OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24924 posts, RR: 60 Posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 12011 times:
Welcome to my final part of my one months travel. The time had come to fly back to Ireland and like they say all good things must come to an end !
My choice to fly home was to be SAS. I love their MD80s and their times from ATH would be ideal for me also. I love the SK product and so there really was no other way to fly back to Ireland .
I had enjoyed such a wonderful time with my Family and it actually was hard to decide what I enjoyed more out of the whole month. Yes I had a wonderful cruise in the Caribbean and J class with TK , seeing my Family in Antigua etc... There is something that I always look forward to when I take my December trip to Athens. You cant beat quality time with Family and just not really doing anything but relaxing and being together money cant buy. Despite the problems in Greece at the moment its still a wonderful country with rich culture, fantastic scenery and good food. ''Philoxenia'' is a Greek word and something that will remain even in these bad times.
Some photos during my stay :
Cute dog :
For Hannah
Chilling at Starbucks
Greek Souvlaki , delicious and cheap at only EUR1.90
Some cakes :
Greek curry
Two days before I was leaving my Aunts decided to make me my favourite cakes Melomakarona. Same as the ones above from the bakery but as you expect alot better homemade.
So the morning of departure came and I said goodbye to my Family . My Cousin dropped me off at the express bus stop and I made my way to ATH Airport.
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24924 posts, RR: 60 Reply 1, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 12213 times:
DATE: 18/DEC/2011
FLIGHT: SK 778
AIRLINE: SAS
ROUTE: ATH - CPH
CLASS: BUSINESS
SEAT: 2F
AIRCRAFT: MD-80
REG: SE - DIP
When I arrived the SK check in desk was not open yet so I had to wait around twenty minutes.
OA codeshare with EY to AUH :
Soon the SK check in desk opened and it was time to drop my heavy cases and get my boarding pass. The check in agent was very friendly and invited me to relax in the Goldair Lounge. I was looking forward to this as I have never been in it but heard good reports about it .
After that I wanted to take some pics of the OA A340's , you never know when they might finally move. The best place was half way down the ramp upto the departures level. There was a security office at the top of it so I decided to ask the guy if it was ok . The guy was pleasant and said yes of course take what you want.
Dedicated to Bobby
Soon it was time to head back in and go through security.
Great lounge but no access today sadly :
Once was a great lounge until they turned it into a cheap holding area :
Lets see what this lounge offers :
I was welcomed in by a friendly enough lounge agent and first impressions were good :
Some nice food options and Nespresso machine ( always a winner )
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24924 posts, RR: 60 Reply 2, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 12151 times:
Greek feta and spinach pies and tasted lovely .
Soon it was time to head to the Aegean Airlines lounge :
I was welcomed in by a smiling lounge agent and advised that boarding calls were not made.
Similar to the Goldair lounge offerings :
Very nice selection :
I love this section in the A3 lounge they promote and show off Greek wine with nice menu cards. They had a really good choice and some pretty damn good wine. Long gone the days of cheapo paint stripper blends.
Love these trays think they would miss it ?
After a nice relaxing time in the lounge it was time to head to the gate :
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24924 posts, RR: 60 Reply 4, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 12137 times:
And another one :
The meal arrived and I was not dissapointed. Greek Mousakka and really lovely tasting. Never knew you could get this standard of Mousakka on a flight !
More drinks offered :
I really do love these SK sayings on their doors/catering items etc...
Coffee was offered :
Sweet was also offered and of course accepted :
Finally I was offered a rather large Baileys but I wasnt complaining ( cheers Eric )
After that I was quite tired so took a nap . A while later it was time to land into CPH :
Is this always parked here in between flights ???
We parked up on stand and I disembarked thanking the crew for a lovely flight . I then made my way to the SK Lounges. I had a very short connection but no problem here at CPH , you even get a bit of lounge time.
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24924 posts, RR: 60 Reply 6, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 12118 times:
Soon all the passengers had boarded and we pushed back.
Soon after take off hot towels were handed out :
Drinks were offered :
Then a rather pleasant and nice tasting meal :
Along with a nice glass of wine :
Coffee was offered :
Love the window shade :
Soon it was time to begin our decent into DUB . It was a weird feeling coming in over Dublin bay , I felt I had been away for ages and it was the longest time I had been away in 14 years ! We had an interesting landing due to the winds but wasnt a bad landing .
I disembarked the aircraft via the stairs and was greeted with an artic blast ( well it was for me coming from warm weather ) .
Bags came off after around twenty minutes and I made my way into the arrivals.
Long gone the days of the snowmen and penguins that used to welcome you back to Ireland. Kind of miss them but I guess the DAA are getting good bucks from Coca Cola !
Some Christmas images of Ireland's cities :
Belfast :
Dublin :
So thats the end of my report. It was an amazing time off travelling from Ireland-Germany-USA-Caribbean-Canada-Turkey-Greece-UK-Greece-Turkey-Greece-Ireland
Quoting OA260 (Reply 2): Love these trays think they would miss it ?
would say no,
have to admit that I have a nice wine glass collection of LAN at home
Quoting OA260 (Reply 3): After take off I was offered a pre dinner drink :
why are they offering personal bottles? of course this makes this even a little bit more luxiours
Quoting OA260 (Reply 4): The meal arrived and I was not dissapointed. Greek Mousakka and really lovely tasting. Never knew you could get this standard of Mousakka on a flight !
wow the oilvis are lookig specially goood
Have to say that all food on SK seems great ! also nice combo of your drinks... what left ? jeje
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24924 posts, RR: 60 Reply 9, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 11878 times:
Quoting Avianca (Reply 7): again a great report! really love your reports, your trip was really amazing, great airline mix, but for sure not cheap or?
Hi there and thanks so much for your reply. Really appreciated . I used Star Alliance miles for 70% of the trip so it was not too bad at all. Always nice to use the miles for something special.
Quoting Avianca (Reply 7): well I think a Business lounge should always offer at least Black Label or other 12 years scotch instead of the red one....
Im not a big drinker and rarely use these spirits so I cant say I notice these things .
Quoting Avianca (Reply 7): have to admit that I have a nice wine glass collection of LAN at home
Thats nice always cool to get these things if you can .
Quoting Avianca (Reply 7): why are they offering personal bottles? of course this makes this even a little bit more luxiours
Yes I agree I love the personal bottles.
Quoting Avianca (Reply 7): Have to say that all food on SK seems great ! also nice combo of your drinks... what left ? jeje
SK really did a great job I couldnt ask them for anymore.
Quoting Avianca (Reply 7): Looking forward for your next reports!
Saludos
Avianca
Thanks alot and I hope this is correct ¡Suerte hermano!
Quoting LGWflyer (Reply 8): Also by the way your aircraft on the way back to DUB on SK2537 was LN-RMO. I had a look on Google for you and found a DUB aircraft movements website.
This link takes you to the 18DEC11 and you can see your flight/aircraft:
LGWflyer From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2011, 2348 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 11849 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 9): Thomas you are brilliant thanks alot I didnt get the chance to get it at the gate . Much appreciated that you took time to get that for me .
Ahh not a problem! Nothing worst in the world than getting on a aircraft and not knowing which one it is, enjoy and I hope it helps you out.
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6087 posts, RR: 56 Reply 11, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 11809 times:
Hi Philip!
Thanks for another great report with great report in this series.
The meal on SK looks really really nice!
Great also that you got to fly on a MD-87 from ATH.
This has been a great series of reports with nice variety of routes, aircraft and airlines!
Thanks again!
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
FlyingFinn76 From Finland, joined Jun 2009, 1705 posts, RR: 41 Reply 12, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 11605 times:
Hi Phil,
A very nice conclusion on your extended travels last year. Really like those pictures from Athens, looks so refreshing from all this snow and coldness. Oh and of course the images I saw on TV last night about the protests and angry people burning cars and stuff.
Congratulations for catching another SAS MD-87, those birds are getting really rare nowadays and you should savor every opportunity you have to fly with them!
Is this what used to be the Swissport lounge at the end of the terminal with the windows facing the satellite/midfield terminal? Looks a bit like it, but not sure. I was there a year ago and thought it was quite a nice lounge - very stylish and not crowded at all on a Sunday morning. Oh and those pastries were absolutely delicious!
You seem to get in with Diners so maybe I'll check it out again.
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): Soon it was time to head to the Aegean Airlines lounge :
...and this definitely looks like the grand prize! Very stylish.
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): The meal arrived and I was not dissapointed. Greek Mousakka and really lovely tasting. Never knew you could get this standard of Mousakka on a flight !
Hey, that looks delicious. You are making me hungry!
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): Is this always parked here in between flights ???
Yes, it has a really long layover at CPH every day.
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): Then a rather pleasant and nice tasting meal :
Another really good looking SAS business class meal, impressive.
Nice bonus but I think Xmas is now long gone - how about posting some early spring images next - I could surely use those during these cold and snowy days....
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 12): A very nice conclusion on your extended travels last year. Really like those pictures from Athens, looks so refreshing from all this snow and coldness. Oh and of course the images I saw on TV last night about the protests and angry people burning cars and stuff.
Yes I saw them too but as always same place all the time lol... three streets down they are drinking Ouzo and playing cards in the cafes lol... nothing to worry about
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 12): Congratulations for catching another SAS MD-87, those birds are getting really rare nowadays and you should savor every opportunity you have to fly with them!
When are these to leave the fleet by ? I sure am glad I got to go on it .
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 12): Kinda interesting that Adria, a *A carrier uses this lounge.
Yes its a bit weird and in ATH SQ use OA lounge .
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 12): Ok, thanks for the warning. I'll be flying LH out of ATH in May (if the country doesn't implode before that) so I'll stick to the A3 lounge then.
Indeed go to the A3 lounge instead .
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 12): Is this what used to be the Swissport lounge at the end of the terminal
The Swissport one is non schengen at the other end , LX used to use it before they went schengen.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 12): Yes, it has a really long layover at CPH every day.
Arr ok do you know what destinations they fly to ? Is it just Greenland ?
Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 13): Great report Philip - I do like the seats on SK, at least on these MD's, they look really comfortable.
Hey Mark thanks fo the reply. I loved the seats very nice indeed .
Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 13): I love those glasses they use, could do with some.......
I agree I love these glasses but I also want the AY ones lol..
FlyingFinn76 From Finland, joined Jun 2009, 1705 posts, RR: 41 Reply 15, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 11288 times:
Hi again,
Quoting OA260 (Reply 14): Arr ok do you know what destinations they fly to ? Is it just Greenland ?
Yes. The A330 goes to SFJ - Kangerlussuaq/Sondre Strømfjord. During the summer season they also serve Narsarsuaq (UAK) ex-CPH, that used to be a 757 but I think they got rid of those so they use various other carriers to operate the service for them. I saw an Air Finland 757 operating that route last summer at CPH.
djb77 From UK - Scotland, joined Sep 2001, 214 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 11272 times:
Dear all,
Quick question to those of you "in-the-know" - the SK MD81/82 OA260 traveled back to DUB on seemed to have a huge amount of cupboard storage prior to business class. Is this a normal config for the SK MD81/82? And is the toilet with the blind ahead of the cupboard storage?
Many thanks
djb77
gpbcroppers63 From Ireland, joined Jan 2008, 511 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 11255 times:
Ah the final report in the series. What can I say, yet another masterpiece! Thanks for taking us along with you on this amazing month-long trip. It's a shame it had to come to an end!
SAS look great. I've never flown with them but am looking forward to doing so for the first time next month. Hopefully my flights will be as good as yours. Your pictures of Greece are excellent. I really am jealous of that picture of the Gyros. Looks stunning and so cheap as well.
The meals on SK look really nice and it sounds like the service was good too. They certainly kept the drinks flowing. I'd say you struggled with the size of that Baileys!! You were really lucky to get on an MD-87 as well as the normal MD-80. Congrats on that.
Thanks again for this whole series of reports. Looking forward to reading about your next big adventure!
Gareth
According to one of my colleagues, my problem is that I'm addicted to travel!
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24924 posts, RR: 60 Reply 20, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 11189 times:
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 15): Yes. The A330 goes to SFJ - Kangerlussuaq/Sondre Strømfjord. During the summer season they also serve Narsarsuaq (UAK) ex-CPH, that used to be a 757 but I think they got rid of those so they use various other carriers to operate the service for them. I saw an Air Finland 757 operating that route last summer at CPH
Thanks P interesting routes would love to do a trip on them someday
Quoting djb77 (Reply 16): seemed to have a huge amount of cupboard storage prior to business class. Is this a normal config for the SK MD81/82? And is the toilet with the blind ahead of the cupboard storage?
Many thanks
I wondered that also the seatmap looked different and I wondered why it was until I got onboard.
Quoting SOBHI51 (Reply 17): The Usual great report, you never wrote a dull one yet.
Also nice picture (a lot of them)
Hey thanks for the reply glad you enjoyed it
Quoting SOBHI51 (Reply 17): Thanks God no Swissport problems in ATH
No IIRC Olympic Handling
Quoting SOBHI51 (Reply 17): Enjoy Cold Ireland after your nice warm vacation
Oh I have been but the warm weather is due to hit me very soon
Quoting gpbcroppers63 (Reply 18): SAS look great. I've never flown with them but am looking forward to doing so for the first time next month.
You will have a great trip I know it . Really nice routing too !
Quoting gpbcroppers63 (Reply 18): Your pictures of Greece are excellent. I really am jealous of that picture of the Gyros. Looks stunning and so cheap as well.
Yes a really nice time to be there and always love it . No need to tell you that you are a honory citizen by now
Quoting gpbcroppers63 (Reply 18): The meals on SK look really nice and it sounds like the service was good too. They certainly kept the drinks flowing.
Yes they impressed with the food and drinks for sure .
Quoting gpbcroppers63 (Reply 18): Thanks again for this whole series of reports. Looking forward to reading about your next big adventure!
Thanks Gareth and yes the next one should be fab for sure , camera already on charge
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 21, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 11154 times:
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter):
After that I wanted to take some pics of the OA A340's , you never know when they might finally move.
I saw those last week, but didn't manage a photo
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): I was welcomed in by a friendly enough lounge agent and first impressions were good :
Looks nice. I was only in the OA non-Schengen lounge, but all the ATH lounges look nice and new
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): The meal arrived and I was not dissapointed. Greek Mousakka and really lovely tasting. Never knew you could get this standard of Mousakka on a flight !
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 19): nice final part of your series! SK's product looks good, one cannot complain about that catering! Btw - I really like that intro picture.
Thanks alot and glad you liked the intro pic. I never get tired of seeing the Acropolis when Im in Athens. I always look up and take it in .
Haha maybe IMF have cut his dog food allowance . Maybe he dreams back to the days of the Drachma
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 21): I saw those last week, but didn't manage a photo
Yes always nice to see but sad also. The debacle continues but who knows how long they will be there for. Enjoy them while you can .
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 21): Looks nice. I was only in the OA non-Schengen lounge, but all the ATH lounges look nice and new
Yes I have to say ATH is celebrating 10 years of operations and it is still a brand new looking place. They keep it very clean and the lounges look well kept also . They are bright and clean and have decent stocks of refreshments. The OA lounges are not so bright but I actually like that . Its nice to have a contrast .
Widebodyroga From United States of America, joined Sep 2008, 473 posts, RR: 4 Reply 23, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 11033 times:
Hey Philip,
What a nice conclusion to your vacation. Nice photos of Athens; too bad that some of those places may look very different this morning...
I'm no expert in lounges but this one looked pretty good. Tons of puff pastries and bread-based snacks, I noticed. It is Greece after all.
Glad to hear that you had no issues at check-in this time
A very nice TR to read. I hope it is not too long before you go on another expedition like this.
WBodyroga
Visit my aviation page: http://widebodyroga.weebly.com/
sultanils From Belgium, joined Mar 2010, 1188 posts, RR: 29 Reply 24, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 11031 times:
Hello Philip,
Nice picturesque story once again. An excellent score with 2 MD’s and looking at the safety cards, 2 different subtypes as well. Are you settled again at your desk at work. It’s alaways amazing how fast these vacations fly (pun intended ).
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): I love the SK product and so there really was no other way to fly back to Ireland .
Although it’s quite a detour to Ireland, no?
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): The guy was pleasant and said yes of course take what you want.
That’s cool. And yes, still sad to see these planes standing there. I do like the rings on the tail as a reference to the Olympic Games. It’s a very classic livery I think. I just wonder it the airport isn’t in need of those jetbridges? And what’s that LH 747 doing there?
Thanks Phil! Next time you go to ATH you can connect through BRU on SN metal maybe?
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): Then a rather pleasant and nice tasting meal :
Was it just beef or some reindeer meat maybe?
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): We had an interesting landing due to the winds but wasnt a bad landing .
And you know when you’re back in DUB when the first spot is a Ryanair plane
Sultanils
Make some noise Rolls Royce!
25 OA260: Hey there and thanks for the reply Just speaking to my family and it was quite contained as usual. Just looks worse on TV All clean up is underway an
26 globalflyer: HI Philip. Very nice TR. SK looks like they really have a nice JCL service! Excellent pictures of ATH and also the Irish cities! Cheers, William
27 Parton87: Hello Philip! Thanks for the great report. Love the pictures from Athens, it looks very beautiful. A lot different from the pictures we have seen on t
28 OA260: Hi thanks for the reply Yes thought id add a few of Ireland Thanks yes the lounges are nice and you should certainly try SK they really have upped th
29 akhmad: Philip, what are you doing to us? Your final? That soon? Why? Luckily it is not that hard for me. I enjoyed every single segment of your trip report s
30 deltamartin: Hi Philip! Nice report as usual! Good to see you had a couple of nice flights on my home airline! Nice to catch one of only 3 MD-87's in the fleet! "S
31 OA260: Hey Suryo Aww thanks alot really appreciate that . Yes on the next AMS flight as we speak lol.. True , treat people as you wish to be treated is the
32 Knightsofmalta: Hi Philip What a perfect way to end your epic journey with two MD-87/MD80 flights with SAS! Look rather delicious. So what are they made of and what d
34 OA260: Hey William and thanks for the reply. Indeed was one of the reasons I chose SK over A3 and LX They are like sweet shortbread really soft and chopped
35 FLIEGER67: Hey, Philip, such a great number of stories. And also pictures, well done. Good to see that SK offered nice service on you´re flights and of course o
36 AlwaysOnAPlane: Hey Phil. Wow, amazing service here with SK. Really good way to round off the month long trip. What stands out to me here is the food service, especia
37 OA260: Hello Markus thanks alot Im glad you enjoyed them it was an unusual and big trip for me . Hi Lee yes SK did everything right and I know what you mean
38 LH4116: Hi Philip, fantastic report! Really been looking forward to hear your views on my beloved SAS, and it seems like you had a fabulous experience! SAS re
39 reifel: Thanks for sharing, nice that SK keeps these mad dogs in such a good shape. I think Delta does well in this regard, too. Tell me, the satellite buildi
40 OA260: Hey Jonas thanks for the reply. Glad I did ''Your'' Airline justice Yeah I know I wish they would have J class sales for around EUR500-600 for DUB-AT
41 767747: Another good report, Philip! Looks like SK treated you well on your two flights. We enjoyed flying them - very high level of service, and friendly cre
42 OA260: Hi Matthew and thanks for the reply Yes SK were great . I love the product and CPH airport is a very easy place to transit even in the shortest of co
43 shufflemoomin: Fantistic trip report with some excellent pictures. Despite what some have said to the contrary, no, it isn't. I'm down that way 3 or 4 times a week a
44 airbuseric: Hey Philip! great report. You know, I love this airline. Very classy, and the MD80s are great to fly. I know this one! A lovely small harbour and squa
45 mikedlayer: Loved the trip report - thank you. I'm yet to fly an MD80 route although have one booked for the summer. SAS look like they have fantastic service on
46 OA260: Hi thanks alot Thanks for the info and are those your pics ? They are really nice Hey Eric thanks for dropping by Yes and still good value at the inc
47 roberts87: Thanks for this great report. Nice way to finish your travels indeed. Athens looks great, I would love to visit it sometime. And the service on SK loo
48 717Flyer: Hi Philip, Finnair used to have a Finnish slogan, "Illaksi kotiin", which when translated to English converts to "bringing you home for the night". No
49 LH4116: If you've read my reply you'll see that I only have very positing things to say about SAS Biz product. It's simply fantastic! Economy… Not so much
50 OA260: Hey there Robert and thanks for the reply. Yes add Athens to your list you will love it . Just looked at the LH website lounge info and they state wi
51 MSS658: Hi Philip Welcome home! SAS seems like a nice choice! Great you where able to catch the MD80-series back to DUB! Just such a great plane. Flew on many
52 stipica: Hi Philip ! the end of the epic journey ... not only for you but for us too ... ahhh a bit sad ... heheheh ...I know I know lots of other stuff but I
53 signol: Hi Philip, how did I miss this report? Sorry for the late comment! Is it your family's? Cardboard cups? And is the marina the Marina Zea? It looks fam
54 flightsimboy: Hi Philip, I had read this when it was first posted and I am glad to able to comment on it now. That also saw you take a TK J flight a day before I to
55 OA260: Hi Marc Yes it was a great thing to bag for sure. The AC is lovely . Hey and thanks for the reply. Yes memories now but I have my pics to look back a
56 ODAFZ: I fear I will repeat myself , outstanding report. Nothing beats the homemade melomacarona ( in Egypt and Lebanon they are called them finikia, because
57 lychemsa: So do you prefer LX or SK? No desert from CPH to DUB?
58 OA260: Hey thanks alot Oh never knew they had that in Egypt/Lebanon. The Lebanese are master cake makers so I must try those sometime. Well I guess they had
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