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

Swiss CS100 experience, 21/22.01.2017

On the quest to fly the Swiss Boeing 777 on one of its intra-european flighs. WAW-ZRH-HAJ-ZRH-WAW. Two flights, in and out of Warsaw on the CS100


21 January 2017
LX1343 (0945-1150) WAW-ZRH
HB-JBD Bombardier CS100

Swiss flights to Warsaw like to be delayed. So was this one, not much, 15 minutes more or less. That made my connection in Zurich even shorter, but as the next flight also caught a delay it wasn't a very big problem after all. The ground staff did their best to reduce the delay as much as possible and they've managed a little bit. We soon pushback and start our taxi to runway 29. And later up, towards Zurich. The flight goes on smoothly. The wing looks nice, clouds spread wide all over the ground. The closer we get to Zurich the denser the airspace, the more planes you can see nearby. Some fly really close :) On approach to Zurich, we hold a little bit and fly around. Sure, I'm in no rush :D let's wait. Smooth landing, rather quick taxi to the gate, and off I go for my next flight.
How would I rate the CS100 of Swiss? Good windows, nice panels, the seat (22A on this flight) has no moveable headrest (but at least it's soft) but apart of it it is rather ok, maybe slightly hard on the back. Elegant colors of the cabin. The CSeries made a good first impression on me and it won't be a plane that I would rather not fly.

Arriving at its gate in WAW from ZRH

Swiss Boeing 777 experience, 2017.01.22

On the quest to fly the Swiss Boeing 777 on one of its intra-european flighs. WAW-ZRH-HAJ-ZRH-WAW


22 January 2017
LX817 (1455-1610) HAJ-ZRH
HB-JNF Boeing 777-300ER

After arriving early at the airport I go for a walk around the general area. Check-in area, corridors, different sections etc. Having seen more or less all I wanted I pass the security control and wait for my plane to arrive from ZRH. HB-JNF is already on its way. In the meantime I get to photograph an arriving Aeroflot A320 and a taxiing for departure and de-icing Tuifly 737 painted in a RIU Hotels & Resorts scheme.
On this 777 there are two sections for economy class. Between doors 3-4 and 4-5. The second one is not available for reservation. All passengers are seated in the section between doors 3 and 4 which is on that day full. The seat offers a moveable headrest, a decent IFE system with a wide choice of movies, music and many many more. The ride is smooth and pleasant. The cabin has a brownish finish, like Swiss has on all of it's planes. Overall, I think I would not have too many problems on a longer flight on that machine and surely would not say it's bad if anyone asked me. After the flight I did have some reservations about part of the cabin crew, they could be more open towards the client.

Swiss Avro experience, 2017.01.21

On the quest to fly the Swiss Boeing 777 on one of its intra-european flighs. WAW-ZRH-HAJ-ZRH-WAW


21 January 2017
LX816 (1235-1350) ZRH-HAJ
HB-IYZ British Aerospace Avro RJ100

On my way to Hannover I was supposed to get the 777, it got swapped to a Avro plane. The flight was slightly delayed, what was a good thing as my inbound was also delayed so I made it with ease. A bus took us to the plane. After boarding we waited for de-icing to be finished, at our stand, and later proceeded to the runway. The flight was cold most of the way, the heating did not kick in sufficiently almost all the way to Hannover. The flight was full. Flying an Avro is always fun, the 2*3 seating gives sufficient space for all passengers. As Swiss slowly phases out all of their Jumbolinos I was happy to get it as an addition to my CS100 and 777 flights. The crew was kind and always with a smile on their faces. I have surely disembarked with a smile on my face.

EPWA 2017.02.09 Scandinavian retro

Yet another gloomy, dark, winter day in Warsaw. A sole exception the SAS retro A319. OY-KBO

OY-KBO

EPWA 2017.01.25 W6 A321 olympic bid

Wizzair based in Warsaw for some time its A321 painted in the Budapest Olympic bid livery. Not the best weather for spotting on the day I've chosen to catch it.
HA-LXJ

HA-LXJ

HA-LXJ