Flybe EXT-GLA-EXT
Posted: 21 May 2006, 13:18A university fixture agaisnt Stirling University- meant that it was either going to be a long drive or train ride up to Stirling or we could take advantage of Flybe's recent rapid expansion at Exeter. Not surprisingly we decided to take the cheapest form of travel and much to my delight the plane won!!![:D] [^] So it was off to expereince EXT and one of the many regional routes from the airport.
EXT is about 4 miles out from the city- connected by dual carrageway and is very close to the new HQ of the Met Office and the offices of EDF energy and Friends Provident- so is rather convienent for all concerned. EXT is today what the major regional airports of the UK were 10 years ago, small, compact but with a modern touch. The check in area has recently been rebuilt and includes some 15 desks, a cafe, bar, world news and travel agent! Services currently offered from EXT include FLybe services to all major UK airports as well as Palma, Faro, Paris, Alicante etc, Austrian Arrows to Innsbruck, usual charter services including FCA who have a 320 at the airport 4 days a week now and Air Transat who have a service twice weekly to Toronto.
Check in was fantastic, fairly quiet at 10am, with our flight to GLA and an FCA flight only checking in. On entering the area, passports were checked and all hand luggage was checked. I was directed to the line dedicated to pax who had hold luggage, having paid 4 at time of booking for the privalage! Some of my group were instructed they had to put their hand luggage in the hold wish didnt go down too well as it costs extra to place bags in the hold at the airport- whilst the rest of our group managed to chat up the poor girl and she allowed them to take their bags on as hand luggage- the reason for the strict policy baggage became clear to my friends later on! Boarding passes issued in extra quick time and we were all set to go.
Security was very strict, in fact stricter than at LHR! Shoes off, belts off, laptops out, hats off and then even if you didnt beep you were subjected to a pat down that verged on being a bit too much [:I]. Despite my moans it is nice to see smaller airports sticking to the letter of security and it made us all feel safer. The departure lounge is also brand new with a large seating area, a big duty free shop and bar.
All to quickly the flight was called and the walk out to our aircraft. Boarding was quick and efficient and the crew very helpful, although i dont think they were too pleased with some of my friends whos bags didnt fit into the overhead lockers- a firm telling off [V] was recieved from the cabin crew plus a few rude words out of her mouth. Load was about 60%.
Quick take off and a lovely steady climb up out of the drizzle of EXT. No turbulence whatsoever and after a quick beverage service the seat belt signs were on and decent into GLA began. Crew were as good as could be expected, they didnt have too much to do as everyone seemed to be either asleep or had a head in a paper. Landed 15mins ahead of schedule which was good. Bags collected and off to meet our team coach for the weekend to transfer us to Stirling.
After a day of competition in Stirling on Saturday and a rather heavy night out with our Scotish friends it was an early wake up call on Sunday morning for the trip back to GLA. Our coach picked us up and we were at GLA within 45mins- not bad going. Check in not as strict with regards to bags as on way out. Delayed flight due to the plane arriving late from EXT but turned around quick. Flight much the same as on way up and arrived in EXT after 45mins in the air. Bags picked up quick and was back home within 15mins.
All in all, Flybe offer a fantastic service for the SOuth West- cheap flights, friendly service and nice modern planes!! Certainly they have helped changed air travel in Devon and Cornwall and made our weekend a lot easier, the thought of a coach to Stirling from Exeter was horrid. So its a massive [y] to Flybe- will be using the excellent service again without a doubt.