EZY2104 SXF-LTN 31 MAY 11 (ECON)
Posted: 01 Jun 2011, 14:38Aircraf: Airbus A319, G-EZDS
After a very enjoyable 2 night break in Berlin, it was time to head home. The weather was a very warm 30c so we were almost 'medium well done' when we arrived at Schoenefeld on the non-airconditioned Airport Express train at 3.30pm!
Short walk over the the easyJet 'terminal' which is actually a side building from the main terminal dedicaed to EZY's large operation at SXF. Quickly through security, bought some bits in duty free and grabbed a drink at the cafe. The general departure area is tiny, and I would recommend arriving no earlier than we did (about 1h 15m before the flight).
Soon headed down to the gate, and saw the aircraft arrive and be turned around in about 25 minutes flat. We were all on board and ready to go for the 17.10 departure when the captain announced that due to the thunderstorm with lightning and high winds that had shown up in the last few minutes, the runway was currently closed.
The delay was taken in good spirits by everyone, and the crew handed out free glasses of water which we felt was a good gesture on a low cost carrier. The captain also invited anyone who was interested to visit the flight deck, so I paid a visit to the front office along with plenty of others
We were underway at about 18.05, and had a fairly choppy departure before a smooth 1h 25m ride to LTN.
On arrival (about 45 minutes late) the passport queue was ridiculous. Only 3 desks open for about 3 flights meant a 20/25 minute wait. Left the car park and then got stuck on the M1 link road due to an accident! Home in a record slow time of 90 minutes after landing.
Again, impressed with easyJet and their handling of the delay, although the terminal at SXF needs some improvement for the numbers of flights they have there. Distinctly unimpressed by the queuing at Luton aiport on both inbound and outbound.
As an aside, Schoenefeld is undergoing a major expansion at the moment with an extra runway and Terminal 5 style terminal under construction in the middle of the airport. Later this year Tegel will close and SXF will re-brand as 'Berlin-Brandenburg' with the 'BER' code as Berlin's only airport. I hope this will improve the terminal experience.