Having lived in Austria and not been there for five years I was eager for a visit. My main option was to fly from CPH to ZRH (to buy some tax-free) but when I found a non-refundable Maersk Air ticket for about $140 it was the obvious choice (normal CPH-MUC or CPH-ZRH is about $300). BLL (Billund) is about 200 km from CPH and I live in Växjö (VXO) in Sweden some 200 km away from Copenhagen, but in the other direction. Being on a thight budget meant I had to take the train from Växjö to Billund via Copenhagen. Although this is a flyer forum, I feel my cursed trainride is worth mentioning.


To the airport
My flight was departing at 15:45 but knowing the the trains across the bridge between Sweden and Denmark I choose to take an early connection. Unfortunately I was right. My bus from Växjö left at 05.10 and after I changed to the train half an hour later in Alvesta everything was fine. After the train had stopped in Malmö at 07 it stood still for some 20 minutes before it was announced over the loudspeekers that it wouldn't move at all. All passengers were asked to change to the regional train to Copenhagen at another platform. These regional trains leave every 20 minutes so I went to the shop for a magazine. 10 minutes later I came back to the platform and saw my train leave but the next one pulled in to the station right after. I boarded it and started to wait for it to leave. And wait. 20 minutes after the scheduled departure people started to leave the train for the next one at another platform. Since my bags were heavy I felt reluctant to move but eventually the steward came running and told us all to run to the next train.
I arrived at the next train only to find that it was full. I kept on running to the last wagon, hoping for some free space there. Through the windows I could see that altough people were standing by the doors, there was still room to stand inside the wagons. As I approached the doors I asked a man standing on the steps facing me to move inside, he answered me it was full and impossible. In a very loud voice I then declared to all the id**ts standing in the doorway to move inside so the rest of us could fit in. People started to move, but most of them just kept on standing in the doorway. I had to push my way through them inside the wagon. An hour late I arrived in Copenhagen.
In Copenhagen I went to the ticket counter to buy a ticket to Billund. In order to get youth-discount I had to supply them a photo. Not having one on me I offered the ticket-lady to cut out the photo of a old ISIC-card. This was impossible she said. After having paid full-fare (which wasn't that expensive after all) I waited for my train. It arrived on time and arrived in Vejle where I had to change to bus to the airport. The bus driver didn't seem to like swedes but informed me that I had to change bus at Billund center to get to the airport. I came to Billund Center only to find it empty but luckily a bus came just before I was about to take a taxi. At 13:00 I arrived at Billund Airport.


Check-in
The airport was completely empty of passengers since my flight at 15:45 was the next one to leave. Billund airport turned out to be a very nice and pretty big airport. Check-in was very fast and the agent was helpful with my seat assignment. I didn't want to sit at the emergency row because I didn't know if the view was blocked because of the wing, instead I got the first row after business; 6A. I went to my gate to sleep. The chairs were however, not very sleepable. Half an hour before the plane was supposed to take of I went to a nearby fire-exit to get a better view of the airplane. As I stood there watching the plane, a man approched me and asked if this was the way to the plane. I told him no, and showed him the gate. First time flyer I guess? As the baggage-car pulled up I saw that there were hardly any bags on it and when I returned to the gate I found hardly anyone waiting for the plane. Time passed and at 15:20, boarding began.


The flight
Flight DM 247 BLL-MUC
CRJ 200, REG: OY-MBR
Seat 6A
Schedual and actual departure: 15:45
Schedual arrival: 17:45
Actual arrival: 17:30

Stepping inside the CRJ felt very crampy, I had to bend my head down to get inside. Inside the cabin felt a bit more roomy (maybe because there where so few passangers?). I asked the F/A if I could look at the cockpit before takeoff, I was allowed but she made sure I didn't go to near.
The doors were closed and I counted 15 PAX, 2 F/A and noone in business. A fun thing with the CRJ was that you can really fell it accelerating, I like this sensation of speed. The weather was excellent so no bumpy ride for me. In the air we were served a sandwich with a muffin and I had a beer and later tea to drink. The sandwhich tasted very good and had lots of meat in it. The F/A made sure to close the small curtain to business.
The leather seats were comfortable and nothing more happened in the air. Landing went to smooth because of the open sky, I like it when it feels like a roller coaster.
In München a bus picked us up and i soon had my bag and was on my way to the train.


From the airport
It was really nice talking german again, especially dialect. The lady at train-tickets counter was really helpful and service was excellent. Going to Austria I had to change trains twice and got my ticket and an itinerary showing my train numbers, arrival & departure times and track numbers. This made my traintrip very easy. However, as I was cursed this day, the third train I changed to broke down. We were standing in the woods for 45 minutes before it finally began moving again.
Finally, at 22:30, I arrived at my destination after my 17 hour journey (1100 km). I swore that next time I make this trip I would fly from my homeairport VXO to the closest one to my destination ACH/FDH.


Return trip
My trip back was without as many complications (although I had to spend the night at CPH-airport). The flight was more or less exaclty the same. The same food was served, 25 PAX no one in business (although one man tried to sit there) and excellent flying weather. This time I sat in 8A which was the emergency row and the view out of the window was just fine because the wing didn't begin until just behind my window. Therefore I recommend this row although one armrest is "missing".

In short:
DM, Maersk Air, was a nice experience. 1200 Eurobonuspoints was awarded to me for this trip.
MUC, a quite boring airport, but still ok. Free coffee at the gate.
BLL, very nice airport, good spotting from terminal.



[This message has been edited by PappaG (edited 02-23-2003).]