817Dreamliiner From Montserrat, joined Jul 2008, 1404 posts, RR: 1 Posted (5 months 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 3757 times:
Hello fellow A.netters and welcome to my fourth Trip Report! This report will detail my trip back home to Montserrat via the usual route from MAN via LGW and ANU on BA and SVG air. My report will be similar to my report I wrote back in June:
I've contemplated not writing this report for this reason, but still decided to do it, seeing as Montserrat, is not well known around the world and my reports do provide some form of exposure to the island, plus Montserrat is celebrating its 50th year of festival celebrations and well, no two reports are the same so, With that, I hope you guys enjoy reading.
Check in:
BA's online check in opens 24 hours before scheduled departure. Check in was done online as well as on the mobile to obtain boarding passes. Both flights were open and check in was completed with no problems. Was hoping for a 4 class 777 on my flight from LGW to ANU like on my flight in September, because I noticed a trend on flights after mine in September (the ones going to SKB on Tuesdays and Saturdays) that were operated by 4 class 777s via the BA source. Unfortunately this wasn't to be and the flights were reverted back to 3 class 777s from the beginning of this month using the 40J/24W/219Y configuration which are operated by G-VIIO, G-VIIP, G-VIIR and G-VIIT. I was really hoping it wasn't the latter two considering I have been on them once before. Sadly for me, I've fallen victim to the Flying the same Reg more than once syndrome many times on alot of my previous flights (to give an idea of how bad: 9Y-TAB a BW 738, 4 times!). But was hoping this wouldn't happen and selected seats 15K for the LGW-ANU flight and 10F for the MAN-LGW flight.
Getting to the Airport:
I decided to take the first train that morning to MAN using Transpennine Express from Salford Cresent Railway Station. As usual, the ticket office wasnt open. But this time I already had my ticket which I bought online a couple days before. The train arrived on time at 05:58 and boarded for the 23 min ride to MAN.
At the Airport:
Arrived at the airport approx. 06:20 and made my way to terminal 3 via the sky walk.
I arrived at the terminal and made my way to Departures. After clearing security and getting my bag swabbed for explosives lol, I made my way to the departure lounge. I wanted to go to my usual spotting area gate 141 but it was currently occupied with passengers boarding a BA flight to LHR (BA1385) and it was too dark outside to take any photos anyway. So I sat and waited until the passengers cleared. During this time I visited the Bathroom and noticed this: P1000306 by 817Dreamliiner, on Flickr
To those reading this, have you ever seen a condom machine in a Airport bathroom before? I've never notice this before! lol!
I returned from the bathroom and waited a few more minutes for the gate to close for the flight to LHR. I went and sat at the gate There wasn't much outside, but parked in gate 141 was my BA 737 taking me to Gatwick. Soon after it was time to board.
Departure:
December 18th 2012
British Airways
BA2903
MAN-LGW
Boeing 737-436
G-DOCG
Seat: 10F UK Domestic
Boarding commenced and everyone got up and lined up in front of the gate (as usual) even though they were boarding by seat rows. I got my phone out and opened the BA app to have my boarding pass scanned. After that I was down in the jetway and on the aircraft.
The door was finally closed and we pushed back on time. The captain( a female one) and crew welcomed us onboard and briefed us about today's flight. Flying time was to be about 40 minutes at a cruising altitude of 19000 feet. The CFM56 engines were started and we began taxiing to the active runway 23L for takeoff.
While taxiing I spotted A BA (sun-air of Scandinavia) Dornier 328 Jet operating a flight from Billund, sadly I couldn't get a pic of it. We then taxied onto the runway and began rolling for takeoff.
We exited the runway and taxied to the gate, though we had to wait a few minutes because an aircraft was parked in our gate. We then parked at a gate at pier 6 and thanked the crew for their service, disembarked and was then bused to the Domestic arrivals area in the North Terminal.
817Dreamliiner From Montserrat, joined Jul 2008, 1404 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (5 months 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 3747 times:
I exited the Arrivals area and took the lift to the departures area for my next flight to ANU. Passing through security took forever! As there were long lines that were barely moving. I kept checking the time because it was drawing close to 10am the time the gate was suppose to close. I exited security at around 9:50 and looked on the FIDS to see the Gate info for my flight. At this time I began to panic because of what I saw, it listed my flight at Gate 52, but showed that it was closed! So I pretty much had to run to the gate and gate 52 is quite a long walk from security. I arrived at the gate out of breath only to be told that the gate wasn't closed at all... You can imagine I wasn't very happy at this point... But, I still don't get why it listed the gate as closed.
Departure:
December 18th 2012
British Airways
BA2157
LGW-ANU
Boeing 777-236ER 3 class
G-VIIT
Seat: 15K World Traveller
So I eventually made my way down the Jetway onto the aircraft which today, funnily enough is G-VIIT, the same aircraft used from my trip report in June... Great... Interestingly though, without the red nose this time, it now has a normal white one. I then made my way to my seat 15K.
We pushed back a bit late due to loading of bags which took quite a while. We ended up pushing back 20 minutes late. We started taxiing towards the runway where we had another delay of about 20 mins because of other aircraft landing and taking off before us. We then taxied to the active runway 26L and started take off immediately.
We climbed initially to FL300 and it was quite cloudy at this altitude.
As the seat belt sign went off, they crew began the meal service. The choices were curry chicken and a beef option. I choose the chicken option, which was pretty good and the meal included a Dark chocolate mousse and had the choice of white or red wine.
On my second trip to the lav, a passenger appeared to be stuck in the lavatory, because it seemed like they didn't know how to open the door. Instead of pulling like it said on the door the passenger was pushing out. I kept saying to myself "Person, pull not push, is says so on the door!" but wanting to go really bad, I decided to be a good Samaritan and help, by pushing on the door for them before they broke it... Turns out it was a older female passenger... Hmmm.
I returned to my seat and watched a few movies that were available. I checked the moving map, which as usual had some glitches and noticed we had climbed to FL380 and then eventually to FL400.
I then slept for a couple hours and woke up with about 2 hours left before arrival. I didn't do much during this time, other than watching the moving map.
Around an hour before landing a light pre landing snack was served which consisted of two sandwiches, which was Chicken salad. It also included a chocolate bar, some milk( for tea and coffee) and a drink of your choice.
We soon began our decent into ANU, the crew brief us about the weather conditions at the field. The weather was sunny with winds coming from the east. Therefore that meant we would be landing on Rwy 07.
We then made a left turn to line up with Rwy 07 for our final approach to ANU. As we turned the island of Antigua came into view.
on final for Rwy 07
Touchdown
We taxied down the runway and exited via taxiway C and parked into position
Passing some parked aircraft:
new terminal going up
FlyMontserrat BN-2 Islander
SVG Air BN-2 Islander
AA 738 to MIA
Turning into our parking position
Disembarking
Got into the terminal and cleared immigration really quickly, but customs took a while because of two female passengers having their bags searched. I then went to check in for my next and final flight of the day to Montserrat. This flight would be done on SVG air operated by ABM in ANU. Check in was done quickly and I was back in the departure lounge within 20 mins. At this time I had about an hour till departure, so I went into spotter mode
Blast Reality, Burst it into shreds! Banishment, This World!
817Dreamliiner From Montserrat, joined Jul 2008, 1404 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (5 months 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 3730 times:
Empty upstairs departure lounge
My BA 777 G-VIIT preparing for short hop to SKB
AA 738 N942AN preparing for flight to MIA
St Barth Commuter BN-2 Islander F-OIJS
AA 738 departing
The tint they have on these windows makes it difficult to take photos sometimes
As the BA was about to depart it held short of taxiway B, more than likely an aircraft was inbound, what I saw next baffled me a bit:
This aircraft was at a good height above the centre of the runway. I instantly thought to myself, they aren't trying to land here are they? Then I said to myself again, "I bet that's a flyMontserrat aircraft" and sure enough it was... They eventually touched down just passed taxiway B and exited via C. Was quite interesting seeing this happen. I wouldn't have been too happy if I was on this aircraft. The BA 777 then taxied onto the runway for takeoff to SKB.
Soon after boarding was called for both FlyMontserrat and SVG air flights to Montserrat. I then made my way to the gate in preparation for departure.
Departure:
December 18th 2012
SVG Air
ABM207
ANU-MNI
BN-2 Islander
J8-UVF
Seat: Second row left side
As we boarded, the pilot got into an argument with one of the ground personnel because another pilot wanted to tag along on the flight, Our pilot didnt want him onboard because we were already at max weight. The other pilot eventually left (apparently hitched a ride with FlyMontserrat) and we started up for our departure. Take off was on runway 7 via taxiway A and we were up in no time.
decent legroom
Overview of ANU
Montserrat in sight!
leaving Antigua
The Island's volcano:
Approaching the North coast of Montserrat while making left downwind Approach to Rwy 10
Geralds Airport in sight
on final for Rwy 10
Short finals
Touchdown
Turning to make 180 backtrack
My Aircraft J8-UVF
I cleared Immigration, picked up my bag and cleared customs and was outside within a couple minutes waiting to be picked up by my mother. Now that im back in Montserrat, I can start enjoying the 50th year of festival celebrations!
Well here ends another one of my longish reports, I should note that since BA are discontinuing the MAN-LGW flight, this will be the last time i'll be taking this flight before its discontinued in March next year. My return to Manchester in a week will be done via train after I arrive back in London. Part 2 of this report should be up sometime after new years. Thanks for reading and I hope you guys enjoyed it.
817Dreamliiner From Montserrat, joined Jul 2008, 1404 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (5 months 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 3703 times:
Quoting debonair (Reply 2): Looking fwd to the TR of SVG Air!
Wow, your pretty quick arent you debonair! Just posted that part a few minutes ago.
Quoting debonair (Reply 2): Any other difference than the seating- like IFE etc.?!
No not really, I just wanted to get upgraded again like my previous trip! lol They dont offer F class to ANU or SKB but between September and early this month They sent 4 class 777s on the route. According to the ba source.
Quoting debonair (Reply 2): Yeap, in Germany it is quite standards - for more than 20 years...
Really? Didnt know that...
Thanks for your quick comment
[Edited 2012-12-20 11:06:37]
Blast Reality, Burst it into shreds! Banishment, This World!
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6190 posts, RR: 79 Reply 5, posted (5 months 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 3657 times:
Hi Yvan,
great report featuring interesting flights! BA's product looks fine, too bad you got the same 777 again.
Quoting 817Dreamliiner (Thread starter): Sadly for me, I've fallen victim to the Flying the same Reg more than once syndrome many times on alot of my previous flights (to give an idea of how bad: 9Y-TAB a BW 738, 4 times!).
Ah, that sounds bad!
Quoting 817Dreamliiner (Thread starter): Arrived at the airport approx. 06:20 and made my way to terminal 3 via the sky walk.
817Dreamliiner From Montserrat, joined Jul 2008, 1404 posts, RR: 1 Reply 8, posted (5 months 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 3507 times:
Quoting lychemsa (Reply 7): I always wanted to go to Montserrat. That flight from Antigua is very expensive I think.
You should go, its a really nice place to visit. Your right that flights are expensive, though there is a ferry that runs between the two islands, not sure of the price but I think it was 200 XCD one way or something around that.
Blast Reality, Burst it into shreds! Banishment, This World!
817Dreamliiner From Montserrat, joined Jul 2008, 1404 posts, RR: 1 Reply 11, posted (5 months 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 3332 times:
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 9): Nice report! Would be very nice to get away from this horrible British weather for some prop flying around the Carribean!
Thanks! It really is nice to get away from there, but my stay here in Montserrat will be short and ill be back up there before I know it...
MSS658 From Belgium, joined Oct 2010, 2212 posts, RR: 14 Reply 12, posted (4 months 4 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 2460 times:
Hey
Great report, thanks for taking the time to share it with us.
ANU and MNI look great, really liked SVG air as well
Great job logging the 734 as well on the MAN-LHR segment!
817Dreamliiner From Montserrat, joined Jul 2008, 1404 posts, RR: 1 Reply 13, posted (4 months 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 2425 times:
Quoting MSS658 (Reply 12): Great report, thanks for taking the time to share it with us.
ANU and MNI look great, really liked SVG air as well
Great job logging the 734 as well on the MAN-LHR segment!
Hey Marc, Merry Christmas to you! thanks for commenting Yea its disappointing that they are ending the MAN-LGW flight next year, im gonna have to find way to LGW from MAN somehow...
Blast Reality, Burst it into shreds! Banishment, This World!
817Dreamliiner From Montserrat, joined Jul 2008, 1404 posts, RR: 1 Reply 15, posted (4 months 4 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 2371 times:
Quoting TurkishWings (Reply 14): Great report... Would be nice to see a few photos from Montserrat too... It would nicely warm us up during these cold days and make us wildly jelous
Will you include them in part 2 perhaps?
Thanks TurkishWings I will include some in part 2, but that will have to wait until about new years. Thanks for your comment
Blast Reality, Burst it into shreds! Banishment, This World!
817Dreamliiner From Montserrat, joined Jul 2008, 1404 posts, RR: 1 Reply 16, posted (4 months 3 weeks 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 1862 times:
Unfortunately, there wont be a part 2 as originally planned due to certain circumstances. But i'll have more reports in the future. Apologies to those who were looking forward to part 2 of this report.
Blast Reality, Burst it into shreds! Banishment, This World!
Widebodyroga From United States of America, joined Sep 2008, 472 posts, RR: 4 Reply 17, posted (4 months 3 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 1546 times:
A very interesting report 817Dreamliiner!
Quoting 817Dreamliiner (Thread starter): I've contemplated not writing this report for this reason, but still decided to do it, seeing as Montserrat, is not well known around the world and my reports do provide some form of exposure to the island,
It's an interesting coincidence that you posted this report shortly after I finished reading a number of articles on Montserrat's history. Quite fascinating, especially regarding the 1997 volcanic eruption and the abandonment of practically half the island including its capital Plymouth.
Quoting 817Dreamliiner (Thread starter): Arrived at the airport approx. 06:20 and made my way to terminal 3 via the sky walk.
The skylink is such an unmistakable landmark of MAN. I used to love walking through it back in the day when I would fly out of MAN all the time (my college years).
Quoting 817Dreamliiner (Thread starter): To those reading this, have you ever seen a condom machine in a Airport bathroom before? I've never notice this before! lol!
In fact I've seen this before (in the UK no less). It was at LPL's bathrooms.
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 17): It's an interesting coincidence that you posted this report shortly after I finished reading a number of articles on Montserrat's history. Quite fascinating, especially regarding the 1997 volcanic eruption and the abandonment of practically half the island including its capital Plymouth.
Interesting indeed! Its quite unfortunate losing the capital as well as most of the southern coast, but we've managed to settle comfortably on the northern side. We've also started building of the new town in Little Bay.
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 17): The skylink is such an unmistakable landmark of MAN. I used to love walking through it back in the day when I would fly out of MAN all the time (my college years).
I love walking through there as well! Though, Im not sure when ill be able to go through MAN airport again seeing as how BA are cutting the MAN-LGW flight.
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 17): In fact I've seen this before (in the UK no less). It was at LPL's bathrooms.
Interesting, Ive only noticed this now...
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 17): How nice! I just got back from there (SKB) a couple of days ago.
Really? Awesome. I hope you write a report
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 17): I wanted to fly with FlyMontserrat but at the end I couldn't make it work. I'd love to give this particular aircraft a shot.
Well, FlyMontserrat wouldn't be my choice of airline, They are a difficult bunch to deal with sometimes. However you do have the option of SVG air who operate the same aircraft on the route. Though, I still wished Winair still served MNI with their twin otters...
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 17): Thanks for sharing this with us. I hope you enjoyed your time back in Montserrat. Looking forward to hear how your return trip was.
Your Welcome! I did enjoy my time back in Montserrat. As for my return trip, it wasnt much to speak about, but was good nonetheless. I was gonna do a report on it, but decided against it since I already covered (just like this one) this same route and airline previously in September. However, if all goes to plan this year, we might see a different routing as well as different airlines There might also be a trip to JFK on AA's new 77W but nothing firm as of yet.
Thanks for your comment
[Edited 2013-01-01 14:04:10]
Blast Reality, Burst it into shreds! Banishment, This World!
jwhite9185 From United Kingdom, joined May 2007, 721 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (4 months 2 weeks 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 1369 times:
Hi there - good report again. And I'm glad you posted it, as its been a while since the last visit so good to get a refresh. Love the fact you managed to get the sign that said no cameras in one of your pics! They seem to be pretty hot on that in the Carribbean as when I was in BGI, I was told off for taking a few pictures on the ramp.
817Dreamliiner From Montserrat, joined Jul 2008, 1404 posts, RR: 1 Reply 20, posted (4 months 2 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 1342 times:
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 19): Hi there - good report again. And I'm glad you posted it, as its been a while since the last visit so good to get a refresh.
Thanks alot James! Was good to be back in MNI.
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 19): Love the fact you managed to get the sign that said no cameras in one of your pics! They seem to be pretty hot on that in the Carribbean as when I was in BGI, I was told off for taking a few pictures on the ramp.
Now that you mention it, ive actually never noticed that before. Ive always noticed the one in the immigration and customs hall but never that one, though ive never been told off yet in ANU as ive done this about 3 different times now!
Unfortunately there wont be a return part as originally planned, What happen was that the first flight took off alot later than expected out of MNI which resulted in no pictures. I really wanted to take some more pics of the volcano which are not so clear in this report, but would have be much clearer after departure in the early afternoon. Also I didnt get around taking too many pics of Montserrat as planned which would have been included in the second part (didnt have as much time as I would have liked), Also the BA flight to Gatwick was no different to my report in September (minus the upgrade and the flight to MAN). So I decided against writing the return, which I apologize for those looking forward to it. However, if all goes to plan for this year, we might see either different routing as well as different airlines or a trip to ANU via VS instead of BA. There might also be a trip to JFK on AA's new 77W but nothing firm as of yet.
Thanks for reading and commenting
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