I’d flown GLA-LGW with BA for a business trip, I was now returning but using EasyJet to Aberdeen. I hadn't been on EasyJet for years and not since they started flying the A319s so I was rather interested in their product especially given the pretty poor BA service on the way out.
Arrived at Gatwick on the Southern Rail, I prefer rail to hiring a car, monorail over to the north terminal and quickly checked in with no issues. Security was reasonably busy (early evening) but through without any great hassle. Into Wetherspoons for a quick pint, but we didn't think we had time for a meal. Flight called on time, the layout of Gatwick confuses me a little due to the way it has expanded over the years so it’s not a logical layout, bit of a walk to the gate, queue of people already waiting to get on. The EasyJet Airbus still seem relatively new, clean and fresh. The décor looked quite tasteful and smart with their orange trim. I was quite impressed!
The only remarkable thing about the flight was how unremarkable it was. No food and drink obviously but I didn't need any, cabin crew’s function only seemed to offer things for sale otherwise you were left to get on with it. Sat and read and played Angry Birds on the phone.
The approach into Aberdeen was rather bumpy, there had been a dump of snow so the dark countryside was fairly well lit up but that just served to show how much the plane was moving about. The PF did a pretty good job to wrestle it to the ground.
It was also my first time in Aberdeen Airport which to be honest is mainly a terminal for North Sea helicopters and nothing much to write home about. Barely set foot in it before I was out the other side and into a big queue for the taxis, shared a taxi with a colleague to Aberdeen City Centre, traffic horrific as usual.
Overall I was more impressed with this flight than I was with British Airways on the way down. EasyJet seem to operate to a much higher standard than other ‘no frills’ operators . I've said this before but I think a Virgin/EasyJet code-share would be a great tie-in; it would open up the Virgin longhaul Gatwick routes to the EasyJet domestic market.
