Regional Air (Nairobi)

...for sightseeing and some for regional flights.

Hang on? This is meant to be an op about Regional Air. Why is this plonker waffling on about Air Kenya? Well, Air Kenya set up a separate division to operate jet aircraft, and this jet operation goes under the name "Regional Air". Recently Regional Air became a franchise of British Airways - so they don't operate as "Regional Air" at all, they operate as BA. They not ...
...I had a ticket for Regional Air onwards but wasn't booked, so when I arrived I found the gate that the flight was departing from. There were a few people hanging around, but nobody at the desk. I wandered on further down the terminal to the regular transit desk but they didn't handle BA so after a bit I wandered back to the gate. About half an hour before departure, someone in BA uniform arrived and I approached her asking if I could get on the flight. ... more

Air Kenya are an independent airline based in Kenya whose main business is running small propellor aircraft on domestic routes within Kenya, some for sightseeing and some for regional flights.

Hang on? This is meant to be an op about Regional Air. Why is this plonker waffling on about Air Kenya? Well, Air Kenya set up a separate division to operate jet aircraft, and this jet operation goes under the name "Regional Air". Recently Regional Air became a franchise of British Airways - so they don't operate as "Regional Air" at all, they operate as BA. They not only operate with BA flight numbers but the aircraft are painted in BA colours (or will be!), the crew wear BA uniforms and what you get on board is basically a BA product. Also, probably most importantly, they operate to standards checked and approved by BA.

Some of the aircraft have been fully refurbished with BA livery and interiors, some are underway.

I've flown with them twice, in January 2004 and again in February 2004, once in Business class and once in economy.

CHECK IN
I arrived in transit on a flight from Dubai with Kenya Airways; I had a ticket for Regional Air onwards but wasn't booked, so when I arrived I found the gate that the flight was departing from. There were a few people hanging around, but nobody at the desk. I wandered on further down the terminal to the regular transit desk but they didn't handle BA so after a bit I wandered back to the gate. About half an hour before departure, someone in BA uniform arrived and I approached her asking if I could get on the flight. My alternative connection, with Kenya Airways, was already boarding so I hoped I could get on - if not, I was stuck as I didn't have a visa for Kenya!

The lady took my ticket and sure enough checked me in; I go the window seat in Club class (Business) that I wanted. It took a few minutes though, and although I tried to be cheerful and friendly she wasn't really interested.she was not rude, just didn't say any more than necessary.

The second time was remarkably similar. I went to what I thought was the gate and there was nobody there. I wandered through the terminal and eventually found someone in uniform who sent me to the furthest gate. When I got there, the sign said Kenya Airways to Lilongwe, or something like that, so I wandered back. Someone else in BA unform sent me to another desk at the opposite end, where I was checked in and told off for being late. There, it turned out that the flight was indeed leaving from the gate signed as Kenya Airways to Lilongwe (or something like that); both flights were using the same gate.

BOARDING
There were two people in BA uniform overseeing the boarding. As I went through I thanked the lady, I got a brief smile. I really could not decide if she was bored and disinterested, or actually shy.

There was hand baggage X-ray at the gate then around the corner there was an additional security check, two security men patting down some people and physically checking most of the carry-on. They did look fairly thoroughly but not intrusively and they were cheerful and pleasant, so although it slowed us down a bit, it was a reassurance and not an inconvenience.

On both occasions the plane was an old Boeing 737 series 200, quite old but it looked clean and well looked after on the outside. We boarded up steps and there was a stewardess at the door, greeting everyone with a genuine smile and a warm welcome.

SEAT AND ENVIRONMENT
My flight in business class was on an aircraft that had been refurbished with BA standard seats and I was really impressed. They use seats that are about the same as the "cradle seats" that BA used on their longhaul Club before introducing flat beds. The seats are placed two either side of the aisle so they are spacious. They are also very comfortable; sitting upright they support the back nicely, there is plenty of arm room and leg room. There are three seat controls - you can adjust recline, legrest and lumbar support. As you recline, the seat tips as well, giving really comfortable support.

The Club cabin was generally good, clean, pleasant. The luggage lockers were spacious, with plenty of room for my bags. The carpet was a rich blue, clean and in good condition. Only the walls looked a bit tatty; although clean, they were showing their age a bit. Clearly the cabin had been refurbished recently but there were signs of age.

My second flight, in economy, was on an aircraft that had not yet been fully refurbished - I saw the Club cabin and it was a far cry from my earlier experience. In economy, the carpets and seatbacks were upholstered with the standard blue, but they were grubby and dirty. The seat backs were scuffed, several tray tables were loose and wobbly and some were broken. It seemed that this was a newly acquired plane and they had some major work to do on it!

Both planes showed their age in the toilet! The toilet was small and cramped - as they all are - but the signs around the walls - no smoking, waste disposal here, return to seat - were in a variety of languages: English, Spanish, Swahili, on one Arabic and on another Japanese. This obviously reflected the previous operators of the aeroplane.

DEPARTURE
Before take-off, we were offered a drink - in Club, the choice was champagne, orange juice or water. In economy, the choice excluded champagne. In Club there was also a selectin of newspapers and magazines. The papers were mostly Kenyan, both swahili and in English, and shortly afterwards a hot towel.

IN FLIGHT
After take off the cabin crew started the breakfast service quickly, then after clearing it away they left us to relax but came through the cabin regularly to check if anyone needed something. I was really impressed with the crew - they were all warm, friendly, cheerful and pleasant - such a contrast from what I had expected on an African airline.

The only thing that did annoy me was the constant announcements from the captain. Yes we all expect the welcome on board announcement and the "progress report" but this guy seemed to think we was a tour guide. He came on every five minutes to point out a mountain, a river, a town, a game reserve, his neighbour's duck. It may well be interesting to tourists, but what about business travellers? Also at 8.30 in the morning most people want to sleep... save if for the afternoon run!

FOOD AND DRINK
The flight left at 8.00am so breakfast was most appropriate and breakfast we got.

In Club, it started with a generous portion of fresh fruit, with a choice of got breads and rolls; then came a choice of vegetarian samosas or an English breakfast - omelette with sausage, bacon, mushroom and tomato. I went for the latter and it was very tasty and fresh. Finally there was tea or coffee.

In economy, the breakfast was remarkably similar. A fruit salad followed by samosas or omlette with bacon and mushroom. And of course, tea or coffee. The meal was really only slightly smaller, with less pastries and a bit less in the English breakfast tray, which I guess shows that they are generous in economy as it was perfectly adequate.

I was surprised and impressed that, an hour before landing (and only two and a half hours after breakfast) there was another snack provided - in Club, toasted croissant sandwiches stuffed with cheese, chicken or beef; in economy the fillings were the same, but they were served on rolls instead of croissants. Very nice - and no way you could get off this flight hungry!

ARRIVAL
On both occasions we arrived within a few minutes of the scheduled time. We parked up on a stand away from the terminal but the bus was waiting to take everyone in. As we left the crew gave a warm, cheery goodbye and see you again.

SUMMARY
Overall it is reassuring to be on an airline where the standards are monitored by BA. Where Regional Air excel onboard, particularly the crew and catering. They do need to complete the refurbishment of the aircraft and they need to not only put in the new seats but also update the signs and, especially, sort out the cleaning. The other area they need to get their act together is a the airport in Nairobi.

However, overall it does raise the bar for flying in Africa and I would bet that six months from now they will have fixed a lot that needs fixing. We'll see.
 

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