Only 4 days to go and we have had a call from US Airways re our flight from Manchester on Wednesday. Apparantly the usual Airbus 333 is out of service and they are now operating a Boeing 767 instead, which takes fewer passengers. They want to know if we'll consider flying from Gatwick instead, which would mean checking in at Manchester over 3 hours earlier than planned - 06:45!. They are offering $400 each in compensation.
I've checked the capacity of each type of aircraft and the Airbus takes 63 passengers more than the Boeing. I can't believe that they will have 63 free seats available on the Gatwick flight, so we have declined the offer. We were concerned that once we were at Gatwck they might then tell us that their flight was full too.
The US Airways staff have warned us to get there early as not everyone will be able to fly and the seats will be allocated on a first-come, first served basis. I have checked their website and the Boeing has been operating since yesterday at least, so I think the problem must be stacking up. There must be passengers that they are having to bump off each day until the next day - so the problem will be worsening until the Airbus is back - which is scheduled for next Saturday.
We were planning to arrive early anyway - but we're rather concerned. Also the Boeing doesn't have the seatback TVs like the Airbus - so that's another disappointment. Not quite looking forwqard to it as much as we were.
Julie
I've checked the capacity of each type of aircraft and the Airbus takes 63 passengers more than the Boeing. I can't believe that they will have 63 free seats available on the Gatwick flight, so we have declined the offer. We were concerned that once we were at Gatwck they might then tell us that their flight was full too.
The US Airways staff have warned us to get there early as not everyone will be able to fly and the seats will be allocated on a first-come, first served basis. I have checked their website and the Boeing has been operating since yesterday at least, so I think the problem must be stacking up. There must be passengers that they are having to bump off each day until the next day - so the problem will be worsening until the Airbus is back - which is scheduled for next Saturday.
We were planning to arrive early anyway - but we're rather concerned. Also the Boeing doesn't have the seatback TVs like the Airbus - so that's another disappointment. Not quite looking forwqard to it as much as we were.
Julie
