I last flew some 11 years ago, Liverpool- Limoges (Ryanair) clean and modern, fairly noisy, spartan with several empty seats due to broken tray-tables.
Forward to a couple of weeks ago, Manchester-Schiphol via Easy-jet. Smoother, smarter, quieter and more comfortable aircraft. A real roar and shudder when takeoff power was applied,-plus a strong push in the back . A much nicer experience than Ryan.
Schiphol seemed huge....thought they were ground-taxying us to final destination!
Landings greasers, compared to the"slap it on" of the blue and yellow.
"security" tedious, fairly thorough, but absolutely no problem with the operators,who's job I don't envy one little bit.
Only criticism, Easy stated "gate" would close 30 min. before flight. Now, as an inexperienced traveller, how am i supposed to differentiate between the check-in and the final check to enter the "holding-pen" at the embarkation-point.....In the event, despite being late, the gate hadn't even opened, let -alone closed! Captain explained and apologised for delay (we were over 1/2 hour late, then a loooong taxi before t/o.....that was Schiphol. a similar, though shorter delay an MAN.
According to some, a delay is "normal" with Easy.
Loved the flights, hated the rigmarole at each end. ...oh, and the return was IMC all the way from a very low drizzly cloudbase both ends.
Was my experience different due to a 10 year technology -gap, or is Airbus really a nicer experience than the cramped Irish cattletruck? tinfoil hat secured.