Darwin Airline

✅ Verified Review | Geneva to Zurich. I was a bit nervous about flying with this airline because of bad reviews, but my experience was the complete opposite. True, boarding was done a bit late but we took off only 5 minutes after scheduled departure time and landed 10 minutes before scheduled time, which means the flight was only 35 mins. Despite the short flight time, passengers were handed a pack of small biscuits and a brioche together with a 330ml bottle of water each. Seating on the Saab 2000 is 1x2 which means that the passenger sitting on the left hand side of the aircraft gets a window AND the aisle (in economy class!). Truly stunning morning views of the Swiss Alps during sunrise. The Saab 2000 aircraft is a small turboprop aircraft which is pretty fun to fly on for true aviation enthusiasts like me. Cabin pressure is good and the noise level is a bit higher than on other aircraft, but that's quite cool for av geeks. Definitely better than what I was expecting and I recommend this great airline (and the Saab 2000).

Lugano to Biarritz via Geneva with Eithad Regional (operated by Darwin Airline). Cabin Crew very nice, check in and security check in Lugano and Biarritz very fast and without problems. But the route, never again - it is more comfortable by TGV, even if a 15 hour trip. In Geneva for 30 minutes and obliged to leave the aircraft, wait for hand baggage, brought with the bus at GVA airport, run through the airport, found an immense queue to pass again the security check (I was ashamed to run to the front of the queue) and arrived to go back on the bus to return to the same aircraft, same crew. Tried during the previous to find out how to avoid the same crazy run on the flight back to Lugano, without answers. Last Monday, (arrived 3 hours before departure) in Biarritz with no possibility to have the boarding pass from GVA to Lugano, but confirmation by check in staff that we could stay on the aircraft and receive the boarding pass from security crew. However, in GVA obliged to leave the aircraft, to run the same crazy way, but with the new difficulty to pass the security check without boarding pass, whilst our names were called as “last call to the gate”. Arrived to the gate, with a whole bus waiting, the employee gave us the boarding cards and asked us “but why did you not remain on the aircraft?” After 12 days we are always waiting an answer from Eithad Regional.

Left stranded in Geneva when Etihad Regional cancelled this flight to Florence. An utter disgrace. Their ground agency Dnata could not re-book nor refund the money. They have no one from the company present in Geneva. People who wanted to go to Florence same day took a train or drove. Etihad Regional just don't have any planes when something goes wrong and no value for customers. Will never fly them or their mother company ever again.

Zurich to Geneva return with Darwin Airline. Booking and check-in was smooth, online check-in was not available. Boarding was quick, maybe due to light load factors on both segments. Both flights were on time, arrival even early. Very nice cabin crew, comfortable seats with huge seat pitch (1990's style on the Saab 2000). I can recommend them (at least for flights from and to Geneva). I am aware that Darwin Airline has some punctuality issues. But that never happened to me. Great value for money.

Have flown PRG-TXL-PRG both ways on time. The net flight time was only 35 min so the staff had to be quick to serve us some drinks and snacks. The service was professional. Will use them again.

ZHR-GVA-VCE and back. Check-in at Zurich and Venice airport very quick and efficient. Good connection times at Geneva airport much better than other carriers. Flights departed on time and arrived early. Flight Attendants very friendly both ways. Flew over the Alps which was nice but small amount of food served on the flights. Overall did the job. Looking forward to my next trip with Darwin in July.

Flew LUG-FLR via GVA and back. Excellent airline. Flights on time FA very friendly and service excellent! Would fly with Etihad Regional again.

Flew DUS-STN booked on Air Berlin flight was operated by Etihad regional which in turn is operated by Darwin Airlines. Flight was slightly delayed leaving which wasn't too much of an issue. Boarded onto buses by very disinterested gate staff and taken to the remote stand flight was only 3/4 full which was nice crew member was very professional and smiley welcoming everyone onboard with a big smile. Did look very professional in uniform. Service was started but there wasn't much point given a cold towel the sandwich is the smallest I've seen either ham sandwich or cheese sandwich and either water tomato or orange juice tea or instant coffee or soft drinks. No beer or wine was available like most other European carriers. No water in the toilet sink to wash hands only the cold towels to wipe hands. Landed at STN only to be disembarked by Menzies into the satellite which had been evacuated due to an escalator fire the arrivals tunnel was very smokey ground staff from swissport came to our rescue and took us out to a stand where we had to stand for over 30 minutes until a bus came to take us to the arrivals hall although not Etihad regional fault didn't really help with the overall experience. Would not book with these again as I didn't think the offering on board was worth the extra cost compared to other airlines flying the same route a real shame as I did expect more.

Travelled from Dusseldorf to London Stansted booked as Air Berlin flight but actually it was Etihad Regional operated by Darwin Airline. I could not book the seat in advance and were forced to wait at the airport until check-in counter opened. Flight was stated as delayed by 40 minutes but actually this was more than 60 minutes with very few announcements. Flight itself was comfortable SAAB2000 is unique aircraft with one seat on one side and two seats on the other side of the cabin which I like. Fortunately I sat on one seat which was good for me. As it was an evening flight they gave a bread snack which for a short flight is fair. As I like this aircraft maybe if I have a chance I will take this flight again however I would not recommend to my friends.

Travelled Stansted - Dusseldorf. Initial problem with "please wait" on check in board after waiting 30 minutes it hadn't updated. After a search I found a lone Etihad regional check in desk who was wondering why nobody was coming to check in? Flight departed on time. SAAB turbo prop seats and leg room were certainly more comfortable than low cost carriers. Return flight was delayed an hour. Overall did the job.