Horus From Egypt, joined Feb 2004, 5230 posts, RR: 69 Posted (7 years 1 month 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 13268 times:
Hey Guys and Gals! Alright this is my first trip report on A.net and I’ve tried to make it as interesting (and detailed) as possible.
Note: sorry about the low quality of some of the pictures but I’ve only had this camera for a few days (my first digital camera) so I wasn’t too sure about the controls. And the fact some parts of the flights were during the night time didn’t help.
So why did I choose Copenhagen? Well it’s a place I’ve always wanted to visit but never got round to it…till now. Anyway it all started back here on A.net last month when I made this thread about Easyjet and Ryanair’s services to Copenhagen (Kastrup and Malmo respectively). I’m usually a fairly loyal Easyjet customer but the thought of having to fly on one of their old ex-Go B733 did make me think twice since Ryanair use their brand spankin new B738s to Malmo. After weighing out the pros and cons to each option I decided to go with Easyjet (better flight times, price (£38 return incl taxes) and I would get to fly into CPH), much to Pe@rsons’s (aka Ryanair’s CEO) disappointment (sorry mate )
Anyway the day finally came and I was up at 4am, had a shower, a coffee and double checked I had everything with me. At around 5am three of my mates (who were also travelling with me) came by my flat and picked me up. The journey to Stansted took just over an hour by car and we parked at the ‘inexpensive’ -I) car park where got our first view of the airport’s single terminal:
Stansted Airport
The last (and only) time I’ve used the airport was over 3 years ago when I flew to Rome Ciampino with Ryanair (a flight I’m repeating next month). The airport hasn’t changed much as far as I can remember but at 6am it was pretty packed. Check-in for the four of us took less than 35 seconds and they just asked if we were carrying any sharp objects. The girl that checked us in was surprisingly cheery.
CPH check-in was the second one on the right. U2 had another 7 flights checking in too
Early morning traffic to Europe (the Copenhagen flight is ours. Ryanair's Malmo/Copenhagen service departs 5 minutes before ours)
Once our boarding passes were issued we headed through passport control and into the duty free area (which again was really busy). Despite the excitement of flying, I needed to get some caffeine in me so we went to the Starbucks for large cappuccinos.
The busy terminal (standing at the far right end of the terminal looking westward). You can see the Starbucks cafe in the centre.
The busy terminal (standing in the middle of the terminal looking westward)
Just before going through to our gate I found this stand where you can WIN A FREE BMW. So out of boredom I applied and now I’m just waiting (finger’s crossed):
At 6:40am we went to Gate 11, which is located in the auxiliary terminal and is reached by jumping on the airport mono-train. Just as we settled down at the gate, an Easyjet staff member literally shouted over the tanoy system for the 2 remaining passengers on a flight to Malaga to show up at the gate or their bags would be unloaded and sure as hell within 20 seconds two blondes came running out of no where, just in time.
At 6:58am they called out for our flight. After queuing up for a couple of minutes we headed down a tunnel and then onto the tarmac to board the B733 via stairs. I tried to get a few pics of the aircraft but since I didn’t want to loose my place at the front of the line (i.e. having the choice to sit anywhere on board) I was only able to get this bad quality photo (sorry)
G-IGOP sitting at the gate
Once on board I decided to sit in seat 9F as it gave a good view of the engine and wing.
The load on the flight was low with a total of 34 passengers, most looked like Danish businessmen heading off early to Copenhagen to get a full day’s work.
Last passenger boards the flight
There were two guys sitting behind me who began discussing how the ban on use of mobile phones on-board aircraft was a ‘conspiracy’ and that in fact it didn’t effect an aircraft’s system and that it was only enforced to reduce hassle to fellow passengers and stewards…I guess you’ll always have ‘know it alls’.
At 07:04am one of three stewardesses on today’s flight closed the door. I did notice that just before she closed the door she was pressing an orange-lit button just over the door and when it turned off she locked the door. Can anyone shed any light what that orange light is?
Soon after the Captain welcomed us on board the flight introducing himself, Captain Peter H and co-pilot Tony G (I left out the full surname intentionally). He said that soon after take off we’d head south-west (complete opposite direction to CPH) before routing towards Denmark. and that’ll we’ll be cruising at 37,000ft, which I thought was quite high for a B733. Soon after the stewards began their safety instructions in both English and Danish.
Push back began at 07:09am
The tug and dispatcher can be seen moving away from the aircraft as the engines start up.
Once the engines were up and running we began taxiing towards runway 23. On the way we passed most of the terminal and it only then it hit me how FR dominate at STN.
Lights are turned on
As we neared the runway, the captain came on to inform us that we were fourth in queue behind 2 FR jets which were taking off and an Atlas B744F which was landing. Then when it was our turn these 2 FR jets came out of nowhere and over took us onto the runway. Talk about blatant discrimination by STN’s ATC….
Finally at 7:34am it was our turn and after 30 seconds of impressive power we are up, up and away:
Take off in the pitch-black darkness. The guy sitting behind me (the one we said that the mobile phone ban was a conspiracy) gave us a running commentary of what was happening, which sort of cheesed me off as he obviously had no idea what we was going on about. The one that cracked me up was when he said an aircraft’s speed at V2 was around 300mph (higher than Concorde)
Finally the first rays of sunshine appear and about time too
Nice view a minute after take off
Approaching the cloud base and the sun’s ray gets stronger allowing for better photos.
Over the clouds. You can almost imagine yourself flying over Antarctica
You can just about see the moon before it ‘disappears’ for the day.
View of the ‘almighty’ 737 engine
At 7:53am we reached our cruising altitude of 37,000ft and the sun makes a full appearance albeit it’s still hazy
The seat belt sign was finally turned off as the journey so far was quite ‘bumpy’ (the word used by the stewardess). It never ceases to amaze me why as soon as that seatbelt light goes off you hear so many ‘clicks’ as passengers undo theirs. And it’s not like they were going to the toilet or get belonging from the overhead bins. If they only knew it was for their safety…
The Dutch coastline comes into sight
Soon after the stewards came around giving out their in-flight magazine to passengers who needed them (they only have sick bags and safety cards in the seat-back pockets). I guess that’s just a way to cut costs. I went through the magazine and read through the Easyjet News section. The airline seems to be expanding at a very fast rate, and kudos to them for not lowering their service levels as other have in this cut-throat business.
Being the enthusiast I am, I decided to go to the back galley where one of the stewardesses were to ask here if it would be possible to visit the cockpit once we landed at CPH. Unfortunately she said that due to the tight turnaround time and high workload it would not be possible but she said she would try, which was a nice touch.
Anyway I took the opportunity to take a few pictures from the back of the tube:
The sun is out, but it’s still dark
Returning to me seat, I made my mates stand up so I can take some picture of the seats (I think that kinda embarrassed them…lol)
The seats
For tall people, I can see how legroom would be issue…but since I’m not that tall I don’t care…hehe
Settling down again, I got a Coke from the EasyKiosk and enjoyed the scene outside.
Over the North Sea. Ice crystals formed on the window
At 9.25am (local time) we began a gradual decent and I noticed the spoilers were deflected slighty to slow down the aircraft.
It took almost 10 minutes before the captain came on to announce we had begun our decent and advised the stewards to prepare the cabin. All of a sudden there was a rush in the cabin as the stewards came around to collect the rubbish and magazines (I kept mine )
Over the sea and getting closer to CPH. At 9:45am the wheels were brought down
The aircraft makes a sharp turn to position itself for a landing
Denmark’s attempt at being environmentally friendly…
A nice view of the coastline and the industrial areas
A glance over the wing shows that the flaps have been deployed
On short finals with a great view. You can see the SAS Technical Service hanger on the left
A Thai B744 and SAS MD-83 parked at the technical area
A split second before touchdown. You can clearly see the aircraft’s shadow and 2 SAS jets in the background.
TOUCHDOWN at 9:56am!!! The spoilers are fully deployed and thrust reversers in operation.
A closer view of the thrust reverser
After a short period on the runway we taxied off as a SAS A330 was landing right behind us
A nice selection of American, Asian, European and off course Scandinavian airlines
Two Maersk B737s surround an Aeroflot A319. The latter’s c/s looks great in this light
Anyone still not sure which airport I’m at?
Engines off as we park up at gate A11 at 10:01am
Wow, that was quick! Aircraft is already being refuelled and the bags for the return flight waiting patiently.
I remained seated so that I could be the last passenger off the plane, and when I reached the door I asked the stewardess whether it would be possible to visit the cockpit for a picture but she said she was really sorry but the pilots were very busy So feeling defeated I went through the air bridge and onto the terminal, where I managed to get a few photos
Our plane
A close up of the back
Well I guess the stewardess was being honest. You can clearly see both pilots working hard…maybe I’ll have better luck on my return flight
On the opposite stand was this brand new BA A321 from LHR. Again the pilots are busy get ready for the return flight.
The shopping area in the terminal area. One of my mates got some aftershave from there
The baggage reclaim area….looks rather quiet at 10:10am
Wow! Copenhagen’s Terminal 3 is an impressive structure
According to the clock at the centre of the photo it took just over 10 minutes from parking up at the gate to leaving the airport, which is impressive by any standards
Outside the airport. To my right is T2 and straight ahead is T3 (which we just came out of). On the left is the bus (250S that took us to Central Station to begin 3 day break in the city) .
We spent a great time in Copenhagen. The city is fantastic. It’s clean, modern, spacious and has loads of character. The Danes are a really friendly people and I was surprised at how helpful they were. We did all the tourist stuff including visiting the famous Little Mermaid (its such a small statue) and enjoyed the cracking nightlife (despite it being freezing in January) and the food was pretty good. The only problem was the fact things are really expensive over there.
A view of the city taken from the top of Radhus city hall tower. It stands at 106 metres and is the tallest in Denmark .
So finally it was time to go back home….
Date: Saturday, December 8th, 2005
Route: Copenhagen-Kastrup (CPH/EKCH) to London-Stansted (STN/EGSS)
Flight Number: Easyjet EZY3568
Equipment: 737-36N
Registration: G-ODUS (http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/?app=b737&msn=28659)
Flight time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Gate Departure Scheduled/Actual 21:15/21:32Local Time
Gate Arrival Scheduled/Actual 2210/22:10 Local Time
Seat: 24A
The journey started from Central Station, but this time we got the train to the airport (instead of bus). The tickets were for 35Kroners (around £3.40). The train left the station at 6pm, arriving into the airport station at 6:15pm (3 minutes behind schedule which is disgraceful compared to the standard of trains we have here in the UK )
Easyjet flies into T3, but flights depart out of T2. Once we arrived into the terminal we waited for around 20 minutes for the check-in desk to open. This is where I noticed the problem with the terminal. There is only one café and there are no seats in the whole place (you are only allowed to sit in the café if you were buying something).
Check-in finally opened at 7:15pm and we were the 5th in line. Checking in this time took nearly 5 minutes as the computer printer was having problems and couldn’t print our boarding passes, so we had to move to the check-in next to us which was for an EZY flight to Berlin.
The checking-in area
Heading to the airside area
After the security checks we found a nice spot (with a good view of the apron) at a café where we just sat. Even though I had planned to do some duty free shopping, I was too tired after our 3 day trip.
Anyway I tried to take some pics but unfortunately taking photos through a thick glass at night from a well lit terminal is very difficult.
I did however see this interesting CRJ-200 with a SAS logo and ‘Flying for Scandinavian Airlines’ titles, which was quite a surprise. Looking through the A.net database, this is operated on behalf of Cimber Airlines. I would appreciate if someone can explain this agreement between the two airlines and when it started.
The SAS/Cimber CRJ, with an Air Baltic Bae-146 behind (sorry for the poor quality) .
OY-MBJ
Later on we decided to get some dinner from one of the restaurants at the airport and as we returned to our seats I got a fantastic surprise. In the few minutes it took to get our food, an Air Greenland A332 and Sterling B738 (with winglets) had arrived and parked up at the stand.
I couldn’t believe me luck!
I was hoping I’d see at least one of these red monsters, so to see 2 was just fantastic!!!
After calming down, I decided to go around the terminal shops to kill the time
There are plenty of shops, but most items are expensive
Even though boarding was supposed to start at 8:45pm, it was only at 9.00pm that the boards finally showed which gate we were at (A11), so we rushed to the gate. As we waited at the gate the aircraft arrived at 9:07pm and I watched as the pilots worked hard to prepare for the return flight.
Blurry picture, but I can assure you the pilots were working hard. .
This flight was to be packed unlike the first flight. After 15 minutes, at 9:20pm boarding commenced. The staff called for all passengers travelling with children to board first and that’s when an Indian family with 8 kids (yes that’s 8) came forward and all the passengers started staring at them as they tried to control their kids who were all under 15.
Finally we boarded and we sat right at the back (my seat was 23A). As people we settling down, the captain welcomed us aboard and introduced himself, Captain Peter M and co-pilot Rickard B (I left out the full surname intentionally). He explained the flight would take 1 hour 35 minutes and would route close to Hamburg, then Amsterdam on its way to STN. He then explained the reason for the delay was an earlier flight from Slovenia was slowed down by 20 minutes due to strong headwinds, which had a knock on effect on its timetable.
View from window
Push back began at 9:34pm and the engine started during that.
View during push back
At 9:41pm, the tug was off and we started our taxiing to runway 22R (3600m long). We took off as soon as we were on the runway and after just 15 seconds we were up in the air..
At 10:01pm we had reached our cruising altitude of 37,000ft. The flight was similar to the outbound one and passed uneventfully
For those who care….an Easyjet Toilet .
At 9:45pm (local time) we began our decent into Stansted. There was thick cloud cover, so I only got a view of London around 1 minute before touchdown.
Picture just seconds before landing. You can just see a faint horizontal line in the middle, which was a vortex.
Anyway we landed at 10:10am (five minutes late), which was impressive considering we were nearly 30 minutes late.
As passengers got of the plane I tried my luck again and asked 2 stewardesses in the back galley whether I could visit the cockpit for a few pictures. They said it was unlikely as the pilots were busy, but I should ask the purser. So off I went to the front of the plane, where she was and asked here. In a friendly tone she said she’d ask the pilots. I heard the captain’s response, “Yes, let him”…RESULT….
The pilots were great blokes. We spent around 10 minutes chatting about Easyjet and becoming a pilot. Whilst I was taking pictures he asked why I was taking photos of the cockpit of old aircraft, to which I explained I was a ‘fan’ of the 737Classics. Both pilots said they didn’t like the B733 much. He continued by explained how Easyjet used to fly B73Gs out of STN but how they recently removed them from STN making it a B733 hub, but he added that the B73Gs would be back over the next few months as they replace the Classics. Both pilots did however say they preferred the A319 and how it’s the way in the future.
Thanks to the pilots for allowing into the cockpit.
Another view
Even though I wanted to stay longer, I knew the pilots were tired after a long day (and my mates were waiting outside), so I thanked them for their time and got off plane (via stairs). As I headed towards the terminal I tried to get a photo of the plane but a dispatcher guy came and told me that wasn’t allowed….shame.
G-ODUS from the terminal
The mono-train back to the terminal
The terminal was quite parked as the last few flights of the day arrived. We were out of the terminal in 10 minutes, where we got back into the car and on our way home.
Overall I think Easyjet are a great airline. I don’t think I’ve ever had a problem with them so far whether in terms of service, punctuality or comfort. Their prices are low, which allows me to fly regularly.
This Easyjet advert sums it all up for me….WELL DONE EASYJET!
Anyway I hope you enjoyed my report and I would appreciate any comments, feedback or questions
Horus
p.s. Just want to give a quick mention to my friends Mark, Omar and Steve for a great time. Cheers guys!
EZYAirbus From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2003, 2425 posts, RR: 57 Reply 6, posted (7 years 1 month 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 12917 times:
Hey Horus great report mate as for the little orange light thing at the front is for the airstairs, when the light is illuminated it means the airstairs are out and down, when it is off it means that they are retracted and locked away, hope this helps you mate!
Horus From Egypt, joined Feb 2004, 5230 posts, RR: 69 Reply 7, posted (7 years 1 month 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 12709 times:
Jsnww81, Gofly, thanks for your great comments guys
YUl2010, thanks and I'm sure you won't be the last to comment about the 'blurry' pics. Let me just explain again that I only had the new digi cam for a few days so wasn't too sure about the controls...and I'm not a very techincal person
EasyGlenn, I knew you'd comment! Shame nothing happened about BUD. Thanks for the info about the orange lights. Do all 737s have airstairs?
RJ100 From Russia, joined Nov 2000, 4099 posts, RR: 46 Reply 8, posted (7 years 1 month 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 12680 times:
Excellent trip report, enjoyed reading it and loved some of the pictures.
As for Cimber Air, they are independent and are flying from Copenhagen to Basel ( ), Montpellier, Kiev, Wroclaw, Lodz, Bucharest as well as to Danish cities (Karup, Aalborg, Ronne and Sonderborg). They are also flying from Billund to Brussels, Milan, Munich, Stockholm, Oslo and Aalborg.
On some of the flights they are using a SAS codeshare. But maybe forum user OYRJA can give more information.
RichardBHX From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2004, 111 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (7 years 1 month 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 12618 times:
Hey Horus!
Cool Report! Photos were great. I shouldn't worry, not-perfect pictures are way better than no pictures!
I've never flown a LCC, i'll have to someday.
Eurohub From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 184 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (7 years 1 month 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 12243 times:
Horus,
I flew EZY3561 5 days after you and was also surprised to be overtaken by two FR birds that appeared from nowhere as we held for for a takeoff slot. ATC always say they are impartial but it doesn't always seem so at STN.
Forget A vs B - Give me E or BAe any day of the week!
BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11095 posts, RR: 69 Reply 17, posted (7 years 1 month 3 hours ago) and read 11959 times:
Wonderful trip report Horus! It sounds like you had a fun flight.
I love early morning flights in which you can experience the sun rise, and I am one who loves to sleep in, but I will wake up early just to experience such a flight!
Salamat
Regards
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
Horus From Egypt, joined Feb 2004, 5230 posts, RR: 69 Reply 18, posted (7 years 4 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 11898 times:
Hodja, thanks for the info. Looking at maps of CPH its quite obvious now that we used 22L. Do planes have to go over the terminal buildings to land on 22R? As for the UA767, even though I knew about this 'deal' with SAS for many months I didn't register with me when I say the UA767 parked there...lol
Eurohub, yeah it was kinda strange considering the captain announced we were 4th in line, so he obviously had no idea the 2 FR jets would over take us. To be honest I didn't mind as I wanted to take off late so that the sun could come out (allowing for better chance of photography).
Pilot kaz, thanks, it was a really good trip altogether.
LHR27C, great to hear you enojoyed reading the report. I'm planning a trip to erlin later this year too.
Nah I didn't get an email from you about jumpseating. I'm flying OA in a few weeks
A340600 I've put the outbound photos again (end of this reply). I think U2 are a great LCC.
BA, I was ait disappointed take off was during the night, but within a few minutes the sun finally came out and it's an inspring sight and kinda magical. Nice to hear you enjoyed the read
p.s. does anybody know any other free image hosting website besides http://www.photobucket.com/, that has no restrictions or limits?
Anyway here are the images that are missing from above (outbound fligh)
Srilankan_340 From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2002, 201 posts, RR: 3 Reply 19, posted (7 years 4 weeks 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 11854 times:
Very nice report and well detailed.
I did the exact same flights back over the August Bank holiday week-end last year. It was like re living that experience reading your report. Thanks.
We actually had a Female Captain on the outbound flight. As it was August, it was daylight, and how I wish I had been brave enough to get my camera out like you had done!
You are right about the Little Mermaid, It is quite small - The pictures I had seen on the web before my visit gave me the impression it was quite big! (a bit like the peeing boy statute in Brussels)
Hope you will post your OA report soon.
Srilankan_340
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self- centered: Forgive them anyway - Mother Theresa
LHR27C From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2004, 1267 posts, RR: 22 Reply 20, posted (7 years 4 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 11839 times:
Wow Ali you were busy taking photos on that CPH 22L landing! It is one of my favourite approaches actually because there is a lot of interesting scenery.
I've e-mailed you again via your profile this time to make sure... maybe I have an out of date e-mail address for you.
Looking forward to a similar report for your OA flights!
Oliver
Once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned forever skyward
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From Egypt, joined Feb 2004, 5230 posts, 
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-I) car park where got our first view of the airport’s single terminal:
So feeling defeated I went through the air bridge and onto the terminal, where I managed to get a few photos
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