Français »
German "
Search
Trip reports

More articles from the category

Trip reports

In the test: Air Astana's ambitious business class

Jan Gruber 7 October 2024 04:30

Air Astana currently flies from Astana to destinations in Europe, including Frankfurt am Main and London Heathrow. The Boeing 767-300ER is mostly used for long-haul flights. The carrier's flagship is the business class, which is examined in detail in this article. The Kazakh airline Air Astana currently only flies to Frankfurt am Main in the DA-CH destination. It currently connects the German metropolis with the capital Astana, and an Almaty connection will soon be added. On board the fleet, the carrier offers two traditional classes of transport - business and economy. This article deals with the C product on the Airbus A320 and Boeing 767 aircraft types. Air Astana currently has three Boeing 767-300ERs, which are registered in Ireland under the registrations EI-KEA, EI-KEB and EI-KEC. These are a "discontinued model" because the carrier will replace them with brand new Boeing 787s in the next few years. The cabins are in excellent condition, so passengers will not notice that these widebodies will be leaving the fleet in the foreseeable future. In the A320: Business class seats instead of "free middle seat" In contrast to many European airlines, Air Astana also offers real business class seats on its A320 fleet. This has not been standard in Europe for a long time, because many airlines believe that it is sufficient to use normal eco seats and, if available, leave the seat next to or in the middle free. However, this does not offer passengers significantly more comfort. Air Astana uses real C-seats on the Airbus A320 aircraft, although these are in direct comparison with those

Continue reading "

Shymbulak: Kazakhstan's alpine pearl between nature and tourism

Jan Gruber 6 October 2024 09:02

The Shymbulak mountain, a jewel in the Tian Shan mountains, is located not far from the Kazakh metropolis of Almaty. While it is primarily characterized by its impressive nature reserve, the mountain also attracts tourists from all over the world year after year thanks to its modern and growing ski area. With a height of 3.200 meters, Shymbulak is not only a paradise for nature lovers, but also a popular place for winter sports enthusiasts. The Shymbulak is accessible via gondolas and combination lifts purchased from Doppelmayr (Austria) and Leitner (South Tyrol). These are not used systems, but were bought directly from the factory. There are a total of three sections up to 3.200 meters. In the cold season it is a popular winter sports area, but it is more expensive than the local competition. In summer, several cable cars are in operation to take visitors and hikers up the mountain. The Nature Reserve - A Natural Treasure Shymbulak is located in the Ile Alatau National Park, which is considered one of the most important nature reserves in Kazakhstan. This park is home to a rich flora and fauna, including endangered species such as the snow leopard. Hikers, nature lovers and photographers will find alpine meadows, dense coniferous forests and clear mountain streams that bloom in spring and summer. The breathtaking views and the tranquility of the mountains make Shymbulak an ideal destination for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In addition to its natural beauty, the Ile Alatau National Park is strictly protected to maintain the fragile balance of flora and fauna. Hiking trails are clearly marked and visitors are required to adhere to strict rules on

Continue reading "

In the test: In the Air Astana Economy in the A321 through Kazakhstan

Jan Gruber 5 October 2024 19:02

In Europe, the included in-flight service in economy class on short-haul flights has been and is being cut back more and more. But what is the situation in Kazakhstan with Air Astana? This report takes a closer look at economy class on a domestic flight that was operated with an Airbus A321. Unfortunately, some Europeans still have certain reservations about airlines that are based in the successor states of the Soviet Union. In some people's minds, outdated aircraft from the Soviet era, not always friendly staff and occasionally indefinable catering have become firmly entrenched. This is definitely no longer the case for most providers, as there have been major improvements or the free market has separated the wheat from the chaff. Many former "problem airlines" no longer exist at all. Air Astana's predecessor did not exactly have the best reputation. As a new company, they wanted to do everything better and set themselves the ambitious goal of being an attractive full-service carrier with only western aircraft. But will they succeed? In economy class on a domestic flight? Domestic flight in economy class from Almaty to Astana The test flight took us from Almaty, the economic center of Kazakhstan, to the capital Astana. An Airbus A321 was used, which was equipped with short-haul business class seats in the front area of ​​the cabin. In economy, industry-standard state-of-the-art seats were installed. In contrast to many European providers, however, these have an "eye-catcher": Air Astana has equipped the "wooden class" with an in-flight entertainment system that has individual screens. This is something you will look for in vain on short-haul flights with competitors such as Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and Co., because when

Continue reading "

90 years ago: The historic first ascent of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Jan Gruber September 20, 2024 15:06

On September 22, 1934, Austria made history when the then Governor of Salzburg, Franz Rehrl, became the first person to cross the impressive mountain range of the Hohe Tauern in an automobile. This event marked not only a milestone in the development of the high mountains, but also in the technical and tourist development of the country. The trip took place one year before the official opening of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road and symbolized the triumph of technology over the natural barriers of the Alps. A political visionary and the birth of a panoramic road Franz Rehrl, who served as Governor of Salzburg from 1922 to 1938, was the driving force behind the construction of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. At a time when automobile traffic was still in its infancy, Rehrl recognized early on the tourist importance of a modern Alpine road. His vision was to give visitors to the city of Salzburg access to the untouched beauty of the Hohe Tauern and at the same time to open up the high mountains for tourism. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road was not only intended to be a technical masterpiece, but also to function as a harmonious combination of nature and culture. In addition to his political ambitions, Rehrl was also a passionate car enthusiast, which prompted him to tackle the daring project of making the unfinished road the first to be driven on. He was accompanied by Franz Wallack, the engineer and road planner who played a key role in overseeing the construction of the road. Despite great concerns, particularly since the Mittertörl tunnel was only a footpath cut into the rock at the time, work was carried out at full speed to make the road passable. Prestige project for Dollfuß

Continue reading "

Extreme ecosystems: An odyssey to the most fascinating and extreme places on our planet

guest Author September 1, 2024 06:33

The biodiversity of our planet is beyond imagination. Scientists have documented more than 1,60 million species so far, but the actual number could be many times higher. In this fascinating spectrum of life, organisms have adapted to the most diverse and often extreme environmental conditions. We invite you on a captivating journey to eight of the most remarkable places on our planet that reveal and redefine the limits of life. 1. Hydrological Wonderland: Mawsynram in India In the northeastern state of Meghalaya in India lies Mawsynram, a village that receives an unimaginable 11.872 millimeters of rainfall annually. This amount of rainfall exceeds that of the already rainy Hamburg by fifteen times. The monsoon transforms this place into an aquatic paradise, with most of the rain falling in the summer months. Mawsynram's unique geographical location, wedged between the Khasi Mountains and the Bangladesh plains, creates this hydrological phenomenon. 2. Electrifying natural spectacle: Congo Mirador in Venezuela A unique atmospheric spectacle unfolds on the shores of Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela. In Congo Mirador, spectacular lightning flashes illuminate the night sky on up to 260 nights a year. This phenomenon, known as "Catatumbo lightning", is caused by the meeting of warm, moist air from the lake with cool downdrafts from the Andes. The regularity and intensity of these electrical discharges make this place one of the most fascinating meteorological phenomena in the world. 3. The driest place: The McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica In the heart of Antarctica lie the McMurdo Dry Valleys - a region that even puts the famous Atacama Desert in the shade in terms of aridity. These ice-free valleys, protected by the majestic Transantarctic Mountains, have

Continue reading "

Curious travel reasons: “Happy birthday to Goethe”

guest Author August 28, 2024 04:33

There are many reasons for traveling: vacation, business, health spas, pilgrimages, family visits and, of course, birthdays. And one such reason for traveling, at least for some, is today, August 28, 2024: Goethe's 275th birthday (born in 1749). It will be celebrated in several places: In Frankfurt, a party with music, readings and small talk will be held in the poet's birthplace. In Weimar, his long-term residence in what is now Thuringia, and of course in the Casa di Goethe in Rome, the main destination of his trip to Italy from September 1786 to May 1788, there will also be celebrations. Two years in Italy with a job guarantee The house in Via del Corso where Goethe lived during his stay in Rome is now a museum. There, too, the "compleanno di Goethe" will be duly celebrated with a reading from "The Sorrows of Young Werther", published 250 years ago, and, of course, with a few glasses of Prosecco. Many people still envy Goethe for his trip to Italy: traveling all over Italy on a cultural holiday from September 1786, before that taking a cure in Karlsbad, i.e. being away for almost two years, and all that with a continuous salary and a job guarantee from his boss, the Duke of Saxony-Weimar, that would be something! Unfortunately, the railway didn't come to Rome until around 90 years later, then the journey would have been a bit more comfortable. There is also a big party in Weimar, which starts at 12 noon (the hour of his birth) and offers lots of music, lectures and workshops throughout the city. The young superstar The most traditional place for the celebrations is Frankfurt, the poet's birthplace. For once

Continue reading "

The Americans are coming

guest Author August 14, 2024 04:33

At the end of their holiday, many travellers to Greece think: "It was great". Some may want to stay there "at some point", like STS did. But is the "feeling of life" that you "inhale there" really that great? Young Greeks think differently. Setting up a (second) home on an island is not that difficult. Lots of people do it on Spanish islands, and the internet is full of more or less clever tips for emigrating. Whether it makes sense is another question. And thank God there are no huge second home complexes like those in Spain that are simply thrown together without any consideration for appearance or the environment (often without permits). Anyone who has ever been to one of the Aegean islands in winter, which are so beautiful in summer, will quickly lose the desire to stay for a longer period of time: it is cold, windy, drafts everywhere, almost everything is closed, the sea is unwelcoming and absolutely nothing, but really nothing, is going on. Dramatic population growth Young Greeks have a very distant relationship with their country. The motto is to get out of here as quickly as possible. Since 2013, up to 100.000 people (in some years even fewer), mostly young people with good education, have left the country every year because of the lack of prospects and low earning potential. This brain drain means new problems for Greece: the state pays for people's education, but does not benefit from it. These qualified workers are missing in the country. While it used to be the Albanians or North Macedonians who came to work, they are now increasingly looking for better-paid jobs

Continue reading "

Exploration flight over Venice

guest Author June 27, 2024 04:32

Egon Erwin Kisch is one of the best journalists in the German language. In 1925, almost a hundred years ago, a volume of summarized reports was published. The title of the book became his nickname: "The Racing Reporter". "How much more wonderful it is in the flying boat than in the airplane! There is no engine in front of me blowing its exhaust fumes into my nose and eyes, no propeller obscuring the view. The pilot sits far behind me and the pressurized engine rattles above him. (...) We are flying low, only 29.4.1885 meters." What Kisch describes here is flying in its original form. You feel with all your senses that you are in the air. Towards the end of the First World War, Kisch accompanied the Austro-Hungarian Army's reconnaissance flight from Istria to Venice in a seaplane as a press officer. This report is also part of the work mentioned above. Who was "the raging reporter?" Egon Erwin Kisch, born on 1913 April 1 in Prague, began a career as a crime reporter for Prague newspapers after two aborted studies and in the process became very familiar with the underworld. In addition to crime stories, he repeatedly published sensitive but factual milieu studies from Prague's slums and socially marginalized groups. As early as XNUMX, he made a name for himself by uncovering the military cover-up of Colonel Redl's suicide. In World War I, Kisch was drafted into the Imperial and Royal Army. After injuries on the Russian front, he came to Vienna as a press officer, where he increasingly developed into an opponent of the war and a declared communist. Becoming a communist in the press quarters The position in the press department offered interesting opportunities: Above all, there were

Continue reading "

Donauinselfest: Probably the lowest “Wizz Air flight”

Jan Gruber June 22, 2024 19:00

With a "flight altitude" of just 45 meters, the budget airline Wizz Air is offering what is probably the lowest "flight" at the Donauinselfest. The company is sponsoring the event this year and has a small attraction in store. Take a cable car gondola made by Carvatech, hang it on a crane and you have an attraction for visitors to the Donauinselfest. They are then pulled to a height of around 45 meters, where they can admire an excellent view of the Vienna skyline and the Donauinsel. Because the floor of the cable car gondola is also made of glass, the Wizz Air stand can also be viewed from a bird's eye view. The budget airline obviously wants to draw attention to itself with this unusual attraction in order to attract additional customers. In any case, there are no competitors at the event. Use of the gondola is free during the operating hours of the Wizz Air stand. This is located in the immediate vicinity of the Brigittenau Bridge on the Danube Island in the Austrian capital Vienna. Below are some impressions of what is probably the lowest “Wizz Air flight”.

Continue reading "

A wine-loving journey into the depths of Moldova: The Cricova Winery

Jan Gruber June 12, 2024 05:29

The Cricova Wine Cellar in the Republic of Moldova offers visitors a fascinating journey through an underground labyrinth of over 120 kilometers, which not only serves as a storage facility for an impressive collection of wines, but also reveals a rich history and tradition. From guided tours through the deep passageways to tastings of different types of wine, Cricova offers an unparalleled experience for wine lovers from all over the world. Amidst the rolling hills and fertile plains of the Republic of Moldova, about 15 kilometers north of the capital Chișinău, lies a place that delights wine lovers and history buffs alike: the Cricova Winery. Famous for its extensive underground tunnel system, considered the second largest in the country, Cricova not only houses an impressive collection of wines, but also offers an unforgettable journey into the depths of the Moldovan wine world. A labyrinth of limestone and wine Built in 1952 in the limestone hills below the town of Cricova, the tunnel system stretches for 120 kilometers. In these labyrinthine corridors, millions of bottles of wine are stored, maturing under constant temperature and humidity conditions. The streets of the underground complex bear the names of the types of wine stored here and lead visitors through a fascinating world of history, tradition and modern wine production. Unique wines from indigenous grape varieties Cricova is known for its sparkling wines and sparkling wines, which are produced using the classic champagne method “Méthode Traditionelle”. In addition to the sparkling specialties, the winery also offers a wide range of red, white and rosé wines made from Moldovan indigenous grape varieties such as Feteasca Regală, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Cricova's wines are characterized by their

Continue reading "

Navi

Visit us on

Facebook f X-twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Telegram rss Threads, Google Hm-mail-open Wordpress

Aviation.Direct is published with love in and