Review of US Airways flight Basseterre → Charlotte in Economy

This is part 3 of my trip on US Airways between Newark (EWR) to St. Kitts (SKB) via Charlotte (CLT).

PART 1 – EWR-CLT (US AIRWAYS AIRBUS A320) http://flight-report.com/en/report-11538.html
PART 2 – CLT-SKB (US AIRWAYS AIRBUS A319) http://flight-report.com/en/report-11589.html
PART 3 – SKB-CLT (US AIRWAYS AIRBUS A319) HERE!
PART 4 – CLT-EWR (US AIRWAYS AIRBUS A321) http://flight-report.com/en/report-12688.html

Flight: US Airways 892
Aircraft: Airbus A319
Scheduled Departure / Actual: 5:30pm / 5:37pm
Scheduled Arrival / Actual: 8:35pm / 8:16pm

After a fantastic stay at the St. Kitts Marriott, it was off to the airport for my return flight to the United States!

Here are some photos of the island along the way to the airport:



The St. Kitts Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport! It is very small!



During the weekdays, a few flights arrive and depart from the airport to other islands in the Caribbean. However, on Saturdays, the seasonal once weekly flights from the United States arrive and depart, leaving the airport very busy! There was a long line to check in at the small airport terminal.



Old Air Transat baggage information sign



Departure listing



After checking in, it was upstairs to emigration and security. There was a long line and a thorough security check.



The departure area was small, having only three gates. There were a few duty free and souvenir shops as well as a shop selling sandwiches and other snacks. There were not enough seats and the terminal was very crowded. Passengers were standing against walls and crowding near the gates.

Here is some of the traffic at the airport:

Delta Airlines Boeing 737-800 departing to Atlanta



XOJET Bombardier Challenger 300 parked at Gate 3!



American Airlines Boeing 737-800 daily flight arriving from Miami



LIAT Dash-8



British Airways Boeing 777-200 arriving from Antigua. The British Airways flight originates at London Gatwick Airport and flies to Antigua. After a short stopover the Aircraft continues on to St. Kitts. The flight returns to London via Antigua.



U.S Airways Airbus A319 Arriving from Charlotte



Our aircraft arrived about 20 minutes late, and as a result the gate agents announced boarding was going to be delayed by about 20 minutes. This was not true, as the airport staff worked quickly to prepare for an on time departure and boarding was called on time. To get to the aircraft you had to walk on the tarmac and walk to the plane!

Walking to the plane:

British Airways Boeing 777



U.S Airways Airbus A319



At the base of the stair an airport worker was checking boarding passes.



Once onboard, we were greeted by the same crew that took us to St. Kitts. Settling into seat 8A, it was a short time before all passenger were onboard. Boarding was both by the front and rear of the aircraft to allow a quick and efficient boarding process.

St. Kitts Airport - Its so small!!!!



The air conditioning was on and condensating



The Airbus A319 had seat belt signs and please turn off electronic devices signs



St. Kitts's capital, Basseterre, was visible in the distance



Once everyone was on board, the pilot started the aircraft's engines and pulled out of the parking spot without pushback or the use of a tug.



It was a short taxi to the runway where we had to wait for a few minutes as San Juan Center did not clear us into their airspace.

After holding for about 10 minutes, we were cleared for departure at 5:37pm, only 7 minutes after our original departure time.





St. Kitts Airport tiny ATC tower!



Large hills next to the runway



Departure into the sunset



It was a clear night and besides some turbulence over the Caribbean Sea, starts were visible!



About an hour after takeoff the flight attendants came though the aisles with complimentary beverages and buy on board items.

Water



I was hungry and decided to order the Caféplus snack box.



The box included assorted snacks.

Olives and a fig bar



Pita chips and hummus



Honey glazed almond mix



Caramel candy



I discovered an electrical outlet in the bathroom! Now I know where to charge my phone!



The pilot forgot to turn off the landing lights!



They later turned them off. Soon, we began our approach into Charlotte.



Despite the delay, we landed at 8:16pm, about 15 minutes early. The landing was one of the smoothest I've felt!





During our taxi flight attendants made the standard announcements regarding United States customs and immigration procedures.

U.S Airways Airbus A320 in Star Alliance livery



The total flight time was 3 hours and 39 minutes.

Arriving next to a U.S Airways Airbus A319



From then on it was to clear customs and immigration, then to my connecting flight to Newark!

Here is the video trip report of the flight