For those that do www.flightmemory.com you will understand my slight predicament. I was missing BUR on my map. I had hit every So Cal Airport that Southwest served except BUR. It was taunting me in the face and I decided I had to have it on my map.

Fares are not cheap out of STL on SWA to BUR, then I had received SWA Gift Cards for Christmas and figured hey, while I am down in PHX, I will do a quick turn in and out of BUR while my friend was at work. I messaged another friend who lives in PHX to ask if he wanted to go so he said SURE!

I booked a 3:20pm departure out of PHX, and return at 6:10pm out of PHX.

My friend who was working then later told me he got the day off from work and that he could fly with us too! This was going to be a great little get away trip!

I have had a fascination with Burbank Airport for quite awhile, especially after SWA had their over run incident at BUR back in 2000. The celebrities that fly in and out of BUR, the close proximity to Hollywood and the Studios sounded really cool. Finally the biggest winner? Being able to deplane and board using AIR STAIRS!!! This meant walking on the ramp and being up close to the planes!

I was super pumped to go to BUR and to go with two buddies who like me, were just crazy enough to hop on a plane for the hell of it, walk around and get a quick dinner and fly back!

Southwest Airlines
PHX-BUR
Boeing 737-700
N726SW
WIFI

After I landed in PHX on Delta, as mentioned on the last TR, we went spotting and then headed back inside to the gates for Southwest to wait for our boarding to BUR.

My friend got on board first then I proceeded, we sat in the back, somewhat light load but enough passengers to keep the crew busy. Our other friend texted to say he was on his way and to save him a seat so we did.

Our friend got on board and we all sat in the row and chatted and caught up until it was time to depart for BUR.

We backed out of the gate and headed quickly to the runway and we took off for BUR. I was super excited to check out a new airport once again.


Flying over the Desert


I liked this shot for some reason...

We all kicked back on the flight, and chatted amongst ourselves with the flight crew and my friends. It was quite possibly one of the most fun flights I ever took on Southwest, knowing the friends you're with and being familiar with the flight crew certainly does help.

The B Flight Attendant was PHX based and from BUR I believe so when she got wind of what we were doing she proceeded to make small talk with us telling us about different stuff in Burbank and the surrounding areas. To bad we were only doing a turn but I will make an effort to go back and overnight there when I can! The crew was fantastic yet again on the flight making sure we continued to have drinks and snacks on board the plane.

In time we were starting to approach Burbank, so I decided to focus out the window and get some shots for me. I have heard the approach is very cool and fun, nothing like SNA or MDW but certainly had its task at hand.

We started the wide turn for BUR


Flaps started coming down as the crew picked up our trash and cups and settled in for the landing


I was smiling from ear to ear so happy to finally check out the rest of So Cal, get another airport on my map and to have friends to share this experience with, totally felt lucky and blessed!

I am told somewhere in the next couple pictures we see Los Angeles and the Hill where the Hollywood sign is in front of?





After I was done snapping I took out the video for landing. This is what I was waiting for the landing! The scenery was beautiful in Burbank area and I was glad I was getting shots in.

Landing Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F14DYzoYAr4&feature=related

Landing was sweet, and we proceeded off the runway as we taxied to the hardstands, this was the part I was looking forward to SEEING BOB HOPE on the Airport Building.

Airport


Looking Out on the Ramp


A Lone 737 in the distance


This is it! The Moment I was waiting for! Getting ready to deplane by AIR STAIRS in the back of the plane. I know some of you may be rolling your eyes at me especially those that have done BUR many times. I didn't really have a plan in mind, Do I wave like a celebrity at the top of the stairs? Do I fall down and act like a total ass in front of everyone? I didn't care, I was having such a blast. Little did I know the SWA Employees at BUR would go out of their way to make sure I got a rare opportunity to take shots.

Getting ready to get off the plane


Staring out on the Ramp


The Shot I was planning to take and got! TAIL SHOTS!


Looking forward from the AFT


Jumpseat in the back. I have fond memories riding "4th" in that seat when I worked at Southwest.


Background of BUR


At this point the Ops Agent for BUR noticed us standing around and had urged us to hurry up to get the boarding going, we apologized and quickly hurried up. My friend mentioned to the Ops Agent about this being my first time here at BUR. She smiled and said well go on get some shots, we can wait a few more minutes! My jaw dropped!

So I ran around the ramp taking some shots under her supervision while my other friends took shots and mingled with the Ops Agent.

More Folks Deplaning


Our Plane after we had arrived


After we got all the shots we proceeded to talk to the Ops Agent some more and got a group shot which I am waiting for my friends to get uploaded.

I was absolutely so happy to be given the chance to get some shots in, get a very brief tour of the ramp, shots with the plane, and the crew of my flight as well as the ground ops in BUR was so welcoming to make sure I had a good time there. I cannot thank the folks at Southwest enough for this.

Also a huge thanks to my two friends who took the time on their day off to fly with me and keep me company and enjoy the experience of doing BUR along with me. I truly had a fantastic time, and it was great to share that with my friends I encourage anyone who can make a trip to BUR to do so, one of the last remaining airports that allows Air Stair boardings in the 48 States of the USA into jets.

We then went inside and walked around checking out the rest of the airport and we grabbed a quick dinner before we flew back to PHX later that night.

Hope ya'll enjoyed the shots and please comment and ask questions if you have any!

Alex

Quoting Reply 1): Great TR as usual, Alex. And I know about Flightmemory obsessions. Mine strangely looks a TWA route map. Can't understand why

Hmmh, I cannot imagine why either!

Mine mostly loos like a TWA map but because of Southwest's point to point routing I have some random lines as well.

Thanks for reading!

Quoting SXDFC (Reply 2): Great TR! However these shots remind me of work! haha

Oh I bet they do, anything from the ground up in terms of a ramps view!

Alex

Quoting Ps76 (Reply 4): Many thanks for the trip report. I've never flown on Southwest but I would really like to try them one day so it was cool to read your report. Very nice writing and photos and a cool landing video made for a good read.

Thanks so much Ps76! Glad you enjoyed it, worth it to try Southwest whenever you can! When you do please do a report, and hopefully it will be a great trip for you!

Quoting MSS658 (Reply 5): Great TR! Liked the BUR picture!

Thanks! I had so much fun taking them, was totally on a high, and had to go back to make sure I really did finally get BUR! Next on my list is OAK, it's the last remaining California Airport I need to hit served by Southwest.

Quoting bcoz (Reply 6): Great TR! Liked the BUR picture!

Thanks bcoz! Glad you liked it!

Alex

Quoting floridaflyboy (Reply 8): Alex, love the trip report! BUR is such a fun, nostalgic little airport Totally know what you mean about Flightmemory. It's addictive! Looks like you've got a good map going on though. Cheers, Lane

Thanks Lane!

I am very impressed by route map so far! I think I am at 350 or 360, cannot wait to add more to it. BUR is very nostalgic indeed and it really brought back the idea of Golden Age of flying to me!

Alex

Quoting LH4116 (Reply 10): Hi Alex, good report! Quite interesting that you made such a big deal about using the rear airstairs, really made me laugh Thanks for sharing //Jonas

Thanks for reading and commenting! Ya, I know I really, really love boarding by air stairs whenever possible, it's rare in the US and adds quite a bit of nostalgia for me!

Alex