Time to go to Spain again. I had originally booked a charter flight from Dublin to Reus with JetX but had noticed that due to issues with the Futura collapse there had been some very long delays. JetX had leased an A/C from Futura which was now impounded.I was getting quite worried as my time was precious and I only had 4 days vacation. So I looked at alternatives and came up with the idea of cashing in 15,000 miles and EUR49 for a oneway from DUB-ZRH-BCN with Swiss. I had been longing to fly LX again so it was not a difficult choice. I also decided at that time to go two days earlier giving me 6 nights there.

DATE : 28/SEP/2008
FLIGHT : LX 401
ROUTE: DUB-ZRH
CLASS : BUSINESS
SEAT : 3A
REG : HB-IJP
A/C : AIRBUS A320-214

I checked in at Dublin airport 2 hours before departure. No ques at the Business class counter and I got my bags through checked and both boarding cards. I then went to get something to eat and then to the fast track line for security. All of this was hassle free.











Time to visit the BMI lounge.









After a while it was time to go to the gate .









I was welcomed by two friendly crew.









Water and refresher towels were handed out.







Boarding was completed and the Sky Handling Rep gave the crew their documents. The crew gave her a handful of Swiss chocolates. Nice thought .































Alot of spotters today :::













Plenty of legroom



Then I smelt some very nice food coming from the galley and I was not dissapointed.



It was really worth the wait and was very nice.



Then for the final touch !



The rest of the flight was smooth and the crew asked me twice if there was anything else I wanted to drink etc.... I was just in paradise enjoying the Swiss product.





























I had a few hours to kill so I went through passport control for a look around the Terminal.







After that I went back through departures and headed to the new Senator lounge.

























I would love this machine at home























I loved the new lounge and it had plenty of room and snacks and drinks. Lots of internet terminals and nice bathrooms. Soon it was time to go to the gate.

DATE : 28/SEP/2008
FLIGHT : LX 1956
ROUTE: ZRH-BCN
CLASS : BUSINESS
SEAT : 3F
REG : HB-IOF
A/C : AIRBUS A321

























Water and refreshing towels were handed out along with Newspapers in German,French and English.







































After take off cold meals were served due to the short flying time. Before I realised I was handed a plate of Ham ! I pressed the call button and told the FA that I did not eat Ham and asked if she could russle up something else. She smiled and took the plate away and after a while came back with a really nice sandwich. She handled the situation very well and was very pleasant.





After that Coffee and chocolates.











The rest of the flight I got a little bit of sleep before it was time to land into BCN. I love the approach to this city. Maybe because I know Im close to seeing my friend but I just love it.







NCL cruise ship ! I was on that not so long ago.























My bag was first off and I then went to meet my driver. I had booked a private transfer to take me to Salou. Journey time was around an hour. I met my friend then we went for Dinner. The next days we relaxed and went for nice walks. On the night of Eid ( Muslim holiday ) we met some of his friends and had some really nice Pakistani food. On the Thursday we went to Port Aventura theme park for the day and that was fun. They had a Halloween theme on and the house of horrors was quite scary. They had real life actors dressed up with make up with cuts and scars. They jumped out at you as you walked through in the dark. I preffered the rides to be honest. One night we were woken up by 4 Finnish teenagers who decided they wanted to strip off naked and jump into the swimming pool. They got quite a crowd who were all watching from the balconies. I guess they had drunk too much.

Some photos from my stay ::













So after 6 nights it was time to leave. The weather had been great and I didnt want to leave. I took a taxi to Reus airport for my Ryanair flight to Dublin.


DATE : 04/OCT/2008
FLIGHT : FR 1973
ROUTE: REU-DUB
CLASS : -------------
SEAT : EXIT ROW
REG : EI-CSR
A/C : BOEING 737-800

I was surprised to see that the new terminal is still not open. They use the new part of the building for arrivals and the airside gate area is in the new building but the check in area is still not ready. You have to use the old building for check in then go through a tunnel into the airside part of the new Terminal.

























After checking in my bag I went through security which was quick. I was surprised to see a LH A319 on the ground. First of all I thought it was a charter then saw nothing on the boards so maybe a diversion. I watched it take off but after 15 minutes it did a touch and go on the runway and then 6 more times after that over the whole time I was in the terminal. They were doing training.





















Then an empty Spanair MD landed to take passengers to Belfast (BFS).





Crew arrived and boarded.





Then it was time to board my flight. Everything was on time and I had priority boarding so was the first out.







I was greeted by a friendly crew and told to sit anywhere I liked. I headed straight to the exit row aisle seat which is my seat of choice on all FR flights. Its very comfortable.









The flight home was 99% full with holiday makers. Lots of families. I slept for most of the way so no photos. We landed on time in a rainy cold Ireland and I took the bus home. That night I felt so cold and missed the sun !!

So thats it folks. The end of another enjoyable trip and more good flights with LX and FR.

I look forward to your comments and questions as usual. If you like the report or want to see something added in future just let me know.

Thanks for reading

OA260