At wits end with Covid news, furlough again and constantly worsening news I took the plunge and booked my annual birthday flights - this time Frankfurt once again. I did my homework beforehand ensuring that entry requirements were okay and no need to self quarantine in return.
Cue 19th August on a non red eye departure from EDI to LHR on Airbus 319 G-EUPA from a near deserted, eerily silent EDI. Security was extremely quiet with only three lanes open. I spoke to some of my workmates working on KL and FR before boarding. Boarding sequence has changed with last rows first then gradually moving forward. On board service has changed too with sanitising packs handed over on boarding and limited catering - a Doe&Co meat or veg option sandwich, rather like an upmarket Pret and choices of beverage; alcoholic, soft and/or soft drinks.
A smooth flight down to a deserted LHR. Plenty of older metal parked up with T3&4 out if use leaving only T2&5 operational. The former Star Alliance and Skyteam carriers plus all other non aligned carriers with T5 exclusively Oneworld.
G-EUOE was scheduled for the flight over to FRA which was a repeat of the flight down to LHR the only change being a couple of gins instead of tea. Clear skies provided a great view of the Rhine, Nord Rhein Westphalia and the area surrounding FRA.
Early departures and arrivals were the order of the day, easily achievable given the low volume of flights and passenger loads.
FRA has many parked up aircraft of LH, DE and X3. Helping balance the shortfall are cargo flights, the most I have seen at FRA for quite some time. The airport authority has closed T2 completely so all passenger flights operate from T1.