FLIEGER67 From Bulgaria, joined Sep 2003, 4424 posts, RR: 56 Posted (5 months 4 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 7245 times:
"The blu-express for Europe´s Kai Tak/REG"
Ciao, dear readers,
Italia is in comparison to the last time definitely not that well covered this year.
Something to improve soon.
Are there any new departure airports not yet logged?.
Ok, maybe one or two!.
What about Reggio di Calabria/REG?.
These nice city southern side, where the whole political establishment is taken away from the business due to Mafia influence.
Nowadays the city is under protection from the calabrian government. All important decisions are taken there. Sounds interesting, at least for me!.
Interesting?. Well, I also made one of the most unpleasant experiences of the last time there.
A visit for the port, Sunday in the evening.
Unbelievable, there are thousands, so it looks like, african refugees on camping in self built beachhouses.
Trying to sell everything what you need or not.
And imagine how much people are around.
It feels like I need an hour or two from one end to the other, trapped inside the crowd and no chance to turn around. Water right hand side, walls left hand side.
I´am sure, every single transaction here is well covered and secured by the tax authority, of course!.
Service AF 2509 operated by Air France
Scheduled: 07.20 // 08.40
Yes, this is me, certainly!.
Catch the 6th departure of the whole day.
Wake up at 04.30 am. Gate 310 today, sorry, not only today, for this service
OLCI works well this time, done the afternoon before,
seats secured, no printout as usual, something for the kiosks at STR.
Four legs on one confirmation, that means 55.00 Euro´s for leg one and two per leg today.
Flugladen.de helps to secure the ticket this time.
Not that long to wait at security and
a shorty visit to AF´s lounge seems possible
This one spend the night at the gate
The A318 is on schedule and this is F-GUGQ.
Leg no. 15 on type and new to the log.
Since 11.01.2007 with AF. 18 examples are in the fleet
Cockpit crew is from France. The captain at the planes door during boarding and later on with a very nice welcome after boarding is completed partly in german language also.
No route or flightlevel info as expected.
07.20 am, ontime, 1 hour to go for "AirFrance" from runway 25.
6 degrees, clear sky and light fog, this is autumn, doubtless.
Cabin view with the dark blue fabric seats.
It´s clean so far
Well, the last row rule works perfectly.
23F and three for me.
Cabin crew is one really nice elder male and two female FA´s. One elder and ok, one middle aged and nice.
"Consignes de securite", sure
The load is 80%. Sunday morning means VFR and vacationeers, no suits to see at all.
Legroom is also available here, but somewhat lower than expected
Nice weather today for a smooth cruiseflight
Service a la francaise with biscuits as much as I like, thanx to the nice FA, especially for me together with water, coffee, tea
What a tiny, small airport down there
With one or two planes parked
And also these small village looks nice in the morning sun
Or is it maybe a little bit bigger than from the first view
Touchdown at the 2700 meters "Zero-Eight-Right" it´s 08.25 am, 15 minutes ahead to schedule. The temperature is 13 degrees, sunny. What a really warm welcome a la francaise.
Bye now for the babybus
Service Air France AF 9802 operated by Alitalia
Scheduled: 09.35 // 11.05
As later noticed this looks like the last time for the extra satellite connection by Skyteam inbound at T2D
and outbound at T2F.
Some meters to walk with a view like this
Well in time at the gate after a quick Sky Priority Check.
No news on the screen for gate F29
For the lounge, downstairs, please
Nice offers and an apron view from down under
Just a few other pax around
Sure a nice place for a short stay in between the flights
09.40 am, short after schedule, 1 hour, 15 minutes "Alitalia" bound for the hop above the alps.
Boarding now for the scheduled A321.
Leg 22 on type and new to the log.
In the air with AZ since 23.05.1995. 22 planes on type are operating under the Alitalia callsign
Cabin crew is one middle aged male FA, two middle aged women and also one younger female FA.
All together biz friendly and nothing special.
Much better the italian cockpit crew.
The captain with a really nice and detailed welcome during boarding.
All crew is presented by name.
3 pax are missing and that means baggage offloading.
Departure finally from the 4215 meters "Zero-Eight-Left", leaving 18 sunny degrees in Paris.
Bright grey leather seats and a really well used cabin.
What about checking the last row rule once again?.
36A and three for me in the end
Legroom is also not that impressive here
For your safety not in italian
Well, why not?
Cabin view, the load is some 90%. No suits to see again and lot´s of connecting pax
Service Classica
I don´t really want to know what happened here
At least there is some blue sky up in the air
MLH/BSL or who knows?
No flightlevel info.
Some clouds short to the alps
And perfect, the clouds are gone directly above the alps
And this is good for a couple of nice pictures
Glaciers
Welcome to Italia now. Touchdown at the 2442 meters runway "Three-Six", 10.55 am, ten minutes ahead to schedule, 22 degrees and high clouds only
Bye now for EI-IXC
Out in the public, there is no OLCI available for the next airline.
Well, that´s a somewhat special company and therefore nothing else expected!.
Service blu-express BV 2121 operated by Blue Panorama Airlines
Scheduled: 14.00 // 15.45
Yes, blu-express should take me further south for Reggio.
The ticket is fixed directly with the airlines website,
the fare 50 Euro´s.
A good time to wait in the narrow terminal with no views and also no nice places to sit till, so it seems, one counter is under preparation for my flight.
A supercute italian young woman, long black hair, at work, no sign at all on the screen, at least till now.
"Buongiorno, is this blu-ex for Regio?".
"Yes, it is", with a smile.
"Ok, my previous experience shows me free seating with the company?".
"Yes, that´s also the case today".
"Oh, no, I dislike free seating".
"Me, too".
"We should change that immediatelly".
"Yes, we should do it this way, that´s you´re boarding pass", with a smile again.
"Thank you and arrivederci!".
Well, after this nice experience and also close to no time to wait at security, I´am back in the gate area.
For a view this way, not to talk about the help of Diners
Leather chairs but no apron view
The bar
And the screen with, just by no surprise, a delay announced
Well, also in this case I decide to leave again not that long thereafter for a view around the gate.
A bus one, no question.
A thousand of people around till boarding starts.
Well, it´s hopefully not that long to fly down for Calabria.
Pictures also in this case, sure, as much as possible.
The logo view
The 734 is on schedule, but no, this is a 733
A real surprise when I check the history of I-BPAG.
This plane is in my log since years ago with Deutsche BA and a flight on the STR-NCE route.
It spend also some time in Bulgaria with Bulgaria Air prior to Blue Panorama.
The first service is recorded at 18.12.1997.
Leg no. 50 on type for me now by "Citta di Catania"
Two -300´s are in the fleet
Perfectly well maintained and not showing any signs of age. You know, there is these irony out button missing here!
2.50 pm and 50 minutes late is the final time to leave LIN. 1 hour, 30 minutes by "Blue Panorama Airlines" for Calabria.
Well, at least it flies
The load is 80%, VFR traffic, no more foreigners to notice at all. Also a nun decides to travel by blu-ex today. So what should go wrong!.
And the most strange thing is the boarding procedure.
There are two busses operating. The first bus stops only at the front door, the second one at the rear door.
Pax are not allowed to walk along the apron.
The consequence is sure ok this way. The plane filled up from the front and also the rear door and in the middle part of the cabin is a full row open for me also with late boarding.
15A and three for me again here, that fit´s!.
Seat view, dark blue leather
And also the cabin
These seats are really worn out and the legrom is also missing
Cabin crew is two female FA´s, one middle aged, one younger and also two male FA´s, both younger.
All together biz friendly to say it in a positive way.
Nicaragua, not really on my view till now
Per la vostra sicurezza, sure
Cockpit crew is from Italy, the captain with a nice welcome during taxi and a delay apologize.
The reason?. The late inbound aircraft, sure nothing else expected!.
No route, nor flightlevel info.
Departure from "Three-Six" like arrivals with 26 degrees and clear sky.
And not only the plane is blue!
Some clouds also on the way
That´s an superstrange offer. Espresso with electronic cigarette especially on long haul services
And now the menu
No service cart to see, if you want to order anything you should press the call button and the FA´s coming to your seat.
Certainly, the electronic cigarettes are on offer
Reaching Calabria
No, wait, that´s Sicily at the other side of the Stretto
But now, Calabria ahead
This is it
Italia both sides of the wing now
Leaving Sicily and Messina
Traffic down there
Flying along the Stretto
Reggio left hand side
Perfect guidance by some FB friends told me to take my seat here. Why?.
This is a superspecial approach, certainly Kai Tak style.
Low level along the airport
Turning left
Slow and low
Slower and lower
Not that the pilot decides for an straight in approach, no way!.
Along the runway directly for the mountains
No turn till now
A sharp right turn
And an even sharper left turn followed directly
Very close to the mountains
And we´re anyway not that really on the approach path
Low level above the houses
We should turn left now
Or not?
Final corrections
Close to touchdown
1996 meters or runway "Three-Three" welcomes me to Calabria
4.20 pm, 35 minutes late. 26 partly cloudy degrees here.
Turning and backtracking
The terminal
Palm trees, nice
Bye now for "Cita di Catania"
Under the wing. Sure not to miss
Palm trees and the blue nose
The sicilian mountains in the distance
Out in the public a couple of minutes later,
where my personal shuttle waited.
The nice owner of my accomodation, Best Season
send one of his relatives to pick me up.
Thanx and well done, again.
So, not that long to drive till the Bed and Breakfast directly in the old town.
Sure something recommendable for real italian city life
The entrance
On the way for my room
This is it
The bathroom
And the place to spend the, well, short night
What about a view downtown?.
This is close to the cathedral
Palms at the seafront
A view for Sicily in the evening
Walking down the seafront
Fisherman at work
Nice historic buildings together with strange arts
And what´s this?
Well, this should be explained with the next story,
together with some more flights like this:
Online in a couple of days, if nothing goes wrong!.
Wait, the conclusions are missing:
Air France STR-CDG: Superscenic Paris approach.
Alitalia CDG-LIN: Calm and superb views above the alps.
blu-express LIN-REG: Now that´s a fantastic approach.
Ciao per ora,
comments welcome,
FLIEGER67 or "Markus Klaus Felger" by Facebook.
CARST From Germany, joined Jul 2006, 711 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (5 months 4 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 7041 times:
Hi Markus,
nice story and a very rare airport. Can't remember reading a TR about that place. The last airplane really looked worn out, hope it felt safe at least. Do they have beaches down there? Looks for a nice place for a weekend in the European summer...
debonair From Germany, joined Jan 2004, 2114 posts, RR: 4 Reply 4, posted (5 months 4 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 6961 times:
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): Service blu-express BV 2121 operated by Blue Panorama Airlines
Scheduled: 14.00 // 15.45
Nice TR! I flew this year blu-express as well. But quite the opposite experience - flight on time, full free beverage service and operated by MD80Q of TEN AIRWAYS (YR-MDK).
Let's see how long they will survive - as Blue Panorama is under bankruptcy protection.
airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 4068 posts, RR: 51 Reply 5, posted (5 months 4 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 6927 times:
Hi Markus,
good to see your report again here. A nice trip to sunny Italy.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): Legroom is also available here, but somewhat lower than expected
Indeed, also my impression, A318 has a bit tighter legroom but I do like the seats.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 1): As later noticed this looks like the last time for the extra satellite connection by Skyteam inbound at T2D
and outbound at T2F.
What you mean exactly? My last trip I was parked on the T2D satellite apron, bussed to T2G for my transfer from T2F
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 1): I don´t really want to know what happened here
Looks like a delicious pasta bolognese inflight meal
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 1): That´s an superstrange offer. Espresso with electronic cigarette especially on long haul services
When we've to believe on the pictures, you get the espresso in nice real cups.
FLIEGER67 From Bulgaria, joined Sep 2003, 4424 posts, RR: 56 Reply 6, posted (5 months 4 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 6888 times:
Hey and good to follow these comments.
@C.:
Quoting CARST (Reply 3):
nice story and a very rare airport. Can't remember reading a TR about that place. The last airplane really looked worn out, hope it felt safe at least. Do they have beaches down there? Looks for a nice place for a weekend in the European summer...
Thank you and sure lots of nice beaches not that far from Reggio.
@d.:
Quoting debonair (Reply 4):
Nice TR! I flew this year blu-express as well. But quite the opposite experience - flight on time, full free beverage service and operated by MD80Q of TEN AIRWAYS (YR-MDK).
Let's see how long they will survive - as Blue Panorama is under bankruptcy protection.
Thank you and good to know about these Romanian registered MD.
Also my impression with Blue Pan, we will see.
@E.:
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 5):
good to see your report again here. A nice trip to sunny Italy.
Thank you.
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 5):
Indeed, also my impression, A318 has a bit tighter legroom but I do like the seats.
Sure ok on short flights.
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 5): What you mean exactly? My last trip I was parked on the T2D satellite apron, bussed to T2G for my transfer from T2F
STR flights are shifted to T2F, so my last experiences are intra T2F connections.
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 5):
Looks like a delicious pasta bolognese inflight meal
Or something like this!.
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 5):
When we've to believe on the pictures, you get the espresso in nice real cups.
CaptainRed From Germany, joined Oct 2010, 588 posts, RR: 19 Reply 8, posted (5 months 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 6767 times:
Hi Markus,
another great report, well done and with some nice pictures. Certainly an interesting experience with blu-express here And wow, that approach into REG is for sure spectacular with the mountains and the sea around and all these low-level turns. Must be fun for the pilots as well. And lucky for you that you got a window seat on this side of the plane, despite the free seating. Does blu-express has anything like priority boarding or so?
Finally nice pictures from Reggio here, looks good with this Mediterranean atmosphere.
FLIEGER67 From Bulgaria, joined Sep 2003, 4424 posts, RR: 56 Reply 9, posted (5 months 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 6703 times:
Hi, more comments, nice.
@R.:
Quoting roberts87 (Reply 7):
Excellent report as always. That for sure is a stunning approach into REG, I think I need to do that too one day!
Looking forward to the return part!
Thank you and that´s for sure recommendable.
@M.:
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 8):
another great report, well done and with some nice pictures. Certainly an interesting experience with blu-express here And wow, that approach into REG is for sure spectacular with the mountains and the sea around and all these low-level turns. Must be fun for the pilots as well. And lucky for you that you got a window seat on this side of the plane, despite the free seating. Does blu-express has anything like priority boarding or so?
Finally nice pictures from Reggio here, looks good with this Mediterranean atmosphere.
Thank you and don´t noticed any priority boarding action with blu-ex.
MSS658 From Belgium, joined Oct 2010, 2256 posts, RR: 14 Reply 10, posted (5 months 3 weeks 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 5473 times:
Bonjourno Markus
Great Christmas morning read, thanks for sharing it with us!
I really liked the alps pics! very nice.
Interesting to read about Blu Express as well, good too see you logged the 737 classic.
Great Christmas morning read, thanks for sharing it with us!
I really liked the alps pics! very nice.
Interesting to read about Blu Express as well, good too see you logged the 737 classic.
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6115 posts, RR: 56 Reply 12, posted (5 months 3 weeks 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 5180 times:
Hi Markus !
Thanks for a nice report with nice pictures !
Flights look okay although Blu-express's legroom seems very tight.
Approach to REG seems really interesting ! That must have been an amazing experience!
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
sultanils From Belgium, joined Mar 2010, 1215 posts, RR: 29 Reply 15, posted (5 months 3 weeks 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 5020 times:
Hello Markus,
Glad to see a next one here! That approach into REG is certainly exciting and good to follow through the window. Too bad you weren't up front, that would've even been better. Blu Panorama seems like nothing special, at least your flight was on time (that doesn't happen too often apparently) but a pity you've been on this frame before on a former operator. Another A318 on AF (I'm jealous!) and a nice AZ Embraer into LIN, all good!
FLIEGER67 From Bulgaria, joined Sep 2003, 4424 posts, RR: 56 Reply 16, posted (5 months 3 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 4983 times:
Hi, N.,
Quoting sultanils (Reply 15):
Glad to see a next one here! That approach into REG is certainly exciting and good to follow through the window. Too bad you weren't up front, that would've even been better. Blu Panorama seems like nothing special, at least your flight was on time (that doesn't happen too often apparently) but a pity you've been on this frame before on a former operator. Another A318 on AF (I'm jealous!) and a nice AZ Embraer into LIN, all good!
Thank you and count me in with the surprise when I´ve noticed this particular B733 in the log with DBA.
adamspotter From Netherlands, joined Feb 2011, 818 posts, RR: 2 Reply 17, posted (5 months 3 weeks 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 4937 times:
Hi Markus!
Another nice report as usual. Looks like you had a couple of nice flights although Blu-Express doesn't impress all too well with the legroom and interior. That approach to REG looks very cool!
Another nice report as usual. Looks like you had a couple of nice flights although Blu-Express doesn't impress all too well with the legroom and interior. That approach to REG looks very cool!
reifel From Germany, joined Feb 2005, 1155 posts, RR: 1 Reply 19, posted (5 months 3 weeks 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 4806 times:
Hi Markus,
thanks a lot for sharing. While I heard of REG already, its always nice to read and get pictures. There are videos on the web as well for those who are interested.
Excellent to read about Bluexpress. These Italian Airlines. I recall Alpi Eagles, all very strange airlines...
Looking forward as you are a very frequent AF flyer to tell us how connecting Schengen-Schengen in 2F is like now and if CDG for intraschengen flight is becoming a real alternative to other more "easy" airports. I believe even if it does, CDG has a very bad reputation to get rid from. Hope they're on a good way as I somehow like this airport.
FLIEGER67 From Bulgaria, joined Sep 2003, 4424 posts, RR: 56 Reply 20, posted (5 months 3 weeks 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 4523 times:
Hi, F.,
Quoting reifel (Reply 19): thanks a lot for sharing. While I heard of REG already, its always nice to read and get pictures. There are videos on the web as well for those who are interested.
Excellent to read about Bluexpress. These Italian Airlines. I recall Alpi Eagles, all very strange airlines...
Thank you and REG it´s for sure a recommendable place to visit.
Quoting reifel (Reply 19):
Looking forward as you are a very frequent AF flyer to tell us how connecting Schengen-Schengen in 2F is like now and if CDG for intraschengen flight is becoming a real alternative to other more "easy" airports. I believe even if it does, CDG has a very bad reputation to get rid from. Hope they're on a good way as I somehow like this airport.
Coming up soon with the story already on the production line.
infodesk From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 1256 posts, RR: 33 Reply 21, posted (5 months 2 weeks 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 3896 times:
Hi Markus,
Ok. Now I know what you meant when you said the approach into REG was fantastic. That must have been such a great experience.
Certainly an interesting boarding method on Blu Express, perhaps other carriers should try this. Did they say which bus was going to stop at the front and which at the back?
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): The captain at the planes door during boarding and later on with a very nice welcome after boarding is completed partly in german language also.
No route or flightlevel info as expected.
The captain at the door on AF: very unusual
No route or flightlevel info on AF: not unusual!
What super photos you took over the Alps. That last one is of the Rhone glacier. The Furka pass road is the one that almost touches the glacier and the Grimsel pass road at the bottom of the picture. The lake in the background is the Göschneralpsee. Done some lovely walks in that area.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 2): A supercute italian young woman, long black hair, at work, no sign at all on the screen, at least till now.
"Buongiorno, is this blu-ex for Regio?".
"Yes, it is", with a smile.
"Ok, my previous experience shows me free seating with the company?".
"Yes, that´s also the case today".
"Oh, no, I dislike free seating".
"Me, too".
"We should change that immediatelly".
"Yes, we should do it this way, that´s you´re boarding pass", with a smile again.
"Thank you and arrivederci!".
Working your charm again were you?
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 2): Also a nun decides to travel by blu-ex today. So what should go wrong!.
And the most strange thing is the boarding procedure.
Ok. Now I know what you meant when you said the approach into REG was fantastic. That must have been such a great experience.
Certainly an interesting boarding method on Blu Express, perhaps other carriers should try this. Did they say which bus was going to stop at the front and which at the back?
Thank you and they don´t told us where the bus stops, but it seems the idea itself is not that bad.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 21):
Just out of interest, does it always work ex STR?
It seems so.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 21):
The captain at the door on AF: very unusual
No route or flightlevel info on AF: not unusual!
You know it´s a somewhat special company!.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 21):
That lounge looks rather fine. Maybe I should plan some flights connecting there!
Good idea.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 21):
Seems to be more than just spilt tea!
Quoting infodesk (Reply 21):
What super photos you took over the Alps. That last one is of the Rhone glacier. The Furka pass road is the one that almost touches the glacier and the Grimsel pass road at the bottom of the picture. The lake in the background is the Göschneralpsee. Done some lovely walks in that area.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 21):
I never object to seeing a nun onboard!
Me, too till this flight.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 21):
Strange that you're allowed to smoke them during the flight. At ZRH for example they can only be used in the smoking areas.
Really strange also from my point of view.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 21):
And don't forget the lovely blue sky.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): A real surprise when I check the history of I-BPAG.
This plane is in my log since years ago with Deutsche BA and a flight on the STR-NCE route
I always like to find out about the history of the planes I'm flying with. Sometimes - as you did here - you'll find out that you had been on it already.
FLIEGER67 From Bulgaria, joined Sep 2003, 4424 posts, RR: 56 Reply 24, posted (5 months 1 week 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 3301 times:
Hi, J.,
Quoting LXM83 (Reply 23): Very nice report. I once had the pleasure to experience the REG approach - and it is indeed spectacular.
Thank you and good to know.
Quoting LXM83 (Reply 23):
Such a civilized time for you!
Just for a change!.
Quoting LXM83 (Reply 23): I always like to find out about the history of the planes I'm flying with. Sometimes - as you did here - you'll find out that you had been on it already.
Count me in this way. And sometimes like here it´s a real surprise.
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