A busy week for me had me flying from London to Wick (via Edinburgh), driving south to Inverness to see my parents off on a Flybe trip to Belfast (1105 departure), then a journey back north to Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands. The airline is Loganair, but they are currently a Flybe franchise. That's all going to end next year as Loganair is reborn, to sell and market flights under it's own name - for the first time in 24 years.
This meant spending about five hours at Inverness Airport - on a Sunday afternoon… as I was not allowed to check in early for my flight north. However, the time passed reasonably quickly with quite a number of aircraft movements, caught on camera!
This is the check in area
First things first - 2016 saw the return of British Airways to Inverness. They used to fly three times daily on the route, and have returned with one flight. Still, alongside KLM starting flights to Amsterdam, business is brisk for the Highland airport.
Two Loganair cargo planes were parked - I think these are for the Royal Mail contract.
Flybe operate from Inverness to Manchester, Birmingham, Belfast and Dublin. It was getting busy! Two planes now!
Shortly, KLM arrived.
Another arrival - Loganair from Stornoway, which would operate the Orkney flight.
Happily, this is one of Loganair's newly refurbished planes - they are very smart inside (more later)
Another arrival - this time easyJet, showing off it's new livery
Eventually, I was able to check in - about 90 minutes before my flight. This was quick and friendly.
I headed to the Executive Lounge, which is tiny but perfect.
Another easyjet flight arrived- they operate three routes from Inverness - Bristol, London Gatwick and London Luton.
I had a few drinks in the lounge, and left a few moments before my flight was called.
I then spent a little too long sniffing candles in the airport shop, and an announcement was made advising the gate was about to close. First time for everything I suppose.
I really like the Loganair/Flybe slogan
These small planes are quite bit close up!
Legroom was excellent, as I was asked if I would move to the emergency exit.
The new seats look really smart, don't they?
It was getting dark, being so far north - but there was still some nice scenery…
Loganair are a Flybe franchise, yet unlike Flybe, still offer a modest inflight offering - tea/coffee/water and biscuits. The wafer is a Scottish specialty!
Arrival was on time, a few of us disembarked at Kirkwall Orkney, while the flight made its way further north to the Shetland Islands.
Nice report, on an "exotic" destination.
Thanks for this FR.
Wow the new BE livery is really ugly, I tought they were only gonna paint a few planes but now it seems the whole fleet will get it.
Good that Loganair still offers a free snack.
I hope the fares will remain affordable when Loganair resumes selling their own tickets.
I did not understand the reason for the five hour wait at the airport - a few steps missing in the explanation, or maybe it's me.
Great pictures until there was not enough light at this time and latitude.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi!
My parents flight was at 1105
My flight was at 1610
I assumed I good check in my luggage and sit with my parents but it was not possible.
Crystal clear !