A sudden decision to take advantage of the May Day holiday by spending a long weekend in Rome meant this return trip from Belfast International to Ciampino was booked just six days before travel. It worked out at £157 each (£314 in total for the two of us) including all taxes and charges which I feel was very good value at such short notice.

Both the outbound and return flights left punctually and landed ahead of schedule.

The Boeing 737-700 aircraft used by easyJet on this route had a smart interior and the cabin crew on both flights were friendly, efficient and obviously safety conscious.

I was very impressed when during boarding at Belfast for the outward flight a senior cabin crew member tactfully directed an elderly lady away from the window seat in row one beside the exit on the basis she might find it 'a little heavy' to open if she had to do so.

Both flights were smooth and the flight deck crew kept us well informed of progress.

All in all a very good performance by easyJet who have made it possible for people from Northern Ireland to enjoy weekend breaks in destinations which hitherto had only been available via airports in England or by driving to Dublin.