Europe’s Extremities: MAN-LCA-SKG/ATH-MAN (OK J, CY Y & AF Y, Pics)

[TrayflowInUK]

In the true Christmas spirit, I thought I’d share a combined award and revenue trip we took over our 2008/2009 holiday break.

Our little family (me, Mrs. TrayflowInUK (alter ego “Lynne”) and 14-month old Baby TrayflowInUK (“Bella”) were booked to go to South America for Christmas, but we have plans to go later in 2009 so we scrapped Christmas for something closer to home but still with some sunshine.

And now for a moment of shameless self-promotion, here are some previous reports:

MH MAN-KUL-AKL and return in F/C

Annual Leave: CO/NW MAN-EWR-CLT-MSP-ANC-MSP-IND-LAS-EWR-MAN, all sorts of classes (w/ pics)

A Skyteam Visit to the USA: 17 Days, 16 Flights, 5 Airlines, 12 Lounges (w/ pics)

Family compares AF vs KL Economy Long Haul, UK to Brazil (w/ pics)

On this trip report, I’ll attempt to add a little detail on the holiday between the flights as well as just focusing on airport and on-board experiences as I’ve done in the past.

I shall return in the next few days to get some instalments posted. I need to get some pictures uploaded but am fighting dodgy internet connections!

[Gnopps]

Looking forward to this, your last report was great!

[TrayflowInUK]

As per our modus operandi, we parked our car at the company office near the airport and took AirportCarz to T2. They charged us the usual £6 for the 2-mile journey, not bad value when you consider the exorbitant rates the airport charges for parking.

I was somewhat excited as we approached the two CSA staffed check-in desks and no-one in queue, because this would be my first time trying out their business class. I’d flown three or four sectors in OK economy and had been impressed, but I’d heard that their intra-European business class product was very good.



I had attempted to use the CSA on-line check-in feature the previous evening, and it was a bit of a disaster. I was able to access our reservation by entering the ticket number, and I got to the page where you enter your gender and FF number (OK numbers only!). This took me to the seat selection page, where everything went belly up.

I was pre-assigned 3F, Lynne was in 2C, and our 14-month old baby, Bella, was in 3A. Whenever I tried to change our seating positions, the web page would give an error message. Several times, I re-loaded the page and started over. Sometimes I would get just one of us moved before it errored out. Other times it would do it immediately. After about 10 minutes of playing around the web page, it launched a PDF of our boarding passes (both MAN-PRG and PRG-LCA) without any prompting from me. When I ALT-TABbed back over from Adobe Acrobat to the Internet Explorer window, I was greeted with the typical red-and-white CSA web page containing a blue-and-white frame with an error message. Yes, you guessed it: the KLM OLCI system error message. Same colours, same font, same little oval-shaped “<= Back” icon.

I might have known.

Honestly, if you’re going to implement an on-line check-in feature, I would think KL’s is about the last one you’d pinch. The concept is solid, but the javascript continually locks up and it doesn’t always talk so well with the back-office systems.

I wasn’t too concerned. There were no other people sitting in Business Class, and I was certain this could be sorted out at check-in. I really only attempted the OLCI for the novelty of it.

Back to the airport.

After expressing surprise that (a) not only was a family with a baby booked in Business, but that (b) we had actually paid for three seats, the friendly Servisair check-in agent moved us to 3A, 3C, and 3F for MAN-PRG but told us that we would have to be reassigned for the onward flight in Prague. He also advised us that, due to light loads and an early inbound flight, the departure time had been moved forward by a quarter-hour to 16.15.

The boarding passes came out with “J” on them, so I asked him to add our FF numbers. Why not, you never know!

Our 22-inch rollaboards, which were stuffed but not expanded, weighed in at 14.8 and 13.8 kg each, so we were well within our limits. The agent advised us that we would be the only people in business today, but he was unsure if we were entitled to use the AF lounge since we had a baby. We didn’t bother to tell him that we use the Salon Air France regularly with a baby, and that we were all entitled to access anyway due to our status (Bella is gold, Lynne and I are platinum). He rang the lounge, and they said that, strictly, it’s not allowed, but since we were flying business they had to let us in. First I’ve heard that one! He wrote us a lounge invitation and gave us detailed directions. I didn’t have the heart to tell him I am something of a regular there. It’s hard to convey that message without coming off as something of a know-it-all.

Anyway, Bella seemed well-pleased to have a proper lounge invitation (complete with map!) instead of having to rely on her elite status to enter the lounge!



On the way upstairs to the new 3rd floor security checkpoint, I snapped a picture of the deserted T2 check-in area… the emptiest I’ve ever seen it!



After clearing security (not a soul in queue), we headed up to the Salon Air France, but not before I stopped to snap a picture of the Virgin Atlantic 747-400 loading up for its run to Orlando.



There were only three other parties in the lounge, a family of four and two solo travellers. When I asked the attendants if I could take pictures of the lounge, as it was the least crowded I’d ever seen it, they balked at first, and said it wasn’t allowed.

However, once we were ensconced in the plush leather chairs for the back room (this used to be a smoking area until the UK ban came into effect), the friendly attendant approached us and said that she’d phoned her supervisor who said it was fine, since we were such good customers (!).











By this time, the other parties—who, as it turns out, were all flying on AF2269 to CDG—had left and we had the salon all to ourselves. A first for me: I’ve never seen the lounge empty before. It’s easily the busiest lounge I frequent in terms of people per square meter.

After a few more minutes, the attendant approached and informed me that OK645 would now be leaving at 16.00, a full 30 minutes early, since all pax were checked in.

We had a final drink (plus a bottle for Bella) and headed down to Gate 205, which was now manned by the same friendly Servisair agent who checked us in. He took our boarding cards (no need to look at our passports again) and told us he’d summon us when the plane was ready to board.

I snapped a picture of our 737-500 before heading back to gate just in time for boarding. The Servisair agent made sure we were first on the plane.



It seems the cabin crew weren’t aware we were coming aboard, as they were chatting in the aisle with the pilots and looked surprised to see us. However, we were quickly greeted with smiles and our coats were taken promptly.

We sat in our assigned seats 3A, C and F, the second row of this aircraft. Strangely, there is no Row 1. Lynne tried to set up the infant car seat, but the flight crew said she had to hold Bella in her lap. Why do European airlines have this fixation against child safety seats on aircraft during takeoff and landing? It’s safer and easier on everyone than trying to hold a wiggling toddler in your arms. Every time we fly KL, it’s a fight (which we usually win).

After a feeble and futile protest, we allowed the FA to stow the car seat in the closet. After the bulk of passengers had boarded, the curtain between business and economy was closed.

We were then offered a choice of sparking wine or orange juice as a preflight drink, and pillows and blankets were distributed. Along with the drinks came a hot towel service. Yes… a hot towel service. In short-haul intra-Europe J. I was already well impressed.

Shortly, the boarding door was closed and the curtains were again tied back. We pushed back from Gate 205, taxied out to 6L and took off without delay. As we broke through the overcast, we were treated to a magnificent sunset.

.

The seatbelt sign went off within five minutes of takeoff and the flight crew wasted no time in offering aperitifs: Becherovka for me and Campari for Lynne, along with little sachets of salted almonds.

I really like the business class arrangement on OK’s 737 fleet. I think it’s probably the most comfortable of any European airline. Like others, OK uses a convertible setup so that three seats become two. Many airlines do this—AF and BA come to mind—by having movable armrests and a table in the B and E seats. OK’s 737s go one step further, and actually have B/E seat headrests that are also reconfigured. Perhaps these photos will clarify a bit:





Business and economy are separated by movable dividers like on most aircraft configured for intra-European two-class service.

The purser brought a little toy for Bella to help keep her occupied, then laid tablecloths on our tray tables.

No menus were handed out, nor dinner choices offered, however we were treated to a substantial and tasty repast exceeding anything I’ve previously enjoyed on any airline intra-Europe.

Meal service was on a single tray, consisting of a green salad with mushrooms and French dressing, chicken with rice and carrots, and chocolate trifle for dessert.



I elected to have a mineral water and a glass of Moravian chardonnay. I spent a bit of time in the Czech Republic back in 2006/7, and developed a taste for the local wine, much of which is quite good. This evening’s offering was Víno Mikulov, a 2007 Late Harvest. I polished off three glasses.

After-dinner drinks orders were taken (dalším vína, prosím!), and with these were brought more little sachets of almonds.

The dinner service was handled quickly and efficiently. I’ll stop short of calling it a “rushed” service, but I was on my second after dinner drink by the time we made landfall over the Dutch coast at 18.05. Somewhere over the North Sea, the overcast had cleared and nightfall set in, and we were treated to the glowing orange patchwork of greenhouses 31,000 feet below.

Over central Germany, we were treated to some light chop and the seat belt sign came on. On descent, I ordered a mineral water and a coffee.



We made a straight-in approach for Runway 06, and taxied to the far C pier for an early arrival into Praha-Ruzyně. These gates are for Schengen flights, so we disembarked via the jet-bridge but then walked downstairs to a waiting bus.

A short hop later, we entered the non-Schengen area of the airport at the B pier, and headed two floors up to the CSA Crystal Lounge.

[TrayflowInUK]

This was my third visit in as many years to the Crystal Lounge between A and B piers, and it’s one of my favourite Skyteam lounges. There is a decent selection of self-pour spirits, usually a small selection of Czech wine and—of course—beer, loads of different juices and soft drinks, and plenty of snacks such as sandwiches, biscuits and crisps. The décor is pleasing to the eye, with funky artwork, modern and high-quality fixtures and fittings, and comfortable furniture. For me, the highlight of the lounge is the large wing-backed chairs that face out over the tarmac.















One thing I noticed on this visit is that there is a shower facility. I didn’t visit the shower room, so I don’t know how many showers there are, or what they’re like. But if they’re done to the same standard as the bathrooms then I imagine they’re quite nice.

I managed to change our seats for the next sector, and was told that we were still the only pax travelling in business to Larnaka.

Bella wanted to practice walking (unfortunately, not yet unassisted), so we made our way down to the departure lounge about an hour before our flight was due to leave.

[TrayflowInUK]

Our flight to LCA was leaving from Gate A8, so we headed that direction about 45 minutes prior to departure. On the way I managed to snap a picture of old and new… a couple of years ago CSA changed their livery. I don’t think they improved anything, but I guess that’s progress. They’ve certainly come a long way from the “OK Jet” days. I wonder if they hired the same marketing folks as GlaxoSmithKline to design their logo?



I am always impressed when I transit Prague; for a mid-sized airport, it’s very nice, one of my favourites. I was thus inspired to take a Kubrick-esque shot of the deserted A pier.



One thing I found interesting was the installation of vending machines selling clear plastic bags for your liquids. It seems the other airports I frequent (namely AMS and UK airports) have offered them for free since the liquids madness started here in 2006.

The non-Schengen areas of PRG are not sterile, so we passed the security checkpoint immediately before our gate. We waited until all other passengers had boarded before heading down the jetway, and I took a snap of our A320 (registered OK-LEE, delivered to CSA in 2006).



Once on board we found that two passengers had been upgraded into Row 1, and the cabin crew was in the process of bringing their daughter up from economy. CSA is, to my knowledge, the only European airline that runs an upgrade programme for their elite members.

Right from the start, it seemed this cabin crew wasn’t as polished as on our previous flight. They were very friendly, helping Lynne get Bella sorted and offering to convert 2DF into 2DEF so we could all sit together. But little details got missed here and there.

For example, after they took coats from the passengers in Row 1, they didn’t offer to take ours as we were sorting out the baby. But we were soon settled and I left our coats over the seatback of 2D (I sat in 2A for takeoff), where they remained until we were airborne.

Pre-flight orange juice was offered (no choice given) and another little toy set was brought out for Bella.



The A320 series is a relatively new addition to CSA’s fleet, and the business class configuration is more typical of other airlines’ intra-Europe J offerings. Still comfortable, but not as nice as the 737 fleet.



Here’s Bella getting comfortable after we reached cruising altitude.


This A320 was equipped with an IFE system; the drop-down LCD screens alternated between “Just For Laughs” and a fairly advanced airshow program that showed the aircraft’s progress in a variety of 3D configurations. Of course, I didn’t get a usable shot of the more unusual views.



As the flight passed over Hungary’s Lake Balaton and turned in the direction of Sofia, the flight attendants offered one of two main meals: a roast turkey with a pepper sauce (more like a salsa) or heart-shaped pasta stuffed with ricotta, served with a creamy spinach sauce, garnished with roasted carrots. Lynne had the latter, and I went for the poultry. Both meals were good, solid food: nothing excellent, but better than I’ve had in some airlines’ long-haul business.





After the meal service, amenity kits were handed out. They were surprisingly well-stocked for a 3h20 flight.





Service improved as the flight went on. The FAs made frequent drinks rounds and the flight passed quickly. I’d been reading Paul Theroux’s The Happy Isles of Oceania, and was fairly engrossed in his kayaking exploits in northern Australia, when we began our descent for Larnaka.

We made a fairly uneventful landing on Runway 04, and followed the pilot vehicle to the apron where there were a couple of Cyprus Airways A320s and one of their two A330-200s.

As there are no gates at LCA, we were guaranteed a short bus ride to the terminal building. Our passports received a perfunctory glance and a stamp, and we received our bags with little delay.

[TrayflowInUK]

We made our way to the AVIS counter, staffed by a gruff but not unfriendly gentleman. We had booked our car through carhire3000.com, which we’ve used twice in the past to give us really good rates, especially in out-of-the-way locations in Europe. By this, I mean, Joe Bloggs renting rubbish cars but having an AVIS franchise, as opposed to a proper and professionally run organisation like you get at major airports and locations. We were quoted £100 for a 4×4 (Kia Sportage) for four days with total insurance cover (zero excess). We certainly couldn’t complain about this, as it was 40% less than any of the outlets were offering through their own websites.

However, this AVIS outlet was not to be done out of some additional profit… they apply a compulsory fuel service option, meaning you pay for a full tank of fuel when renting the car and can return the car empty with no penalty. The charge for this “service” was 53.91 BEFORE 15% VAT, so 62 EUR.

The Kia’s fuel tank holds 58 litres. I know this not from looking it up on the owners manual—this was, of course, missing—but from looking up the model on the internet. Anyway, this is a charge of 1.07€/litre in a country where petrol is under 0.80€/l (we paid 0.76 in Pafos).

Of course, when we got to the car at 03.00, the fuel gauge was only a little bit above the 3/4 mark. The AVIS attendant insisted that this was normal for this car. We later found out that with a full tank, sure enough, the fuel gauge does not show full, more like 7/8.

I don’t know, maybe this is typical in some countries? I’ve rented cars in 21 other countries and never been forced to take the fuel service option.

Regardless, I made sure I returned the car with the fuel light on.

On to the car itself. It was about what you’d expect at a small-time private franchise location, not with AVIS. 48,670 km on the clock. Aforementioned dodgy fuel gauge. A little ding here and there. No owner’s manual. Original tyres, I’d guess: barely legal tread. About 3 inches of freeplay in the steering wheel and gearbox (though I don’t know if this is because of the make or the age).

[Gnopps]

It was fun reading about OK J, it has been a while since I flew it. I agree the seats are great (did you notice the litte fold-out tray between them?), but the headrests are actually too far apart to be comfortable to sleep in.
And regarding the non-schengen OK-lounge in PRG those chairs overlooking the tarmac are great, but I find the ambience in the rest of the lounge not very calming (especially the Schengen-lounge).

Regarding the upgrades, OK is great about this! I think FI and RO does it as well. Funny to see you got amenity kits to LCA, didn't know that.

Looking forward to the rest!

[graraps]

Great to see an OK TR! This reminds me I haven't flown CSA in about 6 months...Starting to get a bit of a withdrawal syndrome...
I am also very surprised by the amenity kits. MAD is a good three hours from PRG, and doesn't get them (or at least didn't when I last flew CSA from there, in Dec 2007).

The MAN loads do seem worryingly low...did you have any glimpse into the other side of the curtain?

As for pre-departure drinks, they normally only get OJ and some vile Bohemia Sekt or whatever it's called on the tray...But everything else is available on request (I usually have a Mattoni).

As for Avis, it does sound quite dodgy...Write in to Avis proper and complain...The fuel trick is very popular in Southern Spain...Renting a Focus for four days from a local operator at AGP, I paid more for fuel than for the rental! However, the rental+fuel price was cheaper than the rental-only quote offered by Sixt- even after my "special discount" for the Sixt Platinum card!

[TrayflowInUK]

My idea of hell is a package beach holiday, or anything all-inclusive, but Cyprus is really set up to cater for that crowd. Indeed, according to our 2005 Rough Guide to Cyprus—we bought this when we got in on the NW LCA-SMF fare mistake, but regrettably ended up cancelling the tickets due to other commitments—the government requires that certain percentages of passengers to the island must be on package tours.

We booked all our accommodation on this trip via Booking.com, which we’ve used since 1999 or so. We usually get decent places to stay and good rates as well.

Lordos Beach Hotel, Larnaka

Since we’d be arriving in the wee hours the first night, we wanted something near Larnaka and that would be staffed in the wee hours. We stayed at the four-star Lordos Beach Hotel, and were suitably underwhelmed. The common areas of the hotel are fairly nice, but overall the place is in need of a refit. The room was tiny, and the fixtures and fittings were fairly grotty. The breakfast buffet was a bit depressing, and the hotel seemed geared to Russians and Brits-on-a-Budget. Fair enough, just not my cup of tea.

Aquamare Beach Hotel Spa, Pafos

We stayed the next three nights at the Aquamare Beach Hotel Spa in Kato Pafos. Although also a four-star, there was no comparison with the Lordos. Clean, modern, friendly, tastefully decorated; not at all gaudy like many of the properties along Poseidonos Avenue. Our only complaint was that we booked a family suite sea-view, and the room was partial sea-view at best. But the room was large, carpeted, and well set up for travelling with a baby. The fixtures and fittings were clean and modern, and everything worked. The breakfast buffet was outstanding as well, which (for me, anyway) is always a bellwether. The clencher: they seem to have a knack for recruiting staff that are attractive AND capable!

In and Around Cyprus

We were treated three full days of what I call “nearly-perfect weather”. Temperatures peaked around 18ºC (that’s 65 in old money) in the day, and skies were completely cloud-free. The kind of day where it’s cool on the skin but the Mediterranean sun seems to warm you from the inside out.

The first day we drove from Larnaka to Pafos, fighting jetlag, which eventually won. We hadn’t arrived at our hotel in Larnaka until about 4 am, and we were up with the sun (and the baby) at 8 am. We checked into the Aquamare by 2 pm and held off sleep until 4 pm.

The second day we drove up into the Troodos mountains to see the painted churches, which collectively are a UNESCO world heritage site. In the end, through a combination of poor signage, slow going on the roads (very twisty through the mountains, with constant dangers from fallen rocks), and our being distracted by side roads, meant that we only saw the church of Archangel Michael at Pedhoulas. We also visited Kykkos monastery, which has some incredible painted ceilings and mosaic walls, though the effort is largely a restoration.



Perhaps the most memorable part of the day was the drive up Mount Olympus, where the cedar and pine trees sagged under the weight of recently fallen snow. It’s quite something to stand in a winter wonderland with scrubland, deserts and the sea stretching out beneath you.



On our third day we walked the 3 km or so from our hotel to the Roman ruins at Pafos, with their detailed mosaics and the partially-restored amphitheatre, and then drove up to Pólis and saw Afrodite’s baths as well as some other sites. We closed the day by watching a magnificent sunset.

Roman Ruins at Pafos


View of Kato Pafos


Near Agios Georgios


Sunset over the Mediterranean


We were awoken at about 3 am on the fourth day by a violent storm. Authors from the Gospels to modern times have written about the storms that can pass through the Levant, yet such a thing seemed scarcely believable given the placid weather we’d enjoyed the past few days. The glassy Mediterranean was now crashing into the beaches and breakwaters, and the palms which had stood a stately guard over the swimming pools, sunchairs, and other detritus of lazy holidays now flopped and bent in winds I would estimate at 40 knots. When the rain came, the wind abated somewhat, but it still came in the kind of horizontal drops that seem to cut—rather than splash—your face.

By the time dawn broke, the rains were gone and we were left with gusty winds and partly cloudy but hazy skies for the drive back to Larnaka.

[TrayflowInUK]

Originally Posted by Gnopps

It was fun reading about OK J, it has been a while since I flew it. I agree the seats are great (did you notice the litte fold-out tray between them?), but the headrests are actually too far apart to be comfortable to sleep in.

Of course I noticed! There's a picture of it in my post Unless you are talking about something different?

I agree about the headrests. Actually, that's something I failed to mention in any detail. The A320's headrests had adjustable wings and vertical adjustment as well. Basically what many carriers have on their newer aircraft. Definitely better for sleeping. Also, I think the "usable" pitch on the A320 is greater. The seat-to-seat distance may actually be the same between the 320 and 735, but since the 320's seats are slimline there is more space.

That said, even though I'm >6 feet tall, as long as the legroom is adequate, it's all about width for me, and I just felt I was in a more spacious seat in the 737-500.

Originally Posted by Gnopps

And regarding the non-schengen OK-lounge in PRG those chairs overlooking the tarmac are great, but I find the ambience in the rest of the lounge not very calming (especially the Schengen-lounge).

I was trying to recall this... the first time I flew from PRG, it was PRG-AMS but we used what is today the non-Schengen Crystal Lounge. In 2007 on PRG-AMS we used the (newer?) Schengen Crystal Lounge. Could that be right?

Anyway, I much prefer (what is today) the non-Schengen lounge.

I guess I don't find the décor that calming either, but I still like the lounge very much and stack it up against just about any other Skyteam lounge I've visited in terms of comfort, convenience, ambience, etc.

Thanks for the kind words and the reply! More on the way about Cyprus, flying Cyprus Airways, and Greece.

[TrayflowInUK]

The Cyprus Airways website cites some fairly incredible rules. Chief among them are specifically allowing the transport of a portable dialysis machine (and yet nothing about CPAPs, oxygen supplies, wheelchairs…?), a minimum 2-hour check-in time, and a 5-kg limit (11 lb) for carry-on baggage.

We arrived three hours before check-in, so parked the car in the AVIS car park (the one that’s for departing customers only) and went to check in our bags and get seat assignments. Checking in this early accomplished two things: first, we showed up to check in with none of our carry on items (two backpacks and a baby tote bag, probably a total of 20 kg) to invite questioning, and second, beating the queues.

Despite several flights leaving that afternoon, there was no one checking in at any of the desks when we arrived. To our good fortune, the Cyprus Airways desks were staffed by three mute agents who checked our two suitcases and provided tags for the pushchair and car seat.

We had taken advantage of CY’s cheapest fare on this route (X class), and only purchased two seats plus an infant ticket. Cost was €139/adult and €41 for Bella to occupy a lap.

After we received boarding passes for 7AB on yellow CY stock, I asked how many empty seats there were on the flight. When the agent replied “twenty-six” (he speaks!), I asked to be reassigned to 7AC. At first he seemed hesitant to do this, but a few moments later, boarding cards for 7AC printed out, and he informed us that he had blocked 7B, but could not guarantee it would remain empty.

We then left the terminal, and spent time in and around Larnaca until the rental car was (hopefully) running on fumes. Especially interesting viewing were the wintering grounds of greater flamingoes at Larnaka Salt Lake with the Hala Sultan Tekke, or mosque, as a backdrop. Unfortunately, my pictures didn’t turn out that well as rain showers moved into the area.

About an hour before departure, we returned the rental car and headed for the gate. This involved a wave-through at exit customs, exit immigration, which took forever (much longer than our entry anyway), and security, which was a bit lax. Despite all the signage about liquids limited to 100 mL and in the plastic bag, the security screeners didn’t want to see them. Okay, fair enough, I think the liquids business is madness anyway. Far more concerning was the WTMD screening.

When the guy in front of me set off the metal detector, he was treated to a pat-down. I duly remained on the other side of the metal detector, waiting to be waved through, but the fellow behind me got impatient: it started with tut-tutting and ended with him elbowing his way around me, all in a matter of about ten seconds. He set off the metal detector but was not stopped. So I followed, setting it off as well, but no one accosted me either.

Considering that, when viewed from the outside or as an arriving passenger, Larnaka airport looks more like an aircraft hangar or a warehouse than an airport terminal, I was temporarily quite surprised and the abundance and quality of duty free stores in the departures area. Of course, then I remembered the airport serves 20+ destinations within the EU and a number in the Middle East and former Soviet Bloc. Duty Free is Big Business here.

As there are no jetbridges at LCA, we were boarded into a glass holding pen to await our bus. As I expected, about half the pax turned up within 30 minutes of departure time, and I guarantee that they weren’t checked in two hours prior to departure. It really annoys me when airlines publish ridiculous rules like a two hour minimum check-in time, when you know their cut-off is probably 25 minutes.

Three buses loaded up the A320, and we were the last pax to board. I snapped a few pictures of the plane during the boarding process.



While we were waiting for departure clearance, the rain started again. I snapped a final tarmac shot of an A3 A320, an OS A319 and a BA 757 taxying in.



About five minutes late, we back-taxied out to Runway 04, did a quick 360, and took off into a stiff quartering headwind.

Today’s aircraft, 5B-DAW, entered service in 1990 as the 38th A320 off the production line, and CY’s second A320. The interior of the aircraft showed it; instead of the more typical “Airbus White” interior panels, everything had a beige-brown tint to it. That said, the aircraft was in good condition and appeared to be well-maintained. It was equipped with drop-down LCD IFE screens, on which the safety demo, various adverts (cars, cologne, clothing), and an airshow programme were shown.

Based on our brief four-day experience with the Cyprus tourism and travel industry, the all-male 40-something cabin crew came as something of a surprise. They discharged their duties with professionalism and efficiency, but were not overly friendly.

Twenty minutes after takeoff came a drinks and snack box containing a small cheese and ham croissant with a Joker candy bar. Booze was available, but I didn’t partake. I assume it was free because I saw no money changing hands. A second drinks service followed after the rubbish was collected, and that was it for the service.



This A320 was configured for two-class service. The first four rows consisted of leather convertible business class seats, the next two rows were cloth convertible seats. Row 7 onwards was standard economy. The J/Y divider was behind Row 3 on today’s flight. Rows 4 and 5 were taken up by CY crew, deadheading I guess.



We took off and landed in clouds and rain, but over Rhodes were treated to clear skies. We got into some light chop on our descent into Thessaloniki, but made an otherwise uneventful and smooth landing after 110 minutes en route.

Like LCA, Thessaloniki’s airport has no jetbridges, and is set up more like a bus terminal than an airport. Three buses were dispatched to collect CY426’s passengers. One was dedicated to the deadheading crew and business class pax, and two others for economy class.

Once inside the modern terminal building, passport control was conducted quickly and without ceremony. We had quite a wait for our bags, but they came in the end (First In, Last Out?) and we were off to Europcar to pick up our transport for the next week.

Overall, I felt CY provided decent value for money. The plane was clean, we were fed, the flight was on time, queues were non-existent (though we did check in insanely early), and our baggage made it.

I can’t comment on their business class service, mainly because it was largely cut off from view by curtains for the entire flight. But this fact alone places it above what many carriers have to offer! I did catch glimpses of glassware and proper meal trays, and the fact that J pax were given a priority bus is certainly a step above most airlines. CY offers business class lounges in LCA and PFO, so perhaps that adds a bit to the value equation.

[aSiAnRiCk]

A bit late but thank you for your trip report! Nice to see reports on OK & CY

[mjcewl1284]

Originally Posted by TrayflowInUK

Anyway, Bella seemed well-pleased to have a proper lounge invitation (complete with map!) instead of having to rely on her elite status to enter the lounge!

This might be one of the cutest baby pictures I've ever seen

Nice Trip Report!

[TrayflowInUK]

Originally Posted by mjcewl1284

This might be one of the cutest baby pictures I've ever seen

Nice Trip Report!

Thanks, she takes after her mother .

I only just realised I never finished this TR! Long story short, we changed plans mid-trip and flew home in Y on KL via AMS. Unremarkable, but solid.

To briefly recap our time in Greece...

Our eight days in Greece were simply wonderful. We visited Greece with clenched teeth, sort of expecting tourist hell. What we got was an incredible experience and zero tourist hassle. If you don't mind cool (and sometimes COLD) weather, Christmas and New Year is a great time to go.

We rented from Europcar using the KL Flying Dutchman Platinum discount code (no, that's not a misprint) which gave us a six-day, one-way, unlimited kilometre rental for under €190.

We had quite a range of weather in Greece, ranging from this:


to this:


We spent our first two nights in Paralia Katerinis (Παραλία Κατερίνης), south of Thessaloniki. We visited Vergina (Βεργίνα) and toured around the area in our hire car.

We then drove to Metéora (Μετέωρα) where we had a further two nights. We stayed in the Metéora Hotel where the view from our room was astounding.



We spent our time going around the monasteries perched atop the pinnacles and took a drive up into the mountains.



We then drove something like 600 km to Nafplion (Ναύπλιο). This drive flew by, as I am a bit lead-footed and fit in well with the Greek drivers, and was fantastically scenic. I always knew Greece was mountainous, but never understood the extent of it. Especially striking were the A3 motorway near Thermopylae (Θερμοπύλαι)—the Gulf of Malia with snowcapped peaks on either side was like Norway in the Mediterranean—and the citrus groves near Argos.

I am not exaggerating when I say these were the best-tasting citrus fruits of any type that I've ever had:



Okay, I didn't these particular ones, but we bought a bag of oranges (well, I think they were satsumas) from a roadside stall.



We stayed another two nights in Nafplion, and it was gorgeous, except that I had a bad cold and had to spend an afternoon in bed. Nafplion was beautiful and quite charming out of season (though it was probably the most in-season place we went).









We then drove up to Athens (Αθήνα). On the way we visited the Amphitheatre at Epidaurus (Ἐπίδαυρος) and the Corinth Canal.





We turned the car in at a town-centre location in Athens.

Our hotel was in the Plaka district, with the Akropolis looming above. We spent the next day and a half walking around Athens, seeing all the requisite sights. I have to say again that this is the time to visit Athens. Weather was cool but comfortable in long sleeves, people were about but not hordes of tourists, and even touristy places were pretty laid back. There were protests going on while we were there, remnants of the riots that made international press, but they weren't too bothersome and we certainly didn't feel unsafe, even with our baby and pushchair.

Acropolis


Presidential Guard


Panathinaiko Stadium


One of our bright and unexpected spots was a visit to Brettos, which makes various liqueurs but is famous for its Ouzo. It was a real treat to spend an hour tasting their different varieties and infusions.





On our final day, we took a taxi to the airport. I don't really remember much about the flights home, as they were KL flights and I've taken so many they all bleed together. Nothing remarkable happened, other than lounge access at Athens.

KL and AF use a local contracted lounge, even though there's an Alitalia lounge down the hall. The contracted lounge was fine; there were fruits, sandwiches, free wifi and booze to pour.

In the interest of science, I tried to visit the AZ lounge, but we were turned away despite me trying to tell them this was in contravention of Skyteam policy.

In short, Greece was wonderful. We visited there almost out of duty ("well, you have to see it, don't you?") and were really impressed and left with a real desire to come for another visit. I think visiting out of season was key; we don't like crowds and the tourist track. Everywhere we went, the prices were reasonable and we often felt like we were the only ones visiting the country. Although the weather was cold in the north (snow on the ground), it never rained or snowed and everything was open. All four hotels were of a high standard and modestly priced. Also, the people were very warm and friendly; it was quite easy to strike up conversations with just about anybody. Having a baby in tow probably didn't hurt on this front.

A final note: I splurged and purchased the Greek map add-on for my Tom Tom. It was worth every penny. Especially when it came time to drive to the Europcar agency in Athens. From our hotel, it was less than 1 km to walk but, due to road configuration and one-way systems, it was a 3 km drive with numerous twists and turns.

If I get around to it, and my insomnia persists, I'll take a stab at some hotel reviews.

Thanks for reading and to aSiAnRiCk and mjcewl1284 for resurrecting this thread!

[aSiAnRiCk]

You're welcome! And thank you for ending your TR.

Based on your pictures, I'd love to visit ATH for a visit. Although, it seemed that renting a car is a must to see the landmarks & beauties instead of using the public transportation system.