Intro: This trip was a weekend trip to Oslo due to the Pentecote/Pinkster weekend. I would say was a rather last minute trip as I did not know where to go and some friends asked if I would like to go to Oslo for the weekend. Checked the tickets and prices were still reasonable with SNBA.
It is my first time this year flying with SNBA. Was looking forward to the experience with them since I knew it would be good
BRU-OSL
Date: 02 June 06
Flight: SN 2281
Dept. time: 0930
Flight time: 2.05 h
Seat: 3A (Y)
Aircraft: Avro AR1
The evening before, I used the telephone check-in facility and was assigned the seat. The next day, I took the train to the airport and was told to collect the ticket not later than 45 min before departure. I arrived around 0800 for the flight. Went directly to the Privilege counter to collect the ticket. I guess due to the long weekend, lots of people were travelling as the whole SN counter area was full. Glad that I did the check-in before that. Lots of SN staff trying to ask passengers to check-in using one of the self check-in machines. Proceeded directly to terminal A.
After the long walk, arrived at the security check, was surprised to see nearly no lines. After the security check, was surprised to see the StarAlliance promotion stand.
Proceeded to the first gate area that was assigned, which was later changed to gate 69. Anyway, walked a bit around the terminal and spotted the following actions:
When the boarding time came, I walked to the far end gate. On my way I saw a Uzbeckistan Airlines taxiing into gate at Terminal A, did not manage to take a shot of it as there were no good angles to do it.
Managed to snap a shot of my plane to Oslo.
Boarding started about 10 mins later than what was on the boarding pass. The flight seems to be rather light. They started with the usual children/people needing assistance boarding, than Privilege and Business passengers and later the rest. I just waited till the line reduced.
Was greeted by the purser at the entrance and saw that there was only 1 passenger in Biz. Economy was not too bad, I guess about 60% load. Noticed that there were lots of AA connecting passengers on the flight.
Departed about 5 mins late from the 0930 slot, but taxied directly to the active runway and was number 1 for take-off. We were informed that the flight would be longer than usual due to the strong headwind, making it a 2.05 hour flight. Normally I think the flight is about 1.50 h. It was a day with lots of low clouds, managed to get a misery shot of the atomium.
After the seat belt sign was turned off, the FA passed around with the Connect inflight magazine. After that, they started with the preparation of the meal. Noticed that they started with the Biz class, which is normal from my last flight with them last year in Biz. What was strange was that there was only 2 FA working this flight. I think it is because of the light load. After this, they started with the meal service, we were given a drink, the Bistro box and a warm sandwich. The meal was nice. Tea/coffee was followed after this. After about 1 hour into the flight, they collected the boxes and this was followed by a round of the Neuhaus chocolates.
Soon, my neighbor left to go to the toilet and I noticed that at the end of the plane there were some empty seats, so I shifted all the way to the back of the plane. Managed to get this shot of the cabin.
After that, another drink round was made. Read a bit. Later when I looked out the window, I saw the coastline. This was followed shortly by the descend. With another 20 mins to go, we started going down. The landscape of Norway started showing, with lots of fjords visible and mountains. I believe we were flying over the Telemark area. 10 mins later we passed by what I believed is Sandjeford airport. Correct me if I am wrong.
Fjords of Oslo
Flew further and saw the harbour of Oslo
Oslo airport
After another 5 mins, we flew past OSL airport, I could see from a distance the SAS plane landing. Than banked to the left and started our approach towards the airport. While banking, the whole plane started to experience some light turbulence and shaking. But everything was ok. If you look closely, you can see a bit of the earth curvature.. or is it my imagination
We made a smooth landing at OSL. Arrived around 1135.
Oslo Gardemoed is a nice airport. Very modern with lots of the typical Scandinavian architecture. I had to still wait for a friend arriving from AMS 20 mins later. In the meantime waiting for him, went searching and finding out the necessary information to get downtown and other touristy stuff. My first impression of the Norwegians, very friendly. They all spoke really good english.
Spend 4 days in Oslo, it was a really nice city with everything within range, but gosh, it is such an expensive city. Especially travelling by train. Just a tip for any future tourist, the day transportation card is really a bargain to get to move around the city and it is really value for money as it is valid 24 hours just like that in Vienna. Another tip: If you are not in rush of time, it is better to use the NSB train service to downtown rather than the Flytoget which is more than 2 times the cost of the normal train and you just save like 5-15 mins depending on which train you take. The ticket for the normal trains can also be purchased on board these normal train for no extra charges.
For food, cheap food is around Gronland area, which is the main area with lots of immigrants. Got some really good Indian food that was filling and tasty for around 60 kr (approx 8 euros). Beer was not too bad too
OSL-BRU
Date: 05 June 06
Flight: SN 2284
Dept. time: 1700
Flight time: 1.45 h
Seat: 5F (Y)
Aircraft: Avro AR8
As for the trip back, left for the airport at around 1415 for the flight at 1700 since I could not do online check-in or telephone check-in. Arrived at the OSL at 1500. Went to area B for the SN check-in. There was only one counter open at that time (the Business/Privilege) and there was already a short line, but it cleared rather fast. When my turn arrived, the second counter was open. Check-in took less than 3 mins I think.. was really fast.
Security lines were again short here.
Looked around at the Duty Free shops, and saw nothing exciting to buy since the prices were still more expensive even without the duty.
Found a place near the ice-cream shop sat down with my other friends and spent our last kroners on ice-cream. Did some spotting. Was sitting right in front of this AF back to CDG.
and on the other side, the SAS Braathens counter
Took a photo of the airbridges at OSL
AF pushing back and meeting with its "enemy"
Here are some other actions at the airport
Norwegian
SAS pushing back
SAS meeting with Norwegian
SAS Braathens
SAS in the StarAlliance scheme
Sterling Airlines
Windroe airways to Gotenburg
TAP Portugal arriving and leaving back to LIS via CPH with Star tail in the back.. ironic
Soon, it was my boarding time. Boarding started late again, the stipulated time of 1630 on the boarding pass was only done at 1645. This time the load seems to be rather full. Said my good byes to my friends as they were flying back to AMS with KLM and the others with Sterling.
This was my baby bringing me back to BRU. The UNICEF plane
I was one of the last to board just behind a Japanese couple with their baby. Entered and was again greeted by the purser and I took a copy of Het Laaste Nieuws. I thought I had the whole row with me, but later one last passenger entered and took the aisle. Doors were closed. On this flight, 3 FA were working. They were again all really great. Load was ok, 4 passengers in Business and in Economy, load was around 75%.
Flight time was much faster this time, 1h 45m. Although the boarding was late, we left the gate on time. Taxied to the active runway, but too bad, I was sitting on the wrong side of the plane and could not take the photo of the KLM flight my friend was on. View was also blocked by the engine.
Here is a view of the taxiing.
We were the 3rd to take off after that SAS aircraft.
Taking off from OSL
We rotated rather fast even with this load today, and was up in the air. Again, wanted to take a snapshot of the airport, but bad luck again as we banked to the left and left Oslo city behind us.
After the seatbelt sign was switched off, the FA's got busy with the meals. Again, business got served first, followed by economy. This time we got a warm Brussel Bristo which was Beef in horseradish sauce. It was really taste. Side dish was the Penne with pesto sauce. Had a red wine with it, but I did not really like the wine this time despite it being the same brand as I had the last time with them.
Again after the meals were cleared, they handed out the Neuhaus chocolates. I was a bit greedy this time and took 3 pieces
I spend the rest of the flight reading the paper and saw us crossing over the North sea and than landfall. This flight seemed really short as just about 1/2 hour after the meal was cleared, the captain came on and told us that we were descending.
Here is a view of the control tower during landing.
Landed about 20 mins ahead of schedule 8O Since the scheduled time of landing was suppose to be 1905, we landed at 1845. Guess must be some pretty strong tailwind we had
Anyway, thanked the crew on the way out and made that dreaded walk to the arrivals hall. On the way down the elevator, saw that the StarAlliance promotion stand changed again, this time they had the LH Business class seats
From plane to train station counter, 20 mins of walk. I had just missed the other train, but never mind. Lined up behind a long line at the counter as it was rather busy time since lots of flights were arriving at that time, prominently LH flights since lots of people had SQ and South African tags with them on the bag. Also some TUI flights. Had to line about 10 mins for the tickets due to the rather particular guy behind the counter and also an incident with the credit card of the guy in front of me. He got his card confiscated and he demanded to know why and was told that the computer system told him that. Later he just gave him and asked that the card be cut into two infront of him. Got the ticket and managed to get in the train on time.
Was home around 2030.
Verdict:
SNBA still had the same good quality service as expected. Crew and staff were great. Flight was good. I just hope that with the merger with Virgin standards will remain the same and if not better.
Lastly, I hope that everyone enjoys this report and thanks for taking the time to read it. My next trip will be with mixture of KL and NW to Boston for an interview. Any comments would be welcomed
Maybe the next time