XL Airlines??

[SplashMtn]

The airline has changed for my upcoming July trip from Thomas Cook to Monarch and now to XL airlines? First reaction was "Who?" so has anyone used this airline (or even heard of them?!) as this is not doing wonders for my fear of flying- knowing that the plane might be as old as the Wright Brothers! One positive so far though is that the departure time is two hours earlier Yipee- 2 more hours of WDW on the first day!

EDIT: Did'nt think that in fact it could be EXCEL airlines......

 

[jockey]

This is a regular airline at the airport where I work!! The aircraft are fine -think they operate mainly Boeing aircraft!

Check out their website http://www.xl.com/

At least you get to Orlando a bit earlier!!!!!

 

[SplashMtn]

Thanks or that! Couldnt find an official website anywhere.

 

[maureen4200040]

Hi ya SplashMtn

I have a query regarding your airline changes. I was wondering how long ago did you hear about your holiday changes from t/c to Monarch now to XL Airlines. I'm travelling in May 2005 and have'nt heard anything about any changes to my flight as yet.

I'm just wondering now whether to call Thomas cook to ask them if my flight has been changed or not. I had this problem with them last year, and if I had'nt gone into the shop 4 mths early to pay off my balance they probably would'nt have told me until 3wks before departure. In the end I decided to cancel with them rearrange another holiday with someone else. I did rebook with them for this year holiday though.

Any advice you can give me will be helpful.

Thanks maureen4200040

 

[SplashMtn]

Hi maureen4200040! I have only just heard about the changes but I think it depends upon which airport you're flying from. The holiday is booked through First Choice but their own 'Air 2000' airline doesnt fly from Newcastle so was changed to Thomas Cook Airlines who also dont flyfrom Newcastle. It changed to and from Monarch for the same reason and is now with XL which, according to the reviews I've read online is a VERY bad thing. Anyway to stop waffling, and answer your question, the holiday is in July and I only found out this week about the change- but I think it depends entirely on your departure airport.

 

[andyace]

I,ve flown with excel and the best i can say is adequate don't get to excited about the food though you might want eat before you get on the plane.

 

[SplashMtn]

I,ve flown with excel and the best i can say is adequate don't get to excited about the food though you might want eat before you get on the plane.

 

[wicket2005]

Hi maureen4200040! Anyway to stop waffling, and answer your question, the holiday is in July and I only found out this week about the change- but I think it depends entirely on your departure airport.

What were Excel like? We have whittled our July 2006 flights down to Monarch or Excel. Monarch were fine this year but I don't know whether to chance Excel or not.

Thanks.

 

[carolfoy]

Excel are pretty standard, many regional airports have their flights operated by these charters instead of the tour ops own aircratft, they aren't anything much to get excited about but would probably be on a par with the older mytravel and first choice lines

 

[wicket2005]

Thanks Carol.

 

[SplashMtn]

What were Excel like? We have whittled our July 2006 flights down to Monarch or Excel. Monarch were fine this year but I don't know whether to chance Excel or not.

Thanks.

Hi Bev!

I haven't experienced Monarch, but Excel in July were abysmal-

As for Excel Airways- what a joke. In short, flight there= disgusting/ flight back= much better. Aside from the least amount of legroom in the history of aviation (doubt it would be legal to give animals that amount of space) and a hole (yes a gaping hole with air coming through it) in the plane wall which is never great for a nervous flyer the outbound flight crew were the most miserable and rude bunch of people you could have the misfortune to meet. Practically throwing your food at you and seeing you as an unfortunate distraction rather than the priority they spent most of the time chatting to each other. One lady with a baby asked for some water and the attendant had the cheeck to storm off and say “IN A MINUTE” * huff* * huff*. The return flight was a thousand percent better- same tatty plane but what a difference a pleasant and motivated crew makes.

Depending on where you fly from you may get a better plane (I flew from Newcastle) but there have been consistently bad reports about the company at least from the research I did before leaving. My report is probably a dramatised version as I hate flying and the old/ "holey" plane didnt help that.

http://www.hartlepooltoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1109&ArticleID=1095623

Glad I wasn't on THAT flight!!

I'd go with Monarch........................

Hope this helps!

 

[carolfoy]

Actually I meant to add that I'd go for monarch between the two and see if they've got deals on their premium cabin (if they're operating that type of plane)

 

[wicket2005]

Thanks Carol.

Thanks Sean. I did some research on the airline and no one had anything good to say about them, with massive delays and loads of technical faults with the plane. I appreciate you putting your quote in and that link to the horrible flight those people had.

We are planning to go next July and between the two there is a £300 difference which is nearly a set of Flex Passes for us. However, I was leaning more to the Monarch (Airtours) holiday because I know what the Monarch flight is like plus had monitored them leaving from Newcastle/Sanford for a couple of weeks and they were more or less on time leaving put arrived early. Your comments have confirmed the choice so off to book up with Airtours tomorrow.

Thank you.

Bev

 

[arieliwish]

Don't want to set everyone off again, but aren't Excel part of Air Atlanta? My friends flew with them to spain without too much trouble, but they booked up with them at a similar time to us booking with TCD last year, and we had a conversation along the lines of parent companies.

I may be wrong....

 

[SplashMtn]

Don't want to set everyone off again, but aren't Excel part of Air Atlanta? My friends flew with them to spain without too much trouble, but they booked up with them at a similar time to us booking with TCD last year, and we had a conversation along the lines of parent companies.

I may be wrong....

Yes, they are either part or fully owned by Air Atlanta, in fact, the announcements on the flight were something along the lines of "Welcome aboard this Excel airways flight operated by Air Atlanta".

...........and we know about Air Atlantas reputation!