Flights you have been on

[MalaiseForever]

For the next 2 months, I'm commuting with Finnair (and also VR) every week. If you book early enough you can get the first and last flights of the day to and from Oulu from Helsinki for under 60eur - of course midday is over 200eur. If you want a specific seat (why???!!), larger cabin bag, that can add anything from 50 to 150eur to the price. Then there's 2-3eur for a *small* coffee onboard. Flights will be a mix of A321/A320, E190 and ATR72.

VR on the other hand have had a winter sale and Helsinki-Oulu is currently starting at 14.50eur, with a 20-30% markup on Extra Class seating

I think I would pretty much always choose the train for a domestic trip in finland, even the sleeper rather than a flight. Granted that may not be possible with time constraints etc.
I am flying to Japan with Finnair in two weeks, should be an interesting experience.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

My final flight of 2025 on 31/12 was Knock (NOC) to Liverpool (LPL) on Ryanair - flawless flight.

 

[185143]

Didn't take many flights in 2025 really. Couple of special ones in there though.

Kicked it off with a £9 Vueling flight from Heathrow to Paris Orly. Only took the flight to visit my last 'Spoons in Terminal 4, first time I've used Vueling and I was pretty impressed with them. Beer prices on board were pretty reasonable for a flight too. Though my mate said the food was dreadful.

Next up was one of the best experiences of my life. Loganair's G-BVVK from Glasgow to Barra. Got a really clear day, not unexpectedly as I'd deliberately waited until a few days before to book it keeping a close eye on the weather forecast. It's not cheap. £125 to be precise. Which was more than I paid to fly from Istanbul to Heathrow with a checked bag, hot meal and multiple offerings of alcohol. But it really is worth every single penny. 2A is the seat to choose, you get a full view of the flight deck and through the windscreen too. I've let the cost put me off for years, do not make the same mistake. The scenery as you approach, followed by the beach landing is absolutely incredible, proper picture postcard stuff.

Next up were two Turkish Airlines flights. The first from Budapest to Istanbul, which was unplanned and I had to book on the day due to missing a train connection in Budapest. Wasn't in the best of mood that day, that's for sure, being stung for £146 for a 2 hour flight didn't exactly help either. But it was a decent flight though. A (seemingly) nearly new Airbus A321 I think, a surprisingly good cold meal service and a couple of beers saw me right through. The return leg to Heathrow was pretty good, though the meal was abysmal. Waiting for luggage at Heathrow took ages off that one though.

Bit of a break, then a Ryanair flight back from Beziers. The flight itself was pretty standard for Ryanair, does what it says on the tin. Nothing more, nothing less. But Beziers Airport is a little hidden gem. Tiny place, only served by Ryanair I think a handful of times a day. The shuttle bus from the railway station drops you off 90 minutes before the flight which is more than enough time to grab a sandwich/beer which was actually reasonably priced, drop bags if you need to and go through security.

Next one was another Ryanair flight Manchester-Katowice. Again, we all know what the Ryanair experience is so I won't document it.

The final two were very different to Ryanair that's for sure. Kirkwall-North Ronaldsay first of all, which is a great way to see the whole Orkney Archipelago in a short time. On approach you get a decent view of Fair Isle and Sumburgh Head in the distance. The aircraft is a tiny little Britten Norman Islander which is perfect for the role. A lot more spacious inside than I expected too given the size of it. The final one was the world's shortest flight, Papa Westray-Westray. The same aircraft I'd had the day before and the flight time was 93 seconds.

 

[Pegpilot]

A quarter of a century ago I had an evening SAS flight from Copenhagen to Vasteras for a business meeting the following morning. My colleague travelling up from Berlin was going to miss her connection into my flight so when I walked up the airbridge and spotted the grey-bearded Captain welcoming passengers (nice touch!) I cheekily asked him whether he could delay departure for 20 minutes, and as Lufthansa and SAS were both Star Alliance partners he agreed ! The Captain then made his welcome announcement from the cockpit door where we could all see him as he said "Welcome Aboard SAS Flight XXX to Vasteras, all 12 of you". Not many pax for a 737 but it was in effect a positioning move for a full early morning flight back to CPH the following morning. But the Captain? What a guy!

 

[route101]

My final flight of 2025 on 31/12 was Knock (NOC) to Liverpool (LPL) on Ryanair - flawless flight.

Always wanted to fly to Knock, though seems quite remote, perhaps a car hire job.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Jan 2026 ==

Flew LGW to DUB on Ryanair, first time I have ever flown from England to Ireland. One of the few Ryanair flights from LGW. Gatwick food options seem to get posher with a Gails bakery. I had breakfast at the Big Smoke, no black pudding though.

 

[AlastairFraser]

Always wanted to fly to Knock, though seems quite remote, perhaps a car hire job.

There's many Bus Eireann options to leave the airport that connect with flights heading to nearby towns with railway stations, so a car isn't necessarily required unless you want to head somewhere properly rural.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Always wanted to fly to Knock, though seems quite remote, perhaps a car hire job.

There's many Bus Eireann options to leave the airport that connect with flights heading to nearby towns with railway stations, so a car isn't necessarily required unless you want to head somewhere properly rural.

I confirm the bus system is good but I tend to go with a car hire.

 

[AlastairFraser]

I confirm the bus system is good but I tend to go with a car hire.

Fair enough, it's also worth noting that Knock is more expensive to fly from, so fly back from another airport or take a ferry if you can.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Fair enough, it's also worth noting that Knock is more expensive to fly from, so fly back from another airport or take a ferry if you can.

They have a 10 € departure (development) tax too.

 

[route101]

Fair enough, it's also worth noting that Knock is more expensive to fly from, so fly back from another airport or take a ferry if you can.

Most likely I would fly back from another airport.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Jan 2026 ==

Also flew Aer Lingus Regional for only second time. Smooth flight on the ATR after an hours delay.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Most likely I would fly back from another airport.

I love flying back from different airports but usually they gouge you on rental car prices for doing that.

 

[Iskra]

Last week I did Manchester-Milan return. I booked Easyjet, however on the outward journey the aircraft was the ITA aircraft in a striking blue colour scheme. This is a minor upgrade as the seats are the older padded types and the onboard service is slightly more premium- ie wine in glass bottles rather than plastic. The flight was quite turbulent. There was unfortunately a medical emergency onboard. The crew dealt with it well and there were fortunately 2 doctors onboard able to assist. The person did seem okay in the end, I think they feinted or something. Interestingly, the destination airport was changed to Milan Linate. It was my firs time visiting this airport, and it completes all the Milan airports for me now. Arrivals was fairly painless, including registering my fingerprints etc. Linate is closer to Milan so it was useful in that regards.

The return flight was the standard EasyJet offering from Malpensa. Malpensa is such a nice airport though and the bit that British flights go from is very quiet and civilised, even the McDonalds was tranquil. This flight was very smooth, so a nice journey home.

Manchester was fine and efficient in both directions.

 

[atillathehunn]

Last week I did Manchester-Milan return. I booked Easyjet, however on the outward journey the aircraft was the ITA aircraft in a striking blue colour scheme. This is a minor upgrade as the seats are the older padded types and the onboard service is slightly more premium- ie wine in glass bottles rather than plastic. The flight was quite turbulent. There was unfortunately a medical emergency onboard. The crew dealt with it well and there were fortunately 2 doctors onboard able to assist. The person did seem okay in the end, I think they feinted or something. Interestingly, the destination airport was changed to Milan Linate. It was my firs time visiting this airport, and it completes all the Milan airports for me now. Arrivals was fairly painless, including registering my fingerprints etc. Linate is closer to Milan so it was useful in that regards.

The return flight was the standard EasyJet offering from Malpensa. Malpensa is such a nice airport though and the bit that British flights go from is very quiet and civilised, even the McDonalds was tranquil. This flight was very smooth, so a nice journey home.

Manchester was fine and efficient in both directions.

I took the same route in reverse just before Christmas. I agree that the ITA A320 is an upgrade, though mostly for the quite generous legroom. The downside at Linate is that if you're going non-Schengen, it's always a bus and at the time the Manchester leaves, there's usually a couple of other UK flights which means the post-passport control area gets very busy and runs out of seating quickly. The upside is that it's by far the best Milan airport (my in-laws are from there, so I have sampled the Milan area airports more than would consider reasonable).

I am confused by 'destination was changed to Malpsensa'. The ITA A320 only does the Linate - Manchester route for easyJet (you can verify with Flightradar). This means there was no diversion as a result of the medical emergency.

 

[Iskra]

I took the same route in reverse just before Christmas. I agree that the ITA A320 is an upgrade, though mostly for the quite generous legroom. The downside at Linate is that if you're going non-Schengen, it's always a bus and at the time the Manchester leaves, there's usually a couple of other UK flights which means the post-passport control area gets very busy and runs out of seating quickly. The upside is that it's by far the best Milan airport (my in-laws are from there, so I have sampled the Milan area airports more than would consider reasonable).

I am confused by 'destination was changed to Malpsensa'. The ITA A320 only does the Linate - Manchester route for easyJet (you can verify with Flightradar). This means there was no diversion as a result of the medical emergency.

Hi yes I agree that there was no in-flight diversion. What I mean was, when we booked we booked and were given Manchester-Malpensa flights, but after booking the flight was changed to Linate by easyjet.

 

[atillathehunn]

Hi yes I agree that there was no in-flight diversion. What I mean was, when we booked we booked and were given Manchester-Malpensa flights, but after booking the flight was changed to Linate by easyjet.

Ah, I see what you mean.

Interesting, nice to have an option to balance demand between their Milan routes if one is more or less popular than the other. When I was booking my flight on this route for just before Christmas, they wanted €130+ for MXP-MAN, but €38 for LIN-MAN on the same day, at about the same time. This pattern was pretty consistently observed through the dates I was clicking through. This is entirely odd, as Linate overall better, is on the metro and therefore €2.20 into the city, but MXP is expensive (though you can split at Busto, most people don't know that) and a good hour away. I guess it doesn't have the name recognition yet for easyJet as their increase at Linate is relatively recent. I don't recall the flight being totally full, but not the emptiest flight from Milan to the UK. That was easily Wizzair's short-lived Malpensa to Cardiff. There were <50 of us on an A321.

 

[Iskra]

Ah, I see what you mean.

Interesting, nice to have an option to balance demand between their Milan routes if one is more or less popular than the other. When I was booking my flight on this route for just before Christmas, they wanted €130+ for MXP-MAN, but €38 for LIN-MAN on the same day, at about the same time. This pattern was pretty consistently observed through the dates I was clicking through. This is entirely odd, as Linate overall better, is on the metro and therefore €2.20 into the city, but MXP is expensive (though you can split at Busto, most people don't know that) and a good hour away. I guess it doesn't have the name recognition yet for easyJet as their increase at Linate is relatively recent. I don't recall the flight being totally full, but not the emptiest flight from Milan to the UK. That was easily Wizzair's short-lived Malpensa to Cardiff. There were <50 of us on an A321.

Interesting! I have done the Busto split, but I do find it a miserable station.

 

[fandroid]

Back in the 20th century I was with my daughter (around 20 in age) in Vancouver on the way to visit rellies on Vancouver Island. Dawdling around the city's waterfront I spotted a big sign advertising floatplane trips to the island, at an affordable price. So we dumped the planned ferry option and flew. IIRC the plane had seats for 6 including the pilot. Brilliant clear weather and a fabulous experience.

 

[Iskra]

Back in the 20th century I was with my daughter (around 20 in age) in Vancouver on the way to visit rellies on Vancouver Island. Dawdling around the city's waterfront I spotted a big sign advertising floatplane trips to the island, at an affordable price. So we dumped the planned ferry option and flew. IIRC the plane had seats for 6 including the pilot. Brilliant clear weather and a fabulous experience.

That sounds cool. I was at Como last week and I spent a bit of time watching seaplanes landing, I’ve never been on one though.

 

[Jimini]

On my usual quarterly trip to the New York office here. Couldn't check in online on Sunday (flight was VS45 on Monday). Bit odd, I thought. Checked in at LHR on Monday morning, all pretty normal. Get to gate and I'm taken behind a curtained area and had my luggage, shoes, hands etc. all swabbed thoroughly. Again, bit odd, I thought.

Just grabbed my passport here, and my boarding pass dropped out from where I'd left it. Upon closer inspection, I can see it's littered with "SSSS" markers. Probably should have noticed that when the check in machine printed it off eh And to make things even more fun, I got hooked for secondary checks at JFK as well! Fortunately the main queue was non-existent, so only took ten mins in total to get to baggage claim.

(The flight itself was largely non-eventful!)

 

[Bald Rick]

Just grabbed my passport here, and my boarding pass dropped out from where I'd left it. Upon closer inspection, I can see it's littered with "SSSS" markers. Probably should have noticed that when the check in machine printed it off eh

Yes that happened to me last time* I flew BA.

*As in the very last time, ever.

 

[LYuen]

Back in December, I flew Manchester - Tokyo via Doha, as well as Cathay Pacific flights between Japan and Hong Kong
so review for all flights

QR24 MAN-DOH, 787-9, Business Class
Snatched a business upgrade deal for £499 when check-in open
It was a reverse herringbone Business Suite. The service flow and the cabin crew were excellent.
The seat was state-of-the-art but not perfect - firstly the side table was small - only enough for one item and a glass. I think Cathay has nailed it in this aspect.
Secondly the seat was very firm, though bedding was provided to make it comfy.
And for the food, the presentation was brilliant but the taste was just alright. Most of them only have salty flavour. It could be due to Manchester catering though.
All in all, it was indeed an excellent business class experience, but it doesn't blow every other airline out of the water

JL50 DOH-HND, 787-9 Premium Economy sold as Economy
This is an interesting operation, JAL operates this route but the majority of the tickets are sold by Qatar. JAL took over the operation because Qatar's aircraft shortage.
It is more than codeshare/JV, but not yet wet lease.
Anyway, since it was sold as economy class, and as per JAL's premium economy standard, it was the same service as normal economy class.
The seat was comfortable. The padding was softer than the Qatar business class at sitting position.
Weirdly, although the flight departed at 9:30am and arrived at 12:50am, lunch/dinner was served after take off and breakfast was served before landing.
The meal was great. 1 main (chicken rice), 3 side dishes, fruit and ice cream, accompanied by drinks and miso soup, this is one of the best economy meal I've ever had.
The breakfast was also a hot meal, which was also very nice.

CX561 KIX-HKG, 777-300ER (77J), Economy Class
I originally booked this flight for the A350-1000. However, due to a tailstrike incident in late November, it was changed to a 777-300ER
Luckily it was the refurbished 777-300ER (with Aria Suite in front), otherwise I'd be even more disappointed.
The biggest upgrade for economy class was the IFE system. It now supports Bluetooth headsets and it worked quite well.
Though with the refurbishment, seat pitch was reduced for economy class, from 32" on the 77A, 77K or 77P, down to 31"-31.5" now.
I did felt that it started to feel a bit cramped. I remember the old economy class was more bearable.
The toilet map (checking toilet availability from the IFE screen) was broken though.
The food was pretty good - cold soba noodles starter, a main meal (chicken fillet with rice), fruit and Häagen-Dazs ice cream, standard for Cathay flights departing from Japan.

CX542 HKG-HND, 777-300 (77P), Economy Class
The densest plane in Cathay fleet, and one of the few remaining first generation 777-300.
Despite the high capacity, it was noticeably roomier than the 77J. The smaller IFE screen helped with the perception.
The food wasn't as good as the Kansai flight, but still decent - salad starter, main (fish and potatoes), fruit and Häagen-Dazs.

Cathay infotainment content is outstanding. Just a matter of scale, if Cathay is 10 and JAL is 3, Qatar is only about 7.

JL59 HND-DOH, 787-9, Economy Class
This time I found myself in the economy seat. JAL fitted 8 abreast, 2-4-2 seats in their 787, so it actually felt like premium economy.
The catering sequence made more sense this time. The flight departed at 11:30pm and arrived at 6:30am, and it was dinner followed by breakfast.
This time the main dish (beef stew with rice) was wonderful. The beef was soft and tender and almost taste like wagyu except it wasn't as fatty.

QR23 DOH-MAN, 787-9, Economy Class
No upgrade this time, so have a try of the economy cabin
It was as cramped as the Cathay Pacific 77J. No wonder Cathay was going ahead in reducing seat pitch.
There was Bluetooth in the IFE which was good.
The food tasted okay, the flavour was actually better than QR24. But the presentation of the meal did fall short of Cathay, not to mention JAL. The beverage was good though.

In conclusion, Cathay is an all-rounder decent airline. JAL nailed some parts (food, seat) but missed in some (IFE, online check-in).
Qatar's economy class standard felt more like in line with European competitors, not matching Asian carriers like Cathay, Singapore or Taiwanese carriers.
Its business class is good, but calling it a first class killer is overhype.

If you are flying to Tokyo from the UK, by all means check the Qatar-JAL flights. You will find them being sold as QR4850 and QR4851.
If you bought Economy Convenience (seat selection included) you should be able to chat with the service agent to choose premium economy seat.

I am doing a few more long haul flights in the coming months, let's see if any of those experience is worth sharing!

 

[Bald Rick]

Cathay infotainment content is outstanding.

The content is something else agreed. I found the IFE system on the 777 quite poor thoug, laggy and the touchscreen was iffy. Was superb on the 350-9 though.


On to other matters. My most recent flight was Geneva - Luton with Easyjet. Leaving aside border control at Geneva which was over an hour‘s queue (making everyone late for their flights) we took off about 30 late. However the pilot was evidently on the back shift, put the hammer down and got the short cut into Luton for an on time arrival, but - and this is the reson I’m posting this - came in downwind. Only slightly, the wind was SE and we landed on 25. Nevertheless we came in “at pace” and I said to my travelling companion “hold on, this is going to be a bang”. And my goodness our pilot planted it, to audible “ooofs” from around the cabin. This was only my second downwind landing, after a trip into Chambéry 20 years ago, where it was in and out from the same direction.

 

[gabrielhj07]

Anybody’s guess what’ll happen with a tailwind at Luton!

 

[Bungle158]

I have just made the short hop from Da Nang DAD to Bangkok BKK with Emirates EK 371. Aircraft was a777-3, just time for a sandwich and fruit on the 110 min flight. The flight continues to Dubai after 90 mins on the ground at Suvarnabhumi. Horrible timings, 23.40-01.30 but cheaper than low cost carriers on the same route. BKK was a nightmare, it took longer to clear Immigration than the actual journey.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Just had a week sunning myself with the family in Dubai, flew Loganair and Emirates on a through ticket via Manchester.

The arrivals process at Manchester for domestics is an absolute shambles now. The Loganair flights are parked up at the far side of the old T1 and you're bussed to T2. Unlike BA, Loganair use the biometrics so you're scanned as you get off the bus and scanned again to get out of the border control area. I genuinely cannot understand how we've got to a situation where it is a 35-minute flight from the IOM but it is then 40 minutes from landing to walking out of the baggage hall. The bosses at Manchester must have taken their design tips from Franz Kafka.

Anyway.

The two Emirates flights - EK22 Manchester-Dubai, EK19 Dubai-Manchester - were both very good. Economy both ways, seated in the bank of 3 by the window on the main deck. The A380 is a magical aircraft, one day I will pay the money to go and sit upstairs in the posh seats.

The entertainment on Emirates really is top class, I still can't quite get over being able to watch live sport on a plane (Australian open final and Premier League football, since you asked). The touchscreens are big, bright, and with no lag. The choice of films was excellent, even if some of them are edited by Emirates to cater for more Middle Eastern sensibilities (i.e. they keep the violence in but edit out the rude bits).

Food was good, too. Going out breakfast was a cheese pastry served with fruit and coffee, followed by lunch which was a chicken curry or a salmon fishcake. I got the curry, Mrs Tyke got the fish, and both were very tasty. Little Tyke didn't like the children's meal, and I can't say I blame her; it was blander than a Coldplay concert. Coming back it was a lamb biryani, Mrs Tyke ordered a veggie special meal for the return and that was a paneer curry. Both excellent. Again Little Tyke didn't like the children's menu, again it was bland, but also really she just wanted to fill up on the Pringles and chocolate we'd got in the airport. The afternoon tea was the only slight blot; the sandwiches were unusual flavours (both the filling and the bread) though the scone was nice and it came with proper clotted cream.

Crew were a mixed bag. Some of them were excellent. Some of them were not. And one, the cabin supervisor in our part of the plane, could be both at the same time. But both flights were at about 95% capacity so they earned their money.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I am planning doing MAN to Isle of Man on Loganair in the next 3 months so this information is good to know thanks.

 

[Tetchytyke]

I am planning doing MAN to Isle of Man on Loganair in the next 3 months so this information is good to know thanks.

If you can, and if the price is similar, go from Liverpool.

For departures its not too bad. You have the biometric scan as you enter security and another one at the gate where you board the bus. Nothing new, that's how it worked at T3. Don't rush to board the bus though, as they generally only send one bus. Rush to the gate and you'll just be standing on a bus for 15 minutes whilst the stragglers arrive. But the T2 departures experience is a lot better than the old T3 experience.

It's just arrivals which is shambolic. I don't mind buses and I don't even mind the biometrics, what I mind is both of them. It took me less time to get off a full A380, get through passport control, and wait for my luggage.

 

[YorkshireBear]

On the Airliners forum MAN domestic arrivals is getting a battering too.

I am flying out of MAN for the first time in several years a week on Sunday to Innsbruck, hoping for good weather for the landing!

 

[Class73Electro]

On the Airliners forum MAN domestic arrivals is getting a battering too.

I am flying out of MAN for the first time in several years a week on Sunday to Innsbruck, hoping for good weather for the landing!

Fingers crossed for you - loved landing in Innsbruck, its really impressive

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I know this is a “Flights you have been ON” thread but …. Flights I have NOT been on today are Kuala Lumpur via Doha, Qatar to Manchester. Stuck because of the Middle East airspace situation. Currently trying to reroute and rebook.