Reality Check
REALITY CHECK
FLIGHTS / HOTELS / APARTMENTS / CAR HIRE / TRAIN JOURNEYS / CHAUFFEUR DRIVE / AIRPORT PARKING
AIRLINE UKRAINE INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES – ECONOMY / BUSINESS
THE FLIGHT: London Gatwick's South Terminal to Kiev, capital of Ukraine, in one of its new B737-800 aircraft in Economy class, departing at 12.15. THE CHECK-IN: There were no queues at the check-in desk, surprisingly, and the formalities were quick and easy. THE SEAT: The cabin was configured 3-3 and I was in seat 20F, just past the wing and it was comfortable enough for this flight of under four hours. Warm smiles and a welcome as we boarded the aircraft was a good start. A small seat recline made sleeping – or at least snoozing – possible. My breakfast-time inbound flight was in Business Class (also a B737-800) and configuration was the same except the middle seat of three was unsold (and converted to a table), and the five rows were wider apart so it felt more spacious. A curtain divided the two cabins. THE SERVICE: We were still boarding at 12.45 so clearly this flight was going to be late and we finally pulled away at 1.05. An hour into the flight and the food service began and a roll and butter was accompanied by a beef (or was it a pork?) pattie with creamed spinach (the best part of the meal) and potato wedges. Dessert
was a square of dry sponge cake. The first round of drinks came soon afterwards. Despite the disappointing food the staff made up for it; lovely, smiley pleasant crew and amusing, robotic announcements such as “Message Number One Seat Belt.” Our landing was celebrated with clapping throughout the cabin and a long taxi to our stand was followed by a long bus ride to the airport terminal. Business class extras such as newspapers, several passes of drinks and better food (delicious fruit pancakes as well as fruit, ham, cheese and
olives) made this a very comfortable flight. On descent another amusing message came on the tannoy system: “This is a direct access message. Number one. Fasten seatbelts.” THE VERDICT: All in all a perfectly comfortable flight. THE DETAILS: Ukraine International Airways (UIA) operates daily between London Gatwick and Kiev Boryspil airports. Lead-in return fares on this route start from £120 inclusive of taxes and charges. Tel: 01293 596609. See:
www.flyuia.com GILLIAN UPTON
SERVICED APARTMENT DEEP BLUE FLYING BUTLER APARTMENTS
THE BACKGROUND: Deep Blue Flying Butler Apartments offers close to 100 apartments in London’s Blackfriars Lane/St Pauls, Victoria, Ealing and, brand new, in Earls Court, plus locations in Richmond and Reading. The Baker Street apartments are closed for renovation and scheduled to re-open in June. Durweston House, where I stayed, is five minutes’ walk from Baker Street Underground station and minutes away from a wide range of shops. All windows are double glazed so the apartment is very quiet. THE CHECK-IN: Guests are given two separate codes to maximise security, one for Durweston House front door and a second for the front door of my particular apartment. THE BEDROOMS: One single bedroom off the carpeted entry corridor housed a wardrobe with a bedside table plus radio/ alarm and table lamp. Further along the corridor a second main bedroom had a double bed, bedside tables, chest of drawers and two built-in wardrobes. THE FACILITIES: A bathroom with a bath/ shower, basin and toilet was adjacent to the single room and a smaller en suite bathroom off the main bedroom housed a shower, basin and toilet. Both had BeeKind toiletries. The spacious living area had a wooden floor with
a large rug plus good-sized coffee table, leather sofa, easy chair, widescreen TV (including Sky), DVD player plus a glass dining table and four chairs. Beyond the dining area was a well-equipped kitchen – with hob, oven, microwave, fridge, freezer, toaster etc – including long-life milk in the fridge, coffee, tea etc. Washing-up liquid and dishwasher tablets are also supplied. THE BUSINESS: Free Internet access is available in all apartments. A 24-hour number is available for any maintenance issues. A range of personalised concierge services
includes transfers to and from any London airport or train station, meet and greet, additional housekeeping and dry cleaning. THE VERDICT: A useful alternative to a London hotel – particularly for longer stays – and close to Baker Street for easy access to all parts of London. THE DETAILS: Rates start from £150 per night for a one-bed apartment and £190 per night for a two-bed. Bookings are for a minimum three nights. Tel: 0370 770 0778. See:
www.deepblue-apartments.com ALAN ORBELL
88 THE BUSINESS TRAVEL MAGAZINE
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