Eastern Airways NCL-BHX return
May 14, 2003 | 6:23 am
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: somewhere north of London, UK
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Eastern Airways NCL-BHX return
Thought i'd post this as I haven't seen the airline quoted in here before. It's also my first trip report, so any constructive comments welcome.
Eastern Airways has been around for quite some time, but doing mail/charter work in the UK. They recently picked up a series of BA regional routes (and the accompanying planes & probably staff too) that were to be dropped by the world's favourite airline (?) hence the reason I found myself aboard T3 4621 on April 25th.
Arrived at Newcastle airport about 6.10am. One person ahead of me at the Eastern Airways check in desk (2 desks open, but the other agent was busy doing 'something').
Promptly checked in and assigned seat 5A. Plane was to be a Jestream 41, which is 1-2 configuration with 29 seats.
Passed through security promptly, bought a newspaper and the gate was called. As it's such a small plane, we were to be bussed across the apron. The six passengers (yup!) had gathered in the lounge by around 6.45am (6.55am departure) and we were quickly over to the plane. Boarding was predictably hassle free, although if you've any bag that's bigger than a laptop, it has to be checked at the aircraft steps.
Sat on the plane for a good 20 mins as we couldn't get a slot into Birmingham, so finally took off around 7.20am.
Interior was clean, looked as if it was the old BA plane (blue leather seats) and my knees didn't stick into the back of the seat infront.
In-flight service was beverages then a snack from the basket - McCoy's crisps, Walkers shortbread, cereal bars, that sort of thing.
Circled Birmingham for a while before landing around 8.30am (now 35mins late). Parked right at the front of the Eurohub terminal, was straight through the airport and into a cab in about 5 minutes, just making my 9am appointment.
Return flight was a little more interesting. Obvioulsy this is a regular's flight, as there's no Eastern Airways signage at all at Birmingham Airport - you check in at the BA counters. Again, no queues here and allocated seat 5A on T3 4624, another J41 service.
Security in the Eurohub didn't recognise the T3 flight number & tried to direct me to the other terminal. Finally managed to convince the chap concerned to check with his supervisor that I did know what I was doing, and was then let through.
Had an hour to kill before the flight, but the general departure lounge was very quiet - sat & read a book. Flight was called about 11.20am, straight out onto the plane which this time was sporting a total of 5 passengers!
Took off on time, and again the inflight service was a drink & snack from the basket.
Interestigly though, they also offer Champagne on this flight, poured from a full bottle. I've never seen this on a UK domestic flight before, and in Y class!!!
Opted for a Gin & Tonic, then the stewardess came round again, so had another (meetings over, I was now on holiday). Got talking to the stewardess about the fact I was getting married the next day, then just before landing she came back to my seat with a full bottle of Champagne - a present from the airline wishing me a long & happy marriage!
Plane touched down on time at 12.30pm (no padding in these schedules), bus back to the terminal and I was waiting for my lift by 12.45pm.
The airline doesn't believe in cheap fares, but they could arguably sell it as business class rather than economy, what with the champagne. With loads like that, I can understand why BA dropped the route, but wish them every success in the future as the service was superb.
They aren't in any FF scheme, but given i'm unlikely to use them again, I guess that's no big deal to me.
Eastern Airways has been around for quite some time, but doing mail/charter work in the UK. They recently picked up a series of BA regional routes (and the accompanying planes & probably staff too) that were to be dropped by the world's favourite airline (?) hence the reason I found myself aboard T3 4621 on April 25th.
Arrived at Newcastle airport about 6.10am. One person ahead of me at the Eastern Airways check in desk (2 desks open, but the other agent was busy doing 'something').
Promptly checked in and assigned seat 5A. Plane was to be a Jestream 41, which is 1-2 configuration with 29 seats.
Passed through security promptly, bought a newspaper and the gate was called. As it's such a small plane, we were to be bussed across the apron. The six passengers (yup!) had gathered in the lounge by around 6.45am (6.55am departure) and we were quickly over to the plane. Boarding was predictably hassle free, although if you've any bag that's bigger than a laptop, it has to be checked at the aircraft steps.
Sat on the plane for a good 20 mins as we couldn't get a slot into Birmingham, so finally took off around 7.20am.
Interior was clean, looked as if it was the old BA plane (blue leather seats) and my knees didn't stick into the back of the seat infront.
In-flight service was beverages then a snack from the basket - McCoy's crisps, Walkers shortbread, cereal bars, that sort of thing.
Circled Birmingham for a while before landing around 8.30am (now 35mins late). Parked right at the front of the Eurohub terminal, was straight through the airport and into a cab in about 5 minutes, just making my 9am appointment.
Return flight was a little more interesting. Obvioulsy this is a regular's flight, as there's no Eastern Airways signage at all at Birmingham Airport - you check in at the BA counters. Again, no queues here and allocated seat 5A on T3 4624, another J41 service.
Security in the Eurohub didn't recognise the T3 flight number & tried to direct me to the other terminal. Finally managed to convince the chap concerned to check with his supervisor that I did know what I was doing, and was then let through.
Had an hour to kill before the flight, but the general departure lounge was very quiet - sat & read a book. Flight was called about 11.20am, straight out onto the plane which this time was sporting a total of 5 passengers!
Took off on time, and again the inflight service was a drink & snack from the basket.
Interestigly though, they also offer Champagne on this flight, poured from a full bottle. I've never seen this on a UK domestic flight before, and in Y class!!!
Opted for a Gin & Tonic, then the stewardess came round again, so had another (meetings over, I was now on holiday). Got talking to the stewardess about the fact I was getting married the next day, then just before landing she came back to my seat with a full bottle of Champagne - a present from the airline wishing me a long & happy marriage!
Plane touched down on time at 12.30pm (no padding in these schedules), bus back to the terminal and I was waiting for my lift by 12.45pm.
The airline doesn't believe in cheap fares, but they could arguably sell it as business class rather than economy, what with the champagne. With loads like that, I can understand why BA dropped the route, but wish them every success in the future as the service was superb.
They aren't in any FF scheme, but given i'm unlikely to use them again, I guess that's no big deal to me.
