Outbound
WizzAir flight W6 222
Friday 31 December 2004
Depart Brussels South (CRL) at 13.25
Arrive Budapest (BUD) at 15.20
As my girlfriend had to start working again shortly after Christmas, I decided to throw in a short New Year's break in my old-time home town Budapest. Was invited to stay over at a Belgian friend's place for a week and to join a smashing NY's party in the city.
On the last day of the year, the shuttle took me from Brussels Midi station to Charleroi in about 45 minutes. We left more or less on time (10.50am-something) and despite relatively heavy traffic on the motorway down to Charleroi, the trip was a breeze.
First cup of coffee of the day at the airport around twelve made me feel a lot better. Check-in was a matter of minutes and so were the security and border checks. I bought a few small gifts (last minute booze and cigars) at the tiny Sky Shop in the extra-Schengen departures area. Meanwhile, Ryanair 738 to Valladolid (I believe) was boarding.
Our A320 came in from WAW on time on the wet runway - don't remember the rego, sorry you guys
The a/c was turned around very quickly. WizzAir's 320 Buses look quite fresh in their pink/violet c/s I must say. Walked to the plane in a light drizzle and boarded through the front left door. There was no advance seat assignment, but I soon found myself on a comfortable dark brown leather seat - 7D I believe, aisle anyway.After a short announcement from the Hungarian Captain, we were off blocks in no time and on our way to RWY 25 for a rolling take-off. Upon applying full throttle, engine #2 produced a fairly loud whining noise which held on until well up on cruise altitude. I fly A319/320/321s frequently, yet it was the first time hearing a sole engine behave this way (Anyone have an explanation for it?). We broke through the clouds after a series of left banks. The routing would be Frankfurt-Prague-Brno-Budapest.
I had a €6 lunch special, which contained a cheese sandwich and a glass of dry white wine. It was lunch time only, I know, but you have to finish off the old year in style...
We broke quite a few records, I believe, and landed in Budapest before three. I've done BRU-BUD v.v. quite often on Malev's F70/736/73G/738 and SN's slightly slower ARJ, but this has by far been the fastest trip till now. Upon touchdown on Ferihegy's 31R, we taxied to a remote stand opposite Terminal 2B, disembarked and were bussed to the building.
Checked luggage came shortly, and I walked through to the arrivals hall. Met my friend and took the bus/subway combo into town.
Return
WizzAir flight W6 221
Thursday 6 January 2005
Depart Budapest (BUD) at 06.00
Arrive Brussels South (CRL) at 08.00
After a week of serious fun - New Year's Parties, long lunches, delicious dinners, meeting up with friends - it was time to return to Belgium. The taxi was scheduled to pick me up at 3.30am, which meant either going to bed early or not going to bed at all... The result was that we spent the night on the town, had an excellent goodbye party with too much alcohol, and ended up having to run to catch the bus home in order not to miss the taxi at 3.30. Jeez, I miss those college times...
I wasn't in the best shape as the cabbie made his way to the airport. We arrived at 4.30am and I walked up to the WizzAir check-in desk. The Luton flight had a queue, but the Brussels flight was fine. I approached the desk and smiled at the elegant young lady behind it. We had a little chatter and... I must have looked awfully tired, but I believe this is the earliest hour someone has ever come on to me... Took my passport and boarding pass back and walked through security with a smile.
Took a seat near gate 17 (IIRC) and browsed through the Pester Lloyd, "Hungary's leading German-language newspaper". The flight was called soon and as usual, I waited until almost everyone was on board before joining the line. Taking my boarding pass (with a wink) was the same young lady from the check-in desk...
At 6 sharp, we were on our way.The flight was smooth and, even though I wasn't feeling particularly fresh, I much enjoyed the magnificent twilight and the beautiful game of sun and clouds at this time of day. As we had started our descent, I noticed busy traffic on the ground, presumably at a single-runway airport which I couldn't identify (It was about 20 minutes prior to landing so perhaps someone could have a shot a that. Might it have been Luxembourg or Cologne/Bonn?)
Approach was straight in, in any case, and landing was extremely hard - "did we land or where we shot down," one might ask... Taxied to the stand, stepped off the plane and into the cold Belgian weather. Soon had my luggage and was on my way to Brussels to see my girlfriend.
Hope you enjoyed this first report. More to come soon...
Happy landings,
Chris
