Another European city ticked off the list. This time it was Frankfurt. I had fancied a weekend away somewhere mid-October and I had an Ambassador weekend voucher to use from IHG - stay one night get another night free over the weekend. I had thought about going to London but I've done that so many times before. I then saw that Frankfurt has an IC so plugged in dates to the internet site and settled on a Friday / Saturday night stay. I booked a suite - early birthday treat to myself.
So on the Friday morning, I threw a few things into a case and caught the bus to ABZ. It was a pretty dreich day in the city and the granite was looking especially grey. My phone told me that the weather would be relatively nice (albeit a bit cloudy) in Frankfurt over the weekend. The bus took around 30 mins to get to the airport and I got into the terminal. The security line was massive. Probably one of the longest lines I have seen at ABZ. This is when having no status with an airline really sucks. If I was flying BA, I'd fly though the fast track security lane and be in the haven of the lounge within 5 minutes. Different story today. Nearly. I remembered that you can purchase priority security online which I did in a matter of minutes. £3.50 later I was at the front of the security queue. Best £3.50 I spent all weekend! ;)
I found a seat on the lower level beside the gates and got a pint (Tennents of course) from the bar. The flight then showed a 30 min delay which was fine but I wanted to get to Frankfurt rather than hang around an airport. The gate agents made a pre-board call (when there was no sign of the aircraft actually having landed) and then realised their mistake. Cue quite a few grumbles. I soon found out that the plane was playing loop the loop over the countryside around Aberdeen.
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The gate agent then seemed to find this out. The plane had to circle because of particularly heavy helicopter traffic that day. It landed at 12.40 over an hour late. However, it didn't take long to clean the aircraft and refuel. I stayed back from the hoards of people until the end. I took my seat right at the back of the A319 and was surprised just how busy the flight was. I couldn't see a spare seat in sight. Lufty must have a good thing going with ABZ flights. It was the same on the return flight too - absolutely packed. Perhaps it was just the flights I chose - it would be interesting to see if the other flights during the week are as busy. We were soon on our way an hour and 10 mins behind schedule. The usual announcements were done in German and English.
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The flight itself was fine. We were given the choice of a cheese sandwich or salami sandwich. I went with the former and also took a beer. I was pretty peckish so had devoured the sandwich without taking a pic......I'm sure you can use your imagination though!
The crew were nice enough. Anyone taking one look at the two ladies could tell they were German. Friendly duo. They offered more drinks when they were going around cleaning. I asked for another beer but they had run out. The older of the two profusely apologised and told me that she had a bottle of red wine opened and would be happy if I helped to finish it. Ha! So red wine poured to enjoy during the last 30 mins of the flight.
Before long, we were descending over the German countryside and landed in FRA just after 4pm. I hopped into a taxi and was at the IC shortly thereafter. The guy checking me in told me that they had upgraded me to a Panoramic View Suite and thanked me for my loyalty etc etc. I was on the 17th floor and the room had some great views over the Main River.
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The welcome gifts were nice - some petits fours, bottle of red wine and a credit card holder.
I could use the Club Lounge on the 21st floor. It serves canapés from 5.30pm every day. I went up around 6pm and was surprised how small and how busy it was. I found a table though and grabbed a beer along with some seafood.
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The lounge is actually a great place to watch the sunset. You can go outside to the balcony bit if you want to sit out.
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I managed to grab one of the comfy sofas when some folk left so enjoyed sitting there, relaxing and drinking some fine German beer. I asked the concierge at the hotel for a recommendation for dinner. He gave me the name of a restaurant relatively close by so I headed there. He described it as a nice restaurant with good German food "where you know it is the mum doing the cooking in the kitchen".
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I was stuffed after the meal and said no to several offers of dessert. I wandered around for a while and stopped off at a few bars along the way back to the hotel.
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So on the Friday morning, I threw a few things into a case and caught the bus to ABZ. It was a pretty dreich day in the city and the granite was looking especially grey. My phone told me that the weather would be relatively nice (albeit a bit cloudy) in Frankfurt over the weekend. The bus took around 30 mins to get to the airport and I got into the terminal. The security line was massive. Probably one of the longest lines I have seen at ABZ. This is when having no status with an airline really sucks. If I was flying BA, I'd fly though the fast track security lane and be in the haven of the lounge within 5 minutes. Different story today. Nearly. I remembered that you can purchase priority security online which I did in a matter of minutes. £3.50 later I was at the front of the security queue. Best £3.50 I spent all weekend! ;)
I found a seat on the lower level beside the gates and got a pint (Tennents of course) from the bar. The flight then showed a 30 min delay which was fine but I wanted to get to Frankfurt rather than hang around an airport. The gate agents made a pre-board call (when there was no sign of the aircraft actually having landed) and then realised their mistake. Cue quite a few grumbles. I soon found out that the plane was playing loop the loop over the countryside around Aberdeen.
The gate agent then seemed to find this out. The plane had to circle because of particularly heavy helicopter traffic that day. It landed at 12.40 over an hour late. However, it didn't take long to clean the aircraft and refuel. I stayed back from the hoards of people until the end. I took my seat right at the back of the A319 and was surprised just how busy the flight was. I couldn't see a spare seat in sight. Lufty must have a good thing going with ABZ flights. It was the same on the return flight too - absolutely packed. Perhaps it was just the flights I chose - it would be interesting to see if the other flights during the week are as busy. We were soon on our way an hour and 10 mins behind schedule. The usual announcements were done in German and English.
The flight itself was fine. We were given the choice of a cheese sandwich or salami sandwich. I went with the former and also took a beer. I was pretty peckish so had devoured the sandwich without taking a pic......I'm sure you can use your imagination though!
The crew were nice enough. Anyone taking one look at the two ladies could tell they were German. Friendly duo. They offered more drinks when they were going around cleaning. I asked for another beer but they had run out. The older of the two profusely apologised and told me that she had a bottle of red wine opened and would be happy if I helped to finish it. Ha! So red wine poured to enjoy during the last 30 mins of the flight.
Before long, we were descending over the German countryside and landed in FRA just after 4pm. I hopped into a taxi and was at the IC shortly thereafter. The guy checking me in told me that they had upgraded me to a Panoramic View Suite and thanked me for my loyalty etc etc. I was on the 17th floor and the room had some great views over the Main River.
The welcome gifts were nice - some petits fours, bottle of red wine and a credit card holder.
I could use the Club Lounge on the 21st floor. It serves canapés from 5.30pm every day. I went up around 6pm and was surprised how small and how busy it was. I found a table though and grabbed a beer along with some seafood.
The lounge is actually a great place to watch the sunset. You can go outside to the balcony bit if you want to sit out.
I managed to grab one of the comfy sofas when some folk left so enjoyed sitting there, relaxing and drinking some fine German beer. I asked the concierge at the hotel for a recommendation for dinner. He gave me the name of a restaurant relatively close by so I headed there. He described it as a nice restaurant with good German food "where you know it is the mum doing the cooking in the kitchen".
I was stuffed after the meal and said no to several offers of dessert. I wandered around for a while and stopped off at a few bars along the way back to the hotel.
