Return flight
BY242B
Faro-Gatwick
G-BYAA
B767-200
Sched Dep Time – 1125
Actual Dep Time 1130
Sched Arr Time – 1355
Actual Arr Time 1405
After a gr8 2 weeks in Spain, we returned back to Faro for the 242B to LGW. Check in was mega bus at Faro, as it was Thursday and that is the main day for UK charters at Faro, with many flights to UK going. We checked in late and got the same row as the way out but seats DEF. Security was slow but at least it was thorough, unlike some airports abroad (e.g. greek ones).
By the time we got through, our plane was apparantly boarding, an hour before it was due to go. It must have got there well early, as when we got to the gate it was only a couple of minutes – i took a video of the apron – before we were told to board, again in no particular order.
I went down the airbridge and saw at the door BJ, the guy from the ‘Airline’ Series – anyone remember him? He looks very similar and was quite surprised to see him still with the same airline after a good 7/8 or so years. It made my holiday!
Again time dragged on as everyone boarded and then the recorded safety tape was played before the video (done with real people this time) was shown. We were told we were taking off towards the west and follwing the coast for a while before flying up the portuguese/spanishg border. Flight time was to be 2.5 hours exactly, so we had to leave bang on time to arrive ontime. We nearly left ontime, only five minutes late which wasn’t bad.
Again, we chose no meals and i took a Mars Bar and a coke from the trolley, which was a little overpriced i thought. I wouldn’t have like the meal anyway as it was Beef something. Unfortunately though, the IFE wasn’t as good as the outbound flight and the seats were just as bad as the way out. Quite uncomfortable and would hate to do long haul with them.
Arrived onto 26L at Gatwick 10 minutes late after holding for a while. The passengers for the plane’s next trip to Las Palmas were already on their way to the Gate as we walked past a European Aviation Charter 737-400 (yes, a 400) to the baggage area, before meeting my mum and dad and going home.
I had a great summer holiday in 2004 – going to Zante (see report on this site with FCA), arriving back and then next day going to Spain.
Britannia Ratings
Punctuality – 7/10
Service – 7/10
Comfort – 2/10
Airport Ratings
Gatwick – 5/10
Faro – 7/10
Nice to try Britannia, but next time would try to go on a 757 as i couldn’t bare another 767 flight sat in the middle
Regards,
Tom
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