Hi, dear flight-report readers and members!
In this short FR I'd like to present a review of a Wideroe DHC-8-400 on a relatively short flight from Bergen (BGO) to Vagar (FAE). It was a part of my escape trip from Dubai-like South European summer to the dry coolness of the beautiful Faroe archipelago (which proved to be much drier than Norway, which I briefly visited on the way). The last leg of my return way - CPH-MXP on a CityJet/SAS CR9 - has already been reviewed.
Intro
Wideroe is relatively small but quite prominent Norwegian airline with very interesting fleet avgeek-wise: it operates all the versions of DHC-8 - from -100 to -400 (23 DH1s, 4 DH2s, 3 DH3s and 18 DH4s) and also 3 E290s (WF is the world's first operator of E2-jets). I wanted to try smalles "Dashes", but on flights to Vagur the only options is the well-known and very popular largest "Dash": -400 (I already flew an ex-LOT DH4 in 2019 on a short hop from PRG to WAW). But, anyway, there's a good reason to return to Norway one day to explore the country more thoroughly than just visiting Oslo and Bergen (as I did this time) and to try domestic flights on smaller "Dashes".
DH4, being a very versatile regional turboprop, is one of the most popular modern turboprops (with only AT76/75 surpassing its production numbers) and has a very large number of the operators worldwide. So, a flight on a DH4 stands out only if you fly a non-trivial airline on a non-trivial flight, like in my case.
Bergen Airport (BGO)
BGO is located quite close to the Bergen city and has extremely convenient connection by the city tram line with very frequent trams (reminding such airports as OPO, BOD, ORY). I have special respect for the airports, included in the transport systems of their respective cities with standard city ticket fares.
BGO have single terminal, which is modern and airy in the landside, but is quite dull in the domestic gates area. Although, the windows provide nice views of the apron, but the traffic is understandably quite humble.
The Aircraft
My flight from Bergen to Vadur was operated by 2009-built LN-WDG, powered by PW150A turboprop engines. The layout is Y78.
The Cabin
The cabin consists of 78 seats in the standard 2-2 layout.
A couple of cabin photos during the boarding. Antimacassars reminds that in 2024 WF celebrated 90 years of operations.
The Economy Seat
My seat 6D is located in the front part of the cabin near the engines. The seat is narrow - 16.7", no surprise, considering how narrow is DH's fuselage. But the seat has decent padding and definitely feels OK for such a flight. The seat has leather upholstery, tray table with cup holder, and seat pocket. The row pitch is OK. The seat next to me was empty, which significantly added to the comfort.
The seatpocket content: safety card and buy-on-board menu.
The overhead panel.
The Flight
After takeoff from BGO there were some nice views of the Norwegian fjords, then the flight was quite uneventful.
Only drinks were served during the flight.
The lavatory.
The Cabin After The Flight
A couple of detailed cabin views upon disembarkment.
The Aircraft After The Flight
And, finally, a nice view of the aircraft from the FAE terminal. Although these clouds above seem to be rainy, in reality the weather was very dry (with just a few short rains), and only in the last day, when I was heading back to FAE, it was pouring the whole morning.
Thank you for you attention and see you in the next FRs!
