Laziness in Funchal & Sissi's statue

Funchal, February 2025

Although Funchal is truly an enjoyable place, our layovers there are not that good when you look at the schedules.

Once more, I arrived in my hotel room way after 2:00 am and my wake-up would be at 1:50 am the next night. I never consider going to the breakfast when arriving so late. I prefer to get a full 8-hour sleep than to interrupt my sleep to eat.

Next day because I have to go to bed early, I never have extraordinary plans to explore the island a bit more.

Gotta love the Niemeyer's staircase.

Later I was informed that there was an equipment downgrade so I would return later in the morning instead of waking up at 1:50 am. I went to catch some fresh air. Did you know there is a Sissi's statue in Funchal? Have you watched the Netflix series The Empress?

And finally the casino's vibrant colours at night.

Airbus A320 Family random pictures

Airbus A320fam, 2024/2025

Just a few random pics I took either while on travel or on duty. Thought you might like them:

Copenhagen & Funchal

Copenhagen & Funchal, May 2024

This month I was two times in Funchal and one in Copenhagen. 

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Copenhagen

Trains and tracks always draw my attention.

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Funchal

I'm also a fan of Niemeyer's work and his world of curved lines. The iconic casino in Funchal is a clear example of that.

It was nice to visit Funchal again

Funchal, April 2024

This month I was lucky to get a layover in Funchal! It's been so long since I was here for the last time.

Parque de Santa Catarina

Costa Pacifica

I'm still really enjoying my return to the A320 family fleet.

A little spotting at Madeira Airport

Madeira Airport, February 2024

An unusual turnaround time of 1h20 and nice weather gives you the perfect opportunity for a little spotting.

It's always nice to see a Sunclass Airlines' aircraft. Sunclass is the new name for the old Thomas Cook Scandinavia. They managed to stay afloat after the Thomas Cook Group collapse in 2019.

Flying to Madeira Island with the Airbus A330

Madeira Airport, January 2022

It's not very common to do very short flighs with widebody equipment. But during the holiday season, every year, there is a surge in the demand for flights between Portugal mainland and Madeira island. Not only because of families and students wanting to go back home for Christmas but because Madeira NYE's fireworks is a huge attraction for tourists.

Air Luxor used to send their A330s to the island during this season and I was fortunate to land there with this type of widebody a few times between 2003 and 2005 flying with both CS-TMT and CS-TQF aircraft.

17 years later here I am again, with different colors, and with a different motivation to be on this flight.

Airbus A330-941 | CS-TUN | "D. Fuas Roupinho"

Also an unusual fact nowadays, I was one of most senior members in my category, which means I was assigned to work in business class again. Before the pandemic, with the company's growth we witnessed a fast moving seniority list and most of the times I was the most senior member in my category. These days, with the fleet reduction and with the recent dismissals, it's totally the opposite: I'm usually part of the "youngest" team.

So that was the way the new year started for me: doing a turnaround flight to Funchal. I made photos of this flight available in the corresponding gallery of the "Albums Archive" page, under "Blog Pages" on the right.

Let's hope 2022 is the year when we definitely get rid of this pandemic.

Last pictures of 2014

Inflight, December 2014

So this is time to say goodbye to 2014. Starting with Funchal...

PGA Fokker 100 CS-TPC

... sunrise after departure from London...

 

... and the very last flight of 2014 to Stockholm. Approach...

... and turnaround at Arlanda Airport.

Thomson 787 Dreamliner

Norwegian 737

After collecting some 790 block hours in 2014, I'd like to wish you all...

... a Happy New Year - Feliz Ano Novo!

A few postcards from Funchal

Funchal, November 2013

Photos from the previous year.

Outdoor of a TAP's A310 with the old livery

MSC Magnífica

Port of Funchal

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Windavia

Windavia - a new portuguese tour operator based at Funchal.

Bingo Airways A320 SP-ADK

Turin Airport & Madeira Island

Turin & Madeira, September 2012

Another new airport for me...

Turin Airport

Alitalia A320

Air Italy 737 EI-IGR

From the jetway - waiting for the passengers...

Cabin cleaned and ready for boarding!

Return flight - wild landscape

That day I would continue the journey to Funchal and sleep there. I couldn't resist taking more pictures of our little paradise in the middle of the Atlantic. The view is the same as in August 2008, but I just can't get enough of it.

From my room's balcony

The magnificent pools of our hotel.

Shining ocean...

Sea and sun... do I need more?

Awesome Madeira Island!