Readers' trip reports. Exploring the skies with SkyAlps: journey aboard the Dash 8
I must say thank you to TFC readers, after Alexander and his review of Aeroitalia, today it is the turn of [...]
VRN
I must say thank you to the readers of TFC., after Alexander and his review of Aeroitalia, today it is the turn of Richard who decided to tell me about his experience aboard Skyalps, an Italian airline that has a unique fleet in Italy and beyond consisting only of turboprops, or propeller-driven aircraft. Here is his story.ù
In this article:
Cruising through the clouds with SkyAlps is an experience that blends the functionality of a reliable aircraft with the uniqueness of attentive and genuine customer service. Flying from the cold and enchanting north of Italy to more distant destinations, the company seems to have created a cozy nest in its favorite aircraft, the Dash 8 Q400.
In particular, my first experience with them occurs on the Verona-Rome (and its return).
The Dash 8 Q400, along with the CRJ-200 and its family, is an aircraft to which I am attached by sympathy for various reasons that I will not go into in this article. Prominent among them is his surprisingly charming characteristic: its ability to take off on short runways. The "tractor effect" of its turboprop engines, as I lovingly call it, may not fully compensate for the lack of optimal acoustic comfort, but it offers undoubted advantages in terms of accessibility to various airports.
The Dash 8 Q 400 is not the size of the Airbus A380, so beloved by Matteo Rainisio. This is a fact that the reader of these pages knows well.
Yet passenger comfort is a two-sided coin. For a 1.87m individual like me, the vehicle's roominess provides sufficient head and leg room without being a claustrophobia generator, although some of its features, such as non-reclining seats and small tables, may not completely satisfy the most demanding or larger-bodied passengers.
However, the leather seat is an appreciable touch of luxury, ensuring a certain level of comfort during the flight.
If I can provide one piece of advice to you reading this article, it is to NOT choose row number 7 (as I did): it is right next to the propellers and the acoustic comfort is not the best.
Let's keep talking about aircraft comfort, because there is one detail that the founder of this site will really like: there are personal air vents!
The cabin crew shines with unceasing kindness and helpfulness, becoming a reassuring pillar for those who, like yours truly, have a slight apprehension toward flying. They devote themselves with care to the needs of each passenger, ensuring that the journey is as smooth and pleasant as possible.
The atmosphere on board is quiet and welcoming, with SkyAlps showing a strong connection to its South Tyrolean roots. Passengers are pampered with delicacies straight from the Bolzano alps: fine wines, Loacker cookies, and crystal clear Kaiser Wasser water-a small taste of the region's rich and varied food and wine culture. This local attachment not only provides a distinctive touch to the on-board services but also projects the image and flavors of South Tyrol through the skies.
And that is probably the first goal of this airline: to serve as a service for tourism and business in the area, at the same time promoting it.
The Smart Business experience offered by SkyAlps provides a package of benefits such as 24-hour parking at VRN, fast track, baggage included, choice of seat, and a tasty snack on board. Yet, the poor turnout observed during flights from Verona to Rome raises questions: Is this company getting the attention it deserves?
In conclusion, Traveling with SkyAlps and the Dash 8 Q400 proves to be a pleasant experience despite minor compromises in physical and acoustic comfort. But if you want a flight that combines authenticity with practicality and a personal touch in customer service, then this is a trip worth exploring.
Richard you convinced me to try this company and for other readers who would like to share their experience I remind you that the space is open to all.
