Air Transat Club Class?

[TiggerCat]

Despite our past reservations about flying on Air Transat, we have decided to consider them for our upcoming trip to the Mayan Riviera in May. Does anyone have any recent experience with them and/or know the additional cost for Club Class.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

TC.

 

[sammi]

My brother just returned last month from Cancun and went Club Class and loved it. He got upgraded service with more seating room and I think he paid about $100.00 extra per person.

 

[TiggerCat]

Thanks sammi. The extra room is what I am really concerned about. I have flown skyservice a couple of times and they weren't bad for a couple of hours but I can't see being cramped in those seats for 4+ hours. I also see that Air Transat uses either Airbus 310 or 330 widebody aircraft which would be a nice change from the 320.

Anyone else?

 

[ferris198]

I flew Air Transat last January to Orlando with my son, and my mother.
The flight going down was fine, it was when we were leaving Orlando that we had an unsettling experience.
My mother had taken ill while on vacation, so I was dealing with all of the luggage and the check in responsibilities. I also had to contend with a somewhat cranky 4 year old who was tired and hungry.
While waiting in line at the Air Transat check in desk, an employee of the airline was handing everyone a little card that can only be described as a toe tag, and you were asked to put the names of everyone in your travelling party, and for a contact number of next of kin. She then said that the information would only be kept on file for duration of the return flight.
Now, normally I am not a nervous flyer, and have flown an number of times before, but I can tell you, that night I was concerned as I had never heard of that being done before. I was being to wonder if I even wanted to get on the plane that night.
Now having said that I know of people who have travelled club class and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I just don't think I want to fly Air Transat again.

 

[LoriLea]

We would not fly with Air Transat again. We flew from Toronto to Ft. Lauderdale in March 2005 (I mean we were supposed to fly from TO to Ft. Lauderdale). We were going on a cruise. Our flight was at 6:30 am. We were still sitting in the airport in TO at 4:30 pm when our ship sailed.

One of their Airbus 310's lost a tail rudder in flight and they were pulling all of their Airbuses in for a mechanical check. Now I understand the need for safety and I appreciate that they were doing this, but the way in which we were handled by Air Transat was what made us unhappy. They provided us with very little information throughout the day and any information provided to us was incorrect. They continued to assure us that we would make it in time. They didn't give us options. (ie. take a flight on another airline). More than 1/2 of the passengers were going on cruises. People were irate! They even had to bring in the police. Thank goodness we didn't have our children with us. Many travellers did.

Luckily for us we had also booked our cruise through Transat Vacations so they had a responsibility to get us to our first port. There were many other cruisers on different lines that did not fare so well. The flight eventually left and arrived just before midnight and these people were on their own. We, however, were put on a flight to La Romana, Dominican Republic and put up in an all-inclusive resort for 2 nights until our ship arrived in port.
As for compensation from Air Transat, we received 2 -$100 travel vouchers. (We had purchased travel insurance and were reimbursed for 2 days of our cruise.)

The actual flight was fine. If you don't have to be at your destination at a specific time, they're alright. I just wouldn't give them my business based on my experience.

 

[ruby2sday]

We have flown with Air Transat twice in the past two years, both times to the Dominican Republic. Last year, we received a complimentary upgrade to Club Class for the flight down, and it was wonderful! Let me tell you, it was hard going back to economy class for the return flight after our wonderful experience in Club Class.

First of all, the seats really are quite spacious and comfortable. My husband and son sat near the window, and I sat across the aisle from them in the centre row. There was no one sitting beside me, so that definitely contributed to the spaciousness.

Next, the meal service was fantastic. We were offered champage and orange juice during take-off, and ordered from menus for our breakfast. Fresh fruit salad, hot coffee, delicious omelette, croissant, etc. We got to choose from about 5 or 6 different breakfast entrees.

Just the level of attentive service we received from the flight attendants was absolutely worth the extra money. The next time we fly with Air Transat, we will definitely book Club Class.

 

[anita967]

Do they serve snacks on this plane in regular class?

 

[ruby2sday]

I think it depends on the length of the flight, but I do know that on our flights to the Dominican Republic (from Toronto), we were served a boxed breakfast or lunch for no charge. They did have additional snacks that were available for purchase. I think the breakfast box had a cold bagel and some cream cheese, as well as maybe a cup of fruit salad. The lunch box had a wrap sandwich, and a brownie. I think there could have been a small cup of salad in it, too. Also, no charge for soft drinks or coffee or water.

 

[ferris198]

When we flew with them to Orlando last year they did have food.
If I recall correctly it was a box type snack that had a sandwich, and a fruit cup.

Hey Ruby2sday, you by any chance a Rolling Stones fan ?

 

[TiggerCat]

Thanks for all the great responses. I managed to find out that it is $130 per segment so it is reasonable compared to Air Canada's Executive Class. I might just give it a try if it is available on our flight.

I have to admit that I am still a little nervous about flying AT given their turbulent past but I have not seen alot of negative comments about them recently so maybe they came out with a winning business plan. Can the leopard really change it's spots? We shall see.

TC.

 

[Figment's friends]

I had to put my 2 cents in on this one. Both of my parents worked for airlines at Lester B. Pearson and in all of my years of travelling I have never experienced such incompetence and downright ignorance as I was unfortunate enough to experience with AT. I was in a wheelchair and they felt that gave them the right to treat me like a peice of luggage. We had humanitarian aid packages with us and were given the runaround for hours (we had the letter with us stating we could bring a certain amount along) Sorry my mother was given the runaround while I was left with all of our luggage in the wheelchair in the small space between the lineup and the check in desk with people lined up behind me and having to move thier luggage all around me to get to the desk. The employees would just move my wheelchair to face the other direction without speaking to me and I was left there in front of that lineup crying and being moved back and forth for 2 hours. I couldn't move myself because we had so much baggage and no one would help me.
In the end we were told we had to leave the Humanitarian bags in storage at the airport and do whatever with it when we got home. Eventually my elderly father drove down to TO and sent them along. We had several problems on the way back. (One flight attendent took my crutches away and then told me I could go get my customs form at the back of the plane.) Even though our Humanitarian aid did make it on the plane it never reached its destination.
Air Transat WILL NEVER be an airline I will consider for future trips.

I have shortened this story, there were so many things that were done to make these 2 flights unbearable that I don't want to dwelol on all the details but if anyone has specific questions feel free to ask.

 

[anita967]

We just flew Ait Transat at the begining of the month. Our flight out of Midway Feb 2nd took off and landed on-time. Our flight back took off on time but because of weather we were in a holding pattern for 15 minutes over Chicago. The planes were filthy. We let the trays down to get our Sodas and they were all 4 covered in old food and soda. On the flight to Orland we were in row 12 and I got up to go to the bathroom. Buisness class was closer and so that's the direction I headed only to be turned around by a stewardess saying I had to use the back potties. I won't tell what I said but I ended up using the front!! They did give out free headphones and the stewardess on the flight back was extremely helpful to a young mother in front of us with a sick child. When we checked in at Orlando they asked if we wanted to upgrade. I said sure if it is a free offer for the trouble with the suitcase(see next paragraph). The guy gave me an ugly stare and said "NO"

We also had a problem with a ripped suitcase. We used DME so not sure who did it but when our luggage arrived in our room DS brand new case was ripped totaly open in the front(seam not zipper). Disney said to ask the airline about it at check-in at Orlando. Orlando says that we were supposed to have done this within 4 hours time. We explained DME to her and she filled out a slip for us to give them in Chicago. Ok now at Chicago we claim the bag and go looking for Air Transat booth. It is closed!! Have to go upstairs and stand in line at check -in. Now they want us to go home( 1 hr drive) empty the case and bring it back. HaHaHa!! We end up digging Disney shopping bags out that I had kept and unload it right there. They sent the suitcase to be repaired. We are still waiting to hear!!

Not flying Airtransat again!!!!!!

 

[biggroofy]

Wow...you guys are scaring me

We are going to WDW (from Toronto to Orlando) via Air Transat in March, 4 adults + 1 toddler. Wish me luck....

 

[Figment's friends]

I do wish you luck, I must add that we still had a fantastic trip dispite the troubles. We have adopted a school in the Dominican are have made arrangements to ship school supplies on a regular basis securely. BTW not through Air Transat I had to laugh when I read the post this morning because we also have a bag that was torn at the seam. It makes you wonder doesn't it. Not a new bag but a 30 inch seam rip is pretty obvious. I am so steamed about the three suitcases of Humanitarian aid that seems to have fallen into an abyss that it's hard for me to focus on anything else. One suitcase was 60kg of school supplies that would have done wonders at our newly adopted school.

Remember though no matter what the flight is like, pretty soon you will be at Disney and the magic will fill your hearts. Besides when you get back we will all be waiting to welcome you.

 

[dancin Disney style]

We just flew AT to the Dominican 2 weeks ago and were over all happy with everything. We departed on time, the flight crew was great, plane was clean, food (Subway subs) was good. Our return flight left 35 minutes early and that crew was even nicer.

My only sort of complaint had to do with us not being able to sit together on our southbound flight, we had 2 kids with us, and the ground staff at Pearson was not willing to make any accomodations. We were told we should have checked in earlier (we were there 2 hours before) or we should have pre-booked the seats (that would have cost me an additional $160). Really, I blame the travel agent for not explaining that this could happen and how to avoid it.

I would fly AT again anytime.

 

[Absimilliard]

One thing. The Airbus 310 that Air Transat are widebody alright.. but Air Transat use that as an excuse to cram an extra seat per row in economy! So, all other airlines flying 310 have a configuration of 2-4-2. Air Transat uses 3-3-3...

I used them in 2000-2001 to fly to Paris... Never again! Going there was ok, but going back was bad. Plane delayed 12 hours without any explanation and no compensation beside free headphones!

 

[anita967]

We go our suitcase back by UPS yesterday, They did an awesome job. You can't even tell where the rip was.

 

[Cass]

I like Air Transat, I have flown them several times (many times) and have never had a problem other than the odd delay here or there. Call before you go to the airport for the flight status. Club class is a larger seat but the same food, it is anywhere from 75 - 125 a ticket more.

I was a travel agent for over 10 years, I have heard a few horror stories about EVERY airline. No airline is exempt from having problems, delays, grumpy staff or mechanical problems.