Usually, I work in the development of language tests – mainly for air traffic controllers and pilots. This week in Albania has been fascinating for me, mainly because it offered a rare glimpse into one of the tests I developed from the persepctive of the assessors that work with the test. It also gave me an opportunity to hear from test takers what their opinion of the test was.

Other than that, the weather in Tirana was very nice, but incredibly hot, usually hitting the 35 degrees Celsius mark around mid-afternoon.

Getting to the Airport

On Friday morning I check out of the Hilton Garden Inn Tirana at 08h00. My driver is already waiting to take me to the airport. He’s been trying to teach me some Albanian, but it’s not the easiest language. After five days in Tirana I still haven’t managed to remember good morning without my google translate cheat sheet…

The testing is taking place in the offices of the Albanian ANSP on the other side of the road from the airport terminal. The distance from the hotel to the airport is only thirteen kilometres. However, the Albanians’ very… shall we say creative driving style means that the journey usually take somewhere between 45 minutes to an hour. It’s like a matter of honour to them never give way to anybody.

Check-in

I check in online for the flight the day before on the app. However, I will still have to pass by the check-in counter to collect my boarding passes.

This last week I’ve had lunch at the terminal a couple of times. I find it quite striking that no matter what time you enter the terminal, it’s always very crowded with passengers checking in for their flights. It’s not chaotic or a mess, just simply a very busy airport that has become too small to handle all the traffic it receives.

The Lufthansa group usually checks in at counters 14 to 19, with two counters for Economy Class and one for Business Class passengers per flight.

Airside

Since my last visit two years ago they’ve obviously done a bit of upgrading work on the terminal and expanded the airside area. Security is now on the upper level of the terminal. Behind security is a large food hall. The escalators to the gates on the lower level are at the far end of the building. The lounge here is Tirana is hardly worth mentioning, so I figure I might as well grab a chair and park myself somewhere with a view of the ramp on the upper level.

Just after 14h a small, shiny dot appears in the distance. I open Flightradar to confirm that it’s the inbound from Vienna. Shortly before touchdown, the aircraft makes a go around and then does a u-turn to approach from the opposite direction.

The aircraft lands safely and taxies to a remote stand quite a way off from the terminal.

There is an outdoor airside seating area at Tirana, which is great for taking photos. Sadly though, smoking is permitted here, which is bad. Because in Albania everybody smokes.

Boarding

Boarding in Tirana is interesting. Passengers are asked to scan their boarding pass and then step outside to wait al fresco for the bus to arrive. I wonder what they do when it’s raining? Figuring the aircon on these busses probably packed in years ago, I decide to wait for the last bus. At least like that I have more space.

Once we arrive at the aircraft, I step outside and start taking pictures. I just love a good retro livery!

Service & Crew

The moment I step on board, I immediately know it’s going to be another one of those flights… I am greeted at the door by what looks like Hannibal Lecter’s mean twin. All the bins are full, and she clearly so couldn’t care less. I tell her everywhere is full, in English, to which she simply replies, in German, “tja, Pech halt”. Ehm…? She switches to English and tells me that she’s going to have to offload my suitcase, and promptly writes a hand-written baggage tag all the way to my final destination. I explain to her, in English, that offloading in English is not the same as putting in the hold. She glares and gives me her best resting bitch face, which has half the Business Class cabin doing a sharp inhale and clutching their metaphorical pearls.

I take me seat on 1A. Just after the doors close, disinfectant towels are handed out.

The Cabin

Seat pitch on 1A is okay, but nothing special. It’s the usual blocked empty middle seat set up that you usually get on European carriers.

We taxi out to the active runway for a take-off towards the north. The air tag in my suitcase sets off an alert on my iPhone. I’m slightly concerned that I will not be seeing my suitcase again very soon. Scrap that, I’m not quite sure I’ll ever be seeing it again.

The Meal

The flight time is 75 minutes. As soon as we’re airborne, the service begins. The tray consists of a main course and a dessert. I really think they would do themselves a favour and use smaller trays, simply to make the half-empty tray look at little less sad.

I must say though, despite the presentation, the main course is quite good.

The dessert is a kind of poppy seed cake with jam and a chocolate cover.

With the meal, the Queen of Sheeba offers rolls from a basket. I ask for a white roll and have to reach across the guy on the aisle seat to grab it, because moving the basket in my general direction is clearly not in her job description.

To drink I have an Almdudler. After the meal I start up my Kindle to read. At some point, I see an outstretched hand from the corner of my eye. She is standing there, impatiently waiting for me to hand over my tray. Does it not talk?

After the meal, small chocolates are served.

Arrival in Vienna

It’s a lovely day in Vienna and a lot cooler than Tirana. Our approach is spectacular, and brings us in right over the city, passing over the centre of town. It’s just gone 16:35. I now have two hours before my onward flight.

As we disembark, Hannibal’s twin is at the door to send us off. She says “auf wiedersehen”, but I’m secretly thinking “goodness, I really, really hope not!”.