Flying Air Transat/Thomas Cook to LGW

[Incinerator]

Anyone flew them to London before? Going to a wedding in September and I've never flew charters in my life, would like some feedback on these guys.

The price difference is quite significant between the big boys (AC/BA) and the charters. Should I expect super-tight cattle seats and/or non-existent service? I mean what's the catch other than the fact I'd lose out on my frequent flyer miles?

Thanks in advance.

[BlackEleven]

Originally Posted by Incinerator

Should I expect super-tight cattle seats and/or non-existent service? I mean what's the catch other than the fact I'd lose out on my frequent flyer miles?

Thanks in advance.

That's exactly it. I'm not tall (5'9" or so) and I found it squishy. My friend who was with me is over 6' and it was extremely uncomfortable for him. The service is crap, and the airplanes are old. But you do save yourself some money.

Also the big guys (BA/AC) fly into Heathrow which reasonably close to the city centre. Gatwick is quite a ways out. Fortunately, there are trains that run directly to Victoria Station from Gatwick, so unless you're in a hurry its really not that big of a deal.

[Dion]

Charter groups are great until they go under. Then your left holding a worthless ticket. Something to think about.

[4X4]

I don't know if Zoom is an airline you're considering, but if so, I've got two bits for you... I flew to Italy and back using the Zoom/ryanair/easyjet combo to get from Calgary to Glasgow to Prestwick to Rome to Stansted to Gatwick to Calgary. No problems except that I should have booked a little more time to switch airports.
That was in October of 2005.
December 1st 2005 I was scheduled to depart again for Rome, but this time avoiding Scotland and just using Gatwick and Stansted.
Zoom called me 4 hours before my departure to tell me that the flight was being delayed 24 hours because of mechanical problems. I missed my Ryanair flight and had to book another flight through Easyjet, and of course, Zoom did not reimburse or even upgrade me to business class.
On my way back to Canada in Jan 2007, I flew to Gatwick and caught a Zoom flight that had to stop in Glasgow for more passengers.
In Gatwick, the plane encountered mechanical problems that grounded us for a day and a half. They refused to give us any information on possible departure times or even what was wrong with the plane.
The story is alot longer (I'll spare you the rant), but I will never fly Zoom again. You truly get what you pay for with Zoom (not a much).

Booo to Zoom.

[Aeneas]

I've used Transat several times across the pond and am a shade under 6'4". I was extremely uncomfortable. There was just no position possible to provide relief. I just get up and walk to the bathroom and back repeatedly. Tried the aisle seat to stick out my legs but there is so much traffic (carts especially) that it also failed. I won't even go into my efforts to get the emergency exit seats, that was a disaster too.
The flight is just something to get through, the destination makes it worth the while.
Last flight was Air Canada and while much better, it was still uncomfortable for me.

[Flash Walken]

I flew Transat to Gatwick two years ago.

Just request a seat near an emergency exit. Say you require one.

I'm just over 6' and I was pretty comfy (for being on an airplane for 10 hours).

Plus, the train ride to victoria station is actually pretty nice way to relax after getting out of the airpot. Some nice views, good seats and crowding is never an issue.

[4X4]

re: Aenas's post I'm 6'2" and I've officially resigned myself to permanantly flying business or 1st unless the flight is less than 3 hours. Legroom is a must.

[@theCBE]

I've flown air transat and zoom between Calgary and Glasgow. Its not that bad, but I found air transat to be really cramped and I'm pretty short. If I had to choose between the two I prefer zoom. For the amount of money I saved though I would book air transat again. I've never had delay problems with either of them.

[McG]

i flew zoom to glasgow and back in april 2007.

I am 6'4 and my brother is 6'6 and we sat in one of the aisles by the emergency exits. Plenty of leg room.

Also, if you are trying to get into an emergency exit row, these are usually saved right until the end because the person that sits in them must be physically able to open the door and get out of the plane. when i fly domestically, i ALWAYS present myself at both the front and gate check in to get those seats. 90% of the time i get one.

one complaint i did have about zoom was that, in an effort to save fuel, they really cut back on the air speed. It took 2 hours longer to fly from glasgow to calgary than i was used to.

oh yah and zoom sold canadian beer on the return flight. how lame is that?

[Knut]

Honestly....

To get to Heathrow right now direct from CAlgary you are looking at 800 to 1200 dollars return on Air Canada. You get a couple decent meals provided both ways, as well as booze. Is it really worth a couple hundred bucks to travel for 12 hrs extremely uncomfortable and without luxuries ?

You can easily make up the price difference, but staying in hostels and buying food at the grocery store and cooking it at the hostel.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Hesla

Honestly....

To get to Heathrow right now direct from CAlgary you are looking at 800 to 1200 dollars return on Air Canada. You get a couple decent meals provided both ways, as well as booze. Is it really worth a couple hundred bucks to travel for 12 hrs extremely uncomfortable and without luxuries ?

You can easily make up the price difference, but staying in hostels and buying food at the grocery store and cooking it at the hostel.

Some people might argue that it's better to be uncomfortable for a few hours instead of the duration of the trip...

[Incinerator]

Alright I've done some more looking around after your horror stories here and I'm likely gonna go with FlyGlobeSpan since they offer business class at almost the same price as Air Canada's economy. Thanks for diverting me from this potentially huge mistake (I'm 6'0 and I'm definitely not afraid to spend my way into more legroom on a long flight)

[SteveToms]

If you can save the money you can fly Calgary to Heathrow on a 777 on AC or BA, that would make me want to go LOL

[MagicallyAdept]

I have flown Air transat twice on this route. Tight seats and they make you pay for every drink/food etc. But i got the flights for dirt cheap. Just have a few drinks in the bar early on and sleep through the whole flight like i did. I have flown Air Canada 3 times and that was pretty good overall especially when the pilot tipped the wings after announcing Calgary had just won their game that evening.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Incinerator

Anyone flew them to London before? Going to a wedding in September and I've never flew charters in my life, would like some feedback on these guys.

The price difference is quite significant between the big boys (AC/BA) and the charters. Should I expect super-tight cattle seats and/or non-existent service? I mean what's the catch other than the fact I'd lose out on my frequent flyer miles?

Thanks in advance.

Yes, very squishy, and be careful about weight restrictions on your luggage with them!!!

[ken0042]

I would also recommend bringing a lunch with you. Airline food is shakey at best, and charters can be even worse.

Air Transat wasn't bad when I flew them 6 years ago to Mexico, but my more recent trip with Skyservice had horrible food. I was fortunate to have a travel agent recommend bringing a lunch, so I stopped in at Subway at the airport before boarding.

[MagicallyAdept]

Originally Posted by redforever

Yes, very squishy, and be careful about weight restrictions on your luggage with them!!!

Oh yeah totally forgot how arsey they get with extra baggage. I caused a huge stink at Calgary airport when they wanted me to pay 50CAD because i was a few kilos over. I complained that the fat guy behind me has more than that in his bowels so why don't they charge him excess. I ended up not having to pay anything because i was going quite mental to say the least. Most people where on my side and the flight was only 40% full.

The seats are pretty close together and its not comfortable but you can get lucky if you are on an empty flight like the second time i flew with them. I asked the guy at the desk for an extra leg room seat and he said i could have better than that - my own row. Got some good drunk sleep on that flight too.

Enjoy London mate.

Magic

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Hesla

Honestly....

To get to Heathrow right now direct from CAlgary you are looking at 800 to 1200 dollars return on Air Canada. You get a couple decent meals provided both ways, as well as booze. Is it really worth a couple hundred bucks to travel for 12 hrs extremely uncomfortable and without luxuries ?

You can easily make up the price difference, but staying in hostels and buying food at the grocery store and cooking it at the hostel.

If you fly with B.A. you get your own individual LCD screen and 33 channels to watch. My flights from Calgary to Heathrow went by like nothing at all! In fact, I didn't want them to end because I kept getting free drinks and wanting to finish every movie on all the channels. The meals were delicious and the snacks were like meals. I dreaded having to land because I was enjoying myself quite a great deal. Got some great shots of northern canada too.

This was last week.