The best way to fly from Belgium to Cyprus?

sab319 · Post by **sab319** » 18 Dec 2003, 11:16

Hey everyone, during the summerholidays I will go to Cyprus. Because we rent an apartment we have to use scheduled flights, So we decided to go with KLM. We depart in Antwerp-Berchem station where we take the thalys train to Schiphol where we are put on a codesharing flight operated by Cyprus airways. The other options where with Lufthansa via Frankfurt , with Austrian via Vienna and Lot via Warsaw (all departing from Brussels) . Wich one would you Prefer knowing that the direct flights from Brussels where all fully booked. Also information and experiences of the airports of Schiphol and Larnaca and the flight of Cyprus airways are always welcome.

concordino · Post by **concordino** » 18 Dec 2003, 12:49

Does that mean that if I own my own house I can fly on charters?

website-info · Post by **website-info** » 18 Dec 2003, 13:17

Hi There,

If you say Sched flight are full ex BRU, did you check Cyprus Airways ex CDG. I go often for work to LCA and always fly ex CDG after taking the Thalys there. I have used Cyprus Airways always, excellent service and on-time. The other option is to get the UK (Luton) and fly Helios or Eurocypria/Cyprus Airways ex Stansted,

Rgds
Tony

vflies · Post by **vflies** » 18 Dec 2003, 13:18

Hello Sab319:

I'm surprised that ALL summer flights would already be fully booked....
Did you also try SNba's new codeshare with Cyprus?
Your other option might be tickets alone on charter flights (JetOnly,...)

Cyprus airways is very good. I flew with them on a TO package two years ago and was very pleased. We booked with Pegase and we were in C/Cl (I don't remember if there was an extra to pay for that) and their modern A320 offered a real business class with only two large seats abreast and a very nice pitch.
The service was very nice (choice of apetizers and entrees) and the open bar was very generous.
It's a rather short flight but it was a pleasant one...
I would recommand flying Cyprus anytime.

As for other airlines, compare prices, timetables (you don't want to lay-over too long in AMS, FRA, LHR or CDG for a medium-haul flight) and of course frequent flyer programs to help you make the best decision.

And keep us posted!

VFlies

sab319 · Post by **sab319** » 18 Dec 2003, 13:23

What do you mean Concordino? We are renting the apartment from an organisation specialised in the rent out of apartments and houses, they are much cheaper than a normal touroperator, but they don't sell flights, you have to book them your self. And because flight only on charter flights is very expensive it's cheaper to use scheduled flights (with Thomas Cook 4 persons return is about €1840 without counting the additional € 6,50 per person per flight because we fly on a saturday=weekend(Brussels-Larnaca), with KLM Antwerp-Schiphol-Larnaca on a saturday for four persons in economy is only €1599,60). But it is possible to go with a charter flight , just go to your nearest travel agency and ask for the flight only brochures (Jetonly, Thomas Cook flight Only, Neckermann Flight Only). And I know what I'm talking about because I'm studying tourism.

sab319 · Post by **sab319** » 18 Dec 2003, 13:34

I live in Mortsel near Antwerp, so Schiphol is closer than CDG or STN. The thalys departs in Antwerp at 10h06 arrives in schiphol at 11h50, the flight to Cyprus departs at 13h40 (only a short transit time, I knew longer A whole night in Madrid Barajas for example) and arrives at Larnaca at 18h50. Also I speak Dutch so it's nicer to depart from a dutch speaking airport.

vflies · Post by **vflies** » 18 Dec 2003, 13:45

Well from your two last posts, I would think you already have made up your mind, so I'm surprised you would ask for our opinion...

As for the language, you will speak Dutch at the airport but not during the flight if it's operated by Cyprus and of course not during your vacation...
So checking in (about 4 or 5 minutes long) in English, French or German should not exactly be a turn off!

My 2 cents worth...

VFlies

sab319 · Post by **sab319** » 18 Dec 2003, 14:06

It's a lot easier to ask for the right way in your own language, because I'm a little bit afraid to lose my way in schiphol, it's a hug airport!!!

Comet · Post by **Comet** » 18 Dec 2003, 14:08

I too can recommend Cyprus Airways. We flew with them from Heathrow to Larnaca and they were very good, the flight was superb.

sabena4ever · Post by **sabena4ever** » 18 Dec 2003, 14:24

Hi
Just to say that the fligth from Paris CDG is now operated with an A330 !!!

So, is it possible that all T.O. have bougth all the seats to Larnaca and Paphos??
ciao d sabena4ever

Sabena_690 · Post by **Sabena_690** » 18 Dec 2003, 15:44

x CSA Czech Airlines still has seats available for around €350. You fly on B737's via PRG. Booking class is T.

x Tarom still has seats available for around €372. You fly on B737's via OTP. Booking class is T.

This would save you €200 in total four 4 persons in comparision with KLM!

Frederic

sab319 · Post by **sab319** » 18 Dec 2003, 15:50

Could be But I prefer flying with Cyprus Airways in a modern and comfortable a320 than in an old b737

gliding-glider · Post by **gliding-glider** » 18 Dec 2003, 16:57

Why not flying ex BRU ?
CY is operating flights to PFO and LCA, certainly during summer season.
Eurocypria is also operating during summertime to/from BRU.
Just visit their website ..... booking should be possible already at good fares.

Greetz,

PS - Mortsel is closer by BRU then AMS and you can even walk (but then you better depart in due time .....)

gliding-glider · Post by **gliding-glider** » 18 Dec 2003, 17:01

sab319 wrote:Could be But I prefer flying with Cyprus Airways in a modern and comfortable a320 than in an old b737

OLD B737 ? ? ? ? ?

Shame on you. If you are afraid to fly, drive by care and take the boot ...
Moreover, what about their A310 (CY)? Are they old as well then?? They often come to BRU with their (old??) A310's. Would you be afraid as well then?

Greetz,

Avro · Post by **Avro** » 18 Dec 2003, 18:48

sab319 wrote:It's a lot easier to ask for the right way in your own language, because I'm a little bit afraid to lose my way in schiphol, it's a hug airport!!!

Don't worry I'm sure that the way is well indicated in Schipol

As for your flights, well I cannot not tell you, since I've never travelled with Cyprus, nor KLM, nor LH

Ciao
Chris
8)

Sabena_690 · Post by **Sabena_690** » 18 Dec 2003, 20:10

Spending €200 more to fly a 'new' A320 is up to you, sab319...

For info: the 'oldest' B737 in their fleet is 13 years 'old'. Most are between 1-7 year 'old'.

Are there actually airlines you want to fly if 10 years is old? Not afraid of the KLM B737 you suggest? Not afraid of the first generation A320's of BA and AF?

I would say: better a well-maintained B747-200 than a bad maintained A330.

Anyway, as gliding-glider suggests, you can always walk!

Frederic

sab319 · Post by **sab319** » 18 Dec 2003, 20:13

Cyprus Airways has replaced its A310's by new A330-200 jets, check their website, I did to see their flights but they put me on a Hellas jet flight to Athens where i would have to wait till the next day to fly further to Cyprus!!!

Sabena_690 · Post by **Sabena_690** » 18 Dec 2003, 20:19

Their A310's are indeed wfu (2 of them are std in BRU by the way).

Frederic

meerkat · Post by **meerkat** » 18 Dec 2003, 22:03

Age of an aircraft is no guide to its quality.

One of my best flights was in a 1930's DH89 Dragon Rapide ( an 8 passenger biplane built from wood and fabric). At the time it was 50 + years old and is still flying today!

I have also been lucky enough to fly in DC-3's which are of a similar vintage and fly beautifully. Daks are so robust that even 60 years after they were built they are being re-engined to continue flying for many decades to come.

Meerkat

Comet · Post by **Comet** » 19 Dec 2003, 11:37

Meerkat is right - age is no indicator of the quality or safety of an aircraft. Don't you know that the most famous cases of metal fatigue happened on aircraft which had only been in service for two years? And there are also several very well preserved old warbirds which are still flying today?

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