Sunwing or Air Transat?

[stefanospops]

I am sure there must be a thread on this before but figure it doesn't hurt to start another. Anyone flown using Sunwing or Air Transat? I'm looking to fly from Pearson to Orlando and am getting some prices of about $2000 CAD for 6 people. Currently looking at about $1400US to fly out of Buffalo plus $120 for one night hotel and parking so not enough of a discount to use Buffalo this trip. Just not sure what the experience is on these airlines. ANyone willing to share?

 

[minnie56]

I know a lot of folks that have flown Sunwing and really like them. Air Transat is 'ok'...

 

[JumpinJ]

I flew AirTransat in March. The service was fine, but the size of the seats was crazy! I'm not that large a person and had to wedge myself in. Lucky I knew the people on either side of me, because there was no way you weren't getting in their faces at some point. It was really uncomfortable, thank goodness it wasn't a transatlantic flight.

I normally fly WestJet, and if I compare those seats to the Air Transat ones, they were super luxurious!

I'm not sure how seat sizes in Sunwing planes compare, but it's something to consider.

But other than that, nothing negative to say. Everything went smooth and service on board was decent.

J

 

[DisneyMomm]

I have only used Sunwing out of Toronto and the service was fine, but you are really close to your neighbour, and I found the weight restrictions on the luggage to be really brutal. Just as an argument for Buffalo, have you taken a look at Southwest or Jetblue. Both have excellent luggage allowances. Jetblue only allows one checked bag, but with a large weight restriction, and allows a carry-on the size of a medium suitcase. We got that flight to Orlando for less than $600 for 4 of us. I know last week I saw that both of those airlines still had some $89 flights to Orlando.

 

[stefanospops]

I have only used Sunwing out of Toronto and the service was fine, but you are really close to your neighbour, and I found the weight restrictions on the luggage to be really brutal. Just as an argument for Buffalo, have you taken a look at Southwest or Jetblue. Both have excellent luggage allowances. Jetblue only allows one checked bag, but with a large weight restriction, and allows a carry-on the size of a medium suitcase. We got that flight to Orlando for less than $600 for 4 of us. I know last week I saw that both of those airlines still had some $89 flights to Orlando.

I have flown Jetblue several times in the past. Right now the pricing for my trip is around $1900US. I am waiting for Southwest to release their schedule to the end of the year. As for the narrow seats on Sunwing that is not really an issue. there are 3 adults and 3 kids, so someone will be between two kids (the oldest is 5) and the other two adults will have a kid in between. I suspect I will end up on Southwest once they release their schedule since Sunwing hasn't released their schedule yet either.

Thanks for the comments!

 

[Nahanni]

We flew Sunwing 2 years ago and it was fine. Seats were not tight and they serve free meals and still give out kids crayon kits. Their flight from YYZ-MCO was very early (pre 7am).

I flew Air Transat once and my seat was very tight (4 across).

 

[Tower]

Just on the Sunwing website. They appear to only have Sunday flights That does not work for us.
I too am waiting for Southwest. Jetblue is decent, but hoping for better on SW

 

[Nicki828]

I have flown both. Both are fine - but my preference between the two would be Sunwing. Nothing bad to say about Air Transat, but I thought Sunwing was a nicer flight all around.

 

[bluebelle99]

We flew Air Transat in Feb of this year. I found the seats comfortable (not tight), but they were leather and it was cold. They did not have free food or free headphones (I think kids got free headphones only). If you want pillows / blanket you had to buy a kit $6 or $7. Otherwise, everything went smoothly. (On time, no problems with luggage etc.)

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Unless I read this wrong but if you fly Sunwing or Air Transat won't you need to clear United States Customs in Orlando and not pre-clear in Toronto since they are Charter Airlines? So it won't be like flying with Air Canada or WestJet because at least with them you clear US Customs in Toronto and it makes easier when landing in Orlando.

 

[bluebelle99]

We flew Air Transat and cleared US Customs & Immigration in Toronto.

 

[Disney*Dreaming]

We flew to Disney with Air Transat and cleared US customs before we left (in Halifax) so we just had to grab our suitcases and go once we hit Orlando.

As for Air Transat's service, I can't really complain. The flight was on time and things went smoothly. I tend to sleep on planes so I don't really notice too much about what else is going on around me.