It’s time for another set of Snapshots as I look at the passenger experience on easyJet Switzerland 1498 between Birmingham and Geneva.
In case you have forgotten how we do travel write-ups on Economy Class and Beyond, I have two major travel writing styles:
- Trip Reports – These are the deep-dive reports taking you into the experience and the small things… as well as the big things!
- Snapshots – These are bite-sized reviews that show you the product in some gentle headlines (and normally, only images shot on the phone)
Today, we are on the Snapshot. The full in-depth review is very near completion.
Booking
Booking for the flight was completed online via the App for £87 for the return ticket, along with £33 for the Standard Plus option, coming out to around £125 return by the time I purchased the tickets.
Check-in
To complete the check-in, Advance Passenger Information was required to complete the process. With that completed, it was a matter of going through the prompts for the boarding pass to be issued on the phone.
At the airport
I took the train from Birmingham New Street to Birmingham International to get to the airport, rather than take an Uber from home.
Arriving at the station, I took the Air-Rail Link to the Birmingham Airport. And for those keeping track, this is free of charge to use.
Arriving at the airport, it was a matter of following the signs for Security- a short walk from the Air-Train Station.
Security
The security process took 25 minutes to clear from entry to collecting the items. 
Most of this was queuing time, with the screening process taking a few minutes. Passengers were advised that waits for re-screening were taking up to 30 minutes – to ensure that liquid and electronics compliance was met.
Inside the terminal
The main waiting area at Birmingham Airport is very much a shopping mall that might have aircraft departing the place, with a mixture of shops, bars and eateries.
easyJet uses the expanded International Wing of the airport for its departures.
Boarding
Gate 48 was allocated for boarding the aircraft. Boarding passes were scanned before passengers were allowed into the waiting pen.
Boarding priority was controlled, with Passengers needing assistance first, then SpeedyBoarding passengers, and then everyone else. Whilst the aircraft was parked at a jetbridge attached gate, boarding was carried out from the tarmac.
The Aircraft
It’s an easyJet Airbus A320neo, with the aircraft registered and operated by easyJet Switzerland.
Seating
The aircraft is a 186-seat configured with a 29″ seat pitch in most rows, in a 3-3 configuration throughout. The seats installed are slimline Recaro SL3510 seat that is pre-reclined.
I was sat in Row 13 – an exit row. There are two exit rows on this aircraft for those who want extra space or who have paid for Standard Plus seating.
Wi-Fi and IFE
The aircraft had a Wi-Fi Server installed powered by AirFi. This provided passengers access to an inflight map, a menu, an onboard shopping guide and some games.
No external internet access was provisioned.
Catering
The airline offered a buy-on-board service. Given the length of the segment (1 hour 30), it seemed to do good trade at most rows of the aircraft, with two carts carrying out the service.
I had a sandwich before departure, so I passed on the onboard service.
Landing
The aircraft landed around 45 minutes late at Geneva Airport, due to a late departure from Birmingham to allow passengers to board, as well as deicing the aircraft.
The aircraft was parked at the main terminal area (as opposed to the satellite at Geneva, allowing for a walk to immigration, where border control was swamped with a few full flights arriving from the UK at once.
Once through the border, you exit via Duty-Free, then into baggage claim, then into Switzerland. Those who need to traverse the French Sector need to follow the signs.
I followed the signs for the train station.
Other pictures
The full review is coming soon – once it leaves the joy of the editing document.
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