VLM are BACK! Fokker 50 flight experience, London City to Antwerp

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Date of Travel: NOVEMBER 2017
Airline: VLM
Flight #: VO102
Aircraft: FOKKER 50
Livery: VLM standard livery
Route: LCY-ANR
Tail number: OO-VLI
Miles: 192
Airborne time: 0h51m
Notes: First time on VLM since 2009
Thanks for finding my video and pressing play!
When I heard VLM had started up again having gone bust over a year ago, I knew I had to take the opportunity to fly with them again. I’ve a soft spot for them, having first been impressed with them back in 2009 when I travelled with them on the Manchester to London City route. Plus, they operate Fokker 50s and there are very few opportunities to fly on them, particularly in Europe.
VLM have restarted using a Slovenian certificate, and they’re now based in Maribor, Slovenia although the airline’s history is distinctly Belgian. London to Antwerp is their only route right now (Antwerp having been a former base of theirs), and it’s a business rather than a leisure route.
As this is a business route with a lot of the tickets being bought on expenses, don’t expect very cheap tickets. Mine cost me £109 single, which is expensive - but worth it to catch the unique experience of a quirky airline operating a beloved and rare aircraft.
Enjoy the report.
_____________________________________
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[@pocketdynamo5787]

Love the sound of those engines. A true oldtimer. Flying on that plane surely is an adventure in itself these days.

[@F50Aircraft]

And yet the old timer (Fokker 50( can compete still with other 50-seat turboprops

[@degorovi]

Very cool to see the Fokker 50 back in service. I have flown with the Fokker F27 back in the 70's as a kid. I loved the sound of those Rolls Royce Dart engines.

[@steve-marsh]

I LOVE this aircraft!!! Yes, I'm back at RetroPaul at the moment, revisiting old videos :)

[@ericjamieson]

Love the Fokker 50. It's stupidly loud but such a cute little plane.

[@pascalcoole2725]

It's realy silent compared to its predecesor the Fokker F27 But yeah it's realy a superb plane and in it's days it was highly modern.

[@charlesbruce4273]

Stellar work Paul! The Fokker 50's pointy nose makes this plane extra lovable. It's also kinda fun to say the word "Fokker" And I love the engine sound on take off - it feels like I'm setting off on a grand adventure in an Indiana Jones movie!

[@manlikevulcan3741]

Charles Bruce true

[@MalteSpieltYT]

I missed vlm.. flew with them between rotterdam and london from 2009 to 2013. im so happy they are back and that they use the wonderful fokker 50s :D

[@jamesmitchell1909]

Unfortunately they have ceased trading now which you probably know

[@kevindunne4828]

Used to love flying on the fokker 50 when aer lingus commuter were operating them on the Dublin to Edinburgh service, now they operate the atr 75 600, which is a similar experience

Excellent trip report, Paul! Nice to see flying VLM again. Enjoyed a lot! ;)

[@craigcolligan4790]

Hi Paul, another great video report. I look forward to your reports every Sunday. Keep up good work mate. 👍

[@jpaulrice]

My usual Sunday travel start. Good one. Looking forward to next week.

[@billymog]

Great viewing. Lovely to see an old F50

[@djlondon7956]

I flew VLM to Antwerp a couple of times. Just loved it.

[@FlyAround]

Well done Paul. I really enjoyed watching this special review about VLM :) I can't wait for the next video!

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Fly Around Thanks!

[@FlyAround]

You're welcome :)

[@jackdrago2388]

Fly Around Did they taxi with one engine?

[@beestormy1984]

Fly Around The

[@poundhill22]

nice video. i worked at lgw for years loved the Jy and nlm fokker aircraft the smell of the engines

[@andrewjditton]

Superb as ever, Paul. Really enjoyed it. Reminds me of the only time I flew VLM (about 2002ish), and it wasn't on purpose. I was working for Eurostar, and my return from Brussels (last train of the day) got cancelled as the overhead wires at Eurotunnel had corroded badly. We (the crew) had to stay overnight, and it transpired it would be days before the Tunnel opened again. We managed to get a flight with VLM from Brussels to LCY, along with some of our (very angry) passengers. And as we weren't expecting this, none of us had any other clothes than our uniforms so we were easy to spot. Oh, what fun! (NOT!) ;@) I do remember the service on VLM being excellent...but then I'm old enough to remember the service on the Dover-Oostende Jetfoil, and that was excellent too. The Flemish have this wonderful understated professional elegance about their service style.

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Andrew Ditton Nice! I bet nothing much has changed about the aircraft since 2002 either. I once sailed to Ostend in about 2004 with the Marine Society on the TS Earl of Romney - that was a course through the air cadets believe it or not.

[@nicksflyingadventures6374]

So glad they are back, I'll have to fly on them soon!

[@nixaviation]

Glad to see VLM back in service!

[@Paul.in.Ireland]

Excellent Paul! Your video editing is super mate, hope you are feeling better soon. Thanks for sharing another great flight report!

[@larryvilledude9415]

I enjoy your videos very much. Your music choices are always great!! Thanks

[@KEITHGEE1000]

Great report as always. Nothing like flying in a museum!!

[@jackvisser]

TY Paul for your time and excellent videos

[@igoflyingoccasionally6792]

absolutely love your videos! You'll make it big soon I'm sure

[@pascalcoole2725]

Thanks Paul, I'm verry familiar to this aircraft from a past live but didn't know VLM is still flying them.

[@MH_1-9-9-6]

Definitely going to book a trip on this route in the new year , great video as always

[@janinebell763]

I love all the information you put in, extras

[@71tarheelfan]

I love your videos...makes me miss flying though. I can't wait for more.

[@airlinetraveller]

Amazing video, and very nice to see the Fokker 50 still in service in Europe =D

[@alexandergarland77]

I definitely enjoy watching your trip reports

[@jimgordon1563]

Hi Paul, thank you for this. I can remember about 10 years ago having a flight from Dundee to London City on a Fokker 50. The airline was a branch of Air France ( Air City?) I enjoyed my flight and was amused by all of the instructions in French. Even on the sick bag!

[@thethailandcelt8394]

Brilliant Paul I loved it, there is definitely a buzz a about flying turbo prop. This took me back 2 years ago flying from Edinburgh to Leeds Bradford on a regular basis with I think then what was BMI. Super my friend thank you

[@N145PM]

Great one! Very unusual bird nowadays ... love the Fokker !

[@adamtorres109]

I'm glad I stumbled across this video. I tried to sleep out side those sliding glass doors at the beginning of your video about 15 years ago. Security kindly opened up the closed lobby and let me sleep inside. Good memories of traveling during my university days! I loved how the planes taxi on the runway.

[@krugmeister7301]

...Glad to see the Fokker 50 is Still in Use.!

[@Lfclfclfclfcpnepnepne5]

Hey I am just currently binge watching your trip reports they are awesome

[@2Stonefly]

I love the way you camera takes in the propellers

[@francisflood8921]

Yes, it's a good thing that you had breakfast BEFORE this flight!

[@markchallinor5528]

Great video Pau,l look forward to you videos on sundays.

[@owencullen3381]

Great video, Thanks Paul!

[@HMSDaring1]

Imagine that. Even an airline on the verge of death provides a better catering service than British Airways on their Euroflights

[@SaveEastCoastRewards]

British Airways from London City Airport (BA CityFlyer) still provides a complimentary catering service in economy class, it has the usual snack + full bar service on afternoons and evenings and a breakfast roll in the morning. Review (economy) saveecrewards.co.uk/blog/review-ba-cityflyer-euro-traveller-ba8717-edi-lcy (Club Europe - business) saveecrewards.co.uk/blog/review-ba-cityflyer-club-europe-ba7310-lcy-man

[@HMSDaring1]

I'm aware BA Cityflyer does. I'm talking about British Airways short-haul from Gatwick and Heathrow.. But thanks for the link :)

[@SaveEastCoastRewards]

+HMSDaring1 I do like to point it out because not everyone is aware, it's a shame my regular route NCL-LON is LHR only, I so much prefer flying CityFlyer despite having access to the First lounges at Gatwick and Heathrow (although the new LGW lounges were certainly a nice surprise of 2017 as was the first wing at LHR). I hope BA finally give up the plan to eventually roll out BoB on LCY flights as it'll also affect the quality of CE catering too (as it's likely the person serving CE will need to help out in ET)

[@lindenbeck]

They've stopped free service at LCY too.

[@SaveEastCoastRewards]

Since when? They were supposed to introduce Buy on Board 'in the summer' but this had slipped to 2018 the last I heard. My flight from London City to Edinburgh was complimentary throughout.

[@josephw7911]

Great trip report I enjoyed it.

[@andrewhamilton4123]

I did this flight a number of years ago on the Fokker 50 out of City. There were only two of us as passengers and we were asked to sit behind the wings to assist with take off. On the return flight, it was full!!!

[@fernandosoares8619]

i enjoy a lot when the sky is grey. here where i live is very hot. nice video , this aircraft is very interesting

[@luxair1997andTAP]

Awesome trip report as always!! 😊

[@danwaterman8059]

Love your reports so much

[@jmf12b]

ATC: American 231 heavy, traffic 4 miles, 1 o’clock, a Fokker 50. American 231: I’ve got that little Fokker in sight.

[@nateayi]

Just couldn't stop yourself, could you?

[@djlondon7956]

but does Fokker really sound like Fucker? mmmm. not really. well. not to me.

[@LadyJennivieve]

DJ London depends on your accent, I suppose.

[@MrKashmire123]

Excellent vid once more Paul - glad to say that Wednesday and today saw me get my first ever miles up in the air, through a Uni trip to Brussels! Your adventures put me at ease long ago that flying would be fine and both were pretty fine. Roll on next Sunday's report!

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Kashmire Hawker Glad to hear it went well for you! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@robyoungquist5803]

Love it! Now that’s flying ... OLD SCHOOL. 😉

[@NewcastleFlyer]

Great Video!-I live for Sunday Mornings Amazing to get a feel of the Fokker 50 on this unusual route Congrats on 17K

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Newcastle Flyer Cheers 👍🏻

[@Michelle-eb4kd]

Great video can't wait for the next one

[@TravelWithDan]

Great catch this! Wish I had done it. They have just gone under again

[@migfsx]

there are something magic with turboprops, i love

[@blissful351]

Those engines sound great !

[@airaction2257]

Great Report Paul,sunday mornings wouldn't be the same without them : )

[@bradleyharrisYT]

Great video as always Paul!

[@roberts6035]

Allways nice to watch your video's Paul. They give me the feeling making the trip myself. I flew with VLM a lot from Rotterdam to London. Sunday morning ,a nice breakfast and a new video by Paul. Hope to see more train video's in the near future. Or is you're core business flying ?

[@Paul_Lucas]

Robert S Thanks Robert - there will be at least 2 more train journeys published before Christmas 👍🏻👍🏻

[@AviationNerd]

Great video Paul!

[@lukerodda9419]

Great video

[@maespip]

VLM is in Business again? Very good. I worked at the airport in Antwerp. (Travair and aerodata)

[@johnkinnane547]

G'day Paul just happen to stumble across your channel and I really liked it especially your trips on the trains and it's great to see some of the old stations we saw last time we were in the UK. I like how you use captioning instead of a lot of talking. Well done and I look forward to watching more of your trips and reviews thanks mate regards John Tasmania Australia, I have subscribed

[@johnsbox]

You could do some short haul flights in Eastern Europe, just to see how things measure up. I remember this particular plane with Air UK, and KLM used to do flights between Bristol and Amsterdam in them. On the catering side, hot meals on a hot ceramic plate used to be the norm when I was flying economy class within Europe back in the 1980s. Will never forget the potatoes, beef and veg. on LOT from LHR to WAW (Warsaw) on a Soviet built jet, with the return flight on BA, with the latter serving a cold buffet meal. That's one for the book!

[@joshuafleming6206]

Paul mate , love it !

[@MKTTransportVideos]

Well you've made me want to look up the prices for this route now!! Based on your legroom there though I think I'll sit one row back in 3A or 3D!

[@ikkeennigij121]

any chance making a more recent one? top video man!

[@jackaviation5393]

Love this video keep up the good work. Hope your feeling better x

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Jack Simms planes Thanks Jack 👍🏻

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

Great production....📹🎬🎶😀👌

[@BDQing]

Subscribed!Those RR Darts would have sounded incredible!

[@paulwhitear4983]

Another good video. The plane looked like a bit of an antique

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Paul Whitear It is a bit - 27 years old.

[@robertgriffith8857]

I flew with VLM from London City to Munchengladbach several times in the late 1990s. I hadn’t realised the Company ceased business as I loved flying with them on that route. Pleased they are back and I hope they succeed.

[@rolfmais8524]

Robert Griffith It's called Mönchengladbach.

[@haggischaser1028]

Great video paul

[@Paul_Lucas]

+haggischaser1028 Cheers!

[@MS46532]

Am happy is back.

[@andrewsebastianrothgarnant350]

Speaking of small airlines with only one route. I would like you to try a Danish airline called Alsie Express. They only fly one route, Copenhagen to Sønderborg, a city in Southern Jutland very close to the German border. They operate two ATR 72s one of them with only 48 seats and an impressive 42 inch legroom. If you book early you get a ticket for roughly £39 and on flights on Friday afternoon/evening they even serve local beer! 😀

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Andrew Sebastian Rothgarn Antonsen I have seen this airline before! I was at CPH last year and noticed their striking black ATR aircraft. Logistically it’s a bit of a problem as I don’t like to just get off the plane and get back on the same one - the best use of my time is finding ways to sew multiple itineraries together. But if I can make it work, I’ll do it next year.

[@danielstrandby3678]

Paul's Trip Reports A bit of a late reply, but Alsie Express have opened a seasonal route between Sønderborg and Bornholm, a small Danish Island in the Baltic sea. From Bornholm, Danish Air Transport have flights to Aalborg, Billund and Copenhagen, all of which have flights to the U.K. If you wanted to, you could do UK-CPH-SGD-RNN(Bornholm)-BLL-UK, where you could get to fly EasyJet/RyanAir/SAS/BA, Danish Air Transport and AirAlsie.

[@TCAS330]

Hi Paul! A very interesting report! Enjoyed watching it a lot, as I would be interested in flying one of those Fokkers aswell... Hope to get a chance before they retire :/

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Laid-Back Flights Thanks. You’ll have to be quick as I reckon VLM won’t be here this time next year.

[@diederikvanrappard7506]

The Fokker will be back soon on the Antwerp - London City route,callsign Rubens of VLM is now gone for good but Air Antwerp gives aviation enthusiasts another chance to fly the F50.To make things even better Air Antwerp has just been granted callsign Devil😀

[@JelmersAviation]

Awesome video mate!

[@JVerschueren]

When I flew with them in 2001, I sat near the back (because being next to the props is indeed horrendously loud) and still I made the flight attendant repeat herself 5 times. She was asking if I wanted the regular or the kosher snack option, but because I could hardly hear her and I wasn't expecting the question, this didn't register with me. In the end she kind of lost her patience with me and asked me if I wanted chicken or cheese on my sandwich. :D I had cheese with a cup of tea, it was reaslly nice.

[@Hummer1332]

I hope you are feeling better! 😊

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Kathy Shehee Thank you Kathy! 👍🏻

[@rais1953]

Fokker 50s have done a lot of work connecting smaller towns in Western Australia and I think there are still some around. These are not short flights either, they can be up to six or seven hundred kilometres. I flew from Perth to Darwin, thousands of kilometres and back a few years ago in Fokker 100 aircraft. They were excellent, with the rear mounted engines leaving all the noise behind.

[@fbagbey]

London City is right next to the Thames? Like your great variety of aircraft reviewed. Cheers!

[@kimitheworm]

LCA did used to be a dock.... But I remember going to that site for my GSCE coursework (1st year of that) and they were filming Full Metal Jacket on that very site - a year later I was at Destination Docklands in 1988/89 Its kind of boring now

[@andrewhamilton4123]

My daughter has just returned from Everest Base Camp on a holiday and she travelled in and out of Lukla.. A nice one for Paul to feature!

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Andrew Hamilton Maybe one day! Would love to do that flight.

[@JamesHaitch]

Super video Paul. Regarding ashtrays. All planes in the USA are required to have them in the toilets, to stop people putting any illegal smokes in the rubbish bins. For safety.

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Jiminy Haitch I never knew that!

[@Whenitraveltheworld]

Excellent report as always Paul, looked like a fun little hop , with at least a free yoghurt and drink !

[@Paul_Lucas]

+When I Travel The World Cheers James - I wouldn’t recommend this aircraft for nervous flyers though, it’s unbelievably loud and very shaky in turbulence!

[@Paul_Lucas]

+When I Travel The World Cheers James - I wouldn’t recommend this aircraft for nervous flyers though, it’s unbelievably loud and very shaky in turbulence!

[@TheNatasha66]

Loud + bumpy take-off = Scary 😟 But cute little plane all the same 💙

[@torsten811]

sehr schönes Video, Danke und Grüsse aus Deutschland. Torsten

[@Speedbird1FLY]

Well done Paul... hope you get better. Shocking news... you bought a breakfast. ;-) Interesting video on a quirky airline. Price wasn't too bad for a niche route. Greetings from SA... enjoying a hol (inc from video editing). Hope to take the Premier classes train before heading back home

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Speedbird1 FLY Cheers. I ate the breakfast on the train to Brussels in the end. 😂

[@Speedbird1FLY]

Paul's Trip Reports you must have been starving by then! (Especially after an early start) glad u featured vlm. Always been curious about this airline. Take care

[@joshuafleming6206]

SA as in South Africa ?

[@Speedbird1FLY]

Joshua Fleming hi Joshua, yes in South Africa 🇿🇦. I am bracing myself for the cold weather back home. Kind regards (and you guessed it ... more reviews once the holiday mode is over)

[@joshuafleming6206]

Great , hope you got some trip reports for me from your flight travels within SA ! I have a shed ton of flying starting the 4th of December until the 20th within SA, should be fun ! See you soon , Josh in Cape Town :)

[@danielclay2503]

Love it

[@KeithApp]

I miss the CALM service between MAN and LCY. For visits to London, it was far more convenient than BA,s LHR service. Also wish that BA didn't cancel their MAN-LGW service.

[@TheHagerman12]

Thanks for another great trip report. I’ve gotten tired of 320’s and 737’s so I️ love rare aircraft like this especially since there’s none such in the states! Suggestion- I️ would love to see you do a 757 report on Iceland air maybe? That would be super cool! Thanks.

[@michelbeauloye4269]

Hi! I have read that VLM F50s are now operated under Air Antwerp. Wonder for how long ?!? On your vlog, a LUXAIR Q7 appears during the taxi out. This reminds me that some time ago, there was a rough competition between VLM and LUXAIR, both operating F50s on the LUX-LCY route. Finally, LUXAIR won the war!

[@thomasisland1]

This report is Fokking good :D.

[@givmi_more_w9251]

Dead jealous. I want to fly on a Fokker aircraft so badly ...

[@samr4426]

Great video! how did you book this flight?

[@irfo2004]

great video ;)

[@mariocesar4973]

Beautifuel vídeos👍👏👏👏

[@gilles111]

And by now, VLM Airlines is definitly over. Last summer, they cancelled almost all routes but did continue the London - Antwerp connection. At the end of august, VLM decided even the London City - Antwerp route will close down (last flight of VLM ended 2 sept. 2018 in Antwerp). For now (oct. 2018) VLM is in liquidation. What will happen with the 3 last Fokker 50's is unknown. Little good news, VLM sold 3 of their Fokker 50's to the Swedish Amapola.

[@davidgriffiths3713]

10/10 Paul

[@FOHeming]

Oh I miss working at LCY! I know the dispatcher!! :D

[@Paul_Lucas]

+FOHeming Small world :-)

[@mrbojangles8133]

it's not old it's characterful

[@willemlenteren1485]

hope service is nice there i flow with klm f 50 was a very unfriendly crew member on board i never fly klm anymore

[@jamesbartlett5640]

Such a shame VLM didn’t last was good seeing them and F50 out of LCY. Nowadays it’s mostly BA Cityflyer EMB 190s or another airline with EMB 190s with odd A220 and Q400.