Upgraded charter flights, or Economy scheduled?

[rob@rar.org.uk]

After a problem booking with Travel City Direct I'm having to rethink my flight plans to Orlando for August 2004. I'm taking my parents for the first time, and my Dad is a nervous flyer so I'm hoping to get a little bit more seat space for us to relax during the journey. We're on a budget (who isn't!) so the premium economy seats of Virgin or BA are too expensive. Does anybody have any experience of the upgraded cabins offered by any of the charter airlines? In particular we are looking for extra seat pitch to recline the seats during the flight (extra luggage allowance, dedicated check-in and stuff like that is of no interest).

Regards

Rob

 

[Pootle]

In the past I've used Airtours (My Travel) Premiar Gold and First Choice/Air 2000 Classic Premium. They were both a vast improvement on standard charter with a small dedicated cabin, wider seats and additional leg room.

For us however, flying with American Airlines (34" seat pitch on transatlantic part) and going via a hub airport is better value and just as good and you get to book you seats on-line from a plan of available seating. From what you say it sounds like your parents would be better with a British carrier on a direct flight and so the charter special cabins are definitely worth considering.

The last figures I could find are from a Sunday Times article titled "Upgrade to Charter" 28/5/00. Holiday Which? also published a table, but again, their last full report was Spring 2000.
Anyway, bear in mind these details are 3 years old and might have changed but it may give you a starting point so here goes:

Cosmos/Monarch; seat pitch 34" (standard 30) - width 20.5 (standard 19)

First Choice/Air 2000; pitch 35" (standard 28/29) - width same as economy but with extra recline.

My Travel/Airtours; pitch 35" (standard 29/30) - width 18.5 (standard 16.2)

Thomson/Britannia; pitch 35" (standard 30) - width 18 (standard 16.5)

Both times we travelled this way we saw examples of parties being split up and were surprised at this as they had paid so much extra.

Hope this helps.

 

[PoohBears#1fan]

Hi Rob,

We flew on Monarch in 2000 and upgraded our seats on a flight to Cancun. We had a seperate part at the front of the plane, slightly bigger seats and different menus. To be honest though I don't think it was any better than flying BA or Virgin, with the exception of being able to check in before everyone else.

hth

 

[PoohBears#1fan]

sorry it was Brittania no Monarch - d'oh!