The training centre for Nicosia Area Control is located 60km away from Larnaca airport. The course finishes at 13h on Friday afternoon. We thank the Cypriot ANSP for their excellent hospitality this week, and then we’re on our way back to the airport. My flight to Frankfurt departs at 16h50. The journey to the airport takes one hour.

Check-In

I’ve already checked in online, but I still need to drop off my suitcase. Lufthansa and Austrian check in on the counters on row three.

There are two dedicated counters for First and Business Class passengers and status holders. The check-in agent tells me to take the Express track for emigration and security.

Larnaca Swissport Aspire Lounge

Access to the lounges is via a dark passage off to the left, at the entrance to the duty free shops.

The lounges are one floor up. There is the Aegean lounge or the Aspire lounge available. The Aegean lounge looks a bit gloomy, so I decide to settle in the Aspire lounge.

The lounge is busy, but not exactly crowded.

There is a good selection of hot and cold finger food and a dish with stirfried Chinese noodles.

There’s also an outdoor area, but honestly? It’s way to hot to even consider.

The views are quite good though. The picture below shows the Lutfthansa service to Munich, which leaves at 15h50.

Boarding

Boarding for the flight starts at 16h20 with a call for passengers with children and other disabilities, and Business Class passengers.

The Cabin

The flight today is operated by a 24 years old Airbus A321.

I’m seated on 1A, which feels very private because there is no row of seats on the opposite cabin side. In addition, seat 1C stays empty, so I have the whole row to myself.

The aircraft has wifi, but no power sockets.

I’m not sure what the occupancy on the flight is, but I don’t think it’s very full.

Push back starts at 16h53. The flight time is just over three hours and forty minutes. As we turn onto the taxiway, Cyprus Airways’ beautiful A220-300 comes into view.

We taxi to the runway and take off in a southwesterly direction. The moment we’re airborne, the aircraft is pummelled by severe turbulence. But at least we pass through it quickly.

The Crew & Service

The crew is very friendly. I’m kind of wondering if they’re maybe looking forward to a relaxed flight home with only few passengers aboard.

There is no service or interaction on the ground. Once we’re airborne though, the crew pass through the cabin offering drinks and cashews. I ask for a Coke Zero. They also hand me the menu for the meal service.

The Meal

There are two options available for the main course: stuffed chicken breast or vegetarian Maultaschen, which are a kind of stuffed dumplings.

Ahead of the meal, the crew pass through the cabin with steaming hot hot towels. They’re nice thick ones too!

The cabin crew asks me what I’m having, and I tell her I’d like the Maultaschen. Apparently, they’re having a Bavarian month because of the Oktoberfest. I think you just have to be German to appreciate that.

The tray looks attractive and the food is generous. Only, both the starter and the main course are not what it says on the menu.

The starter is meat with meat and some meat. Not a fishy in sight, nor a beetrot actually.

The main course is a Maultasche, but it’s served in a tomato sauce, not fennel.

The tray is served with a warm roll on it. There are no seconds.

The dessert is a bit of a let down. It’s some tasteless white cream. And I’m not sure this is what it says on the menu either…

After the meal, I have a mug of mint tea.

I spend the rest of the flight working on my thesis. And I must say, these tray tables are just brilliant! My laptop fits perfectly, and the height in relation to my seat is ideal!

The crew pass through the cabin regularly throughout the flight, making sure to keep passengers hydrated.

As we start our descent, the crew pass through the cabin with a box of Coppeneur pralines.

Arrival

Eventually, we land at 19:45. We taxi to our gate on the B pier. It’s just a short walk from out arrival gate to passport control. And that’s where the Frankfurt Shit Show begins…