Hello everyone :)
Last July I finally completed high school and I got ready to study aerospace engineering (obviously) at the University in Rome.
With my great excitation my parents made me a special gift for my final school exam: 3 days in London with my dad in order to attend the FARNBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW !!!
About three weeks before we bought the flights and booked the hotel. The program was to stay in Premier Inn Hotel inside London Gatwick Airport and going to the Airshow by train. The best solution for flights was FCO-LGW made by Vueling and LGW-FCO by Norwegian.com. I was very happy about the latter because it would have been my first time on this airline.
This is the itinerary:
Friday 15th July Rome FCO - London Gatwick LGW with Vueling (YOU ARE HERE)
Sunday 17th July London Gatwick LGW - Rome FCO with Norwegian.com (here)
Dad and I left on Friday 15th July in the afternoon. We reached the airport by car in about half a hour.
On the way to the long term parking we spotted a departing Alitalia A330 in the new (beautiful) livery
We were carried to Terminal 3, which hosts most of international carriers and AZ long haul flights. Even if FCO has a Terminal (T2) for low-cost carriers VY uses T3
The VERY CROWDED check-in hall is bright and spacious. In the last few years the airport saw a huge improvement on many aspects in order to make passengers' experience hassle-free.
Departure board
Security check was very crowded but quite rapid. In about 10 minutes we were airside. Until a few years ago this area was cramped and dark but now has been completely renovated and refreshed.
Our gate was reported to be H18, in the non-Schengen part of the airport. In May 2015 this area was damaged by a fire, fortunately with no victims, and now has been rebuilt. All the improvements are also made for the opening of new Pier F in late 2016.
Having the ePassport we were able to use the eGate for the border control
Shopping area after passport control
A bit of spotting: Delta A330, Alitalia (old livery), American Airlines and United triple-7s and Monarch Airlines A320
My father and I decided to go to Satellite G, which hosts most of long haul flights, to buy some food and make some photos
The Satellite is connected to the terminal through an automated people mover
Monarch Airlines A320 and Hainan Airlines A330 to Xi'An from the APM
Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific (in old livery) 777s and Alitalia A330
El Al 767 and American Airlines A330
Satellite Terminal departure lounge
Delta Airlines A330 at the gate
American Airlines A330 to PHL
Delta 767 and Emirates 777
Another American Airlines A330 (I cannot stop to admire this beautiful livery)
Qatar Airways 787 and Thai Airways 777
Parking bays equipped for all kind of aircrafts: from the oldest Lockheed Tristar and 747SP to the newest A350
AA livery is amazing but nothing could be better than THIS!!!
Alitalia A330
Coming back to the Terminal we saw the progress of the new pier. It will have 14 gates equipped with jetbridges, four of which able to handle the A380.
Since APM to the Terminal is theorically for arriving passengers we had to pass a security checkpoint
There was a small queue but in 5 minutes we came back again in the departure lounge
H area is quite cramped and old, It looks more like low-cost carrier airports like Rome-CIA
Our gate
My boarding pass
Most of the people don't like to board planes through apron bus, while for an avgeek like me it's a good opportunity to spot planes
Aeroflot A320, Ryanair 737, Vueling and SAS A320, Iberia A321 and Jet2.com 737
American Airlines 777
United 777 and Kuwait Airways A330
Our bird, VY A320 equipped with sharklets
After I gave the flight report form to the Purser we took our seats, 6E and 6F
Qatar Airways 787 and AirTransat A330 while taxiing
We had to wait about 20 minutes to take-off from RWY34L. Usually at FCO RWY25 is preferred for T/O while 16L/34R and 16R/34L are used for landings.
While we were waiting HE arrived…Emirates A380 "Whale Jet"
Iberia A321 and Blue Panorama 767
Long queue behind us!!! Singapore Airlines 777, MEA A320, Alitalia E-Jet and SAS 737
Singapore Airlines 777 waiting next to us…but we would depart before
Air Canada A330 in Star Alliance livery
Finally off in the air….loving those yellow sharklets and engines
Elba Island with his characteristic shape of lizard
Elba "Marina di Campo" Airport (EBA/LIRJ)
Ligurian Coast
Where are you going mate?
Alps between Italy and French
While fying smoothly over France I spent my time listening to music
We started soarin' ovet The Channel
And finally….England
Quite boring English countryside
Last moments on air…
A warm welcome by a nice English lady….British Airways 777 taking off
The amazing bridge of North Terminal at LGW, easyJet's land
And we met HIM again
Norwegian.com 787 "Greta Garbo"
We reached our gate on time. During desembark I went to Purser to ask for the flight report and the F/O let me visit the cockpit, sit at Captain seat and take a picture
Thank you to Vueling crew for this amazing gift :)
The way for the arrivals hall was quite long. The passport control didn't take so long thanks to the eGates
We reached our hotel, 100 meters out of North Terminal and prepare ourselves for an evening visit of London
Congratulazioni per questo FR e per gli studi!
Nice report and nice pictures, especially the AA330 and of course the AZ330. The crew on Vueliing was really cool indeed! Lucky picture in the left seat. How was your visit at Farnborough?
A presto!
Thank you so much for the appreciation Okapi ;) i think you are Italian but I'll answer however in English ahaha I'll take a look at your reports soon
The Airshow was simply AMAZING!! I've admired flying planes never seen so close and incredible acrobatic shows... i hope to visit Le Bourget Airshow next year
A presto
Ciao, Carlo!
First of all, congratulations on having completed your high school, and my best wishes of success for your coming studies!!!
I loved your detailed and entertaining report.
I couldn't agree more! AA's livery is my favorite. They hit the nail on the head integrating something as representative as their flag to their livery in such a nice-looking way. It's not only an easily identifiable livery, but also a joy to look at.
I must have some eye disease. I see the shape of a fish!!! LOL Those are very nice aerials.
Have you thought how long it took your great great great great great grandparents to get from Rome to "Anglia"? And now you just board a plane and make it there in little more than a hour!! Overwhelming. That's why I love planes.
Thanks for sharing!! :)
Thank you so much for the appreciation :) I'm new in reports and I'm trying to improve every time more
Goodbye;)
Nice trip report. My hobby is collect transport tickets and boardingpasses without private details . Could you scan this boardingpass. Delete the barcode and private details and send me the picture to my email. My email is. [email protected]