One of the shortest flights you can take in Europe is between the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey. The actual flight time between take-off and landing on my flight was nine minutes only but if was really good fun.
Jersey is not part of England or of the United Kingdom and is a really interesting place to visit for a short time. I would recommend to go there off-season. I was there in November: nice weather (or was I just lucky?) and no crowds. I stayed at the Golden Sands Hotel 4* where I only paid 48 pounds for a single seaview room with breakfast and had this view in the evening:
I was at Jersey airport one hour before my flight. Do you expect winter weather in the Channel islands in November? It felt like a spring morning on the Cote d'Azur.
The airport was slightly bigger than I first expected but certainly nice and easy to use. The list of the flights departing this morning:
While self check-in was available and there were no queues at the check-in desks I already checked in on-line.
I was through security I about three minutes – all staff members very friendly. The main departure lounge has a good choice of cafés and shops and has ample seating.
There’s another lounge upstairs with even more seating and some great apron views.
The corridor leading to the departure gates and the gates themselves seem however to come directly from the 80’s.
Boarding is through a small room followed by a short walk to the plane with nice views of this older ATR42. I booked my flight as a Flybe flight operated by Blue Islands. The aircraft was a 27-year-old ATR42 registered as G-ISLH.
Legroom was small and the seat and my carry-on had to go under the seat in front of me… and the person sitting next to me. But this a very short flight.
View of the cabin.
Boarding was completed at 8.40. We started taxi at 8.50, exactly on time. We took off from runway 26 at 8.53 and had immediately beautiful views over Jersey.
The small island of Sark – population 600
Approaching Guernsey with some really fantastic views.
Guernsey airport is also larger than I expected and quite nice.
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Verdict
Blue Islands
5.0/10
Cabin5.0
Cabin crew5.0
Entertainment/wifi5.0
Meal/catering5.0
Jersey - JER
9.5/10
Efficiency10.0
Access10.0
Services8.0
Cleanliness10.0
Guernsey - GCI
9.5/10
Efficiency10.0
Access10.0
Services8.0
Cleanliness10.0
Conclusion
This flight was great fun! Only nine minutes spent in the air between take-off and landing but a lovely old aircraft and absolutely gorgeous views!
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Hey! Thanks for sharing this. 9 minutes of flight is really short but the ATR is one of my favourite aircraft so I'd be vey much tempted to follow your path. Lucky you with such a glorious weather. These islands are a perfect spot for a winter escapade and the airport is just a lovely one. Really good fun. Thanks again!
Good evening ! Thanks for sharing this really nice report about such an original and short hop! Just put the Channel Islands on my bucket list ;) Regards
Your great FR reminds me the Island hopping done 5 years ago on BN-2A Mk III-3 Guernsey is a beautiful city. Thanks for sharing a such exotic combo route/airline!
Great report, thanks for sharing! What was the "cruise" altitude on this flight? I remember my local GMZ-TFN island hopper usually making it up to around 8,000ft, but that was with a whopping 16-minute flight time!
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6 reviews
8 Comments
Thanks for sharing this really nice report about such an original and short hop!
Just put the Channel Islands on my bucket list ;)
Regards
Guernsey is a beautiful city.
Thanks for sharing a such exotic combo route/airline!
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