Ukraine International WAW-KBP-MSQ 2016.10.08

As I had to get to Minsk for some aviation fun (Mi26 flight). The schedule was tight for me, I had to arrive in Minsk before 1300 on Saturday. As I couldn't depart before 1600 on Friday (the last direct flight leaves at 1545) I was forced (by the prices) to fly on Saturday. Thus the choice was Ukraine International. First a morning flight to Kiev and after a quick stop on to Minsk.

08 October 2016
PS804 (0600-0830) WAW-KBP
UR-GBD Boeing 737-300

The day itself commenced early and was to be long. Departing at 6 meant that I had to be at the airport around 5 if I wanted to do all the things I planned to do. UR-GBD, a '97 Boeing 737-300 did arrive the preceding day. Boarding started on time and the plane was ready for departure a couple minutes ahead of schedule. The first rows provide significantly more legroom than those in the rear. You can easily compare it on the photos from my previous UIA B737 flight here.
As expected, no snacks have been provided on the flight. Time did pass quickly and after and hour we commenced our descent into Kiev. On the flight itself some stunning views did appear after sunrise.

Szymany with LOT 2016.10.01 LO3791/3792

Some time after my first visit in Olsztyn  LOT announced  direct flights from Warsaw to Szymany. The idea itself appeared to be grotesque. A very short flight, 3 times per week, in the middle of the day. Hell, let's go! As the flights operated on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays only the last one was available for me. Bought the tickets for a flight there and back on the same day. It also was the last day the flight was in operation. The fun begun before the first flight. Check-in for the flight to SZY was easy and quick, as usual. But then I needed a boarding pass for the return flight (25 minutes between arriving and departing from Szymany and 30 minutes before the flight check-in closes). Not possible on-line, not possible at the check-in in Warsaw. Hoped it might be possible at the transfer center. No, it wasn't :D Yet still, with the help of the transfer desk agent I was rather sure I would return with easy. After searching here and there, asking a couple of supervisors, DCS and more a phone call had to me made directly to Szymany. They said that the boarding pass will be waiting for me at the check-in counter after my arrival. On both flights there was no more than 15 passengers and that was good number for that route.

01 October 2016
LO3791 (1315-1410)WAW-SZY
SP-EQK Bombardier Q400

Quickly passed the security check and headed for the Transfer Center. After doing what I had to do there I then waited at the gate for boarding in some pleasant company. The flight itself didn't even take 40 minutes from stand to stand (full video without any cuts available lower) which resulted in a ahead of time arrival.

Up we go.

Wizzair A321 flight review

Together with the addition of a new type to Wizzair fleet and the fact that Warsaw will be a base for some A321s I knew that one day I would get to test in inflight. For the start they got dispatched on the route to LTN and CRL. Great! A fantastic reason to go again to Charleroi. After finding a weekend that would fit me and the right price I bought the tickets. Chose the seats and was ready to fly? How was it on that brand new machine? Have a look:

23 September 2016
W61381 (1830-2040) WAW-CRL
HA-LXF Airbus A321

Hoped for some nice photos of the setting sun (sunset around 1835), unluckily we got a slot restriction with a CTOT at 1900LT. But back to the plane itself. 230 seats, no recline, legroom? for me enough, but tight (longer flights would surely be problematic), ok to sit for a short period of time. For the airline, I believe, it is a good investment. Overall the ride was fine. Like on any other W6 flight, you get what you pay for, they got me from A to B and back without any harm and no big delay. Personally, if the price difference won't be to big I will probably choose a different airline, but that is my personal thing. Rate for yourself and pick. There is a inflight review video at the end.

EPWA 2016.09.21 Air China inauguration

Another foreign airline in Warsaw, what is more, from a country not so close. Air China started flights on the route from Beijing to Warsaw. Adding more capacity on that route to the current 3 weekly flights of LOT. In the winter two flights per week, more in the summer. A long layover with a early morning arrival. Here the first landing and departure.

B-6131

EPWA 2016.09.18 Beriev Be-200

It's a long way from Portugal to Russia. Too long for a Beriev Be-200 to fly it non-stop thus they had to make several stops on its way. Luckily on their way back home they stopped for fuel in Warsaw. Russia did send two Be-200 to Portugal to help fight wildfires. A rare sight in Europe!

RF-31121

EPWA 2016.09.16 Corsair B747

Charter season at its best! A Boeing 747 visiting Warsaw. There is only one queen of the skies!

F-HSUN

EPWA 2016.08.27 Summer morning

I wanted to take advantage of the clear skies and sunny weather and take some morning arrivals shots. A plan is always good up to the moment when it stops being plausible. After two arrivals as planned on runway 11, one of the departures reported a heavy tailwind and all was switched. Back to the rather usual 29 ops. I planned to stay only around 1 hour but ended up almost 4. Nevertheless I'm happy about the outcome. Oh, and the MD11 which usually doesn't fly on Saturdays but because its flight got cancelled the day before it did on that day.

SP-LNB

EPWA 2016.08.23 Kazakh Government A330

Another day, another delegation in Warsaw. Thanks to that visit, among others, Poles will soon have the possibility to travel to Kazakhstan visa free.

UP-A3001