FLIEGER67 From Turkey, joined Sep 2003, 4391 posts, RR: 57 Posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 4155 times:
"Helitt, BJZ/Talavera la Real + a failed trip review"
Hola, dear readers,
the first day around this trip to Spain was for sure a good one. The perfect airport guide at ZRH, thanx again, an upgrade, a new airline and superb sunny and warm weather:
Well, also when I´am running like the late bird back to the hotel for the short night, I´am up again as the early bird, like I´am usually be!.
Welcome to a new and hopefully sunny day
The lobby in the early morning
Not that much more early birds like me here!
But breakfast is ready
The weather looks like sure ok this way
And not to miss another view into town
With the cathedral´s tower
Part of the cathedral
And the Plaza Alta
In the morning light
Historic buildings and blue sky, I like it this way
The Museo de Bellas Artes
The Convento Santa Ana
Over the bridge
For the hotel to pick up my bag
Sure a great place to stay here in Badajoz with it´s limited hotel offers.
Also the breakfast which is not included in the fare
appears discounted on the bill, thanx to the nice guy at the desk.
A cab called by the hotel desk shuttled me for the airport without excitement this time!.
Monday, 08.10.2012
.
.
.
.
OK, not by AF today, but MAD anyway!
.
Service H9 813 operated by Helitt Lineas Aereas
Scheduled: 11.35 // 12.50
Compared to the surroundings is the terminal for sure an up-to-date place
Have you´re tractor ready, the airport in the middle of nowhere
Indoor
No Helitt, no flights
This is the return part from yesterday´s MAD-BJZ, the fare 40.00 Euro´s fixed directly via the airline´s website.
OLCI works again well.
A couple more desks to check-in are ready here
No time to wait at security, much more staff than pax around and no lounge on offer.
Airside with this, well not my machine, on the apron
Looks like nice in the bright sun
And what about this one?
Come on closer, please
Well, as far as I like Helitt, there are three planes in the fleet and this is the very same bird like yesterday.
EC-LNQ, the scheduled AT72 and leg no. 24 on type.
The plane is in the air since 22.05.1992
Badajoz/Talavera la Real is also a military base and the guy´s practice touch and goes like in the background. Supernoisy and fast, close to impossible to catch a proper picture
This has happened just a couple of days later: http://theaviationist.com/2012/11/04/f5m-crash/#.UOAcWzDe23Y
Gate 2 for me now.
11.35 am, ontime, "Alboran" on the go for the 1 hour, 05 minutes to MAD.
28 sunny degrees here.
Under the wing, you know
The prop and the apron
Seat view from 12A, two for me and no changes since yesterday!
Crossing the active for the taxiway on the military part. Just to make room for the touch and goes
A view for the terminal
And the runway from the other side
Cabin crew is one young woman, large, black hair, much more eastern European looking than Espagna, somewhat restrained, together with a middle aged, blonde FA, well, biz friendly, to say the least.
Service is BOB together with some sweets.
Just departed from "Three-One" like arrivals yesterday above the agricultural countryside
Are you sure that this is Espagna?
Looks much more like Africa to me
Cabin view, the load is 70%, also a number of biz travellers are on the plane today
Cockpit crew is according to the name frome Spain with a female FO today and not a single word to follow.
Dislike. No route info, but flightlevel is 20000 feet.
Legroom is ok here
The safety card from the other side
The blue and the exhaust
Engine view
MAD coming closer
Touchdown at the 4100 meters "Three-Two-Left".
12.35 am, 15 minutes ahead to schedule, 24 degrees and some clouds only.
Parked beside these cute private looking Embraer,
it´s Privilege Style
Bye now for Helitt
By bus again to the terminal, no extra security and the next flight short on schedule!.
Service AF 1601 operated by Air France
Scheduled: 15.35 // 17.40
But wait, prior to the flight there is something like this to do
Nice seaters
With perfect apron views
But less offers
Someone for KL?
The classic MD
And the also classic Transat A310
IB with something long
And a final view for Helitt
Yes, Paris is on schedule, but no, not the first Paris here on the screen.
The second Paris for me please from gate E69
It seems that was not the final view for Helitt earlier
AF heading for my gate
This ticket is secured with Flugladen.de. Four legs on one confirmation, the fare this way 55.00 Euro´s per leg.
Also OLCI works well with the printout from the hotel´s business desk.
Yes, that´s the scheduled A319, registered F-GRHK
Leg no. 89 on type and a new entry to the log
Since 14.03.2000 with AF, 41 planes on type are in the actual fleet
Cockpit crew is from France.
The captain with a nice welcome during boarding. We await a short delay due to two missing pax with loaded bags.
He´s once again on the mike with short infos prior to descent later, in a nice style.
No route, nor flightlevel info.
3.45 pm, ten minutes late, 1 hour, 30 minutes by "AirFrance" now.
Just departed from the 4100 meters "One-Four-Right".
26 degrees and a few clouds only here
The load is 70%, a few suits only to see, mostly VFR traffic.
Legroom is ok here.
I´am in the last row, 25A and three seats for me
Cabin crew is one elder and nice female FA together with one middle aged nice male FA.
There is also a middle aged woman, really nice, short black hair, moderate-sized with personal attention for me along the whole flight. Definitely really nice service here.
Biscuits and free drinks are on offer.
The classic bright blue fabric seaters
The safety card
Someone for Malte?
Seat view, the cabin is not that really clean
On approach for CDG
Coming in for the 2700 meters "Two-Six-Left", 5.35 pm,
perfectly ontime and now I know what was wrong in Spain. This is October´s reality, 13 degrees and rain here in Paris!.
Service AF 2508 operated by Air France
Scheduled: 19.00 // 20.20
With an, as expected but nevertheless interesting move.
Till now STR flights are operated from terminal 2D, what often means an inbound at another terminal wing and an extra security check to reach the gates at 2D.
Also the T2D lounge is prior to security.
This has changed now and most Schengen flights are operating from T2F inbound and outbound.
Therefore no more extra security needed today
And there is also a lounge available
With some french style offers
Like this one!
T2F shows also this feature. Really good from my point of view.
The captain´s name is as french as it could be!
This is part four from the previous ticket, the fare 55.00 Euro´s again. Both AF services on one boarding pass.
For the plane now from gate F50
This is the scheduled A318. With a good part of the AF fleet covered, there is a limited chance only for something new. Anyway leg no. 16 on type.
And really, a warm welcome to F-GUGL, a new entry to the log
Since 22.02.2006 with AF, one of the 18 examples in the fleet
Cockpit crew is from France, the captain with a short welcome during boarding and once again an approach announcement later on.
No route, nor flightlevel info.
7.00 pm, ontime, 55 minutes for the homebase.
And up in the air again from the 4215 meters "Two-Six-Right"
The load is 100%. Only the first row is 2/2 seating as C-class. All the other seats are taken and lots of biz travellers on the way.
Cruising above the cloud cover
Cabin view with the dark blue, clean so far, fabric seats
The safety card
Cabin crew is all male today, one young, nice and two more biz friendly middle aged style.
Service is biscuits and free drinks.
And the legroom is ok here
Back at STR´s runway "Two-Five", superheavy. I´am sure, the pilot wants all have noticed that we are back on the ground!.
8.05 pm, 15 minutes ahead to schedule, 12 degrees and clear sky. Back at the homebase not that long thereafter with an all together succesfull experience.
Conclusions:
Helitt BJZ-MAD: Calm again.
Air France MAD-CDG: As comfy as it should be in eco.
Air France CDG-STR: The first time after the terminal reorganisation with no extra security needed, a real good move.
Well, succesfull this time. But I´am not fixed for succesfull rides everytime, like this one.
Three weeks thereafter is a trip to Tunisia on schedule.
The second attempt to catch the Tunis Air A300-600 and also a new departure airport what I´am really looking forward to. Djerba, not that far from the Libyan border.
Tunisia, one of the arabic revolution country´s, where you should place your´re contact details on a list managed by the german Department of State, the Auswärtiges Amt, just in case of difficulties during your stay. Especially when you´re not protected by a company or an tour operator like me.
The first leg is STR-MXP by Germanwings, what looks like ok here
And also with a Germanwings ticket, the Senator lounge is ok for me
Boarding is a little late, what is not really to my amusement. Due to a short connection at MXP for MRS by Air France, scheduled to be operated by Compagnie Corse Mediteranee/Air Corsica, a new airline for the log on the AT72
Further on by Tunis Air, the A300-600 to Tunis and with another new airline, Tuninter on the AT72 for Djerba.
I should stay the night at Djerba and leave the following morning by Transavia France to ORY, returning for the homebase by AF ex CDG.
Well, in theory.
Weather was bad, the first snow of the year.
Finally on board where the captain explained that the plane was on the overnight Istanbul-Sabiha route and arrived some minutes late. Therefore no chance to de-ice the plane on stand and so we need some minutes more to wait till the de-icing position is ok for us.
Well, the connection time shrinks further this way.
Finally deiced and what follow´s?. No moving for a couple of minutes and later on not for the runway, no, back to our stand.
What happens?. The captain is on the mike again and told us that the FO´s windshield heater is inoperational and it´s not safe to fly this way.
Technicians are ordered, but he don´t know how long it will take to fix the problem. Pax need to stay on the plane till further info´s.
And my connection time is gone.
There is simply no other way to reach Djerba from Milano later in the day.
I´ve talked to the female purser and asked, if it´s possible to return to the terminal. No checked-in bag help´s. This is finally granted by the captain and a really nice young woman from "Losch", the ground handling company shuttled me personally back for the terminal entrance. So far with the Trip to Tunisia.
This is the planes final flight data, 1 hour, 30 minutes late arrived at MXP
And my connecting flight also a little late, but finally departed earlier than the inbound leg
Well, all booked on separate tickets.
My experiences thereafter are well mixed.
From well handled and fully refunded by Germanwings, also when it was my decision to leave the plane, also AF on both flights.
The hotel was booked via Booking.com and they offered real good service here, contacted me and managed it with the hotel, that I don´t need to pay anything, also when I´am well after the cancellation deadline.
Till taxes and fees refunded by Tunisair, till absolutely no cooperation by Transavia. The Ticket is sold as a charter flight with no taxes and fees separately reported.
It´s your problem, like the agent told me.
But lucky me, only some days later, the next trip is on schedule. And this time a successfull one again with things to do like this:
Online in a couple of days, if nothing goes wrong!.
Adios por ahora,
comments welcome,
FLIEGER67 or "Markus Klaus Felger" by Facebook!.
roberts87 From Netherlands, joined Dec 2011, 660 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 4070 times:
Hello Markus, nice to read part two about your trip to BJZ. Okay service by AF I guess, but a shame they only serve biscuits on MAD-CDG. The lounge you visited sure had some nice views. Is this the Air Europa / Skyteam lounge in that newer part of the older terminals?
Shame to hear about your missed trip to Djerba. I remember you posting this on FB. Glad to hear you got most of the tickets refunded. A second attempt scheduled already?
rogerbcn From Andorra, joined Sep 2006, 1136 posts, RR: 19 Reply 5, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 4069 times:
Hola Markus!
Nice to see your second part of your trip to Badajoz, lovely photos of the city again in that stroll in the morning. A beautiful town, as beautiful is the landscape surrounding,
Those are the Extremadura meadows (La Dehesa Extremeña) where the pigs pasture and from there you get the best cured ham, especially those fed with acorns.... a delicacy you should have tried in your trip to Badajoz.
Hellit looks great, at least, different from conventional airlines and their ATs are great to fly, aren't they?
AF seems to have learnt something from efficient airlines and restructured their operations at CDG, I will be passing through on my way to MAN in April, so, let's hope it works for me as well.
Have a great flying year!
Salut!
Roger
"At reise er at leve" H.C. Andersen (Travelling is Living)
FLIEGER67 From Turkey, joined Sep 2003, 4391 posts, RR: 57 Reply 6, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 3940 times:
Hey and good to see some comments.
@PH:
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 3):
good to read about Helitt, that hadn't been covered here yet. Too bad about the failed Tunisia trip. Will you try a third time to get on the TU A300?
Thank you and sure, I will try it again to catch the TU A300.
Hello Markus, nice to read part two about your trip to BJZ. Okay service by AF I guess, but a shame they only serve biscuits on MAD-CDG. The lounge you visited sure had some nice views. Is this the Air Europa / Skyteam lounge in that newer part of the older terminals?
Thank you and that´s exactly the location with the lounge.
Quoting roberts87 (Reply 4):
Shame to hear about your missed trip to Djerba. I remember you posting this on FB. Glad to hear you got most of the tickets refunded. A second attempt scheduled already?
Not scheduled till now, but I will try it again.
@R.:
Quoting rogerbcn (Reply 5):
Nice to see your second part of your trip to Badajoz, lovely photos of the city again in that stroll in the morning. A beautiful town, as beautiful is the landscape surrounding,
Thank you and sure also my impression with Badajoz.
Quoting rogerbcn (Reply 5): Those are the Extremadura meadows (La Dehesa Extremeña) where the pigs pasture and from there you get the best cured ham, especially those fed with acorns.... a delicacy you should have tried in your trip to Badajoz.
Hellit looks great, at least, different from conventional airlines and their ATs are great to fly, aren't they?
Oh, yes, definitely.
Quoting rogerbcn (Reply 5): AF seems to have learnt something from efficient airlines and restructured their operations at CDG, I will be passing through on my way to MAN in April, so, let's hope it works for me as well.
Have a great flying year!
Good point here with AF, also my impression and the very same to you.
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 7, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 3886 times:
Interesting report Markus. I'd never heard of that Helitt airline before. I guess they only run a few regional Spanish routes? Shame your next trip didn't work out...very frustrating when that happens.
Interesting report Markus. I'd never heard of that Helitt airline before. I guess they only run a few regional Spanish routes? Shame your next trip didn't work out...very frustrating when that happens.
Thank you and that´s the point with Helitt.
Sure also the way with the Tunisia experience. Another try!.
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6088 posts, RR: 56 Reply 9, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 3539 times:
Hi Markus !
Very nice report with nice pictures again! Badajoz in the morning looks fantastic! Flights seem okay and very impressive to get to 229 departure airports!
Too bad that your other side trip didn't work out.
Looking forward to read about your experience on China Airlines !
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
SCQ83 From United States of America, joined Oct 2012, 461 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 3491 times:
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 7): Interesting report Markus. I'd never heard of that Helitt airline before. I guess they only run a few regional Spanish routes? Shame your next trip didn't work out...very frustrating when that happens.
They began with some routes to MLN, then BJZ.. then tried VIT, in the meantime something to PMI... they literally change schedules and destinations from day to day. They got a contract with UX to operate their flights from MAD to BIO and VLC about 3 or 4 months ago but it was cancelled a few days ago (probably due to Helitt's unreliability due to cancellations and delays).
Their very last (crazy) idea is to start MAD-BCN-MAD daily (to position flights to BJZ from both cities).
I don't think they will stay for much longer before going under, so I wouldn't be surprised if this is going to be the first and last trip report here.
FLIEGER67 From Turkey, joined Sep 2003, 4391 posts, RR: 57 Reply 11, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 3466 times:
Hey, good to see more comments.
@L.:
Quoting The777Man (Reply 9):
Very nice report with nice pictures again! Badajoz in the morning looks fantastic! Flights seem okay and very impressive to get to 229 departure airports!
Too bad that your other side trip didn't work out.
Looking forward to read about your experience on China Airlines !
Thank you and the China story is on the production line.
@SCQ83:
Quoting SCQ83 (Reply 10): They began with some routes to MLN, then BJZ.. then tried VIT, in the meantime something to PMI... they literally change schedules and destinations from day to day. They got a contract with UX to operate their flights from MAD to BIO and VLC about 3 or 4 months ago but it was cancelled a few days ago (probably due to Helitt's unreliability due to cancellations and delays).
Their very last (crazy) idea is to start MAD-BCN-MAD daily (to position flights to BJZ from both cities).
I don't think they will stay for much longer before going under, so I wouldn't be surprised if this is going to be the first and last trip report here.
Pretty interesting to follow. So we will see what´s going on further with Helitt.
debonair From Germany, joined Jan 2004, 2098 posts, RR: 4 Reply 12, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 3311 times:
Nice TR, sad to read about TUNIS AIR - but http://www.flysyphax.com/ is offering good deals from Paris to Tunis (4EUR plus 87,86EUR tax), maybe another attempt soon to catch the A300 finally ex Tunis?!
sultanils From Belgium, joined Mar 2010, 1188 posts, RR: 29 Reply 14, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days ago) and read 2978 times:
Hello Markus,
Although the title didn't promise much good at the end, the actual report is quite nice again. Too bad about the same reg on Hellitt, but good to see that AF treated you well with some new ones. Badajoz looks lovely in the morning sunshine!
Interesting to read about your failed trip as well. Good to see that although everything was on separate tickets, you seemed you get a decent amount of money back. They even went back to the terminal to drop you off, how strange is that!
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): Yes, Paris is on schedule, but no, not the first Paris here on the screen.
The second Paris for me please from gate E69
Imagine you going to Paris Beauvais on FR Have you btw logged that airport already?
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): This has changed now and most Schengen flights are operating from T2F inbound and outbound.
An excellent move towards hassle free and fast connections
infodesk From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 1245 posts, RR: 34 Reply 15, posted (4 months 2 weeks 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 2923 times:
Hi Markus,
Good to read your latest installment, including the details about the failed Tunisia trip. That really was bad luck, but nice to see most of the airlines cooperating with refunds. Hopefully it'll be third time lucky with TU & the A300.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): The perfect airport guide at ZRH, thanx again, an upgrade, a new airline and superb sunny and warm weather:
Nice TR, sad to read about TUNIS AIR - but http://www.flysyphax.com/ is offering good deals from Paris to Tunis (4EUR plus 87,86EUR tax), maybe another attempt soon to catch the A300 finally ex Tunis?!
Thank you and sure a good idea to go for another try on the TU A300.
Quoting debonair (Reply 12):
This ERJ is operating for UX... Maybe another Spanish round for you?
And also this one!.
@M.:
Quoting MSS658 (Reply 13):
Great review about Hellit and the renovated CDG! Both look good.
To bad about the Tunisair flight, hope you will have another chance.
Thank you.
@N.:
Quoting sultanils (Reply 14):
Although the title didn't promise much good at the end, the actual report is quite nice again. Too bad about the same reg on Hellitt, but good to see that AF treated you well with some new ones. Badajoz looks lovely in the morning sunshine!
Interesting to read about your failed trip as well. Good to see that although everything was on separate tickets, you seemed you get a decent amount of money back. They even went back to the terminal to drop you off, how strange is that!
Thank you and for sure, that was special service by 4U at STR.
Quoting sultanils (Reply 14):
Imagine you going to Paris Beauvais on FR Have you btw logged that airport already?
No way till now!.
Quoting sultanils (Reply 14):
An excellent move towards hassle free and fast connections
Definitely.
@H.:
Quoting infodesk (Reply 15):
Good to read your latest installment, including the details about the failed Tunisia trip. That really was bad luck, but nice to see most of the airlines cooperating with refunds. Hopefully it'll be third time lucky with TU & the A300.
adamspotter From Netherlands, joined Feb 2011, 784 posts, RR: 2 Reply 17, posted (4 months 1 week 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 2328 times:
Hi Markus,
Nice to see your return journey from Spain, another nice report here.
Once again, great pictures of Badajoz and always nice to get another insight on Hellitt.
AF looks ok as usual. Always nice to get more personal attention in a not so full flight!
Great views from the lounge in MAD!
Shame to hear about your Tunisia trip, argh!
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): Yes, Paris is on schedule, but no, not the first Paris here on the screen.
The second Paris for me please from gate E69
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