Route: Zagreb (ZAG) - Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
Flight Time: approx. 1h 50min
Croatia Airlines’ service from Zagreb to Paris was a seamless and highly memorable experience. The check-in process at Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport was, as always with Croatia Airlines, fast and efficient, quite a contrast to the often lengthy and stressful experience with Ryanair. Boarding was conducted smoothly and on time, although departure took place about 25 minutes after the scheduled slot due to a CTOT restriction issued by ATC.
Once airborne, the cabin service began with a light snack of crackers from Dalmatia, a nice regional touch that both tasted excellent and highlighted Croatia’s culinary heritage. The snack was accompanied by a choice of still or sparkling water. While modest, the service was neatly presented and perfectly adequate for this short intra-European sector. What stood out most, however, was the cabin crew. They were very, very friendly, professional, and genuinely attentive, especially the purser, Ms. Belošič, who went out of her way to ensure passengers felt welcome and comfortable.
Before the flight, I had arranged permission for a cockpit visit. Upon boarding, I approached the purser, who kindly explained that the flight crew was busy with operational tasks and airspace restrictions on the way to Paris. She promised to try to make something possible, and true to her word, about 25 minutes before top of descent, she returned to my seat and invited me forward.
The captain, who to my delight turned out to be from my own hometown of Maribor, Slovenia, personally welcomed me into the cockpit. For me, already familiar with the Airbus A320 family cockpit layout and Airbus’ design philosophy from simulator flying, it was a dream come true to observe the real thing in action. Due to heavy congestion in the Paris area, ATC instructed us to maintain minimum clean speed about 10 minutes before TOD. Despite the busy traffic and complex environment, the first officer executed a smooth and precise landing on runway 26L.
For an aspiring pilot, being able to witness such a critical phase of flight from the cockpit was one of the best experiences of my life. In today’s aviation world, with strict safety regulations and limited cockpit access, this was an extraordinary privilege. I am deeply grateful to the crew of OU470 for their professionalism, kindness, and generosity in making this lifelong dream come true.
I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Croatia Airlines as a company for enabling this positive experience. I truly believe that with many other airlines, such an opportunity would not have been possible, and I greatly appreciate their effort and openness.
Looking ahead, I would be thrilled to one day experience a jump seat flight on the new Airbus A220 or the Bombardier Dash 8, as both offer a unique and special perspective on regional flying.
Finally, this is not the end of my reporting, stay tuned, as I am currently preparing detailed trip reports on Finnair (VIE–HEL–JFK) and British Airways (IAD–LHR–VIE).
Share your travel experience by submitting a trip report to exyu@exyuaviation.com
Thanks for the great report. I'm flying with CA this month twice (MUC-DBV and DBV-ZAG) and looking forward to it. Flew just few times with CA and so far my experience was good.
ReplyDeleteIs it a connecting flight in DBV?
DeleteFantastic trip report, thank you.
ReplyDeleteLoved the cockpit pics/
Kolika je bila popunjenost aviona?
ReplyDeleteI would say it was almost full. Jakob
DeleteHow you can secure a cocpit visit permit?
ReplyDeleteYou can't. It is strictly forbidden. Cockpit doors are locked during the entire flight and only the crew is allowed in. Letting anybody in during the flight is criminal offence of endangering of flight safety. Not to mention visit to happen during "critical phase of flight". There are plenty of other nonsenses in the article like "seamless check in for OU" and "lenghty and stressful experience with Ryanair" which is done online in 2 minutes. Perfect and adequate catering is another pearl. Anyhow, this trip report is either paid ad from and for OU, or if truth, clearly shows that OU crews break laws, rules and procedures in their everyday work which says every about the company
Deleteeverything
DeleteNone of the trip reports published on this site are sponsored or paid advertorials.
DeleteI really doubt Croatia Airlines paid him to write this
Delete"Finally, this is not the end of my reporting, stay tuned, as I am currently preparing detailed trip reports on Finnair (VIE–HEL–JFK) and British Airways (IAD–LHR–VIE)."
@10:53 - Obviously it ain't forbidden if the guy made it.
DeleteYou can go 300 km/h on a highway. Just because you can do it, it doesn't mean you are allowed to.
DeleteI am the author of this report. Perhaps it is my fault, as I forgot to introduce myself and include my name. My name is Jakob, a 19-year-old student from Slovenia.
DeleteFirstly, I would like to explain how I secured a jump seat flight. I initially sent an email to Croatia Airlines (contact@croatiaairlines.hr). Their reply stated that it was impossible due to high safety standards. I believe this was a standard response from their booking department. However, I did not give up and decided to contact their marketing department. This time, I received a positive reply. A very kind lady informed me that the crew would be notified about me and my request, and that I should report to the purser during boarding. I was honestly surprised that this could be possible. I had expected that, at most, they might allow me to take a photo or two on the ground, and nothing more.
Secondly, I would like to clarify that allowing cockpit visits is solely the company’s decision. EASA only advises against it but does not strictly forbid it.
Jakob
However, I'm glad that you somehow had the luck to visit the cockpit. Before 9/11 it was possible. I understand that safety is important, but it's a bit pity that due to one terrorist attack we live in a much more limited world.
Delete@11.56/Jakob
DeleteMarketing department has no authority deciding about flight safety. Those matters are regulated in company manuals and operational manuals and operations and/or safety departments are in charge. I highly doubt OU hadn't implemented EASA regulations and/or recommendations into its policies and manuals. After all, there are placards/labels on cockpit doors saying that all entries expect by the crew are forbidden. I do understand your wish to be in cockpit but what you did was not in accordance with the regulations, and OU crew broke their own rules and regulations by letting you in. And CCAA should be acting regarding this safety breach incident. But they probably won't and everything will remain hash hash
@12:26
DeleteThank you for your comment and for sharing your perspective. I fully understand your concerns regarding safety regulations, and I certainly do not wish to question their importance.
I would like to emphasize that I did not insist on breaking any rules. I simply contacted the airline, and it was their marketing department that coordinated with the crew and gave me instructions on how to proceed. Once onboard, I followed the crew’s directions exactly as they were given.
Regarding EASA, as far as I know, cockpit visits are not explicitly prohibited but strongly discouraged. The final decision lies with the airline and ultimately the captain. In this case, the company and the crew made the decision, and I respected their instructions.
I am also aware—and there are many references online—that another European airline, SAS, still allows cockpit flights with the captain’s permission.
I acknowledge that the situation may raise different interpretations, but my intention was never to bypass safety measures—only to share an aviation experience in a respectful way.
Best regards,
Jakob
Dear Jakob,
DeleteMarketing department coordinating security and safety matters on the flight equals letting hospital accountant performing serious surgery on patient. If you want to work in aviation it is the first thing you need to understand. And even if you were let into cockpit during the flight, which I believe was highly irregular, the final moment you were supposed to be back to your seat was top of descend or fasten seat belts on. Critical phase of the flight, passenger in the cockpit is NO, NO, NO, NO and NO. Full stop. End of discussion.
"After all, there are placards/labels on cockpit doors saying that all entries expect by the crew are forbidden. I do understand your wish to be in cockpit but what you did was not in accordance with the regulations, and OU crew broke their own rules and regulations by letting you in."
DeleteWhat you write is neither nice nor legally accurate nor actually relevant for this discussion because the guy has clearly already been in the cockpit. You screaming that it is illegal doesn't make it illegal. Take a chill pill and leave the guy alone.
"Marketing department coordinating security and safety matters on the flight equals letting hospital accountant performing serious surgery on patient."
DeleteThis comment is probably a waste of my time because you won't get what I'm saying as you seem to be 100% set on a his being a major incident (when it's not even against regulations - despite you saying twice that it is) but I'll write it anyway.
An accountant PERFORMING surgery is not the same as the marketing department INFORMING the pilot that this guy wanted to go into the cockpit. The marketing department didn't make the decision, the marketing department didn't fly the plane and the marketing department ultimately was just the messenger. The captain is the one who ultimately makes the decision.
If you struggle to understand your own metaphors, check their meaning with ChatGPT before publishing.
How interesting that the pilot is Slovenian. Did he join Croatia Airlines from Adria? I know some went to Lauda.
ReplyDeleteThe captain began his career with the Slovenian Air Force. Then he continued at Adria Airways, flying the CRJ. After Adria’s collapse, he joined Wizz Air as a captain on the A320 family. Later, he transitioned to the Slovenian company Amelia. He started flying for Croatia Airlines this year and mentioned that he only has a contract for the summer season. I believe this is due to the transition to the A220 fleet and the retirement of two A320s.
DeleteJakob
That is very interesting, thanks! Do you know where he was based with Wizz? Vienna or Venice maybe?
DeleteI am not sure, but believe he was based at VCE.
DeleteExcuse me, you, as a passenger, were let to flight deck? Huge mistake by Captain and Cabin senior...
ReplyDeleteLol give it a break. You have Sam Chui on the flight deck of many global airlines yet you don't meltdown because of it.
DeletePeople in the Balkans know better than anyone else about everything. This guy is declaring a cockpit visit ILLEGAL (does he even know what illegal means?) but he is doing it with such conviction that he has convinced himself he is correct.
DeleteSo? If Sam Chui can go to cockpit, we should let every passenger on every flight go to flight deck, cause "You have Sam Chui on the flight deck of many global airlines"?
DeleteYou were declaring it to be illegal which it isn't. Get a life man.
DeleteYou're not going to win an argument by resorting to logical fallacies. No one is suggesting that every passenger should be let into the cockpit. It is YOU who is suggesting that this is ILLEGAL which it is plainly not. Just accept that you have been humbled and move on. You're an anonymous comment writer, you don't even have to be embarrassed about your lack of knowledge because no one knows who you are.
Delete^ He is just upset about all things OU. Logic has nothing to do with it.
Delete@admin
ReplyDeleteI strongly recommend that this review be removed from the website immediately, although it may already be too late.
@Jakob
Publishing the captain’s full résumé on a public platform was unfortunately unwise. I immediately recognized the individual in question, having flown with him as an FO. I can personally attest that he is a true professional and a highly experienced aviator.
@others
Before making calls for accountability or investigation, please review OU’s OM-A and post the rules regarding flight deck occupancy here so we can have an informed discussion. If you do not have access to OM-A, consult EASA CAT.GEN.MPA.135 *Admission to the flight crew compartment*, section (a), paragraph 3, and report back. Until then, I suggest refraining from further commentary.
Why on earth should this site remove a trip report by another passenger? To cover something up?
DeleteYou really need to get help!
Delete@14:02
DeleteNothing needs covering up since nothing illegal has happened.