Hi again,
This report is a continuation of my trip to Riga and Tallinn with airBaltic.
You can find the previous legs descriptions here:
WAW-RIX: http://flight-report.com/en/report-12924.html
RIX-TLL: http://flight-report.com/en/report-12949.html
On the end of this report I will post some bonus pictures and information regarding Tallinn.
Our schedule for this day was flight from TLL to RIX at 15:15 and then from RIX to WAW at 18:40. Tallinn's airport is located very close to the city centre, there is a bus but as the taxi costs approximately 5 - 8 euro it is much better choice than waiting for a bus in the winter cold. The trip from the Old Town took not more than 10 minutes.
The terminal outside and inside
We've checked in on-line as otherwise it cost 10 euro but with no boaring passes printed we headed to airBaltic check-in where the cards were printed by a very friendly lady. After a short walk thing I detest the most while flying - security control. Luckily in TLL it was a pleasure, the staff was very polite and helpful, they should send here WAW security staff for training! You can rate the security check and we were sure they deserved the highest mark.
The airport is small and cosy, I could spend hours there as there is no rush, there are no crowds and it seems designed for the passengers to make them feel relaxed.
General view (not the best photo but the only one I have :( )
Fameous people who visited the airport, among them Poland's former president Lech Walesa
Every gate is designed in different way, I love it!
Let's look outside
BMI Regional ERJ 145 operating flight to Oslo for Adria that took almost all the flights of Estonian Air
Finnair's ATR to Helsinki
It looks like LOT has a dedicated gate with a poster promoting flights via WAW
Our flight to Riga is co-shared with Air Berlin
We reach our gate, I look outside and see a 737-300 parked at the gate while we were supposed to fly Q400 again. What a nice surprise! I've never been so happy to fly a classic 737 but this time it is a possibility to try more of BT fleet than just Q400.
Boarding starts a little bit late and it looks like we are going to take back to Riga the crew of a Q400 that has just arrived.
Finally we are on board. My seat is 14A. There is no row 13 and the rows 11 and 12 are the ones with emergency window exit. There are only 2 seats in row 11.
The aircraft is not the youngest I'm afraid yet it is well maintained, with new seats and it's very clean. The legroom could be better!
Q400 that has just arrived from Riga.
View of the terminal as we taxi for take off
Frozen remains of Estonian Air fleet. So sad! :(
Ready for take off!
And here we go
It's a nice and smooth flight
The LF is high, most places in economy are occupied and there is someone in businness class too. Many passengers continue their trip from Riga. Even though the flight lasts only 30 minutes there is a standard service.
Descending to Riga
Landing
Welcome back to Riga
Our aircraft
We arrived slightly later than scheduled but nevermind, our flight to WAW is in 2,5 hours so we have plenty of time.
Now, as promised, some bonus pics from Tallinn
The Old Town Market Square
View from the upper town
View from the city walls
A trip to Pirita, Tallinn's beach district with ruins of a medieval monastery
The Baltic sea almost frozen
No, it's not sunset, not yet, it's 12:00 o'clock :) Never seen the sun so low midday!
The Old Town at night
And now a small food guide ;) There are plenty of places to eat in Tallinn but the one and only is Olde Hansa restaurant, not too cheap but no doubt a must if you want to try a medieval cuisine in unforgettable atmosphere.
Beer with herbs or honey beer - both simply delicious
Duck in saffron sauce
For a desert a place not to miss is Maiasmokk cafe, the oldest in town (1864)
Draakon is a place in the medieval town hall where you can taste the elk soup and some hot wine. It has almost the same atmosphere as Olde Hansa but the prices are lower (the choice is much smaller) and the staff isn't too polite. Anyway the elk soup is something you don't eat everyday.
And last but not least I recommend Kompressor with tasty huge pancakes for about 4-5 euro.
Hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading.
The last part is about to come soon.
Yes indeed, I enjoyed it ! (both the flight report itself and the bonus)
Neat pictures and a relevant narrative. Thanks for sharing !
Nice report, and great to see a report about an airline I've not at all familiar with. Awesome photos of Riga as well too! Looks like a very nice place to visit.
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks!
Thanks for sharing this FR!
We've checked in on-line as otherwise it cost 10 euro
- What costs 10 euros?
Fameous people who visited the airport
- Not the most flattering picture of Bush, lol. The airport looks like all the Scandic airports with nice hardwood floors. They always look very warm and inviting.
The B737 looks well-maintained (even retrofitted with winglets) and doesn't look old from the cabin shots. Seat pitch is tight, but that is expected on a LCC.
Beautiful bonus once again, even in the cold winter, it looks like a great place to visit.
They charge you for a traditional check-in at the airport, I remeber the same thing being done some years ago by EasyJet.
Yes, you're right, this airport is so warm and cosy, I could definitely spend more time there.
I'm glad you liked the photos. Many thanks!
Really? I find that really surprising from BT to charge you for that. Yet they offer J seats...