Back in Playa de Palma

[atuk]

Finally, our 2020 holiday came round for departure on 14th June flying with TUI on the 787 to one of our favourite hotels, the RIU Festival. With the car booked into the long stay car park for. 0500 for an 0900 departure we arrived at 0530 after a clear run down form Monifieth with no traffic delays.

Onto the bus to the terminal where we struck gold. No queue at TUI as the two based MAX aircraft had closed for check in and we were first to check in for PMI. The proceeding upstairs through security which was busy but moving quickly and efficiently Mrs C browsed the “Duty Free” shop and we had an overpriced, lukewarm hot breakfast at Caledonia Bar. Our aircraft TUIC arrived from Melbourne FL and duly came on stand 29. Those who know me well will understand how appropriate “IC”is to me. My personal 787.

So far, so good but we didn’t board until the departure time of 0905 due to the cleaners being late at the aircraft. None the less a superb flight down to PMI in clear conditions with a stupendous view of the Isle of Wight and Solent as well as a bird’s eye view of Barcelona from 43,000 feet.

Clearing immigration and health checks at PMI was a dawdle, again busy but constantly moving, and it took longer to reach there from the bussing gate - yes two 787on remotes stands - must be a dispatchers nightmare!

Anyway a relaxing but very hot week spent in Playa de Palma visiting our old haunts in Palma City as well as using the local trains and busses to visit Inca, Manacor Puerto de Soller, Deia and Valledemosa; Majorca has something for every age, taste and culture. I’d defy anyone to state they couldn’t find a place which ticks all the boxes for them. From city, rural, upmarket, to kiss me quick hats in Magaluf and parts of Playa de Palma and Arenal, foodies, fast food and local produce. Oh,and did I mention the view of PMI departures?

That said I must say PMI today is different from days gone by. Lots of Ryanair, the principal operator in guises of Lauda Air and Buzz, as well as many Malta Air 9H registered 737s but in full FR colours not Malta Air. Add to that Eurowings, some aircraft parked up all week,that can’t benefit the bottom line- take note Lufthansa but one constant remains unchanged apart from aircraft types and colour schemes.

Condor, born in 1956 and sporting the new look stripes which I have to say look better in the metal than the photos do justice to 757-300 “OI” looked splendid in blue stripes ( seaside) departing for Hamburg and the 330s for FRA and DUS sported green (island) with some 321s in yellow (beach).

Mind you old memories kept returning of my very first visit - smoky 720s of Conair, Maersk and Monarch; Dan-Air 1-11 and 727s, Aviaco DC9s and TAE Caravelles not to mention the smokiest, loudest and most fuel guzzling Spantax Coronados!

Have I not missed someone out? Yes, of course, the late great Britannia Airways, with its ground breaking and award winning 737s and later 767s and757s. Not that the TUI magazine even mentioned the fact this company celebrated it’s 60th birthday on 05MAY22.

The return flight home to GLA was around two hours forty minutes late. A late arrival in DSA from CUN followed by empty leg to GLA and further delayed by cleaning. This time is was “IE” doing the honours and leaving a cloudy PMI we climbed through heavy storm clouds north of BCN finally entering clear skies close to NTE. Again a superb view of BRS and the Severn estuary basking In the early evening sun before a commencing our descent and a smooth, if delayed, landing back in GLA.

Thank you TUI for a good holiday and great flights. Any improvements required? Yes the short to medium haul service offering(or lack of it) requires a complete overhaul.TUI seems to be emulating FR whereas it would be better copying LS with its vastly superior service offerings.

[bill]

Nice TR Ian, thanks for posting and glad you eventually got away! Palma is a lovely city. I've only ever spent a day there with Mrs B shopping but it has a great vibe to it, backed up by Mallorca which is a cracking holiday island (Magaluf excepted!).
I also need to get a flight on the B787 and also the A350 to see what all the fuss is about.

[atuk]

Nice TR Ian, thanks for posting and glad you eventually got away! Palma is a lovely city. I've only ever spent a day there with Mrs B shopping but it has a great vibe to it, backed up by Mallorca which is a cracking holiday island (Magaluf excepted!).
I also need to get a flight on the B787 and also the A350 to see what all the fuss is about.

Thanks Bill the 787s are good and cut through the turbulence with minimum fuss and discomfort. Thankfully no dramas as my last landing in GLA was an emergency one!

Palma is brilliant and plenty to see, do eat and drink. We paid a wee visit to Bar Cristal on Plaza de Espana; the first time was 41 years ago. Hope you have a great holiday when you get away.