fokker50
Jul 9, 01, 6:32 am
I almost missed my flight yesterday! Thanks to delays in Tube and more delays in Gatwick Express I managed to arrive to Gatwick airport only 20 min before scheduled take off time. Estonian Air counter was of course already closed and I was sure that I am in MAJOR trouble (OV has only one flight per day from London to Tallinn and my ticket was non changeable), but helpful agent from Olympic Airways desk issued me “late passenger” boarding pass and suggested to RUN!
I hurried via security, grabbed train to next terminal and arrived to gate 36 where seat were people were still boarding. For that moment I was totally wet and almost collapsing. I was already in no-show list and seat was supposed to be assigned at gate. Gate agent worked with her computer and told me I am going in business class. “Its pays to be late!” What a surprise!
Estonian Air has two Boeing 737-500s ( http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=137985 ). First is “Koit” (“Dawn”) and second “Hämarik” (“Dusk”). I am not sure what one I was traveling, but trip was just fine. OV business class has 2+3 seat layout and seats (big deep blue leather seats) are comfy enough. Legroom is also sufficient. Business class has nice hand made green-blue carpets in walls (really relaxing colors). No on-board entertainment in either class as one may expect from intra-European flight.
Service in Economy class (TLL-LGW, flight time ca 2.50 hrs)
* Welcome drinks after take off (also cocktails, beers etc)
* Hot meal with wine
* Coffee
Service in “Blue Velvet” business class (LGW-TLL, flight time ca 2.30 hrs)
* Water or O/J before takeoff
* Hot towel service
* Welcome drinks (real glasses) with snacks
* Meal (baby shrimp salad, meat stew with mini corn and broccoli, fruit cake, cheese) + selection of wines.
* Coffee
* Refreshments before landing
FA´s in both classes were calm, helpful and professional. Refilling was offered in C class many times. Most OV pilots seem to be ex-Aeroflot and their Estonian language isnt very good, but they sure know how to fly. Both flights were smooth and landing in Tallinn was very soft. I have heard that smooth landings aren't always good from safety point of view, but I prefer them to hard touch-downs any time.
Food in Estonian Air flights is not very impressive but it isn't bad either (usual fair airline food). One nice detail to mention: OV offers also estonian black bread in addition to white bread.
I have heard that OV offers business class service also in Y class on those Tallinn-Copenhagen-Tallinn flights what are operated by un-famous Fokker-50 aircraft ( http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=111806 ).
[This message has been edited by fokker50 (edited 07-09-2001).]
I hurried via security, grabbed train to next terminal and arrived to gate 36 where seat were people were still boarding. For that moment I was totally wet and almost collapsing. I was already in no-show list and seat was supposed to be assigned at gate. Gate agent worked with her computer and told me I am going in business class. “Its pays to be late!” What a surprise!
Estonian Air has two Boeing 737-500s ( http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=137985 ). First is “Koit” (“Dawn”) and second “Hämarik” (“Dusk”). I am not sure what one I was traveling, but trip was just fine. OV business class has 2+3 seat layout and seats (big deep blue leather seats) are comfy enough. Legroom is also sufficient. Business class has nice hand made green-blue carpets in walls (really relaxing colors). No on-board entertainment in either class as one may expect from intra-European flight.
Service in Economy class (TLL-LGW, flight time ca 2.50 hrs)
* Welcome drinks after take off (also cocktails, beers etc)
* Hot meal with wine
* Coffee
Service in “Blue Velvet” business class (LGW-TLL, flight time ca 2.30 hrs)
* Water or O/J before takeoff
* Hot towel service
* Welcome drinks (real glasses) with snacks
* Meal (baby shrimp salad, meat stew with mini corn and broccoli, fruit cake, cheese) + selection of wines.
* Coffee
* Refreshments before landing
FA´s in both classes were calm, helpful and professional. Refilling was offered in C class many times. Most OV pilots seem to be ex-Aeroflot and their Estonian language isnt very good, but they sure know how to fly. Both flights were smooth and landing in Tallinn was very soft. I have heard that smooth landings aren't always good from safety point of view, but I prefer them to hard touch-downs any time.
Food in Estonian Air flights is not very impressive but it isn't bad either (usual fair airline food). One nice detail to mention: OV offers also estonian black bread in addition to white bread.
I have heard that OV offers business class service also in Y class on those Tallinn-Copenhagen-Tallinn flights what are operated by un-famous Fokker-50 aircraft ( http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=111806 ).
[This message has been edited by fokker50 (edited 07-09-2001).]