11-02-201405:55 PM
Flight numbers: BE1828 & BE1829
Aircraft: Embraer ERJ-175 (G-FBJK)
Class: Economy (referred to as "just fly" by flybe)
As a couple of you know I had the pleasure of having a short break in Iceland over the past few days.
Our departure from Birmingham was delayed by 20 minutes, we were told that this was due to the catering. After 20 minutes however the food had still failed to turn up and the decision was made to leave without any food onboard. No time was made up during the flight and as such we still landed about 20 minutes late after a flight time of about 2 hours 45 minutes. There isn't a lot to say about the flight itself, there was no food to review and there was no inflight entertainment fitted. Flybe have now though got automatic check in desks at Birmingham and all passengers were being forced to use them. And frankly they are rubbish, of the 7 available 3 where out of order. Despite this however there was no queue and we had free choice of the 4 remaining units. Unlike most automated check in desks iv used this one was 100% automatic, you don't have to go to bag drop or anything afterwards - the machine sits next to the belt where the check in assistant would be. The machine wasn't very intuitive and took along time, there also weren't any staff around to help anyone stuck with the machines. There was also an incident at the gate where passengers were sent down the jetway, only to discover it had not yet been connected to the plane! Some steps were quickly brought and we left the jetway view the emergency exit steps and walked to the aircraft with its new steps.
Upon arrival at Keflavik the first thing that struck me was the lack of any sort of segregation at the airport, as we walked through the gates and airports there where plenty of passengers departing going in the other direction. This layout also means that strangely once you have gone through security you can go back to check in (and bag drop ect.) if you feel the need!
The return leg was also slightly delayed (15 minutes) and once boarding it also emerged that once again the aircraft had left Birmingham without re-stocking the catering trolley. On the return leg there was some turbulence as we approached England and as we passed over the lake district the captain switched on the fasten seat belt signs, they remained on for the rest of the flight. The turbulence got increasingly strong as we approached Birmingham and the constant engine changes were clearly audible from the cabin. Being seated over the wings in was also possible to see the ailerons on the wing being aduced through the decent. The landing itself though was pleasantly smooth.
Unfortunately staff and Birmingham & on Flybe where out remaining passengers of both companies "no pictures" policy so I couldn't take any.
[hr]
There was though one aviation item I was able to get up close to and take plenty of photos of in Iceland, even if it didn't involve me flying anywhere. More to follow.
Aircraft: Embraer ERJ-175 (G-FBJK)
Class: Economy (referred to as "just fly" by flybe)
As a couple of you know I had the pleasure of having a short break in Iceland over the past few days.
Our departure from Birmingham was delayed by 20 minutes, we were told that this was due to the catering. After 20 minutes however the food had still failed to turn up and the decision was made to leave without any food onboard. No time was made up during the flight and as such we still landed about 20 minutes late after a flight time of about 2 hours 45 minutes. There isn't a lot to say about the flight itself, there was no food to review and there was no inflight entertainment fitted. Flybe have now though got automatic check in desks at Birmingham and all passengers were being forced to use them. And frankly they are rubbish, of the 7 available 3 where out of order. Despite this however there was no queue and we had free choice of the 4 remaining units. Unlike most automated check in desks iv used this one was 100% automatic, you don't have to go to bag drop or anything afterwards - the machine sits next to the belt where the check in assistant would be. The machine wasn't very intuitive and took along time, there also weren't any staff around to help anyone stuck with the machines. There was also an incident at the gate where passengers were sent down the jetway, only to discover it had not yet been connected to the plane! Some steps were quickly brought and we left the jetway view the emergency exit steps and walked to the aircraft with its new steps.
Upon arrival at Keflavik the first thing that struck me was the lack of any sort of segregation at the airport, as we walked through the gates and airports there where plenty of passengers departing going in the other direction. This layout also means that strangely once you have gone through security you can go back to check in (and bag drop ect.) if you feel the need!
The return leg was also slightly delayed (15 minutes) and once boarding it also emerged that once again the aircraft had left Birmingham without re-stocking the catering trolley. On the return leg there was some turbulence as we approached England and as we passed over the lake district the captain switched on the fasten seat belt signs, they remained on for the rest of the flight. The turbulence got increasingly strong as we approached Birmingham and the constant engine changes were clearly audible from the cabin. Being seated over the wings in was also possible to see the ailerons on the wing being aduced through the decent. The landing itself though was pleasantly smooth.
Unfortunately staff and Birmingham & on Flybe where out remaining passengers of both companies "no pictures" policy so I couldn't take any.
[hr]
There was though one aviation item I was able to get up close to and take plenty of photos of in Iceland, even if it didn't involve me flying anywhere. More to follow.