At this point, only random middle seats were available scattered around the plane so none of us could sit together, but that wasn't the end of the world as we were going to spend the next 3 days together.
Took around 30 mins to get through passport control & security at LGW, and then found that our gate had changed from 38 (long walk) to 95 (remote stand). Not sure which is worse, but a lot of people visited 38 before realising so had the long walk and the remote stand! After around a 10 minute wait at the gate, we boarded a bus, which took us over to the aircraft which was parked next to the North Terminal! The aircraft was a 737-500 and boarding was quick. I was sat in 6B, near the front of the Y cabin. Around 20-30 minutes sat on stand waiting for clearance before we eventually pushed back 50 minutes late.
Seat was comfortable with 32' leg room - the leg room gets worse the further back you get with 34' in the first few rows and 29' at the back. Service was standard short haul with buy on board snacks and drinks. I opted out of this. Smooth flight and landed in Tallinn 20 mins late, with a v short taxi to the gate. Passport control and luggage collection all smooth, and easy taxi into the city, although do beware as all the taxis charge different prices. They do publish them though so compare before you get in. We paid around 10, whereas some people paid around 4.
Great 3 days in Tallinn, a nice city with friendly locals. There were quite a few stag parties around, but the city wasn't overrun with them, and to my relief, our group was relatively quiet!
For the return flight, we checked in early, and got seats together at the front of Y. Note that Tallinn airport is very small, and although modern & clean, facilities aren't great. There is nowhere to buy newspapers/magazines airside and the food isn't great.
Boarding brought a surprise as the machine beeped when our boarding cards were read. Most of us had been moved. Our original seats were in the business class cabin, and some of us were moved to the back of the plane. No complaints about moving, but I was now sat in the smallest aircraft seat I've ever been in, back row, with no recline and by the window. Not comfortable. Also, as this had happened to a lot of people, this caused confusion and boarding took 30 mins, resulting in late departure. At least the flight was only 3 hours. I decided to use up my Estonian currency and bought 2 sandwiches and a packet of pringles. The chicken sandwich was very dry but the beef one was nicer. Landed on time at LGW, and parked up at gate 35, a long walk back to the terminal, but we didn't have to wait long for our bags and were soon on the Thameslink back to London.
Looking forward to the wedding & honeymoon now which should be much more relaxing!
