Review of Volotea flight from Nantes to Porto in Economy

I had a short flight from Nantes in Western France to Porto for my spring vacation. Everything was enjoyable except…:

Ok… So this trip worth recording not because how fascinating or impressive the flight itself was, but a very unusual situation that I had never experienced before, which was an additional charge after I totally finished my flight payment. I would say I personally consider it understandable and acceptable, though it was super super strange. Here is what happened:

I bought this Volotea ticket in just a few days before I departed. After the online checkin open, I tried to get my boarding past and I found that I couldn't checkin because there were some unexpected fees which were waiting for me to pay. I was super confused since I didn't order the check-in at the airport. I thought I was charged because of that.

Before I decided to head to the checkin counter to see what was going on, I noticed that there was an announcement about a fee adjustment. I clicked into it and found that Volotea reserves the right to charge an additional fee because of the increasing fuel cost. And this charge may happen at anytime before you get onboard! How crazy!

And it was super clear that the adjustment is range from -9 to 9. Besides, my friend who booked the flight three hours before me wasn't asked to pay additional. Obviously I didn't want to pay my 13.99 bill like an idiot. I decided to ask what was happening at the checkin counter.

I have to be honest that the terminal looks like a bus station or an old fashion shopping mall, and crowded as I thought it would be.

There is a exclusive checkin area in the Nantes airport. The colorful diamond theme is pretty. As you can see the line wasn't long, so I started my questions for the airlines. Luckily who helped me with this issue was good at English. I think this is absolutely important when you are in France and you don't speak French. She told me that she got no idea about the difference situation between me and my friend, but she was able to reassign my and my friend's seat so that we can sit together. I am happy to say yes since low cost airlines usually treat it very serious.

At last I don't have to pay 13.99 but a 13.61 instead. You have to admit I am wise for at least saving the online payment service fee. I also got a invoice printed on an empty boarding pass, interesting!

I was told that my gate was 74 and it is outside of the main terminal. The weather was annoying but I still have to walk out and go through this crude hallway. I am not sure how long this hallway exist, though I didn't find any evidence for a formal hallway under construction or operation likely. The satellite (let's call it satellite) was crowded as well. 15 minutes queue for security check was needed.

There were some cool birds above the passengers in the terminal. The bird took me to Porto was not cool like that so I don't think I have to cover the details during my flight. Just a very common low cost flight experience except the livery.

All the gates in the satellite allow the passenger to directly walk to the aircraft, of course this is a good idea for aviation freek. “I'll be home for dinner." "Mama, I am arrived!" At least this part of the trip brought me joy. I am also surprised by the 4 star skytrax ranking. The cabin was clean and tidy. The seat was average. There was no on board entertainment because of the crashed WiFi connection even though Volotea seems to be proud of that.