Thomas cook

[Natasha&Matt]

I am flying with Thomas cook on the 30th May 08 and last night i was reading reviews on a site and most of them were real bad and it scared me =(

*seats too small
*you have to pay £5 each movie
*you only get 3 free soft drinks
*prices are sky high
*customer service is very bad

Has any one that flown with them experienced any of this?​

 

[Edd]

Are you flying into Orlando Sanford (SFB) or Orlando International (MCO)?

 

[JoeCathyAngelina]

Sorry to say, but, If you include in your description:

*seats too small,
If you are an extra large person you may have to buy a second seat.
*you have to pay £5 each movie,
If your lucky enough to have in flight movies.
*you only get 3 free soft drinks,
At the convienence of the Stewardesses.
*prices are sky high,
And non-stop flights are few and far between.
*customer service is very bad,
when it is available.

Then there's:
last minute schedule changes,
flight cancellations,
$5 snacks/sandwiches if your lucky to get one,
$5-$15 seat reservations or take your chances with the cattle call.
Please don't get me started on the Terminals and TSA security.

..and so we just described a mordern day flight with a mordern day Airline.

Good Luck All,
Joe

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Hmmmm, I was seriously considering flying on Condor (by Thomas Cook) this November on the Frankfurt to Orlando-International route. I think their reputation is far better than the Thomas Cook Airlines routes from the UK to Orlando-Sanford.

BobK/Orlando

 

[bavaria]

Condor does have an upgrade for a cost on some of its route (Comfort Class) - a new service feature. This allows extra seat pitch and services. One can also use the LH lounges in Germany, which are excellent lounges.

Lufthansa is known for its uncomfortable economy class seats. Seat pitch is the same as other airlines, but both Air Canada and Lufthansa have fitted many of their aircraft with hard seats.

Frankly, Lufthansa and Condor get reviews from Americans and British who mistake German reserve for unfriendliness. I far prefer Lufthansa service to what I consider to be intrusive or even forced friendliness that I find on American carriers. If I fly a German carrier, I expect to receive German style service.

Longhaul offers one free on board alcoholic beverage; there is no charge for softdrinks. There is a complimentary meal on longer routes, and snacks for a fee.

As to pricing, Condor has some excellent last minute fares. And some very good 'regular' fares as well. And one can earn LH Miles and More on flights (miles cannot be earned on many low cost carriers). One way pricing to/from the US is about 129 Euros - a great price.

In Comfort Class, there are personalized DVD players on board, with a choice of six films. One can play one's own CDs if desired. There is a PC outlet at each seat. I don't know how that can be considered poor inflight entertainment.

My family flies Condor a lot with no issues at all. One can find poor reviews on any subject on the internet if one tries hard enough. Frankly, based on what I wrote above, the things you read are just people trying to find the worst in things. Condor actually offers more than most American legacy carriers....

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Thanks for the information, Bavaria. I wish my rate was only €129 but for my proposed date of travel the fare is €199 in economy class. With all the fuel surcharges, taxes and booking fee the rate is €286 which is $395. Still, no one else is offering a one way fare to Orlando. Lufthansa's flight an hour later is over $3000 one way!! (LTU is slightly cheaper to MIA and RSW but then I'd have to drive here.) So it looks like Condor (by Thomas Cook) will be in my future.

What's disappointing is that some of the old reliable airlines that used to offer affordable one way fares are no longer doing so: Martinair Holland, Icelandair, etc.

BobK/Orlando

 

[bavaria]

Bob, check out the Z fares on www.united.com for LH code shares - they are pricing out at $1100 and up round trip for BUSINESS class over Thanksgiving and dates in December..... there's a thread about it on flyertalk.com on the UA forum.

If only I could squeeze in another trip this year after next month's vacation I would at those prices!

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Bavaria, that's an excellent business class fare but I'm doing this trip on the CHEAP....4 European cities in 4 days, so $400 is already too much for one way home. Before taxes went crazy and fuel charges were added, I could do Europe for under $400 round trip in low season. Not any more!

BobK/Orlando

 

[bavaria]

Bob, check out that other Lufthansa thread - Flossbolna just got a great fare for her trip next year