Thomson & Dreamliner PE - opinions please

[Lisash]

Hi all, long time no post. I'm more lurker than poster these days anyway would like opinions please
Am looking at CBR for next June. Was all poised to book Virgin on Boxing Day sale but system glitch kept locking booking screen so started browsing elsewhere. Then found I can book Thomson PE on Dreamliner flying from East Mids which is closest airport to our home with upgraded water view room, car and 14 day tickets for £1000 less than Virgin or BA.
Would just like opinions on what Thomson are like. I know service is not going to necessarily be as good as BA or Virgin but am really thinking for that price I might give them a try. Anybody know what their PE is like?

 

[dixonsontour]

We flew premium economy with them in October and would recommend.

They fly into Sanford.

Lots of legroom, tv was in each armrest and plenty of choice. Food was good and plenty of drinks given alcoholic and non alcoholic. You also get your own check in line and 23kg baggage plus 7kg onboard.

 

[Lisash]

Sounds good. Think I'm going to book before price goes up. Can't be sure how long offer will last

 

[stephensmum]

We flew economy extra leg room and it was fab, we all felt less jack lagged than usual. Service good, we had a delay on the way back but that can happen on any airline. I'd go for it. Love cbr as well

 

[DLPDreams]

PE on Thomson is changing - you will get lounge access at the airport and duvets and pillows in addition to other mentioned things. Luggage in ecy is 20 kg, 23 kg in PE. We worked out, once we'd paid for our bags, seat allocation and extra 5 kg luggage, PE was only about another £56 pp which isn't bad.

There has been some negativity about the PE seats on the DL. Mainly because the TVs were stowed in the arms, which meant the recline on the seat was restricted and it made it almost impossible to get out from a window seat if the seat in front was reclined at all. However, they are changing the seats from May 15 to tilting seat back TVs and adding an extra recline on seats.

We are really looking forward to trying the DL and PE, but I think the winner for us was it wasn't much more expensive than going from Manchester (where we'd have to drive, stay over etc). Flying back into our local airport, 15 mins away, is a big bonus for us! Others must be thinking the same, as last time I looked about 3 weeks ago, there were only 4 PE seats left on our August flight!

 

[Chris and Pooh]

I am also curious as booked for the 1st time, PE with Thomson Dreamliner to Punta Cana, Dominican in May

 

[Chris and Pooh]

However, they are changing the seats from May 15 to tilting seat back TVs and adding an extra recline on seats.

Is this the start date for the modification, or the completion date and is that all routes?

 

[DLPDreams]

Is this the start date for the modification, or the completion date and is that all routes?

I read May 2015 seats will be in, but don't know if it's all long haul. Thomson say this on their web, so no actual date, sorry:

-At least a 36” seat pitch, or a 38” seat pitch on the Dreamliner.
-Amenity kit from luxury cosmetics brand, Rituals

NEW FROM SUMMER 2015:
-Improved seats with more space and a bigger recline
-Duvet and pillow on night flights

-9” seatback TV
-Noise-reduction headphones for use during flight
-The latest blockbusters on demand, 16 movies - 8 each way - or 35 on the Dreamliner
-Up to 7 TV channels, 10 music channels and 6 games
-Kids’ TV channels

-Complimentary soft, alcoholic and hot drinks
-Day-before bag drop at selected airports
-23kg luggage allowance and 10kg for children under 2
-4-course meal
-NEW from November 2014 - Afternoon tea or hot breakfast sandwich before landing
-Kids’ meals on some flights
-Priority access to bag drop / check-in
-A fast-track pass to departures at some airports
-Priority boarding and complimentary pre-departure drink
-Magazines and newspapers

NEW FROM SUMMER 2015:
-Fast-track through security in the UK
-Airport lounge access in the UK
-Priority boarding

 

[tinkerpea]

I read May 2015 seats will be in, but don't know if it's all long haul. Thomson say this on their web, so no actual date, sorry:

-At least a 36” seat pitch, or a 38” seat pitch on the Dreamliner.
-Amenity kit from luxury cosmetics brand, Rituals

NEW FROM SUMMER 2015:
-Improved seats with more space and a bigger recline
-Duvet and pillow on night flights

-9” seatback TV
-Noise-reduction headphones for use during flight
-The latest blockbusters on demand, 16 movies - 8 each way - or 35 on the Dreamliner
-Up to 7 TV channels, 10 music channels and 6 games
-Kids’ TV channels

-Complimentary soft, alcoholic and hot drinks
-Day-before bag drop at selected airports
-23kg luggage allowance and 10kg for children under 2
-4-course meal
-NEW from November 2014 - Afternoon tea or hot breakfast sandwich before landing
-Kids’ meals on some flights
-Priority access to bag drop / check-in
-A fast-track pass to departures at some airports
-Priority boarding and complimentary pre-departure drink
-Magazines and newspapers

NEW FROM SUMMER 2015:
-Fast-track through security in the UK
-Airport lounge access in the UK
-Priority boarding

This is sounding brilliant!
we really wanted to fly dream liner on our next trip in May, but got an excellent deal with virgin going economy for £220pp with our miles.

since Virgin however has gotten so expensive now, and I now also am willing to drive in the US where as I wasn't at all sure before, we would definitely start flying back into Sanford found it so much easier...

now I hope prices don't rocket with them before 2016 as I wont need them until then.

 

[Lisash]

Thanks everyone we decided to give it a go, so all booked for June. Am really excited. Will let you know how it goes

 

[Engravingmum]

Wow - great information. Thanks for sharing. We are booked on DL Premium Economy in July and those additional benefits are very welcome. 192 days and counting!

 

[DLPDreams]

Glad I could help, although do bear in mind that some of those things are also now on ecy as well i.e. free drinks although I've read that 'free' drinks are limited in ecy to meals and snack times, more frequent in PE.

I don't fly until August, so those on here who have booked before that and get the new seats etc, please remember to post back on your experience .

 

[MrsJobba1]

Hello,

We are booked PE on the Dreamliner flying Newcastle to Sanford end of april.
For those who have travelled can I ask did you reserve your seat beforehand - if so when & how - thanks

 

[Disneyfan27]

Hi all this might be a stupid question but we are due to fly Thomson PE to Sanford in September from Manchester which is all paid for and have been reading the posts and it was mentioned that Thomson will be offering access to airport lounges will I need to ask a travel agent to add it or will it just be automatically added

 

[DLPDreams]

Hello,

We are booked PE on the Dreamliner flying Newcastle to Sanford end of april.
For those who have travelled can I ask did you reserve your seat beforehand - if so when & how - thanks

Who did you book it through? It is flight only? I *think* you can book your seat 90 days from your return flight date, but I'm not 100% as I haven't flown yet. I would check with whom you booked it with. I know you select it online, or can call up the call centre to do it.

Hi all this might be a stupid question but we are due to fly Thomson PE to Sanford in September from Manchester which is all paid for and have been reading the posts and it was mentioned that Thomson will be offering access to airport lounges will I need to ask a travel agent to add it or will it just be automatically added

No idea, as it's all just being ironed out at the moment. I am sure it will become apparent. It might be a voucher given like the one you get for Sanford airport lounge. I believe there have been some issues with some airports and Thomson are still ironing the finer details out. As you don't go for quite some time, I am sure by May (when the changes take place), it will be sorted and you will know how it will work. At this point in time, I don't know if TA will tell you more, but after May they should know.