airoli
Dec 20, 01, 4:36 pm
The Zurich-Brussels route not only links the homes of finest chocolate, but also the former hubs of two now bankrupt airlines. As a formally loyal Qualiflyer I've flown this route several times on Swissair, but now it was time for something new. Given their CHF157 ($95) incl. tax promotional fare, I decided to book a same day return on Virgin Express (http://www.virgin-express.com). To my shame I must admit that these two flights did not earn me any miles on any program (except for the payment via credit card). I urge the FlyerTalk community not to expel me for this sin. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/redface.gif
TV111 ZRH-BRU 20/DEC B737-300 OO-LTU 6F Coach
I got to the Virgin Express check-in desk about an hour prior to departure and was checked at their "hand luggage only" desk in no time. After passport control I pit-stopped at Starbucks and then made my way to the gate in ZRH's Terminal B. To my surprise it was a jetway and not the bus gates that are usually assigned to low-cost carriers.
Boarding started about 30 minutes before scheduled departure and was very smooth, as seats - unlike with easyJet - are preassigned and there's no fight for the best spots. The aircraft was only about 20% full when the doors were closed and pushback started on time, which were a sensation in Zurich if not for all the cancelled Swissair flights that leave lots of capacity. While taxiing out to RWY28 cabin announcements in 3 languages were made (Dutch, French, English) and soon afterwards we took of into a snowy Swiss sky.
Not expecting any inflight service, I grabbed the "Redhot" magazine in the seat pocket and found it to be one of the best airline magazines I've ever read. Instead of the usual funky-but-useless lifestyle stuff it features vital information and an agenda for all Virgin Express destinations plus two interesting articles, one on London in winter (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/001547.html) and one on the history of chocolate. The latter made me buy even more Neuhaus and Godiva stuff in Brussels that I've actually planned. My reading was interrupted by a friendly Flight Attendant offering complimentary tea or coffee (or soft drinks, wine, beer and spirits for a moderate price) plus a pastry. I was positively surprised by this nice gesture and enjoyed the rest of the 50 minute flight sipping a decent cup of tea.
While approaching Brussels airport I noticed that the pilot did not use flaps but touched down softly with only slats extended. I am not sure whether that was an example of the high art of flying or just foolhardy.
Brussels
I checked in for the return flight and then caught a train to downtown Brussels, where I spent the day treating myself to unhealthy things such as Belgian (not French!) fries, waffles and - obviously - chocolate. I also managed to buy many Christmas gifts including some ?uro starter kits featuring the Belgian version of the 8 new coins. Prior to January 1st, these will otherwise be unobtainable in Switzerland.
Exhausted by all the hard shopping, I returned to the airport early enough to browse through the duty free stores where I bought my mother a fragrance, earning double miles on the current SkyShops promo!
TV114 BRU-ZRH 20/DEC B737-300 OO-VEH 1A Coach
Boarding started a bit late and after the crowd settled into their seats we had to wait about 15 more minutes for some late-comers. As I was seated in 1A directly at the open door, it was quite cool. When the door was finally closed, the plane was about 40% full. I wonder if Virgin Express already makes profits with those loads?
We took off about 20 minutes behind schedule but a flying time of only 47 minutes and therefore an on-time arrival were announced. As we reached our cruising altitude beverages and pastries were offered again, but not being surprised by that anymore I found this flight rather boring. From my seat I could watch two of the four Flight Attendants reaheating themselves dinner and subsequently eating it, while the other two did the whole work, which wasn't too much given the load and service.
As prognosticated we landed on time but had to bus it all the way to the terminal from the most far-flung parking position ZRH has, although taxiing past it I saw many free jetways in Terminal B.
Having only known easyJet before, I was very pleased with Sir Richard's approach to low cost air travel. I like the idea of preassigned seats and some mininmal inflight service to keep me busy. At about 40% of an ordinary youth fare and with no minimum stay, I found the airline to be an attractive choice for quick hops around Europe and will definitely fly them again. There's only one downturn: why can't they let us earn some Virgin miles on the airline? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
Cheerio,
airoli
[This message has been edited by airoli (edited 12-20-2001).]
TV111 ZRH-BRU 20/DEC B737-300 OO-LTU 6F Coach
I got to the Virgin Express check-in desk about an hour prior to departure and was checked at their "hand luggage only" desk in no time. After passport control I pit-stopped at Starbucks and then made my way to the gate in ZRH's Terminal B. To my surprise it was a jetway and not the bus gates that are usually assigned to low-cost carriers.
Boarding started about 30 minutes before scheduled departure and was very smooth, as seats - unlike with easyJet - are preassigned and there's no fight for the best spots. The aircraft was only about 20% full when the doors were closed and pushback started on time, which were a sensation in Zurich if not for all the cancelled Swissair flights that leave lots of capacity. While taxiing out to RWY28 cabin announcements in 3 languages were made (Dutch, French, English) and soon afterwards we took of into a snowy Swiss sky.
Not expecting any inflight service, I grabbed the "Redhot" magazine in the seat pocket and found it to be one of the best airline magazines I've ever read. Instead of the usual funky-but-useless lifestyle stuff it features vital information and an agenda for all Virgin Express destinations plus two interesting articles, one on London in winter (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/001547.html) and one on the history of chocolate. The latter made me buy even more Neuhaus and Godiva stuff in Brussels that I've actually planned. My reading was interrupted by a friendly Flight Attendant offering complimentary tea or coffee (or soft drinks, wine, beer and spirits for a moderate price) plus a pastry. I was positively surprised by this nice gesture and enjoyed the rest of the 50 minute flight sipping a decent cup of tea.
While approaching Brussels airport I noticed that the pilot did not use flaps but touched down softly with only slats extended. I am not sure whether that was an example of the high art of flying or just foolhardy.
Brussels
I checked in for the return flight and then caught a train to downtown Brussels, where I spent the day treating myself to unhealthy things such as Belgian (not French!) fries, waffles and - obviously - chocolate. I also managed to buy many Christmas gifts including some ?uro starter kits featuring the Belgian version of the 8 new coins. Prior to January 1st, these will otherwise be unobtainable in Switzerland.
Exhausted by all the hard shopping, I returned to the airport early enough to browse through the duty free stores where I bought my mother a fragrance, earning double miles on the current SkyShops promo!
TV114 BRU-ZRH 20/DEC B737-300 OO-VEH 1A Coach
Boarding started a bit late and after the crowd settled into their seats we had to wait about 15 more minutes for some late-comers. As I was seated in 1A directly at the open door, it was quite cool. When the door was finally closed, the plane was about 40% full. I wonder if Virgin Express already makes profits with those loads?
We took off about 20 minutes behind schedule but a flying time of only 47 minutes and therefore an on-time arrival were announced. As we reached our cruising altitude beverages and pastries were offered again, but not being surprised by that anymore I found this flight rather boring. From my seat I could watch two of the four Flight Attendants reaheating themselves dinner and subsequently eating it, while the other two did the whole work, which wasn't too much given the load and service.
As prognosticated we landed on time but had to bus it all the way to the terminal from the most far-flung parking position ZRH has, although taxiing past it I saw many free jetways in Terminal B.
Having only known easyJet before, I was very pleased with Sir Richard's approach to low cost air travel. I like the idea of preassigned seats and some mininmal inflight service to keep me busy. At about 40% of an ordinary youth fare and with no minimum stay, I found the airline to be an attractive choice for quick hops around Europe and will definitely fly them again. There's only one downturn: why can't they let us earn some Virgin miles on the airline? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
Cheerio,
airoli
[This message has been edited by airoli (edited 12-20-2001).]