Fly High Pay Less DUB-CGN-DUB

OUTBOUND

Hello everybody.
This trip was booked with the intention of seeing Cologne and not planespotting so there isnt many plane pics in here only a few which I took on the flight on the way home.

I booked this about 2 and a half weeks before I went and paid a very good €85 return for the flight plus another €150 for 2 nights in a 4 star hotel.

I was quite looking forward to this trip as it would give me the chance to try a new airline as well as fly on a new type the A319.

Well the day arrived and the flight didnt leave until 1210 so their was no mad rush in the morning as there is when going for the day and getting up at 4-5am 😮

I got to Dublin airport at about 10am and went straight to area 11 where there was one screen open for the flight.

Germanwings are handled by Penauille Servisair in Dublin who I work for so there was no real need to check info screens. It was reasonably quite up this end with the Czech flight the only other one about to open as well as American Airlines check which was in full swing in Area 12.

Soon enough some familiar faces came to open check in but there was a few people in front of me who I couldnt really skip so another friend of mine waved me over to the Czech Airlines desk where I was checked in quickly,my bag was tagged with a few prority stickers and off I went.
Normally I like to explore airports but as I work in DUB I didnt fancy it so I headed down to baggae tracing the department where I work to see who was round. It wasnt to busy which isnt unusual as its still quite season.
I checked the reg and it was to D-AKNP so no logo jet today. :rolleyes:
I had a quick breakfast and headed to B22 for boarding. Unike most airlines Germanwings dont use a specific boarding area, you can board from any area.

I had a chat with the girls at the gate and soon boarding commenced. I was one of the first to board and headed straight for an exit seat for a little extra room. I got 11F and a German man sat down beside me. This aircraft hadnt got the leather interior which I had expected but a dull looking cloth one but it was still in good condition.

Shortly after we pushed and were on the way to runway 28 passing by the C Peir which had its 6 gates filled with airlines from all different countries. All I can remeber is AF,LH,LX,OK,BA and one other I cant remember but I just remeber thinking it was very international.
An Aer Lingus A320 departed in front of us and then we were off.
After the seat belt signs had been switched off the snack for sale announcements were made. I got a meal deal for €6 which included a ham sandwich a bottle of water and some nuts. Overall it was just ok and far from the quality of catering that Aer Lingus have available on their flights.

The captain made one annoucement and it was the most detailed one Ive ever heard.

He informed us we departed from runway 28 and would be routing from DUB-MAN-BHX-LON and then out towards Masstricht where we would begin descending. He told us we would be landing on runway 14L which changed to 32R.

Approach and landing was rather bumby but there was quite alot of cloud around.

Touchdown was quite hard and the pilot used moderate braking. We taxied towards our stand with alot of other 4U aircraft around including 2 T-Mobile logojets. Apart from 4U all I saw was 1 dba Fokker 100.

The terminal in CGN is quite nice not to big but efficent none the same.
I went to collect my bag which came out nice and quickly and I got a taxi into CGN.

INBOUND

After a great 2 nights in Cologne and lots of Kolsch it was time to head home.
I got up as 0730 had a shower and checked out. I had ordered a taxi so it was there quick enough.
I entered the Germanwings terminal which was quite. I used the self service check in which was quite simple and available in German and English. Its even easier that the Aer Lingus FastPass simply because you dont even have to pick a seat.
Bag drop was slighlty delayed as someone in front had a problem with their reservation but was soon done and I was free to have a wander around although there isnt much to see.

I headed straight for secuirity which was quick and I got some breakfast and watched the action outside which was made up of mainly 4U and LH but there was also an IranAir, HLX,dba and the cargo aircraft parked up for the day.

We boarded through B81 which is downstairs and we were all put into a bus. It was a short drive to were D-AKNP was waiting beside an old KLM Fokker 50.
This aircraft had the new interior and just seemed alot better. The load was quite light again with only 69 passengers on board.

We started engines and taxied straight out with no push back needed. This time it was 14L and off we went into a cloudy sky. Again nothing special happened but I was impressed by the crew who were freindly and helpful. One man spilled his beer and a free one was offered which isnt somthing you see with Ryanair or some of the other LCCs. Interestingly Germanwings offer free magazines when you board but only in German which is a nice touch.

After the inflight service the crew did a run down the aisle selling fresh fruits and pro biotic drinks all for €1 although they didnt sell much.

Approach into DUB was bumby and we landed on runway 28 and taxied to Peir A.

I work for Servisair and hate people giving out about them but there was a delay in getting us off as they hadnt got the steps ready. Ooooops.
The redeamed theirselves by having the bags on the belt even before we got there so not all bad.

Overall I was impressed with Germanwings and would reccomend them if you are thinking a trip away. Cologne is nice but 1 day was enough 2 days and you would get bored.

4U get 10/10 and it will be interesting to see how Lufthansa compare when I fly with them in July.