My family decided to spend summer holidays in Spain, so we had chosen flight to BCN via Moscow(DME) with Transaero. There were no question of which air company we would fly to Moscow, it was UTair, like always
So, let's fly!
Flight 1
4th August 2008
Route: Tyumen (TJM) - Moscow (VKO)
Airline: UTair
Flight number: UT464
Aircraft type: B737-500
Registration: VP-BVN(Built in 1996)
Class: Y
Seat: 16A
Flight time: 3hr
Scheduled departure time: 17:10 (on time)
Scheduled arrival time: 18:00 (actual 18:10)
Load: 100%
I keep firmly in mind that day. In 2008 I left school and leaving for Tyumen to enter the university. I gave my documents to university and than we had do simply wait the answer from the selection committee. But nobody knew when they would give decision…In previous years this event was on the 4th August so we decided to book tickets to MOW on this date! Thankfully, my future university didn't change its tradition.
We got up early and went to the university where we learnt good news: I’m a student of Tyumen State Univercity of Architecture and Civil Engineering! 
So I with my mother and younger brother in good mood went home to prepare for a journey.
At about 16:00 we were in the airport where we successfully checked-in and passed security zone. The boarding was announced on time and soon thereafter we were into our plane. The original jet used for route (Tu-154) was replaced by a B737-500! I had never fly on classic baby Boeing before( I flew on B737 only once but it was B737-200). What can I say about UT B735…nothing special
So, you can draw your own conclusion after looking on photos
Our neighbour VP-BYK and wing view
View of Roshino
Yamal Tu-134
Bye-bye, Siberia!
Over clouds
Looks like igloo
Cabin
Approaching to VKO
Wing in landing configuration
UTair ATRs
Bye-bye, pretty VP-BVN!
Landing video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfwVkqew0fI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR2OacDpl1s
It was nice flight, B735 made good impression on me and on most UT464 pax.( As I heard from their telephone conversations).
Flight 2
5th August 2008
Route: Moscow (DME) - Barcelona(BCN)
Airline: Transaero
Flight number: UN0331
Aircraft type: B747-200
Registration: VP-BQC (Built in 1982)
Class: Y
Seat: 32K
Flight time: 4hr
Load: approx. 95%
So, we are faced with flight on UN B747-200. I had never fly with UN and on B747. Yes, flight on B747 was very interesting for me as opposed to trip with Transaero. Before journey I had read a numerous reviews about UN and they scared me!!! It seemed that in Transaero there are no airplanes - only flying cans, there are no f/a – only monsters in disguise, food is awful, also in all their flights there is horrible stench from toilet...Oh, almost forgot! And all UN flight always delayed for hours! That is why I was worried before flight. Nevertheless I hoped that all would be OK.
We were in DME early in the morning and went to the check-in area. The queue was big and we unwillingly started to wait our turn. But suddenly Transaero check-in agent called us to business stand (which was free from pax) due to six-year-old child was with us! Very kind step on Transaero part!
Boarding time had come but there was no announcement… Hope, delaying will not too long, I thought. Thankfully, not long after the boarding was announced and soon we stepped onto the legendary Jumbo Jet. I can’t say that the cabin was great but it wasn’t too terrible as I had read before in reviews!
Well, in general this flight was OK. Lets explode the myths about UN:
1. «In Transaero there are no airplanes - only flying cans». Yes, Transaero B742 is not perfect: during acceleration overhead beans were strongly shacking; IFE didn’t work, but…there are airplanes which are in much worse shape in Russia! So I can’t say that B742 was terrible.
2. «There are no f/a – only monsters in disguise». I partially agree with it. On my flight was one unpleasant f/a: when crew began to hand out presents for kids, they went pass us despite we had a baby! I call one lady and asked her nicely why she had not brought a present to my bother. She unwillingly listened to me and then angry said that she would bring it. Soon after this she returned with souvenir and nearly threw it to me! I had never met such rude stuff!!!
Souvenir bag
3. «Food is awful»- it was normal, not bad. But meal service was poor for international 4hr flight! Therefore, it was eatable.
4. «In all their flights there is horrible stench from toilet» - maybe people’s luck simply runs out…because on my flight there was no horrible stench!
5. «All UN flight always delayed»- time of delay was only 20 min.
All in all, it was normal flight. My fears were not justified.
Other pics
Flight 3
16th August 2008
Route: Barcelona(BCN)- Moscow (DME)
Airline: Transaero
Flight number: UN0332
Aircraft type: B767-200
Registration: EI-CXZ(Built in 1990)
Class: Y
Seat: 35A
Flight time: 3hr 20 min
Load: 100%
After spending wonderful time in magnificent Spain we had to return home
BCN airport seemed very big to me but I liked it! Everything was so interesting!
Our flight delayed for 1hr, as for me, it wasn’t too much. I thought that we would fly on B747 again but it was replaced by B767-200! I had newer flown on B767!! And it was first time when I knew what the real turbulence is: Flight attendants hardly kept their boxes. I almost fell during walking to the lavatory. (F/a said to me «Don’t stand up, remain seated! » But I’m very «obedient» girl so I disobeyed. Because I'm used to that when the turbulence is nothing horrible happened. But this time was exception.) So, I decided to immediately come back to my seat and to sit calmly. This flight surprised me once more: male f/a was the best f/a I had ever met!! He was so nice, polite and gallant. He was always smiling!! Wish all crew weren't like he!
After turbulence was over we safely landed in Moscow (DME).
Here some pic from this flight
Cabin
Flight 4
18th August 2008
Route: Moscow (DME) - Tyumen (TJM)
Airline: UTair
Flight number: UT451
Aircraft type: B737-500
Registration: VP-BYK (Built in 1998)
Class: Y
Seat: 16F
Flight time: 3hr
Load: 100%
I can’t tell something special about this flight besides that it was perfect
Transaero VP-BQE
Great meal serv! Much better then UN
It seems that the clouds attack the wing!
Approaching Tyumen
[URL=http://www.radikal.ru]
Conclution.
It was great trip with many things which was first for me:
- departing from Roshino;
- the new types(B735, B742, B762)
- the heavy turbulence
- Transaero airlines
All of these were nice and interesting for me.
And after this trip I will not afraid before flight with UN. It’s not ideal but I trust it.
Best Regards,
Russian Girl.
[Edited 2011-03-08 21:44:27]
