NM901 HLY-BHD 2 SEP 11 (MANX GOLD)
Posted: 13 Sep 2011, 12:46That was until I discovered that there was an airport a 15 minute bus journey from Holyhead! Maes Awyr Môn, or Angelsey Airport in English had two flights a week to Belfast City, touching down in Isle of Man. So naturally I had to try that!
Virgin Trains from Euston was fine, the lounge was looking tired as usual, the train was one of their Voyager diesel trains, so there was a bit of vibration, however free Wifi and food on board was included. Sadly no Arriva Premier Service this time! The Virgin First Class fare: £39
The breakfast was definitely inspired by airlines!
The journey to Holyhead is lovely, especially along the North Wales coast.
Arriving at Holyhead at 1350hrs, I wandered to the bus stop at the station and awaited the 1410hrs bus to the airport. This was the only hiccup really in the journey : the bus broked down! But the grumpy driver had arranged onward transport so I still got to the airport with an hour to spare!
Holyhead Station
Angelsey Airport offers free WiFi, newspapers and magazines.
And while I was the only passenger going through to Belfast, the little plane filled with Isle of Man bound passengers.
Manx2 are an odd little "virtual" airline. They hire aircraft and crew from a German and a Czech company and their pilot talked through the safety information and then sat down to fly the plane!
Some pics from the flight
We soon touched down in the Isle of Man...
At Isle of Man I discovered that I had to change planes, so waited in the departure lounge and sampled an Isle of Man beer!
ManxGold offers free amendments, free luggage and lounge access, but of course no lounge at Angelsey and my boarding card didn't say GOLD for IOM access.
My next plane was slightly larger, but it did feel like getting in the back of a transit! With a flat screen TV showing a charming safety announcement (children from a local school!) and then images of the Isle of Man.
A stunning approach to Belfast - flying along Belfast Lough just in time to see the Stena HSS leaving for Stranraer, and a quick touch down.
These little planes fairly nip across the tarmac - we were at the stand in no time.
The airfare? £109.
I would use them again, I still haven't lost the love of travelling to Belfast slooooowly - next time I think it will be via Rosslare!
.For about 4 years in the early -mid 80's my father lived on the IOM and I regularly made the trip from LHR to Ronaldsway with Manx Air on some great aircraft (including Royal Mail liveried hoppers and a fabulous old Viscount). Some of said aircraft were far less comfortable than being in the back of a transit van and also had multi-tasking crew 
. Sounds like Manx2 have much the same approach.