We had an early start on the Wednesday morning, as we were booked on a 06:33 train from Birmingham New Street to Birmingham International. On arrival at Birmingham International rail station, we boarded the "Sky Train", a small shuttle train of two carriages which runs between Birmingham International station and terminal one at BHX. The journey lasts just under two minutes and runs on an elevated track. It was obviously sponsored by Flybe, given the number of times "Flybe" was shreiked over the speakers in the carriage to coincide with a video advertising the airline.
The SNBA flights operated from terminal 2, also called the Eurohub, a terminal exclusively for BA and its code share partners. We checked in on arrival, and because we only had hand luggage we were given a boarding card for the return flight from Brussels. This meant more time in the city without having to rush back to the airport to check in - great!!
The departure lounge was quiet that morning, but, with the exception of one small area, photgraphy was impossible so I will just have to list what I saw. There was the Ryanair Jaguar Boeing 737-200, a BAe 146 in Air France livery, a Boeing 737 of Aer Lingus, a Boeing 737 of CSA, a Saab 2000 in Crossair colours and a KLM Fokker jet with the characteristic filthy tail you always seem to see on KLM Fokker jets!
This was the only area in the departure lounge where photography was possible, and as you can see the space was occupied by an Avro RJ of British Airways, so no chance of seeing SNBA parking here
It was quite a foggy morning, which was disappointing. Our flight number was SN2038, departure time 08:50. We saw our aircraft arrive, and then we waited until we knew which gate to go to. Eventually we were told it was through door F (the same as the previous day's flight). Our aircraft was Avro RJ85 OO-DJT.
OO-DJT.
I had been given seat 12A, a window seat on the left side of the aircraft, the two abreast side. When we boarded we were greeted pleasantly by the female purser. There was also a steward on the flight, but he was standing right at the back of the aircraft and played no part in greeting the passengers. His name was announced as Carlos. (I don't remember the purser's name).
The first thing I noticed was the lack of an in flight magazine in the seat back pouch. I was rather surprised - VLM have a magazine available immediately, and I like to read the magazine before take off. Once airborne I look through the window!
The seats were comfortable, and leather throughout.
The leather seats inside the aircraft.
OO-DJT still has some rudimentary features of its old Sabena livery, notably the engine cowlings.
The Sabena-blue engine cowlings.
We were pushed back at 08:48 and taxied to the runway. The safety demonstration was carried out in English, French and Dutch by both flight attendants.
Click the link below to see the video of our take off from Birmingham
http://airlinephotos.tripod.com/sitebui ... akeoff.mov
(this is a QuickTime video file taken on my new digital camera, I never use a full size video camera during take off and landing!). If that link does not work, go to http://airlinephotos.tripod.com/airline ... e/id2.html and right click on the video link, then click "save target as" to download the video.
We had a smooth take off, which was spoilt by that damned fog! Shortly after take off, Carlos handed out the in-flight magazine (at last!)
The in-flight magazine.
Initially there was alot of cloud along the route.
A back engine view - the best to have on the ARJ!
The meal consisted of the Brussels Bistro. There was a sandwich with a piece of Gouda cheese (you needed a magnifying glass to see the sandwich!), a muesli bar, a carton of apple juice (which I didn't drink) but I had orange juice instead. As Carlos was handing the meals out, he told me that I could go and have a seat in the back row because that had a more uninterrupted view if I wanted to take photos. I decided to wait until after I had eaten (good job really because the two back row seats had no tables!)
The Brussels Bistro meal. Sorry SNBA but VLM really have the edge in catering, I found the Bistro to be tasteless and stingy.
After the meal, Carlos came back again and suggested I move to the back row. I did, and VC10 was glad because it meant she could have a window seat as well.
The weather had cleared, and we flew over London, following the course of the Thames and seeing the distinctive, and familiar, runway of London City below us. From London we headed out across the sea and crossed the coast near Oostende.
Crossing the Belgian coast.
Carlos came back to ask if I had managed to get a good photo as we crossed the Belgian coastline, the photo I took is above.
Some views taken as we approached.
Carlos came round with a basket of Belgian chocolates shortly before landing. They were wonderful chocolates, so I was pleased when he came back afterwards and gave me an extra one! Then he asked for my camera so he could take my photo in the aircraft. No cabin crew has ever done that before, normally they take no notice of photos and videos! He took my photo, and I wish I'd taken one of him to put in this report!
We approached into Brussels in bright sunshine. Click the link below to see the first part of our approach
http://aviationvideo.tripod.com/sitebui ... oach01.mov
And the second part
http://aviationvideo.tripod.com/sitebui ... oach02.mov
(if they don't work go to http://aviationvideo.tripod.com and hit the links on that page).
We had been told that the flight would last for one hour, but we had a smooth landing in Brussels 12 minutes ahead of schedule. I saw my first SNBA A330s.
Olympic, Finnair and Austrian line up in Brussels.
Another view of the apron.
Air Nostrum (an Iberia partner) CRJ, registered EC-HTZ. Where does this aircraft fly to? I would have expected a larger one for Madrid.
It was great to be back in Brussels. We were bussed to the arrivals area, and then we stepped out into the warm sunshine to catch our bus to Schuman station.
It was an excellent flight, and the service on board could not be faulted. Thanks Carlos and SNBA
