The Flight Detective

Review: The historic Greville Arms Hotel in Mullingar, Ireland

Posted by The Flight Detective | Aug 11, 2021 | Hotel Reviews, Hotels, Reviews and Reports | 2

Mullingar is a town in Westmeath in Ireland, a little over an hour by train from Dublin. It is famous for being the hometown of One Direction’s Niall Horan and for the Greville Arms Hotel. Built around 1869, the hotel was originally Lord Greville’s home, he being the owner of the town and landlord through to the 1920s. I stayed in this hotel recently, so read on for the review. Lunch In The Bistro I arrived around lunchtime and it was too early to check-in. Feeling hungry, I headed off to the busy bistro for some lunch. I grabbed...

What does it mean now British Airways have extended their flexible booking policy?

Posted by The Flight Detective | Aug 10, 2021 | Airlines | 2

It is interesting to see that British Airways have once again extended their flexible booking policy. Also known as “book with confidence”, it gives passengers added protection in the event of plans changing. Anyone who makes or has a flight booking for travel through to 31 August 2022 is now protected. You can make changes without change fees, and if you wish to cancel, the value of your ticket is turned into a voucher for use on British Airways at a later date. The Flexible Booking Extension Is Good I have been looking at flights for July 2022, and...

What does an intercity Irish Rail train in Ireland look like inside?

Posted by The Flight Detective | Aug 9, 2021 | Reviews and Reports | 10

Recently I decided to go to Mullingar in Ireland, which is conveniently on the train line between Dublin and Sligo. I decided to get some pictures inside the carriage for future prospective customers to check out. Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) trains on this route have standard class seats only. First class is not offered as it is not a prestige route like others on the island, such as the Dublin to Belfast route. Inside A Standard Class Carriage to Mullingar I arrived at Dublin Connolly station, and the Sligo trains leave from platform one, opposite the Enterprise service to...

Review: A Ryanair Irish domestic flight from Kerry to Dublin

Posted by The Flight Detective | Aug 5, 2021 | Airlines, Flight Reviews, Reviews and Reports | 4

Irish based Ryanair are Europe’s largest airline by passengers carried. They are the go to choice for a large segment of the population, because of their low fares, sheer coverage of airports, the fact they’re on time more often than not and how they manage to do all of this safely. Since the demise of Stobart Air, Ryanair have stepped in to fill the breach and are now flying the Irish domestic route between Dublin and Kerry. I decided to take the train from Dublin to Farranfore – the station beside Kerry Airport – with the express intention of...

What is Kerry Airport at Farranfore in Ireland like?

Posted by The Flight Detective | Aug 4, 2021 | Airlines | 2

Ireland has quite a lot of airports and one of them is at Farranfore in County Kerry. Kerry Airport is a small facility, which is fairly close to both Tralee and Killarney. It has the distinction of being the only airport in the Republic of Ireland with a railway station close by. Since only locals would really use the facility, here’s a look at what it is like. Kerry Airport Those used to large capital city airports will be in for a surprise as Kerry Airport is rather compact. As soon as you walk in, immediately in front of...

Rail Review: Irish Rail from Dublin to Kerry in first and standard class

Posted by The Flight Detective | Aug 3, 2021 | Reviews and Reports | 2

Iarnród Éireann or Irish Rail operate the train services throughout the Republic of Ireland with modern rolling stock. I took the train from Dublin to Farranfore in County Kerry, so I could check out the walk between the station and the airport. At the moment there is no catering due to the pandemic, meaning no excellent food like on my journey from Dublin to Limerick. That meant wiling away the hours checking out the view, which is no hardship, let me tell you! Irish Rail Heuston to Farranfore My train was scheduled for 7am which meant a 5:15am alarm...

How far is it from Farranfore train station to Kerry Airport?

Posted by The Flight Detective | Aug 2, 2021 | Airlines, Travel Tips | 0

Ireland has just one train station close to an airport, and that at Farranfore in County Kerry. Kerry Airport is located within walking distance of the railway line, which makes things easy when going from train to plane. People have said that it’s quite some walk, but after checking it on Google Maps, I didn’t think so. Therefore I decided to give it a try myself to see exactly how long it takes. Train Station to Airport When you alight from the train, you leave via the entrance in front of you, walk through the small car park and...

When flying from Europe to Australia, have you considered Japan Airlines?

Posted by The Flight Detective | Jul 31, 2021 | Airlines | 2

Once upon a time, trying to book a flight on Japan Airlines from Europe to Australia seemed impossible. Their website just would not let you book the flight, even though I knew they served both areas quite well. It seems things have changed and now it’s entirely possible to make a booking with them. There are a few things that set Japan Airlines apart which makes them arguably the most comfortable experience on the route, not to mention their competitive pricing. Japan Airlines Lounge Access Obviously passengers in first class and business class receive lounge access, which is the...

After Titanic sank, how did they make her identical sister ship Olympic safer?

Posted by The Flight Detective | Jul 26, 2021 | Cruises | 2

Titanic was an ocean liner operated by the White Star Line, which famously sank on her maiden voyage in April 1912. She had a virtually identical sister ship called Olympic which entered service the year before. After the sinking, Olympic was modified to become safer. Since the Titanic disaster was a major news event around the world, passengers and crew were reluctant to travel on Olympic. Something needed to be done and fast. Making Olympic Safer Since it is well known that Titanic did not have enough lifeboats for all on board, unsurprisingly that was the first thing addressed....

Does anyone remember the Boeing 717, the plane adopted from McDonnell Douglas?

Posted by The Flight Detective | Jul 25, 2021 | Airlines | 8

An unusual bird in the Boeing flock is the Boeing 717. It looks nothing like the other aircraft designed by the US manufacturer and that is because it was conceived by former competitor McDonnell Douglas as a Douglas DC-9-30 replacement. Renamed the Boeing 717-200 after Boeing absorbed McDonnell Douglas in 1997, it first flew from Long Beach on 2 September 1998. Powered by two Rolls-Royce BR715 turbofans, it has a range of 2,648 to 3,815km and entered service on 12 October 1999 with AirTran Airways. Boeing 717 Video Following on from the last video on the Lockheed L-1649 Starliner,...