[UPDATE]: I have written a follow-up post on how to book First Nation Airways Flight. It’s over here

On the 3^rd of November, I experienced a great disappointment with my regular airline. Sincerely, I was almost frustrated. I was at the ABV airport for over 7 hours. However, First Aviation Airways compensated for the delays. I was told that First Nation Airways commenced operation the same day (November 3, 2011). So,  First Nation Airways is our Aviation industry’s last born.

Their fleet currently include 3 Airbus A320-200 while they expect 6 more aircrafts to be delivered before the end of December, 2011.

PROS

When we boarded the Airbus, almost all the passengers commented that it looked like an international flight to them. In fact, the old man that sat next to me didn’t stop talking about the world class service we received until we got to Lagos.

The amazing Airbus boasts of leather sits for both Business Class cabin and the Economy cabins. On some other airlines I have tried, leather sits are limited to Business Class passengers

I flew economy, but I must confess that the service I received made me feel like it was Business/First Class. We were given rice and a choice drink, unlike other airline that give cake or pie. One other thing I love about the aircraft is its public GPS Navigation System. This displays the speed at which the aircraft is moving and the altitude at which it’s flying. It also displays the outside temperature. This system also displays the route of the aircraft in real time.

From the counter down to the aircraft, all their staff were great. One of their staff even attempted to help me when the ATM Machines at the ABV airport couldn’t dispense cash.

CON

• No Online Booking: As at this morning, First Nation Airways has still not made their website accessible to everyone. Therefore, it means that you won’t be able to book your flights online. This is a major disadvantage for someone like. I prefer to book my flights online and even check in online before getting to the airport. This makes me avoid the queue at the airport. I was able to speak to a senior staff at the ABV airport about it and he promised that the site will be live before the end of this week. He then gave me the URL of the proposed booking portal to be www.flyfirstnation.com.
• Passengers found it difficult to locate their sit: This is due to the fact that it many of the passenger’s first time in the Airbus. Many of us are used to the Boeing series used by major airlines in the country.  Due to the size of the aircraft, the host(ess) could not help all the passengers in locating their sits. For instance, the old man that sat next to me shouldn’t have been there. The solution therefore is that First Nation Airways need to get more host(ess) to help first time passengers in locating their sits.

CONCLUSION

If First Nation Airways continue this kind of service, then other operators will have to upgrade their services to be able compete with them. What I experienced is just great for Economy Class. I believe the Business Class passengers had similar great experience too. I recommend them for every classy traveler.