LO706 MSQ-WAW 2016.10.09

The return home after some aviation fun in Belarus. The quickest option, direct with LOT.

09 October 2016
LO706 (1455-1510) MSQ-WAW
SP-LNC Embraer 195

Check-in opens and a queue is already formed. Many transfer passengers for ongoing flights, many transatlantic. With my boarding pass I head to the security and passport control.
Having plenty of time I browse the shops, and take some pictures. Lucky to catch both the World of Tanks and new Belavia liveries. Finally my Embraer arrived and boarding commenced shortly. The flight itself was quick, smooth and comfortable. After leaving the plane a friendly face greeted the passengers in Warsaw. A pleasant welcome.

Flying the Mi26 in Minsk 2016.10.08

After arriving to Minsk with Ukraine International Airlines the time had come for the main aspect of the journey, the Mi-26. After meeting up with some friends at Minsk airport and after everyone had arrived we headed to a smaller airport in Minsk to get on our rides. For today pleasure flights on the Mi26, Mi8 and Mi2 had been planned. I took only the first option. No regrets!
The sound was, well I have no words to describe the sound. One hour of pure greatness. Talking was hard, hearing yourself talk was hard. Cruising around the city with some nice weather around, the windows open for some fresh air.
Fantastic experience!

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.

Flying the Belavia Tupolev 154

Arrived in Minsk two days earlier just for this day. Early morning wake-up, I take the first train from the center to the airport and am the only passenger on it :) . At the airport I have over two hours to my flight, I check my bag in and go for a short walk around the terminal. There is a couple of old planes in front of the terminal building, a Il-76, a T154, a T134, a An-24, a An-2 and a Yak-40. Later I go through the security and passport control and walk around the interior.

29 May 2015
B2871 (0820-1010) MSQ-GVA
EW-85748 T154

After a short walk around the area of the terminal and one shot of a aircraft standing near the terminal it is time to board. We take the bus to the plane. Total of around 30 people on board (the return flight was full). We are just about to get on board (some even do) but well, the authorities tell us that we can walk around a bit and many do. It looks like if we wouldn't want to fly the T154 and preferred the standing nearby 737. Boarding completed. Engine start-up is accompanied by a majestic hum of the engine. A short taxi to the runway and off we are in the air. Flat climb. 2 hours later we reached Geneva but before that we could experience the plane in all it's majesty. Walk around the cabin, chat. Plenty of room for everybody. There was even a cameraman from a Belarusian TV station making a material about those last commercial flights. Sometime during the flight a meal was served. Cold turkey (or so I think) with  cucumbers, a bun, ketchup and a sweet waffle bar as dessert.
A picturesque approach to Geneva airport with view on the Alps to the left, and a bit to the right. Deboarding, picking-up baggage and together with a fellow traveler we headed to one of many spotting locations in order to catch the departure back to Minsk (which got delayed due to a slot loss due to enthusiasts activity while boarding :D ) and later on to the city for some sightseeing. Later that evening I had my first leg of the return flight back to Warsaw. GVA-CPH with SAS.

Slowly boarding todays ride

Flying the Belavia Boeing 737-300

After a long day spotting I had to quickly get to the airport to catch my flight to Minsk.

27 May 2015
B2896 (1505-1715) WAW-MSQ
EW-407PA B733

I needed to get somehow to Minsk for my flight to Geneva on board the Tupolev 154 so I decided to fly earlier and take the chance to visit the city aswell. The T154 was on Friday, I arrived in Minsk on Wednesday on a Belavia Boeing 737-300 registered as EW-407PA. The plane first took flight in 1996.
First, at the airport, waiting for my flight I made a couple of pictures through the glass walls, as usual. It just is something I do before most of my flights. Boarding was smooth and rather without any special problems. A quick pushback after making sure that everyone is on board and we taxied to runway 29 beside many unusual liveries for Warsaw (they arrived for the UEFA Europa League Final) and departed without stopping and after a couple of turns we directed ourselves north-east towards Belarus. Sometime during the flight service was started. Well, let's say so. Drinks: tea/coffee and a small chocolate was everything in Economy. As a matter of fact I did hope for more. Luckily I ate a snack before the flight so I didn't have to starve.
A regular landing in Minsk. Just nice to see some very eastern planes, the Il76, T154, T134s and more, not forgetting about a cargo 747. Deboarding, bus transfer to the terminal and a quick immigration control. Welcome to Belarus. My bag has arrived after just a couple of minutes and I could proceed for the bus that would take me to the train station where I did catch a train to the city and made to my sleeping place.
To sum up Belavia, a rather regular airline with little arguments to convince fliers to fly them (especially when talking about western people). The fleet is in fact being renewed, but everything else connected with the flight is rather poor. I had no problems with the crew. The catering (I know it was a short flight, but my next flight MSQ-GVA was much longer and had a "meal") is poorish. The only things that would make me choose B2 over, lets say LO is either a big price difference or a better schedule.