LUTON JOTTINGS
Flew into Luton on 25 April (Wednesday) from Gibraltar with Monarch, arrived on time parking on stand 44 so not too far to walk to Boarder Control - straight through (2.30pm) and straight on the shuttle bus to car hire. Off airport within 30 minutes.
Returned Monday 7 May (Bank Holiday in UK) so decided to take a taxi at 4am to beat the 5am shambles (hire car had been returned earlier in the week because the hire company wanted 50 pounds out of hours excess!). Arrived at 4.20 - very little traffic checked in for Monarch flight back to Gib and then to security. Straight through and was airside by 4.30am for 7.15 flight which departed on time. Staff very civil. Sat and watched aircraft being de-iced! Well worth losing a little sleep to arrive early and not get involved in the melee around 5-5.30am. Saw quite a few people rushing around at 5.30 trying to catch the 6am flights. So not too bad an experience considering.
Chelsea have used Luton in the past when Farnborough is closed and there aircraft cannot get into Heathrow or Gatwick because of no night slots). On 19 May there is the Champions League Final and if you care to take a look there are charters from Luton to Munich on the Friday and Saturday although most of the flights will operate from Gatwick. On the same day there is the Heinekin Cup Final at Twickenham with two Irish teams participating and there are charter flights from both Dublin and Belfast due into Luton. The previous evening the Amblin Cup Final is being played at Harlequins ground in London with two French teams participating so I would imagine there could be some charters for this match as well. All in all it will be a very busy weekend for airports in the south-east.
Cheers C3B