As I was free for two weeks, I decided to head for a short holiday to Thailand. Even though Qatar was offering excellent prices, I opted for KLM's flights from Brussels to Bangkok via Amsterdam as they were giving me an opportunity to fly one of the very few Fokker 100s still in active service in Europe. The Fokker 100 is operated by Carpatair in name of KLM Cityhopper on several short haul flights.
Start of the Journey
While Amsterdam is usually my main port for any of my travel, I decided now like I previously told to use Brussels, which is only an extra 30 minutes drive by my car. I parked my car for 8 days at P Discount 2 for approximately 70 euros, which was quite a price for the distance from Airport.
While I survived my shuttle ride to the Airport (quite a rough and fast busdriver we had), I ended up now in a crowded terminal and did look up the designated check-in desks for the KLM flight to Amsterdam. Even though most flight monitors in Brussels and anywhere else are tv screens, I am still fond of those old monitors.
While I proceeded to the designated check-in row 7, I was a bit shocked to see quite a long row behind the desks of them, but luckily enough KLM was using 7.1 & 7.3 for their check-in, which had no single sole waiting. (The long row was for Alitalia)
While my baggage was now on it's way, I headed immediately towards security. After a five minute walk, I ended up over there and did clear it myself within a very few minutes. While cleared, you will end up with a nice view of the inner side of Brussels Apron with Schengen departures on your left and Non-schengen departures to your right and an Air Arabia ready to taxi to it's next destination.
After been looking over the apron for a short period of time, I turned left to proceed to the Schengen area. It is quite a distant walk through a shopping area with overly expensive shops just like any other shop in any airport. I am still not a fan of this forcing people to walk through shops, but it probably works forcing certain people to actually buy things they do not need.
While all that was cleared, I decided to walk around and spot some aircraft. Unfortunately not a lot of activity yet but some A320s and E190s.
Brussels Airlines Airbus A320
Helvetic Embraer E190
And after twenty minutes or so, my ride was arriving on-time.
Meet YR-FKB, Carpatair's second Fokker 100, which arrived as KL1725 and will depart as KL1726 to Amsterdam Schiphol. This Fokker 100 is almost 27 year old starting it's service with American Airlines in '91
Boarding started slightly later as the designated time, but it was just a matter of minutes as the payload on board this flight was about 60% and most of them were located upfront. I checked in myself for Seat 20A, which gives you a nice sight of both the wing and engine. The cabin itself was nicely in blue and legroom was not spectacular, but ok for just a flight of 30 minutes.
Oh and if you have fear of dirt, I strongly would suggest you to avoid looking to your overhead panel….. It definitely might need some extra cleaning here.
A few other cabin shots and emergency card for the Fokker 100.
Slightly behind schedule, we were being pushed back to taxi to runway 25R.
We were immediately rolling down for take off once reaching it and note that no flaps were being used for take off. Having no flaps for take off configuration is perfectly normal for a Fokker 100.
Shortly after being airborne, the two very friendly flight attendants went around and served us a complimentary water and snack. There was no time to offer us a drink of our own choice as the flight was too short for that.
Some shots during flight.
Fifteen minutes in-flight and the Captain was announcing himself once again informing us about the actual weather in Amsterdam and to report to us that we were already descending towards Amsterdam. Unfortunately we were lining up for 18R, which means that the taxi time to our gate is approximately the same as our entire flight time from Brussels to Amsterdam.
The landing itsef was smooth and the captain was taxiing rather fast to it's gate, which was going to be a remote stand next to it's sister YR-FKA, whose flying for KLM Cityhopper too.
Disembarkation began a minute or two after engines were shut and we were transported by a fully packed bus to the terminal.
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Verdict
Carpatair
7.0/10
Cabin7.0
Cabin crew8.5
Entertainment/wifi6.5
Meal/catering6.0
Brussels - BRU
5.8/10
Efficiency4.0
Access6.5
Services4.5
Cleanliness8.0
Amsterdam - AMS
7.3/10
Efficiency7.5
Access7.0
Services7.0
Cleanliness7.5
Conclusion
It was definitely an unique chance to fly a Fokker 100 in Europe. The cabin itself could have been cleaned and maintained in a better way. The cabin crew on the other hand was very friendly and definitely topped KLM's crew at certain parts.
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Thanks for this exotic report on Carpatair, a rarely reported airline. Smart move to fly out of BRU--I think people on both sides of Belgium are drawn to BRU for its better pricing compared to AMS and CDG. Nice cabin shots.
Actually Amsterdam is often cheaper for me if I book it with a stopover in Doha, Moscow or anywhere along that line, but KLM is definitely cheaper to fly with if you are using Brussels as your starting point, but thanks :)
Hello :) Thank you very much for this nice report. Sadly, the F100 is more and more rare in Europe.
What about the crew during this flight ? Did you have a KLM representative ?
Nice picutres of the cabin,
If you want to fly again aboard a Fokker 100, you should book a flight from Paris Orly to Tarbes-Lourdes, these flights are operated by AVANTIAIR and marketed by Air France.
Unfortunately it is becoming a very rare bird as Helvetic will be phasing them out either. This flight was entirely operated by Carpatair itself with a KLM callsign, so no representative of KLM will be onboard and it is perfectly made clear by KLM on their website and during your checkin.
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7 Comments
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you very much for this nice report.
Sadly, the F100 is more and more rare in Europe.
What about the crew during this flight ? Did you have a KLM representative ?
Nice picutres of the cabin,
If you want to fly again aboard a Fokker 100, you should book a flight from Paris Orly to Tarbes-Lourdes, these flights are operated by AVANTIAIR and marketed by Air France.
See you,
Nice AvGeek start of that trip, I really love the look of the F100, such a shame they are retired...
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