On the Flybe Turbo Prop ...

I'm now sitting in aisle seat 20 D on the Flybe turboprop - I can see KLM 747s, sleek behemoths of the stratosphere - I can hear seat belts being buckled - the captain of the plane was taking a breather by the aircraft steps - he had a finely chiselled face and a calming voice - I'm in no hurry he said -

The safety ritual is now taking place - the plane is reversing - the engines are sighing - the cabin crew are holding up the orange life jackets - Anne's reading A Passage to India - 

Schipol was a glittering Alphaville - we were scanned in a glass booth - 

We're taxiing past the 747s - there are pale greyish blue clouds in the sky - 

We're turning onto the runway - we're poised between earth and heaven - 

Brilliant flaring lights mark the edges of the runway - we're racing - faster, faster - joy and terror - we're rising into the sky - soon we'll be above the clouds, closer to the angels - 

21.10

July 22 2014

Flybe turboprop

Flight 1018