73 reviews
Hi there!
Welcome to my 4th report for this website. This is my first ever flight with Flybe, the Q400 and flying from Southampton Airport.
Sadly it was terrible weather on the day off flying but I did manage to get photos and snap shot a few from videos I recorded…Lets begin!
I started the day very early by catching a train from Southampton Central to the airport. I can't get over how easy and close the airport is to the train station!
From Southampton to the airport it was a 10 minute journey and from the airport station just 2 minute walk to the terminal.
As you enter the small terminal building you walk in to seeing a few Flybe check in desks.
Luckily for me I am going hand luggage only for this flight.
Purpose off this flight is for a day trip to Manchester city centre, plane spotting and to try out Flybe's Q400.
After a very quick process through security which was by far the best service I have experienced in any airport, I made my way to air side to find my gate.
Today's flight was from gate 3.
I had around an hour wait until it was time to board, so I made my way up stairs to Costa coffee shop for a drink.
Costa coffee seating area has a huge window offering great views off the airport.
Here you can see a SAAB 2000 Eastern Airways operating for Flybe heading off to Leeds Bradford Airport.
I do have this aircraft and flight in the books to do soon!
After a little while it was time to board the aircraft.
My first ever Q400 aircraft is registered G-JECL.
She was delivered to Flybe back in January 2006, making her 13.5 years old as off the flight.
I was the first passenger on board which is always the best feeling.
The Q400 aircrafts are in a 2-2 seating configuration.
The only downside to flying within the UK in the spring season…..It rains!
But we made a steady push back and headed onto the runway to rocket out into the low heavy clouds.
As the aircraft is climbing up to cruising altitude, I had a quick look at the snacks page in the booklet.
I decided not to purchase anything on this very short flight up to Manchester.
But I am very pleased with the huge selection they had on offer. Even the prices are at a good price too!
Not long after taking off the aircraft levelled out. Sadly my window did not improve and decided to ice up!
About 35 minutes into the flight with 15 minutes left I made a quick visit to the restroom.
Flying in a small narrow aircraft is understandable, but in the restroom I could barely just get one leg in! I did manage to just fit.
The legroom for my seat was decent though, easily able to stand up and stretch.
Majority off passengers on today's flight are business workers. I must have been the only one flying purely for leisure.
Soon enough it was time to land into a rainy dark Manchester.
After doing a few laps circling around Macclesfield, we made our approach onto Runway 09R.
It was a very quick bumpy touch down, with a sudden sharp left turn off the runway.
As soon as the aircraft stopped, the doors swung open and everyone left.
As I flew within England, I didn't have to pass through any passport immigration.
Around 30 minutes after leaving the aircraft I hopped onto a train into central Manchester for the day.
Thank you for reading this report!
I had an amazing first flight with Flybe and spent the day exploring Manchester City Centre before heading back for some late lunch time plane spotting at the airport and flying back to Southampton.
I fully recommend anyone to fly on a Flybe flight! The airline is super efficient, offering fairly cheap flights and great aircraft's to fly on.
Please do check out my other reports on my profile page if you enjoyed reading this.
The next report will be on a flight I made back in the summer off 2014 to Skiathos, Greece from London Gatwick via Kavala.
That flight was on board a Boeing 757-200 Monarch Airlines!
Until then, keep flying and smiling! :D
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2 Comments
BoB prices are reasonable indeed, unlike on IB.
I love the Q400 too and totally understand your daytrip to catch it !
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