TRIP REPORT
Wiritten by jsg
Metropolis breaks have turn into a well-established a part of my life, and I actually take pleasure in spending a weekend or so away from Warsaw. Whereas having fun with a earlier journey to Bucharest, an concept sparked, I needed to return, however this time, a special approach. Why not mix it with a go to to a different capital? As I thought-about the probabilities: Sofia, Belgrade, Budapest, or Prague, I all of the sudden recalled that Croatia Airways had lately introduced a direct flight from Bucharest to Zagreb. Let’s go for it and make a double metropolis break: Bucharest and Zagreb. Two capital cities, one thrilling journey.
Step one was to ebook a multi-city (or open-jaw) ticket: Warsaw–Bucharest, adopted by Zagreb-Warsaw. Subsequent, I secured a Croatia Airways flight to hyperlink the 2 capitals – Bucharest to Zagreb. For the Warsaw–Bucharest leg, I am spoiled for selection. On most days, there are three and even 4 day by day flights. I opted for the late-night departure at 23:10 as on Thursdays, solely three flights can be found, as the extra 20:20 flight operates solely on choose days. The return from Zagreb was a no brainer. The Croatian capital provides two day by day flights to Warsaw on most days. I selected essentially the most handy possibility for a metropolis break: the late afternoon flight at 18:05 – excellent timing to squeeze in a day within the metropolis earlier than heading house. All is about, and I’m excited to attempt one thing new, which I wish to name a double metropolis break.
OU317 Bucharest Otopeni – Zagreb. Bucharest all the time amuses me. I’ve visited the Romanian capital a number of occasions, and every time I uncover one thing new. I do know I’ll return to Bucharest eventually, however immediately, I head to București Nord – the principle prepare station serving the Romanian capital. My prepare departs at 14:30 from platform 9. The only ticket prices 6 RON. The route linking Henri Coandă Worldwide Airport (Otopeni) with Bucharest Nord is a well-liked method to get to and from the airport. In keeping with some studies, over 1.4 million passengers used this service in 2024.
The prepare is filling up rapidly. A couple of minutes earlier than departure, all seats are taken, and a few passengers are left standing for the 21-minute journey. The diesel a number of unit prepare stops at two intermediate stations – Parc Mogoșoaia and Patinoar – earlier than arriving at Otopeni Airport station with a 3-minute delay, pulling in at 14:54. The stream of passengers is leaving the prepare. Most of them comply with the signpost marked “Plecări” (Departures). There isn’t any simple or direct route to succeed in the departure space of Otopeni Airport, which is positioned in a distant nook of the terminal constructing on the bottom ground. The easiest way appears to be coming into by means of the arrivals space and strolling alongside an extended hall that connects to a different a part of the terminal, the place the departures space is positioned. An alternate route is to go exterior and take the ramp or stairs main on to the departure entrance.
I select the primary route, because it appears less complicated. Whereas strolling by means of the hall, I discover that a lot of the realm is boarded up on account of ongoing renovation work. I additionally take a fast look on the photographs of the brand new terminal inside displayed on the partition boards and conclude that the airport will look very trendy as soon as the upgrades are full. And at last, I arrive on the check-in space, positioned on the far finish of the airport. The check-in desk for my flight is already open. There’s nearly no queue at desk 83, solely three individuals in entrance of me, so I rapidly attain the counter. The desk is staffed by two brokers. One among them seems to be in coaching however is already serving to by inserting baggage tags on the baggage. “Just one bag to examine in?” asks the principle check-in agent seated behind the counter. I verify. Very quickly, the check-in is accomplished: a baggage tag is printed and hooked up to my bag, and I obtain again my ID card together with a printed boarding go. Then I flip round and head towards the safety screening space positioned simply behind me.
“Oh no!” I say to myself upon seeing an extended queue for safety management. However to my shock, the road strikes rapidly, and after simply 13 minutes, I’m by means of and on the airside. On the nearest departure board, I examine my assigned gate and proceed to the principle departure space of the airport.
This time, there’s no passport management. Romania is now a full member of the Schengen Zone, a change I actually welcome. The airport is bustling, as anticipated on a Saturday in August. Along with the standard crowd of normal travellers, many passengers are heading off on their long-awaited holidays to in style vacation locations.
In the present day’s flight to Zagreb will board at Gate 30, which like gates 20-33 are positioned on the bottom ground and served by buses, somewhat than the airbridges utilized by gates on the primary ground. Though I want boarding through jetty, I can dwell with it this time. Lol. The departure space could be very busy, and I can barely discover a seat. Out of the nook of my eye, I discover an replace on the display at Gate 30: estimated time (of departure) 17:30.
Okay, so we’re delayed by half-hour. I’m wondering why. Airspace restrictions? A late departure from Zagreb? Or one thing else? After a fast examine on-line, I discover out the rationale: the delay stems from the late arrival of the preliminary sector from Zagreb to Barcelona (OU374), which had a knock-on impact on the return leg Barcelona–Zagreb (OU375), well timed departure of flight OU316 from Zagreb to Bucharest and subsequently on my flight OU316. That flight lastly landed at Bucharest Otopeni Airport at 17:05 – 55 minutes delayed.
The plane parks at a distant stand, however nonetheless inside my sight. I depart my seat and stroll nearer to the window to get a greater view of the disembarkation course of, as I intend to depend the variety of passengers getting off. There have been approx. 60 travellers on board this flight. I do a fast calculation. Load issue was under 50%, which might be not signal for the way forward for this route.
At 17:22, boarding is introduced. A queue rapidly kinds at Gate 30. Two gate brokers effectively examine boarding passes and confirm passengers’ paperwork. The method is easy, and shortly the bus doorways shut as we head towards the plane.
Contained in the bus, a various group of passengers fills the house: Croatians returning house from Romania, Romanians touring to Croatia, together with a nuclear household, presumably on a vacation journey, and a Ukrainian nationwide. Two heavy steel followers additionally stand out, dressed the half. One among them wears a hat and a black tank high with “Identify three songs” boldly printed on the again. A really eclectic group of travellers. The bus trip takes a number of minutes earlier than we’re dropped off at a distant parking place overlooking the terminal constructing.
Because the seat subsequent to me is already occupied, I reap the benefits of the comparatively empty flight and transfer to the following row, settling right into a window seat: 28A. The cabin is sparsely stuffed and solely about one third of the seats are occupied. That’s even fewer than on the earlier phase, and I can’t assist however surprise if this route will quickly be discontinued on account of such low load components. Maybe it attracts extra passengers on different days? I discover myself considering the unsure way forward for this connection.
Inside, I rapidly go searching. The plane inside is new and nice, with that fresh-from-the-factory really feel. The two+3 seat configuration is a attribute function of this plane sort. As is frequent in lots of trendy narrow-body jets, legroom is proscribed. I discover myself wishing for a number of additional inches of seat pitch for a extra snug expertise.
Quickly, we’re able to depart. The doorways are closed, and the cabin crew take their positions for the security demonstration, performed in each Croatian and English as we taxi towards the runway. At 18:12, we lastly take off, heading for the Croatian capital. Shortly after departure from Otopeni Airport, the plane makes a large U-turn, giving me a shocking panoramic view of Bucharest. From my window seat, I can even spot the runway of close by Băneasa Airport – the town’s authentic airport and as soon as its predominant worldwide gateway.
After reaching cruising altitude, the all-female cabin crew of three begins the onboard service. Every passenger receives a small pack of “krekeri sa začinskim biljem s Kvarnera” (crackers flavoured with fragrant herbs from the Kvarner area), together with a selection of nonetheless or glowing water. I go for the plain nonetheless water. I significantly benefit from the savoury style of the crackers, which I bear in mind from earlier flights with Croatia Airways. They’re easy but flavourful and would go very effectively with a glass of Croatian (in fact) white wine. I discover myself questioning: can you purchase these someplace in Croatia?
Within the present subject of in-flight journal, I famous a brief word a couple of new seasonal path to Bucharest with intention to be served 3 occasions every week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
After passing Băneasa Airport, which stays operational immediately and is primarily utilized by Wizz Air, we proceed over the Romanian metropolis of Craiova. From there, the flight path takes us throughout the Iron Gorge on the Danube River, marking our entry into Serbian airspace. Later, we fly south of Belgrade, then go over the Serbian metropolis of Šabac and the Bosnian metropolis of Brčko. Shortly after Brčko, the plane makes a slight proper flip and enters Croatian airspace close to the city of Novi Grad. Persevering with northwest, we make one other flip close to the Croatian city of Đurđevac and start our method to Zagreb. At 18:33, we contact down at Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport, finishing the brief however scenic flight.
The plane is parked at a distant stand close to the outdated terminal constructing, straight reverse the airport “Vatrogasna postaja” (fireplace station). It takes a couple of minutes for the cellular stairs to be hooked up, and shortly we’re disembarking onto a ready bus on the backside of the steps.
As soon as all passengers are on board, we start the brief trip to the terminal. We’re not the one car on the tarmac—simply forward of us is a baggage cart transporting baggage from flight OU317, cruising alongside at a gentle tempo. However our driver appears decided to beat the baggage to the terminal. With a sudden burst of pace, the bus overtakes the luggage cart and leaves it trailing behind. Positive sufficient, we arrive forward of the baggage and are dropped off at what was once the “domaći dolazak” (home arrival) space. Wall indicators from the constructing’s earlier format nonetheless peek by means of the newer airport signage, providing a quiet reminder of the terminal’s previous.
It’s solely a brief stroll to the luggage reclaim space, and as anticipated, we’ve arrived earlier than our baggage. Passengers collect round Belt 3, ready for the conveyor to begin. A flashing gentle and the acquainted sound of a siren sign the arrival of the baggage. Mine is among the many first to look. I rapidly seize it and make my approach towards the bus cease.
I’m happy to catch the 19:00 bus to the Zagreb metropolis centre (single trip 8 EUR), excellent timing to take pleasure in late night within the Croatian capital.
Flight statistics
LF: 35 %
Distance: 799 kms (431 nm)
Departure time (scheduled/precise): 17:00/18:12 (native time on the departure airport)
Arrival time (scheduled/precise): 17:35/18:33 (native time on the arrival airport)
Flight period (scheduled/precise): 1h 35 min/1 h 21 min
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