Zurich, May 2019
Wow a lot has changed since my last flight on easyJet!
So I had gone back to Zurich for the first time in a good 2 years to do a much desired and sought after spotting trip. Having done lots of BA flights, and not able to afford a flight with Swiss, I chose to mix things up by returning to easyJet as I hadn't flown them for well over a year and I hadn't flown from Luton since 2016!
The outbound flight was not much to write about except for the note of getting a flight on the first easyJet Airbus A320-NEO! I decided to report this flight as it was a NEO, and I do so many of the out-bound flights, I thought I'd do the return for a change.
Spotting at the Zurich viewing deck in May was as amazing as ever. Its arguably one of the best airports for photography. One thing I was pleased with was the discounted entry I got as I had a flight out that afternoon, saving me a good 50% off for me and my dad, who I took as I wanted to show him the viewing deck as he is into aviation photography as well.
These three aircraft bellow were the main highlights of the trip!
easyJet A320-NEO, G-UZHF
Zurich wasn't too busy when we went to get our flight. We were 2 1/2 hours ahead of boarding time. My dad isn't as quick as me so we left extra time just in case. Boy that was a good call!
Passing security was easy going. It took about 5-10 minutes from entering the que to being finished. We were going from the non-Schengen Area, so it included passing an airside passport check, which didn't take long as we were heading there quite ahead of our flight, and we missed the rush from some Middle-East flights which were leaving around that time.
easyJet, being as Low Cost as the Budget carrier comes, uses a dedicated bus ramp at Zurich, so it was a familiar sight to go down to where I had done previous flights back to London City in 2016 & 2017 respectively. I knew the bus ramp area quite well. As you can see in the picture, our flight to London Luton was to board at Gate D55/D56.
As we didn't have "Speedy Boarding" we decided to board at the end of the que for the second bus that was going to get us. A short drive around the Airport took us to the remote stand, dropping us off by another 2016 delivered Airbus A320-neo (G-UZHF). First time I had a return trip on A320-neo aircraft, having done only one-way flights with them in the past, obviously this will be a more common thing as 2020-2029 progresses.
I had pre-reserved seating in Row 10, by the window having flown up in the rear end of the previous A320, I fancied a different view- and sitting by an A320-NEO engine for the first time felt rather satisfying!!!
The easyjet expereince!
Pushing off the stand, we taxied past the main Terminal complex and the Viewing Deck before making a left turn to head for Runway 10, before heading eastward as we climbed out of Zurich before turning to face North-West for the flight back to London. Overall a very standard take off, but for someone used to the Airbus A320-ceo, feeling the power of the new NEO engines felt pretty impressive for a first time!
The Airbus A320-NEO, like the A321-neo and most Airbus A320-ceo in the easyJet fleet had the brand new interior with the black-orange slimline seats. To my knowledge the Airbus A319 fleet won't get these new seats as they slowly phase off to new owners during the 2020's.
The easyJet Bistro service was provided. I chose a three item meal deal with an extra Johnny Walker black-label to enjoy with my Cola. Not bad for £11. I tried the funnily pink falafel and hummus wrap with a box of crisps.
I know buy on board's get slated a lot- but £7.50 for a wrap or sandwich (which they have a good selection) with a soft drink and chocolate/crisps, I don't think its too bad.
The rest of the flight ran rather smoothly, unfortunately at this time, easyJet wasn't selling their usual double pack premier planes model kits, they appear to have been absent on and off since 2019.
Shameless as it sounds, I went to the back of the plane to use the facilities and save the crew a job of getting rid of my rubbish. I took the time to also buy a can of Heineken… I wasn't driving back in the UK, so it seemed like a good way to mark the end of an amazing Zurich spotting trip!
We started descending into the London area as we headed for Luton, we had some great clear skies as we flew over the English countryside before landing at London Luton. We taxied to the main area pulling in beside an A320-ceo of Wizzair.
At this point- I asked for a flight deck visit, and it was warmly welcomed!
I didn't keep the crew long as they had to get off to Nice, but it was nice to talk to the pilots, get my pictures and wish them a good day whilst thanking them for a good flight! The captain was an ex-B737 pilot for easyJet (the last EZY 737-700s were based at LTN until late 2011).
