We flew with them last year to Greece. You can book to florida (flight only with them). They were OK.
DOM
We flew with them last year to Greece. You can book to florida (flight only with them). They were OK.
DOM
Dominic & Melanie Graham
Hi Folks,
I promised to report back on Excel after our flight from Newcastle/Sanford.
It started off well as we were loaded into an Air Atlanta 747.
Surprise! I didn't think Newcastle could handle 747s yet. Reality is - they can't!! Apparently this 747 was by way of an experiment
and nobdy had done their homework as to how long it takes to refuel
one.
Result - 2 hours later we were still in a very warm jet waiting yet another fuel truck. (I think some of the parents of hungry and hot young children were about ready to organise a bucket chain for the aviation fuel!
Almost 3 hours after scheduled takeoff we were slowly heading along the taxiway when the crew announced that they would have to move some passengers as a safety check had shown a bent pin in an emergency door so they had to move people near that door.
Taxied a little further then the captain said there was a vibration sensor light had come on in the cockpit and they had to summon an engineer. Fortunately there was a spare on hand which was fitted within 20 mins. The captain then announced that he needed to test the engine at pressure and was not allowed to do that on the taxiway so was awaiting a tug to move us to a test area. More discussions with the tower and he was allowed to run the test in situ.[clap][clap]
Take off followed - 4 hours late. As soon as we were in the air the cabin crew informed us that there were two in flight films, but the ground crew had packed the wrong headsets which did not fit the 747s [msnmad][msnmad] They could still show the films but needed to run the sound over the PA. So half of it was inaudible and the rest was interrupted by announcements. At least we had seat back screens
and slightly better seat pitch.
I'll give them the benefit of the doubt I thought. Maybe the return journey will be better?? - Some hopes [msnscared]
rang Sanford to check on return flight and was informed that there was a 4 hour delay on the incoming plane (something about a fuelling problem -- surprise [msnoo][msnoo]
Arrived at Sanford and waited - we got issued a $5 voucher each after 4 hours wait. (Do these people realise what $5 buys in Sanford airport?? a cup of tea or cofee and some cookies - cheers) [beer]
finally the plane arrived. An Excel badged 767 - 300. On boarding
the complaints came thick and fast as the seat pitch was the smallest I have ever,ever experienced in all my years travelling.
The cabin staff had several bad tempered spats with irate passengers.
True its not their fault, they can't redesign the plane, but they are the frontline reps for the company!
Now I would say I'm average height, being about 5ft 11 (and slightly overweight at 13 stone) but I found my legs wedged against the seat in front with no chance of movement sideways. A six foot six rugby player decided to relocate to the empty seat in front of me thus blocking the slight view I had of the video screen (Oh yes! did I mention that there were just two small screens for the whole aircraft?) When the meals came round the next shock arrived as the seat back table would not open flat. Meals had to be eaten at a slant![msnsad] Arrived back 4 .5 hours late at Newcastle. The clues came from the instructions in Spanish on the seat backs. This is a plane designed for short haul hops to the continent where lack of legroom is an inconvenience - not a eight to nine hour long haul aircraft where no leg room can mean painful backs and legs, or worse DVT. Maybe the ensuing court case will be what it will take to make the charter companies finally listen.
Just composing letter to the Chairman of Excelair, but if the
"cavalier" attitude of the staff stems from the top I don't hold out much hopes!![gun][gun]
Also writing to Newcastle airport as somebody MUST know how long their fuel trucks take to fill a 747!!
Kevin
Oh dear Kevin, doesn't sound too good, but what about the holiday itself was that great, and are you going to treat us to a trip report?[msnsmile2]
Liz
The holiday was brilliant Liz, thankyou - and yes I will be giving a trip report. (As soon as I've finished writing to all concerned with the flights!)
[msnsad]
It was a landmark birthday for my wife during our stay and we arranged one or two treats so we had a great time.
Most forum members know that I do not moan a great deal and try to keep a balanced and light hearted view, but having travelled with pretty much all of the major charter and scheduled carriers including BA, Virgin, Monarch, Thomas Cook, Britannia, Air 2000, Airtours/Mytravel, KLM etc. I have always been of the opinion "Well it's only 8.5 hours or so" and resigned myself to the breakdowns, delays and cramped conditions as they occurred. When you get ALL of these from one company in both directions, I feel it's time to complain.
Judging from the mood of the other passengers, especially ones with babies and very young children, I will not be the only one.
Kevin
Kevin
Your experience doesn't look like a one off either. I had friends travelled on the same outbound flight as you.
Their holiday was only for a week and the flight they returned on was delayed for 2 hours and they had problems with the in-flight entertainment so it meant they had delays and no entertainment both ways!
[msnsad]
Christine
I'm sure its not an isolated event as they seem ill equipped for long haul flights. I had already booked another flight via them for Sept. but am seriously thinking of cancelling and trying for the Sat. flight with Monarch.
I notice from BATA website that minimum seat pitch is 28" including an allowance for seat thickness and that Excelair declare a 30"
seat pitch on their long haul flights. The 747 might have been 30"
but the 767 - no way!! more like 25 or less. It really was uncomfortably tight legroom. Did your friends comment on the legroom?
Kevin
Kevin
On the return flight they said that the plane was a different type to that going out.
They said the leg room was bad and they were sitting at the back of one of the sections and were unable to recline their seats!
On a positive note they said the food was very nice. Doesn't quite make up for the rest of the problems though.
Sounds like the same plane then. I've travelled on 767 - 300s before many times and not had a problem, but this one seems to have more seat rows, making legroom much tighter.
On the plus side , they did get us there and back safely and the food was OK. One strange thing was that the lady in the next seat to me had paid extra for food (and more legroom !) We were through a different company and meals were included in the ticket price. As far as I could see, there were no "premium" seats on that plane as the seats were economy type from the cockpit back.
Kevin
oh crikey Kevin! this sounds horrendos!!! i should think at times like this i will be saying, "thank goodness for Virgin" havent had them sort of problems yet, have decided to go with Virgin, i feel better the devil you know!
Liesa
We went to Egypt with Excel. It was very good. leather seats and good leg room as standard.
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