View Full Version : Air Atlanta
Hi all ,I am flying to Orlando in October (Can't wait) and will be going by Air Atlanta Europe just wondered if any of you had flown with them and what you thought of them, we couldn't get on a Virgin flight and i am a bit worried, hate flying at the best of times.
Thanks in advance
Carrie
ps i have been reading your posts they are so interesting, i could become addicted.
kay9jess
05-07-2004, 16:50
air atlanta carry now and again for virgin and the now defunked European Aviation Air Charter ,and travel city direct when there fligths are full,the planes are old 747-200`s although old are well maintained and as far as i know are the same age and spec internally as the two jumbo`s virgin use from manchester which have seat back tv system...[8D]
Robert5988
05-07-2004, 18:03
see
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10099&SearchTerms=air,atlanta
We went with virgin at Christmas and the plane we where on was owned by air atlanta, but livered up in the virgin colours.
There was very few people on the flight so we where speaking to the head cabin crew lady and she said that vigin once owned it the sold it to altlanta and now rent it back off them.There must be some money making logic on Richards part there.
I flew back with them from Kuwait city. TV is not the seat back variety and thought the plane was an old BA one as you could see the paint job underneath.
I think they do fly newer planes, mine must have been one of the older ones.
Sorry for the negative feedback!
DOM
deniseb90
08-07-2004, 19:40
I have been to Florida twice before and am going again in October flying with Air Atlanta. I too was a bit wary at first, having never heard of them. But then again I flew with Virgin the last time, very good, etc, and the first time I travelled with American Trans Air and that was an experience. A sandwich, NO FILM, NO FREE DRINKS AND a 24 hour delay as while we were taxying out to the runway to come home an engine on the TRISTAR broke - oh and we had to stop for refuelling in Gander! So suffice to say I have flown with a mixture and as long as it gets me there I don't mind!!!
I'm flying on 30 September to Sanford - counting the days!!! Have a great holiday![msnsmile2]
deniseb90
08-07-2004, 19:43
I forgot to say, I would fly with Virgin again but they wanted £488 per person for a flight on the same day from Gatwick, whereas we got a flight with Travel City Direct for £189 (there's 3 adults, 2 children and we had full car hire with ins and a 3 bed exec villa at Highlands Reserve) - the whole thing was approx £2200 (the same as what Virgin and BA wanted just for the flights).
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by deniseb90
I forgot to say, I would fly with Virgin again but they wanted £488 per person for a flight on the same day from Gatwick, whereas we got a flight with Travel City Direct for £189 (there's 3 adults, 2 children and we had full car hire with ins and a 3 bed exec villa at Highlands Reserve) - the whole thing was approx £2200 (the same as what Virgin and BA wanted just for the flights).
[/quote]
You could have made an even greater saving if you would have booked the villa direct with the owner and the flights separate, I was loking at a vigin special on the links at the top of this page for only £220, I have never seen virgin flights that low before.:)
deniseb90
08-07-2004, 20:59
I couldn't find a cheap flight and I looked everywhere - we used to always book direct with the villa owners but as we were having trouble with the flights we went with TCD, realise that we've probably been done over the car hire but never mind - just seemed lot less hassle to book it in one (apart from the theme park tickets of course which I got from this site)!
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by deniseb90
I forgot to say, I would fly with Virgin again but they wanted £488 per person for a flight on the same day from Gatwick, whereas we got a flight with Travel City Direct for £189 (there's 3 adults, 2 children and we had full car hire with ins and a 3 bed exec villa at Highlands Reserve) - the whole thing was approx £2200 (the same as what Virgin and BA wanted just for the flights).
[/quote]
This is very cheap .. where did you book them? Via TCD main website? Teletext number or their main call centre?
deniseb90
09-07-2004, 13:43
I booked it direct from the TCD website - mind you I booked this back in November last year. I haven't had any problems with them yet - just hope that continues. Anyway Air Atlanta can't be that bad, Virgin use them on their Manchester to Orlando route anyway!
I flew with Air Atlanta last year. I have been every year for the last 5 years and that was the first and last time with Air Atlanta. Other than losing one of my bags on the return home, I found the plane and service very poor class compared to other airlines including Britannia etc.. I am flying BA this time.
Oh dear Zaz I wish i could have got virgin or BA but they were booked so im stuck now, can you tell me exactly what was wrong, im worried about the plane more than anything, they spec it all up saying they have in flight entertainment 31inch seats etc.
Guess i will just have to hope you had an unlucky flight.
hope BA is better for you.
chrisfynes
13-07-2004, 21:14
Have you tried the American airlines?
I flew via Chicago with United and it was fantastic. Great service, drinks and films etc and the price was over £100 less EACH. The time in Chicago was filled clearing customs and immigration so was not wasted. Straight off the internal flight into car hire (no queues of Brits)
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by deniseb90
I booked it direct from the TCD website - mind you I booked this back in November last year. I haven't had any problems with them yet - just hope that continues. Anyway Air Atlanta can't be that bad, Virgin use them on their Manchester to Orlando route anyway!
[/quote]
Can I just clear something up, Air Atlanta DO NOT operate Manchester - Orlando for Virgin!! They did ONCE for a few weeks serveral years ago when they had a plane shortage. Virgin operate the Manchester flights on there own planes which are ex leased planes from Air Atlanta but now re registered in UK regs and possbly even re owned by Virgin (they owned them originally). They are definitly not the same interiors!!!
Air Atlanta lease and operate flights for airlines all around the world when they have plane shortages because lets face it there are not enough Icelandic people that want to fly, the population is very small - that was a quote from one of their Captains!
Having flown with both I would not fly with Air Atlanta again!! And TCD are a no no in my view c**p!!!!!
Lucy
I need to be a bit careful here but....... Everything has a price for a reason!
MrEktion
15-07-2004, 06:07
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by lal[
Can I just clear something up, Air Atlanta DO NOT operate Manchester - Orlando for Virgin!! They did ONCE for a few weeks serveral years ago when they had a plane shortage. Virgin operate the Manchester flights on there own planes which are ex leased planes from Air Atlanta but now re registered in UK regs and possbly even re owned by Virgin (they owned them originally). They are definitly not the same interiors!!!.....
.....Having flown with both I would not fly with Air Atlanta again!! And TCD are a no no in my view c**p!!!!!
Lucy
[/quote]
Hi Lucy,
I agree with you mostly, except unfortunately Virgin don't own the planes they use from Manchester, they do lease them from Air Atlanta. This is probably because Virgin don't have any 747-200's in their fleet so they were better to sell them to Air Atlanta and wet lease them back. You are of course right in saying they are different interiors and crewed by Virgin not by Air Atlanta Europe.
On a more general note about TCD from Manchester
I too have flown with both and the seating is the same in Economy 31-32 inch pitch. Given the choice I'd pick Virgin over Air Atlanta or TCD if everything was equal. The problem is it isn't often equal.
Whilst Virgin give seat back TV's, a choc ice during the in-flight movies and a backpack with some toiletries, socks etc (or they did last time I flew with them), TCD are usually from Manchester (not always, but usually) £200-£300 per person cheaper off peak. Granted in Peak July and August I think this is much narrower. So you pays your money and you make your choice Seat back TV?, Choc Ice? Backpack or £1800 between 6 of you to spend in Orlando.
Having last flown with Virgin in 2000 and flown 4 times with TCD since 2002 you can see my choice and that has been a major contributing factor to going 4 times in 2 years. Never had a problem, never had a bad flight, maybe just lucky - who knows.
Given that every other Charter that flys to Orlando is 29 inch seat pitch if you want a direct flight from Manchester with a bit of legroom then it is Virgin or TCD and without TCD for competition who knows what the Virgin fare would be. Seeing as VS75 is always overbooked and many people end up bumped onto Continentals flights via Newark I think a bit of competition is very healthy on this route.
If you want your flight to be an experience go Virgin if you see the plane as a big bus to Orlando look carefully at TCD's prices (including all the extras[msnmad])and you could save a packet.
Mr E.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by RIS
I need to be a bit careful here but....... Everything has a price for a reason!
[/quote]
I totally agree!!
Lucy
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by MrEktion
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by lal[
Can I just clear something up, Air Atlanta DO NOT operate Manchester - Orlando for Virgin!! They did ONCE for a few weeks serveral years ago when they had a plane shortage. Virgin operate the Manchester flights on there own planes which are ex leased planes from Air Atlanta but now re registered in UK regs and possbly even re owned by Virgin (they owned them originally). They are definitly not the same interiors!!!.....
.....Having flown with both I would not fly with Air Atlanta again!! And TCD are a no no in my view c**p!!!!!
Lucy
[/quote]
Hi Lucy,
I agree with you mostly, except unfortunately Virgin don't own the planes they use from Manchester, they do lease them from Air Atlanta. This is probably because Virgin don't have any 747-200's in their fleet so they were better to sell them to Air Atlanta and wet lease them back. You are of course right in saying they are different interiors and crewed by Virgin not by Air Atlanta Europe.
On a more general note about TCD from Manchester
I too have flown with both and the seating is the same in Economy 31-32 inch pitch. Given the choice I'd pick Virgin over Air Atlanta or TCD if everything was equal. The problem is it isn't often equal.
Whilst Virgin give seat back TV's, a choc ice during the in-flight movies and a backpack with some toiletries, socks etc (or they did last time I flew with them), TCD are usually from Manchester (not always, but usually) £200-£300 per person cheaper off peak. Granted in Peak July and August I think this is much narrower. So you pays your money and you make your choice Seat back TV?, Choc Ice? Backpack or £1800 between 6 of you to spend in Orlando.
Having last flown with Virgin in 2000 and flown 4 times with TCD since 2002 you can see my choice and that has been a major contributing factor to going 4 times in 2 years. Never had a problem, never had a bad flight, maybe just lucky - who knows.
Given that every other Charter that flys to Orlando is 29 inch seat pitch if you want a direct flight from Manchester with a bit of legroom then it is Virgin or TCD and without TCD for competition who knows what the Virgin fare would be. Seeing as VS75 is always overbooked and many people end up bumped onto Continentals flights via Newark I think a bit of competition is very healthy on this route.
If you want your flight to be an experience go Virgin if you see the plane as a big bus to Orlando look carefully at TCD's prices (including all the extras[msnmad])and you could save a packet.
Mr E.
[/quote]
Mr E,
You may or may not be right about the ownership of Virgins aircraft, but I have it from a source that when they recently re registered the aircraft with UK reg they also took back ownership?
I agree with a previous post that everything is priced for a reason.
I also agree that competition for Virgin is very healthy and I wish BA would get a slot from Man!
The Man flight is not overbooked all year and thats why they have not introduced a second flight a la Gatwick (I spoke to one of the flight planning managers recently).
For me my choice of airline goes deeper than the seat pitch and the ice cream. I pay for premium on my airline of choice, if Virgin is full rather than going with TCD I would go BA via Gatwick or US Airways.
Freedom of choice!
Lucy
MrEktion
15-07-2004, 17:30
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by lal[br
Mr E,
You may or may not be right about the ownership of Virgins aircraft, but I have it from a source that when they recently re registered the aircraft with UK reg they also took back ownership?
I agree with a previous post that everything is priced for a reason.
I also agree that competition for Virgin is very healthy and I wish BA would get a slot from Man!
The Man flight is not overbooked all year and thats why they have not introduced a second flight a la Gatwick (I spoke to one of the flight planning managers recently).
For me my choice of airline goes deeper than the seat pitch and the ice cream. I pay for premium on my airline of choice, if Virgin is full rather than going with TCD I would go BA via Gatwick or US Airways.
Freedom of choice!
Lucy
[/quote]
Hi Lucy
I have to go direct I am afraid as I have a small child and the journey needs to be as short as possible, but I agree a non-direct route is an option too!
I am all for freedom of choice hence my post above, all I am saying is you had a TCD bad experience and I have had 4 good ones therefore it doesn't mean we should denegrate anybody elses choice by saying they are c**p. For you they were, they havn't been for me so far! (hostage to fortune alert [msnsmile2]).
BTW the info I got about Virgin's re-registered (G-VBEE and G-VSSS) planes was from the fleet listings page Jethros-i12
the links are as follows:-
Air Atlanta Fleet
http://www.jethros.i12.com/FLEETS/Listings/AIR_ATLANTA.htm
Virgin Fleet
http://www.jethros.i12.com/FLEETS/Listings/VIRGIN_ATLANTIC.html
I think the re-registering is possibly due to Air Atlanta Europe taking over the leasing , now the have a full operators licence, from Air Atlanta Icelandic. Many of AAE planes also leased to Excel have GB registrations.
Mr E.
We flew Air Atlanta from MAN in March, on the way out the film didnt work and on the way back the service was extremely poor.
Another thing, i'm 6'4" so we booked xtra legroom seats, we were told these were definately only the seats at the side next to exits when we booked, but when we checked in they gave us the middle row infront of the screen. These seat do give you more knee room, but you cant stretch your legs out due to the wall. Additionally these seats have a different setup for the entertainment console, for some strange reason the headphones plug into the side not the front, this means the jack plug is constantly stuck into the side of your leg.
Not a pleasant experiance, and not a airline i would recommend, seeing as you are asking.
Better luck with your trip.[msnwink]
Neil
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by MrEktion
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by lal[br
Mr E,
You may or may not be right about the ownership of Virgins aircraft, but I have it from a source that when they recently re registered the aircraft with UK reg they also took back ownership?
I agree with a previous post that everything is priced for a reason.
I also agree that competition for Virgin is very healthy and I wish BA would get a slot from Man!
The Man flight is not overbooked all year and thats why they have not introduced a second flight a la Gatwick (I spoke to one of the flight planning managers recently).
For me my choice of airline goes deeper than the seat pitch and the ice cream. I pay for premium on my airline of choice, if Virgin is full rather than going with TCD I would go BA via Gatwick or US Airways.
Freedom of choice!
Lucy
[/quote]
Hi Lucy
I have to go direct I am afraid as I have a small child and the journey needs to be as short as possible, but I agree a non-direct route is an option too!
I am all for freedom of choice hence my post above, all I am saying is you had a TCD bad experience and I have had 4 good ones therefore it doesn't mean we should denegrate anybody elses choice by saying they are c**p. For you they were, they havn't been for me so far! (hostage to fortune alert [msnsmile2]).
BTW the info I got about Virgin's re-registered (G-VBEE and G-VSSS) planes was from the fleet listings page Jethros-i12
the links are as follows:-
Air Atlanta Fleet
http://www.jethros.i12.com/FLEETS/Listings/AIR_ATLANTA.htm
Virgin Fleet
http://www.jethros.i12.com/FLEETS/Listings/VIRGIN_ATLANTIC.html
I think the re-registering is possibly due to Air Atlanta Europe taking over the leasing , now the have a full operators licence, from Air Atlanta Icelandic. Many of AAE planes also leased to Excel have GB registrations.
Mr E.
[/quote]
Mr E,
I did not have a bad experience with TCD as I would not and have not flown with them - you missed my point when I said my choice of airline goes deeper than the seat pitch and the icecream, I consider many things when I book a flight, and as I have children I know where you are coming from my youngest is 2. I would not fly TCD if they were the only direct flight, I would stagger my journey and go via Gatwick as my first choice, maybe go down the day before to make it easy on the children.
When I book a flight I always believe you get what you pay for, by that I mean hidden things that most people would not even think about but I do!
As another post stated if its cheap its cheap for a reason - for me flying with Virgin or BA gives me peace of mind for the what if's..........what if one of my family got ill or had a heart attack, not all airlines carry the correct equipment or training to deal with this event................what if we have an emergency, not all airlines have the same proceedures or again the high levels of training......................what if something goes wrong with the aircraft, not all airlines have then same high levels of maintenence as I know BA and Virgin do (I know of a well known airline who had a engine drop of on landing at Manchester because they had not used the correct rivets!!!), so as I said before my choice of airline goes much deeper than cabin service.
I choose to go to Florida less often but stay for longer so I can save and go premium with Virgin, however if BA flew from Manchester it would be great to have the choice of 2 great experienced scheduled airlines.
Just my view :):):):)
If Air Atlanta use ex virgin planes should that not mean they should be at least ok?
I am going in october from gatwick, (Virgin were sold out) and am now dreading it.
Thanks
Carrie.l
Nostromo
16-07-2004, 19:10
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by carrie
If Air Atlanta use ex virgin planes should that not mean they should be at least ok?
I am going in october from gatwick, (Virgin were sold out) and am now dreading it.
Thanks
Carrie.l
[/quote]
You should be all right. I would have thought all planes have to undergo statutory checks whichever airline they belong to? Virgin would not have sold them because they were faulty - more likely that they wanted larger planes to suit increasing traffic or some new tech introduction. All aircraft carrying passengers should have a Certificate of Airworthiness, similar to our MOT.:)
Thanks Nostromo, i do feel better now, i was just worried as all i had heard about them was not terribly good.
Carrief
I think people need to put this into context. You should not worry about taking a flight out of the uk with any airline. Yes there are different standards with different airlines,we are going out with BA in November. However as we all know air travel has a safety record second to none and the chance of your plane having a problem is tiny.The worst thing that could happen would be poor service and food as we had with American Airlines two years ago. Just look forward to your holiday and enjoy.
cheers yorkie you are so right.
armagedon
17-07-2004, 21:50
Hi, we have just got back after taking a fly drive with TCD, the plane was operated by air atlanta, going out the plane was OK had seat back t'vs however you could not change what you wanted to watch, it was set program routine and only one film. Coming back really old 747 no TVs in back of seats only one at the front of each cabin area, my mother is disabled and we had prebooked seats next to the toilets, going out fine next to the toilet, i made sure at checkin as i always ask where we are sat. On the way back i checked at checkin that we had the seats near the toilets, yes we had, fine get on the plane no where near the toilets 15 rows in front of them. Needless to say we were not happy and the cabin crew couldnt change them because they said no one would swop seats. Another point the drinks are free, however they only came round with them once(except for tea and coffee) after that you had to go and ask for them yourself. The food was pretty poor also, choice of 3 meals, by the time it got to us no choice it was sausage and mash, and the continental breakfast on the return flight was a cup of tea and a banana muffin. But you get what you pay for and the flights were cheap, if i had have paid more i would have been really anoyned
all the best
mark
deniseb90
26-07-2004, 16:41
Carrie, my fellow Air Atalanta flyer in October! I was as worried as you reading these posts but rest assured it can't be anywhere as bad as when I flew American Trans Air! No film, no food, no alcohol a refuel in Gander and a broken down engine on the way home - I've flown Virgin and BA but I will not pay an extra £400 for a 9 hour flight! It's only 9 hours why do people moan so much about food and films - surely the whole idea is that it gets you there safely and as soon as you get off the thing it's forgotten! I say don't worry - enjoy your holiday!
Hi Denise, you are so right, i am not woried anymore like you say, as long as i get there safely that should be all that matters, i never watch the films anyway.
Have a great holiday too. when are you going in Oct we fly out on 23rd from Gatwick.
Carrie
Having looked at this problem for a long time we now use USAirways whenever possible, 34" seat pitch on the Gatwick/Orlando and Manchester/Orlando Airbus 330s and usually better prices than Virgin. In fact there was a 1 day sale last week which I used to book flights for 4 adults and 1 child for ..... £926!!!(thanks to a link on the bargains forum!).
karenhaworth
28-07-2004, 21:44
Just got back on Sunday having flown with Air Atlanta.
Seat Back Videos did not work going out and none on way back ( Although I did sleep most of the way back)
Menu does not seem to have changed and service was so-so.
I had no concerns regarding safety and it got us there and back.
Again with 8 of us price was the consideration and we got what we paid for.
Colin Haworth
I came back from Florida yesterday flying with Air Atlanta. The aircraft was a Boeing 747 200 series and although the airline was the above, the aircraft's markings were City Travel Direct. I hate flying and am usually only even slightly comfortable with carriers I have heard of on scheduled services. There were 2 hitches on both outbound and return flights - but this is not a horror story so please read on - in fact I felt extremely reassured by the airline's decisions regarding safety. On the outbound flight it hadn't been expected that the flight would be fully booked and Cardiff's runway wasn't long enough for a fully laden jumbo, so we had to take off with a small amount of fuel, land at Shannon Airport in Ireland, fully refuel and then continue our flight to Florida. On the return flight, a technical problem with one of the fuel pumps to one of the engines had been detected resulting in a spare part having to be flown in from the UK delaying the flight by 26 hours. We were well looked after, accommodated in a very nice hotel and all our meals were provided. Fellow passengers were irritated and annoyed, but I have to say I was extremely reassured by the approach of the airline in that they would not take any risks. The aircraft was old (I could tell from the interior), the food wasn't so good and the in flight entertainment on the way back was 2 good films, although viewed by an old fashioned screen rather than from the back of the seats. The cabin crew were very helpful and friendly. I can cope with a slightly tatty interior so long as no corners are cut regarding safety - and I can confirm that this is definitely the case with Air Atlanta. I am also sure that the latter hitch could occur with any airline.
Thyanks for that info Suzanne it is really reaasuring, i am going in oct with AA, so glad you were well looked after and you are safety first, i was worried initially as you will see from previous posts, but you guys and all your advice and experiences have put my mind totally at rest.
LOL
Carrie
deniseb90
09-08-2004, 15:51
Safety is the most important thing after all! This happened to me when I came back from Orlando on American TransAir. We had to be put in a hotel and flew out the next morning - it was incovenient but it's better than getting on a defective plane!
Every airline suffers these problems, it's no-ones fault and I for one, who is flying on Air Atlanta on 30 September feel very reassured that they are safety conscious - so what if the films are old!