Fairy flight MAN

Let me stop you right there before you start thinking that I cannot spell the word right or ask yourself how is it possible that after 6 years of flying I did not learn the right word for "flying an empty aircraft"?! ✋

Fairy?

Ok, ok, we are talking about FERRY flying. Doesn't it sound boring though? Isn't it just so much nicer to call it FAIRY flight? As in light and free as a fairy? Because that's what you are: empty aircraft=light aircraft, no passengers=you're free to do what you like! 

Ferry flight

Why on earth would an airline waste their money on a fairy flight? Well there are multiple reasons, like delivering a brand new aircraft to a customer, moving from one base of operations to another, maintenance operations or, as in my case, returning to base.

My first Fairy was after a diversion case on a HYD turnaround which I talked about in my previous post. Since we had an unexpected layover in Hyderabad, after minimum rest we were to bring back the aircraft (and ourselves) back to base. With no passengers, The whole experience was quite adventurous and it was impressive to see the Dreamliner with empty seats and only Crew on board. Being able to observe the panorama from every angle of the aircraft was unique. We felt kind of special, kind of Fairy light, you know what I mean.

My second Fairy was my last operational flight before the Covid19 quarantine, we're talking about March 2020. The majestic hotel in Manchester was still open only for us, as most of the hospitality structures were already on lockdown. It was quite hunting to find ourselves in that big Harry Potter Castle-like hotel which is a proper labyrinth, only about 25 people, all Crew and the rest totally empty. It was also sad to see that colorful lounge wrapped in silence and only room service available. On the streets people started following social distancing when grocery shopping, but generally UK woke up quite late regarding all the Covid19 prevention. Or maybe they're still living the dream, who knows?

Empty Manchester Airport, March 2020

Seeing the airport in Manchester completely empty was hard core movie style. As if we were protagonist of those horror movies about the end of the world and just waiting the moment when the zombies are gonna come out and rush at us. Still following all the safety protocols, that's our job, but hey. Talking to ourselves only. And then back to base. Strong feeling of a "last time". Last flight before the lockdown, last Manchester, last time in my favorite European hotel, last time in that uniform, last time spreading wings, last time Crew? I took it all in and preserved that energy. What was to follow is months and months on ground while the world is changing. Reshaping. Nourishing. Getting reborn.

Same song by Bublé applies. And I'm feeling...Good! Whatever you do, one thing never stop: DREAMING!!!

Boeing 787 - the Dreamliner