Wondering myself what is happening at Excel - had the misfortune to fly with them to Greece 2 weeks ago (and just returned this morning). Our outbound flight from Manchester was delayed - but we were only told 20 minutes prior to boarding. We were shunted round Manchester from gate to gate until 2 and a half hours later we were loaded onto the aircraft. After another 20 minutes sitting on the ground going nowhere my partner went up to a memberof the Cabin Crew who informed her that a pilot had called in sick the previous day, someone had forgotten to tell the appropriate person and so they were 1 crew short - and there was no one to replace them. We were told eventually by an airline rep that the replacement was coming from Gatwick!!! Is this the norm with them then??