Last Wednesday, I had the opportunity to fly with them again:
BRU-FCO (AZ 165 in code share with SN Brussels Airlines SN5027).
Due to the late arrival of the aircraft (A-321 / I-BIXK "Piazza Ducale Vigevano" loadfactor ca.70%) boarding started 30 minutes late. I had seat 22A behind the wing (very generous space)...however, by the time we took off (runway 25 R) it was already dark. The flight was rather uneventful, clear skies (we saw many lights on the ground - difficult to say which town though). We were served dinner boxes, with a mediocre sandwich and a piece of cake and drinks. At least at no additional cost. The flight lasted 1h39 minutes. Landing was on runway 25.
They showed a few sketches from candid camera (Juste pour rire) no information on the routing. Also no apologies or information, on the reasons for the delay. Unfortunately my good experience I had some years ago was not repeated.
On Thursday I had a meeting in the Torre Uffici overviewing the Tarmac (it was difficult to concentrate
).(Some of the more intersting aircraft were Tu-154 Pulkovo; A340 China Airlines; A310 Uzbekistan; B-777 Alitalia; A330 Volare; A330 nwa; A330 US Airways; B-777 Emirates).
The flight back was operated by SN Brussels Airlines SN3182 (Avro RJ100 - OO-DWD). Initially boarding was foreseen at gate B01, without announcement and further information the gate was changed to B04...only with some luck I saw it, as the screen still showed a flight that left hours ago. Also there was an AZ flight to Brussels at the same (actually it was the earlier flight that was delayed)...many passengers got confused and we had many AZ passengers at our gate - the airport staff was not very helpful and could not provide any useful information the those passengers.
Anyway, eventually we boarded with 20 minutes delay (refuelling of the aircraft...they said they could not refule with passengers in the aircraft - Ryanair and other airlines seem to do this regularly, however).
I sat in the back of the aircraft - seating was rather narrow, but at least I had no passengers on my row (18 seat F) Loadfactor was also at around 70%. It is the first time I was able to try the Brussels Bistro and I was surprised to have received a hot dinner (pasta) which was not bad at all...accompanied by a salad, a Mini-Twix and drinks and eventually the 'Neuhaus'-chocolates. Friendly and professional crew - much better than Alitalia. Unfortunately though also no information at all on the flight. The flight lasted 1h54 landing was on runway 25R.
Air Lac
fftopic: Andre, but did you ever get your camera back? Just that a similar case was reported on TV over here a year or two ago relating to KLM staff who "borrowed" a passenger's camcorder. Not content with that, they then proceeded to film themselves in various positions and activities, The camcorder was eventually returned to the passenger, who was none too happy. The offending staff were sacked!!
