Hello and welcome to my first FR!
I've been persuaded to join the site by a friend on here although I did write a FR by proxy :) If you have any suggestions please let me know!
This weekend I had the opportunity to fly to the island of Guernsey to visit a friend and in the process fly between some rather small airports and with a couple of smaller airlines.
The flight details are as follows:
SOU - GCI with SI
GUI - SOU with BE (to follow)
I arrived at Southampton airport slightly early due to a train strike in the UK, which gave me plenty of opportunity to have a look around. Arrival at the airport by train is very easy, being located just a few metres from the terminal (apparently only 99 steps - didn't count!)
The departures hall is in a typical UK small airport style with a restaurant/bar and shop
I had plenty of time to get some dinner before heading through security. There were also plenty of plug sockets for people to charge their phones and laptops etc.
I had already checked in online and didn't have any hold baggage so went to security which was swift with two x-ray scanners. Airside, there was a small shop and a couple of cafes. (If you want something more substantial, I suggest eating before heading through security.
There was also an opportunity to have a look at some of the aircraft through the windows
Here's the departure board. My flight to Guernsey was perfectly on time (not so for some unlucky people flying north to Scotland).
Boarding was announced for all (no first class etc) and onto the tarmac we went to the plane, boarding at the rear of the ATR-72. This is their only one and apparently dedicated to this route.
We were welcomed onboard by the flight attendant and I took my seat 5F. There was plenty of room despite being tall.
There were a number of things provided in the seat pocket, and in the magazine was a map of Blue Islands' routes.
We departed on time after the safety briefing and had a great view of Southampton docks as well as the Isle of Wight
It's only a short hop to Guernsey but we were all provided with a free beverage
Coming into Guernsey we were treated to a beautiful setting sun
There were a number of small planes at the airport mainly Aurigny and Flybe
It's a short walk to the terminal
Inside there were a couple of belts. I didn't have luggage so just walked straight through. From plane to taxi in less than 2 minutes!
Thanks for reading
Thank you for this first FR, and this first report on Blue Islands !
It's nice to get at least a beverage, some airlines wouldn't bother on this short hop (see US regional flights)
Looking forward for the return flight, now that I don't have to write them for you ;)
I seem to remember doing them myself! :P
99 steps from plane to train, but arguably more from train to plane, for eating and plane spotting reasons.^^
Thanks for this pleasant report on a short hop, and welcome among the contributors in your own name !
Thanks for the welcome.
Indeed, I think I walked a lot more than 99 steps doing all the extras. Maybe it's a challenge they set you, to just walk straight through and not use any of the facilities!
Thank you for this first report, and welcome onboard :)
Thanks for the welcome :)
Thanks or sharing this very interesting and unique first report on a previously unreported airline! I'll have to make note to wear a Fitbit if I ever fly out of Southampton to count the steps :-P
Looks like Blue Islands offers as good an experience as one could expect on a 40 minute flight.
Welcome to Flight-Report!
KevinDC - Community Manager
Thanks, yes it's pretty exciting at my first FR was also a new airline!
Exactly, for a short hop it was as much as you might expect, the equal of Flybe on this route. If I go again I'll have to check out Aurigny