Flight 137 B737-700 (SXF-LTN)

8 September 2004

easyJet flight EZY2106
Boeing 737-73V
G-EZJB
seat 19A

Duration: 01:33

EDDB 081450Z 34009KT CAVOK 21/06 Q1030 NOSIG=
EGGW 081620Z 10013KT CAVOK 22/11 Q1031=

Berlin-SXF is the largest easyJet-base outside the U.K. Not suprisingly, the entire terminal B was exclusively used by easyJet. Checkin went smoothly, especially since easyJet had just recently lifted its weight restrictions on hand luggage. After checkin we decided to go through security immediately. Security checks were very thorough. Everyone was frisked by securiy personnel.
Because the gate number of our flight was not yet known, we sat down near gate nr.10, the only place with a -kind of- view over the platform. We could see the arrival of G-EZJD at 15:30 and the departure of easyJet’s G-IGOM at 15:35. After a while the flight information screens indicated that our flight to Luton was to depart from gate A60. Gate A60 appeared to be a terminal
building extension of terminal B(!). After descending some stairs on the outside of the building, we had to pass through customs. Passports were thoroughly checked, which was to be expected since security was equally extensive. While waiting in the boarding area we could see our B737-700 taxy in. Preboarding already started when passengers were still deplaning from the aircraft that had just arrived. We had to wait outside behind a fence before the all-clears were given to walk to the aircraft. EasyJet sure tries not to waste a second during turnaround of the aircraft! Everything went smoothly until we had to wait for three more passengers who had not yet found their way to the gate. When the three had finally made it, the doors were closed and engines started. Looking to the rear, I could see some fire engines and an ambulance drive away from a position just behind our plane, towards the fire station. When we started taxying towards runway 07R we could see G-IGOM again with all passengers deplaning. Apparently the aircraft had returned to the airport after takeoff. Further on we could see an Aeroflot Airbus A319 touch down on ‘our’ runway 26R. The pilot taxied into position and held for one or two minutes before applying takeoff thrust. Takeoff and climb were smooth with a climbing 180-degrees turn to the right to get on the right course to Luton. For a relatively short flight we climbed to a high altitude: FL400 (12.240 m). The route took us over Rotterdam, with the Northern part of Zeeland clearly visible as we descended. Near Luton quite some manoevering was necessary to position the aircraft for a landing on runway 08, which was the opposite direction from were we landed the first two times. The taxi route via Taxiways A, D and E thus did not take us past the crowded bizjet apron. We parked at stand 9 and left the plane through the rear air stairs. Price: EUR 22,24 pp.