VLM From London City to Antwerp (and return)

Comet · Post by **Comet** » 12 Sep 2003, 19:15

My flight number was VG104, date was 1st September 2003.

The aircraft operating the flight was Fokker 50 OO-VLV "States of Guernsey".

I was sitting in seat 12A, one row from the back of the aircraft. This particular aircraft had leather seats throughout and was very comfortable, with reasonable leg room for a prop (32").

Our take off was slightly delayed by ten minutes, and after a smooth run, we took off into a good, not too cloudy sky. We were told that the flight time was around 50 minutes.

There was a crew of two stewardesses, who were very friendly and efficient. Unfortunately, being near the back meant that we were among the last to be served with our snack. The in flight snack consisted of: a sesame bun with cheese, a flaky pastry type thing with chocolate chips in, a square of chocolate with the VLM logo on the wrapper and orange juice to drink. I was hungry, and ate all the meal, which was nice, the bread bun being crusty and the flaky pastry thing being a pleasant surprise!

As we flew over Belgium, the cloud increased, and it was overcast when we landed in Antwerp after a superb flight.

The return flight was VG111, on 10th September 2003. This was operated by OO-VLS "City of Manchester". I was in seat 4A this time (VLM have abolished business class so I was able to sit near the front). This afforded excellent views of the propeller and the landing gear as it was raised and lowered (the only kind of seats to have on the Fokker 50!!) The seats on 'VLS were not leather.

The cabin crew consisted of a steward and a stewardess, who were very friendly and polite. There was another slight delay to take off, this time it was raining and heavy cloud throughout the flight, and also turbulent in parts.

The in flight snack was - another sesame cheese sandwich, with the option of either a chicken sandwich or fresh fruit salad. I chose fresh fruit salad which contained apple, melon, grape and orange and was nice, as was the sandwich. Another chocolate was provided. To drink I had Maes, served in a 33cl can instead of the usual 25cl which other airlines hand out.

The approach into London City was sensational. We were to land on the end of the runway which is furthest away from the terminal, which results in a steep nose dive approach over the River Thames. It is necessary to grip under seat luggage with your feet to stop it sliding forward down the aircraft on this approach, it is not for the nervous!!! The pilot raised the nose just in time to make a perfect touchdown on the runway, and that was the end of my flying until next year. But it was brilliant!!!!!!!!!

If anyone wants to see the photos to go with this report, hit the following link to see them

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showth ... adid=15644

vliegtuigfreak · Post by **vliegtuigfreak** » 12 Sep 2003, 22:20

Nice report Comet!! I wish i had the chance to get on a Fokker 50 to from VLM! Damn, that the foodpicture has been blurry!!

Greetingzz
Sonny

___________________
SNBA, Sobelair, VLM, Virgin Express, Thomas Cook, belgian airlines to be proud of!!

Post by **luchtzak** » 13 Sep 2003, 11:08

Comet,

nice detailed report! I am glad you enjoyed your Belgian experience

Sloeber-beer, does it tastes like Duvel ?

ciao,

Bart
:rock:

Comet · Post by **Comet** » 13 Sep 2003, 12:01

Sonny - I'm glad you liked the pictures, maybe you will get on the Fokker 50 someday!

Bart - Sloeber is not really like Duvel, it is a bit weaker (7.5%) and darker. It has a milder taste, not as bitter as Duvel (though I do like Duvel!!) The most like beer I can think of is Judas. Sloeber is very easy to drink, and I imported four bottles (and two glasses) to drink at Christmas.

Once again, really sorry for the poor in flight meal photo

Post by **luchtzak** » 13 Sep 2003, 12:26

Comet wrote:Once again, really sorry for the poor in flight meal photo

It's no problem, that gives you a reason to come back to Belgium very soon

greetings,

Bart
:rock:

Comet · Post by **Comet** » 13 Sep 2003, 14:15

luchtzak wrote:
It's no problem, that gives you a reason to come back to Belgium very soon

greetings,

Bart
:rock:

That's a wonderful thought

It's Brugge for me next year!!!

Post by **sn26567** » 13 Sep 2003, 16:13

Thanks for nice report and pix, Comet.

Comet wrote:It's Brugge for me next year!!!

With Ryanair from Stansted?

MD-11 · Post by **MD-11** » 13 Sep 2003, 17:11

In addition to Comet's report these 2 drawings I've made.
This one is OO-VLR"City of luxembourg" at London city

And this one OO-VLQ at it's hometown. This drawing I've made from a picture I've made after a short flight above Flanders in september 2001.
In september ( or october ) 2002 I did it again. We flew for about 30 minutes over Flanders. ( the harbour, Gent, Hulst )
I don't know if VLM organises such flights again this year.

Comet · Post by **Comet** » 13 Sep 2003, 18:41

sn26567 wrote:Thanks for nice report and pix, Comet.

With Ryanair from Stansted?

Ryanair???!!! Me? You must be joking!!! Seriously, I don't know yet who I will fly with, I love London City and VLM, but also I would love to fly with SN Brussels. The only problem with SN Brussels are the Manchester flights, there are too many which are done by BA in code share, and I will not fly with BA under any circumstances. I have always flown to Belgium with the Belgian carriers, and I will continue to do so.

MD11 - your drawings are superb. I especially love the one of OO-VLQ, this is a special aircraft for me, as it operated my first (and second) flights with VLM back in 2002, between Brussels and London City. Also, notice that you live in Mechelen, I have just spent nine wonderful days there, you have a superb town, pity about all the bits which are dug up at the moment though!!

Also, I have decided to enter my photo of OO-VLM in VLM's online photo competition.

Sabena_690 · Post by **Sabena_690** » 13 Sep 2003, 19:53

Nice report, Comet!

What was the load factor on your flights?

Bart: excellent drawings, congrats!

Regards
Frederic

Sabena_690 · Post by **Sabena_690** » 13 Sep 2003, 19:56

I forgot to say to Comet: why not try out the new SNBA service from LGW to BRU and vice versa? You can do it in a day trip for example...

Fares start at only €87 I believe.

Regards
Frederic

Comet · Post by **Comet** » 14 Sep 2003, 12:15

Frederic - both flights were virtually full, I only saw one empty seat on my outward flight, and I didn't notice any on the flight home. I would say load factor was around 98% for the first flight and 100% for the second, VLM do get very full and it can be hard to get seats, you have to book early if you want to fly at a reasonable time. The fact that they only have small, 50 seat aircraft doesn't help!!

The prices from LGW-BRU do sound very reasonable, and LGW is an easy airport to reach by train, it is certainly one to consider.

vliegtuigfreak · Post by **vliegtuigfreak** » 14 Sep 2003, 16:55

Comet wrote:Sonny - I'm glad you liked the pictures, maybe you will get on the Fokker 50 someday!

I will take VLM on a day!!! I will!!
Because London is a grat city and i like to do a citytrip.

Greetingzz
Sonny

____________________
SNBA, Sobelair, VLM, Virgin Express, Thomas Cook, belgian airlines to be proud of!!

Zorba · Post by **Zorba** » 14 Sep 2003, 17:06

Indeed, great drawings!

I like the F50 to, they make such a great APP's when there are heavy winds

Regards,
Rutger

Comet · Post by **Comet** » 14 Sep 2003, 19:33

vliegtuigfreak wrote:
I will take VLM on a day!!! I will!!
Because London is a grat city and i like to do a citytrip.

That's the spirit Sonny!! You are right, London is a wonderful city, I had a little holiday there myself back in May, visited loads of museums and things!

You like the English capital city and I like the Belgian capital!!

vliegtuigfreak · Post by **vliegtuigfreak** » 14 Sep 2003, 19:47

Comet wrote:That's the spirit Sonny!! You are right, London is a wonderful city, I had a little holiday there myself back in May, visited loads of museums and things!

You like the English capital city and I like the Belgian capital!!

I not like only England, but Ireland to!! Ireland is such a great country + Aer Lingus to!!

Greetingzz
Sonny

__________________
SNBA, Sobelair, VLM, Virgin Express, Thomas Cook, belgian airlines to be proud of!!

Avro · Post by **Avro** » 15 Sep 2003, 13:36

Very nice report Comet

Comet · Post by **Comet** » 19 Sep 2003, 15:00

Glad you liked the report Chris.

VLM are the most efficient airline I've ever flown with, and the fact that they don't have a business class any more means it is easy to get seats near the front of the aircraft, which is a bonus on a Fokker 50 when you like to watch the raising and lowering of the landing gear, and the propellers!!

The crews are superb, we had the same stewardess on the outward and return flights.

The fact that they use London City airport is also a bonus, that is the best airport to land in (owing to the 5.5 degree approach) in the whole of the UK! It also has a very pleasant terminal with an internet cafe, nice eating area with excellent runway view and it isn't too crowded.

nwa757 · Post by **nwa757** » 27 Sep 2003, 03:27

I really liked your trip report. I loved your photos.

I wish I could fly VLM sometime but we usually just go to places in America (ie: Phoenix, Minneapolis, Detroit, Orlando etc.). The only time I left America was when we drove down to Mexico one time.

In November we are going to Phoenix again and In December we are planning a trip to go from Green Bay to Phoenix then to Cabo San Lucas Mexico and we are going to fly America West :jumpy:.

Comet · Post by **Comet** » 09 Oct 2003, 11:08

Glad you liked my report and photos!

Maybe if you decide to visit Belgium sometime you could fly via London and catch a VLM flight, but the Fokker 50 will be replaced within the next 10 years, so you would need to be quick!!