Another great report. That was red, gold and black quinoa served with your tuna ( I eat it often so recognized it at once, lol). Nice to see the airlines serving stuff like that. Thanks for all your excellent reports this past year. Keep it up and a Happy Christmas to you.
At this rate you'll be flying Swiss First Class very soon, looking forward to see you do it. Thank you for sharing so generously🌟🌟🌟SAS, Swiss & Lufthansa are my absolute favourites in Europe and worldwide, could partly be a cultural reason for that😉
Have a nice Christmas with your family Paul! 🎅👍👪 I've really enjoyed watching your videos since subscribing the last few months! 😀 Your filming is very professional and to a high standard! 📹👌
Hi Paul, just recently stumbled across your channel and I've been pretty much binge watching your travels.. As someone who loves to travel himself, I've really been enjoying these vids and almost inspired to do the same (But Bank account says no :P) Anyway keep it up and I look forward to seeing where you go in 2018 :)
I don't live in romania, But i am from România and during the winter it is really grey. Each season is kind of gray, excepț the summer Which is always sunny. Merry Christmas!!!
Thanks for the reply Paul, thats a great Hobby, please keep it up as i really like your reports. Great Christmas and a happy new year but most important safe and enjoyable flights.
I think there should be proper wider more comfortable seats in a 2+2 config for business class, it naughty how they just block off the middle seat instead
I look at a lot of these airline meals and think "That's been Chef-ed." i.e. It was once a perfectly good meal and then a chef came along and f**ked about with it until it was inedible. 😂
Enjoy your posts, wish it was easier to read what you include at the bottom. Have to rewind a couple times and have trouble with white letters on white or light backgrounds. Thanks and keep up the travel.
I got to tell you the flight look very good as far as the aviation perspective but looking at that engine cowling I kind of have my doubts especially this being a 96 model plane you had me a little worried there for a while .... I watch your trip reports all my surround sound so I can get the best sound out of the take off in the flight and watching that engine kind of had me worried but I'm glad you had fun
Radoz I've had a bad experience on a a319 that look pretty worn come to find out that the a319 that I was flying on which happened to be a US Airways aircraft born in 1999 had suffered to bird strikes not saying that that would affect the flight it just some carriers don't keep their planes looking brand new and others do
Journey length is always included in the description. I don’t usually disclose the cost of my trips as the information won’t be useful to most. In this case (and as is often the case) I use complicated triangular or open jaw itineraries that nobody else would dream of booking in order to make things work logistically, prioritising a variety of carriers and aircraft types. My itinerary here was OTP-ZRH-LCY (six month gap) BHX-ZRH-MXP. I can’t give example costings as air fares are dynamically priced across markets and the availability of fare buckets. I was on this aircraft for less than £250 for the whole itinerary, but that cost is impossible to attain and not going to work for most thanks to my bespoke itineraries. Some people may have paid £500 one way.
I went to Bucharest in March and it was sunny. Flew on Swissair in the early 90s' Zurich to Bucharest and in economy they gave a hot meal!!! No more. Tarom give a tiny hot meal. LOL Swiss don't even give a hot meal in Business!
I have never been to Europe, but watching your reports I have noticed how prevalent English signage is in airports, and English cabin crew announcements, I would have never expected this.
English is a universal language worldwide and it is very prevalent in airports. This is because it’s a second or third language for many people, so if they don’t understand the local language, they’ll get what they need from English.
Normally the weather in Romania is very sunny. In summer, you often get temperatures of 35°C and higher. Trust me, it's hard to even breath then.. ;). Anyway, great Report! Maybe you can test out Tarom? They offer an good service with free food and drinks :)
radbcc Not ideal but it’s what we have in Europe. However the flip side is what you get in the States - a nice armchair, but forget about any reasonable catering on all but the longer flights. Also lounge access is rare. Domestic business and first in the USA is often full of coupon upgrades anyway. It’s a different market I guess.
Nice trip report as always Paul. When can we expect your jet2 report? Flying with them for the first time in Feb from Ncl- AGP. so really interested in that one.
Was this flight part of your Birmingham-Romania-Zurich-LCY roundtrip? Wondering if Swiss uses the 319 on one-class flights on occasion since the 'business class' cabin has 3 seats in each row ? The Bucharest terminal has more of an office building lobby look than a terminal,I'm sure the smoking lounge reeked of cigarettes---did you get FF miles for this trip? Winter in western Europe means lots of low overcast,very little sun even at altitude!
Yes this was part of that round trip. Swiss never flies single cabin short haul flights because passengers flying on long haul business or first inevitably connect through somewhere else. Half the passengers in my cabin would be off to Zürich and then somewhere else like Hong Kong or New York perhaps. A single cabin aircraft wouldn’t really do for connecting premium passengers. I collected ANZ Airpoints.
I am a new subscriber, and people have probably commented on this before, but: do you ever for a change take economy class to show the experience of the masses? Merry Christmas.
Thanks Richard. Yes, most of my air travel is in economy; have a look back on my videos and you’ll see I travel economy a lot more than you’d think from the last few weeks’ videos.
Depends on how much you pay. This was part of a complex itinerary so what I paid is less what most people would pay. I’d say each sector is worth probably a £50 premium though.
The Business Class seats look like BA's Club Eurrope not a Business Class seat just the middle seat blocked off. Is it worth it the extra money for a couple of hours flight
Depends how much extra the fare is. It’s probably worth £50 when you factor in lounge access, extra baggage allowance, food, the extra space, priority boarding etc. This blocked middle seat arrangement is standard on nearly every European airline I can think of.
Quan Cena I fly about 50 times a year so that’s around once a week. But my travel is usually compressed over a few days with maybe nothing happening for a few weeks in between.
I'm wondering; There's all these horror stories about airplane food. So far I didn't have any problems with it whatsoever but then I don't fly regularly. What's your experience?
Also; Great video, nice and calm to look at. Are you using your new camera yet? Images seem to have a bit more depth and seem more stable too. Low light performance seems a bit off though. So maybe it's just your phone and you just tried extra hard this time ;). Lovely descend and landing too!
Afraid not. Been done by other reporters several times before and it’s a very, very poor product. 2+2 Business Class with no privacy is bonkers for the price they charge.
This would eliminate the flexibility of the current arrangement. It would also be much more expensive. The whole point of the blocked middle seat is the curtain can go forward and back to accommodate varying amounts of economy and business passengers depending on market. On BA you can easily get ten rows of business class to Frankfurt, but only three perhaps to Turin or Tirana.
Paul's Trip Reports most airlines say "we care about passengers comfort" but if it's a middle seat blocked of that won't be worth paying for. For instance, Turkish Airlines do 2-2 in business on narrow body aircraft, plus, they serve more food with excellent quality and there is always a flying chef on board. I personally think that is what short haul "business class" should be like.
Paul's Trip Reports I'm not hating on Swiss (they are an awesome Airline) but you know how people say European business class for short flights suck, Swiss could be one of those that suck. American carriers like delta have what I said on short flights in the other reply which I sent.
Yes, but Turkish Airlines is bankrolled by the Turkish Government in a way that almost no European airline is, thanks to Turkish aspirations of exerting soft power in the Middle East and competing with airlines like Emirates, Qatar and Etihad. It’s not comparing like for like. Sure, it’s a better product, but it’s not inherently profitable. The Americans make 2+2 work, but badly. The cabin is not full of people paying for the privilege of being there, but instead is significantly comprised of frequent travellers cashing in upgrades. Also, forget about food or lounge access. A cookie and a Coke are as much as you’ll get for all but the longest flights. EG: Two hour long flight between Chicago and Atlanta. I’ve bought a domestic first class ticket. Can I get into the lounge at Chicago? No. Security Fast Track? No. What’s the food like? A drink and a biscuit. But hey, it’s 2+2 so that’s a consolation. Two hour flight between Bucharest and Zurich. Business Class ticket. Fast Track security? Yep. Lounge access? Yep. What’s the food like? Really nice - you get a small meal (and on some flights in different markets in Europe you’ll be getting a three course hot meal!). But it has to be a rip off because it’s a blocked middle seat, right? I’ve travelled a lot in European business and also domestically in the States in premium cabins and I know which of the two offers better value.
I have to say I was rather shocked to see seats at 3 abreast in biz class. I'm assuming the fare was only slightly more expensive with that seating configuration?
No its standard for Bucharest lol.....on an aside I flew on the ill fated A310 of Tarom twice before the following year it crashed and killed evereyone on board. I had been on it from Bucharest Bangkok and then Bangkok Bucharest 4 weeks later in 1994 on YR-LCC....there but for the grace of God and more sickening was that it was a known fault on that particular aircraft that downed it
Have a great Christmas everyone! 🎄
Paul's Trip Reports same with you Paul
when are you post the jet2 fight you said you doing in dec
I shot this on a new camera so it will be coming out in January. I am publishing all my “old” reports shot on my phone prior to new year.
Paul's Trip Reports you too Paul!! And a happy new year
Are you going to fly Air Canada?
Never knew that there are so many airlines I've never heard of.
That's why I love watching your videos!
Wait.. You have never heard of Swiss before? Seriously? :D
Another great report. That was red, gold and black quinoa served with your tuna ( I eat it often so recognized it at once, lol). Nice to see the airlines serving stuff like that. Thanks for all your excellent reports this past year. Keep it up and a Happy Christmas to you.
my sunday is complete love ur videos
At this rate you'll be flying Swiss First Class very soon, looking forward to see you do it. Thank you for sharing so generously🌟🌟🌟SAS, Swiss & Lufthansa are my absolute favourites in Europe and worldwide, could partly be a cultural reason for that😉
Have a nice Christmas with your family Paul! 🎅👍👪
I've really enjoyed watching your videos since subscribing the last few months! 😀
Your filming is very professional and to a high standard! 📹👌
Another great video. Probably my favourite channel this year on TH-cam. Happy Christmas. Ronan
I hope that you have had a pleasant stay in my city ZRH!
Merry Christmas to you, too!
Good to see Whizz air- a friend of mine in HK who now flies the CX was a captain with their A320s-he is Australian
Love those A319 engines on take off! Swiss looks nice. Legroom was good. Flight crew appeared to be good. Happy New Year.
Thank u for more making my Christmas Eve complete
Paul, Merry Christmas from the US. Another great video.
Have a great Christmas and I look forward to your flight reports during the whole of 2018.
Happy Christmas Paul.....have safe travels in the new year.
Merry Christmas, Paul and everyone!
Great video and report 👍merry Christmas and a happy new year 🌲🌴:)
I think you bring the British weather with you mate, normally it's a lovely weather. Just watching it in oct 2018 lol!
Merry Christmas and looking forward to many interesting trip reports both plane and train in 2018!
Marry Christmas Paul. I send good wishes for many a happy trip in 2018
Happy New Year Sir, and many thks for your work !!!. All the best.
Thanks & a Merry Christmas Paul
Smashing job Paul, seasonal greetings to you !
Wishing you a Happy Christmas from the States!
MERRY CHRISTMAS PAUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Merry Christmas Paul and thank you for all great videos 🎉🎉🎉
No need to ever justify having a beer :)..good videos pal
No wonder the lockers are always full how much carry on did the guy in front of you going on to the plane!!
Happy Christmas to you Paul, and I hope that all you travels will blessed this year.
Happy Christmas Paul and Happy Landings in 2018
Hi Paul, just recently stumbled across your channel and I've been pretty much binge watching your travels.. As someone who loves to travel himself, I've really been enjoying these vids and almost inspired to do the same (But Bank account says no :P) Anyway keep it up and I look forward to seeing where you go in 2018 :)
Thanks Paul, ace report as usual👍🏻 Hope you have a Lovely Christmas, look forward to upcoming Vid's in New Year😉 Ooow 20K Subs, brill..
Merry Christmas Paul!!
Love your videos! Looking forward to every single one to come.
BTW, that grain in the onboard meal was quinoa. ;)
Merry Christmas Paul,nice video & wishing you all the best for 2018 & looking forward to more great trip reports : )
I don't live in romania, But i am from România and during the winter it is really grey. Each season is kind of gray, excepț the summer Which is always sunny. Merry Christmas!!!
mariana miron Thank you and merry Christmas! 🎄
I live there and that weather is completely normal for Otopeni airport. It is nice in the summer.
haddockman30 I like your mustache comrade
Excellent video !!!
I filmed the same flight 3 months later, but in the full flight version and less details
nice content, Thanks!
I’d love to see you flying with Air Canada if you get the chance! Great Star Alliance carrier in my opinion :)
Love your videos Paul, keep it going :-)
Im wondering, are you flying this much for work/business or is it our passion to fly as much as possible?
It’s just a hobby!
Thanks for the reply Paul, thats a great Hobby, please keep it up as i really like your reports.
Great Christmas and a happy new year but most important safe and enjoyable flights.
I think there should be proper wider more comfortable seats in a 2+2 config for business class, it naughty how they just block off the middle seat instead
Will Warde-Norbury That would completely eliminate the flexibility that a moving curtain would give you. It would also be more expensive.
Will Warde-Norbury I agree
Merry Christmas to you Paul
I look at a lot of these airline meals and think "That's been Chef-ed." i.e. It was once a perfectly good meal and then a chef came along and f**ked about with it until it was inedible. 😂
Yesss Paul ✅
Anyways, the weather you got was very unlucky, it's pretty sunny in Romania, But its winter
Merry xmas Paul
I saw this plane on flight radar.
Paul, you travel a lot and I enjoy your videos. How come do you have time for all those trips? Are you a rentier or something? Cheers
No, I work full time. However I have every weekend off, and 30 days holiday.
very beautifuel vídeo fantástic✈
P.S. love the music.
Enjoy your posts, wish it was easier to read what you include at the bottom. Have to rewind a couple times and have trouble with white letters on white or light backgrounds. Thanks and keep up the travel.
Transilvanian Alps? No pal, it's the Carpathians! :)
I got to tell you the flight look very good as far as the aviation perspective but looking at that engine cowling I kind of have my doubts especially this being a 96 model plane you had me a little worried there for a while ....
I watch your trip reports all my surround sound so I can get the best sound out of the take off in the flight and watching that engine kind of had me worried but I'm glad you had fun
#AL2SmoothTheMountainbiker why did it worry you?
Radoz I've had a bad experience on a a319 that look pretty worn come to find out that the a319 that I was flying on which happened to be a US Airways aircraft born in 1999 had suffered to bird strikes not saying that that would affect the flight it just some carriers don't keep their planes looking brand new and others do
And merry Christmas
Enjoy your videos Paul, but wonder why important details like journey length and cost are never mentioned?
Journey length is always included in the description. I don’t usually disclose the cost of my trips as the information won’t be useful to most. In this case (and as is often the case) I use complicated triangular or open jaw itineraries that nobody else would dream of booking in order to make things work logistically, prioritising a variety of carriers and aircraft types. My itinerary here was OTP-ZRH-LCY (six month gap) BHX-ZRH-MXP. I can’t give example costings as air fares are dynamically priced across markets and the availability of fare buckets. I was on this aircraft for less than £250 for the whole itinerary, but that cost is impossible to attain and not going to work for most thanks to my bespoke itineraries. Some people may have paid £500 one way.
I went to Bucharest in March and it was sunny. Flew on Swissair in the early 90s' Zurich to Bucharest and in economy they gave a hot meal!!! No more. Tarom give a tiny hot meal. LOL Swiss don't even give a hot meal in Business!
Good work ...
You should rewiew Croatia Airlines London>Zagreb
Great
mmm seems quinoa, good video indeed, love our channel, best regards, alberto italy :)
Could you fly with Austrian Airlines one time?
I have never been to Europe, but watching your reports I have noticed how prevalent English signage is in airports, and English cabin crew announcements, I would have never expected this.
English is a universal language worldwide and it is very prevalent in airports. This is because it’s a second or third language for many people, so if they don’t understand the local language, they’ll get what they need from English.
♥♥
I like to call Bucharest the a320 class land
Normally the weather in Romania is very sunny. In summer, you often get temperatures of 35°C and higher. Trust me, it's hard to even breath then.. ;). Anyway, great Report! Maybe you can test out Tarom? They offer an good service with free food and drinks :)
Skyfall Best I aim to try them at some point if I can!
Paul, i live in Romania and i need to say that you was unlucky with this bad weather as well that you can try also TAROM
How about flying with the carrier Tarom?
you've been really unlucky with the weather
You were really unlucky:)România is a pretty sunny country:)
How was the tuna?
Another good one Paul. 3X3 seating is never acceptable in Business or First class. that is a major disappointment...
radbcc Not ideal but it’s what we have in Europe. However the flip side is what you get in the States - a nice armchair, but forget about any reasonable catering on all but the longer flights. Also lounge access is rare. Domestic business and first in the USA is often full of coupon upgrades anyway. It’s a different market I guess.
Nice trip report as always Paul. When can we expect your jet2 report? Flying with them for the first time in Feb from Ncl- AGP. so really interested in that one.
Should be up in the second week of January.
I always wonder if TAROM has any relationship with LOT?
I’d doubt it as LOT is a full member of Star Alliance while Tarom is a full member of Sky Team!
Was this flight part of your Birmingham-Romania-Zurich-LCY roundtrip? Wondering if Swiss uses the 319 on one-class flights on occasion since the 'business class' cabin has 3 seats in each row ? The Bucharest terminal has more of an office building lobby look than a terminal,I'm sure the smoking lounge reeked of cigarettes---did you get FF miles for this trip? Winter in western Europe means lots of low overcast,very little sun even at altitude!
Yes this was part of that round trip. Swiss never flies single cabin short haul flights because passengers flying on long haul business or first inevitably connect through somewhere else. Half the passengers in my cabin would be off to Zürich and then somewhere else like Hong Kong or New York perhaps. A single cabin aircraft wouldn’t really do for connecting premium passengers. I collected ANZ Airpoints.
I said you'd have 20k by Christmas!
Does this airplane makes a lot of noice or is it just me??
Isn't UK always grey too lol ? I went in Feb weather was mixed grey n sun. Got fam there so my summers n winters r mainly there.
I am a new subscriber, and people have probably commented on this before, but: do you ever for a change take economy class to show the experience of the masses? Merry Christmas.
Thanks Richard. Yes, most of my air travel is in economy; have a look back on my videos and you’ll see I travel economy a lot more than you’d think from the last few weeks’ videos.
It must be sunny during summer i gues. Its populair during summer
Hi mate , just wondering whether the Cost of the ticket was worth it ? Is there a significant difference between y class and j class?
Depends on how much you pay. This was part of a complex itinerary so what I paid is less what most people would pay. I’d say each sector is worth probably a £50 premium though.
Merry Christmas. 3+3 "business" class? Or do they reserve the middle seat?
The middle seat is blocked - this is standard within Europe.
The Business Class seats look like BA's Club Eurrope not a Business Class seat just the middle seat blocked off. Is it worth it the extra money for a couple of hours flight
Depends how much extra the fare is. It’s probably worth £50 when you factor in lounge access, extra baggage allowance, food, the extra space, priority boarding etc. This blocked middle seat arrangement is standard on nearly every European airline I can think of.
How many times do u fly a week
Quan Cena I fly about 50 times a year so that’s around once a week. But my travel is usually compressed over a few days with maybe nothing happening for a few weeks in between.
Paul's Trip Reports oh so you aren't a flexible flyer lol
8:14 => That are Carpathian Mountains, not Transylvanian Alps !!!!
They are the same thing. Two different names.
I'm wondering; There's all these horror stories about airplane food.
So far I didn't have any problems with it whatsoever but then I don't fly regularly.
What's your experience?
Also; Great video, nice and calm to look at.
Are you using your new camera yet? Images seem to have a bit more depth and seem more stable too.
Low light performance seems a bit off though. So maybe it's just your phone and you just tried extra hard this time ;).
Lovely descend and landing too!
I KNOWA CX PILOT WHO WAS WIZZAIR PILOT AND SAID THEY WERE TECH VERY SAFE AND STRINGENT REGS AND HE IS AUSTRALIAN
Do you have any plans for the BA London city to JFK route?
Afraid not. Been done by other reporters several times before and it’s a very, very poor product. 2+2 Business Class with no privacy is bonkers for the price they charge.
I think it was quinoa, not couscous.
You were really unlucky with the weather.
Great report. Didn't seem much difference from business class to economy class. Is a twenty one year old aircraft considered old these days.
Yet another "Business Class" seating squeezed in 3x3 on dumpy seats.
They should make wider seats in a 2-2 configuration and have a footrest
This would eliminate the flexibility of the current arrangement. It would also be much more expensive. The whole point of the blocked middle seat is the curtain can go forward and back to accommodate varying amounts of economy and business passengers depending on market. On BA you can easily get ten rows of business class to Frankfurt, but only three perhaps to Turin or Tirana.
Paul's Trip Reports most airlines say "we care about passengers comfort" but if it's a middle seat blocked of that won't be worth paying for. For instance, Turkish Airlines do 2-2 in business on narrow body aircraft, plus, they serve more food with excellent quality and there is always a flying chef on board. I personally think that is what short haul "business class" should be like.
Paul's Trip Reports I'm not hating on Swiss (they are an awesome Airline) but you know how people say European business class for short flights suck, Swiss could be one of those that suck. American carriers like delta have what I said on short flights in the other reply which I sent.
Yes, but Turkish Airlines is bankrolled by the Turkish Government in a way that almost no European airline is, thanks to Turkish aspirations of exerting soft power in the Middle East and competing with airlines like Emirates, Qatar and Etihad.
It’s not comparing like for like. Sure, it’s a better product, but it’s not inherently profitable. The Americans make 2+2 work, but badly. The cabin is not full of people paying for the privilege of being there, but instead is significantly comprised of frequent travellers cashing in upgrades. Also, forget about food or lounge access. A cookie and a Coke are as much as you’ll get for all but the longest flights.
EG: Two hour long flight between Chicago and Atlanta. I’ve bought a domestic first class ticket. Can I get into the lounge at Chicago? No. Security Fast Track? No. What’s the food like? A drink and a biscuit. But hey, it’s 2+2 so that’s a consolation.
Two hour flight between Bucharest and Zurich. Business Class ticket. Fast Track security? Yep. Lounge access? Yep. What’s the food like? Really nice - you get a small meal (and on some flights in different markets in Europe you’ll be getting a three course hot meal!). But it has to be a rip off because it’s a blocked middle seat, right?
I’ve travelled a lot in European business and also domestically in the States in premium cabins and I know which of the two offers better value.
I have to say I was rather shocked to see seats at 3 abreast in biz class. I'm assuming the fare was only slightly more expensive with that seating configuration?
The engine's noise is strange.
Merry Christmas to you too! It was quinoa not couscous, welcome to the hipster club lol 😂
Yve Rose It’s all the same to me! 😉
No its standard for Bucharest lol.....on an aside I flew on the ill fated A310 of Tarom twice before the following year it crashed and killed evereyone on board. I had been on it from Bucharest Bangkok and then Bangkok Bucharest 4 weeks later in 1994 on YR-LCC....there but for the grace of God and more sickening was that it was a known fault on that particular aircraft that downed it
Who pays for the flights and trips, must cost you a fortune.... But films keep making them. Darren in Australia.