Anyone flown Sunwing yet?

[Little Miss Liberty]

I know I've posted this before but got no responses. So I'm trying again to see if anyone has flown Sunwing yet and what their experiences were? I want to book them for our February flight. They are about $500 cheaper. But I've also heard about people being stranded by them in the past. I talked to a travel agent and they said that they were much better then before. So if anyone has any input that would be great.

 

[phabric]

I have booked them for Aug/07 for $293/pp includes taxes Toronto - Orlando. I couldn't believe they had the prices for 2007 and when I saw the prices I had to book them at that price. There are 6 of us so it is a great savings. I also have insurance since we are a year away.

 

[Lezah]

No one has flown them to Florida yet, but I have had a number of clients flown them to Europe and my folks flew them to Belfast and just loved them!! No problems so far they couldn't have been nicer. Just for an example, my father forgot his cane at home and didn't have time to drive there and back to pick it up and they found him one in their lost and found for him to use during his 6 week trip and he just returned it after his trip. They were so helpful to him. Just FYI.

 

[Little Miss Liberty]

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize they flew to Europe. If anyone does fly them soon to Florida, please do post. I just wonder how they can offer their airfares so much cheaper?

 

[madonna31]

I'll be flying Sunwing return Toronto to Orlando for the day on Friday, September 22nd.

I'm going specifically for a 'site inspection' of their planes and of Universal Studios, as they are just beginning flights to Orlando and want to 'show them off'. I'll be sure to let you know my thoughts and post some pics when I get back!

 

[Little Miss Liberty]

I'll be flying Sunwing return Toronto to Orlando for the day on Friday, September 22nd.

I'm going specifically for a 'site inspection' of their planes and of Universal Studios, as they are just beginning flights to Orlando and want to 'show them off'. I'll be sure to let you know my thoughts and post some pics when I get back!

Thanks alot that would be great. Can't wait to hear what you have to say. Have a safe flight.

 

[mackeyapp]

Hi Madonna 31-Do you know if they plan to do any Halifax to Orlando flights??
That would be just what the maritime provinces need. I hear they had a successful summer with their Sydney to Toronto flight. I had several relatives use it and they were impressed.

 

[madonna31]

mackeyapp - I honestly don't know. But given the fact that Sunwing has started this as a test, it is very much a possibility.

However, it's no surprise that Canada desperately needs a decent (and by 'decent', I mean cheap) charter airline to Orlando.

With Jetsgo gone, the extensive amount of Canadians who go to WDW every year and having all of that potential business being handed over to Buffalo and the like, you would think that these charters would 'get a clue' and start offering cheap round-trip to Orlando Canadian flights.

 

[madonna31]

My Sunwing Trip Report as promised!

I checked into the Sunwing counter, all went smooth except for the fact that the girl 'checking me in' was trying to tell me that I can't bring my contact solution and eye drops on the plane...needless to say, I won that 'disagreement'.

I headed down to my gate, got a Tim Horton's coffee and we began boarding at about 5:30am. The plane was scheduled to leave at 6:10am, it's not quite 6:00 and the captain gets on the speaker and give the "welcome aboard Sunwing flight...blah, blah, blah...our inaugural flight from Toronto to Orlando..."

They even gave us champagne to acknowledge the 'inaugural flight'.

Here are some pics of the inside of the aircraft:

This picture shows the leg room (or rather lack there of) while seated. Granted, I'm tall (5 foot 10) but still, it was tight.

Our breakfast consisted of pancakes (or eggs), yogart, cracker barrel cheddar cheese, topable crackers, a bun and juice.

The flight was great, one of the smoothest and FASTEST (2 hours and 21 minutes) flights I've ever taken to the sunshine state.

Here's our little Sunwing plane, isn't it cute?!

I don't have one bad thing to say about this airline. I HIGHLY recommend taking advantage of their current $279 - $320 rate (taxes in) because soon enough, their prices will be just as expensive as every other airline out of Toronto.

 

[SeanK]

I have some members from my site that flew down on that trip and didn't really have anything bad to say. Quote: "One of the better flights we had in a long time"

 

[madonna31]

I have some members from my site that flew down on that trip

Really? What TA are they from?

 

[SeanK]

If TA stands for Travel agency. Then i am not sure! Never asked them what TA they used.

 

[phabric]

madonna31

You mean we will be receiving breakfast, all for $293. That's great, we won't have to bring something with us or try to get the kids to eat something before the flight so early in the morning. Madonna31, I am one of your clients, Sara, we are on the 10:45 flight back, do they give you something to eat on that flight.

 

[Little Miss Liberty]

Madonna31 thanks so much for the prompt report. The pictures were an added bonus! Did you clear customs in Toronto? I've never flown out of terminal 1, is the terminal easy to navigate?

 

[madonna31]

If TA stands for Travel agency. Then i am not sure! Never asked them what TA they used.

It does stand for Travel Agency and if they are not Travel Agents, then they were not on this flight. This flight was a one-day FAM trip to Universal Studios, Orlando for 144 select TA's only.

I am one of your clients, Sara, we are on the 10:45 flight back, do they give you something to eat on that flight.

Hi Sara! Well they stressed that the 'hot' breakfast was because it was their inaugural flight, but from what I understand there will still be food on the flights. Dinner was a choice of Sheppard's pie or pasta. I went with the Sheppard's pie and it was good (well as 'good' as airplane food can be). It had nice leather seats, it is a brand new aircraft and very, very smooth!

Madonna31 thanks so much for the prompt report. The pictures were an added bonus! Did you clear customs in Toronto?

Your welcome, glad you like the pics. On the way down, we cleared customs in the US, on the way back, we cleared customs in Toronto.

I've never flown out of terminal 1, is the terminal easy to navigate?

Extremelly easy. Don't even worry about that! The terminal is so nice and quiet at 4:30 in the morning.

 

[mom_rules]

Any entertainment offerred?

Do they have any type of "premium seat selection"?

 

[madonna31]

Any entertainment offerred?

Nope...although there were TV's on the aircraft - they didn't use them. Not sure if they will for the Orlando flight. I mean by the time you took off, they served food, came around with coffee/tea and then cold drinks...we were descending.

This may change, keep in mind this was an inaugural flight. But if it were up to me, I'd gladly ditch the entertainment altogether if it keeps Sunwing's prices down. WAY too short of a flight to need it.

Do they have any type of "premium seat selection"?

Nope, as shown in the pic; there are two rows of 3 seats across only. The best seat in the house would be the bulk head (as on every aircraft). However, just like every other aircraft - those seats go to those with medical notes or small children first.

I sat in row 32A (aisle and back of the plane) on the way down and 9C(window near the front) on the way back and had no problems whatsoever with both spots.

 

[mom_rules]

Thanks for the response-good to know!