Welcome to my first trip-report, after reading a lot of reports on this great site I thought it was only fair to share my latest flight from Budapest to Eindhoven. Please except that my English spelling might be a bit bad, and that the format/photo's might not be totally A.net style, I tried my best!
Background
After a long year of studying my girlfriend and I decided to go on holiday. As we are not in-to big seaside resorts and love to travel, we decide to go on the infamous-Interrail trip. As both a airline and train geek I was stoked and soon planning commenced.
We decided on a Ljubljana - Bled - Vienna (+ day trip to Bratislava) - Budapest route. With a Transavia flight from Schiphol to Ljubljana (sorry no pictures) and a Wizzair flight from Budapest to Eindhoven. We did look for other flights but paying for example Air France 200€ euro more for a flight including a 30min connecting time at CDG isn't worth it.
One little tip for anyone interested in training around the EU by the way, check the local train operator prices first before booking a EUrail/Interrail pass, our main Bled-Vienna and Vienna-Budapest train trips where not even a sixth of the price of a whole Interrail pass because we booked really early on the ÖBB-site.
This would also be the first time on a A321 for me, and especially on a 230-LCC version, so I was looking forward to it.
The Flight:
map GCMAP by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrDate: 27-7-17
From: Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport [ BUD ]
To: Eindhoven Airport [ EIN ]
Flight Number: W6-2273
Plane Type: A321-200
Plane Reg: HA-LXS
Flight time: 1.47h
STD: 15:15
ATD: 15:37
STA: 17:20
ATA: 17:25
Seats: 15a/15b
Load Factor: 80%
After a great holiday the flight home eventually came. Taking the M4-Metro Line (with some great Soviet nostalgia feeling) and the 200E bus (over some terrible roads) we finally arrived at the airport. We arrived really early as we didn't know exactly at what time we would arrive and how smooth the public transport connection would be. Of course when you plan for such an occasion it all goes smoothly and you arrive 3,5 hours early. While this does sound crazy, the airport did advise to calculate some extra time due to road closures around the airport due to the arrival of the motorcade of the Israeli president exactly around the time we would be traveling to the airport.
So, after arriving at the 2B we excepted that a half an hour waiting in the sun with a cup of coffee wasn't bad, as it also gave us time to prepare our backpack's for air travel.
However, after waiting until the T-3 hours moment passed we headed to the check in area. The Wizzair section has two big sings saying "Are you traveling within 3 hours, head to check in" + the usual LCC bag-check stands. So, we approached the staff at the top of the Queue with our boarding pass ready.
You can't check in
Well, we only want to drop our bags, is that possible?
only 1 am
But it says three hours on the two! signs next to the queue entrance, plus our flight shows "please check in" on the FIDS.
big sign is wrong
So why put it there then, turn it around, tape it off or remove it, but this was just plain annoying. A lot of people were standing around the check-in area without a clue what was going on and why they couldn't check in. I don't mind waiting, but at least be consistent with your information. Especially with two busy A321 flights (Luton and Eindhoven) departing at the same time, why hold people back.
In the end we could check in, drop our bags and after trying to decifer what the girl at the counter was saying (terrible English and German, try'd both) we headed for security.
Terminal 2B
IMG-20170727-WA0000 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrBoarding
Then came the part I dreaded about, I heard a lot of things about the infamous "lightweight, innovative" boarding gates at Budapest Airport and i wasn't disappointed. For those who don't know it, this is how it works.
45min before the flight departs your gate is announced, the A12-A19 gates use a single entrance which leads to the boarding gates. I found the 45min time weird, while I wouldn't want to stay in the holding pen longer, it is weird that the gate closes 15min after being announced. Our gate was selected at 14.30'ish and our boarding pass stated it closes at 14.45.
Our "gate A19"
IMG-20170727-WA0004 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrThe other gates
IMG-20170727-WA0008 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrThe Terminal from the outside
IMG-20170727-WA0012 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrI don't know if this area is meant to look like a cattle sorting station, but it does look like it. I know I am flying an LCC, but some decoration, benches and a TV showing flight information isn't to much to ask. I cant believe Budapest Airport presents this as innovative. While you are here only a short time, I wouldn't want to spend time here in Winter or a Hot summer sun. The toilet service is even a multiple toilet-box like the ones you see at big events or festivals.
I don't think there is even a PA-system, or maybe the staff didn't care because the flight departure time passed and we still where in our holding pen. Finally, after our departure time had passed we could walk towards the plane, with a roof above our head!
First glimp of our plane
DSC_0450 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrSad to see this is all that is left of Malev
DSC_0453 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrUp close
DSC_0454 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrOur neigbour, Easyjet to Amsterdam
DSC_0452 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrAnd a white-tailed Norwegian 737-800
DSC_0451 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrFront door please!
Copy of DSC_0457 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrThe control pannel showing the young age of this plane
Copy of DSC_0458 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrBoarding to the back-entrance still in progress
Copy of DSC_0463 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrOn Board
I was expecting a tacky-low-cost interior, but was happily surprised. The pink and purple aren't my favorite colors but the interior is really not that bad. Seat pitch at 30 inches is okay, and the standard slimline seats where comfortable. While they are comfortable, i saw a Astana-Budapest Wizzair flight, and then I would like something more supporting.
The Obligatory legroom-shot
Copy of DSC_0461 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrThe row next to us, with slimline seats
Copy of DSC_0462 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrThe purple seats and pink overhead trim:
Copy of DSC_0459 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrExit row looks nice, but for a price
Copy of DSC_0460 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrThe one weird thing is the seat-table. It is small. high up and doesn't move towards you. While nice for a drink, you cant use it for a laptop, book or magazine. My History magazine shows the table's small size.
Copy of DSC_0491 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrWith Magazine
Copy of DSC_0492 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrNot to bad though, I still had a view of the wing and engine
DSC_0464 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrThe flight
Finally boarding was completed and we headed for runway 31L, our flight taxied past the terminals, seeing a lot of LCC-planes, but a view interesting things as well. After takeoff we headed north-westerly over germany and the Ruhr, before turning and landing in Eindhoven on runway 03. We had some views shortly after and before landing/takeoff. But the bulk of the flight was above the clouds. The flight itself was about 80% full, not bad for a double daily 230-seat route. I didn't know that the EIN-BUD flights where that frequent and large before booking.
Stairs are gone
DSC_0468 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrDriving past the "gate area"
DSC_0470 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrPast the terminal, some LCC's, BA, Iberia Express and Emirates in the back. Also construction of the new 2B pier.
DSC_0471 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrThe Skycourt area
DSC_0474 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrNow what is this? A Formula 1 plane, does someone know what that is?
DSC_0477 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrNearly there
DSC_0478 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrTurning on to 31L
DSC_0479 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrTake off. short and powerfull! Sorry for the quality, it is made by my phone
https://youtu.be/InkM9MPjb5U
Our route, thanks to flightradar24
vlucht Buda HA-LXS by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrOver Budapest
Copy of DSC_0484 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrSziget Island in the middle
Copy of DSC_0485 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrAnd Above the clouds
Copy of DSC_0494 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrNice Contrail beside us
Copy of DSC_0496 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrFleet information
Copy of DSC_0488 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrSafety card
Copy of DSC_0499 by Mathijs Louter, on Flickr
Copy of DSC_0498 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrApproach, landing and Arrival
The approach started above the Ruhr area, bumpy across the clouds, but also chaotic by the flight crew. A short loud "prepare landing" from the flight deck was all that was heard from the crew, only after they had secured the cabin from landing an announcement was made. Usually it's the other way round or am I wrong?
We landed on runway 03, and after taxiing past the military buildings we finally arrived at stand 6, our bags where already on the belt when we arrived in the terminal of Eindhoven.
Over the Ruhr-Area
Copy of DSC_0502 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrPast Weeze-Airport
Copy of DSC_0503 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrPancake flat, we must be in the Netherlands
Copy of DSC_0506 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrEindhoven "skyline"
Copy of DSC_0509 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrOver the Eindhoven-Amsterdam Railway
Copy of DSC_0510 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrA video of the last section of the landing, past the terminal:
https://youtu.be/MFJVo55taOY
Air Force Hangars
Copy of DSC_0517 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrNearly there
Copy of DSC_0518 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrStandard Eindhoven Line up. the big 3 at Eindhoven soon completed with our arrival
Copy of DSC_0519 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrAirstairs powered by solar-panels, nice!
Copy of DSC_0524 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrGoodbye!
Copy of DSC_0525 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrOnly partly roofed walkways here, but the Eindhoven Gates are much nicer, you get some you loose some
Copy of DSC_0526 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrOne last view of our pink-purple stallion
Copy of DSC_0527 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrSuper advanced bag system here
Copy of DSC_0528 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrAnd the other side of the wall sees the bags pop out
Copy of DSC_0529 by Mathijs Louter, on Flickr230 passengers around a small belt gets a bit crowded
Copy of DSC_0530 by Mathijs Louter, on FlickrAnd then this happened, the bags got stuck. Instead of letting one of the handlers climb up and give the bag a little push. They looked at the belt 3 times, waited, did nothing and finally shut of the belt.. then again nothing.. 10 minutes later. A little girl had enough, climbed on top of the belt and pushed of the bag. Everyone clapped, but then she got told of by one of the staff. Which made a few of the passengers a bit cross. While I know that you shouldn't climb a belt, in this case I fully support the girl. The belt wasn't broke, it had one stuck bag. Probably some stupid health and safety rule. In the end the handler just used the other belt for the rest of the luggage.
Conclusion
I enjoyed my flight on Wizzair, for that price you simply cant expect more. Budapest Airport is nice, as long as you don't have to use the cattle-gates. I really wouldn't want to be there on a hot or cold day. Arriving at Eindhoven was easy as always, quick bag return, a little supermarket in the main hall and frequent busses back to the main station, all that I want!
I hope you lot enjoyed my trip report, if you have any questions, comments or tips, please let me know!
FlyRow
