Skyservice?????

[Kelly5538]

Ok, this is our 3rd trip to Disney coming up.... we've never flown Skyservice before and I keep reading awful reviews of them.. I'm hoping that it's just because normally on review sites people only go on there to gripe
Someone tell me I'm wrong! ha ha

Has anyone flown Skyservice? And if so, please tell me about your experience

Thanks so much

 

[Kelly5538]

Just bumping this up so hopefully I can get some responses.....

 

[bavaria]

Kelly, are you referring to the Canadian based charter company Skyservice? If so, you may want to also post on the Canadian board.

I have never flown them, but I don't recommend charters. If you recall the Canada 3000 situation, stranding thousands of passengers around the world, and the more recent Jetsgo situation, you may understand why I don't recommend a charter. I also caution travellers that charters may have more strict checked baggage and carry on restrictions. Often the seat pitch is smaller to accommodate more seats on the plane.

While I have no idea of Skyservice's financial situation, if a charter goes out of business suddenly as in those above two examples, other airlines won't usually assist with lower fares, etc to get you home. I do know that Skyservice reduced or cancelled it's service for Winter 05/06 to/from the West Coast, which may be of concern.

(And I saw where you yourself posted that they have cancelled a number of the Toronto - Orlando flights short term....)

Hopefully someone who has flown them and is familiar with their situation can assist....

Hope that you have a good trip regardless!!!

 

[bavaria]

From their website

Free baggage allowance varies with some destinations. As a rule, each passenger is allowed a maximum of two pieces of checked luggage, the combined weight of both pieces not to exceed 20 kg (44 lbs). Please refer to your airline ticket for your exact baggage allowance.

That's a total of 44 pounds per person, whereas most airlines allow 2 bags of 50 pounds, or 100 pounds in total. Just an example of how restrictive charters can be in regards to luggage

 

[Kelly5538]

Thanks for your reply...
Yes, I did also post it on the Canadian website - still waiting on some answers there as well
The good thing is that I booked thru a travel agency, so if for some reason Skyservice stops flying - the TA has to get us home somehow - and hey, if we get stranded in Disney how bad could it be??? I'm more worried about flight delays from Toronto to Orlando

 

[wee-haggis]

Although Skyservice is a charter company, they have been going for some time and are as reliable as the next company.
We've used them twice and all I can say is they are OK.
Nothing fancy (a bit tight in the legroom) but time wise,I seem to recall we got their and back on time.
One thing I have noticed is they are getting a bit pricey (as are Air Transat).
Have you looked at Westjet,Canjet and flying out of Buffalo ?
(I haven't mentioned Air Canada because they are about as much use as a chocolate teapot !)

 

[Kelly5538]

Hi there!
I actually booked through a TA, who gave me the Skyservice flights - so I didn't really have much of a choice. Is it a lot cheaper to book things yourself separately??? I would think that travelling to Buffalo for a flight would be a bit of a pain - we're about an hour north of Toronto. Does it usually end up saving you that much?

 

[wee-haggis]

We are about an hour east of Toronto and we are using Buffalo in March.
As far as the prices are concerned,you could be as much as half the price of flying out of TO. Here is an example.
We just looked at Zoom Airlines (not March break) and they are advertising Toronto to Orlando for $99 each way....after taxes it comes to $444 !
Compared to Buffalo where the taxes and fees are a fraction of this.
As for booking separately,I've done it for our past 8 trips and the savings do it myself online (comparted to TA and package holidays) is quite substantial.
By booking sepeartely you also get the option of picking and choosing your airline,hotel and car rental company.

 

[Kelly5538]

Wow - thanks - I'll definitely look into booking everything separately next year..... too late for this year!