Even in The Bahamas, the view is always better with AirlineReporter! And no, I did not end up vandalizing the hotel – Photo: Blaine Nickeson | AirlineReporter.com
Recently, the Nassau Airport Development authority in The Bahamas opened a new $83.5 million terminal to serve all non-US international destinations, as well as ’œFamily Island’ domestic travel (a new US-preclearance terminal opened a few years ago). AirlineReporter.com was invited by the Bahamian Ministry of Tourism to come tour the new airport and view the sites and some new developments in Nassau (including the $3.5 billion ’“ with a ’œB’ ’“ Baha Mar development project). Note: While I was a guest of the Ministry of Tourism on this trip, all opinions are my own.
In this part, I will cover the “experience” of getting to Nassau, as well as the amazing cultural exchange opportunity I was afforded on the night of my arrival.
An AN-10 at the Monino Aviation Museum – Photo: Alan Wilson
When most people think about Soviet, four-engine, turbine passenger aircraft, they tend to think about the “classics”; the IL-18 and the Tu-114. There are reasons, of course, why the Antonov AN-10 doesn’t immediately jump to mind – but that ignores the significant contributions it made to domestic travel within the Soviet Union.
The Tupolev Tu-104 was a great aircraft, and when prestige mattered more than unit cost, it was a perfect way of showing Soviet aeronautical achievement abroad. Russian flag carrier Aeroflot, however, was directed to offer cost-effective transport to all points within the Soviet Union and satellite states. There was another issue; the Tu-104, while durable by early jet standards, was still difficult to maintain after frequent operations on “less prepared” airfields.
Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 in Honolulu – Photo: Mal Muir | AirlineReporter.com
As winter fast approaches, now is the time of year that we all think of sun, sand, and warm temperatures. Sitting by the beach, drinking a fruity cocktail at the bar, or just getting that tan you can’t normally get. When you think of these things, often one place will pop into someones head – Hawaii. Long a destination for many an American to get away from life, to escape to a different climate, a different culture, or a different way of life, Hawaii will forever be that imagination destination.
A brief six-hour flight from most west coast cities, the main destination for most is the island of Oahu, and its major hub for inbound traffic, Honolulu. A number of airlines fly from a good portion of the west coast cities but there is only one that holds the name of Hawaiian Airlines. With a long-range fleet that solely consists of widebody aircraft (there are currently orders for some single-aisle Airbus A321s) it can be the most comfortable way of flying to Hawaii (who wants to be trapped in a 737 for 6 hours?), while still embracing that vacation you’re about to experience.
Started in 1929, Hawaiian Airlines has long had service to the mainland from its Honolulu (HNL) base and continues to serve the major cities on the west coast, along with a few smaller cities and, of course, New York. Seattle has long had a connection with the Hawaiian Islands and it is no surprise that it has two services per day to Hawaii (one to Oahu, the other Maui). Both flights are currently operated by the workhorse of the Hawaiian fleet, the 767-300 (no ERs here!) though they will soon (as of December) be swapping over to the more fuel-efficient Airbus A330-200.
C-FAWE, Propair’s only Gulfstream I. It was U/S at CYUY. Photo: Bernie Leighton | AirlineReporter
In between scheduled flights, I found a Propair employee. I asked him all of one question: “Can I take a look around the Gulfstream?”
His answer, as far as I could tell, was yes.
LOT 787 Dreamliner Elite Club (Business Class) – Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren | Airchive.com
Story & Photos by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren ’“ A joint venture between Airchive & AirlineReporter.com
This is part two of the journey on LOT Polish’s new Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Part one, in premium economy, is available here.
After four days well spent touring Poland it was time to come home. While our initial trip was in LOT’s new premium economy, dubbed Premium Club, our return would be in Elite Club, or business class. Having started the trek back to New York from the southern Polish city of Krakow, we arrived to the domestic wing of Warsaw’s Chopin Airport and headed for the lounge.
LOT’s premium lounge is centrally located after security, above the main floor, but before passport control. The wooden decor mixed with lots of greenery made for a pleasing, comfortable aesthetic. Seating areas, split into smaller sections, boasted cozy chairs and coat racks. A selection of hot and cold food along with a generous selection of drinks could be found at several locations. The space was generally well stocked and clean. Unfortunately it was extremely crowded during our visit, and thus our stay was quite short.
Back in the terminal we made our way through passport control and to a second post-passport-control lounge. It was not a LOT lounge, but rather a private non-airline lounge that served any premium passengers at the airport. While not quite as nice or as well apportioned as LOT’s, it was arguably larger and (most importantly) far less crowded.
Beautiful shot of LOT Polish 787 Dreamliner at WAW – Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren | Airchive.com
Boarding followed a thirty minute delay, and Elite Club passengers utilized a separate gateway to the forward-most door. Being one of the last to board we were surprised to see the business class cabin virtually empty, with well under half the cabin filled. Bags easily found a home in the overhead bins, though it would not have been an issue if the cabin were full either. Not long after taking our seat in 2F friendly flight attendants came by offering us a selection of preflight drinks and newspapers. Following a smooth departure our aircraft climbed steadily over Warsaw and headed west towards the Atlantic coast.
