Germanwings

My wife and I were checking in our luggage for our flight from Hamburg to Geneva when a person who identified himself as the “enforcer” (his term) approached us and informed me that I had to also check in my carry-on. This was a surprise since it was below Germanwings allowable size. The enforcer instructed the ticket agent to weigh my carry-on. Unfortunately, it did exceed the 8kg weight limit. My only option was to remove excess weight, which I did. I removed clothing and gifts until I reached the 8 kg limit and placed them in the garbage pail provided by the ticket agent. I believe in following rules, but they need to be clearly indicated and consistently applied. This experience was in itself unpleasant. We checked in an extra piece of luggage and had to go to another agent to pay a 75 euro surcharge. However, we were informed that the surcharge would be 150 Euros for 2 pieces of luggage. The 2 agents communicated by phone and eventually discovered that we had erroneously been charged for an extra suitcase.

4U7779 and 4U7778 May16 and May 26 PRG-HAM-PRG economy class. A decent low cost option for short flights within Europe. If you want to get from A to B in a cost efficient manner it's an alternative. Flights would've left on time if it wouldn't have taken the flight attendants almost 10 minutes to get a passenger to finally stop talking on his cell phone thus delaying the safety instructions. The in-flight magazine is the worst I've ever seen. It's full of advertisements. Although I didn't order anything the prices for beverages and snacks seem to be the same as on other low cost carriers.

DUS-GVA-DUS. Operated by Eurowings on CRJ 900. Comfortable small plane because of the 2-2 seating. 45 mins delay on outbound flight 30 mins on inbound hence the 7 for trip satisfaction. Mostly friendly crew and good catering for short flight. Booked smart class so got a sandwich chocolate bar water and a drink. Paid 196 euro for 2 including seat reservation catering and two bags for a return flight which is a bargain.

Flew Best Class from Hamburg to Cologne. Best is not business but it is a best Germanwings has to offer. You sit in row 1 to 3 and the middle seat is free so there is maximum of 12 travellers. You have access to LH lounge which is full in Hamburg Airport. There is a choice of finger food salat nuts and gummibears as well as hot and cold drinks beer wine and spirits. Boarding with priority. Was a little surprised by the food you get on board you can choose from the Germanwings card whatever you want for free if it is loaded. The best thing was the flight attendant who was nice and very friendly. She addressed everybody by name and was professional. At Cologne it took ages again until baggage arrived so no priority for our bags. This was my first Best-Class with Germanwings would fly them in this class again but I do prefer LH instead if it is possible.

Germanwings 9038 DUS-HAM May 6 yet another delay (and hopefully no cancellation to follow as it happens so often). The replacement of Lufthansa services that do not connect via Frankfurt or Munich with Germanwings has in my view turned out as a major downgrade. Aircraft layout (different seat pitch in economy in one and the same aircraft) and classes (no business class offering but instead a section labelled "best") seem quite incoherent. Delays are frequent sometimes with subsequent cancellations without explanations from unwelcoming ground staff. Miles & More status is worth less than on LH (no fast lane no lounge). It is as close to a true low cost carrier as LH could get. Luckily there are some routes left where you get to choose (e.g. on HAM-ZRH Swiss operates some proper flights).

CGN to HAM Airbus 320. Booked economy class I checked in early and my checked bag was a little overweight it had 24 kg since I booked my ticket via Lufthansa where I have a 23kg bag free. Staff made me take out one kilo out at the desk and I had a piece of hand luggage again since I had originally put my hand luggage into my checked bag as I did not want to have it with my on the flight. Flight was OK crew were nice. Only downturn was the nitpicking at the check-in.

I flew from Bologna to Berlin in February with Germanwings A319 the flight was on time no free food or drinks on board and very kind hostess. The seats were a bit small and a bit uncomfortable the plane and the toilet were very clean. When I returned back to Italy the flight was 60 mins delayed it was operated by flygermania.de. The food and drinks on board were free this time but the food was not very tasty. The seats a bit better (Bigger) but the plane was not clean. Overall it was a normal flight.

DUS-PRG. Best value for your $$ when it comes to short haul flights. Short wait at check in staff at desk/flight crew were friendly helpful and outgoing seats had surprisingly more room than I expected and luggage was on the carousel quickly.

13th December from Heathrow T2 to Vienna via Cologne. Really good crew and comfortable cabin for such a short flight. Transfer in Cologne/Bonn was easy and Germanwings agents very good. From Cologne to Vienna the flight was not so busy and seats were free. Another good crew and great flight. As you should expect in flight beverages not cheap. However the 3 fare types - basic: no free refreshments hand luggage only smart: checked bag included free refreshments (sandwich 2 drinks) best: different cabin checked bag unlimited free refreshments - is a good effective system. Cheap fares good airline will use again.

LHR-Berlin 29 December - an hour late leaving and on board staff did nothing to hurry up the boarding process. Virtually zero legroom in 'Basic' which might have been OK but the seats in front reclined. Returned 1 January and even that was 20 minutes late taking off and staff once again had a couldn't care less attitude during the board process. Cheap but cheerless.