LondonAkis
First-Class-Member
05 March 2004, AZ227 LHR-MXP; A321 Seat 3A
03:00 hours and the alarm goes off in the middle of the night so I can manage to make it in time for the 06:10 AZ227. Long gone are the times when European flights required only a 20 min advance check-in particularly when you travelled on hand luggage only. The M4 motorway is dead empty. The taxi took exactly 16 from Southwest London to arrive to Heathrows Terminal 2 on average this route can easily take 90 by car!!! Heathrow is still asleep. In T2 none of the check-in counters are open yet. Just a few passengers wandering around, all with a similar red-eye effect Count Dracula would have felt right at home.
The Alitalia crew members and employees arrived almost simultaneously at 05:15. Check-in counters open, the procedure lasts a few seconds (the advantage of travelling luggage free). Passport and security control seem to take a lot longer; increased security! After a quick cigarette, boarding is called at 05:45. Having arrived at the gate, I show my passport, boarding pass and my old business card asking politely whether the crew had a pleasant sleep over in London. (Alitalia crews stay overnight at a hotel that I used to work in ). The trick worked and during boarding I was invited to seat at 3A. Not bad, I thought making myself comfortable. The A321 looked rather clean and although the green colour of the seats is too fluorescent for that time in the morning, I indulged in observing the other sleeping planes nearby. Quick observation, great views (but then, it is LHR afterall): 4 LH planes (2 A321s FRA, MUC- and 2 A320s DUS, HAM-), another AZ A321 (FCO), an LX A321 (ZRH) and A320 (GVA), 2 IB A320 (MAD, BCN), a TP A320 (LIS), an AF A320 (CDG) and a MA B734 (BUD). Departure was set for 06:10 but we didnt roll out of T2 until 06:25. On the way to the runway, T4 was clearly visible with all of BAs long-range fleet types in sight plus a QF 744 and an HM 767! The works for T5 on the other side are proceeding fast (!) with the main terminal building having already taken shape. Take-off was at 06:35 from runway 09R after witnessing a BA 777 landing on the mildly wet runway (spectacular breaks effect). Immediately after take-off, we hit low and dense cloud, thus views where nothing special and the situation did not improve for the whole flight. The ever white alpine tops were the only highlight. Business class breakfast looked sumptuous but out of principle I decided not to touch it, however coffee was plentiful, good and much needed. Service was rather quick I thought, but then the flight was not busy. Its usually the Linate flights that manage to fill the planes with premium paying passengers. Good tail wind landed us at Milan Malpensa at 09:05 local time a record 90 later as the pilot announced. Landing on 35R was smooth and Malpensa looked full. All parking positions seemed taken by Alitalia (dont the airlines executives believe in using their aircraft to fly?!). While taxing into our parking position (B2 in Terminal 1) I can see various AZ planes: A321, brand new A320 and A319, B767, B777, ERJ and far too many MD80s. Other interesting sightings include an LH B735 and AR8 as well as an LX ARJ and a Volare A332! Once inside the terminal, I quickly make my way towards the exit, jumped on the first Malpensa Express to Cadorna Station. 40 later I was negotiating directions in central Milan. I wont bore you with the activities that filled my day in Milan, but it has to be said, Milan is worth it even for a few hours.
Verdict: 09/10
05 March 2004; AZ734 MXP-SKG; MD80 Seat 18A
Fast-forward a few hours later and I am on the Malpensa Express on my way back to Terminal 1. With my boarding pass already in hand, I made my way towards security control for Satelite A the Schengen part of Terminal 1. As soon as I came off the escalator I confronted a queue that seemed to be going all the way back to Milan city centre. I thought such things were only a Heathrow phenomenon. The guards looked rather upset at the ever growing queue in front of them. Some passengers started jumping the queue as they were about to miss their flights. Some other hot-bloodied Italians started swearing at them and the rest is as Mediterranean as it gets. After a while I managed to get through to Satelite A just in time for boarding. My ticket said departure at 20:05, the info board said 19:55!?! Rushing through people I arrived to the gate only to find myself faced with another queue (does this torture ever end?). In front of me there this slim, petit and full of attitude little lady, all blonde and jeweled with a perfect posture squeezed in tight trendy blue jeans (need I mention nationality?). The queue in front of her had moved a good 20 steps ahead and she was busy sampling the perfume she just bought staring aimlessly at the ceiling of the terminal. Using a soft tone, I leisurely asked whether shes waiting in the queue or shes just pretending to be a traveling prostitute and pushed my way in front of her not even bothering to notice her reaction. I admit my attitude was a bit OTT but when youve been on the road since 4 a.m. manners are a luxury. The MD80 was parked closer to the Cargo terminal than Satelite A. Comfortable on seat 18A I had clear view of planes landing on both runways. We took off on time (!) from runway 35R and almost immediately flew through massive clouds, which made our ascending a bit shaky. The flight was full; service was by the book and without too many smiles. The clouds continued to block the view until we reached the gulf of Thermaicos, we did a turn above Kallikratia and landed a good 15 minutes early on runway 34. The tarmac at Makedonia looked unusually busy with a number of surprise aircraft (LOT 767, Air Scandic AB3, KMV Tu5, etc.). Exiting from the back of the MD80, I was so shocked to realize that Thessaloniki was actually much colder than London or Milan on that day! As soon as the bus dropped us off in front of the intra-Schengen arrivals, I witnessed the busiest luggage reclaim area ever. A sea of heads and backs had piled over each other waiting for their suitcases. Thank God, its not me I thought and increased my pace towards the exit, only to be faced by a wall of anxious and bemused relatives waiting for their people to come out. Pre-election atmosphere at all its glory.
Verdict: 08/10
07 March 2004; AZ725 SKG-MXP; MD80 Seat 18 D, E & F.
AZ244 MXP-LHR; A321 Seat 08A
A day and half later, there I am again on my way back to Makedonia to catch the flights back home. Having exercised my voting rights and still drunk from the all-nighter out I pulled on Saturday, the 13:30 hours departure time still felt too early. I must have looked so bad, that when I asked the guy at the check-in counter for a three-seat allocation so that I can sleep, he smirked and promised to do his best! The security check at Makedonia was more elaborate than LHR or MXP, and the guard almost made me take off my clothes off because his metal detector was going crazy every time he placed it on my waist (hello, its only a belt buckle). The tarmac was again filled with the same planes that had transferred voters over these few days. I would be seriously curious to find out what kind of record passenger numbers went through SKG that week. In the waiting area, there was a Greek KFOR contingency based in Tirana. I seem to run into these guys every time I depart from SKG lately. The MD80 had just landed and it looked like we were going to be delayed for a bit. However, we were only a few passengers that day and I did manage to recognize a couple of passengers from the flight to SKG two days ago (or I was too drunk and my brain was stuck on Friday). Once the MD80 doors shut, I realized that the check-in man took my request seriously and both seats next to me were empty! Thats what I call going the extra mile to make customers happy. Take-off was from runway 34 and Thessaloniki looked great from seat 18F The next thing I remember is the stewardess pushing my shoulder as we had to sit upright for landing at MXP. Was that the quickest flight or what? As soon as we entered the terminal building I headed for connections through passport check. I still had a good hour until boarding so I decided to drag my sorry self near the designated gate where at least I could see some of the aircraft movements. It did turn out interesting as JL 744 with a Unicef logo was being prepared for departure. Next to it was a SA A332! And then more of AZs 777s and 763s. Boarding started at the designated time and we were taken to an A321 by bus. The sky looked clear so I was determined to stay awake during the flight and catch the best of the views. Last time I flew on this route I saw Paris and CDG from 33,000ft, so I was looking forward to repeating the experience. In vain though, as my eyelids shut heavy soon after take-off from runway 35L. Shame I thought, assuming landing position a couple of dreams later. Touch down at LHR was smooth and all I could think was how close I was to my king-size double bed at home.
Verdict: 09/10 just for the nice sleep I got.
03:00 hours and the alarm goes off in the middle of the night so I can manage to make it in time for the 06:10 AZ227. Long gone are the times when European flights required only a 20 min advance check-in particularly when you travelled on hand luggage only. The M4 motorway is dead empty. The taxi took exactly 16 from Southwest London to arrive to Heathrows Terminal 2 on average this route can easily take 90 by car!!! Heathrow is still asleep. In T2 none of the check-in counters are open yet. Just a few passengers wandering around, all with a similar red-eye effect Count Dracula would have felt right at home.
The Alitalia crew members and employees arrived almost simultaneously at 05:15. Check-in counters open, the procedure lasts a few seconds (the advantage of travelling luggage free). Passport and security control seem to take a lot longer; increased security! After a quick cigarette, boarding is called at 05:45. Having arrived at the gate, I show my passport, boarding pass and my old business card asking politely whether the crew had a pleasant sleep over in London. (Alitalia crews stay overnight at a hotel that I used to work in ). The trick worked and during boarding I was invited to seat at 3A. Not bad, I thought making myself comfortable. The A321 looked rather clean and although the green colour of the seats is too fluorescent for that time in the morning, I indulged in observing the other sleeping planes nearby. Quick observation, great views (but then, it is LHR afterall): 4 LH planes (2 A321s FRA, MUC- and 2 A320s DUS, HAM-), another AZ A321 (FCO), an LX A321 (ZRH) and A320 (GVA), 2 IB A320 (MAD, BCN), a TP A320 (LIS), an AF A320 (CDG) and a MA B734 (BUD). Departure was set for 06:10 but we didnt roll out of T2 until 06:25. On the way to the runway, T4 was clearly visible with all of BAs long-range fleet types in sight plus a QF 744 and an HM 767! The works for T5 on the other side are proceeding fast (!) with the main terminal building having already taken shape. Take-off was at 06:35 from runway 09R after witnessing a BA 777 landing on the mildly wet runway (spectacular breaks effect). Immediately after take-off, we hit low and dense cloud, thus views where nothing special and the situation did not improve for the whole flight. The ever white alpine tops were the only highlight. Business class breakfast looked sumptuous but out of principle I decided not to touch it, however coffee was plentiful, good and much needed. Service was rather quick I thought, but then the flight was not busy. Its usually the Linate flights that manage to fill the planes with premium paying passengers. Good tail wind landed us at Milan Malpensa at 09:05 local time a record 90 later as the pilot announced. Landing on 35R was smooth and Malpensa looked full. All parking positions seemed taken by Alitalia (dont the airlines executives believe in using their aircraft to fly?!). While taxing into our parking position (B2 in Terminal 1) I can see various AZ planes: A321, brand new A320 and A319, B767, B777, ERJ and far too many MD80s. Other interesting sightings include an LH B735 and AR8 as well as an LX ARJ and a Volare A332! Once inside the terminal, I quickly make my way towards the exit, jumped on the first Malpensa Express to Cadorna Station. 40 later I was negotiating directions in central Milan. I wont bore you with the activities that filled my day in Milan, but it has to be said, Milan is worth it even for a few hours.
Verdict: 09/10
05 March 2004; AZ734 MXP-SKG; MD80 Seat 18A
Fast-forward a few hours later and I am on the Malpensa Express on my way back to Terminal 1. With my boarding pass already in hand, I made my way towards security control for Satelite A the Schengen part of Terminal 1. As soon as I came off the escalator I confronted a queue that seemed to be going all the way back to Milan city centre. I thought such things were only a Heathrow phenomenon. The guards looked rather upset at the ever growing queue in front of them. Some passengers started jumping the queue as they were about to miss their flights. Some other hot-bloodied Italians started swearing at them and the rest is as Mediterranean as it gets. After a while I managed to get through to Satelite A just in time for boarding. My ticket said departure at 20:05, the info board said 19:55!?! Rushing through people I arrived to the gate only to find myself faced with another queue (does this torture ever end?). In front of me there this slim, petit and full of attitude little lady, all blonde and jeweled with a perfect posture squeezed in tight trendy blue jeans (need I mention nationality?). The queue in front of her had moved a good 20 steps ahead and she was busy sampling the perfume she just bought staring aimlessly at the ceiling of the terminal. Using a soft tone, I leisurely asked whether shes waiting in the queue or shes just pretending to be a traveling prostitute and pushed my way in front of her not even bothering to notice her reaction. I admit my attitude was a bit OTT but when youve been on the road since 4 a.m. manners are a luxury. The MD80 was parked closer to the Cargo terminal than Satelite A. Comfortable on seat 18A I had clear view of planes landing on both runways. We took off on time (!) from runway 35R and almost immediately flew through massive clouds, which made our ascending a bit shaky. The flight was full; service was by the book and without too many smiles. The clouds continued to block the view until we reached the gulf of Thermaicos, we did a turn above Kallikratia and landed a good 15 minutes early on runway 34. The tarmac at Makedonia looked unusually busy with a number of surprise aircraft (LOT 767, Air Scandic AB3, KMV Tu5, etc.). Exiting from the back of the MD80, I was so shocked to realize that Thessaloniki was actually much colder than London or Milan on that day! As soon as the bus dropped us off in front of the intra-Schengen arrivals, I witnessed the busiest luggage reclaim area ever. A sea of heads and backs had piled over each other waiting for their suitcases. Thank God, its not me I thought and increased my pace towards the exit, only to be faced by a wall of anxious and bemused relatives waiting for their people to come out. Pre-election atmosphere at all its glory.
Verdict: 08/10
07 March 2004; AZ725 SKG-MXP; MD80 Seat 18 D, E & F.
AZ244 MXP-LHR; A321 Seat 08A
A day and half later, there I am again on my way back to Makedonia to catch the flights back home. Having exercised my voting rights and still drunk from the all-nighter out I pulled on Saturday, the 13:30 hours departure time still felt too early. I must have looked so bad, that when I asked the guy at the check-in counter for a three-seat allocation so that I can sleep, he smirked and promised to do his best! The security check at Makedonia was more elaborate than LHR or MXP, and the guard almost made me take off my clothes off because his metal detector was going crazy every time he placed it on my waist (hello, its only a belt buckle). The tarmac was again filled with the same planes that had transferred voters over these few days. I would be seriously curious to find out what kind of record passenger numbers went through SKG that week. In the waiting area, there was a Greek KFOR contingency based in Tirana. I seem to run into these guys every time I depart from SKG lately. The MD80 had just landed and it looked like we were going to be delayed for a bit. However, we were only a few passengers that day and I did manage to recognize a couple of passengers from the flight to SKG two days ago (or I was too drunk and my brain was stuck on Friday). Once the MD80 doors shut, I realized that the check-in man took my request seriously and both seats next to me were empty! Thats what I call going the extra mile to make customers happy. Take-off was from runway 34 and Thessaloniki looked great from seat 18F The next thing I remember is the stewardess pushing my shoulder as we had to sit upright for landing at MXP. Was that the quickest flight or what? As soon as we entered the terminal building I headed for connections through passport check. I still had a good hour until boarding so I decided to drag my sorry self near the designated gate where at least I could see some of the aircraft movements. It did turn out interesting as JL 744 with a Unicef logo was being prepared for departure. Next to it was a SA A332! And then more of AZs 777s and 763s. Boarding started at the designated time and we were taken to an A321 by bus. The sky looked clear so I was determined to stay awake during the flight and catch the best of the views. Last time I flew on this route I saw Paris and CDG from 33,000ft, so I was looking forward to repeating the experience. In vain though, as my eyelids shut heavy soon after take-off from runway 35L. Shame I thought, assuming landing position a couple of dreams later. Touch down at LHR was smooth and all I could think was how close I was to my king-size double bed at home.
Verdict: 09/10 just for the nice sleep I got.
mou thimises palaioteres epoxes pou ekana akribos ta idia taksidia
...........AAAAAAAA....Greek girls, don't we all love them?