FLIEGER67 From Bulgaria, joined Sep 2003, 4423 posts, RR: 56 Posted (5 months 2 weeks 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 6148 times:
"Something new and red for the spanish sky"
Hola, dear readers,
there is a new spanish airline operational since late last year.
Something new means something interesting for me.
There is also the open return from a couple of flights ex Madrid.
That fit´s perfectly to count this new airline and also a new departure airport is finally selected for this trip.
I´am on the way for the airport again.
The Swiss way, of course!.
Sunday, 07.10.2012
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.
.
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Service Swiss LX 1177 operated by Swiss European Airlines
Scheduled: 10.55 // 11.45
Now this is an unusual departure time for me.
Sunday close to noon, but well, the ticket is fixed this way. By Lastminute.de this time, the fare with legs one and two today = 35.00 Euro´s. Real good, isn´t it?.
Leaving the homebase a little later than planned at 09.00 am, parked the car at P0 as usual nowadays and onwards for the terminal. The nice woman at the Star Gold Counter printed two boarding passes, seats are selected in advance during OLCI. More pax on the way than expected but nevertheless an quick security check and upstairs for the lounge.
A client is also on the way and so we had a short Senator lounge meeting. Therefore only a swiftly picture about the few offers today
Just by surprise he is also on the very same plane like me, good for some more chat on the way.
Down for the bus gates, 162 today, nothing else expected with the Avro 100 on schedule.
Cockpit crew is from Switzerland, the captain with a nice welcome during boarding and the information that it is impossible with the fully load to store all the so called cabin bags really in the cabin. Some bags are to select for the cargo compartment and later on with a very nice take-off announcement. He wishes us and the whole crew a good flight.
11.05 am, 10 minutes late, me and "Euroswiss" on the
35 minutes only for ZRH. Departure from "Two-Five".
14 degrees and heavy rain, no apron pictures. How I dislike it.
This is a view for the cabin. The load is very close to 100%. Lots of biz travellers around.
Sure ok with me in the last row, 21A and two seats for me here
The legroom is ok with the dark grey, clean so far, leather seats
Cabin crew is two female FA´s, one elder, nice and one middle aged, large, cute with long brown hair, really nice.
The necessary safety instructions
Florence, been there, like it, at least during the few off- season weeks
Service is water bottles and the Swiss chocolate´s.
That looks like a gap in the wing, isn´t it?
There is really a gap, but in the cloud layer for some seconds only. No flightlevel info
The FO is on the mike with a short close to touchdown info.
3300 meters or runway "One-Four" welcomes me to ZRH. 13 degrees, wet after rain and 11.50 am, short after schedule.
ZRH just a little late
And bye now to HB-IYT, as later noticed.
Leg no. 14 on type. Something new for the log?.
No, is was also the plane for the very first flight on these type, BSL-BUD, years ago.
"Vrenelisgärtli", not that this name sounds like with any relation to Switzerland!.
First in the air with Cityflyer Express from 26.01.2001,
later on for British Airways CitiExpress and finally with Swiss European. 20 planes on type are in the actual fleet
A bus delivered us for the terminal.
Where my personal terminal guide welcomed me
at the entrance to ZRH airside.
Well, much to the surprise of my client!.
No extra security needed and ready to go
for the next gate with much to few time in between for all the important things to chat!.
. Service LX 2026 operated by Swiss
Scheduled: 12.25 // 14.45
In no time we´re at my next gate. B39,
well these guide knows the way like at home!.
This is it, HB-IJN, the A320 like on schedule
Leg no. 92 on type. New to the log. Really?. Really!.
"Vanil Noir", ok that sounds not so Swiss like the first one!. In service since 20.12.1996 with Swissair and Swiss. 23 examples are in the actual fleet.
"Einsteigen". Really, so fast, I need more time here
No chance for a lounge visit with this short connection time.
I´am the very last pax to board after a couple of Bye- Bye´s.
And well, the self service gate doesn´t accept my boarding pass.
A good change or a bad one?.
Well, with this guidance only a good one is possible!.
Upgraded for C class, my new seat 6F is sure ok this way
Cockpit crew is from Switzerland, the FO is pilot flying today. The captain is in the cabin, face to face with his passengers after boarding is completed and wishes us a good flight. He´s also at the door during disembarking later on, impressive.
Also the FO welcomes us during taxi short and nice.
He´s on the mike again inflight and once more very nice during approach.
12.35 am, ten minutes late, 1 hour, 45 minutes for Espagna.
"Swiss" on departure from the 2500 meters "Two-Eight", 13 degrees and wet after rain here.
This Avro shuttled me to ZRH
Forward cabin view.
The load is very close to 100%, lot´s of Asian pax from overnight connecting flights on the plane
Cabin crew serving biz is one nice, senior female FA, together with an also really nice young male FA.
Eco is served by a young and nice girl together with an also nice young male FA.
Safety instructions again
Legroom is sure generous here with the dark grey leather seats. It´s clean so far
There is a middle aged asian woman in the aisle seat, the middle seat is open of course.
Row 6 is the last row in biz.
The very nice senior FA talked to us frequently and also informed us that with the number of upgrades, there are two C class meals only left.
Vegetarian pasta and something with meat.
Well, I´am the polite guy, you know.
The first choice for the asian woman:
"It´s both good for me".
So, in this case the vegetarian pasta for me, please
Well, I usually don´t eat that much, if ever, in a plane. But this time the meal looks so delicious, no chance to stay away!.
Of course, the Swiss chocolates are also on offer.
Not the usual engine view for me
Routing is GVA-LYS-TLS-Saragossa at maxmium 36000 feet.
Some or mainly clouds down there above France
The clouds are gone as soon as we reach Espagna
Close to MAD
Touchdown at the 3500 meters "Three-Two-Right". 2.35 pm, ten minutes ahead to schedule and 25 sunny degrees.
Bye now for Swiss
I should fly something like these red prop on taxi somedays
IB/NT just arrived in the distance
Mexico, sure, but not on Aeromexico for me the next time
Well, looking forward to one more lounge visit right now!.
Service H9 814 operated by Helitt Lineas Aereas
Scheduled: 19.00 // 20.15
This ticket is fixed directly via the Helitt website.
Two legs on one confirmation, the fare with the third flight today, 40.00 Euro´s is sure ok.
OLCI is also available, therefore no need to leave the gate area.
The Sala Vip Puerto de Alcala is the way to go for me now
Also with a cheapo Helitt ticket?.
Sure, with the help of Diners!.
Egyptair guarded by Air Europa
This is the Ex-Spanair lounge
The classic LOT for Warsaw
Lots of open seaters and a few pax only.
Imagine something like this at FRA´s Senator place
One more of these black nosed red machines
I need to do this somedays
Or what about this
A very white MD, maybe Swiftair
All pictured from the lounge, sure a good place this way.
My flight seems ok from gate D55
Classic times, Turkish cargo and the A310
Boarding is called by bus. Just a few pax for the ride around the apron
Yes, that´s what I´am looking for
Or what about this one?
No, I´am gonna stay with the red example
Ah, yes, Helitt
Just to capture the registration.
This is EC-LNQ, the AT72 like on schedule.
Leg no. 23 on type and yes, for sure, definitely, new to the log!.
This bird is a former CSA machine and with some of them covered, I´am lucky to have a new reg here.
In the air since 22.05.1992, one of three in the fleet
24 degrees, sunny and warm in the afternoon. That´s the perfect weather for apron boarding action, isn´t it?
6.55 pm, short ahead to schedule, 1 hour, 15 minutes
for me and "Alboran" now.
That´s longer than expected.
Bright grey refurbished leather seats. The cabin is really well used
Service crew is one young and really nice male FA,
together with one much more Sudamericana than Espagna style young woman.
Large, slim, black hair, well, the power at the right place. "Guapo"!.
Racing the Air Europa plane
Taking over
Cockpit crew is from Spain, the captain with a short welcome at the runway entrance.
No route info. Flightlevel maximum is 20000 feet.
Not to talk about the Air Europa machine on departure from the 4349 meters "Three-Six-Left" in front of us!
Cabin view. The load is 60%. Not that many suits to see
Legroom is ok here. Seat 7F and two for me
The new style security card
Menu a bordo/Buy on board together with some sweets later on
One menu per direction
Helitt´s magazine
Cruising in the afternoon
Not that long after departure
Heading south western side
Me and the engine
The sun is going down
The cabin shows some signs of age
Not far from my destination now
Seat detail
Flat land close to the portuguese border
This is an agricultural area
Finals
And welcome to Badajoz and the 2850 meters runway "Three-One".
8.00 pm, 15 minutes ahead to schedule, no clouds, 28 degrees. That´s what I´am looking for.
Bye now for Helitt, just a nice meeting, definitely
May we meet again, who knows?
The modern style terminal in the middle of nowhere
In the middle of nowhere?. Oh yes, that´s much more in the middle of nowhere than expected.
It´s Sunday evening and no, it´s not coincidental the wrong day. There is simply no public transport option to and from the airport.
The only possible way is to rent a car with a horrible out of office time fee. But not with me, no way.
Take a taxi, as simple as it is.
Sure a smart idea, Mr.Flieger67, but well, as long as there is a taxi available.
The few locals take their own cars and minutes thereafter I´am alone with an elder, maybe french business man. Who, so it looks like, is searching unsuccessfully for the telephone number of a local taxi company and another senior spanish business man also doing phone calls.
Well, where I am?.
My travel book shows me a taxi number,
but the woman at the other end doesn´t speak english and hang up.
Should I spend the night here?.
The senior biz man talked to me in very rural english that he called for a cab and we agreed, that he will ask if it´s possible for me to join the cab.
Well, that was a real positive experience in the end.
The driver runs along my hotel, just by coincidence, on the way for his final destination and a good tip later all of us are satisfied!.
Welcome to Gran Hotel Casino Extremadura
Where the supernice, young guy at the front desk knows about my room request by mail and offered me an upgrade, top level for a suite
Well, just in this case, accepted!
Spacious enough for much more guests than me alone
The bathroom
It´s just a couple of meters to walk till the bridge above the river Guadiana
With superb nightly views for the old town
It´s a long bridge
And well illuminated
The door for the old town
Close to the cathedral
The cathedral
Also nicely illuminated
These sunshades looking like really special in the night
In different colours
The rear side of the cathedral
The tower
What a nice idea
But just a few other people on the streets
Feels somewhat unreal for Espagna. The economic situation?
Close to the Alcazaba
The entrance for the Plaza Alta
Architecture al Extremadura
Superb
Well renovated
A warm and calm night here.
Well, I´am used to this kind of climate
One of the local offices around the Plaza
The whole Plaza
The Giralda de Badajoz
And the Museo de Bellas Artes
The Convento de Santa Ana
And one of the official buildings
Leaving the same door that welcomed me some time ago
Well, what about the time?.
Oh, I should walk back to enjoy my suite and another one of these shorty travel nights now immediatelly!.
Conclusions anyone?:
Swiss European STR-ZRH: Short and comfy beside the weather.
Swiss ZRH-MAD: More upgrades, please!.
Helitt MAD-BJZ: Calm and relaxed.
More pictures and flights like this
coming up, if nothing goes wrong, soon!.
But in the first place, great thanx to my ZRH terminal guide!.
Hasta luego,
comments welcome,
FLIEGER67 or "Markus Klaus Felger" by Facebook!.
rogerbcn From Andorra, joined Sep 2006, 1140 posts, RR: 19 Reply 3, posted (5 months 2 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 5976 times:
Hola Markus!
Nice to see you have already flown Hellit airlines, I've been looking at their schedules from Barcelona but had no chance to book a ticket yet. They fly to Badajoz as well.
Nice upgrade from the Swiss friends.... great! Especially on this route where they serve a proper meal.
DALCE From Netherlands, joined Feb 2007, 1596 posts, RR: 7 Reply 4, posted (5 months 2 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 5939 times:
Hi Markus,
Good to see you riding SWISS again Somehow I have a special feeling for LX, something with employment etc
It has been a while since a posted some replies, but I will post more often again now!
Nice routing especially the final part on an airline I never heard of!
thanks for sharing!
Cheers,
Joost
flown on : F50,F70,CR1,CR2,CR9,E75,143,AR8,AR1,733,735,736,73G,738,753,744,319,320,321,333,AB6.
reifel From Germany, joined Feb 2005, 1153 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (5 months 2 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 5714 times:
Hi Markus,
nice to read about Badajoz, This place looks really beautiful!
Congrats for the upgrade, I guess it's good news on a "longer" flight like this, and the meal looked okay.
Hellitt is nothing special I believe but I found them somehow "calm" as well. Could fly them from MAD to BIO some weeks ago, where there where operating for Air Europa. I remember the cabin was more comfy and looked well maintained, they seem to have different interiors. Crew had grey Hellitt uniform and the flight was fine enough. Just that I missed my connecting flighz to Tenerife, but not sure if I can fault Helitt (i.e. their crew being late) or UX...
FLIEGER67 From Bulgaria, joined Sep 2003, 4423 posts, RR: 56 Reply 6, posted (5 months 2 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 5682 times:
Hey and good to see some comments.
@R.:
Quoting rogerbcn (Reply 3):
Nice to see you have already flown Hellit airlines, I've been looking at their schedules from Barcelona but had no chance to book a ticket yet. They fly to Badajoz as well.
Thank you and Badajoz and also the area around is sure worth another visit.
Quoting rogerbcn (Reply 3): Nice upgrade from the Swiss friends.... great! Especially on this route where they serve a proper meal.
Quoting rogerbcn (Reply 3):
All the best in the coming year 2013!
Sure ok with the LX upgrade and also the very best for 2013 to you.
@J.:
Quoting DALCE (Reply 4):
Good to see you riding SWISS again Somehow I have a special feeling for LX, something with employment etc
It has been a while since a posted some replies, but I will post more often again now!
Nice routing especially the final part on an airline I never heard of!
Thank you and good to know with the reports.
@F.:
Quoting reifel (Reply 5):
nice to read about Badajoz, This place looks really beautiful!
Thank you.
Quoting reifel (Reply 5):
Hellitt is nothing special I believe but I found them somehow "calm" as well. Could fly them from MAD to BIO some weeks ago, where there where operating for Air Europa. I remember the cabin was more comfy and looked well maintained, they seem to have different interiors. Crew had grey Hellitt uniform and the flight was fine enough. Just that I missed my connecting flighz to Tenerife, but not sure if I can fault Helitt (i.e. their crew being late) or UX...
Sure also my impression, different crews but ok in the end.
Quoting reifel (Reply 5): Congrats for the upgrade, I guess it's good news on a "longer" flight like this, and the meal looked okay
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6115 posts, RR: 56 Reply 7, posted (5 months 2 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 5679 times:
Hi Markus !
Thanks for another nice report on a small unknown airline for me.
Very nice of LX to upgrade you and food looks great!
Very good to try Hellitt and Badajoz looks very scenic even at night!
Looking forward to your next report!
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6211 posts, RR: 79 Reply 8, posted (5 months 2 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 5640 times:
Servus Markus,
interesting report which features a really exotic airline. Good to hear about the upgrade.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): "Vanil Noir", ok that sounds not so Swiss like the first one!
HB-IJN is now named "Crans-Montana". Most mountain names have already been replaced.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): Well, I usually don´t eat that much, if ever, in a plane. But this time the meal looks so delicious, no chance to stay away!.
roberts87 From Netherlands, joined Dec 2011, 675 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (5 months 2 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 5597 times:
Nice report as always Markus. Nice to try out a new airline and congrats on the upgrade - the meals looks delicious! Badajoz looks like a cute little town!
MH017 From Netherlands, joined Apr 2005, 1633 posts, RR: 33 Reply 11, posted (5 months 2 weeks 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 5516 times:
Hi Markus,
You sure know how to choose your destinations !!!
Badajoz ? (never heard of it before)...but, what a nice surprise: as your pictures show, it's really a nice place to visit, esp. at night with these illuminations !!!
FLIEGER67 From Bulgaria, joined Sep 2003, 4423 posts, RR: 56 Reply 12, posted (5 months 2 weeks 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 5495 times:
Hey, more comments, nice.
@R.:
Quoting roberts87 (Reply 10): Nice report as always Markus. Nice to try out a new airline and congrats on the upgrade - the meals looks delicious! Badajoz looks like a cute little town!
Thank you.
@P.:
Quoting MH017 (Reply 11):
You sure know how to choose your destinations !!!
Badajoz ? (never heard of it before)...but, what a nice surprise: as your pictures show, it's really a nice place to visit, esp. at night with these illuminations !!!
Helitt; guess, it's a 1st here on A.net TR (?)
Well done !!! Looking forward to more in 2013
Thank you and sure Badajoz is one of these unknown places worth a visit.
Great to read from such "exotic" little Spanish airline. I was thinking to book them as well, unfortunately, their schedule and departure airports (like flights from PMI) changed in the past more than I change my underwear! Just joking...
CaptainRed From Germany, joined Oct 2010, 588 posts, RR: 19 Reply 14, posted (5 months 2 weeks 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 4471 times:
Hi Markus,
another good one here, nice to read something about Helitt, seems to be an ok little airline. And Swiss, good as expected, congrats of course for the upgrade. And the food they served looked indeed good.
I have done the exact same route with Swiss about 10 years ago and was also quite impressed back then by their service.
And finally nice to see some pictures of Badajoz, I have to admit that I had to look it up on the map first. Really in the middle of nowhere, seems to be a hidden gem.
Quoting debonair (Reply 13):
Great to read from such "exotic" little Spanish airline. I was thinking to book them as well, unfortunately, their schedule and departure airports (like flights from PMI) changed in the past more than I change my underwear! Just joking...
So, lucky me in this case with no changes at all!.
@M.:
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 14): nother good one here, nice to read something about Helitt, seems to be an ok little airline. And Swiss, good as expected, congrats of course for the upgrade. And the food they served looked indeed good.
I have done the exact same route with Swiss about 10 years ago and was also quite impressed back then by their service.
Thank you.
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 14):
And finally nice to see some pictures of Badajoz, I have to admit that I had to look it up on the map first. Really in the middle of nowhere, seems to be a hidden gem.
infodesk From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 1256 posts, RR: 33 Reply 16, posted (5 months 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 4255 times:
Hi Markus,
Well, this is the perfect way to end 2012, reading your report and being reminded of what those longer, sun-filled days (well, at least in the south!) are like. I'm really impressed by Badajoz. Your evening photos are really lovely, so many impressive buildings to see. The airport looks nice too and of course the hotel. Wow, that was some suite you ended up with.
Congrats on catching Helitt, certainly something out of the ordinary even here.
LX impresses again, especially with that upgrade. The pilots are usually very chatty, something I really appreciate and set an example which other carriers could follow.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 1): In no time we´re at my next gate. B39,
well these guide knows the way like at home!.
Could find the way in my sleep....
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 1): "Vanil Noir", ok that sounds not so Swiss like the first one!.
Well, you have to keep all the linguistic groups happy! A mountain in the French part, you can walk up but it has a dangerous part & I've heard of walkers falling to their deaths on it before.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 1): "Einsteigen". Really, so fast, I need more time here
So book a longer layover next time!
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 1): I´am the very last pax to board after a couple of Bye- Bye´s.
Only a couple? Are you sure? I though there were more
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): Well, I usually don´t eat that much, if ever, in a plane. But this time the meal looks so delicious, no chance to stay away!.
Now that meal really does look delicious. Much better than what I got in C last time.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): 24 degrees, sunny and warm in the afternoon. That´s the perfect weather for apron boarding action, isn´t it?
FLIEGER67 From Bulgaria, joined Sep 2003, 4423 posts, RR: 56 Reply 17, posted (5 months 2 weeks 5 days ago) and read 4119 times:
Hoi, H.,
Quoting infodesk (Reply 16):
Well, this is the perfect way to end 2012, reading your report and being reminded of what those longer, sun-filled days (well, at least in the south!) are like. I'm really impressed by Badajoz. Your evening photos are really lovely, so many impressive buildings to see. The airport looks nice too and of course the hotel. Wow, that was some suite you ended up with.
Congrats on catching Helitt, certainly something out of the ordinary even here.
LX impresses again, especially with that upgrade. The pilots are usually very chatty, something I really appreciate and set an example which other carriers could follow.
Thank you and for sure the Extremadura part of Spain is well uncovered here.
And also my impression with LX and the pilots, real good.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 16):
Well, you have to keep all the linguistic groups happy! A mountain in the French part, you can walk up but it has a dangerous part & I've heard of walkers falling to their deaths on it before.
You´re also the expert here.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 16):
So book a longer layover next time!
Will do so.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 16):
Only a couple? Are you sure? I though there were more
Ok, two or three more!.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 16):
Now that meal really does look delicious. Much better than what I got in C last time.
adamspotter From Netherlands, joined Feb 2011, 813 posts, RR: 2 Reply 19, posted (5 months 2 weeks 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 3568 times:
Hi Markus!
Another nice report and pictures as usual!
Great to read a report on Hellitt, thanks for the insight.
Badajoz looks quite interesting, love all the lights!
FLIEGER67 From Bulgaria, joined Sep 2003, 4423 posts, RR: 56 Reply 20, posted (5 months 2 weeks 3 days ago) and read 3487 times:
Hey, more comments, nice.
@M.:
Quoting MSS658 (Reply 18):
Another great report, thanks for sharing
Nice to learn about Hellit
I think the BOB is quite funny but diverse
Thank you and also my impression with the BoB offers.
@B.:
Quoting adamspotter (Reply 19):
Another nice report and pictures as usual!
Great to read a report on Hellitt, thanks for the insight.
Badajoz looks quite interesting, love all the lights!
sultanils From Belgium, joined Mar 2010, 1211 posts, RR: 29 Reply 21, posted (5 months 2 weeks 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 3353 times:
Hello Markus,
Sure an interesting story, featuring ‘something red’ from Spain. Well, it was also ‘something white and red’ from Swiss An upgrade is always welcome as well!
FLIEGER67 From Bulgaria, joined Sep 2003, 4423 posts, RR: 56 Reply 22, posted (5 months 2 weeks 2 days ago) and read 3197 times:
Hey, N.,
Quoting sultanils (Reply 21):
Sure an interesting story, featuring ‘something red’ from Spain. Well, it was also ‘something white and red’ from Swiss An upgrade is always welcome as well!
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