Arriving at Birmingham Airport (BHX) parking the car on car park 5 south of the terminals we had a steady 10 minute walk to the terminal buildings. I was flying on the 0805 easyjet departure whilst my friend was departing on the 0600 KLM flight. This ment i had over four hours to kill in what would no doubt be an over crowded departure lounge.
Once inside the terminal we found that once again the Jet2 entrance to the departure lounge was now open, unlike earlier in the year when i flew out to Dublin. Hopefully on past experience i would be straight into bag scan and then in the lounge within 30 Mins.Wrong!! Once at the top of the stairs now you walk past where previously was the bag scanning area and join the queue from the main terminal for the new scanning area. All being said in around 45 to 50 mins we was sitting down waiting for our drinks to be served.
I think there was slight improvement from when I came earlier in the year, but I think the time to pass judgement will be once all the improvement works are complete. Once my friend had left i had a walk around the pier to see what was on the ground, with it still dark photos and any videos were out the question with the terminal lights reflecting off the glass. Quick check on flight radar found I would be flying on a fairly new Airbus A320Neo of easyjet Europe.
Boarding was uneventful and was seated on the plane within around 25mins of the gate opening. my seat was 14A an over wing view. The seat provided enough leg room and for a 40 minute flight they was fairly comfortable. The crew was friendly and was always willing to help. We Departed off Runway 33 and landed at a partly cloudy Amsterdam on the Polderbaan runway. I then had a 15 min taxi to the gates where I parked up on H3.
I was off the plane within about ten minutes of being parked up. When i got to the passport control it took me around an hour to get through. The qeue kept moving it was just the fact I think of the amount of flights that had arrived, being at a major hub I wouldn't expect anything else. Once through I headed straight for the viewing terraces, things have changed slightly since my last visit but all was clearly sign posted.
For me this has to be one of the best viewing terraces in Europe and the other view points around the airport its a must visit for avgeeks. This visit we opted against hiring a car to go to one of the other viewing points around the airport. The terraces aren't as big as they once where.
As you would guess all major airlines operate here, Delta Airlines use Amsterdam as a hub with is SKYTEAM connections with the KLM/Air France Group. On the terraces there are toilets and resturants for food / snacks. After a day on the terraces we headed for our hotel. We stayed at the Ibis hotel close to McDonalds, getting here was easy with a hotel shuttle runing every 15mins to and from the airport.
The rooms are basic, but everything you need for a quick overnight stay.The hotel has resturants up on level 4 and a self service snack area and bar on the ground floor.
The next morning after breakfast is was straight back to the terraces for when it opened as we only had a few hours before catching our flights home.
When we arrived at the the departure lounge it took around 20mins to get through passports and security. There are plenty of bars food outlets and shops to pass the time whilst you wait for your flights. So I found a bar over looking the Apron and grabbed a quick lager before heading once again back to gate H3. On all information boards the time to walk to your gate is shown so no reason to miss your flight.
Boarding was prompt and pushed back on time, on again the crew was friendly and always willing to help you. The flight was a lot quieter than on the way out with many looking like they have a very good night in the city. The flight was smooth and landed on Runway 33 at Birmingham (BHX), Passport control was chaos and took over an hour to get through.
All in all it was a brilliant weekend with many new aircraft logged. For me the stars of the weekend where the brand new KLM Airbus A321Neo and the beautiful looking Delta Airlines Airbus A350
CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW FOR VIDEO OF MY TRIP ON THE TERRACES AT AMSTERDAM
Love it when the new operator decides to leave the aircraft in its former operators livery. Even more so when it something as exotic as the OHANA by Hawaiian
My anual day trip to Dublin Ireland started being picked up from my house around 2:30am for my 8:30 flight. I know this may seen a little extreme but the airport once again was getting alot of bad press about its queing system for departures.
So after a little over 40 min drive I arrived at Birmingham Airport being dropped off at car park 5. This is about a five minute walk to the terminals. I wasnt expecting to be in a large queue having only travelled a few weeks earlier and found going through the jet2 departures was a breeze. But how WRONG was I!!!!!
Since last traveling the jet2 departure entrance has been closed and you are directed down towards the main checking area, and you guessed it, join the queue. Now also on the last visit our taxi driver told you we could use the monorail train from Birmingham International Train Station and join the wait for security there but again your now directed down the stairs and join the queue in the main check in area.
So after and hour and half I made it through leaving me around three and half hours before boarding started. At least all the queues would be behind me surely. WRONG again. This time I think half of the West Midlands have had the same idea as myself and descended on the weatherspoons pub. After 45 mins of walking around looking for a table, a lovely couple took pitty on me and allowed me to join them.
Nothing of real note logged at Birmingham today. The aircraft taking me over to Dublin would be EI-DPV. The flight was smooth and some lovely views of the North Wales coast where seen even though the Birmingham weather was grey
After arriving at Terminal 2 getting through passport control I started my walk round to the famous mound on the southern side of the airport. With no shops anywhere near the mound i made a quick stop at the Spar shop located in the arrivals area landside in Terminal 1. After about roughly twenty minutes I arrived at the mound and spent the rest of the day there until it was time to head home.
I havent done any logs as most of the flight timetable was the same as last year. A few new additions and new airlines seen for the first time included Dan Air of Romania A320, Hi Sky Airbus A321Neo.
Around 17:00 I decided to head back round to the terminal building to grab a bite to eat before heading past security. So I found Burger king on the First floor of terminal one. i was surprised to see them serving larger and the national drink Guinnes there.
So Went through security and this is where my day turned for the worse. I had around three and a half hours to waste before boarding started so i grabbed a few drinks and then found myself hungry again so I ordered a burger from the airside Burger King only to have to wait nearly 45 Mins for my food. Lots of passengers asking for refunds or even just leaving to be able to catch their flights.
So My gate was called and i headed off. Walking past Ryanair Customer Service a couple where finger point and voices where raised and later then airport Police where call escorting the passengers away. Under my breath I was thinking I've never had any problems at all with Ryanair, 45 mins that would be a different story with the same member of staff!
I have always used the same rucsack on all my flights to carry my camera equipment, it easily fits under the seat in front i have never been questioned about it before. I was asked by the check in staff member to put my bag in the rack , i admit it was tight but arriving 14 hours earlier i had no problems. She told me that it needs go go in the hold, I tried explaining that it was expensive camera equipment and that i was allowed on other Ryanair flights with the bag beneath the seat in front. She grabbed my boarding card and told me that I pay 50 Euros or i dont fly.
When I asked her why this hasn't been problems for the other flights her reply was "They're not doing their job properly!" I very rereluctantly paid. The attitude of the Ryanair staff was very poor no wonder that coulpe got the police called if thats the way the company speak to their paying customers.
A few days later Ryanair emailed myself asking about the quality about the service. I gave the poorest review possible and in the notes asked for someone to contact me. But nearly a month later no one has.
Well done Ryanair First Class service once again!!!
So this years holiday was to Ibiza in the Belearic Islands of Spain. With alot of bad press in the UK at the moment about the lengthy delays at Birmingham Airport for checking in and clearing security I decided having already checked in on line with TUI was to taken my luggage the day before to try and reduce the queues as i was travelling with two young children.
So the day of departure, I was a bit nervous at this point not knowing what to expect. The taxi arrivied at my house at 0300 to get us to Birmingham Airport for roughly 0400 allowing ourseleves three hours before our flight departed. Our taxi dropped us off in the premium drop off point, which is situated just outside the terminals.
Last Year I flew with Jet2 and used their entrance to security and got through without any issues so with this in mind we decided to try this way once again, and it paid off, after being dropped at 0335 all six of us was through security and in the departure lounge by 0405 ordering our breakfast. So for my family we had no real issues with the security but I don't think this was the case for everyone. whilst waiting to board at the gate a couple had just missing their easyjet flight to Jersey blaming security queues and the fact the was fast tracked and still didn't make the flight.
So what was logged at BHX (0405-0715)
EI-FFA Fly4 Boeing 737-800
G-TUMH TUI Boeing 737Max8
OM-GTK Go2Sky Boeing 737-800
G-SUNC Jet2 Airbus A321Neo
EI-ENH Ryanair Boeing 737-800
EI-IGH Ryanair Boeing 737Max8-200
OM-IEX Jet2 Boeing 737-800
G-EZUK easyjet Airbus A320
G-EZTD easyjet Airbus A320
EI-FFB Fly4 Boeing 737-800 (My Ride To Ibiza TOM7632)
G-EZOF easyjet Airbus A320
D-AIZW Lufthansa Airbus A320
EI-EFN Ryanair Boeing 737-800
JA841J Japan Airlines Boeing 787-8 (Over The Top Inbound LHR)
Our Departure Was off Runway 15 From Birmingham heading south over London and down to Ibiza
After take off the scenery from 38,000ft was beautiful. Even the Pyrenees Mountains where still covered in snow.
So after roughtly two hours in the air we started our descent into Ibiza, the flight itself was ok nice and smooth and once of france the sky became clear and stunning scenery was there to be seen. The in flight snacks and drinks where basic and even on the first flight of the day from a main uk base for TUI some of the drink choices was limited. So for me that was a little disapointing.
As you can see from the video above it was a smooth landing into a packed Ibiza Airport. I was sitting on the wrong side of the plane as all i could see was water, where as on the other side was the rugged coast line and quaint little beaches and coves. oh well you win some, you loose some.
So logged on arrival at Ibiza Airport:
EI-FFB Fly4 Boeing 737-800 (My Flight)
G-LCAG British Airways EMB190
F-HXSA Transavia France Airbus A320Neo
D-BABE Biz Jet
G-LCYS British Airways EMB190
9H-CFL Biz Jet
G-JZHH Jet2 Boeing 737-800
EC-MLM Vueling Airbus A321
G-TUMG TUI Boeing 737Max8
D-BEER Biz Jet
OK-SWB Smartwings Boeing 737Max8
G-SUNH Jet2 Airbus A321Neo
EC-MIY Swiftair ATR72
EC-MQV Helicopter
D-IPVD Biz Jet
EC-NDL Helicopter
EC-OGG Private
SP-TAT Biz Jet
D-CAGA Biz Jet
EC-HST Private
SP-IZU Biz Jet
OO-MBP Biz Prop
D-CPSH Biz Jet
N700NN Private
9H-VJF Biz Jet
D-ISIR Biz Jet
LX-FLM Biz Prop
D-IXXO Biz Jet
I-RVRP Biz Jet
OH-DBM Biz Prop
D-IMPC Biz Jet
D-IMHA Biz Jet
HB-VPC Biz Jet
D-CDTZ Biz Jet
D-IFRT Biz Jet
D-ILUI Biz Jet
F-GETG Private
M-EVAN Biz Jet
9H-JLK Biz Jet
F-HPLU Biz Jet
OK-EMA Biz Jet
HB-FXF Biz Prop
EC-KVI Swiftair ATR72
Quickly onto the bus and then security and on to collect our luggage, before boarding our coach to take us to our hotel for the week. We stayed at the Holiday Village Sea View complex
Following noted Over The Top by the pool 11/05/2024:
F-HIXD ASL Airlines France B738 TLM-LIL
F-HUYC Transavia France B738 ALG-ORY
9H-QBP Ryanair B738 MXP-ALC
CN-NMQ Air Arabia A320 FEZ-IST
SE-RZY SAS A32N OSL-ALC
CN-RGT RAM B788 JED-CMN
HA-LTF Wizz Air A32Q GDN-ALC
CN-ROS RAM B738 CMN-MXP
EC-MKJ Iberia A330 MAD-DOH
A7-BEW Qatar B773 MAD-DOH
EC-NGP Iberia A32Q MAD-CAI
EC-OEP Binter E295 FLR-LPA
9H-VUX Ryanair 7M8 MLA-OPO
HA-LXW Wizz Air A32Q WAW-ALC
LY-HMD Heston Airlines A320 IST-TNG
SU-GEE Eygptair B738 CAI-MAD
CN-ROZ RAM 738 TUN-CMN
TC-LOC Turkish Airlines A330 MAD-IST
Following noted over the top by the pool 12/05/2024:
EI-IGZ Ryanair 7M8 BCN-IBZ
PH-HBL Transavia 738 RTM-IBZ
TS-ITA Tunisair A320 MAD-TUN
CN-NMI Air Arabia A320 CMN-SAW
9H-VUL Ryanair 7M8 LIS-MLA
HA-LVJ wizz Air 32Q BUD-LIS
SU-GFN Egyptair 32N CAI-MAD
JY-AZD Royal Jordainian A320 AMM-MAD
EI-IGW Ryanair 7M8 BCN-IBZ
CN-RGV RAM 738 TUN-CMN
9H-GTC Air Horizont 734 CFU-XRY
EI-HGX Ryanair 7M8 PMI-XRY
F-HTVA Transavia France 738 ORN-ORY
9H-SAU Sky Up Airlines 738 AGP-OTP
A6-BLS Etihad 789 MAD-AUH
9H-FAB Air X 190 AGP-ISL
Following noted over the top by the pool 13/05/2024:
EC-NXV Swiftair 738 NDJ-TLS
CN-RGS RAM 789 JED-CMN
9H-WDN Wizz Air 32Q FCO-ALC
EC-NOP Volotea 320 ALG-BOD
9H-WDK Wizz Air 32Q FCO-AGP
EC-NIF Iberia Express 32Q MAD-CAI
A7-BAQ Qatar Airways 773 MAD-DOH
A7-ANP Qatar Airways 35X DFW-DOH
TC-LGO Turkish 359 IST-GRU
CN-ROH RAM 738 CMN-IST
SU-NMG Nesma Airlines 320 CAI-MAD
9H-QFE Ryanair 738 FCO-???
9H-QBQ Ryanair 738 FCO-AGP
A7-ANF Qatar Airways 35X DFW-DOH
A6-BLP Etihad Airways 789 MAD-AUH
A7-AMJ Qatar Airways 359 BOS-DOH
YL-ABL Air Baltic 220 ALC-ZRH
A7-ANL Qatar Airways 35X MIA-DOH
A7-BEN Qatar Airways 773 JFK-DOH
EI-RZD Neos 7M8 FCO-TFS
9H-WAZ Wizz Air 32Q FCO-TFS
EI-IJJ Ryanair 7M8 BGY-ALC
7T-VKB Air Algerie 738 ORN-LIL
EC-MMH Vueling 321 BCN-IBZ
CN-RGZ RAM 789 DOH-RGZ
Following noted over the top from the pool 14/05/2024:
EC-LOP Vueling 320 PMI-SVQ
CN-RGU RAM 788 DOH-CMN
EC-MFL Vueling 320 FCO-AGP
EC-MKJ Iberia 330 DOH-MAD
A7-BBC Qatar Airways 77L DOH-MIA
Following noted over the top from the pool 15/05/2024
9H-WBO Wizz Air 32Q SOF-AGP
TS-ITB Tunisair 320 MAD-TUN
EI-DWW Ryanair 738 IBZ-BCN
EC-MBT Vueling 320 BIO-IBZ
CN-RGZ RAM 789 IST-CMN
EC-NDA Vueling 32N PMI-SVQ
A7-BHD Qatar Airways 789 DOH-MAD
CN-RNU RAM 738 TUN-CMN
EC-MXG Vueling 320 IBZ-BCN
CN-ROP RAM 738 FCO-CMN
YL-ABR Air Baltic 220 ALC-MUC
TS-IFN Tunisair 330 TUN-YUL
A7-BEH Qatar Airways 773 MAD-DOH
CN-RGY RAM 789 CMN-DOH
EI-EVL Ryanair 738 ALC-WMI
PT-MUB Lantam 773 FCO-GRU
JY-AYY Royal Jordanian 320 AMM-MAD
EI-HMS Ryanair 7M8 IBZ-MAN
OD-MRM MEA 320 BEY-MAD
EI-RZD Neos 7M8 FCO-BVC
A6-BLJ Etihad 789 MAD-AUH
EC-JTR Vueling 320 IBZ-BCN
SP-RSD Ryanair 738 ALC-BUD
SU-GFY Eygptair 773 CAI-JFK
PH-HSJ Transavia 738 IBZ-EIN
EC-MMG Iberia 330 MAD-DOH
7T-VKI Air Algerie 738 ORN-ORY
Following noted over the top from by the Pool 16/05/2024
YR-ADA Aerro Direkt 320 OTP-AGP
EI-HIL Neos 738 LPA-PSA
A7-BHA Qatar Airways 789 DOH-MAD
EC-MBS Vueling 320 PMI-LIS
HB-JXD Easyjet 320 GVA-ALC
9H-VUW Ryanair 7M8 BER-ALC
TS-IMT Tunisair 320 MAD-TUN
9H-QBU Ryanair 738 MLA-VLC
A7-BAH Qatar Airways 773 DOH-MAD
CS-TPU TAP 190 LIS-IBZ
HZ-AR13 Saudia 789 JED-MAD
A6-EEP Emirates 380 DXB-MAD
CN-RGU RAM 789 CMN-IST
A6-EGN Emirates 773 DXB-LIS
PH-HSC Transavia 738 IBZ-RTM
Following noted over the top from by the pool 17/05/2024
LZ-EAI Electra Airways 320 BLQ-CMN
A7-BHH Qatar Airways 789 DOH-MAD
A6-EGG Emirates 773 DXB-LIS
A6-ENK Emirates 773 DXB-MAD
CN-RGM RAM 738 FCO-CMN
EC-NZN Air Europa 738 PMI-ALC
7T-VCE Tassili Airlines 738 ALG-NTE
D-AIUG Lufthansa 320 MUC-ALC
OK-SWI Smartwings 7M8 PRG-BVC
OM-TSG Travel Service 738 PRG-TFS
EI-HES Ryanair 7M8 BRI-ALC
CN-RNZ RAM 738 TUN-CMN
HA-LGH Wizz Air 32Q TFS-FCO
SU-GFP Eygptair 32N CAI-MAD
9H-QEF Ryanair 738 TFS-MXP
A7-BAI Qatar Airways 773 DOH-MAD
9H-QAR Ryanair 738 FUE-BLQ
EC-OCH Iberia Express 32Q MAD-IBZ
SU-SKC Sky Vision 320 CAI-MAD
EC-LZJ Iberia 330 MAD-DOH
So that was it my weeks holiday over many new airlines and aircraft seen over the top. So with an 0840 coach pick up we headed off to the airport. With several TUI flights departing back to the UK our checkin took about 45mins.
Noted whilst waiting for our flight back to Birmingham where the following:
F-HJTA Private
EC-KJA Swiftair ATR72
G-UZLT easyjet 32N
EC-MER Vueling 320
EI-HEZ Ryanair 7M8
EC-LJT Air Norstrum CRX
EC-LRH Air Norstrum ATR72
PH-HSG Transavia 738
D-CMMP Biz Jet
D-AEOM Biz Jet
9H-MFX Biz Jet
LX-PCI Biz Prop
CS-DLF Biz Jet
N900BT Biz Jet
9H-AMY Biz Jet
EJ-SCOT Biz Jet
D-CSCR Biz Jet
OE-HCY Biz Jet
D-CKNA Biz Jet
9H-GRS Biz Jet
2-TIJL Biz Jet
D-CJKP Biz Jet
EC-MQV Helicopter
D-CFRT Biz Jet
S5-CNN Biz Jet
LY-MGM Marabu 738
9H-VVK Ryanair 7M8
EC-MLD Vueling 321
G-SUND Jet2 32Q
G-LCYK British Airways 190
HB-JIP Biz Jet
F-GNEO Transavia France 32N
EC-NLY Vueling 321
D-IAAW Biz Jet
G-TUMT TUI 7M8
G-LCYS British Airways 190
G-JZDB Jet2 738
G-FDZR TUI 738 (My Ride Back To Birmingham)
EI-IHB Ryanair 7M8
G-TAWK TUI 738
EC-KVI SwiftAir A72
On our take off we once again we had stunning views. This flight was much better than the out bound with all choices from the snack trolley being avalible to buy.
What a lovely week tht has been, all in all the flight and service that TUI offered was brilliant with kind staff. The Birmingham Airport experience was no problems , but will see in a few weeks when i travel to Dublin.
