Tried & Tested

Flybe Embraer 195 economy class

16 May 2012 by Jenny Southan

CHECK-IN Flybe does not normally serve this route, with regular scheduled services from Gatwick to destinations outside the UK only being Guernsey, Jersey, Bergerac and Nantes. But on this occasion I was flying a charter service with the airline (click here to read a review of the outbound leg).

Flight BE9734 was set to depart at 1355, and as my shuttle pick-up from Val D’Isere (175km away) had been delayed due to snow on the road, I didn’t arrive at the airport until 1305. However, Terminal 2 was empty and I was the first to be checked in, issued with a boarding pass and screened at security (jackets off, liquids and laptops out). Passengers then had to wait for a bus to transfer everyone to the departure terminal a short distance away.

BOARDING When I arrived, screens showed the gate (D21) as being open, so I went through passport control immediately, at 1335, and then wait for boarding to commence. The process started at 1350, with families with children called first, then rows 31 to 20. I was in this latter group as I had been allocated seat 23A, and I was on board by 1420.

THE SEAT The seats, which are upholstered in pale grey leather, are configured 2-2 (A-B, C-D) and are quite wide and reasonably comfy for a short flight. I was happy in my window seat, 23A, on this 31-row aircraft as there weren’t many passengers sitting at the back and I was away from the noise of crying babies.

WHICH SEAT TO CHOOSE? Seats 1A, 1B, 2C 2D (there are no 1C or 1D seats) have extra legroom, as well as those in exit row 15.

THE FLIGHT Take-off had been delayed because of air traffic control problems but we pushed back at 1435 and took off not long after. Once airborne, free coffee, tea and biscuits was provided courtesy of the ski operator, but paid options included Pringles for £1.30, 18ml bottles of chardonnay wine for £3.90, 5cl bottle of Gordon’s gin also for £3.90, and two beers for £7.

ARRIVAL The journey went quickly, but the plane landed at 1605 (1505 local time) – half an hour late. There was a five-minute taxi to the gate and disembarkation was swift.

VERDICT A decent aircraft for short hops such as these, and staff were polite and friendly.

FACT FILE:

CONFIGURATION 2-2 (A-B, C-D)

SEAT PITCH 30in/76cm

CONTACT flybe.com

Jenny Southan

Loading comments...

Search Flight

See a whole year of Reward Seat Availability on one page at SeatSpy.com

Business Traveller March 2024 edition
Business Traveller March 2024 edition
Be up-to-date
Magazine Subscription
To see our latest subscription offers for Business Traveller editions worldwide, click on the Subscribe & Save link below
Polls