Left Bristol about ten minutes late on Wednesday 10 September 2003 in the former Go Boeing 737-300, G-IGOH, now painted in easyJet livery.

Aircraft was about 90% full on what I believe is the only lowcost airline route between two English provincial cities. In fact, we were preceded by a BA Citiexpress Dash-8 on the same route, but I could not see the loading on that aircraft.

Flight was uneventful until we were well into final approach, not more than 2-3 miles from Newcastle Airport, when suddenly power was applied, flap settings altered and we began climbing giving me a nice view of the Newcastle apron from my right hand seat. The captain quickly explained that he had been advised to go round because of the proximity of a flock of birds near the end of the runway.

The bonus of this city add-on city tour was that we had an excellent view of the centre of Newcastle/Gateshead, including the Quays, the Tyne and St James Park. We still landed two or three minutes ahead of schedule.

Return flight in the evening was on the same aircraft and we were again preceded by the BA Dash-8. Loading of our 733 was about 75% this time and flight was uneventful. We had a superb view of the illuminated South Wales towns and cities as we passed over Newport, and then we had a similar view of Bristol and her satellite towns as our approach took us over the north, west and south of the conurbation. We had an on-time arrival at Bristol Airport.

Again easyJet presented a very good product and the fare of £15 for the return (round trip) journey was great value - booked at a time easyJet paid the tax as a promotional offer for this (to them) new route.