Kiwi Flyer

Vienna to Erbil business class menu

Roast beef with fresh herbs
white eggplant salad / roasted pines

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please choose

fillet of wild salmon
horseradish sauce / spring vegetable
cream spinach / roesti potatoes

or

chicken in Viennese style red pepper sauce
homemade spaetzle / sauteed leek

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selection of cheese

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Austrian style apricot stroudel

ovenfresh bread selection

freshly brewed coffee or tea

Kiwi Flyer

Erbil to Vienna business class menu

Salad of buffalo mozzarella
tomato / grilled zuccchini and fennel

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please choose

chicken teriyaki
steamed rice

or

homemade ravioli
sauteed mushrooms

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selection of cheese

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Do & Co's nougat tart

ovenfresh bread selection

freshly brewed coffee or tea

Kiwi Flyer

Vienna to Frankfurt (VIE-FRA) on Adria Airlines CRJ900 in business class

When I booked the flights I had a choice of a flight with a short connection, or one with a slightly longer connection. I opted for the slightly longer connection just in case of delays from Erbil, and also to try out the non-obvious 3rd *A airline that flies this route.

We had arrived almost 30 minutes late so I raced for immigration and headed for our gate. (The flight attendant had thoughtfully given a list of connecting gates as we taxied in.) At security I used the business class/*G line, but since no boarding passes were checked anyone could use it.

The monitors showed our flight was on time, but as boarding time came and went it was apparent that was not going to be the case. I would have liked to use the lounge while waiting, but with no advice on when we would be boarding I had to stick around at the gate. If there was a later flight that night to Frankfurt then I may have taken my chances in the lounge. But as I had an early start next morning I really did not want to miss this last flight of the day (by any routing to Frankfurt).

The first 20 minutes of delay was blamed on the late arrival of the aircraft. Then thunderstorms hit the airport and a ground halt was made. No flights moved for the next 30 minutes, while the hoards of passengers stuck in the terminal quietly sweltered. Passengers began showing up at our gate for the next flight. There was barely standing room.

Eventually and abruptly boarding was called. The ground halt had been lifted (for now) and we hopped on the bus for our aircraft. With tiny overhead bins, all wheelies were tagged for drop off at aircraft (and pick up at aircraft at our destination). The storm continued to rage outside.

We had a long bus ride through a mini lake to our aircraft. Boarding was slow as no one wanted to be stopped anywhere on the ground or on the steps in the pelting rain. Shoes were soaked in the few inches deep water between the bus and the stairs.

Kiwi Flyer

Naturally I got rather wet. Sitting in row 1 I deliberately boarded last so at least I don't get brushed with excess water from every other passenger.

Our load was very light (just 24 passengers) and with only half a dozen wheelies, the ground crew asked the CSD (or whatever the title is at Adria) if they could put the bags in a cabin locker and/or in some empty rows. The CSD grumpily said "no, because if we do it once they'll want it done every time". Boo.

We then sat onboard for another hour. There was another ground stop as the storms continued to rage. Finally we were on our way. I was relieved this delay was happening on the last flight of the day for me, and not in the middle of a sequence of flights with shortish connections.

We had a bumpy first part of the flight. Amazingly I managed to avoid spilling any food or drink over myself. Dinner was very disappointing and not helped at all by stewing away during the delays. It was beef, potato, peas (about 4) and carrots. One rock hard bread roll. A blech dessert and a chocolate rounded off the meal.

We landed on the furthest runway and had a very long taxi. For some reason I do not fathom, even though we had a remote stand in the cargo area (ie a long way from the terminal) we had to taxi first up to the terminal (passing the cargo area on the way), turn around and then taxi all the way back again. Given we were two hours late and there were few other aircraft movements at this hour of night, the scenic drive by was not appreciated by anyone onboard. Then a long bus ride back to the terminal. How inefficient.

Kiwi Flyer

Frankfurt

I'd originally planned to stay at the Hilton, as I usually do when overnighting in Frankfurt. However, their charges were ridiculously high (cheapest around 500 euros a night) and the "Flexible Rate" rules said non-changeable and non-refundable. That didn't seem to good. I tried getting an award instead. This was even worse. The hotel required a deposit (equal to the highest room rate) which was refundable only when you check out, and the award would be non-changeable and non-refundable. Grrrr. For more, check out [insert thread links] in the Hilton forum.

Needless to say I was not pleased. So instead I booked at one of the airport Holiday Inn's for not very many euros and saved myself a lot of money and aggravation.

The room was basic but had most amenities. Breakfast was included in the rate although I didn't have any. There was quite a crowd eating when I checked out so I presume the food was okay.

Arriving late at night I cabbed to the hotel. This came to 20 euros. On returning next morning I took the shuttle (and the driver kindly waited a couple of minutes so I could check out and not wait the 30 minutes until the next shuttle) which costs 5 euros. Not bad really given the distance involved.

This was one of my stopovers (officially 25 hours) on the round the world ticket, and so I grabbed a decent sale fare to go somewhere else for the day. But reporting on that, and the continuation of the round the world ticket, will have to wait a little longer. Yes, I have another flight to catch.

Kiwi Flyer

I have found a computer. The connection is really slow, so hopefully it doesn't timeout in the middle of a post. Also, the keyboard layout is completely different to what I am used to, which means my touch typing turns out garbage. Apologies if I hqve too ,qny typos;

Kiwi Flyer

Frankfurt to Munich (FRA-MUC) on Lufthansa A300-600 in business class

As reported in the Lufthansa Miles & More forum, the arrangement of the check in area has changed. I think it is less confusing than before, and it seemed less crowded. I was quickly checked in and given 4 boarding passes. There is an elite security line at the right hand end behind first class check in. I was quickly through and made my way to the A26 senator lounge. Amazingly a computer was free and so I caught up on messages and posted some more of this trip report while I waited for boarding time.

Boarding started around our scheduled departure time, but the timetable has a lot of padding in it and thus we arrived on time.

On this short 35 minute flight we got a filled roll, sweet muffin, fruit + drinks. The race to eat before the trays get taken away reminded me of when the short New Zealand domestic flights used to get a meal.

Kiwi Flyer

Munich to Belgrade (MUC-BEG) on Lufthansa A319-100 in business class

Our arrival gate was conveniently right next to the escalators up to the non-Schengen level. Passport control has a separate line, which had no queue when I was there, for first class and business class. Sorry I cannot recall if it also allowed *G travelling in economy.

I had just enough time for a quick visit to the senator lounge, to check up some plan B options for later in the day if things went to custard (more on this later). The departure gate was just across from the lounge - very convenient.

Unlike the previous flight, which was packed full, the load was fairly light. An early lunch was served - the usual Lufthansa fare of cold meat, cheese, bread rolls, a sweet dessert, chocolate raisins.

Kiwi Flyer

In transit in Belgrade

With a little over 2 hours in Belgrade before my onward flight I intended to do a quick visit to the nearby city which spreads across the plain from the airport onto the low hills. However, when we landed the skies were rapidly darkening with approaching spring storms.

So instead I stayed airside in the small terminal and hunted for the Business Club Lounge which I had access to (this is the only lounge and thus shared by all airlines). As soon as I stepped in I wondered why I bothered. Finally I have found a worse lounge than the baddest of all Red Carpet Clubs.

There were lots of threadworn sofas with little coffee tables in between. On each coffee table was a bowl of nuts, the contents of which looked like they had been there since the Wright brothers flight. A card on each table specifies that each guest may select a single non-alcoholic drink (all small) plus either a sandwich or a beer or wine or nip of spirits. No self serve. Mean rations because the catering is done by the cafe next door which clearly doesn't want to lose any business.

There are no magazines and the only newspapers are 3 days old. No toilets. No computers. The room smells funny, is overly hot and feels completely airless. I feel relieved to get out.

Kiwi Flyer

Belgrade to Zurich (BEG-ZRH) on Swiss A320 in business class

Sure enough the threateningly low and heavy purplish clouds did produce torrents of rain before the onward flight - a drenching averted and thankfully here all the major flights use airbridges. The temperature dropped from 25C when I arrived to 11C when I left. Brrr.

Boarding was late and chaotic. The flight was fairly full.

The late lunch on offer was much the same as on the flight from London Heathrow to Zurich just a few days before. As I type this I realise I am shocked that yes it is just a few days. This puzzles me, for I am well aware that I'm on a crazy schedule, and it is hardly the first time for me. Perhaps tiredness is throwing out my sense of time and perspective?

I dozed a bit.

We arrive a little bit late, but not too bad thus my shortish connection is not in jeopardy.

Kiwi Flyer

Zurich to Frankfurt (ZRH-FRA) on Lufthansa 737-300 in business class

I had a brief stop at the lounge before heading to the gate for this full flight. Once again elite security was fast and not checking eligibility.

I dozed most of the flight, woken with a jolt when we touched down. We pulled into a Schengen gate and thus had to use airstairs and were bussed in.

My next flight is coming up shortly, but here is a teaser for you all. I had a turnaround planned (another place with limited *A flight options), but conflicting and changing information meant I was not sure to make the flights. Stay tuned for the next update.

Kiwi Flyer

keep on reading, as this trip is not yet half over

Kiwi Flyer

Is a Tunisian turnaround possible?

I had been apprehensive for the past few days, even going so far as running through options for another overnight turnaround (none really available within the mileage limits on the RTW and the schedule limits) or getting last minute accommodation. Why was that?

When I booked I checked my visa requirements through a company I use to get visas (ie they are specialists and normally know what they are doing), and the response was I did not need one for a Frankfurt to Tunis to Frankfurt turnaround. I double-checked with Timatic and got the same answer. Great - I ticketed and thought no more of it.

Just before I embarked on this trip I did my usual last minute check to see if rules had changed. Oh oh, Timatic now says I need a visa even for transits to third countries. By now it was far too late to do anything about it so I thought I'd play the situation by ear. I triple checked again the day before I was due to fly to Tunis and got the same answer from Timatic - a visa is required and there was no mention of visa on arrival options (these normally are mentioned where they are available).

So I was on tenterhooks when checking in. The check in agent did not check for visas. So far so good, but remembering the visa check at the gate for the Erbil flight, I knew I was not yet out of the woods. At least with a boarding pass I could use the lounge facilities (most importantly a shower for I was in the middle of a few days of constant travel).

At the gate I again held my breath. No visa check here either. Phew. Indeed when we later arrived in Tunis, it seemed to be possible to pick up visas on arrival for those that needed them.

So, with a definite yes to the question, back to the flights.

Kiwi Flyer

Frankfurt to Tunis business class menu

Appetiser

Smoked shrimp skewer served on new Waldorf salad with mango chili dip

Rolls and butter

Main Courses

Filet (sic) of beef with green salsa, papaya saute and roasted potato wedges

Perch with spicy tomato coulis and bell peppers accompanied by spinach rice

Dessert

Coconut creme in chocolate cup with fresh fruit

Chocolates


Beverages

Winzersekt sparkling wine

Red and white wine

Beer Warsteiner pils

Soft drinks

Mineral water

Spirits

Coffee

Tea

Kiwi Flyer

Frankfurt to Tunis (FRA-TUN) on Lufthansa A319-100 in business class

Arriving from Zurich I headed straight for the transfer desk. There was no-one in the elite line, but I had a short wait while the agent dealt with the person who was already there.

I asked about getting the return boarding pass and was again told "computer says not possible". This was decisively proved wrong a few seconds later when out spat 6 boarding passes (my flights for the next 24 hours ). It took a while to sort out the FFP numbers correctly, and then the agent took away the boarding passes beyond Frankfurt. Since I was passing back through the same airport I was not allowed to have them despite the computer issuing them Not sure about the logic of that. Oh well, at least I have the return boarding pass which simplifies the turnaround no end.

Then off to the lounge.

Sorry - gotta go. Just ran into eoslander