Hello everyone!
I hope that everyone is doing fine and staying safe; especially during these dangerous times.
I have been able to travel more, and wanted to share another flight report from last month. This one is from my Lufthansa flight from Berlin-Brandenburg to Munich-Franz-Josef-Strauß.
Enjoy, everyone, and take care! :)
I spent the night before my flight in this hotel, Ibis Budget, which is a 1-star hotel. So it‘s not quite as luxurious as HolidayInn or Best Western, but I would still definitely recommend it for short stays, especially if you‘re trying to save money. I paid less than 50 Euros (55 Dollars) for one night.
A taxi cab picked me up from the hotel and I made it to the airport at around 6:30 am.
I wanted to make sure that I got there extra-early, because besides a proof of vaccination, I also needed a negative test result, which was only valid for 24 hours, so I took advantage of the test-center right at the airport, where you could get your result within 15 to 20 minutes.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport was opened in November 2020, replacing the old airport Tegel. It is located in Schönefeld, which is lies south of the city limit of Berlin. It has a total capacity of 46 million passengers per year.
Those who need to get a rapid test at the airport have to check in first. This can be done at this counter, located in the Departure level, or online at www.covid-testzentrum.de. Then you proceed downstairs to the Arrivals level, where the test center is located.
I admit that I was a bit nervous while waiting for the result. I was feeling just fine and didn‘t experience any symptoms, but that didn‘t have to mean that I don‘t have the virus. Luckily, however, I still tested negative and was able to proceed to check-in. :) It is always such an incredible relief when you can go on your trip and things go as planned! :)
At the check-in counter, I provided my passport, vaccination certificate and my test result, and received my boarding pass. I also had a digital one. Everything went smoothly. :)
My aircraft for this nearly one-hour flight down to Bavaria was an Airbus A320neo. This airplane pictured here was actually not my aircraft, but I couldn‘t get a view like these at my gate, so I took a picture of this one instead. But this one is an A320 as well, just without the Sharklets. :) My plane was only 3 gates over.
Boarding began on time at 8:30 and I took my seat at 29F. I kind of like sitting on the right side, it‘s hard to say why that is, but I‘ve been in that habit for a long time now. :) That is going to change of course, once I‘m a pilot myself sitting on the left side. :)
It was a bit cloudy that morning, but cleared up by the time we departed, and I got to see some beautiful views of our German landscape. The weather in Munich wasn‘t very nice though, as I later realized.
We pushed back on time and made our way to the runway by 9 am. I enjoyed some plane spotting as we taxied out and waved one last ´good-bye‘ to Berlin. But it shouldn‘t be too long until I come back. Hopefully within the next few months. :)
The pilots are checking the control surfaces of the aircraft, making sure that they are intact.
EasyJet also has a high presence at BER Airport. I was surprised to see an aircraft with Air Berlin livery on it. Air Berlin actually went out of business and stopped operations in 2017, I believe. Not sure what this was about, but it was nice to see it.
We were either number two or three for takeoff. One aircraft in front of us was a Finnair Airbus A319, bound for Helsinki, Finland.
Here is a video of our takeoff from Runway 25L. Enjoy! :)
Banking left towards Munich
We didn‘t climb quite as high as on longer flights; probably to less than 30,000 feet, as we would start our descent soon after takeoff. We probably stayed at cruising altitude for only about 20 minutes.
The further south we traveled, the cloudier it got. As I mentioned before, the weather in Munich wasn‘t as pleasant as in Berlin, so it was expected that the ground would be harder to see.
The flight attendants came through the cabin and handed out water bottles as well as some small chocolate. This was basically my breakfast, haha. :)
The seat pocket contained a safety card, of course, and a magazine.
„Hinein ins Nass mit Badedas“ 😄 🛁 It‘s a phrase from an old German TV commercial. :)
Extending the flaps for landing
Servus, München! :)
We landed in Munich right before 10 am local time, and taxied to Terminal 2.
We deplaned the aircraft via stairs and were taken to the terminal by bus, which is quite common at European airports.
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In conclusion, I can say that I really enjoyed this trip! While I admit that I wish I had gotten a bit more than a tiny chocolate on this flight, I am overall satisfied with Lufthansa and their performance. I also love the new Airport in Berlin. It is big, modern and has lots of opportunities to have a meal, go shopping, and more.
Munich is also a nice airport! It‘s Lufthansa‘s second base; Frankfurt is it‘s main base. While Lufthansa suffered enormously under the pandemic, they seem to recover well and flights are picking up, which is great!
Until next time, Lufthansa! :)
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