The object of this trip was to see my old art teacher in Wells, Somerset, who had just reached her 95th birthday. However, she died just before I could get there and the funeral was arranged on the day I was scheduled to arrive. So, I didn't bother changing my flight which had cost CHF19.95 (the change fee was CHF62.00), instead I bought a new ticket leaving one day earlier for CHF16.95 and abandoned the original booking. With up to 6 easyJet flights a day and peanuts prices, Bristol has become very accessible from Switzerland.
Intercontinental and non-Schengen flights leave from Terminal C at Geneva, including easyJet flights to the UK; it is cheaper to buy food from the BoB menu of easyJet rather than use the outlets in Terminal C
The easyJet flight to Bristol left from gate C61 and the boarding process was very calm and civilized
My easyJet Switzerland plane waiting at the gate at Geneva airport
I reached Geneva airport early, but not ridiculously so. 1 hour and 40 minutes margin was more than adequate because GVA airport is well organised with efficient security checks. The nightmare of airport meltdowns last summer now seems to be in the past. UK flights leave from C gates, a swanky newly designed terminal with lots of natural light, plenty of seating with power ports and food outlets. Boarding through the airbridge was punctual and relaxed because the flight was not full.
Looking out at the Mt Blanc Massif in France just after take-off
I took the menu deal which included a Brewdog Punk IPA beer
The warmed Ciabatta was pretty decent
Once onboard crew were pleasant and welcoming and the entire flight turned out to be excellent. The booking engine allocated me a window seat on the right of the aircraft, so I could enjoy some quite spectacular views of the Alps and Mt Blanc. These days easyJet seems to offer an incredibly reasonably priced onboard menu, which is a good deal for flyers from Geneva because the airport catering is far too expensive. It's also a smart move in order to pull passengers from the legacy airlines, which have crappy, stupidly overpriced onboard catering along with understocked trolleys which run out once they reach row 2. I have not been a fan of easyJet in the past, but good for them: their offering, low prices and uncomplicated booking system have pulled me back into the fold.
A look down the cabin of the easyJet flight, with a lot of empty seats visible
Flying over Weston-Super-Mare on the Bristol Channel while approaching Bristol airport
Arrival at Bristol airport
I ordered a meal deal with a hot roll of Serrano ham and Iberico cheese, a box of Pringles and a Brewdog IPA beer for CHF12.50. While not a replacement for a real meal, it was pretty good and kept me going during the process of picking up a rental car and driving around looking for parking in Bristol later that evening. We landed 25 minutes early but had to sit on the apron for ages because no stand was available.
Rating 8.5*
Seat 10F
Aircraft 320
Registration HB-JXP