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Taken July 2004 from London, Stansted - STN to Berlin, Tegel - TXL

I was travelling from London to Dresden in Germany, which is expensive to fly to. Therefore I decided to book a cheap flight to Berlin and take the train from there.

I chose Air Berlin because I found their website to be excellent and easy to use. Travel is ticketless, but I quickly received an acknowledgement.

So there I was early one summer morning at Stansted, waiting for my flight to Berlin Tegel.

Check-in was routine.

I proceeded to the departure lounge, fully expecting a 737. However, when the plane pulled into the stand, it was a Fokker 100.

This is, first of all, the smallest plane I have ever flown in. Only about 90 seats. It also has a slightly awkward-looking design, with no engines on the wings, but two rear-mounted engines, and fins at the top of the tail. You know the ones?

Anyway I had to get to Berlin! I boarded and took my seat. I was very happy indeed with the legroom. I am 6ft 5ins, but my knees did not touch the seat in front.

We took off normally and climbed out over the East Anglian countryside, heading out over the North Sea. Because it was such a small plane, there was only one stewardess and one steward. They came round with a lovely cheese salad roll and a cup of tea. Due to the cheap flight, I thought I would have to pay for this, but it was free! Nice touch.

The captain introduced himself and spoke in German. Didn't understand much. He switched to English and gave a few routine details such as altitude, weather and the like.

The flight was very smooth. It was a bit strange looking out at a wing with no engines on it, but the rear-mounted engines sounded smooth. The flight was so normal, there was a tendency to doze. Well, I had been up all night!

After only slightly more than an hour, we were starting our descent into Berlin Tegel. The flight path affords a terrific view of the Berlin skyline, and one of the pilots kept up a running commentary, pointing out landmarks - this time in English - until we were only about 1000 feet above the ground! Presumably the other pilot was handling the landing.

A perfect touchdown at Berlin Tegel, and my luggage quickly appeared on the belt. I was soon on my way to the city center with a lot of respect for Air Berlin.