Intro: This trip was a sort of business/leisure trip. I had to attend a conference in Granada, Spain and decided to extend the trip over the weekend to make a quick visit to Sevilla.
Flight details:
Date: 18 January 2005
Flight: SN 3727
Time (Scheduled): 1445
Aircraft: Avro 85
I caught the train from LLN at 1233 arriving at Zaventam around 1330. As I entered the departure hall, looked up my flight and was sad to see that it was delayed to 1515. Nevermind, nothing to worry about. Proceeded to the check-in row 4. Lines at economy were rather busy, chose the shortest line (mistake!). After waiting for about 5 mins, there seems to be a problem with the two passengers checking in. The check-in agent had some problem verifying if their passport was valid to their final destination. I overheard that and had a fast glance that it was some Eastern european passport (thought it was Ukrainean, but not sure). The check-in agent could had to go from her check-in desk to the SNBA office and came back again, and went back again. After about 15 mins or so, there was a change of shift (or maybe someone else came to take over the check-in while the other agent was busy with the passport issue). Anyway, after this agent took over, the line started to move again. When it came to my turn, I just gave her my passport and requested for my usual window seat. Truthfully she was not that friendly, but not rude in anyway, just that she did not really listen to what I wanted. As during the check-in I told her I had a connecting flight in Iberia to Granada and did mention that it was on another PNR. Asked if it would be ok for her to check the bag all the way to Granada since there was a delay in the flight and could be delayed further. She said no, she could not do it. Told me to go to the Iberia desk. Did not want to ask anymore since she seem to have been done and did not look as if I could do anything else. After getting everything, proceeded to the Iberia desk to enquire about the situation. Here the agent was much friendlier. She took my passport and got me checked in for the other flight. She asked me if I had checked my bag all the way to Granada. I told her what happened and she told me not to worry since I had still about 1 hour layover in Madrid to get my bag over to the other flight.
Proceeded to Departure hall A. Waited around at the gate. While waiting I overhead a FA approaced a pilot sitted neaby where I was and said there was an equipment change. Since it was still about 20 mins to go before boarding time, did not really bother much. The gate agent arrived. Waited and boarding time came and pass (1450). Still nothing. Decided to have a peak at the departure info screen. Saw that there was a gate change (which even the gate agent did not know!). Proceeded from gate 49 (I think) to gate 67 (I think) and what more worrying, departure time was delayed until 1530 (which would leave me if lucky 30 mins to my next flight). Since there was no agent at gate 67, I approached the other agent which was at the opposite gate and explained my situation to her. She was really nice and helpful. She started calling to find out the situation and did everything in her power to help me. She called then the ground handling agent to solve my luggage problem. She then sent me to the agent handling the flight and immediately the baggage handling agent took down all the details and assured me he will do the best to get my bag tagged all the way to Granada. After a few mins, boarding started at about 1520 and since the load was really light, boarding was finished within a few mins. All we had to do was wait for catering to be brought up. In this time frame, the helpful gate agent came onboard and told me that everything was done and my bag would be going all the way to Granada. I was so glad that everything was solved. Really appreaciated the staff for doing all their best even though it was on a difference PNR.
Flight took off about 1545. The FA for this flight were superb in their service. The purser whom when I boarded enquired if they had any Dutch newspaper, remembered my request and during the flight enquired if I had gotten the paper. When I told her no, she immediately went to get one for me. Service was just great. Truthfully, I have not flown SNBA since late 2003, I was surprise to get a warm meal during the flight. Was delicious! Got the beef goulash with Tomato Pasta salade. This was one of the best intereuropean flight I've had had in a long time. Arrived in Madrid 1750. Thanked the FA for the fine service. Since I think we were late, we had to be bussed to the terminal. But it was not too long a wait since the flight was light, everyone fitted into one bus load.
MAD-BRX
Scheduled dep. time: 1835
Flight: IB 270
Aircraft: MD-82
Made it in time to the gate, as they were just boarding. Could not have imagined what would have happened if my check-in luggage was not checked all the way through!.
This is my first Iberia flight. I actually try to avoid them after hearing so many horrific stories about them. And well, I can say that yes, inflight service is non-exsistance. Anyway, got on board and this was a full full flight. Every single seat except in Business was full. Was greeted by an FA at the door. Got into my seat. Everyone was boarded. Then after waiting for some time, an annoucement came over the PA in Spanish. Though I do not understand a word of Spanish, I knew from the reactioni of the passengers that there would be a delay. Nevermind, just some small delay I thought. After 20 mins, came another annoucement, again only in Spanish. This time I decided to catch one of the FA to ask about it. Turns out that due to high winds, all departures were delayed. In the end, we were delayed for about 1 hour, just locked up in the aircraft. Luckily during that period, I passed time playing some games on my Pocket PC. Finally took off at around 1940 (which would have been the scheduled time of arrival in GRX). Flight was uneventful. I guess everyone was just happy to arrive there.
GRX is really a simple airport. No buses to bring you to the terminal, we had to just walk along the fencing to the terminal. Waited for my baggage and was glad when I saw it. So, it made it.
Rating: SN: 9/10 (would have been a 10 if not for the check-in agent)
IB: 5/10 (ok for such a short flight, but if in comparison with other flights of such length, such as with BD to LHR, a sandwich and round of drinks could still be offered, why not on IB. This is also in comparison with the price paid for the ticket!) At least it got me from point A-B.
Return:
GRX-MAD
IB 273
Date: 23 January 2005
Scheduled dep. time: 1315
Aircraft: MD-88
Returned my hired car and proceeded to check-in. Since I was early there was no one in line. Did not bother to ask if I could thru check-in since I had about 4 hours layover in MAD. This time everything went smoothly. Load was not too heavy, since after boarding nearly the whole back area was empty. In fact, boarding was done so fast that we had an earlier than scheduled departure time. Had a nice view of Sierra Nevada.
Flight was the same boring flight as the inbound flight. Landed on time. Proceeded to collect my bags. Had to wait for nearly 20 mins before they came onto the belt (could not have imagined what would have happened if I had to wait the other day).
MAD-BRU
SN 3728
Scheduled Dep Time: 1750
Aircraft: Avro 100 (i think, was too tired to really take notice)
Since I could not check-in earlier with Iberia, had to wait for the SN counter to open, precisely 2 hours before depature time. I don't know to critise or what, but the agents were at the counter 1/2 hour before and they just did not want to open the counter. They just stood there chatting and socialising with themselves and other agents. Even the line was building, they just waited till the 2 hour mark before they opened the counter for check-in. In any case, the agents were really friendly. I chatted with one of them while waiting for the counter to open.
Anyway, got the boarding pass and proceeded to the security check.
Went to the gate to wait since I was really dead tired after most of the night going to bed late and waking up early and all the walking. Boarding started on time. Before that, the captain cam up and spoke to one of the gate agent. Seems that one lucky fellow requested to fly jump seat and this was granted.. me.. green with envy
He was the first to board before the first passenger boarded. This flight was nearly full, with just one or two empty seats. Business was light, they pushed the divided until row 2. We had a guy pursur and a lady FA. They both seem to be made for each other as they joked with each other through out the flight. Got the same Beef Goulash and this time, we had 3 round of drinks!. About 40 mins from BRU, had a nice view of Paris. Landed on time back in cold BRU. Luckily it was dry. The pursur was really one of a kind, he was just busy during the whole duration of the flight and made really some spectacular PA's! I was surprised that he spoke Spanish. Overal a good flight as usual with SNBA. I can tell that lots of people were surprised with the inflight service, as the Spanish couple next to me were really surprised when they received the warm meal. They were even talking about the preflight drinks received in the business class.
Rating:
IB: 5/10
SNBA: 8/10
Thanks for reading. Usually I don't write trip reports. But this time, I was really glad of the service and effort from SNBA, that I thought they should be pointed out and praises for the crew. For the crews working on 18 Jan for my SNBA flight to MAD, thank you very much again! Greatly appreciated.
It is too bad I still try and stick with SkyTeams member due to my status with them and also their mileage policy compared to Privilege. But this does not mean that I will not choose SNBA if I get the chance.
