(IEG) Zielona Góra by LOT, LO3983 & LO3984

17 March 2017
LO3983 (2235-2335) WAW-IEG
SP-EQL Bombardier Q400

18 March 2017
LO3984 (0545-0650) IEG-WAW
SP-EQL Bombardier Q400

For a long time I wanted to fly to the small airport in Babimost in western Poland. Flight to and from Zielona Góra – Babimost have been long operated by Sprint Air on the Saab 340 but the schedule didn’t make it possible to get a one day trip from Warsaw. After their contract ended, LOT scooped up the new contract for the flights and now flies 5xweekly on the Q400. The flights still don’t allow to get a one day trip from Warsaw but they do allow for a short night stay during the weekend. The flights leave late from Warsaw and leaves early from Zielona Góra. So after LOT announced the flights I got tickets for one of the rotations. Straight from work and then straight to work. Not many passengers during this time of the year (23 for WAW-IEG and 16 for IEG-WAW). Now, during the summer, the loads are better. At IEG, they have a separate arrival terminal to which you are taken by a bus. The departure hall is small, has no classic gate, boarding is performed by hand by the staff and you walk to the plane. My entire experience was very positive, because of (its grotesqueness) the small details that I found new, and hard to believe. The ‘gate’ area would be crowded if the Q400 was full, I don’t want to think what would be happening there if a full plane of the size of a B737 or A320 would arrive or depart. At the speed that the security check was performed, two hours would surely not be enough to check everyone, the space behind the security check would be full and overcrowded for sure. Lucky for them that they don’t have such situations although they probably would love to have more flights and more passengers.

DUS pre-flight LO408 2017.02.26

Knowing that Düsseldorf airport has an open viewing terrace we decided to go the airport well ahead the time we’d normally go. After walking around the general area first we head towards the terrace where I’ll spend most of my time before it gets cold, almost dark, boring and the time will end. The terrace itself is real nice I must admit. Plenty of room. “Access” to a couple of jetways. Good view on the runways and taxiway. Some nice close-ups are possible with a longer lens. But if you have only a short one, don’t worry as you’ll still have plenty of photo opportunities.

LO409 WAW-DUS 2017.02.25

25 February 2017
LO409 (0735-0930) WAW-DUS
SP-LDK Embraer 170

A weekend excursion to Düsseldorf in some nice company. Luckily the morning departure wave of LOT flights from Warsaw starts after 7 am which is rather ok for a morning departure. Much better than a 6 am flight. Most passengers have already passed through security, thus, around 7 o’clock there merely is a queue to the security control. With around 40 minutes until departure we arrive at the airport, check a bag in for a hassle free flight and head to the gates. A brief stop at the duty free and for a coffee. Just in time at the gate. Today’s ride, SP-LDK, the only plane painted in Star Alliance colors in the fleet. We leave the gate on time, taxi briefly and head up and west, towards DUS. Not too many people, not exactly a business hour to fly, Saturday morning, the atmosphere on board is sleepy and the flight passes quickly, without greater problems. Just enough time to get a small breakfast on board. At our destination airport we park at a remote position, hop on a bus and are quickly transported to the terminal where we pick up our bag and head on to the city.

Overall, I still hold up the impression that LOTs jungle jets are one of the best for short travels around Europe. Really hard to beat them in my opinion.

Leaving snowy Warsaw behind

Emirates A380 in Warsaw 2017.02.10

For the fourth anniversary of launching flights between Dubai and Warsaw Emirates decided to send an Airbus A380 to Warsaw. Winter weather was almost at it's best. Unluckily the heat haze was active thus some of the photos didn't work out as good as they could. Both the departure and landing had to be on runway 15 on that day due to the size of the aircraft. Also, taxiing space is limited for the A380 at Warsaw Chopin airport. Both flights were on time, more or less. In addition some shots of other movements, the Air Transat A330 flying for Travel Service, LOT Boeing 787s and other smaller machines.

LO3806 RZE-WAW 2017.02.05

05 February 2017
LO3806 (0905-0955) RZE-WAW
SP-EQK Bombardier Q400


Returning from a brief visit in Rzeszów. The morning flight to Warsaw, on this day operated by a Dash Q400. Pretty much a very decent flight, smooth, quick and easy. The airport is small (more pictures of the airport from the arrival). This time seated in row 4. A full video with no cuts at all is available down in this entry. The weather in Rzeszów wasn't the prettiest, but when you get on a plane it doesn't really matter that much.

Boarding by foot.

LO3805 WAW-RZE 2017.02.04

04 February 2017
LO3805 (0740-0835) WAW-RZE
SP-EQD Bombardier Q400

A brief hop south to the city of Rzeszów. The morning departure from Warsaw. My first time at the airport in Jasionka. The flight itself was really quick and nothing special happened during it. You may find a full flight (no cuts) video down over here. The departure area at the airport is brief. You disembark and walk to the terminal, pass beside the luggage belt and you are out and ready to go. More, and easier with photos.

Waiting for departure in Warsaw