Review of Georgian Airways flight from Tbilisi to Amsterdam in Business

Introduction

This is my first review and is stirred by a lack of reviews covering business class of the flag carrier of Georgia. Please enjoy and I hope that it is pleasantly informative.

Check-in

I arrive at Tbilisi's airport (TBS) two and a half hours before the scheduled departure time and have to wait for the check-in desk details to be revealed. The check-in finally opens around one hour and 50 minutes before departure. There are three desks open with a dedicated business class counter.

I'm checked in fairly quickly and routed upstairs to immigration and security. The check-in desk staff member advises me that the lounge is upstairs. As I later find out, there is in fact no business class lounge for Georgian Airways as the carrier does not have a contract with, what I found to be, the only premium lounge. I instead head towards the gate and wait for boarding to commence. 

Boarding

Boarding commences approximately 40 minutes before departure with a separate queue for business class passengers. Onboard, I am greeted by friendly cabin crew and some rather comfortable looking business class armchairs in a rather retro design. There are three rows in business class in a 2-2 configuration, which is a welcome treat for this approximately five hour flight.

There is plenty of legroom and the seat is pleasantly padded and feels comfortable and supportive. Placed on the seat is a bright blue cushion that is nicely firm, but sadly encased in a shiny synthetic fabric. The aircraft is definitely showing its age and the ware and tear of this aged frame are noticeable in the fittings and furnishings. Entertainment is simply provided with the inflight magazine as there is no IFE. 

At my seat, I am immediately offered a bottle of Georgian water by the friendly attendant and the cabin begins to fill up quickly and is completed well before our scheduled departure time.

In-flight

We push back from the gate approximately 10 minutes ahead of schedule and after a short taxi are up in the air in no time and soaring above the city westwards towards Europe. The cabin attendant shuts the curtains for the front cabin space and offers some fleece blankets that are cosy though somewhat aged. There is a slight waft of breakfast cooking as we settle into the flight.

Approximately 30 minutes into the flight, breakfast is offered and it's a choice of sweet rice or pancakes. I select the pancakes and a sour cherry juice and coffee. My meal is served with a white napkin and a tiny bowl with a hot wet towel. This is a really nice touch and elevates the experience.

A crisp white napkin and a hot wet towel

A breakfast tray is served

With a hot coffee on the side

Breakfast is cheese pancakes with a hot roll, hot chocolate muffin, fruit, and a selection of Georgian cheeses, along with sour cherry juice and coffee. The fare is somewhat simple, but tasty enough and I finish the lot. The glassware still reveals the legacy of the carrier under its previous name Airzena. I'm not sure what was served in economy class, but I know that there are items to purchase which feature in a rather sophisticated looking menu brochure in the seatback pocket.

As with many in the cabin, I sink into my seat after the breakfast tray is taken away and I get a good few hours sleep. The cabin crew are present and I do request another drink mid-flight, which is served promptly and in the same nostalgic glassware.

Descent

The crew start to make preparations for landing around 40 minutes before landing. I note that they are still serving customers right up to about 15 minutes before we touch down. Curtains are swiftly pulled back, inspections are made and then we are on the path down to Schiphol. The sunshine is dazzling as the pilots conduct turn after turn above the elongated green fields below us, and then we are cleared and begin our final descent. 

Approaching from the south, we finally plunge down onto the runway with a noisy clatter that only an aged aeroplane will make.  The purser wishes us a nice day as we take a short taxi to our stand at Gate D23. Next to us is a beautiful Flying Dutchman resplendent in the spring sunshine with it's sunglasses on!

Descending towards AMS

At the arrival gate

Georgian Airways 737 sitting in the sun