TominScotland - 27/11/2011 06:46 GMT
I flew Heathrow to Malta on the late service, arriving in Malta in the wee hours. It was a real curate's egg of a journey, great bits but also some lows. We hear a bit about the wonders of Air Malta Business on this site and i am sure that they are valid - on my flight, only a couple of the seats up front were occupied. This was my first experience of Air Malta - although I go there regularly for work, living in Scotland, the only direct option is Ryanair.
Air Malta uses Terminal 4 and its some time since I have been there - nowadays, the layout feels old fashioned and cramped as if the old T2 was the design template. Without Lounge access, I enjoyed wonderful people watching opportunities given the diversity of airlines that use this Miscellaneous Terminal.
Alitalia provide ground services for Air Malta at heathrow and we were informed in somewhat comical English of a delay with boarding due to the late arrival of the flight into Heathrow - fine except that reference to the BAA website showed that the inbound had arrived some 15 minutes early and compounded when the Purser on board explained that the delay was due to cleaning problems. If only folk would co-ordinate their excuses.
Boarding was a total fiasco and getting passengers on board (the flight was about 65% full) took considerably longer that your average 747. I was among the last to attempt to board and the air bridge queue took 15 - 20 minutes to clear. Part of the problem would appear to be with the perennial issue of the quantities of hand luggage. Alongside this, Mediterranean culture and elderly Brits provided a lethargic mix which meant that things moved incredibly slowly. By contrast, Ryanair with their 25 minute turnaround would have had everyone aboard and way before Air Malta had boarded Business Class..... The cabin crew showed no interest in speeding things up - indeed, they looked tired and bored and did not seem particularly interested in anything to do with passengers throughout the flight. Maybe the pressure on the airline is getting to them.
The aircraft was a modern 320 and relatively generous in its Economy seating space. I was half way back in 15D which was fine. Take off was 45 minutes late which was not great given a scheduled 00.40 arrival and work at 08.30 the next day. Soft drinks service is complementary but anything alcoholic is charged in Economy - not many passengers seemed to be buying. The hot meal was wonderful - a large, succulent pork steak, scalloped potatoes and broccoli were on par with many long-haul Business Class meals I have eaten. No choice, however, for anybody who does not eat pork and had neglected to book a special meal in advance. The meal was kinda undermined by the fig roll for afters! Coffee was served but I had to ask a couple of times to get my service. No further drinks on the longish flight.
Arrival was about 20 minutes late but passage through the airport was rapid and I was in my taxi by about 01.20 and in my hotel by 01.45.
