Despite a long delay that ruined by Saturday plans, there is just something about EasyJet I still very much appreciate.
Let’s start with the delay. It was mechanical in nature and began as a 30-minute delay and slowly grew to a six-hour delay. EasyJet’s app was supposed to keep me updated (as I sat in the lounge) but the airport departure monitor proved a far more accurate and timely source for flight updates.
To add insult to injury, EasyJet offered a 9EUR debit card for “breakfast and lunch” to distressed passengers who knew to ask for one.
> Read More: EasyJet Offers Me 9EUR For Six-Hour Delay!
Once the delay grew to 5+ hours, I ended up simply camping out in the Plaza Premium Lounge (which required stamping out of the country). That’s a very decent lounge with nice food and drink.
Finally, it came time for boarding at about 1:35 PM. Boarding commenced via bus, as EasyJet does not pay for an actual gate.
EasyJet Switzerland 1062
Rome (FCO) – Basel (BSL)
Saturday, April 13
Depart: 8:20 AM (1:57 PM actual)
Arrive: 10:05AM (3:43 PM actual)
Duration: 1hr, 45min
Aircraft: Airbus A319
Seat: 2F
The bus took us to the remote stand, where passengers could board via the front or rear staircase.
And here’s where I’m still just happy with the EasyJet experience. The seats onboard are cloth-covered, not faux-leather. That makes even an otherwise uncomfortable Recaro slimline seat somewhat more bearable. Seats do not recline so the passenger in front of you will not annoy you. Legroom is tight, but bearable. The aircraft was clean.
I did not pay for an advanced seat assignment and found myself initially in seat 3E, a middle seat in the third row. But after boarding was completed, seats 2 D/E/F were left unoccupied so I moved up a row and had three seats to myself.
As we took off, I noted beautiful the water is off the coast of Rome:
EasyJet does not offer complimentary service onboard. Here’s a look at the buy-on-board menu:
But due to the delay, every passenger was offered a complimentary non-alcoholic drink and snack. I had some sparkling water and cheese biscuits. I greatly appreciated that both the captain and the flight attendants apologized profusely for the delay. Often when delays occur, FAs are indifferent to the fact that passengers, including many families with young children, have had plans ruined and have been forced to sit in the airport all day.
No wi-fi or power ports onboard, but it’s not like you’ll get power–even in business class–on most European carriers.
We landed late in Basel and again had to exit via air stairs, then walk into the terminal.
CONCLUSION
I know it doesn’t sound like a good overall flight experience. It wasn’t. But for a $100 ticket and the only nonstop option between Rome. and Basel, I’d book EasyJet again without hesitation. This was my first delay in several flights with EasyJet. Take that away and it would have been a perfectly smooth, quick flight.
Nice bump on that blonde FA leaning over the service cart.
Are you aware we are now living in the 21st century?
In the second-last picture I see 2 emergency exits over the wing. Isn’t this a feature of the A320 and not the A319?
The a319 does usually have 1 over wing exit (each side) but most (if not all) of easyJet’s a319’s have 2 overwing exits on each side. However I do believe this is an a320 rather than a319 as it has sharklets Wich are only seen on easyJet’s a320’s
I agree with you, EasyJet offers very good value for money. Their aircrafts are clean and modern, FAs are friendly and their network is great.
In the few occasions, I had to deal with their customer service (delayed or canceled flight or even « lost luggage »- actually someone with the same suitcase picking up mine by mistake , and no, it wasn’t a boring black one, it’s orange !), they were very quick to respond and were not fussy or anything.