Ibiza-Jersey traveller gets private jet experience...by accident

Friday 07 July 2023

One Islander was treated to her own "private jet" experience on the return from Ibiza, after discovering that her flight was the first inbound leg of a summer Blue Islands route.

On Thursday, Hannah Maden-Adams (38), who runs her own communications and PR company, checked in for her 16:05 flight from Ibiza to Jersey to find out she was the only passenger.

"I suspected there might not be many on the flight,' she said, 'because it was the first return of the summer, so there would have only been local Ibizans on that flight travelling to Jersey."

On the way out she went via Heathrow so that she could be there in time to celebrate her friend's 40th birthday.

"I was surprised they carried on with only me, but they said that the flight from Jersey to Ibiza was full, so they needed to get the aircraft back somehow."

She received personalised VIP treatment from airport and airline staff, which included being chauffered in a private car to the aeroplane.

Pictured: Hannah with one of the pilots and crew members Halle and Lana (Hannah Maden).

"There was no point in putting a bus on just for me, so they sent a car to come and get me from the gate, drove me to the aircraft.

"When I got on, they said sit wherever you like and put your luggage wherever you want. I sat up near the front.

"Then, after we took off, the pilot was pointing out various locations as we went over them, directing me to look out of the left or right windows. He recommended La Rochelle and Île d'Aix as destinations to go on holiday.

"I had snacks and water, but after an Ibiza trip, I didn't really want anything else."

She thanked the cabin crew and pilots for their service and said they also "had never seen anything like it".

"They were really friendly and lovely people, and we were chatting throughout the flight, talking about my trip, how I had booked onto the flight and known about the route as a Jersey local."

"It was like having a private jet," she said.

"When I landed, I didn't have to wait long in the luggage halls, and then someone from Ports of Jersey had to open a lane and escort me through border control, because I was the only international arrival."

"It was a really fun experience, not something that I ever thought I would ever do. It was a great end to a trip in Ibiza and I was very grateful to have that direct flight back to Jersey, rather than having to go via Heathrow or Gatwick."

Rob Veron, CEO of Blue Islands, explained an 'empty leg' flight:

"Yesterday we welcomed guests on board the first outbound flight of Blue Islands’ 2023 summer sun programme, which sees convenient direct flights from Jersey to Ibiza every Thursday for 10 weeks.

"As this was the first week of the series, the outbound flight was hugely popular as Islanders flew direct for week-long holidays in the Mediterranean sun, the return flight was an ‘empty-leg’ – although it was open to book, and it was great that Hannah could fly direct to Jersey.

"Next Thursday we look forward to flying more guests to Ibiza, and welcoming back our returning guests as they fly home to Jersey."