Franconian Beer Message Board

Flights through FRA (and just a bit on Manchester Beer & Cider Fest)
Posted by Nick B. on 2017-01-26 03:41:59
Normally, we've flown to Manchester via AMS on KLM. Last year, and then again last week, I flew via FRA on Lufthansa, both to attend the superb --nèé-- amazing Manchester Beer & Cider Fest, see some people, and support as many proper pubs as possible with my trade.
[This year's UK cask beer list, sortable by headings at the top]

Now, I was quite happy with the flight last year, as I normally am with Lufthansa. Helpful, cheery staff, leather seats, all that sort of thing. And the flight *to* Manchester went well, despite a 10 minute delay at the start, leaving NUE at 9-ish, landing at MAN before noon, even WITH having to be transported from and to the airplanes at FRA, even though these were full sized jets, Airbus 319 & 320.

The return Sunday evening though...yuck. Well, Lufthansa itself was fine, but Fraport...Scheiße. First of all, there was no bus waiting for us on the tarmac as the plane parked. So, despite landing on time, the captain told us we had to wait because "Fraport was not expecting us on time, and haven't sent a bus yet." So this cost about 10 minutes.

My connection was 45 minutes, normally enough time, as you don't change terminals. This time, though, I'd already lost time, and then the driver drove us half-way round the airport (why can't they park planes NEAR where the bus will have to take you to???), then had to go through security before getting to the gate. I don't recall ever having to go through security on inter-EU flights before, anywhere. Through passport control to & from the UK, yes, that's normal. So that cost more time, even though there was no queue.

Anyway, they were paging me to the gate as I arrived, saying they were going to close it in a few moments. So I got there just in time, but still...just, stupid.

It'll be nice to have this new NUE-BHX flight for future trips to Manchester & elsewhere up that way, avoiding filthy Frankfurt. Pricing seems to match going price on Lufthansa, Swiss & KLM, 180€ with 20kg baggage. No cheaper carry-on-only price though.
 
Followups:
           Flights through FRA (and just a bit on Manchester Beer & Cider Fest) by Barry on  2017-01-26 06:26:05
             Flights through FRA (and just a bit on Manchester Beer & Cider Fest) by John ratcliffe on  2017-01-26 07:58:01
             Flights through FRA (and just a bit on Manchester Beer & Cider Fest) by Nick B. on  2017-01-26 10:34:31
               Flights through FRA (and just a bit on Manchester Beer & Cider Fest) by Nick B. on  2017-01-26 10:38:14
                 Flights through FRA (and just a bit on Manchester Beer & Cider Fest) by Barry on  2017-01-26 11:02:27
                   Flights through FRA (and just a bit on Manchester Beer & Cider Fest) by Nick B. on  2017-01-27 01:11:19
           Flights through FRA (and just a bit on Manchester Beer & Cider Fest) by mike004 on  2017-01-27 01:18:43
             Flights through FRA (and just a bit on Manchester Beer & Cider Fest) by Nick B. on  2017-01-27 02:40:36
                     Flights through FRA (and just a bit on Manchester Beer & Cider Fest) by Barry on  2017-01-27 06:06:42
                       Flights through FRA (and just a bit on Manchester Beer & Cider Fest) by Barry on  2017-01-27 06:13:36
               Flights through FRA  by Uncle Jimbo on  2017-01-27 11:21:04
                         Flights through FRA ... Airlines by Nick B. on  2017-01-29 08:26:12
                           Flights through FRA ... Airlines by Barry on  2017-01-30 00:53:50
                             Flights to NUE by Nick B. on  2017-01-31 06:06:15
                               Flights to NUE by AndyH on  2017-02-02 08:49:49
                                 Flights to NUE by Barry on  2017-02-02 14:18:32
                                   Flights to NUE by Nick B. on  2017-02-03 01:28:32
                                     Flights to NUE by Barry on  2017-02-03 10:59:15