Edinburgh to Aberdeen AirFrance Flights

  About Edinburgh

Edinburgh, which is also pronounced as Edinbruh by the Scots, is one of the most beautiful cities in Scotland. It is also a very popular wedding destination and deservedly so. You will fall in love with the city the moment you step foot in it. The lush greenery, magnificent castles and monuments are a treat to your soul and the eyes. It is the perfect holiday destination if all you want to do is relax and soak in the beautiful scenery. Time passes quite slowly in Edinburgh, and it is the perfect break from your otherwise hectic life. The city also hosts art exhibitions regularly, which is a treat to all you art lovers. You can also head to the beaches here and enjoy a breathtaking sunset or ride a bike along a riverside. If you are in the city with your significant other, the city itself adds a lot of romance to your trip.

Best Time to Visit Edinburgh

Summer is a high season in Edinburgh. The temperature ranges from 8 to 19 degree Celsius. You will find a lot of tourists buzzing around in the city during the summer. Booking a hotel in Edinburgh in this season can be quite expensive since it is peak tourist time. Make sure you do so in advance so you can find accommodation as per your convenience. The days are long, and the weather is quite pleasant. You can also attend a lot of festivals that take place in summer. It is also the festivals that make summer a popular tourist season. The Edinburgh International Festival includes theatre, music, performances. The festival lasts three days and celebrates performing arts. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival also celebrates performing arts from all over the world. It also has musicals and events for children. You can also attend the Edinburgh Military Tattoo that happens in August. Make sure you book your flight tickets to Edinburgh well in advance since the availability might reduce and the rates will increase at the last moment.

The city experiences the autumn season in September and October. It's quite pleasant and a good time to visit the city if you don't like a lot of crowds. The temperature ranges from 8 to 16 degree Celsius. There is a decent chance that you will get a good deal on flights to Edinburgh online during Autumn since it is not peak season. You can attend the International Storytelling Festival if you are visiting in October. None of your plans to go sightseeing or outdoor activities will get affected in this season either. You might even get to indulge in all of the activities at a minimal price.

November to March is winter in Edinburgh and the days are shorter than usual. The temperature reaches a maximum of 8 degree Celsius and drops to as low as 0 degree Celsius. This is a low season for the city, and there are high chances that you will get cheap flight tickets to Edinburgh. The hotel rates also drop considerably, which makes this the perfect season to visit Edinburgh if you are on a budget. January and February are the coldest months in Scotland. If you are in the city during Christmas, you are in for a treat. The city looks gorgeous during Christmas till the New Year's. April and May give you a certain relief from the cold months. You will see fewer tourists during this season, too. The hotel prices and flight fares are also low. The temperature ranges from 3 to 14 degree Celsius. It is a decent time to plan a trip to the city if you want to avoid peak season tourists and enjoy pleasant weather.

Places to Visit in Edinburgh

Settled on top of an extinct volcano, the Edinburgh Castle is one of the most iconic tourist attractions in the city. The view from the castle is stunning, and so are the interiors of the castle. You will fall in love with the architecture and structure of the castle. You can also visit St Margaret's Chao, Half Moon Battery and National War Museum if you are visiting the castle. After you are done exploring the castle, you can head over to Arthur's Seat, the highest point in Holyrood Park. The spot offers a mesmerizing view of the sea and the nearby tourist attractions. If it is more history and art that you are looking for, you can visit the National Museum of Scotland. You will find a lot of interactive displays and art exhibitions here that will leave you impressed and wanting for more. Catch the breathtaking view of the entire city of Edinburgh from the Carlton Hilltop. This is also a popular spot for locals to host musicals and comedy shows.

Explore the wildlife at Edinburgh Zoo. The zoo is home to over 1000 animals like the giant pandas, flamingos, koalas, chimpanzees and other species of animals. If you are visiting the city with your family, this is the perfect place for you to visit. Another recommended tourist spot for art lovers is the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. It is also a great place for aspiring photographers to head to if you are looking for inspiration. Queen's Gallery is another great tourist attraction in the city, that is situated in the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It was opened by the Queen in 2002 for the public, and you will find a lot of things from the royal collection on display here.

Things to do in Edinburgh

Going on a sightseeing tour to the Edinburgh Castle and the museums in the city is a popular thing to do. Edinburgh is also one of the best places for you to challenge the photographer in you. You will find a lot of great spots to take pictures and will fall in love with the city. It is best to explore the city on foot. Head to Old Town's Royal Mile or Holyroodhouse Palace. You can walk up to Arthur's Seat from the Holyroodhouse Palace to catch a stunning view of the city. There are quite a few events and festivals that take place during the peak season, and you cannot miss those at all. Take a tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia to experience royalty at its best. It was where Princess Diana and Prince Charles honeymooned, and so did the Duke and Duchess of York. You can explore the yacht and be amazed at the interiors. Of course, you can also take quite a few pictures inside. One thing you must try in the city is their Scotch Whiskey. Head over to the Scotch Whiskey Experience to learn more about the spirit. It also has the largest collection of scotch whiskey of more than 3300 bottles. It is recommended that you go on a guided tour of the place.

Foods and Restaurants

Scotland is popular for a dish called Haggis, which consists of sheep's heart, liver and lungs mixed with oatmeal, onions and seasoning. You will find a lot of restaurants here that serve all types of international cuisine. From Thai food to Italian cuisine, you will do everything that suits your mood here. You must try the traditional British food like fish and chips or hamburgers. You can also head to some of the famous pubs and bars here for some fine whiskey or a glass of beer. The Elephant House is a highly recommended place for all you Potterheads. This is where J.K. Rowling spent her time writing some of the Harry Potter books. You will find a lot of testimonials and artwork by fans thanking the author for the series. You can also sign up for a guided food tour to get the best that the city has to offer in terms of food. Lynne's Scrumptious Snax is a very popular snack van in Edinburgh that you must try. It is the best place to go to if you want to grab a quick bite. If you want to try Italian food with a glass of wine head over to One20 Wine Cafe. Makars Gourmet Mash Bar is highly recommended for craft beers and healthy British and Scottish food. You will also come across a lot of cafes in the city that you must try.

How to reach Edinburgh

Edinburgh Airport is not very far from the city centre and is one of the busiest airports in Scotland. The flight connectivity to Edinburgh from India is excellent, though there are no direct flights to Edinburgh. Almost all flights have a layover in London, and it is one of the most popular routes to Edinburgh. Turkish Airlines and British Airways are the most popular airlines that frequently fly to Edinburgh. If you book in advance and during the right season, you will get cheap flight tickets to Edinburgh. The airport is well-equipped with lounges, prayer rooms, currency exchange, restaurants, cafes and shopping areas. You will not get bored if you have to wait a long time to board your flight. You will also get a taxi or bus to your hotel from the airport quite easily.

  About Aberdeen

Aberdeen is a port city located on the coast of the exquisite North Sea. The city is famed for its offshore petroleum industry. Interestingly, the city houses many international populations, including the Italians and Japanese. The city also connects the beautiful rivers, Dee and Don.

Best time to visit Aberdeen

Aberdeen's weather is extremely erratic and inconsistent. The weather continues to show varied sides without any warning. It might be rainy in the morning but turn sunny within the next minute. You simply can't determine what is going to happen next in terms of weather in Aberdeen. Hence, figuring out an ideal season or month to visit the city is quite pointless. However, you can follow the season that would best work for you. The spring season is from March through May with the temperatures ranging from 5 degree Celsius to 10 degree Celsius. You can imagine how cold the winters are if the spring temperatures do not go beyond 10 degree Celsius. While it doesn't seem like the best time to visit as the temperatures are still very less, it might be good if you wish to soak in all the brisk cold breeze. It is advised that you do carry proper parkas and other clothing as it would come in handy. Also, no matter what season, you should ensure to keep an umbrella with you as it can rain at any random time. It can get cloudy and terrible to deal with as the rains tend to affect the touristy plans.

Summer, on the other hand, is the best time to visit out of all the seasons. Aberdeen's summers are cold, irrespective. However, it is pleasant and would certainly be the fun winter vacation that you have been opting for. The temperatures during summers in Aberdeen range between 15 degree Celsius and 20 degree Celsius. June through August sees some warmth in the air. As it is on the coast, the breezy North Sea brings cold air in the city. The summer is actually quite pleasant with clear skies and lovely vibe. Even though it is cold, you would still feel happy as the air of Aberdeen is fresh and invigorating. The hotel prices during this season does see a slight spike. You might want to make your hotel bookings in Aberdeen in advance to ensure that you do get good deals. Winter is definitely not the best time to visit as the temperature does drop below negative. December through February is not the best time for you to venture to Aberdeen. Not to mention how it also rains out of the blue during the winters. It can get supremely cold and not favourable for tourist activities. You wouldn't be able to check out any of the famous attractions, and you cannot even take a stroll down the beaches. Hence, it would be best to avoid winters in Aberdeen. Do make a note of the fact that the hotel prices are lower than usual, making the accommodation extremely cheap. But, thanks to the bad weather, it doesn't work in your favour.

Places to visit in Aberdeen

The best way to get around Aberdeen would be to first visit the Aberdeen Maritime Museum. The museum is located close to the harbour and has quite the exemplary architecture. The Maritime Museum is a perfect way to start learning about the city's history and its relationship with the popular North Sea. As an art patron, you would be happy to witness some of the fabulous art exhibitions that the Aberdeen Art Gallery. The huge gallery has a melange of traditional and modern Scottish art. You will also find some artwork by international artists. These include works of Ivor Abrahams, Bruce McLean, Ken Currie, to name a few. Another major tourist attraction in Aberdeen is Craigievar Castle. The structure with its pink walls and authentic Scottish architecture is too beautiful. Another pristine castle that would definitely work perfectly in your postcards (if you plan to make any) would be the Balmoral Castle.

Things to do in Aberdeen

To enjoy the lovely Aberdeen sun amid a gorgeous environment, you should visit Duthie Park. The place was built back in 1881 by Lady Elizabeth Duthie. She dedicated the park to her uncle and brother. The spectacular 44 acres of the park is nestled close to the banks of the Dee River. The place also has a greenhouse which was once demolished but was built back. If you do get tired of all the tourist activities, you can visit Codona's Amusement Park. The place has many fun rides and activities that you would enjoy. You should also visit the Gordon Highlanders Museum. The place does have an interesting collection of artefacts and exhibitions that would give you a peek at their history. The museum also houses a lovely tea room that you would enjoy.

Food and restaurants in Aberdeen

Aberdeen's food is eccentric but heavily influenced by Italian cuisines and seafood. You will be able to find the best of Italian trattoria in Aberdeen, at Rustico. The neat little cafe is run by an Italian-family where they offer exquisite seafood such as king prawns tossed on linguine, pork ragu with rigatoni and some Sicilian-style lamb meatloaf. The whole spread is beautiful and flavourful. Another Italian restaurant in the city is Carmine's. The food establishment is very low key and quaint, which works well on the pockets. They also have an authentic Japanese restaurant in the city where you can find some of the famous dishes from the cuisine. Yatai Izakaya is your place, which is affordable as it falls within a perfect budget. They also have sake, so you don't have to travel all the way to Japan for the same. The Conservatory Restaurant located in the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa is a place you simply cannot miss. Although it is pricey as it is situated in the premise of a five-star hotel. But this would be quite the indulgence that you should opt for in Aberdeen.

At the food establishment, you will find some lovely seafood menu. While you're there, do not miss their Shetland scallops, Perehead monkfish, North Sea shellfish bisque and cod. The place also brings about an interesting spin to beef and other meat-based dishes. You might want to keep enough money in your pockets to visit this place. Although relatively new, the Bonobo cafe has already managed to find fame in the neighbourhood for its exquisite vegan food. The place serves only vegan food, so if you do not wish to have any of the seafood or meat cuisine, you can visit this place. Their vegan take on Scottish breakfast, which includes scrambled tofu, seitan sausages, veggie haggis and tattie scones is delicious. Not to mention how they have a coconut milk latte as opposed to the usual regular-milk latte. Coffee connoisseurs on the trip should visit Foodstory as the place makes lovely brewed coffee merged with healthy desserts and baked goods. Plus, the place also offers yoga and drawing classes. It would be quite an experience, if anything. Their take on the local cuisine is also quite good and would go down well with your sensibilities.

How to reach Aberdeen

Flights to Aberdeen are aplenty, but they do not particularly fly from India. There are no direct flights to Aberdeen, and you will have to opt for a flight with layovers or even change flights at London's Heathrow Airport. Airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, KLM Royal Dutch, British Airways, Air France, have immaculate flight connectivity to Aberdeen. This makes the travelling far easier. Most of the flights flying to Aberdeen have layovers that cannot be ignored. However, from Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Kolkata, you will be able to get flights flying to Aberdeen without much concern. The most popular route to Aberdeen often chosen is from London and Amsterdam. Since British Airways and KLM Royal Dutch have direct flights to Aberdeen, these international routes are favoured over the others. Many even choose to visit Edinburgh and take a flight to Aberdeen from here. However, to opt for the said international route, you will have to book a ticket to Edinburgh directly and drive up to Aberdeen.

The flight duration to reach Aberdeen from India ranges from 11 hours to 13 hours. It doesn't take much time to reach the Scottish coastal city as the flight connectivity is good and layovers are minimum. You will have to ensure to travel with a transit visa. As the airlines flying to Aberdeen traverse through European cities too, it is necessary to carry a transit visa. You can get hold of the visa at the embassy. The easier and viable option to get the transit visa is by applying for it online. The embassy sites are very quick to respond to the applications online so you wouldn't have to worry about anything. The flight tickets to Aberdeen are decently priced. It could range from INR 30,000 to INR 40,000. The season doesn't really play a massive role in the change of the flight ticket cost to Aberdeen. However, it would be recommended to make prior bookings to Aberdeen as that way, you will be able to avail some online flight deals.

  About Air France

Air France, popularly stylised as AIRFRANCE, is the flag carrier of France and has its headquarters in Tremblay-en-France. The airline also has a subsidiary which is a merger between Air France-KLM Group. The airline is one of the founding members of SkyTeam, one of the top global airline alliances. Air France serves about 36 destinations in its domestic routes and also caters to about 175 cities in the international routes. This further includes the 93 French-administered overseas territories of France. In 2019, the airline recorded to carry 46,803,000 passengers. Charles de Gaulle Airport along with Orly Airport is the primary hubs of Air France. The corporate headquarters of the airline was previously located in Montparnasse. However, it has been relocated to be on the grounds of Charles de Gaulle Airport, situated in the north of the city Paris. Air France came into existence in 1933 following a merger of Air Union, Compagnie Internationale de Navigation Aérienne, Air Orient, Compagnie Générale Aéropostale and Société Générale de Transport Aérien took place.

The airline played a significant role during the Cold War between 1950 to 1990 as one of the main three Allied airlines. It operated from Germany's Tempelhof and Tegel airports. Air France acquired operations of France's domestic carrier Air Inter and Union de Transports Aériens, international rival UTA. In 2003, the airlines had a merger with KLM, after seven decades of being the primary carrier of France. Air France also has offices in various other international cities such as in Midtown Manhattan, New York City as well as in Plesman House in Hatton Cross. Air France primarily adopted a seahorse logo from its predecessor, Air Orient. The logo is known as hippocampe ailé, also called la crevette or popularly referred to as shrimp by the employees. In the past, before Air France and KLM merged, the hippocampe ailé was on the nose section of the aircraft, painted right next to the Air France title. However, the logo was substituted following the merger and put to the engine nacelles.

Currently, Air France's livery comprises of white fuselage with the blue Air France title as well as design. It follows a Eurowhite scheme with its tail being white with parallel red and blue lines. The same is painted on the tail at a certain angle, to represent a small European flag. The livery has been used since the 1970s and has Air France painted on the fuselage, written in blue.

Fleet size of Air France

Presently, Air France operates a whopping fleet of 216 aircraft. The airline's narrow-body fleet has all the four Airbus A320 variants while its long-haul operations are only served by Boeing 777, 787, Airbus A330 and A350 XWB wide-body aircraft. The airline has a 100 per cent Airbus-Boeing fleet, for better productivity.

Wide-body fleet - In 2011, Air France-KLM made an announcement that they have ordered for 50 Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s that would be operated by both the airlines. The two airlines have a commitment for Boeing 787s out of which, 25 are direct, and 12 are leased. The first Boeing 787-9 to enter operations for KLM took place in 2015 while in 2017, Air France received its first Boeing 787-9. The two airlines also have orders for 28 A350s to join their fleet. Much recently, the group announced a revision in the original order, making Air France as the sole operator of Airbus A350. At the same time, KLM became the only airline operating Boeing 787s, including the six aircraft that were initially earmarked for Air France.

Narrow-body fleet - Air France's fleet consists of all four variants of the Airbus A320 aircraft while the narrow-body fleet has a total of 114 jets. The contracts for Airbus A318 and A319 fleet are set to retire soon, and the airline has announced that 60 Airbus A220-300s would be replacing them in 2021. Further, on the same, Air France plans to add more Airbus A220 in its domestic routes to cut back on emissions.

Boeing 747 - Originally, Air France and KLM collectively started operating Boeing 747 which started from 1971. However, the flights were replaced by Airbus A380s and Boeing 777-300ERs starting 2016.

Airbus A380 - Airbus A380-800 "superjumbo" kicked off in 2001 by Air France. The airline became the first in all of Europe to accommodate and operate the A380. As per recent announcements by Air France-KLM though, the group has planned on replacing all their Airbus A380 fleet and instead plans to add more Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s. The plan might go on floors sooner than one can estimate as the airline has been working on eliminating all the aircraft from its fleet.

Baggage Allowance

Air France's baggage allowance protocols are quite universal as many top airlines also follow the same terms and conditions. For hand baggage that can be taken to the cabin, the passenger of the Premium Economy, Business or La Première cabins can take two hand baggage. This is exclusive of one accessory bag which could be a laptop bag or a handbag. Meanwhile, the Economy cabin passengers are allowed to take only one hand baggage along with one accessory bag. The size for the hang baggage should not exceed the dimensions of 55 x 35 x 25 cm, including the wheels, handles and pockets. You can check if your baggage fulfils this criterion at the airport as facilities to measure the size of the baggage is available. The weight for the baggage should be 12 kg and not more than that. For Premium Economy, Business or La Première ticket holders, the weight cannot exceed 18 kg. The weight is combined for all the baggage that you plan to take on board. Make sure to peruse through the official website of Air France to know the prohibited items that you cannot take with you on board.

As for checked baggage, you are not allowed to carry more than 23 kg for Economy cabin passengers and Premium Economy cabin too. Business-class and La Première cabin passengers can carry about 32 kg. Beyond the stated weight, passengers are allowed to purchase extra baggage weight at the airport. You can intimate the airlines about the same on their website too. The dimensions of checked baggage should not exceed 158 cm in total. If it does go beyond the stated dimension, then you will have to pay an extra sum at the airport.

In-flight services

Air France's in-flight services are world-class thanks to the fleet only operating Airbus and Boeing flights. The services are top-notch, especially for the premium cabins. Air France's La Première menu has been curated by Michelin-starred restaurant Le Grand Vefour's chef, Guy Martin. The exquisite menu includes hors d 'oeuvres, entrées, cheese and break basket topped with a dessert cart that comprises of pastries, tartlets and petit fours. Air France also serves complimentary champagne to passengers in all cabins. The airlines also offer a slew of in-flight entertainment with its Audio Video on Demand (AVOD) which is present in all cabins of long haul aircraft. The airline's magazine, Air France Magazine is also part of the in-flight entertainment, as is Air France Madame. Much recently, Air France also enabled WiFi connectivity for their fleets. La Première, Business, and Premium Economy passengers can avail the luxury lounges Le Salon, prevalent in various international airports.

There are four diverse cabins that Air France's fleets are divided into in terms of their cabin. These are majorly for the long haul international routes. They feature La Première, Business, Premium Economy and Economy. The perks of Air France is how every cabin has recliner seats that stretch up to a decent amount in long-haul flights. Along with this, there are other in-flight services on Air France flights that range from personalised entertainment decks to woollen blankets as well as plug points to charge phones, tablets, laptops and more.

Popular routes and top cities for Air France

Air France is known for its exceptional flight connectivity. The airline's domestic route network connects to over 36 destinations while the international routes have 175 destinations connecting to 93 countries. Some of their biggest domestic cities include Paris, Lyon, Nice, Toulouse and Marseilles, to name a few. Many international cities include Brussels, Sydney, Buenos Aires, Vienna, Toronto, Vancouver, Beijing, Wuhan, Havana, Prague, Copenhagen, Berlin, Munich, Mykonos, Hong Kong, Budapest, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Milan, Tokyo, New York, Kuwait City, Kuala Lumpur, Mexico City, Amsterdam, Muscat, Doha, Los Angeles, Seoul, Stockholm, London, Bangkok, Manchester, Chicago, San Francisco and more.

Why travel by Air France?

Air France is easily known to be one of the best airlines in the world thanks to its excellent facilities and connectivity to major cities worldwide. The airline has a slew of services and perks to offer that make it the most sought-after choice. Take booking an Air France flight, for instance. They are available on all portals plus, you can get access to Air France's flight schedule and flight status as well. Moreover, you can do web check-ins too that would be very convenient.