Travel city direct, jumbo

[jeanette78]

Hi everyone, I have been reading u'r post for a couple of months now and have finely joined !!!!

I have booked to go with TCD in October 9th from Gatwick on their Jumbo in economy. Has anyone travelled economy with them on the Jumbo? I have read a lot of info on TCD and am feeling a bit confused!!! Is there any more space than on any other plane(airtours thomson etc) i was told that u would have more seat width and a little bit more leg room as well? Also what are the meals like on the plane? I might also ask to be bumped up to first class as its my friends birthday the following day lol.

thanks again, Jeanette.

 

[mkingdon]

Jeanette

Welcome to DIS

I don't know the answer to your question, but I'd like to!!

Just bumping this up to get an answer.

We fly out from Manchester with TCD in a few weeks and it would be good to get some feedback as to others have found it.

I'm sure someone will have flown with TCD.

Craig

 

[catherine]

Hi Jeanette, sorry I don't know anything about TCD as we have never travelled with them. I just wanted to welcome you to the DIS

 

[allie5]

I flew back from Sanford on the TC Jumbo a couple of Saturdays ago (flew out BA). The plane was less than half full, so every person had an entire row to sleep over if they wanted....who needs Mr Bransons First Class Bed Seats???!!!

Seriously, I thought they were pretty good. I have travelled on all the major carriers and some charters and overall they performed very well. Check in was efficient and friendly. On boarding the aircraft, the cabin crew handed out bottles of cold mineral water, which was welcome and a nice touch. Flight was on time, and pretty smooth (a bit bumpy mid Atlantic). We had bulkhead seats, but standard seats had the same legroom as the BA flight we had outbound. Generous for a charter flight.

Food consisted of BBQ chicken, wedges, corn & peas. A small prawn salad, choccie brownie and cheese and biscuits. All drinks were free including alcohol! Breakfast was cereal, yoghurt, juice and muffin. Water and juice was set out at intervals for you to help yourself to.

Hope that helps.

Allie.

 

[jeanette78]

Thanks Craig and Catherine for the welcome Alllie thanks for the reply. I feel a little bit better now as i have had mixed info about the flight:confused : were the drinks free on economy as well? did u fly sunshine or upper deck? sorry for all the questions as i am just being nosy about everything thanks again eveyone, Jeanette

 

[Veronica]

Thank you, thank you, thank you alli5 - yours is the first REALLy positive comment I have read about TCD. We fly out on aug. 9th and frankly I have been very 'down' about all the comments I have read. Without realising it or maybe meaning it [or perhaps they do!], the comments made by those people who use 'superior' companies are very patronising. If my husband and I could afford it, perhaps we would try Virgin airlines - from all the messages received on the discussion forums they DO seem to be an excellent company to travel with. BUT - and it is a big but! .... their prices are just unattainable for us. We have three children under the age of 15 but over the age of 9 - so, we have to pay adult prices. No argument there - nearly every airline has the same policy, but Virgin - or over 10 other companies I tried, could not offer us a better price than £3,108 [includes upgrade + additional driver] for 5 people. S0 - you pays your money and you takes your choice. I will let you know how we get on with the flights. So long as we don't have a Fred Flintstone flight [feet propelled] and we get there in reasonable comfort with three happy children, I think I'll be VERY, VERY happy to be back in the land of Magic. No matter who you fly with - arrive safely and have a Very Happy Holiday - wish I was going tomorrow [would have said today, but I have to pack and get to the airport!!!]

 

[allie5]

Jeanette...yes the drinks were free in economy. We have two small children so cant travel in the Sunshine First cabin!! I found the economy cabin to be very good. Cabin crew were friendly and just as good as the BA crew we had outbound. Seats arent packed into every crevice like some charters! This flight probably had the most room I had seen on a chartered flight.

Veronica....I agree there is a HUGE amount of snobbery with flights to Orlando. Im afraid I dont have time for the "Oh, we ONLY ever fly Virgin" mob. Virgin are OK, but I dont go out of my way to fly with them. Believe me, you arent missing anything. At the end of the day, you will arrive at the same place as all those Virgin passengers, in the same amount of time but with more money saved!!! The legroom on the TC flight was equally as good as Virgin, so no missing out there. The one thing that scheduled always beat chartered on is flight delays..you ARE more likely to be delayed on a chartered (tho we never have). Its luck of the draw and chances are you will arrive on time. Have a FANTASTIC trip, I know you will!

Allie.

 

[matty624]

I'm not sure that I completely agree that there is snobbery about flights Veronica and Allie. If there is, it goes right over my head.
We've flown both charter and scheduled and the only reason we've gone scheduled the last few times is that the price for Virgin/BA/United has been cheaper than the charter airlines!
Veronica, the worst experience we've had with flights btw, was with Virgin, who I vowed I would never again travel with... So as you said, 'you pays your money and takes your choice'.
Ian

 

[AlexE]

I agree with all of the above. On the day its a lucky dip, and as said if there are going to be delays they are usually on charter flights. I can vouch for that with a 5hr delay at Gatwick with TCD. Overall, the direct flights are no different we all have to sit in a sardine can for 9-10 hrs aamusing ourselves - all a means to an end and the carrot is Disney

AlexE

 

[boleynbarmy]

Veronica,

I fly out with TCD 2-days before you. Having read many threads over the last few months about TCD very few have been critical of the holiday or flight rather some practices employed by TCD in selling car insurance and their practice of selling Sunshine First to customers who are taking a full package especially during the peak months.

If I have a poor holiday I will certainly be making my feelings felt about TCD on holiday site boards over the following months. I have so far had no problems booking, upgrading to Sunshine First tickets arrived last week and appear all correct checking the Sanford Airport web page over the last 2-weeks flights appear to have been on time so all appears O.K so far.

Dave F

 

[jeanette78]

Thank you all again for the reply, I am def looking forward to october ( i wish i was going tomorrow as well ) I will have to try to be bumped up to sunshine first lol, i will tell them that its my friends birthday(true) and that it would be a nice birthday present for her (us?) bye for now, Jeanette

 

[sadeeyore]

Hi
We have travelled twice with TC both times economy. First in Sept 2001 then in Aug 2002. Saving to go with TC again in Aug 2004. Never had any problems, flights on time, stayed in a villa each time which were lovely. My only complaint was that when we needed to contact the insurance Company arranged through TC (son fractured his elbow at Epcot last day of holiday) The insurance company wasn't very helpfull. Had to pay Doctor ourselves and claim money back when we returned to England. TC staff were very helpfull and phoned the airport first thing on the day we were leaving to get us seats with as much leg room as poss. We have always been happy flying with them.

 

[Veronica]

Thanks to all who replied to my comments - I AM looking forward to our holiday so much! I love logging on to this site - just reading all your comments makes me get all 'gooey' inside thinking about going to Orlando again!!! Our holiday starts as soon as we close the front door. As it takes 2 hours to get to Manchester and then 3 hours to wait before we take off, I always bring something to eat. so the children have been planning the 'picnic' for the airport. Lunch requirements from the youngest [13] so far = sausage roll, one salami sandwich, one sausage sandwich, coke, biscuit!!!! Me? I'll be so excited I won't be able to eat ........

Sorry, I'm getting carried away thinking about it all; what I wanted to ask was, how much did it cost to upgrade to Sunshine? I would love to be able to try it, but I think it will probably be just a little too expensive for all 5 of us. Steve and I are already planning to go to Florida on our own - when the children are old enough to be left without the worry of parties, etc., while we're gone!!! Perhaps we'll try Sunshine then. Happy hols. to all.

 

[sadeeyore]

hi
To upgrade to Sunshine upperdeck prices start from £99 and to upgrade to Sunshine First costs from £249. The website for TCD is quite good. Have a great holiday. We flew from Manchester when we went last August.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Sunshine First upgrade is £350 during the school holidays, and rises to £400 on Saturdays. I guess you would need to book the upgarde in advance, as there will be a limited number of seats at the front of the plane.

Regards

Rob

 

[jean88]

HI
we have just booked the sunshine upper deck, it cost us £59 return.
Jean

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

I think that's very good value for money. Travelling upstairs is always nice, and £59 is significantly less than Virgin's Premium Economy.

Regards

Rob

 

[LINCLAIRE]

Jean, Is that right?
£59 return???
When are you going?
Lin

 

[jean88]

Sorry should have said, we're travelling October 2004
Jean

 

[AlexE]

Rob

I think you will find that Sunshine upper deck is not comparable to Virgin Premium Economy. Sunshine First is TCD's equivalent of Virgin Premium Economy.

TCD Sunshine upper deck is the same economy seats, 3 aisle 3, 31" pitch, but in the bubble upstairs which is quieter and smaller that is what you are paying the extra for.

No comparaison to Virgin premium economy.

AlexE