Travel City Direct flight news!

SimonV

Proud to have called Bob Varley 'friend'
Joined
Aug 18, 1999
Messages
2,680
More news from Travel City Direct, who look like becoming the No 1 package holiday operator to Orlando this year................

"Travel City Direct, the UK's largest independent Florida specialist, announces the launch of its first ever year-round Orlando service on their Boeing 747 Jumbo charter aircraft operated by European Aviation. The Jumbo charter programme launched for the Summer 2002 season and its sell-out success gave Travel City Direct the confidence to extend the Summer 2003 programme to include Easter. Forward bookings are now so strong that the opportunity to extend the programme into the Winter was not to be missed.

At a time when other charter operators are considering the consolidation of their flying programmes and reporting record Winter season losses due to low sales, Travel City Direct is strengthening its programme in line with customer demand, which will be at the expense of some of their industry competitors.

Managing Director Geoff Medhurst said "We have never followed the crowd and as pioneers of direct sell we have our fingers on the pulse when it comes to our customers' needs and wants. We know that customers don't like having the "frills" stripped out, nor do they like being squeezed into tiny spaces for 9 hour flights. That's why our Jumbo jet programme offers one incredible value price that includes all the "frills" and as much leg room as scheduled carriers - far more than our charter competitors. The fact that 2002 was a sell out is testament that this formula works"

This growth has been paced, keeping it in line with demand, with gradual expansion for Summer 2003, such as adding extra Sunday flights from Gatwick and Manchester for Summer 2003 and introducing summer flying from Glasgow. During this Summer eight flights a week will operate and during the Winter flights will continue to operate once a week from Gatwick and Manchester on a Saturday."
 
Hopefully this will keep Virgin and BA on their toes in the off-season when they normally don't have too much competition from the charter airlines. Good news all round. Does anyone have any experience of flying with TC Direct? How does the service compare to other operators?

Regards

Rob
 
I flew with TC in one of the European Aviation 747's they use in October 2002, we flew in sunshine 1st & it was fantastic, only cost £200ea to upgrade to get 50" seat pitch etc. Superb service from the cabin crew who really looked after us.

We have booked the same again for this October, sunshine 1st supplement is now £250 each (return) but is well worth it when you consider how much virgin/ba want for their premium economy.

They get a massive thumbs up from me.
 

How very interesting!

Do they fly into Sanford or MCO? Are they direct? The more competition the better I think :)
 
Direct into Sanford which IMHO is far better than MCO - less hassle, easy baggage collection etc.
 
You can book flight only but to get the sunshine 1st upgrade they usually say you need to book accomodation too.
 
Thanks :) I realised when I went to look at the site I have looked at them before. I called for a brochure as what's online is just PDF format pages of the brochure anyway - might as well try and save my eyesight somehow! :rolleyes:

If anyone wants one the number to call is 0870 0664 959 as that's not up on the site.

I like the sound of the Sunshine First service :)
 
That's great news - I'm flying with Travel City Direct in May which will be a first for me.

I've paid the supplement for Sunshine First and was starting to wonder whether it was going to be worth it, but Daywalker you have reassured me - thank you!

Not sure what it will be like flying into Sanford rather than MCO though!

Does anyone know which car hire firm TCD uses and whether they are on site at the airport or not?

Thanks

Astrid
 
Astrid,

Trust me, Sanford is much better than MCO, not as crowded, easier to get through etc.

TC use Dollar. As you are in Sunshine 1st you will be one of the first to get your luggage:). Once you've got it, head out of the terminal, cross the small road & the car hire place is on your left, walk in & there should be stacks of dollar agents waiting to serve you. We had a pick of about 15 or so to serve us as we were out of the terminal very quickly. You have to find your own car once you have the keys but they are all in numbered parking bays & rows & are a doddle to find. One tip, you are not allowed to take your luggage into the car hire building, only the main driver should go in, it makes it less crowded inside. I would imagine it would be a struggle to get past everyone waiting outside with their luggage but as you are sunshine first you won't have that problem ;)
 
That's great Daywalker - thanks for all that info. Sounding pretty good!

The only thing that slightly worries me is the leaving the luggage side, as it's only me and my two kids travelling which would mean having to leave either the kids and the luggage or the luggage on it's own - I'll have to look into that one!!

But, as you say, at least travelling Sunshine First means there won't be a bun-fight of people (hopefully!!).

Thanks again :) Btw - enjoy New York!! I was there in December and it was fantastic!! :D

Astrid
 
Astrid, are your children old enough to be left with the luggage but in sight of the entrance ie glass doors hopefully, so they can see you and vice versa? And strict instructions to talk to no-one and not move?

I know how you feel, I had to leave my two sitting on the steps of our rented apartment in Barcelona with the luggage while I hunted a phone to find out where the people to let us in were last year!
 
Astrid,

There is a bloke who stops people going in with their luggage, I am sure your kids could wait with him? or, you could argue that you have no choice but to take them in with you & your luggage must come too, I guess there must some flexibility. Another alternative could be to go to the TC welcome centre, you can't miss it, it is next to the car centre, ask them if they wouldn't mind keeping an eye on the young uns for you?

Thanks, I will hopefully love New York, I can't wait :)

It's funny this, I was so apprehensive before I travelled with TC last year but since then I have nothing but praise. I post on another board & last year, before I went I was asking loads of questions & posting bits of info from other places on what I had read about TC & the new 747 service. Anyway, one day I got a call from non other that Geoff Medhurst (TC's MD) they tracked me down & wanted to answer my questions! He did answer them & asked that I called him back upon my return to tell him what I thought, I think you can gather what I told him when i got back!
 
Well, that's what you call service!! The MD actually ringing you up! I'm so pleased to hear such good reports on TCD, having only flown Virgin to Orlando in the past it'll be good to travel with a different company for a change - though a bit scarey too!!

Thanks so much for all the reassurances.

Neo's White Rabbit - think that's the best thing, my son is 10 so I'll just him strict instructions to not move a muscle or talk to a soul while I'm sorting out the car!! Or, as Daywalker suggests I can ask someone from TCD to watch them.

Many thanks :)

Astrid
 
daywalker - have a great time in NYC. I'm hoping to maybe go back there later this year as there's an American Girl shop opening on 5th Ave sometime before Xmas, my daughter loves those dolls! Currently there's only one in Chicago.

Astrid, I'm sure someone would stay with your children...even if it's only another family or adult stuck waiting outside too who could keep an eye on them.

The more I hear about TCD the more I think we would use them in the future. Can't wait for the brochure to arrive!
 
Hi Astrid,

If you remember the very thing happend to me the last time I flew into Sanford airport. I had to leave DD2 with a very nice lady right at the front of the car hire exit doors. I have never picked up a car so quickly;)
She was fine, I could see her from the desk.
Bryn and Carys will be fine.
 
That sounds like a very promising alternative to Virgin and BA.I particualrly like the sound of sunshine first:)
 
Thanks Me! ;) Never realised you did that, feel loads better now!

Ad x
 












Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE


New Posts





DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom