18/03, AY1676 AGP-HEL, OH-LZS

So, the real trip begins. Check-in desks only open 2 hours before the flight's scheduled departure. That means 2 things: a long wait landside at the airport, and no lounge once airside because the Sala VIP closes at 11pm. I guess it's not a premium heavy flight. The weather in Malaga was great so no big deal.




If you're ever stuck at Malaga airport landside, Starbucks have great sandwiches with Jamon Iberico and local cheeses. It's an absolute rip-off but they're really tasty. I should have snapped a picture but I was too hungry to think, sorry.

Airside, everything is shut except Jamie Oliver's Deli. They at least have beer on draught. It's Heineken or Fosters, and there are a few more bottled options. Again, sandwiches with Jamon Iberico are on display.

Now, for check-in. The eyes of the check-in agent grew in size when she saw my routing. And I'd forgotten to print the attestation for the US, so she very kindly went to pick one up in a back office for me to fill in. Lesson for later: check *ALL* required docs! Especially if you're on convoluted routings and you'll be in an airport not used to your destination. Then ensued a long back and forth with a more senior guy because I changed passports since my booking and the ESTA wouldn't work. An even more senior manager (different uniform) arrived and it worked as soon as she approached the desk. That made everyone laugh.

There aren't many late night flights from Malaga. The only 2 after midnight are an Easyjet flight to Luton before 1, and this oddly timed AY flight to HEL at 1:30. Airside is quite a desert, with about as many cleaners and staff as there are (tired-looking) passengers.

Boarding started announced at gate 42 by a gate agent with a portable megaphone, which people struggled to understand. It doesn't look like the airport has a gate PA system so I wonder what it's like when the gates are busy! A few passengers were turned away for not being priority/business. I can't blame them, the announcement was unintelligible.

Boarding complete around 1:20, but bags were still loading. Service around the business cabin started with a bottle of water before pushback which is nice. I wish BA did that! On the mask note from earlier, despite masks being required on public transport in Spain, there were fewer than a third of people wearing one whilst boarding, and crew were 50/50.

Pushback happened at 1:37, followed by a prerecorded security demonstration. It looked like crew were struggling to keep up with the rhythm of announcements! Take off from runway 13 at 1:45.


Reflection in the double glazing has intersting effects sometimes!


View of Malaga after take-off


I think the whole cabin went to sleep straight away. I was offered an apology just after take-off because only breakfast had been loaded, which was fine because I intended to sleep. I woke up too late, but the tray from my neighbour looked nice. I only had a coffee which tasted OK for airplane coffee.

I'm not going to lie, this wasn't a great idea, mostly due to the timings and the absence of a bed on an overnight. Crew have been nothing but professional, the seat itself wouldn't be uncomfortable for a day flight, but sleeping upright isn't what we come to FT for!






On the other hand the views of Sweden at sunrise first and then of Finland are a quite a sight. We touched down at 6:58, on runway 22L, after passing the airport from the south first. Short taxi and we got to the gate at 7:02.

We were greeted at the gate by Finnish customs, randomly checking passports. This isn't something that should happen on Schengen flights, unless they are looking for something or someone. The agent was rather abrupt when asking for my passport, but let me through after a quick glance.

Now for one hour connection at HEL.