Introduction
Hello amigos!
This is the return flight from Valencia to Madrid.
You may see the inbound flight here:
Flight routing
- 1
As you will see in this report, I had the chance to fly Business Class on this flight, allowing me to fully experience IB's offering on this sector.
At Valencia- Manises
There are many ways to reach VLC from Valencia (including Metro). But my friend offered me to drive me to the airport (it took something like 45 minutes)
Since I had already checked in on the app, I went straight away to security without stopping by the counters.
Because of my IB Plus status, I was allowed to pass the fast-track security check, which took no time. I was then in the ubiquitous duty free
The terminal is like a mishmash of buildings with different styles…the newer part is fairly modern and airy.
What seems to be the older side…not so much (reminded me of T1 and 2 @ MAD)
And then there is a modern concourse for gates without airbridge.
Here's where the AENA VIP lounge is. It was well stocked and wasn't full at all. It was a great change to the gate area. I took a verdejo to pass the time to board while reading.
Then it was time to board.
After a short queue it was my time to get in….and the scanner beeped when I passed my BP through.
OMG I got an upgrade!!! (it had never happened to me before)
Onboard Air Nostrum's CRJ1000
It was a nice sunny summer day to walk to our plane.
As mentioned in other IB CRJ reviews, I find the interior of this plane to be underwhelming. It feels cramped and the seats seem from another era.
There is no difference in seats between business and tourist class cabins. I don't mind since I was upgraded…but I seriously wonder who burns money flying business on this short (and cramped) flight?
Enroute to Madrid
Boarding did take some time (a full flight after all) and then we were good to go to Barajas.
I didn't score a window this time…
…so I had to make use of my phone's zoom for views
Such as this decaying 747
Valencia is an amazing city (one of my favourites in Spain), but it doesn't have such a thing as a skyline:
The HSR lines we would have used otherwise
Port Saplaya, where I spent the weekend
The Albufera
I reckon these are rice paddies…Valencia is the home of Paella and other delicious rice dishes
Now back over Valencia…the city is quite compact.
The famous city of arts and sciences
The shore north of Valencia, and the Port
Valencia is scarred by the rail lines that go to the Estació del Nord…which couldn't fit the AVE trains…so they built a "temporary" station a couple of blocks to the south
Adeu València
I didn't expect any service on this short flight…but then the flight attendant offered me an ice cream tub and some water (other drinks were also on offer), great! I totally appreciate it on a hot day like this!
I wonder what's the service is in other seasons….
Soon enough we were over Madrid's suburbs
Back home…
We taxied in one of the few stands by Terminal 4, so no need for a bus, phew! And then we had to walk the whole (well, in truth half) concourse to leave the terminal.
It almost took me as long as the flight to get of the plane and then walk to the bus stop, wait for the bus and on…
MAD has a myriad of options to reach Madrid. My favourite, because of convenience and price is Bus 200, for only 1.50€ you're taken to AvAmerica station in about 30 mins, amazing!
