The Five Yen of Happiness! Around Frankfurt Airport with random #AVGeek spotting

The Five Yen of Happiness! Around Frankfurt Airport with random #AVGeek spotting

Editors note: I’ve decided to split this section in two as it was getting too way too long. This is the more #avgeek friendly part. The part with the lounge and meeting the A350 follows shortly.

Frankfurt being Frankfurt, it was time to enjoy the free airside bus tour I seem to get at this airport when arriving from the UK into Germany.

British Airways 767-300 with passengers still disembarking.

KLM Embarer E-Jet preparing for departure

Pink Delta 767

Unlike the multi-mile drive around that I normally get to terminal 1, it was a short drive to terminal 2 arrivals.

From there on it, it was time to follow the signs to the exit.

After passing through the automated border, I was through to the luggage belt.

And guess which airline is flogging its credit cards here?

After heading to the right luggage belt, my rucksack soon turned up, looking happy as ever to see me. Some of you might wonder why I still travel with a rucksack, even though I’m near enough 40 it makes no odds.

Bottom line: I still like to have the world on my back. And wheeled cases are still cursed when presented with their mortal enemy: Stairs – especially where there are no elevators.

With the rucksack collected, I went through the Green Channel, and through into Germany.

Once through, I did a minor bit of repacking, and took advantage of the free internet access at Frankfurt Airport.

Yes, Frankfurt Airport has finally got into the modern age, and is giving Free Wifi out at last. The performance of the Wifi isn’t too bad either.

I’ve seen worse speeds when not paying for anything.

As I had plenty of time before my next connection, it gave me time to write a few things and also go up the observation deck.

Yes, for the #avgeeks out there – Frankfurt Airport has an observation deck in Terminal 2.

You do have to negotiate a large McDonnalds first to get to the entrance.

Once pass McDonnalds, it’s €3 to get onto the deck – and another security sign. Suitcases aren’t welcome on the deck.. however rucksacks are happily welcome!

Once through… it’s an observation deck. And as Lufthansa Flyer has noted, it is a work in progress to be polite.

Whilst it might be a work in progress, it was a gorgeous day. So I strapped on the 70-200L onto the Canon 100D (for a bit of extra crop factor) and started shooting.

Condor Boeing 767-300ER departing

Air Berlin Airbus A320 on the tug.

BMI Regional Embraer ERJ-145 departing

Lufthansa Airbus A321 departing

Aeroflot Airbus A320 taxing

Lufthansa Airbus A320 with Sharklets arriving

KLM Fokker 70 preparing to depart

United Airlines Boeing 777-200ER waiting to depart

American Airlines/US Airways Airbus A330-300 on tow, with United Airlines Boeing 747-400 in the background.

Lufthansa Boeing 737-500 arriving

Air Berlin Boeing 737-800

Air China Boeing 777-300ER

However, with time getting on, and me getting more than my fair share of sun – it was time to get moving again. So with the camera gear packed up, I headed from the observation deck and over to Terminal 1.

Qatar Airways in its wisdom is still based in Terminal 1 at Frankfurt – whilst the rest of its oneworld partners are in Terminal 2.

I still think Qatar Airways has a lot to learn about “being in an alliance still” – something that would become more apparent during the trip.

However, I shuttled over to terminal 1, to be deposited near the Qatar Airways check in area.

Qatar Airways check in area

First to fly. Wait a cotton picking second. Didn’t I do this before from Frankfurt.. and to the same destination?

I lined up at the business queue, and my 5.5kg rucksack was taken off my hands and bagged up. I then enquired about a seat change for an exit row due to Qatar Airways rules about exit rows – which is down to check in staff to assess if passengers are suitable.

So yes – if you’re a Qatar Airways elite or a oneworld elite – the only way to get the exit row is to get to check in three hours plus before departure.

Thankfully, a window seat in an exit row was open… and I was assigned it.

Lounge access would be granted, at the Air Canada lounge too.

With those formalities done, it was time to grab a classic picture of Frankfurt Airport, and clear security.

I did say it was classic.

Security was quick thankfully, and I was soon through to the airside area. From there it was a matter of following the signs to the gate area – and through German Immigration control.

Next: Meeting the A350, and the Air Canada Lounge

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