SOUTHEND - 3 The new beginning
Just to get back to aviation matters for a moment......
The admin offices adjacent to the departures hall have been relocated to the new easyJet/admin block and the space released will enable the departures hall to be enlarged. This should be completed in time for the additional easyJet routes commencing next week.
The admin offices adjacent to the departures hall have been relocated to the new easyJet/admin block and the space released will enable the departures hall to be enlarged. This should be completed in time for the additional easyJet routes commencing next week.
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Not all good news.
Here is a business traveller review who has tried Southend but will be sticking to London City
MarcusUK - 16/04/2012 12:01 GMT
Having a residence in Amsterdam, the travels from London can vary much from LCY or LHR, using KLM, Cityjet, or BA.
Inquisitive regarding the new services started just a few weeks ago by Easyjet to Amsterdam, and the airport, and journey to it from North London, i took a flight on 13th April 2012.
Subject to the M25, the journey by car was less than an hour, plenty of space to park, with a 2 min walk to the terminal. Half an hour wait to check in apparently, but I had checked in on line. Security was busy, but staff polite and enthusiastic, appearing happy and creating a nice atmosphere, (compared to LHR where Prozac should be put in all drinks).
The airside of the terminal could not accomodate one full flight for a 737-800, there are simply not enough seats. One cafe, and a Duty Free no one was visiting. However, you entered to find it was a mass Bar, with 50% of passengers standing around drinking beer from bottles all around the terminal. A flight to Amsterdam and one to Faro were due within the hour.
The Aircraft arrived and within a few minutes boarding for Amsterdam announced, but then everyone expected to wait in a part closed glass frame corridor outside in a line for 15 minutes. "Speedy Boarding" was a complete waste of time, with 2 people paying £20 each, getting on first.
The aircraft was clean, relatively new, and i sat on the wing exit so no cramped seats, and around 75% full.
The behaviour of the people travelling was a different issue, but then i rarely fly low cost as i find they "are Not", compared to Airlines like KLM / Cityjet. I was quite shocked to see young guys carrying on 2-3 bottles of beer each, from the terminal onto the Aircraft, which they drank completely during the 40 minute flight! Others paid for more alcohol on board.
Flight took off 10 minutes late after waiting by the side of the unused runway, ontime into AMS.
Easyjet need to have some common sense, and restrict those bringing alcohol on board, so obviously carrying them in their hands. it became like a drunken football match during the flight, and I would be very surprised if the UK Authorities would agrea or allow this practice, with crews doing nothing.
The Airport and Easyjet need to set a standard regarding this practice.
Are there no imposed regulations regarding this?!!
The Airport is handy from London, £6 a day) and a 2 min walk, with the trains also alongside. Another terminal is being constructed. But current capacity with more than 2 flights in one hour, mean the facilities are full.
Still and interesting option, £75 return, compared to the Easter prices of £200 from LCY.
I will stay with my £90 returns from LCY and Cityjet / AF, but at least i know the dynamics of the Southend option.
Here is a business traveller review who has tried Southend but will be sticking to London City
MarcusUK - 16/04/2012 12:01 GMT
Having a residence in Amsterdam, the travels from London can vary much from LCY or LHR, using KLM, Cityjet, or BA.
Inquisitive regarding the new services started just a few weeks ago by Easyjet to Amsterdam, and the airport, and journey to it from North London, i took a flight on 13th April 2012.
Subject to the M25, the journey by car was less than an hour, plenty of space to park, with a 2 min walk to the terminal. Half an hour wait to check in apparently, but I had checked in on line. Security was busy, but staff polite and enthusiastic, appearing happy and creating a nice atmosphere, (compared to LHR where Prozac should be put in all drinks).
The airside of the terminal could not accomodate one full flight for a 737-800, there are simply not enough seats. One cafe, and a Duty Free no one was visiting. However, you entered to find it was a mass Bar, with 50% of passengers standing around drinking beer from bottles all around the terminal. A flight to Amsterdam and one to Faro were due within the hour.
The Aircraft arrived and within a few minutes boarding for Amsterdam announced, but then everyone expected to wait in a part closed glass frame corridor outside in a line for 15 minutes. "Speedy Boarding" was a complete waste of time, with 2 people paying £20 each, getting on first.
The aircraft was clean, relatively new, and i sat on the wing exit so no cramped seats, and around 75% full.
The behaviour of the people travelling was a different issue, but then i rarely fly low cost as i find they "are Not", compared to Airlines like KLM / Cityjet. I was quite shocked to see young guys carrying on 2-3 bottles of beer each, from the terminal onto the Aircraft, which they drank completely during the 40 minute flight! Others paid for more alcohol on board.
Flight took off 10 minutes late after waiting by the side of the unused runway, ontime into AMS.
Easyjet need to have some common sense, and restrict those bringing alcohol on board, so obviously carrying them in their hands. it became like a drunken football match during the flight, and I would be very surprised if the UK Authorities would agrea or allow this practice, with crews doing nothing.
The Airport and Easyjet need to set a standard regarding this practice.
Are there no imposed regulations regarding this?!!
The Airport is handy from London, £6 a day) and a 2 min walk, with the trains also alongside. Another terminal is being constructed. But current capacity with more than 2 flights in one hour, mean the facilities are full.
Still and interesting option, £75 return, compared to the Easter prices of £200 from LCY.
I will stay with my £90 returns from LCY and Cityjet / AF, but at least i know the dynamics of the Southend option.
Join Date: Mar 2012
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It's not the end of the world, seems he was more bothered about the booze drinking youth's than anything else which can't really be blamed on the airport as it happens everywhere and the terminal once fully completed will sort out any overcrowding issues.
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I wouldn't say that was a bad report, He mainly didn't like the other passengers and their drinking.
Reading further he is fairly complimentry.
http://www.businesstraveller.com/dis...t?page=1#52054
As an aside I believe they are already increasing the space available in the current (new) terminal for departures which will help while the extension is built .
(The extension has been given planning permission and has been bought forward a number of years as It is required a lot sooner than expected)
Reading further he is fairly complimentry.
http://www.businesstraveller.com/dis...t?page=1#52054
As an aside I believe they are already increasing the space available in the current (new) terminal for departures which will help while the extension is built .
(The extension has been given planning permission and has been bought forward a number of years as It is required a lot sooner than expected)
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The new terminal was constructed in readiness for the influx of traffic caused by the London 2012 Olympics, and has been built to be capable of handling 2 million passengers per annum by 2020. Construction of the extension is expected to get underway later this year.
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Vulcanised, the hotel seems to be a lot further advanced on the inside than outside! though it looks like most of the glazing is complete and they are finishing the roof/restaurant areas and the curved glass. Looking here it seems that it won't be open for the olympics as they appear to be looking at August 2012.
Holiday Inn Southend
Holiday Inn Southend
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Christmas is only 256 days away, eh? Bluddy Hell....... 
I notice that their Facebook page states in a message dated 20th April: "Artist impression to show the amazing stylish look that the 5th floor of the hotel will have when we open on the 27th July 2012". So they are still trying to meet that Olympic date.
I notice that their Facebook page states in a message dated 20th April: "Artist impression to show the amazing stylish look that the 5th floor of the hotel will have when we open on the 27th July 2012". So they are still trying to meet that Olympic date.