Canjet??

[hockeymom3]

We (2 adults and 3 kids - 8,6 and 2) are flying Halifax to Orlando in May on Canjet - its a direct flight. What I'm wondering is what does Canjet offer? I have googled reviews and some people have complained that there are no inflight music or movies, and no food - but on their website it says they sell headphones for $3 and offer a free cold meal and drinks. Now, I don't care about food for myself but the kids seem quite concerned that they'll starve to death for the 4 hours in the air! LOL Although, with a 2 year old, it would be nice to occupy him for a few of those 4 hours.

Has anybody flown Canjet that can tell me what to expect? Thanks!!

 

[tmli]

I have not flown canjet myself but have some experience with airlines etc. My advice would be to never count on food served on a plane. I have been on many planes where there was supposed to be food (either free or for purchase) and there was none. Things can happen that are out of the airlines control.

I would suggest purchasing items once through security to bring on the plane with you. That way if there is nothing on the plane you are set.

 

[tinkershae]

I am also flying with Canjet in Feb. from Halifax. I would also like to know the answers to the questions above. Anyone who has flown Canjet have you pre-purchased seats in advance? There are 5 of us(2 adults and 3 children) and I am concerned about being seated together with the children.

 

[hockeymom3]

Hey, you're in the same boat I am with the 3 kids!! Well we did get advanced seats for the way back because it is Air Transat on the way back but we find out (we booked through Transat Holidays) that they use Canjet on the way down - so I try to pre-book the seats so that my kids are with us and find out you can't do it until 6 days before - so I wonder how many people really do that, so I am thinking of showing up 3 hrs before (which they tell you to do anyway) but then the other part of me doesnt' want to risk having a kid alone!!

Very frustrating that they make you pay to pre-book a seat. I paid an additional 110.00 on top of the 2750.00 for our flights just to book our seats coming back!!

Come back and let me know how you made out with Canjet in February and have a great trip!!

 

[tinkershae]

I think I will arrive at the airport 3 hours early and see if I can get seats together. I will let you know how I make out when I get back. We also booked through Transat Holidays. We are flying Air Transat on the way to Orlando and flying Canjet on the way home.

 

[MikeyNS]

It's first come, first served. The plane is very basic when we went. No change tables in the bathrooms! Had to change our 18 month old on the galley floor on a blanket. They did serve a meal for free, which was nice. For a 4 hour flight it was a little tight, but if I had a choice I would go with AC, as they had direct flights for $169 each way.

 

[mariethecat]

I just returned from a trip to WDW and flew on Canjet. It was an excellent flight both ways. The plane was no more than 2/3rds full each way so my sister and I had an extra empty seat in our row both times. I was expecting it to be full as there are not many direct flights to Orlando from Halifax. We were served a free breakfast and non-alcoholic drinks on the way down as the flight left at 6:30 am. We were served a lunch(free) on the flight back. Both meals were quite good. The plane was one half hour late arriving in Orlando on the day we came back (Jan 16) but we still arrived in Halifax at the scheduled time. There are movies (Get Smart and Mamma Mia were shown)and you can buy headphones for $3.00. However my daughters were able to use the headphones they had brought with them for their lap top computer. It was probably one of the best flights I have ever been on and would definitely fly with Canjet again. Hope this answers some of your questions. There is a 20kg (44lb) limit on each piece of luggage so be sure to weigh them before you leave. I'm not sure what happens if you are over.

 

[hockeymom3]

Marie - thanks for the info, I'm glad to hear your flight was great....I heard that for every kilogram you are over on the luggage weight they charge you $20 ....I am not letting that happen!!

 

[Boncho]

We are flying Canjet on our trip (Apr.29-May 6) and plan to prebook our seats. The last time we flew Canjet there was no prebooking the seats and families were scattered everywhere. There was only 4 of us and we didn't even get to sit together even though we were there 3 hours before our flight time - we had to wait because the Canjet counter wasn't even open that early. This time I am going to prebook our seats and arrive 2 hours before our flight time. Since you are travelling with children, I would suggest taking snacks with you. Have a great time!
Oh yeah, we are flying out of Halifax also.

 

[mariethecat]

We just travelled to Orlando by Canjet. We were a group of 4 adults so were not concerned about our seats. We got to the airport in Halifax 2 hours prior to departure and had no problem getting seats together. The flights were not very full either way but that was earlier in January. They may be more full later in the winter.

 

[jeffd101]

My mother and 2 nieces used Canjet Jan 2-9. They had great flights (not very full on the way down anyway) and enjoyed the breakfast on the way there and the lunch on the way back. Both were cold-type meals but quite a few items (a wrap, brownie, raisins, etc.). It also was delayed in Orlando, but arrived on time in Halifax.

We travelled on CanJet in 2004 and 2005. The direct flight was great but we NEVER got meals, only drinks and a small snack. I guess now that they are charter flights, they give a meal. The last two years we travelled on WestJet, connecting in Toronto. Would travel on CanJet this coming trip but we are going for 10 days and they only have the flight weekly.

 

[Boncho]

You should keep in mind also that it is going to be alot busier in May than it is right now so it may be harder to get seats together if you don't book them. That is what I have alway found anyway. This will be our third trip in May and every time the plane has been almost completely full..

 

[hockeymom3]

Jeffd.....you can get Canjet for 11 days. Thats what we're doing. They depart Halifax on Wednesdays and Saturdays, so we're leaving on a Saturday May 2nd and then coming home on Wednesday May 13th.

Its great, I wouldn't have gone if it were a week because we don't go away that much (yet) and I would have to go for longer to make it worth it.

 

[foxeh]

We are heading to Orlando on May 2nd also does anyone know if they have on board activites for the kids ie colouring sheets etc? This is my husband and daughters first trip as well to disney. There are 5 of us total folks and hubby and daughter are all going. Scary last time I was to Disney you could still smoke on the planes....sad eh!

 

[hockeymom3]

We're leaving on May 2nd too - are you leaving from Halifax??

I don't think Canjet has the colouring sheets and stuff that Air Transat talks about.

I think I'm going to hit the dollar store and buy things that the kids haven't seen before and that I can just throw away.

 

[dennise]

We flew Canjet from Orlando to Halifax in 2007, they were late leaving Orlando, but a good flight with a cold meal served, which was nice. I may have to pack lightly so that I can do some shopping and be overweight with my luggage. We also are doing 10 days, direct from Hfx on the 8th returning direct on the 18th. We will have most of the arriving and leaving days in Orlando.

 

[weswife]

We are flying with Air Transat holidays. We are leaving on May 6!!!!!

2000 we went with Canada 3000 it was a great flight!
2007 went with Delta it was a changing flight, it was 2/3 full but not organized. Our DD uses a wheelchair and we made them aware of this when we checked in but nothing was in place!!!! The lift was brooke and it was horrible!

This year direct! Might see you at the airport! We are staying at CBR!!!!!

Have a safe and fun trip!!!

 

[foxeh]

Hey there hockey mom thats too funny we must be on the same flight ours leaves I believe at 1:15.
Hope its on time we are not telling our daughter till that morning when we hit Tim Hortons. If you are on this flight I will shout out your user name to locate u lol just kidding. The dollar store sounds like a great idea never even thought of that so much going on. 6 weeks baby woo hoo!!

 

[hockeymom3]

ok, so just look for the woman with a husband who looks like he's petrified of flying (because he is) and 3 kids who are smiling from ear to ear and chewing lots of gum (I think they are more excited about chewing wads upon wads of gum)- one of which is 2 and has learned to call EVERYBODY a poopy head!!! The joys of having older siblings.....he says worse, but I refuse to admit it.

I have my seats on the way home booked but of course can't yet with Canjet. I'll let you know when I book my seats where they are. Actually, I'll probably see you in line for Timbits first.

Its great we get to pre-clear customs in Halifax - faster to get to our resort!!

1:15 it is!!!!!

 

[hockeymom3]

oh and one other thing! LOL speaking of 6 weeks..... I have rationalized this trip down to practically tomorrow.....

Easter is in 3 weeks. Disney is 3 weeks after Easter. We all know Easter will be here before we know it, so our trip will be here before we know it after Easter!!!

SO exciting that your daughter doesn't know about the trip. I was thinking of doing that, but I have a big mouth. Which you'll probably hear about on the plane if you shout my name!!! come on, I dare you!! LOL

ps - my husband may look confused but its because he's not into anything that involves planning or reading about a trip, so this is my secret second world. ha ha