seats very much either but at least the legroom on my LX flight I was on in June ZRH-ARN was okay.
Same opinion here
Quoting The777Man (Reply 14): SV's SP's fly VIP flights only so that's very difficult to say. Sometime they fly GVA-LAX with them and eventually back to
JED or RUH.
Looks like you had a great flight and very short one too.
Looking forward to your next report!
The777Man
Good to know!
Quoting airtrainer (Reply 17): Nice TR Marc, and certainly a great way to come to Berlin ! The change to an A300-600 made a perfect birthday gift
Was really nice to meet you in Berlin later that day !
Hi airtrainer
thanks, was really great meeting you as well later in Berlin (report to follow)
good to follow you´re interesting KU experience
and also these personal ground handling.
Sure out of the ordinary to fly the AB6 these days.
Saw it also in FRA some weeks ago.
Greetings,
Markus(FLIEGER67)
Hallo Markus
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. KU and swissport was a very interesting expercience indeed.
newbief1yer From UK - England, joined Dec 2012, 61 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (4 months 3 weeks 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 8943 times:
Hey Marc
Great trip report. I am fairly new here and still learning how to put up a great report -and yours is right up there. Its a fantastic template to work on.
And the KU A300 flight brings back memories, as i have spent most of my childhood (the first 18 years of my life) in Kuwait, have done a lot of trips back and forth on this baby to India from KUW.
reifel From Germany, joined Feb 2005, 1134 posts, RR: 1 Reply 21, posted (4 months 3 weeks 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 8798 times:
Hi Marc,
thanks for sharing. May I asked what the price of the ticket was? I would consider taking that flight, too?
Is the KU flight a flight which flies a triangle? i.e. KWI-GVA-FRA-KWi? Or does it really flies KWI-FRA-GVA/GVA-FRA-KWI. Because if it's a triangle then it would make sense that it is non schengen in T2 in Frankfurt. Furthermore it would explain why 12 people debarked, probably those people boarded in KWI and not GVA.
Great to receive an A300. I remember when LH flew them domestically to TXL and HAM and also a lot to MUC and ATH/BCN/LCA. Boy, those were great planes and I miss them. Loved the 2 seat benches for european flights...
Impressed by Swissport. It remembers me what they say where I work: "There are no problems, only challenges". Never use the word problem...
It's impressive what is possible, just need to ask, I had two similar experiences:
-Flying Airberlin to Olbia and returning with exactly the same plane. No online check in, 30 Minutes between arrival and departure, but no time to go landside as counters close 45 Minutes earlier. Wrote the ground handler an E-mail and she prepared my boarding pass. Could just leave, go to the gate counter, get the pass, and reboard
-Flying Estonian to TLL and then 45 Minutes Layover to a seperate ticket on Avies to Kuresaare. Wrote E-mail to ground handler, they prepared my onward boarding pass for this little airline, left it at the connecting gate, all easy.
-Flying TUIfly to Bari. Flying back with same airplane. Was an errorfare at 99 cents per way or so... There were a few other airline geeks on board. It would have been probably possible to go landside and recheck in, but once we landed one of us went down to the ramp agent, which said we shall remain onboard, when everyone deboareded we should wait on the top of the stair in front of the doors letting the cleaner do the work (and chat with the crew) and minutes later she came back waving our boarding passes in hand. We didn't even left the plane!!
Again, it's worth asking. Comitted people, especially on smaller stations, which like their job will so often go the extra mile.
Great trip report. I am fairly new here and still learning how to put up a great report -and yours is right up there. Its a fantastic template to work on.
And the KU A300 flight brings back memories, as i have spent most of my childhood (the first 18 years of my life) in Kuwait, have done a lot of trips back and forth on this baby to India from KUW.
Merry Christmas and have a great new year.
Cheers
Hi newbieg1yer.
Thanks, glad you liked it. Happy new years as well to you.
thanks for sharing. May I asked what the price of the ticket was? I would consider taking that flight, too?
Hi reifel, Thanks! ticket price was around the 85 EUR
Quoting reifel (Reply 21): Is the KU flight a flight which flies a triangle? i.e. KWI-GVA-FRA-KWi? Or does it really flies KWI-FRA-GVA/GVA-FRA-KWI. Because if it's a triangle then it would make sense that it is non schengen in T2 in Frankfurt. Furthermore it would explain why 12 people debarked, probably those people boarded in KWI and not GVA.
The flight operates KWI-FRA-GVA overnights in GVA before heading back to FRA and KWI
Quoting reifel (Reply 21): mpressed by Swissport. It remembers me what they say where I work: "There are no problems, only challenges". Never use the word problem...
It's impressive what is possible, just need to ask, I had two similar experiences:
-Flying Airberlin to Olbia and returning with exactly the same plane. No online check in, 30 Minutes between arrival and departure, but no time to go landside as counters close 45 Minutes earlier. Wrote the ground handler an E-mail and she prepared my boarding pass. Could just leave, go to the gate counter, get the pass, and reboard
-Flying Estonian to TLL and then 45 Minutes Layover to a seperate ticket on Avies to Kuresaare. Wrote E-mail to ground handler, they prepared my onward boarding pass for this little airline, left it at the connecting gate, all easy.
-Flying TUIfly to Bari. Flying back with same airplane. Was an errorfare at 99 cents per way or so... There were a few other airline geeks on board. It would have been probably possible to go landside and recheck in, but once we landed one of us went down to the ramp agent, which said we shall remain onboard, when everyone deboareded we should wait on the top of the stair in front of the doors letting the cleaner do the work (and chat with the crew) and minutes later she came back waving our boarding passes in hand. We didn't even left the plane!!
Again, it's worth asking. Comitted people, especially on smaller stations, which like their job will so often go the extra mile.
akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 2333 posts, RR: 53 Reply 23, posted (4 months 3 weeks 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 8318 times:
Hoi Marc,
I remember you traveling out on your birthday to the BER meet! Did I tell you that it happened to be my mother’s birthday as well?
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): My 22nd birthday started off with an email from Brussels Airlines to invite me to check in online for my flight to Geneva.
I wish SN had included lounge invitation as well because of the festive day.
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): For the ones who still need some work out after the walk to Concourse A, there are still some bicycles.
Cool! Did you try it?
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): Are they starting to feel the competition from Qatar/Ethiad/Thai?
I do hope so! So that they decide to move their operation to AMS!
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): but I suppose that everybody knows how a glass of Orange juice looks like.
Not the SN one!
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): A few minutes later I received a phone call from the swissport agent I had to go to check in and gave her and her supervisor’s personal number and to urged me to call if there were any problems. I was pretty speechless and amazed after that call.
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): Soon something on the P/A sounded in the form of. “This is a personal announcement for Mr MSS658, please report yourself to the ground staff when disembarking”
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): At the end of the jetway I was awaited by a swissport agent holding a boarding pass in her hand. You probably have guessed it, that boarding pass was for one passenger that is crazy enough to fly from Brussels to Frankfurt via Geneva
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): After ending my conversation I noticed the station manager walk in. I thanked him for the extra effort with my connection. “No problem, Problems are there to solve” The Swissport and Kuwait Airways staff really performed well here.
I am speechless. The agents were just amazing and undoubtedly set an example for their counterparts as you have rightly stated. Bravo!
adamspotter From Netherlands, joined Feb 2011, 775 posts, RR: 2 Reply 24, posted (4 months 3 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 8028 times:
Hi Marc,
Nice to read your report on this fifth freedom route I still have to fly myself. Was thinking about taking it in January at the beginning of my USA trip but decided not to in the end. Hope to get it done sometime in 2013
Always nice to fly on 2 flights with a very light load. Both flights look quite ok and well done Swissport!
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): I do like the dark blue seat covers that SN uses, a bit better than Lufthansa’s in my opinion.
CaptainRed From Germany, joined Oct 2010, 578 posts, RR: 19 Reply 25, posted (4 months 2 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 7668 times:
Hi Marc,
great report here, well done. Seems like you had two enjoyable flights this day. That Kuwait Airways flight is also a quite popular fifth freedom flight, and a very nice one as well. Great to get to fly on a classic A300 again. Just a shame about the low load on that leg, well, good for you, bad for the airline. Hope they will keep this route for a while since it is also still on my to-fly-list.
And the service by the staff at GVA was really impressive, very nice.
Thanks a lot for sharing this trip, and looking forward to read about your ongoing travels to and from Berlin ...
Quoting akhmad (Reply 23): I do hope so! So that they decide to move their operation to AMS!
Let's keep em in BRU a little longer!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 23):
I am speechless. The agents were just amazing and undoubtedly set an example for their counterparts as you have rightly stated. Bravo!
By the way, were they aware of your birthday?
So was I, I believe not. Unless they looked in my records
Nice to read your report on this fifth freedom route I still have to fly myself. Was thinking about taking it in January at the beginning of my USA trip but decided not to in the end. Hope to get it done sometime in 2013
Always nice to fly on 2 flights with a very light load. Both flights look quite ok and well done Swissport!
Hey Brendan
Thanks, glad you liked it. Too bad you are missing out on in in jan.
great report here, well done. Seems like you had two enjoyable flights this day. That Kuwait Airways flight is also a quite popular fifth freedom flight, and a very nice one as well. Great to get to fly on a classic A300 again. Just a shame about the low load on that leg, well, good for you, bad for the airline. Hope they will keep this route for a while since it is also still on my to-fly-list.
And the service by the staff at GVA was really impressive, very nice.
Thanks a lot for sharing this trip, and looking forward to read about your ongoing travels to and from Berlin ...
CaptainRed
Hello Captain
Thanks, glad you liked it. I can only recconmend it.
rahulrahul From United States of America, joined Jun 2012, 125 posts, RR: 0 Reply 27, posted (4 months 2 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 7102 times:
Hey, Great Report!
Ive been on Kuwait Airways on the A300 once, and also noticed the small PTV's. Strange thing though on my flight, the flight attendants were all Filipino.
Quote: Approaching Lac du Geneve
I think it is called Lac Leman, if I am not mistaken.
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 28, posted (4 months 2 weeks 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 6879 times:
Nice report Marc...service on KU seems very nice...shame about the old plane through. Nice to get a meal on the flight.
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): A few minutes later I received a phone call from the swissport agent I had to go to check in and gave her and her supervisor’s personal number and to urged me to call if there were any problems. I was pretty speechless and amazed after that call. Never has any airline or ground handling done this to me, and the best was yet to come.
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): At the end of the jetway I was awaited by a swissport agent holding a boarding pass in her hand. You probably have guessed it, that boarding pass was for one passenger that is crazy enough to fly from Brussels to Frankfurt via Geneva.
Super service! I guess more to do with the Swiss mentality than Kuwaiti!
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): For the ones who still need some work out after the walk to Concourse A, there are still some bicycles.
Ha, great idea!
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter):
Kuwait Airways has it’s A300s equipped with small PTV’s
knightsofmalta From Malta, joined Nov 2005, 1409 posts, RR: 17 Reply 29, posted (4 months 2 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 6784 times:
Hi Marc
What an unusual route to to get from Brussels to Frankfurt and what an even more exotic airline to do it with!
The service and the food don't sound too bad but the video screens look awfully small in one of the pictures you took. I can't imagine having to watch a whole film on one of those.
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): At the end of the jetway I was awaited by a swissport agent holding a boarding pass in her hand. You probably have guessed it, that boarding pass was for one passenger that is crazy enough to fly from Brussels to Frankfurt via Geneva. After receiving my boarding pass I was immediately allowed into the departure zone. I was quite amazed since I did not give any flight info (just my origin info) and that both sectors where on different tickets.
This is quite a surprise I must say, but it's nice the people at Swissport were able to assist you in such a way, even though they were not required to.
aerdingus From Ireland, joined Dec 2006, 2484 posts, RR: 18 Reply 30, posted (4 months 2 weeks 23 hours ago) and read 6544 times:
I would love to try one of these odd European flights..there should be an agency set up for geeks only offering 5th freedom flights nice one getting the old Airbus, & thanks for sharing
BA EI FH FR LX RE SK TS VY ZB 3K 5G A300 A310 A319 A320 A321 A333 ATR72 B735 B738 B744 B772 MD82 BCN BOH BRU CPH CRL DUB
MSS658 From Belgium, joined Oct 2010, 2204 posts, RR: 14 Reply 31, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 6293 times:
Hoihoi
Quoting rahulrahul (Reply 27): Hey, Great Report!
Ive been on Kuwait Airways on the A300 once, and also noticed the small PTV's. Strange thing though on my flight, the flight attendants were all Filipino.
Thanks! My crew was a mix of hindi and Filipino
Quoting rahulrahul (Reply 27): think it is called Lac Leman, if I am not mistaken.
Great Report on Kuwait Airlines
Rahul
Thanks!
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 28): Nice report Marc...service on KU seems very nice...shame about the old plane through. Nice to get a meal on the flight.
Hi Gab, thanks. Getting a meal on a flight that takes an hour is indeed nice
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 28): Super service! I guess more to do with the Swiss mentality than Kuwaiti!
What an unusual route to to get from Brussels to Frankfurt and what an even more exotic airline to do it with!
The service and the food don't sound too bad but the video screens look awfully small in one of the pictures you took. I can't imagine having to watch a whole film on one of those.
Hi William,
Thanks! For longer journeys I don't want to be stuck on 9K-AME as well.
Quoting knightsofmalta (Reply 29): This is quite a surprise I must say, but it's nice the people at Swissport were able to assist you in such a way, even though they were not required to.
Cheers,
William
I was surprised as well!
Quoting aerdingus (Reply 30): I would love to try one of these odd European flights..there should be an agency set up for geeks only offering 5th freedom flights nice one getting the old Airbus, & thanks for sharing
infodesk From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 1241 posts, RR: 34 Reply 32, posted (4 months 1 week 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 6192 times:
Hi Marc,
Just a few days ago I was looking at thr prices for this GVA-FRA hop so your report was of great interest. It certainly seems something worth doing! 41 pax on an A300, what a special feeling that must have been.
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): For the ones who still need some work out after the walk to Concourse A, there are still some bicycles.
Such a novel idea!
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): This is a personal announcement for Mr MSS658, please report yourself to the ground staff when disembarking” I got my belongings as soon as possible and after thanking the crew I was in the airport at 7:55
What super service by the ground staff. A big thumbs up here.
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): However on longer flights the PTV would be a bit too small.
They're tiny!
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): Parked next to a Saudi Boeing 747SP? Does anyone know more details about it’s destination?
There is a twice weekly flight between GVA-RUH, maybe it got an upgrade for some reason?
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): I must say each Alp hop, unregardless of the airline is always magnificent and spectacular
Oh yes, couldn't agree with you more.
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): The quality and quantity where very high. The meal was more generous than a Lufthansa flight between Geneva and Frankfurt or even on some long haul flights i’ve taken.
Wow!
Happy flying
Infodesk
"Do nothing in haste, look well to each step and from the beginning think what may be the end" - Edward Whymper
Just a few days ago I was looking at thr prices for this GVA-FRA hop so your report was of great interest. It certainly seems something worth doing! 41 pax on an A300, what a special feeling that must have been.
I can only reccomend so
Quoting infodesk (Reply 32): What super service by the ground staff. A big thumbs up here.
BZNPilot From Belgium, joined Feb 2006, 257 posts, RR: 3 Reply 34, posted (4 months 1 week 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 5634 times:
Hi Marc!
Great report as usual. I love these exotic carriers on European routes!
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): My 22nd birthday started off with an email from Brussels Airlines to invite me to check in online for my flight to Geneva.
Not a bad way to start off your bday.
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): A few minutes later I received a phone call from the swissport agent I had to go to check in and gave her and her supervisor’s personal number and to urged me to call if there were any problems. I was pretty speechless and amazed after that call.
Wow, indeed. Great service!
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): Soon something on the P/A sounded in the form of. “This is a personal announcement for Mr MSS658, please report yourself to the ground staff when disembarking” I got my belongings as soon as possible and after thanking the crew I was in the airport at 7:55
Even more amazing service!
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): At the end of the jetway I was awaited by a swissport agent holding a boarding pass in her hand. You probably have guessed it, that boarding pass was for one passenger that is crazy enough to fly from Brussels to Frankfurt via Geneva. After receiving my boarding pass I was immediately allowed into the departure zone. I was quite amazed since I did not give any flight info (just my origin info) and that both sectors where on different tickets. I usually don’t even get this kind of service on connections between the same carrier on the same ticket at all...
Truly going above and beyond. Well done Swissport!
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): Can’t life get any better than boarding by stairs.
Nice shot of that beautiful A300!
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): The entertainment system remained off during the entire duration of the flight which was not a problem at all on this short sector to Frankfurt. However on longer flights the PTV would be a bit too small.
Those screens are tiny. I wonder how the picture on those screens is when they are on? When I flew the FRA-GVA route a few days after you on a Kuwait A300 sistership, the entertainment system remained off the whole time as well.
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): I must say each Alp hop, unregardless of the airline is always magnificent and spectacular.
True! Great pics of the Alps.
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): The breakfast consisted of some orange juice, a cheese sandwich and a yogurt. The quality and quantity where very high. The meal was more generous than a Lufthansa flight between Geneva and Frankfurt or even on some long haul flights i’ve taken.
Very impressive for such a short hop!
Thanks for posting, Marc. Looking forward to the next ones.
Though the livery of SN fits the A320 family better than the 737 family, I miss them already .
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): Built and delivered to Mexicana Airways as N275MX on 1 june 2010. Later transferred to Brussels Airlines on 21 January 2011.
Yes, this is the only reason why I need to log a SN 319, just because many of them have flown for exotic or nice airlines in the past.
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter):
Can’t life get any better than boarding by stairs.
Amen, unless it rains so hard you get soaked before entering the aircraft!
This is, as always, a nice trip report and a treat for many trip report readers. Keep up the good work and I'll try to read the other parts as soon as possible.
Cheers,
Niek B.
'A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.' - Winston Churchill
jwhite9185 From United Kingdom, joined May 2007, 717 posts, RR: 0 Reply 36, posted (4 months 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 4916 times:
Interesting read there Marc. Good that you caught a pretty rare bird from one of the smaller carriers on an intra Europe hop. And the service sounded good too. Those screens remind me of the type found on the very first batch of VS 747 classics!
Quoting BZNPilot (Reply 34): Those screens are tiny. I wonder how the picture on those screens is when they are on? When I flew the FRA-GVA route a few days after you on a Kuwait A300 sistership, the entertainment system remained off the whole time as well.
Interesting to know that they put the 300 alot on the KWI-FRA-GVA
Quoting photoshooter (Reply 35): Though the livery of SN fits the A320 family better than the 737 family, I miss them already .
Stil remember the 73's when they where red
Quoting photoshooter (Reply 35): Amen, unless it rains so hard you get soaked before entering the aircraft!
This is, as always, a nice trip report and a treat for many trip report readers. Keep up the good work and I'll try to read the other parts as soon as possible.
Cheers,
Niek B.
Indeed, have expercienced that in CDG multiple times! Stay tuned for the next
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 36): Interesting read there Marc. Good that you caught a pretty rare bird from one of the smaller carriers on an intra Europe hop. And the service sounded good too. Those screens remind me of the type found on the very first batch of VS 747 classics!
Hello James
Thanks, glad you liked it. I can only reccomend on trying that hop.
eastafspot From France, joined Jan 2008, 467 posts, RR: 4 Reply 38, posted (3 months 2 days ago) and read 3199 times:
Marc
a great report with many nice picture!
what a coincidence as I flew the same A/C on a CDG-FCO... the strange thing is were they not supposed to ground all those " old boys"?
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): I noticed the flight was not going to be operated by the scheduled A340-300 but got swapped for a A300-600. Today 9K-AME was dispatched for KU175 this afternoon. It’s by far the first time that 9K-AME was dispatched on the route.
CARST From Germany, joined Jul 2006, 705 posts, RR: 1 Reply 40, posted (3 months 2 hours ago) and read 2725 times:
Hey Marc, great report!
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): June 1st 2012. My 22nd birthday started off with an email from Brussels Airlines to invite me to check in online for my flight to Geneva.
Wonderful birthday present!
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): I noticed the flight was not going to be operated by the scheduled A340-300 but got swapped for a A300-600.
Lucky you! I would have been so pissed if it would have been the other way (booked A300, swap to A340).
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): Birds in the cabin? Not at all. Just the boarding music that hasn’t been turned off yet.
Really awkward and disturbing if you want to listen to your own music.
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): A warm sausage was served in the b.flex cabin. It looked ok, but I would not pay 100 EUR more for just a warm sausage.
Well, at least they get lounge access and priority at check-in and boarding, too.
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): “This is a personal announcement for Mr MSS658, please report yourself to the ground staff when disembarking”
Best part of the report perhaps, excellent handling, perfect service.
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): C58 is a busgate and soon all 41 passengers were onboard the bus
What a light load for an A300. Seems like it was a perfect trip.
Quoting MSS658 (Thread starter): With still some time to go on an almost empty aircraft I decided to make some pics of the cabin.
These oldschool seats are wonderful, so soft and comfy. I would prefer this layout over any "NEK"-seating every day.
eastafspot From France, joined Jan 2008, 467 posts, RR: 4 Reply 41, posted (2 months 3 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 2350 times:
Quoting MSS658 (Reply 39): Isn't the KWI-FCO-CDG route usually an A300?
Humm not sure about it, but during the booking KU website showed an A340-300, i had mixed feeling of satisfaction of trying a "modern" cabin and disappointment of NOT flying the old bird... apparently from time to time they roster it anyway. Do you know when or why for GVA or FRA?
Fly with Air Burundi, Air Tanzania, Air Uganda, Kenya Airways and Rwandair...Jumuiya ya Afrika mashariki
MSS658 From Belgium, joined Oct 2010, 2204 posts, RR: 14 Reply 42, posted (2 months 3 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 2014 times:
Quoting eastafspot (Reply 41): Humm not sure about it, but during the booking KU website showed an A340-300, i had mixed feeling of satisfaction of trying a "modern" cabin and disappointment of NOT flying the old bird... apparently from time to time they roster it anyway. Do you know when or why for GVA or FRA?
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