After a stunning holiday on the island of Curacao it was time to fly back to cold, wet, and windy Amsterdam. We were brought by a minivan and when we arrived at the departure hall, there were three desks available for our flight to Amsterdam, this time the OR368, which should arrive from Oranjestad, Aruba (AUA), for a non-stop flight back home.
Main buidling of Curacao International Airport, located next to the village of Hato.
The three baggage drop-off desks.
Sign showing the flights of this evening, not too busy.
Since I already checked in online before, the process of handing over passports, handing in the suitcases and getting back passports and boardingpasses went smooth. Then its about time to discover the airport. Well ‘discover’ is a big word, you can walk back outside the hall and enjoy the sun/warmth outside or head directly towards passport control, and have a drink or snack at one of the cafés/restaurants or do some last shopping in one of the shops there.
General signs at the airport.
Stairs towards passport control and gates.
Waiting area at one of the gates.
After a snack and some drink we headed to the departure gate, Gate 5, the only gate that is able to serve larger aircraft. Our plane had just arrived from Aruba and was again the same plane from our inbound flight, the PH-TFK, a Boeing 787-800 Dreamliner.
PH-TFK snapped on its arrival.
Dreamliner attached to gate 5.
Boarding started on-time and when we arrived at our seats (on row 7 this time) we found this little package with a blanket and a pillow. When everyone found his spot on the plane, doors were closed and we headed towards the runway, and we departed on time in an easterly direction, giving me a nice last view over the city of Willemstad.
Bit blurry, but these are the seats on row 7 (seats 7G, H and J).
Last views over Curacao and Willemstad.
An hour into flight, the cabin crew started to serve out the meals, together with a glass of water. Choices for the menu were beef or chicken. I opted for the beef this time, since I already got the chicken on the other flight. Next to the meatballs, which were served in peanut sauce, there was a fresh-tasting small salad, crackers with cheese and as a dessert a sweet cake.
'Packed' dinner ;)
'Unpacked' dinner ;)
Screen in front of me showing latest flight info. Did not 'rent' the movie package this time so could only watch flight info.
Having enjoyed the dinner I decided to catch some sleep on this red-eye flight, which seemed to work for me since I woke up when it became light again and we were already flying near Ireland!
Windows were blocked for some time by the captain, enabling everyone accommodating to the 'daylight'
I also decided to play a bit with the window and before I knew we already passed the eastcoast of England, lining up for Amsterdam’s runway 18C/36C also known as ‘Zwanenburgbaan’, for me the first time landing on this runway.
Some playing with the Dreamliner's windows.
England's eastcoast.
After a fast flight (8:50 hrs!) we landed safely and quite refreshed because of the better in-air system that is installed in Boeing’s Dreamliners, an hour before schedule on Schiphol.
Landing shot.
Schiphol-Rijk.
Amsterdam Schiphol's runway 06/24 (Kaagbaan).
Flight profiles on FlightRadar24.
And last but not least, the obligatory legroom-shot!
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Verdict
TUI fly
7.0/10
Cabin8.0
Cabin crew6.5
Entertainment/wifi7.0
Meal/catering6.5
Willemstad - CUR
7.6/10
Efficiency7.5
Access8.0
Services6.5
Cleanliness8.5
Amsterdam - AMS
7.8/10
Efficiency7.5
Access7.5
Services8.5
Cleanliness7.5
Conclusion
Overall a pleasant flight again with Arke, although service was a bit lower this time, also because of the fact that it is a red-eye flight. Also the lack of a breakfast (also less options to buy something small) is something that you have to know, since KLM on the other side does offer a breakfast before landing. But most important thing to me is that I got some sleep and felt again quite well after a long flight!
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No breakfast served on an international flight of this length? Wow. Interesting! I would have thought that as the flight is a decent long-haul that something would be served prior to landing.
Thanks for the sharing. What was the differences between Y and Y+. Even if on a charter flight, this looks like below a standard Y offering so I don't understand how they can call it Y+. Not even a breakfast before landing... pretty poor service in my opinion.
The only difference between Y+ and Y is just the legroom of 8 cm and being in front of the cabin (right behind J and before Y class). Based on service it is just the same as Y, based on legroom / position in the plane it is called Y+/Comfort.
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6 Comments
Great to get on a 787! Thanks for sharing.
What was the differences between Y and Y+.
Even if on a charter flight, this looks like below a standard Y offering so I don't understand how they can call it Y+.
Not even a breakfast before landing... pretty poor service in my opinion.
What a shame not to offer any breakfast at all.
Coffee or tea is free or not even?
What is the difference between Y and Y+ on Arke?
The only difference between Y+ and Y is just the legroom of 8 cm...
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