Ronaldsway (IOM) is a lovely little airport, where normally you can clear security in about 2 minutes, but there was a bit of a queue today, as there are two EasyJet flights that leave at roughly the same time, meaning the sleepy airport is a bit busy. However, I was through in less than 10 minutes, and sat in the basic but comfy departures area. There is a lounge, but being a blue member, even if I was flying BA I would have no access. That will be fixed by the end of this trip! No pictures I am afraid, as, this being the Isle of Man, I met some people I knew, and ended up having a drink with them. Dereliction of duty I know, but the first beer of the trip was calling.

Here is a picture of the airport from airside, with a FlyBe Dash 8 about to head to Bristol I think (must be the second Saturday of a month with a z in it - I never understand the Bristol schedule!)



So, onto flight 1 of 12 over the next 12 days. Boarding for EasyJet was simple and efficient, but I do wonder a bit about their seat allocation algorithm. I was in 10E which turns out to be quite a narrow seat (I know I am a wide bloke!) but 10F was empty so a quick move relieved the pressure on me and the guy in 10D. The seat was remarkably comfy, and plenty of legroom (at least for whY). Here is the obligatory legroom shot.



And the front of the cabin.




The flight was smooth, and we arrived in LGW North Terminal about 15 minutes early. As always seems to happen, I was expecting a significant wait for my bag, and I was wrong. The delay came in getting off the plane. We went up the air bridge, but then the passage up into the terminal was blocked off and we were bussed to the baggage reclaim. Now, I know they are spending a lot of money at Gatwick, but it seems they need to spend some on the busses - or more accurately - bus. There was only 1 to move the passengers from the 2/3rds full Airbus. So, after a 15 minute wait for the bus to come back from its first trip, the bags were already on the belt. And bear in mind I was only in 10E, I think if I was at the back, I might have just ended up still sat there on the return flight to the rock!