XLwho?

[KevinT]

Just been informed by our flight arranger that our May'05 charter
from Newcastle to Sanford (previously Thomas Cook)will now be Excel Air. Having never heard of them before (and in view of Mytravel problems!) I am curious to know whether any forum members have used them. ExcelAir apparently use Boeing 767s. Having just got nicely used to the newer Airbus 300s this seems a bit of a backward move.
[msnsad]

[SunLover]

Hmmmmm sorry Kevin, we haven't heard of them either.

Is it perhaps a franchise of the original company you booked through ?

[KevinT]

Hi Chris/Peter,
Don't know about the franchise. The travel company say XLAir have been operating out of Manchester for some time now and gave me their website to check out. Having travelled with Virgin, BA, Monarch, Airtours, Thomas Cook,Air 2000,Brittania, KLM, Martinair and Continental I thought I'd tried them all apart from the American airlnes (& Coconut Airways!!)
Life's full of surprises and shocks. Lets hope that Pontius is not the pilot and the toilets are indoors.[laugh][laugh]

[steph_goodrum]

My sister flew with Excel to Greece last year but don't know any details about plane of flight etc. so they haven't just sprung up overnight.

[linda allen]

I have seen their aircraft at Manchester airport. I think they were called something different before.

Excel Air are very frequent at Manchester they use 737 on European routes and 767 on longhaul. Got this of the web site............

At Excel Airways, we like to think your holiday starts when arrive at the airport and does not finish until you come back through customs. Your flight is an important part of your holiday because a good journey will set you off on the right foot. At Excel Airways, we will do everything we can to make your flight as enjoyable as possible.

Cabin

All excelairways Caribbean long haul aircraft are fully fitted with leather seats and co-ordinating headrest covers, the seats are ergonomically designed for greater comfort and have a generous seat pitch of at least 32"(larger than most other airlines). Blankets and pillows are provided for extra comfort.

Dining

Tasty hot meals are served free of charge on all Excel Airways flights to the Caribbean. There is a choice of entrée followed by complimentary tea, coffee or squash for the kids and an after dinner chocolate. Juice and water is also served throughout the flight.

Also available new and exciting menus for our younger passengers when pre-booked via our pre-flight department and a free kids pack to keep them amused throughout the flight and when on holiday, allowing you more time to enjoy your flight.

Entertainment

Relax and enjoy our in-flight entertainment available on all flights, where there is something for everyone's taste from comedy shorts to pop music, documentaries to cartoons. On our longer sectors you will be able to watch the most up to date movies which are changed monthly or sit back, close your eyes and listen to one of our eight audio channels choosing between classical and jazz, dance in your seat to the chart sounds or dance tracks or if you prefer listen our kids channel or laugh along to our comedy channel.

A complimentary newspaper is offered on all flights returning to the UK.

Duty Free

A great new range of snacks, gifts cosmetics and fragrances to suit everyone's style and pocket. For those of you in the driving seat upon arrival you can also purchase tea, coffee and hot chocolate.

Hope this helps??

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

You see them at Manchester all the time.

[SunLover]

Ahhh that's why we didn't recognise the name... we are Gatwick boys [msnwink]

[Matt]

They have an even bigger base at LGW SunLover!!

There is also talk of them merging with Air Atlanta Icelandic in the new year so we could see some 747s on the long haul routes. Air Atlanta are the mob who lease aircraft such as the Virgin flights used out of MAN.

Excel have their own routes but also lease there aircraft to other airlines.

Just a snippet of info for you all

Matt

[KevinT]

Thanks all (especially Lucy for the clips from the Excel promo material) Probably won't have the luxury of 32" seat pitch or leather seats on the Florida flight (I could certainly live with that!!)but it does make me a little more optimistic. I was just kinda getting used to Thomas Cook too!!

Thankyou and a Happy Christmas to all.[xmas2]