Britannia Airways

[Adriana Walton]

Hi we're taking our two kids for the first time to Florida in August. We're flying with Britannia Airways from Manchester to Sanford. Has anyone flown with them? I think I read somewhere that the seat pitch is not very generous. If so, unlucky for us, because both my husband and I are tall. Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[Hilary]

Hi Adriana and welcome to the DIS!

We have flown with Britannia a couple of times, and would be perfectly happy to use them again.

However, for us, the main advantage is that they use our closest airport and I must admit that they wouldn't necessarily be our first choice if BA and / or Virgin started flying from Cardiff (which I doubt somehow ).

Seat pitch isn't very generous, so we have always tried to book the extra legroom seats, but I think the cost of these has increased quite a bit since we last used it. However, I think we'd probably still try to get them if available (DH is 6'3", although DDs and I are not tall).

I think you may have to pay for drinks and headphones on board (I always take my own headphones anyway), which is a drag on a long flight, but other than that I didn't notice any huge difference in service / amenities between Britannia and the scheduled carriers.

Sanford is a much smaller airport than Orlando International which makes it (usually) quicker to clear on arrival, but there's less to do when you're hanging around on the way home.

 

[JayneL]

Hi Adriana

We fly with them in October so not much help to you now!!

But you can tell us all about it when you come back!!

I dont think they even have back seat TV's

I hope so but have told the kids they don't so IF they do it will be a nice suprise and if not then they will be armed with game boys and cd players.

Jayne

 

[expatscot]

Seat Back TV's are available in Premium Seats together with a little more leg room. Other than that I've found them like most other charters - never had any problems. We are using them again in August to Sanford.

 

[dbm001]

Just returned this past saturday and flew with Britannia. Can give you both perspectives as we got a free upgrade to premium on the way out, and economy on the way back.

Premium: the seats were wider with big padded headrests, longer seat pitch (although if person leaned back in front of you, you still felt a little crushed!), free drinks (order 2 at a time though as they don't come around that often!), choice of 2 meals with wine and seatback tv screens with a choice of movies/tv/radio and a wired remote control. Headphones were free, given a small cup of orange prior to take off and a little pack that contained green socks(?), toothbrush/paste, hand cream and eye pads.

Economy: narrower seats, small seat pitch, pay for everything (headsets/drinks etc.), get the meal you are given (although must admit it wasn't too bad), only one film which you had to watch on overhead monitors

Obviously premium was nicer (especially when free!), however would I pay the difference? Probably not, would rather use the money while over in Orlando.

I would have no problems using Britannia in the future (and plan too this coming December). Staff were nice, planes very modern, no delays and a comfortable flight. Flying out and returning we landed ahead of schedule!

Dave.

 

[slinky101]

hi there, we flew Brittannia in late aug 03 and returned 4th sep-- same as other replies here, no seat back TV and pay for headphones which u return at the end of the flight. 3hr delay on the way out and 24hr delay on return!! the reason given BOTH times was that they had changed planes and the crew were not trained on the new type of aircraft, so 4 safety reasons a fully trained crew had to be brought in from around the UK to staff the flight. All sounds reasonable EXCEPT that another traveller told us that she had experienced THE SAME DELAY and given THE SAME REASON for both 2002 and 2001. must stress that this appeared to affect the CARDIFF FLIGHT ONLY.....It hasn't stopped us booking again and looking forward to going in May 05, Cant wait.... Cant wait.... Cant wait!!!!

 

[Adriana Walton]

Thanks for all your comments, they've been very helpful. I'm getting really excited now, probably more than the kids. Is that sad?!

Another point, is it worth pre-booking the seats or is this just another way for the airlines to get more money from us. When I've travelled to other destinations we've had no trouble getting good seats if we arrive early for check-in.

 

[angel659]

Hi

We have used Britannia twice to Florida and personally would never use them again. My mum and dad used them to fly to the Dominican Republic on the Premium seats and again would never use them again.

The economy seats are small, but no smaller than other charter flights. There are no seat back TV's and you have one film and tv programmes on an overhead monitor.

My mum and dad along with my aunt and uncle decided to pay for the premium seats they said never again! On the way out my aunts seat was broken and her tv didnt work. On the way back my mum and dads tv didnt work and no sound either. They asked for compensation and got something really silly.

I wouldnt let this put you off, sometimes you get a good crew, sometimes you dont its all hit and miss. If you are unlucky you decide never to use them again like we have.

If yu can guarentee that you will be at both airports early then you might get away with it, but personally for a long haul flight I might consider booking the seats pending on how big the party is.

Good luck

Michelle

 

[SidB]

Oh dear. BAD choice. Nuff said.

 

[DavidUK]

sidB not very helpful! but oh well,

I flew Brittannia to Barbados at Christmas and even though the seats aren't to wide i booked them again to fly to Orlando because the deal i got was too good to pass up, yes if given the choice i would fly with Virgin but as my parents live about 5 miniutes from Brum airport it isn't paracical to fly from anywhere else...

Brittainia aren't bad they just aren't Virgin but that's reflected in the price and as the flights are only 16hrs out of however many i can stand it because i'm going on holiday!!


David
x

 

[expatscot]

Adriana,

I would pre book my seats. You can even choose the exact seats you want. Go to the Brittania Airways site where you will find the seating plan, phone them up and select your seats, easy, but like everything else with airlines now, you do have to pay! Like you, I'm more excited than DH, DS and DD (teens!!) - Very sad indeed!! Have a great time!

 

[djmatthews]

Hi

I have flown Britannia from HUY-SFB in 1997. The flight was ok, but we are going back some time now. Everything was free, but we were on only one of two flights from HUY, so I think it was a bit special.

SFB is a very quick airport, we have been through twice, and was a lot quicker than MCO which we used this year.

This year we flew with American Airlines LGW-DFW-MCO. Although the flight was longer due to an aircraft change we save lots of money over flying BA, Virgin and even charter airlines. AA have a very generous 34" seat pitch, Virgins being 32" and charter usually 28"-30". AA's 777s have the seat back TVs too.

Did you know that Britannia put an extra seat in width-ways across the cabin? The Boeing configuration of a 767-200/300 is 2-3-2, Britannia and other charters use 2-4-2. Quite scary when you think about, there are rules and regs on how animals should travel - what about people?

 

[SidB]

Originally posted by DavidUK
sidB not very helpful! but oh well,

Yeah sorry, not very helpful. We're a fairly average sized family, but the seats are far too narrow, the seat pitch is too short, the service is too slow, the entertainment is poor, if it works at all, the food is tasteless mush, the baggage allowance is too small. I could continue. I have only flown with them once, Virgin once and BA once, and I know it's not truely fair to measure them on these flights.

In my view Virgin were the best and get 6.5 out of 10, BA 6 out of 10 but I would only give Britania 3. I honestly don't think that it is much cheaper to fly charter. Next time I'll use one of the American carriers.

I have flown with far better airlines, like Qatar and Singapore, but these have been on "non-tourist" routes. I have also flown with a far worse airline, which was Garruda. The passengers actually cheered when we landed in one piece !!

 

[SidB]

Forgot to add, my wife says that the 6 inch extra legroom is the best 6 inches she's ever experienced. Sorry that sounds bad now I've re-read it. Try this. Place a ruler at the front of your knee and measure 6 inches, or even 3, and imagine that is the additional space you'd get flying scheduled airline.

 

[gilld]

I agree with some of the previous message that flying long haul with Britannia is deadly. Personally I would rather fly direct to MCO which limits choise of carriers but would rather fly with an American airline via somewhere else than go with Britannia.
Their seat pitch is poor, the lack of personal in flight entertainment, dreadful food and lacklustre crew simply are too much for us.
If you have to travel with them, I would book your seat in advance as then at least you won't need to be stuck in the middle of a row of 4.
Good luck!