Condor Airlines flight to Germany ✈️

Wow - what a busy airport Palma de Mallorca is. I arrived by bus from the city centre to a bustling place. Check in was at counters 150 something - giving an idea to the scale of the operation here. I treated myself to a business class upgrade on this flight so got to skip the queue and check in quickly using the business class counter. I’m flying Condor today, an airline I haven’t flown before. They give a low cost vibe but are expensive… at least to where I’m off to - Friedrichshafen.

Upstairs fast track security allowed me to skip the queues again and within minutes I was deposited in the cram packed duty free store. I honestly can’t remember a busier airport than this (and I’ve been to quite a few!). Instructions on lounge location were simple. Go to terminal C and follow the signs to McDonalds. The lounge is next to that. Worked a treat and soon I was in a much quieter place - albeit very hot 🥵.

The lounge had a wide range of drinks, food and snacks in a bright but not well air conditioned space. I had a couple of sandwiches and a delicious (but enormous) slice of chocolate cake. I gave myself a generous pour of sparkling too. Boarding was delayed due to the aircraft being late out of Zurich due to air traffic control issues.

Once boarded (at original departure time) we were told that it would be a 45min wait on the stand until our slot for take off. The safety demo (in both German and English) involved more active moves by the crew (love a bit of theatre), and a bit of humour in the instructions.

With a long ground delay of 45mins, once the safety demo was complete they opened the bar for economy at the back of the cabin. In business they came around and refilled our glasses. That’s the way you wait on the ground 🥂.

Once airborne a drink service began before the meal. It’s a semi business class - your wine and beer and included as well as a hot meal, but any snacks must be purchased. I’m had the Thai red curry which was honestly delicious. It came with a macron and a cupcake. Although simply plated it hit the spot well. Had so much more flavour than many of the domestic Qantas meals I’ve eaten.

“As we cross the French coast to the left we have Marseille, to the right we have Nice and in the middle we have our crew with duty free” announced the cabin manager 😂. I was tempted to buy a Condor model plane as the striped livery is hot, but I exercised restraint.

The seat is Euro business style with the same seat as economy and the middle seat blocked. I had the row of 3 to myself. There is no recline and the in arm tray tables form a barrier between seats. Never seen tray tables like this before but I guess it saves the weight of a cover for it.

I get a great view of Nice and Monaco as we head towards the alps. The lovely cabin manager asks if I want a drink refill. I say “why not” and he replies “ok, I’ll just keep them coming then”. Although I’m on the sunny side of the plane I get a nice view of Njce and Italy as we head towards Friedrichshafen.

Inflight entertainment is streamed via wifi. It’s at this point I discover my headphones are flat (makes sense as I haven’t charged them since leaving Australia). The content looks decent and has a good inflight map. We pass near lake Como before entering Switzerland as we commence our decent. I see the first clouds I’ve seen this trip - I must be getting close to Germany ⛅️.

Alas the Swiss alps are covered in cloud so don’t get a view of them today. On approach to Friedrichshafen got a glimpse of a Zeppelin ballon flying in the area - one of the reasons I’m visiting this part of Germany. Arrived about an hour late just as a flight from Greece also landed into a packed arrival hall. My bag is 3rd off and soon I’m out looking for a way to town.

No taxi so I go to the train, buy a ticket, then realise the next train is an hour away but a bus leaves in 10mins. Off to the bus I go. Once in town a short walk to my hotel and up 3 floors lugging my suitcase - no lift! Good little flight - glad to add another airline to my list.Baca lagi