Impressed! (Eastern Airways)

Member Name: Coxy1974

Product:	Eastern Airways
Date:	31/10/07 (186 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent customer service

Disadvantages: Pricey

I recently needed to get back to East Midlands airport from Aberdeen. I'd flown into Edinburgh BMI Baby, stayed overnight and trained and then hired a car and driven to Aberdeen. I couldn't get over how difficult it was to get a flight from Aberdeen. I could fly to Birmingham from there but exactly clever when I'd left my car at East Mids.

However, I came across Eastern Airways purely by chance by Googling Aberdeen to East Midlands flights. I typed in all the information and nearly fell off my chair when the price came up £195. Christ on a Bike were my first thoughts. Anyway, I wasn't paying so made the booking and duly flew home from Aberdeen.

Eastern Airways are a small airline that have about 30 or so planes in their fleet. The one I flew home on was a jet stream seating about 29 people.

I always arrive at Airports early and like to get luggage rid of asap so I arrived at 5pm to be on the 7pm flight. I was able to check in straight away and was asked which seat I would like. The check in was great, really speedy and efficient and the lady on the desk was really very polite which seems to be a complete rarity these days. She told me to make my way down to the Eastern Airways lounge which at Aberdeen is located at Gate 10.

I decided to have a drink in the bar first and browse which at Aberdeen airport takes about 5 minutes as theres not much to browse around. Feeling refreshed after my pint I wondered along to the lounge past people with screaming kids (there'd been a flight delayed) and although have nothing against kids I'd had a hellish couple of days travelling and training and I just wanted some peace and quiet.

Entering the lounge the calmness of it washed over me. With free tea, coffee, biscuits and soft drinks it's a very nice lounge to sit in and wait for your flight. You still get all the flight announcements and there's a screen with the flights on so you can still check.

Boarding was OK however, Eastern Airways now operate a Valet hand luggage system where you leave your hand luggage on a cart for it to be stowed in the hold. I had a company laptop and because of the regs at the minute no handbag so all my stuff was in the bag. Made to leave it at the Valet I was a bit concerned but when I boarded the plane the lady said I could go back and fetch it which was nice (also company policy is for laptops not to go in the hold under any circumstances) and I stowed it under the seat in front of me. I had a double seat all to myself as the plane was only about half full.

The flight was smooth and I actually enjoyed it - one of the smoothest take off and landing ever experienced and this flight was the 30th this year. After take off the announcement came over that there would be refreshments (actually the flight attendant had come round earlier with a bowl of sweets - yes a bowl - for take off) and snacks. Great I thought as I had about a fiver on me and was starving. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they were all free including Champagne.

It wasn't just one glass either, the attendant kept coming over and topping me up (maybe that's why the landing was so smooth) and asking if I needed anything else.

Once off the plane I entered the airport terminal to find my suitcase already on the carousel! Never ever ever happens except at Edinburgh airport but that's only because the walk through the terminal is so long. I was literally off the plane and out of the airport within 10 minutes.

To be honest I really couldn't fault the service of the airline. It was of the very highest standard and made such a change to be travelling in that way. I felt really taken care of and more than a little tiddly when I arrived home to my now husband to be. Even had to leave the car at the airport and take a taxi home!

At some airports you can actually go through security faster and from what I remember reading the company magazine this includes Birmingham airport and the bigger ones.

Only downfall is price and I feel for what you get it's expensive. If I was paying then I wouldn't fly and I would drive but I would definitely fly Eastern Airways again if the company are paying!

Summary: I suppose you get what you pay for