Intro
Where to go on honeymoon? In early 2012, my future wife and I took several destinations into consideration, but finally decided to make a tour around Scotland where we had always wanted to go on holiday. Finding a comprehensive one-week guided tour in June wasn't a problem, but flight options weren't overly attractive - and rather pricey. Well, the focus was on the destination this time, but the PlaneHunter can never rest entirely...
Finally, after searching for a while, I found a decent combo offered by Lufthansa: Munich-London-Edinburgh on Lufthansa and bmi and Birmingham-Zurich-Munich on Swiss (operated by Helvetic Airways) and Swiss European. What attracted me most was the flight on Helvetic Airways, an airline which was still missing in my log. Flybe offered a well-timed and decently priced "connecting flight" from Edinburgh to Birmingham, so it was time for action. While I booked the Lufthansa combo on Ebookers, I bought the Flybe tickets on that carrier's website.
Interestingly, the Flybe flight would be operated by an Embraer 175 - a type which I was planning to get for the first time six weeks before the Scotland trip. However, after that plan had failed (more details can be found here), the Scotland trip would suddenly bring a new type into my log as well.
Beautiful Scotland
After an eventless journey from Munich to Heathrow and onwards to Edinburgh on Lufthansa A319-112 D-AKNJ and bmi A319-131 G-DBCJ (two new registrations for my log), we checked in at the Hilton Airport and then took a public bus to the city to get some first impressions:
On the next morning, our guided tour started with an extended city tour. The majestic Edinburgh Castle atop the volcanic Castle Rock:
From the castle you can enjoy great views over the city:
The temporary stands for the annual Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo:
What would Scotland be without tartan and bagpipe players?
In the afternoon, we continued to Glasgow where we took a city tour and visited the Glasgow Cathedral:
On the next day, we headed north in lovely weather and made a stop at Loch Lomond, the largest inland stretch of water in Great Britain (by surface area). What a great place to relax:
"...on the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond..."
Further up into the Highlands:
Welcome to Inveraray, a nice small town on the western shore of Loch Fyne:
This is the splendid Inveraray Castle, the seat of the Duke of Argyll, chief of Clan Campbell:
Later in the afternoon, we continued the picturesque journey through the Highlands:
This is my favorite picture taken during the tour - what a scenery:
After spending the night at a hotel in Fort William, a town near Ben Nevis which is the highest mountain in the British Isles, we made a day trip to the Isle of Skye. On the way to the port, we stopped at the Glenfinnan Monument, located at the head of Loch Shiel:
The monument was built to mark the place where Prince Charles Edward Stuart ("Bonnie Prince Charlie") raised his standard at the beginning of the 1745 Jacobite Rising, a series of rebellions and wars.
Loch Shiel:
The Glenfinnan Viaduct has been used as a location in several movies, including three films of the Harry Potter series:
Nice view over Loch Ailort:
Welcome to Mallaig, a port on the west coast of the Highlands:
Our ferry arriving from Armadale:
View from the highest deck:
"Over the Sea to Skye..."
The austere beauty of Skye:
This is the "harbor" of Portree, the largest town on Skye:
Back on the road...
Stunning scenery and a nice herd of Highland cattle:
After returning to the mainland via the Skye Bridge, we made a stop at the famous Eilean Donan Castle which is familiar from many photographs and appearances in film and television:
On the next morning, our first destination was Fort Augustus. The Caledonian Canal connecting Fort William to Inverness passes through Fort Augustus in a series of locks stepping down to Loch Ness:
How about a kayak tour?
The other side:
This is Urquhart Castle on the north shore of Loch Ness:
We tried hard, but couldn't see Nessie anywhere...
After the boat tour, we continued further north and visited Inverness:
Some miles east of Inverness, you find the field where the Battle of Culloden took place:
The battle was the final confrontation of the 1745 Jacobite Rising and the last battle fought on British soil. The devastating defeat of the Jacobites, led by Bonnie Prince Charlie, by the government forces led to wide-reaching consequences for highland life. The people weren't allowed to wear their tartans, playing bagpipe was prohibited by law and the clan system was destroyed…a dark chapter in Scotland's history.
Nice historic structure near Grantown on Spey:
The Craiglynne Hotel, our accommodation for one night, is located in a beautiful historic building close to Grantown on Spey:
On the next morning, we went to Aviemore...
...and enjoyed a short ride on a historic train:
Nice Business Class seating...
Place settings for the tea and shortbread service during the ride:
The steam locomotive after the ride:
I was told that these hard working guys are true train enthusiasts:
This is Cawdor Castle...
...which is known for its nice gardens:
Later in the afternoon, we visited a sheep farm and watched a herding dog show:
Cute, isn't it?
On the next morning, we headed south again. Some of our last impressions of the Highlands:
Lunch brake in a nice cafe in the small Victorian town of Pitlochry:
We had black tea and cake in style:
Then we visited the Edradour single malt whisky distillery, reputed to be the smallest legal distillery in Scotland:
The distillery's treasure hall:
1400 pounds for a bottle of whisky from 1968 - anyone?
Our excellent tour came to an end in the late afternoon when we arrived back in Edinburgh. This is the Forth Road Bridge...
...and this is the Forth Bridge which is often called the Forth Rail Bridge to distinguish it from the Forth Road Bridge:
After checking in online for our return flights on the next day, we went to a nice pub near our hotel and enjoyed the last evening in Scotland.
Early in the morning, we took a public bus to the airport and quickly checked in, using a kiosk. We selected seats in the second last row, printed our boarding passes and dropped our luggage off at a desk. 10 minutes later I could finally take a seat in the gate area and start spotting.
Loganair Saab 340 in Flybe colors - I definitely preferred the British Airways scheme on these aircraft:
Our plane arrived on time - it was G-FBJC, delivered in late 2011:
G-FBJC, one of nine frames in the fleet, looks really good from this perspective:
Finally it was time to walk to the aircraft. Interesting neighbor on the left:
Friendly welcome at the door and comfortable seats - definitely a good start:
Legroom was sufficient for this short sector:
We left the parking position slightly behind schedule...
...but took off without any further waiting time. Goodbye, Scotland!
Seat pocket contents:
Interesting magazines provided by "Europe's local airline" as Flybe calls itself:
Where's the Embraer 175?
Buy on board menu:
Since we had had breakfast at the airport, we weren't interested in Flybe's offerings:
The cabin was packed on this morning flight:
After a bumpy approach...
...we touched down hard after a flying time of 48 minutes and arrived at the gate 11 minutes ahead of schedule:
During disembarking, I quickly took a picture of this sign:
Landside spotting is not possible at Birmingham Airport, so we had to hang around in a restaurant until we could finally check in our luggage and go airside.
Once airside, we went to the front end of the international pier where I enjoyed spotting for about two hours. Boeing 737-36N G-TOYL of no more existing bmi baby...
...taxied to a nearby gate and was prepared for a flight to Palma de Mallorca. A never-ending queue indicated that the flight was packed - and there were numerous, well, weird passengers, including a noisy bunch of people in the 20s and 30s heading to a bachelor party according to various slogans on their t-shirts...I would have loved to try bmi baby before its demise, but I guess I wouldn't have enjoyed this particular flight.
Not surprisingly, Emirates Boeing 777-31HER A6-EBH was by far the largest aircraft showing up:
Thomas Cook Boeing 757-25F G-FCLD:
KLM Cityhopper Embraer 190 PH-EZX in Skyteam colors:
Star Alliance stroke back with bmi A320-232 G-MIDX:
And here's our plane, Helvetic's HB-JVC, the youngest frame in the six-strong Fokker 100 fleet:
Boarding commenced on time and I was surprised to see that the captain - a remarkably tanned man in the late 50s with white hair - had joined a female flight attendant in order to welcome the passengers. "Grüezi!", he replied after I had greeted them in German.
The cabin was in immaculate condition, the old-style seats were comfortable enough...
...and there was an impressive amount of legroom:
Right in between the engine and the wing - the enthusiast's most preferred seat location on the Fokker 100:
It's not a GE90, but better than nothing:
We left the gate 10 minutes behind schedule and the captain made a nice welcome announcement during taxi. He was quite talkative and gave lots of details about the flight. Later during the flight, he also gave some updates. That guy appeared to be a truly enthusiastic pilot!
Nice line-up, with the 77W sticking out:
Turning onto runway 15:
Goodbye, Birmingham!
Can you see Coventry Airport?
Let's start the seat pocket exploration:
Inflight magazine and shopping guide:
The most interesting page...
...with obvious mistakes:
Swiss operates just six A321-100s and one A321-200 - and some range figures aren't correct either. Let's just have a look at the A330-300 - it can certainly fly much farther with full payload! Otherwise the airline's Miami operations alone would cause some headaches...
Channel crossing:
The friendly flight attendants served cold and hot drinks and distributed fresh and tasty baguette sandwiches with high-quality ham:
Healthy load on this afternoon flight:
Just before descent commenced, the flight attendants passed through the cabin with Swiss' famous chocolate bites. I liked the old red packaging better, though:
The weather was still lovely on approach to Zurich:
We touched down after a flying time of 1 hour and 29 minutes and arrived at the gate slightly late:
As soon as the plane had reached its final parking position, a maintenance car showed up and a mechanic started working on the wingtip:
Our connecting flight to Munich was scheduled to depart at 19:20, but an intense thunderstorm brought all operations to a halt and we finally left the gate almost 40 minutes late. The flight on Swiss European Avro RJ100 HB-IYR (new registration for me) was very bumpy, but we were able to avoid spilling our drinks.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6191 posts, RR: 79 Reply 3, posted (3 months 1 week 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 9653 times:
Conclusion
The flight on Helvetic Airways was the most enjoyable one on that journey. A Fokker 100 in immaculate condition, good seating comfort, friendly flight attendants, an enthusiastic captain and Swiss' good catering - what else can you ask for on a 1.5 hour flight? I also liked the short hop on Flybe - decent seating comfort and friendly staff are not granted on low-cost carriers in these days. As for Scotland - it's a fascinating country with fantastic landscapes and friendly people - I can only recommend to spend a vacation there.
DALCE From Netherlands, joined Feb 2007, 1581 posts, RR: 7 Reply 6, posted (3 months 1 week 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 9334 times:
Normally I would comment on the flight, but this is one remarkable trip! Except for the train tour and the hotel you stayed, I have been at ALL the places in Scotland you've shown in this report. It was a very awkward read for me. It makes me feel like going back to this wonderful country instantly!
From the city of Edinburgh to Skye, and from Culloden Moor Battlefield to the very nice distillery of Edradour, one of 2 places in the world where they sell 'House of Lords' whisky, it is all simply stunning! The pictures of Protree, the CalMac ferries who serve almost if not all the connections to all the islands, I love it!
You really hit my weak spot with this report!
Thank you very very much for this!
Now i'm off to convince my GF that Scotland is the way to go
I'll grab a nice Single Malt Scottish Whisky tonight!
flown on : F50,F70,CR1,CR2,CR9,E75,143,AR8,AR1,733,735,736,73G,738,753,744,319,320,321,AB6. Next flights AMS-ZRH-AMS on
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6191 posts, RR: 79 Reply 7, posted (3 months 1 week 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 9300 times:
Quoting DALCE (Reply 6): Normally I would comment on the flight, but this is one remarkable trip! Except for the train tour and the hotel you stayed, I have been at ALL the places in Scotland you've shown in this report. It was a very awkward read for me. It makes me feel like going back to this wonderful country instantly!
That's great to hear! It's indeed a wonderful country.
Quoting DALCE (Reply 6): From the city of Edinburgh to Skye, and from Culloden Moor Battlefield to the very nice distillery of Edradour, one of 2 places in the world where they sell 'House of Lords' whisky, it is all simply stunning! The pictures of Protree, the CalMac ferries who serve almost if not all the connections to all the islands, I love it!
You really hit my weak spot with this report!
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Quoting DALCE (Reply 6): Thank you very very much for this!
My pleasure. Thanks a lot for your comments!
Quoting DALCE (Reply 6): Now i'm off to convince my GF that Scotland is the way to go
Sure! I can tell you it's a great honeymoon destination.
Quoting DALCE (Reply 6): I'll grab a nice Single Malt Scottish Whisky tonight!
ROGERBCN From Andorra, joined Sep 2006, 1135 posts, RR: 19 Reply 8, posted (3 months 1 week 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 9266 times:
Hola PH!
Great report with lovely pictures from your honeymoon in Scotland! Really crisp, you were as well really lucky with the weather. I have been twice to Scotland and both times rain was present at most of the places you visited, I remember Mallaig and the Isle of Skye as very rainy, nonetheless a great place to visit.
As you mentioned in the introduction it is more about the Scottish scenery, which I find astonishing and magic, than flying.
I have found a great coincidence:
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 2): The flight on Swiss European Avro RJ100 HB-IYR (new registration for me)
That very plane was my first Avro flight BCN-BSL some years ago.
I love as well the old-looking cabin of those Fokkers, and yes! the amount of legroom is impressive... I had this same feeling when fling them ZRH-BUD.
Salut!
Roger
"At reise er at leve" H.C. Andersen (Travelling is Living)
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6191 posts, RR: 79 Reply 9, posted (3 months 1 week 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 9246 times:
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 8): Great report with lovely pictures from your honeymoon in Scotland!
Hola Roger! Many thanks for your comments! Good to hear you liked it.
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 8): Really crisp, you were as well really lucky with the weather.
Oh yes, we were prepared for the worst, but it turned out great.
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 8): I have been twice to Scotland and both times rain was present at most of the places you visited, I remember Mallaig and the Isle of Skye as very rainy, nonetheless a great place to visit.
Sometimes I really enjoyed the rainy weather, e.g. when we visited the mystic Loch Ness.
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 8): As you mentioned in the introduction it is more about the Scottish scenery, which I find astonishing and magic, than flying.
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 8): That very plane was my first Avro flight BCN-BSL some years ago.
Nice!
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 8): I love as well the old-looking cabin of those Fokkers, and yes! the amount of legroom is impressive... I had this same feeling when fling them ZRH-BUD.
I hope that those Fokkers will continue to operate for Swiss for a while.
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6083 posts, RR: 56 Reply 10, posted (3 months 1 week 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 9118 times:
Hi PlaneHunter!
Thanks for another amazing report with amazing pictures !
Your pictures from Scotland and the highlands are fantastic! Really makes me want to go there, probably some day I will. Very, very scenic! I have been to Edinburgh and that was a great place to visit.
Flights look okay; nice for you to get two new airlines and especially Helvetic looks very good. Great legroom!
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 2): Emirates Boeing 777-31HER A6-EBH was by far the largest aircraft showing up:
Gotta-have-a-777-in-a-trip-report
Very much looking forward to your next report!
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
ba319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8264 posts, RR: 56 Reply 12, posted (3 months 1 week 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 9089 times:
Hi PH,
Great report, loved the pictures of Scotland, some truly stunning pictures taken, superb!
I travel to Scotland loads for work, love the scenery, especially the driver from Inverness to Edinburgh, wonderful views - I need to take a holiday there and enjoy it for real like you did.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 2): Landside spotting is not possible at Birmingham Airport, so we had to hang around in a restaurant until we could finally check in our luggage and go airside.
- There used to be a big glassed area by the car rental counter area, had great views of the aprons and runway, guess that is gone?
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6191 posts, RR: 79 Reply 14, posted (3 months 1 week 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 8932 times:
Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 12): Great report, loved the pictures of Scotland, some truly stunning pictures taken, superb!
Hi Mark, thanks a lot for your feedback!
Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 12): I travel to Scotland loads for work, love the scenery, especially the driver from Inverness to Edinburgh, wonderful views - I need to take a holiday there and enjoy it for real like you did.
Yes, that would be worth it. And there are many more nice places in Scotland.
Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 12): - There used to be a big glassed area by the car rental counter area, had great views of the aprons and runway, guess that is gone?
I didn't see such a place, probably it's really gone.
Quoting sandyb123 (Reply 13): Thanks for the detailed trip report. Working in the tourism industry in Scotland it's great to see the country from a 'customers' perspective
Thank you for your comments, good to hear!
Quoting sandyb123 (Reply 13): Out of interest which tour guide did you tour with in Scotland or did you go solo?
It was a guided tour called "Beautiful Scotland" offered by Dertour.
deltamartin From Sweden, joined Dec 2010, 1059 posts, RR: 9 Reply 16, posted (3 months 1 week 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 8700 times:
Hi PH!
Nice trip report as usual, and good to see some pictures from Scotland, which I'd like to visit some day, and also good to see some of BHX, I've been eyeing a flight there for a while, let's see if I'll end up booking it now.
The F100 did indeed look very nice, I should get around flying an F70 or F100 before it's too late.
Widebodyroga From United States of America, joined Sep 2008, 472 posts, RR: 4 Reply 17, posted (3 months 1 week 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 8696 times:
Hi PH, glad to see the long-awaited Scotland TR out! Your lovely photos of Scotland brought tears of nostalgia in my eyes. So many good memories from this great country. I'm pleased to hear that you enjoyed your time there (it seems like you were lucky as far as the weather is concerned). My only objection is that you didn't visit St.Andrews. I would have loved to see some photos from my home of several years. Maybe next time .
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 1): Early in the morning, we took a public bus to the airport and quickly checked in, using a kiosk. We selected seats in the second last row, printed our boarding passes and dropped our luggage off at a desk. 10 minutes later I could finally take a seat in the gate area and start spotting.
Ah, the famous Airport Bus. You have no idea how much money I spent on that thing over the years. I was a very regular costumer back in the day, .
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 2): And here's our plane, Helvetic's HB-JVC, the youngest frame in the six-strong Fokker 100 fleet:
I've never been to Birmingham Airport (only the one in Alabama, ) but my sister was based there for a couple of years and she was flying with Helvetic all the time (back when they had the pink/fuxia color scheme). She was very pleased with the service which is why she kept flying with them.
Also FlyBe's service doesn't seem to have changed much in the last few years. I flew them a couple of times (from/to EDI) and had a similar experience to yours.
Let me thank you again for this lovely report. You re-ignited my desire to go back to Scotland.
Widebodyroga
Visit my aviation page: http://widebodyroga.weebly.com/
lukeyboy95 From Papua New Guinea, joined Apr 2008, 951 posts, RR: 35 Reply 19, posted (3 months 1 week 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 8452 times:
Hi PH,
What a thrill to read this report. I think I had already mentioned to you that you were in very close vicinity to where I live, especially around Inverness and the Rest-and-Be-Thankful.
I thought it was original (and brave... because of the weather) of you to choose Scotland as your honeymoon destination. How refreshing, and it paid good dividends.
Scotland's tourist board has alot to answer for in it's lackluster promotion of the country - I wish you might go and work for them.
How did you find the food? Did you try deep fried pizza?
It is what laderhosen are to the Bavarians I s'pose!
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 3): As for Scotland - it's a fascinating country with fantastic landscapes and friendly people - I can only recommend to spend a vacation there.
Aviation-wise, I had really nice flights with Flybe recently, they fit the UK domestic business demand quite well and are a good fit for Scottish operations. I do feel though that aviation is fairly stagnant in north UK... stagnant, or steady. We all hope for a second gulf-link to EDI/ GLA to help boost tourism too...
Anyway U, congrats on a marvelous report and a happy start to a long life of marriage.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6191 posts, RR: 79 Reply 20, posted (3 months 1 week 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 8341 times:
Quoting flyboy22 (Reply 15): Wow, great trip report! Stunning photography and a nice documentation overall. Thanks for sharing!
Hi flyboy22, thanks for your comments! Good to hear you liked it.
Quoting deltamartin (Reply 16): Nice trip report as usual, and good to see some pictures from Scotland, which I'd like to visit some day, and also good to see some of BHX, I've been eyeing a flight there for a while, let's see if I'll end up booking it now.
Thanks for leaving a reply, Martin! I can only recommend to visit Scotland and the Highlands in particular. BHX was okay, but nothing special.
Quoting deltamartin (Reply 16): The F100 did indeed look very nice, I should get around flying an F70 or F100 before it's too late.
Sure, give it a try. Helvetic's operations for Swiss are quite stable (no frequent changes) and there are KL and OS, of course.
Quoting deltamartin (Reply 16): Nice touch, I'd guess they will have ads there at some point of time when the E75 isn't "new" anymore.
The question is how they define "new"...
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 17): Hi PH, glad to see the long-awaited Scotland TR out! Your lovely photos of Scotland brought tears of nostalgia in my eyes. So many good memories from this great country.
Hi Widebodyroga, thank you so much for your nice comments! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 17): I'm pleased to hear that you enjoyed your time there (it seems like you were lucky as far as the weather is concerned).
Yes, we were indeed lucky.
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 17): My only objection is that you didn't visit St.Andrews. I would have loved to see some photos from my home of several years. Maybe next time
Sure, I want to see some new places next time.
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 17): Ah, the famous Airport Bus. You have no idea how much money I spent on that thing over the years. I was a very regular costumer back in the day,
It's a very convenient service.
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 17): I've never been to Birmingham Airport (only the one in Alabama, ) but my sister was based there for a couple of years and she was flying with Helvetic all the time (back when they had the pink/fuxia color scheme). She was very pleased with the service which is why she kept flying with them.
Good to hear - I wish they still had the pink scheme.
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 17): Also FlyBe's service doesn't seem to have changed much in the last few years. I flew them a couple of times (from/to EDI) and had a similar experience to yours.
It's a decent carrier - currently facing some problems, though.
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 17): Let me thank you again for this lovely report. You re-ignited my desire to go back to Scotland.
That's great to hear!
Quoting debonair (Reply 18): Sounds great - but unfortunately, I can't see a single picture, always the same error:
That's very odd - everything looks normal. Did you try with different browsers?
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 19): What a thrill to read this report. I think I had already mentioned to you that you were in very close vicinity to where I live, especially around Inverness and the Rest-and-Be-Thankful.
Hi Luke, thank you very much for your feedback! I was really curious to hear your opinion.
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 19): I thought it was original (and brave... because of the weather) of you to choose Scotland as your honeymoon destination. How refreshing, and it paid good dividends.
Absolutely, great choice! But I know it was a bit risky.
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 19): Scotland's tourist board has alot to answer for in it's lackluster promotion of the country - I wish you might go and work for them.
I'm open to offers...
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 19): How did you find the food? Did you try deep fried pizza?
The food was okay, we mostly ate in the hotels. I didn't try Haggis, though. What is it about that pizza?
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 19): It is what laderhosen are to the Bavarians I s'pose!
More or less, yes.
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 19): Aviation-wise, I had really nice flights with Flybe recently, they fit the UK domestic business demand quite well and are a good fit for Scottish operations.
Yes, they offer lots of flights from Scotland.
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 19): I do feel though that aviation is fairly stagnant in north UK... stagnant, or steady. We all hope for a second gulf-link to EDI/ GLA to help boost tourism too...
Probably just a matter of time.
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 19): Anyway U, congrats on a marvelous report and a happy start to a long life of marriage.
817Dreamliiner From Montserrat, joined Jul 2008, 1404 posts, RR: 1 Reply 23, posted (3 months 1 week 3 days ago) and read 8164 times:
Hi PH,
havent posted in this part of the forum for a while, been busy with assignments (you know how that goes...) great report again! Really enjoyed reading it! Though I did notice that on the Helvetic flight they took off with no flaps extended, quite interesting, didnt know the F100 could take off without them extended, but hey, you learn something new everyday . Again thanks for sharing this report, looking forward to the next. Not sure when my next one will be, but we'll see...
Blast Reality, Burst it into shreds! Banishment, This World!
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6191 posts, RR: 79 Reply 24, posted (3 months 1 week 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 8138 times:
Quoting 817Dreamliiner (Reply 23): havent posted in this part of the forum for a while, been busy with assignments (you know how that goes...) great report again! Really enjoyed reading it!
Hi Yvan, many thanks for leaving a reply! I'm glad you enjoyed reading.
Quoting 817Dreamliiner (Reply 23): Though I did notice that on the Helvetic flight they took off with no flaps extended, quite interesting, didnt know the F100 could take off without them extended, but hey, you learn something new everyday
Interesting, I hadn't noticed that either.
Quoting 817Dreamliiner (Reply 23): Again thanks for sharing this report, looking forward to the next.
Just started working on it...it will feature two nice Romanian and airlines and an Hungarian one as well as two rare types.
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24910 posts, RR: 60 Reply 25, posted (3 months 1 week 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 8118 times:
Hey Udo
Very nice report and lovely pictures of Scotland. Id love to do the Islands sometime. Never get around to it despite being just a short flight/Ferry ride from here.
Congratulations on your marriage and I wish you many years of happiness together.
Regards
Philip
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
Okay... this is a FANTASTIC report. Just because I love the photos. I love reports which show the destination in all its gloury, because it gives me ideas to go there. And I plan to do some weekend-trips to GLA and EDI this year, perhaps throwing in one or two more to drive into the highlands. Good you had so much luck with the weater, perfect for a honeymoon trip.
Nice one, too! I think train enthusiasts must be greater enthusiasts than us a.nutters, doing all that hard work must really take its toll. They don't need another sport to stay fit.
Nice to reg a new airline and the E175, love the E-Jets, so comfy, seats very wide, perfect cabin for the pax, not wide enough for 5-abreast, so no chance to get cramped in like in a 10-abreast 777 or 9-abreast 787.
lukeyboy95 From Papua New Guinea, joined Apr 2008, 951 posts, RR: 35 Reply 28, posted (3 months 1 week 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 8023 times:
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 20): Hi Luke, thank you very much for your feedback! I was really curious to hear your opinion.
Haha... wel you saw a beautifu slice of the country. The general rule is the further west you go, the more beautiful and remote, so maybe sector in the outer Hebridean islands next time... but yes, great stuff. Also, lucky to get a train on the Glenfinnan as it is a very quiet line.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 20): The food was okay, we mostly ate in the hotels. I didn't try Haggis, though. What is it about that pizza?
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6191 posts, RR: 79 Reply 29, posted (3 months 1 week 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 7966 times:
Quoting CARST (Reply 27): Okay... this is a FANTASTIC report. Just because I love the photos. I love reports which show the destination in all its gloury, because it gives me ideas to go there.
Hi Carsten, thanks for your feedback!
Quoting CARST (Reply 27): And I plan to do some weekend-trips to GLA and EDI this year, perhaps throwing in one or two more to drive into the highlands.
Yes, you should indeed add two or three days to visit the Highlands. It's a whole different world up there.
Quoting CARST (Reply 27): Good you had so much luck with the weater, perfect for a honeymoon trip.
Absolutely, we had been prepared for much more rain.
Quoting CARST (Reply 27): Nice one, too! I think train enthusiasts must be greater enthusiasts than us a.nutters, doing all that hard work must really take its toll. They don't need another sport to stay fit.
I can only agree.
Quoting CARST (Reply 27): Nice to reg a new airline and the E175, love the E-Jets, so comfy, seats very wide, perfect cabin for the pax, not wide enough for 5-abreast, so no chance to get cramped in like in a 10-abreast 777 or 9-abreast 787.
That's true! I prefer the E-Jets over any other type in that size class.
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 28): Haha... wel you saw a beautifu slice of the country. The general rule is the further west you go, the more beautiful and remote, so maybe sector in the outer Hebridean islands next time... but yes, great stuff.
Interesting, thanks! I have read about the outer Hebridean islands, I need to go there one day.
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 28): Also, lucky to get a train on the Glenfinnan as it is a very quiet line.
Good to know!
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 28): I know it looks mad, but it is delicous. True indulgence after a few beers...
Ah, I'm not sure about that...but thanks for the link!
adamspotter From Netherlands, joined Feb 2011, 782 posts, RR: 2 Reply 30, posted (3 months 1 week 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 7780 times:
Hi PH!
Another fantastic report with many great pictures!
Looks like you enjoyed your honeymoon trip, Scotland is for sure a VERY beautiful country
Flybe and Helvetic both look quite nice. Great service and crew!
Sultanils From Belgium, joined Mar 2010, 1188 posts, RR: 29 Reply 31, posted (3 months 1 week 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 7609 times:
Hello PlaneHunter,
Once again many thanks for this very nice report! Congrats on your wedding as well and may you both have a wonderful and prosperous life together Scotland is the quite the destination that I would choose for a honeymoon but your proved me wrong. When the weather is right - and that is the main concern - it is a wonderful place to visit and when looking through my motorcycling spectacles, a wet dream (forgive me the expression) to be fulfilled hopefully soon: a drive through the Highlands.
I'm glad to see that you were as positively surprised about Helvetic as I was. Indeed, their F100's look really good (and outside as well as opposed to that former hideous livery...) and the seating comfort is excellent.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): the flight on Helvetic Airways, an airline which was still missing in my log.
How come I'm a bit surprised that you haven't logged this very nice niche carrier yet? Isn't the flight you took flown under their own flight number iso the LX one?
SloAir From Slovenia, joined Jul 2010, 336 posts, RR: 6 Reply 32, posted (3 months 1 week 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 7565 times:
Hi PH,
another great report with beautiful pictures from Scotland and as one user pointed out before me:
Quoting DALCE (Reply 6): Except for the train tour and the hotel you stayed, I have been at ALL the places in Scotland you've shown in this report. It was a very awkward read for me. It makes me feel like going back to this wonderful country instantly!
From the city of Edinburgh to Skye, and from Culloden Moor Battlefield to the very nice distillery of Edradour, one of 2 places in the world where they sell 'House of Lords' whisky, it is all simply stunning! The pictures of Protree, the CalMac ferries who serve almost if not all the connections to all the islands, I love it!
I also got the same feeling, I've also been to all the places you pointed out, to some even twice Edradour, Inverness, Urquhart, Aviemore,... It was nice to see all these familiar places again!
As for the flights it seems that you had quite a good flight with Helvetic, but the FlyBe sector looks nice as well.
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 31): Once again many thanks for this very nice report!
Hi Nils, thanks a lot for your comments!
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 31): Congrats on your wedding as well and may you both have a wonderful and prosperous life together
Thank you very much!
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 31): Scotland is the quite the destination that I would choose for a honeymoon but your proved me wrong. When the weather is right - and that is the main concern - it is a wonderful place to visit and when looking through my motorcycling spectacles, a wet dream (forgive me the expression) to be fulfilled hopefully soon: a drive through the Highlands.
Sure, you'd certainly enjoy that. You just need a bit luck with the weather.
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 31): I'm glad to see that you were as positively surprised about Helvetic as I was. Indeed, their F100's look really good (and outside as well as opposed to that former hideous livery...) and the seating comfort is excellent.
Helvetic was a nice surprise indeed - but I'd have preferred the pink livery.
Quoting SloAir (Reply 32): another great report with beautiful pictures from Scotland and as one user pointed out before me:
Hi Blaž, many thanks for your feedback!
Quoting SloAir (Reply 32): I also got the same feeling, I've also been to all the places you pointed out, to some even twice Edradour, Inverness, Urquhart, Aviemore,... It was nice to see all these familiar places again!
That's great to hear. I wouldn't mind to go there again.
Quoting SloAir (Reply 32): As for the flights it seems that you had quite a good flight with Helvetic, but the FlyBe sector looks nice as well.
Yes, absolutely. The other three flights weren't bad either, btw.
jwhite9185 From United Kingdom, joined May 2007, 721 posts, RR: 0 Reply 34, posted (3 months 1 week 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 7156 times:
Hi there PH - looks like you got a rare bit of sunshine in your trip to Scotland! Very scenic pictures there.
I'm planning on doing the BHX-EDI run with BE later in the year, although I think it's scheduled to be operated by the Q400 which I found more roomy than the E195 of flybe. The 175 looks pretty similar to the E195 from the pictures.
Also good for you to get the F100 also as they're becoming pretty rare now. Hopefully I can log one before they disappear completely.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6191 posts, RR: 79 Reply 35, posted (3 months 1 week 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 7128 times:
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 34): Hi there PH - looks like you got a rare bit of sunshine in your trip to Scotland! Very scenic pictures there.
Hi James, thanks for your comments!
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 34): I'm planning on doing the BHX-EDI run with BE later in the year, although I think it's scheduled to be operated by the Q400 which I found more roomy than the E195 of flybe. The 175 looks pretty similar to the E195 from the pictures.
I flew on BE's DH4 some years ago and it was okay, but I definitely prefer the E-Jets.
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 34): Also good for you to get the F100 also as they're becoming pretty rare now. Hopefully I can log one before they disappear completely.
There are still some big operators left, but you never know.
CaptainRed From Germany, joined Oct 2010, 578 posts, RR: 19 Reply 36, posted (3 months 1 week 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 6950 times:
Hello PH,
wonderful report, the pictures of Scotland are truly fascinating, really stunning scenery. I have been to Edinburgh once, but never had the chance to visit other parts of Scotland, looks like I really have to go back there with some time on hand.
Good to read something about flyBe, reminded my a lot of my recent trip with them, looks like you also had a good experience with them. Definitely one of the better LCCs around.
And of course nice to catch the Helvetic Fokker, it looks nice with the Swiss livery (certainly better than the pinkish-purple color they had before). Great service also on board.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6191 posts, RR: 79 Reply 37, posted (3 months 1 week 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 6930 times:
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 36): wonderful report, the pictures of Scotland are truly fascinating, really stunning scenery.
Hi CaptainRed, many thanks for your nice comments! Good to hear you liked it.
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 36): I have been to Edinburgh once, but never had the chance to visit other parts of Scotland, looks like I really have to go back there with some time on hand.
Yes, I can only recommend that.
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 36): Good to read something about flyBe, reminded my a lot of my recent trip with them, looks like you also had a good experience with them. Definitely one of the better LCCs around.
No doubt about that, it's one of the better LCCs.
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 36): And of course nice to catch the Helvetic Fokker, it looks nice with the Swiss livery (certainly better than the pinkish-purple color they had before). Great service also on board.
roberts87 From Netherlands, joined Dec 2011, 660 posts, RR: 0 Reply 38, posted (3 months 1 week 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 6879 times:
Excellent report Udo! Some fantastic pictures of Scotland, such a beautiful country indeed. Edinburgh is an amazing city with quite a lot of charme, and the landscape is just outstanding. You visited quite a few place I visited on my Scotland trip in 2009; good to bring back those memories.
Congrats on the flights on Helvetic, seems like a nice carrier operating on behalf of LX. I concurr with your assesment of BE, quite okay for these shorter flights and they go easy on you with the LCC offering once on board.
767747 From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 1750 posts, RR: 26 Reply 40, posted (3 months 1 week 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 6763 times:
Thank you, PH for your amazing report! You've once again set the bar for great trip reports!
Scotland looks amazing, and while I've been to England several times, I've never been much north of Manchester. Would love to go and visit - definitely on the short list.
Quokkas From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 41, posted (3 months 1 week 21 hours ago) and read 6611 times:
Hi PH,
Congratulations on your recent marriage. I hope that you and the good lady will enjoy many happy years together. What a beautiful destination for your honeymoon. Wonderful scenery, the chance to sample fine whiskies.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 1): Our plane arrived on time - it was G-FBJC, delivered in late 2011:
There's something about the Embraer nose that I like.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 1): The cabin was packed on this morning flight:
Good news for the airline, if the fares were at the right level.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 2): We left the gate 10 minutes behind schedule
The Swiss haven't adopted Italian time, have they?
They really need to call you before publishing.
Seriously though, I wonder how many others pick up these things. I suppose if it is changed in the next edition it might indicate that it was pointed out to them.
Once more a great report, comparing two very different airlines. Thanks for sharing. If you like travelling on the F100, any thoughts of sampling Skywest (XR) here in Western Australia?
Best wishes to you and the good wife.
Roy / Quokka
infodesk From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 1242 posts, RR: 34 Reply 42, posted (3 months 1 week 15 hours ago) and read 6508 times:
Hi PH,
What a super, super report! Your photos of your time are Scotland are really excellent, I so enjoyed looking at them. How lucky were you both with the weather? Must be a good sign of married life ahead!
Congrats on being able to combine your honeymoon with some interesting flights. I too really enjoy the rides on those F100s. As you said yourself, the seats are comfy and the legroom impressive. With HB-JVC you managed to log one of the 2 birds I'm missing. As for Flybe, well I have my first trip with them planned for April.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): Place settings for the tea and shortbread service during the ride:
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): The flight on Swiss European Avro RJ100 HB-IYR (new registration for me) was very bumpy, but we were able to avoid spilling our drinks.
Spilling drinks on planes? No, I know nothing about that
Thanks again for a great report.
Happy flying
Infodesk
"Do nothing in haste, look well to each step and from the beginning think what may be the end" - Edward Whymper
Eurohub From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 230 posts, RR: 0 Reply 43, posted (3 months 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 6267 times:
Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 12): There used to be a big glassed area by the car rental counter area, had great views of the aprons and runway, guess that is gone?
The first floor of that former area is now the "one terminal" combined departures security area and the ground floor is the "one terminal" exit to landside from arrivals. You can still, just about, see through by standing at the barrier outside arrivals but that area can and does get very busy - particularly after an EK arrival.
There did used to be a decent indoor viewing area on the top floor which was part of the aviation bookshop but I have a feeling that it closed for refurbishment and never re-opened.
Forget A vs B - Give me E or BAe any day of the week!
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6191 posts, RR: 79 Reply 44, posted (3 months 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 6024 times:
Quoting roberts87 (Reply 38): Excellent report Udo! Some fantastic pictures of Scotland, such a beautiful country indeed.
Hi Robert, thanks for your comments!
Quoting roberts87 (Reply 38): You visited quite a few place I visited on my Scotland trip in 2009; good to bring back those memories.
Good to hear!
Quoting roberts87 (Reply 38):
Congrats on the flights on Helvetic, seems like a nice carrier operating on behalf of LX.
Absolutely, I hope they will continue to operate for LX for a while.
Quoting roberts87 (Reply 38): I concurr with your assesment of BE, quite okay for these shorter flights and they go easy on you with the LCC offering once on board.
Definitely miles ahead of FR and others.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 39): such a number of great location pictures, well done.
Servus Markus, many thanks for your feedback!
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 39): These tour looks like the perfect way to start a new part of life.
No doubt about that.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 39): Also the Helvetic leg looks like really good.
Something for me, who knows!.
Yes, you should try it!
Quoting 767747 (Reply 40): Thank you, PH for your amazing report! You've once again set the bar for great trip reports!
Many thanks, Matthew! That's great to hear.
Quoting 767747 (Reply 40): Scotland looks amazing, and while I've been to England several times, I've never been much north of Manchester. Would love to go and visit - definitely on the short list.
You should really do it, the Highlands are simply fantastic.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 41): Congratulations on your recent marriage. I hope that you and the good lady will enjoy many happy years together.
Thank you so much, Roy!
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 41): What a beautiful destination for your honeymoon. Wonderful scenery, the chance to sample fine whiskies.
Very true!
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 41): Good news for the airline, if the fares were at the right level.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 41): They really need to call you before publishing.
That's a very good idea.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 41): Seriously though, I wonder how many others pick up these things. I suppose if it is changed in the next edition it might indicate that it was pointed out to them.
Would be interesting to know.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 41): Once more a great report, comparing two very different airlines. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks a lot for your feedback!
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 41): If you like travelling on the F100, any thoughts of sampling Skywest (XR) here in Western Australia?
I'd certainly love to visit Western Australia one day. And getting on Skywest would be an additional treat.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 41): Best wishes to you and the good wife.
Thank you!
Quoting infodesk (Reply 42): What a super, super report! Your photos of your time are Scotland are really excellent, I so enjoyed looking at them.
Hi Hannah, thank you very much for your nice comments!
Quoting infodesk (Reply 42): How lucky were you both with the weather? Must be a good sign of married life ahead!
Yes, no doubt about that!
Quoting infodesk (Reply 42): Congrats on being able to combine your honeymoon with some interesting flights. I too really enjoy the rides on those F100s. As you said yourself, the seats are comfy and the legroom impressive. With HB-JVC you managed to log one of the 2 birds I'm missing. As for Flybe, well I have my first trip with them planned for April.
Sounds good, BE belongs to the better LCCs out there.
MSS658 From Belgium, joined Oct 2010, 2212 posts, RR: 14 Reply 45, posted (3 months 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 5976 times:
Hello PH
First of all it is great reading another report from you.
I've been to Scotland once and can only reccomend the great scenery and the interesting culture.
flyBe doesn't look bad neither, decent service and a rare aircraft.
I've always admired the Helvatic F100 and would like to try them one day soon.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 1): Star Alliance stroke back with bmi A320-232 G-MIDX:
Knightsofmalta From Malta, joined Nov 2005, 1415 posts, RR: 17 Reply 46, posted (3 months 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 5860 times:
Hi Udo
What lovely pictures you took of Scotland, absolutely stunning. I'm quite surprised to see it being so sunny there. My impression of Sctoland is that it's always raining! I'll be going to Glasgow in a month or so. Now that I've seen your pictures I'm looking forward to the trip even more!
Another surprise here. I would have thought that even if the flight is operated by Helvetic at least they'd have their own inflight magazine available onboard as well.
Thanks for taking the time to post and for the lovely pictures!
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6191 posts, RR: 79 Reply 47, posted (3 months 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 5598 times:
Quoting MSS658 (Reply 45): First of all it is great reading another report from you.
Thanks for your feedback, Marc!
Quoting MSS658 (Reply 45): I've been to Scotland once and can only reccomend the great scenery and the interesting culture.
Well said, I can only agree.
Quoting MSS658 (Reply 45): flyBe doesn't look bad neither, decent service and a rare aircraft.
Well, the number of E175s continues to grow quickly. In terms of orders, the E175 is second behind the E190. But most E175s are active in North America, of course.
Quoting MSS658 (Reply 45): I've always admired the Helvatic F100 and would like to try them one day soon.
Yes, you should. There are still many frames in service in Europe.
Quoting MSS658 (Reply 45): Saw her in DUS, in full BA colors
Ah, I preferred the bmi Star Alliance colors...
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Reply 46): What lovely pictures you took of Scotland, absolutely stunning.
Hi William, thanks a lot for your comments!
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Reply 46): I'm quite surprised to see it being so sunny there. My impression of Sctoland is that it's always raining!
It seems we were really lucky with the weather.
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Reply 46): I'll be going to Glasgow in a month or so. Now that I've seen your pictures I'm looking forward to the trip even more!
Glasgow is a nice city, but we didn't see much of it, unfortunately. Maybe you'll find some time for a side trip to Loch Lomond of further north? It might be worth it - well, depending on the weather.
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Reply 46): By the size of that thing it looks more like you had quite a lot of cake!
Yes, I admit the cake was the largest there...but size wasn't the main reason for my choice!
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Reply 46): Even so, in the picture at least it doesn't look crowded. That's what I like about the Embraers, they have a very spacious feel about them.
True, that's why I love the E-Jets.
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Reply 46): I'm always surprised by the fact that the F100 doesn't need flaps to take off. Kind of unusual isn't it?
Absolutely!
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Reply 46): Another surprise here. I would have thought that even if the flight is operated by Helvetic at least they'd have their own inflight magazine available onboard as well.
Not in this case. I'm not sure whether they mentioned Helvetic at all during the flight.
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Reply 46): Thanks for taking the time to post and for the lovely pictures!
eastafspot From France, joined Jan 2008, 473 posts, RR: 4 Reply 48, posted (3 months 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 5447 times:
Excellent and very informative trip report, i was waiting for it and i have enjoyed it intensively as it brings back good memories. Scotland is a must see in UK. It's nice to read that you had a good time there.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): the Scotland trip would suddenly bring a new type into my log as well.
The E170 is so common nowadays, so how is it possible after hundreds (or thousands ) of flights ????
As nice as they look, that is a second class carriage and not even first class! The 2+1 seating is commonly assumed to be first class but that is an SO or Second Open carriage (where Second is the Class and Open is the seating). Not so many SO's were built or indeed survive as compared to the ubiquitous TSO or Tourist Second Open (with its familiar 2+2 seating). There's not a lot of difference between an SO and an FO (First Open) but the lack of individual armrests between the two-together seats is the giveaway.
Forget A vs B - Give me E or BAe any day of the week!
hoons90 From Canada, joined Aug 2001, 2670 posts, RR: 54 Reply 51, posted (3 months 9 hours ago) and read 5019 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW CHAT OPERATOR
As always, excellent trip report! It was an enjoyable read and the pictures were very relaxing.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): Where to go on honeymoon? In early 2012, my future wife and I took several destinations into consideration, but finally decided to make a tour around Scotland where we had always wanted to go on holiday.
Congratulations!
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): After an eventless journey from Munich to Heathrow and onwards to Edinburgh on Lufthansa A319-112 D-AKNJ and bmi A319-131 G-DBCJ (two new registrations for my log), we checked in at the Hilton Airport and then took a public bus to the city to get some first impressions:
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6191 posts, RR: 79 Reply 52, posted (2 months 4 weeks 23 hours ago) and read 4728 times:
Quoting eastafspot (Reply 48): Excellent and very informative trip report, i was waiting for it and i have enjoyed it intensively as it brings back good memories.
Hi Léonard, many thanks for your comments! I'm glad you liked it. When did you go there?
Quoting eastafspot (Reply 48): It's nice to read that you had a good time there.
Yes, it was really enjoyable.
Quoting eastafspot (Reply 48): The E170 is so common nowadays, so how is it possible after hundreds (or thousands ) of flights ????
It's the E175 which was still missing in my log.
Quoting eastafspot (Reply 48): Do you consider the information at the time of the flight or at the time of the trip report's publication?
Only at the time of the flight.
Quoting eastafspot (Reply 48): Thanks a lot for this amazing report & best wishes for your wedding
Thank you very much!
Quoting Eurohub (Reply 49):
As nice as they look, that is a second class carriage and not even first class! The 2+1 seating is commonly assumed to be first class but that is an SO or Second Open carriage (where Second is the Class and Open is the seating). Not so many SO's were built or indeed survive as compared to the ubiquitous TSO or Tourist Second Open (with its familiar 2+2 seating). There's not a lot of difference between an SO and an FO (First Open) but the lack of individual armrests between the two-together seats is the giveaway.
That's interesting, but I was just comparing the train seating to plane seating.
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 50): Lovely photos of Scotland....you were so lucky!
Thanks for leaving a reply, Gabriel! Yes, we were indeed lucky.
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 50): Looks like your flights home to Germany were pretty good too.
abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4917 posts, RR: 55 Reply 53, posted (2 months 4 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 4587 times:
PH,
Your honeymoon pictures look absolutely stunning. Wow. I was blown away by the sights, and think they did justice to an amazing time I am sure. Thanks also for the report on the airlines - to be honest though, they were overshadowed by the pictures. I have been inspired to go to Scotland now!
Thanks again.
Saludos,
Alex
PS: I am amazed LX got it wrong ...
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): Swiss operates just six A321-100s and one A321-200 - and some range figures aren't correct either. Let's just have a look at the A330-300 - it can certainly fly much farther with full payload! Otherwise the airline's Miami operations alone would cause some headaches...
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6191 posts, RR: 79 Reply 54, posted (1 month 4 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 3504 times:
Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 53):
Your honeymoon pictures look absolutely stunning. Wow. I was blown away by the sights, and think they did justice to an amazing time I am sure.
Hi Alex, thanks a lot for your comments! Good to hear you liked it.
Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 53): Thanks also for the report on the airlines - to be honest though, they were overshadowed by the pictures.
akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 2332 posts, RR: 53 Reply 55, posted (1 month 3 weeks 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 2935 times:
Dear PH,
Snow, snow and another snow! One may think that Northern UK has become new Lapland.
Luckily, your honeymoon trip report proves the otherwise! Scotland in particular can also be lush green county with rich history, picturesque places, landscape and even sunny weather! What a privilege to become a part of this special event of your life!
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): The monument was built to mark the place where Prince Charles Edward Stuart ("Bonnie Prince Charlie") raised his standard at the beginning of the 1745 Jacobite Rising, a series of rebellions and wars.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): The battle was the final confrontation of the 1745 Jacobite Rising and the last battle fought on British soil. The devastating defeat of the Jacobites, led by Bonnie Prince Charlie, by the government forces led to wide-reaching consequences for highland life. The people weren't allowed to wear their tartans, playing bagpipe was prohibited by law and the clan system was destroyed…a dark chapter in Scotland's history.
palmjet From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2001, 1051 posts, RR: 16 Reply 56, posted (1 month 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 1927 times:
Hello PH
I read this report some time ago and thought I had left a comment - but clearly not. Apologies for that.
What an amazing time you guys must have had. Some super pics of Scotland - showcased in the very best of light too. Scotland has always been one of my favourite parts of the UK, and the West Coast and surrounds are particularly stunning. It always amazes me how many people I talk to here in London who have never set foot in Scotland and they have lived in the UK for their whole life. It's such a gorgeous place and well worth a visit.
Great to see that you got to visit so many places while you were there.
I almost forget to look at the pics of your flights... but having just set foot on a F100 again, it was great to read about (again) your F100 experiences with Helvetic. I just love the F100. Looks like you had a good flight with them.
Great to see the E175 reported as well as I don't recall seeing any other reports about this newest member of Flybe's fleet. I don't rate them personally as an airline - they seem to try too hard to be hip and modern but actually, it all looks and feels overdone and forced. They also seem to be having some kind of identity crisis and I am never sure whether they are an LCC or not. Some of their prices on routes that they have no competition on are astronomically high, such as MAN - IOM for example. Although I've only flown them twice, to be fair so I am not in a good position to comment.
Anyhow, thanks again, and great stuff. Cheers Palmjet
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6191 posts, RR: 79 Reply 57, posted (2 weeks 4 days 23 hours 57 minutes ago) and read 1133 times:
Quoting akhmad (Reply 55): What a privilege to become a part of this special event of your life!
Hi Suryo! Thank you very much for your comments. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Sorry for my late reply!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 55): Luckily, your honeymoon trip report proves the otherwise! Scotland in particular can also be lush green county with rich history, picturesque places, landscape and even sunny weather!
It's a marvelous country!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 55): Ebookers’ open jaws are so impressive!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 55): Did you tell him about you being plane enthusiast?
No, they were so busy.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 55): Perhaps for your wedding anniversary present?
Quoting akhmad (Reply 55): Well, we could have arranged such bachelor party for you.
In Amsterdam?
Quoting akhmad (Reply 55): What if a GE90 was indeed attached?
That would have been the end for this little plane...
Quoting akhmad (Reply 55): Can you imagine that I needed to (re)read your report several times before replying? Thank you for taking us along this marvelous journey!
Many thanks again, Suryo!
Quoting palmjet (Reply 56): I read this report some time ago and thought I had left a comment - but clearly not. Apologies for that.
Hi Palmjet, thank you for your comments! No worries!
Quoting palmjet (Reply 56): What an amazing time you guys must have had.
Yes, it was a great week.
Quoting palmjet (Reply 56): Some super pics of Scotland - showcased in the very best of light too.
Thanks!
Quoting palmjet (Reply 56): Scotland has always been one of my favourite parts of the UK, and the West Coast and surrounds are particularly stunning.
I can only agree, I need to go there again.
Quoting palmjet (Reply 56): Looks like you had a good flight with them.
Quoting palmjet (Reply 56): I don't rate them personally as an airline - they seem to try too hard to be hip and modern but actually, it all looks and feels overdone and forced. They also seem to be having some kind of identity crisis and I am never sure whether they are an LCC or not. Some of their prices on routes that they have no competition on are astronomically high, such as MAN - IOM for example.
Yes, I agree. And it seems it's in trouble now.
Quoting palmjet (Reply 56): Anyhow, thanks again, and great stuff. Cheers Palmjet
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Scotland is the quite the destination that I would choose for a honeymoon but your proved me wrong. When the weather is right - and that is the main concern - it is a wonderful place to visit and when looking through my motorcycling spectacles, a wet dream (forgive me the expression) to be fulfilled hopefully soon: a drive through the Highlands.
Sultanils
From Slovenia, joined Jul 2010, 336 posts, 
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From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 1242 posts, 
From Malta, joined Nov 2005, 1415 posts, 
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From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4917 posts, 
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