June 8, 2004 at 4:47 pm
Just returned from a Stag weekend in Spain.
Flew out Sat 5 June LHR – MAD BA456 Boeing 757 G-CPEL Seat 8A
Boarded this flight via a bus as it was parked on a domestic stand Flight left a few mins late but landed on time. V. smooth flioght and excellent service.
Once in Madrid I had to change terminals for my flight to Jerez. Couldn’t get a boarding pass at LHR for this segment so I was directed to the transfer desk, the queue was enormous and I had ten mins before check in closed. Had to push my way to the front but was then told I had missed my flight and would be rebooked to the next one 3 and a half hours later. I was not amused. Waited in the terminal and boarded the next flight IB158 MD-88 TC-ONM seat 25C. Can anybody help with info on where this aircraft is from as it is the only MD88 i’ve seen with IB that is not on the Spanish reg. Nice flight could have bought something off the menu but no-one did. Finally arrived in Jerez and met up with My friends.
Mon 7 June GIB-LGW BA6907 Airbus A320 G-TTOD Seat 9A. An interesting place Gibraltar. The runway actually crosses the road in and out. So every time a plane lands and takes off they close the road like a level crossing. Got a good view of the same aircraft taking off on the earlier rotation as BA6903 from this level crossing. Flight home was quite bumpy over Spain but good service landed at LGW 10 mins late.
There were a couple of firsts for me on this trip. My first MD88 (have been on an AY MD83 before) and my first time with GB airways. I would recommend both GB And British Airways to anyone but IB be warned v.poor customer service and you have to pay for everything on board.
If anybody can help with the MD88 info I would be very grateful.
By: dc10fan - 8th June 2004 at 19:51
Good report; agree entirely ref. Iberia service. TC-ONM is owned by Onur Air(based Istanbul) and leased to Iberia. I have previously seen this a/c operating many flights from Bodrum/Dalaman into UK airports.
By: Pablo - 8th June 2004 at 17:48
From an internet search, it looks as though TC-OMN was previously operated by Air Anatolia, Turkey. Presumably Iberia bought/leased it to complement the ex-Aviaco MD88s.
By: Arabella-Cox - 8th June 2004 at 16:51
Nice report, I’ve tried http://www.iberia.com but it says that the flight number is incorrect. Sorry I can’t help!