ils ont les chapeaux ronds…
My other half and I went onto discovering a side of Brittany that we didn't know: the Saint-Malo region with the very famous Mont Saint Michel. Despite the miserable weather, I must say this is wonderful region.
We drove to Rennes airport where we also left the car we rented.
Air France app is quite comprehensive, you can easily navigate through options, travel tips, and of course your bookings and the service you will have on board.. Of course, like many others, the app offers you the possibility to check in online and get your boarding pass.
Flying blue Miles earned with this flight: 1050
Status earned: 2 XP
As all of the Air France Hop flights; you can't choose your seat at booking, regardless of your Skyteam membership status. I am still not sure why the E190/170 and CRJ700/1000 fleet is the exception…
However you can during check-in, which I did, based on the cabin map provided:
at rennes saint-jacques airport
The airport is rather small, with just a few checkin counters, 4 security lanes, no jetway and more or less 5 parking spots.
There was only one lady at the checkin counter, and even so there was a priority lane everybody went onto the same lane. This went quite smoothly as there were only two Air France flights departing at the same time: mine and one to Toulouse.
Passing through security took roughly 10 min, and we arrived at the gate when were were called promptly to board.
on board the E190
Reaching the plane was about 5 min walking distance, this is the benefit of small airports like these (or as I was used to with London City).
On the right hand side of the plane you can see the CRJ1000 for Toulouse.
Aircraft: Embraer E190STD
Registration: F-HBLM
Engines: 2x CFM34
Age: 12 Years
Layout: Y100
Observation: With the old Hop livery
Beautiful and super shiny embraer!
As instructed by the cabin, I - for once - read the safety instructions.
We started taxiing shortly after and took off on time fron runway 28L - after a short U turn at the end of the runway.
The cruise was rather uneventful.
This was a bit sad as they still haven't resumed the free snack to economy class, but just to Business ticket owners.
Arrival in Lyon aera - where unfortunately the weather wasn't any better. We aligned onto runway 35R.
at lyon saint-exupéry airport
And unusually we parked on gate Q06 that is normally used by A320 family aircrafts, usually the Air France Hop fleet parks on the Hop hub dedicated extension of the Terminal 2.
And to finish on a nice touch, the grey sky lifted and a beautiful rainbow appeared on the international day against homophobia…
Thanks for your report. Out of curiousity, does France require you to have a PCR test for domestic flights?
Hello Thomas! Thanks for your comment.
No PCR tests are required to fly domestic - although for mainland France only - Corsica and oversea territories and departments require you to pass one.
Hi Chris!
Nice report, really enjoyed it being brief. I’ve never had a chance to fly AF or HOP but hopefully soon.
Amazing rainbow picture :-)
All the best,
Matthew.
Hi Matthew
Thanks for your comment! Well Hop is becoming slimmer by the day, as there used to be something like 100 aircraft in its fleet, now just about 45 of them, and Hop is just seen at CDG or Lyon...
I try to keep it short and sweet when flying short haul indeed.
Yes I found it amusing that big rainbow for the day against homophobia!!