A 3:30am Start
All good trips have a low point, and mine came in the shape of a 3:30am taxi from the DoubleTree Košice to the airport. The streets were silent, the air still clinging to the last of the summer night’s warmth, and I was bleary-eyed before the day had even begun.
Košice Airport, however, is a marvel of efficiency. Even at this hour, check-in was brisk, security friendly, and within ten minutes I was sitting airside with time to spare before boarding. Even at 4am the departures area was fully open with two cafes, a shop, a magazine and tobacco stand, and the inevitable duty free all manned and ready to do business. I was particularly thankful for the cafe and an excellent cup of coffee or two!
With a few minutes to go to boarding I suddenly realised I had not checked for a lounge! And there it was, right beside the gate so I hotfooted it up the stairs and liberated a pre-packaged breakfast for the upcoming flight
Austrian Airlines KSC → VIE
The first leg was a short Austrian hop west to Vienna. With an exit row seat, I had more than enough space to stretch out, and the cabin crew managed that classic Austrian blend of friendly professionalism even on a flight barely long enough for a coffee and a chocolate.
We touched down ahead of schedule, but Vienna itself was less impressive.
Vienna Airport Transit
Vienna’s transfer experience was quick an easy, it was a short walk tot he next gate and boarding commenced mere minutes after I arrived. A bus ride to our next flight
Austrian Airlines VIE → DUS
A little drama when we were all on board and settled, the pilots announcement that they had lost a passenger! In the end it turns out that a high status passenger had been bussed to the wrong aircraft! They found him eventually and we were on our way around twenty minutes late. The flight itself was similar to all the previous ones, service was minimal, but comfort was high, and we landed into Düsseldorf only a few minutes behind schedule.
Düsseldorf Airport & Lounge
Düsseldorf was a return to form. The Senator Lounge isn’t flash, but it delivered a basic breakfast and good coffee.
Eurowings DUS → NCL
The final leg home was Eurowings back to Newcastle. Row 1A for the ultimate legroom. And this is where it all went a little wrong. The first group of passengers were loaded on the bus and then the long wait began. It was so long that some passengers decided to use the door as a seat.
Fully twenty minutes later they sent us on the way to the plane accompanied by cheers and heckling from the large group of Geordie lads at the back of the bus.
Whatever the issue was at the gate they clearly resolved it by the time the bus returned as the second load of passengers appeared quickly and we were all buttoned up and on our way well over 30 minutes late. The flight itself was very similar to the outbound and we landed in Newcastle around 20 minutes behind schedule. Passport control was empty and the whole arrival at Newcastle was, as always, a breeze. Within ten minutes of landing I was back landside and waiting for the Uber home.
Review Summary
Austrian KSC → VIE – ★★★★☆
Comfortable, punctual, and far better than expected for such a short hop.
Vienna Airport Transit – ★★★★☆
A quick transit with no time to linger
Austrian VIE → DUS – ★★★★☆
Another polished short-haul flight after some mis-step in Austrian Airlines passenger handling.
Düsseldorf Senator Lounge – ★★★☆☆
Solid and reliable, basic European lounge fair.
Eurowings DUS → NCL – ★★☆☆☆
Awful boarding experience. Efficient, clean, and good value flight.
Overall – A very early start, a rough patch in Dusseldorf but a smooth and comfortable journey home. Austrian and Eurowings both delivered.
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