25.05.2022
OSL-PRN (LN-ENP)
ETD: 06:20 LT (06:35 ATD)
ETA: 09:45 LT (09:41 ATA)
Even though Pristina has been the second busiest airport in Ex-Yu, there have still not been any trip reports to or from this airport. So, I thought to break this pattern.
Good (early) morning! Today’s flight is operating from Oslo to Pristina. The flight has ETD at 06:20 local time from Oslo, which is not preferable for a person who doesen’t like early mornings (like me). I woke up at 03:45, got ready in 15 min. Got a ride to the airport, arrived at approximately 04:45. So I was at the airport 1.5 hour prior ETD. I did the check-in online, so I went straight through the security control, with only cabin luggage.
Oslo Gardermoen is the main airport, which is roughly 50 km from the city centre. A pretty busy airport, but the security control went smooth. Also, we had to go through passport control, two separate lanes, one manned, another one self-service (EU/EEA).
Came to the gate approximately an hour prior departure. A lot of people were waiting to board the plane. I got to see the brand new expansion of the non-schengen area of the terminal. Speechless, every detail with elements of Scandinavian design.
I also got to see one of Norse Atlantic's B787, a new low cost transatlantic airline, which is going to start operations from mid-June. (in the background)
After boarding, I'd say that around 95% of the seats were taken, crowded, mainly Albanian diaspora. Boarding completed 06:25, and we got an announcement over the speaker that if we don’t take our seats on time, we may lose our takeoff slot, and may get delayed up to 1.5 hour. This helped get people onto their seats!
Takeoff from RWY 19L. Wind 160° 10kts. Temperature 10°C. Smooth take off. Expected some headwind the first hour, then mainly crosswind the rest of the flight.
My personal experience with Norwegian is that they got the best legroom among low cost companies. The cabin crew were kind and welcoming even though they looked pretty sleepy.
Norwegian offers 15 minutes of free WiFi onboard with reduced speed (years ago they offered free WiFi for the whole flight duration). You can pay for either 1hr access or full-flight access, with optimised speed.
Flying over Hungary now while I'm writing this, turning right into Croatia, to avoid Serbian airspace due to disputes. The flight has been comfortable so far, beside lots of kids running down the aisle and screaming as if in a playground. I'm hearing people talking in Albanian, Serbian, Norwegian and English.
The plane did an interesting approach into Pristina, making some manoeuvres at low altitude with moderate turbulence. This was the cool part of the flight, especially for me!
Landed at 09:41 local time. While taxiing, an impatient woman did raise up to get out her cabin luggage from the overhead bin. Seriously. This is really embarrassing, and the crew started screaming over the speaker "Please sit down" multiple times.
Overall, it's good value for money. Norwegian, as a low cost airline, delivers exemplary service. 23°C in Pristina.
Share your travel experience by submitting a trip report to exyu@exyuaviation.com
Nice report. Norwegian is a good airline for LCC standards. I assume all food/drinks are buy on board?
ReplyDeleteI didn't write anything about food as I didn't order anything this time. But yes, they offer food for pay onboard, I wouldn't say that the menu differs from other LCCs. They dont accept cash, only card. Price level is on the upper scale.
DeletePRN terminal looks nice and modern
ReplyDeleteQuite nice report. I have heard only good news about Norwegian. It is also very sad that the aircraft today flying into/out of PRN have to avoid Serbian airspace. I hope this disappears in the near future.
ReplyDeleteBut this doesn't make entirely sense. Because sooner or later they must fly through LYBA ACC / SMSTSA controlled airspace. Whatever they enter it from Bosnia or Hungary is the same.
DeleteDifference is final entrance to Kosovo, where ops must happen via Macedonia or Albania.
Often after entering Albania at ALELU or AKIKA, they are routed direct east to Pristina PRN VOR for the approach. If traffic permits.
If not, then it's the long snake via Macedonia and entry from the douth/XAXAN, as here. Here traffic coming from the North, could enter Macedonia directly from Serbia and then XAXAN.
They can't enter from Hungary because they can only fly over Montenegrin section of LYBA
Delete^ bingo, thanks.
DeleteThough it was only no direct entry to Kosovo from Serbia. This is much more complicated...
Good report, besides it misses description of experience in Pristina Airport - Arrivals Terminal.
ReplyDeleteThose manouvers are normal at PRN, part of the procedure.
ReplyDelete