First Choice
Join Date: Oct 2001
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I recently flew LGW-HOG-LGW on a new FCA B763 with the new interior (leather seats, seat back video etc) and was very impressed with the aircraft. Seat pich in the rear cabin was also very good and talking to some of the folks in the front of the a/c in the Premier Star Class they were impressed as well. The negative points were poor standard of catering on both sectors and some of the cabin crew could have done with a charisma injection. And before anyone says it, besides being there for your safety, it's their job to be pleasant to the customers and not act as though they are doing us a favour by serving us. Also be aware that the IFE package in the Star Class is basic and you will have to pay an additional £5 each way to upgrade to the full package.
Just a word of warning for those folks going to HOG. Besides a 25 Convertible Peso Departure Tax, you will be charged excess baggage charges. Even though our suitcases were lighter ex HOG than they were ex LGW (where we were not charged excess baggage), we were 4 kgs over total for the two of us and were charged nearly £30 for the privilege so beware. I cannot gripe at this as my ticket clearly stated 20kg allowance, but to be charged 2 kgs excess on a Charter Flight was somewhat unusual.
Well done FCA, you have certainly set the standard cabin wise for the other operators. I have worked in the industry for a long time and flown with numerous operators and your new cabin is like a breath of fresh air. (I don't and never have worked for First Choice).
Temps
Just a word of warning for those folks going to HOG. Besides a 25 Convertible Peso Departure Tax, you will be charged excess baggage charges. Even though our suitcases were lighter ex HOG than they were ex LGW (where we were not charged excess baggage), we were 4 kgs over total for the two of us and were charged nearly £30 for the privilege so beware. I cannot gripe at this as my ticket clearly stated 20kg allowance, but to be charged 2 kgs excess on a Charter Flight was somewhat unusual.
Well done FCA, you have certainly set the standard cabin wise for the other operators. I have worked in the industry for a long time and flown with numerous operators and your new cabin is like a breath of fresh air. (I don't and never have worked for First Choice).
Temps
Last edited by Tempsford; 23rd May 2005 at 09:18.
Join Date: Oct 2004
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FCA were badly let down by G-OOBK. It spent months having the interior kitted out and it looks superb. However, it has been badly hit by 'no go' tech problems. Remove the a/c from a fleet of three and you get huge logistical problems replacing it.
When the additional a/c arrive the service will settle into one of the best in the UK!
When the additional a/c arrive the service will settle into one of the best in the UK!
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Being a fairly frequent visitor to Sanford I recently booked 4 seats on FCA from Manchester on the 11th June at an inflated price in the hope of testing their new seating.
Will not be too jolly if we end up going via Bangor. Does anyone know what chances we have of getting the 757?
Will not be too jolly if we end up going via Bangor. Does anyone know what chances we have of getting the 757?
Join Date: Sep 2004
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bradfordboy
Looks like you might just about be OK if FCA get their RS into gear!
If they were behind schedule 4 weeks ago when I took the 757 Canadian Mystery Tour to Montego Bay, then someone should be strung up if the B767 STILL hasn't pitched up by Jun. Penalty clauses only go so far.
I wonder what happens to people who booked the super - - super dooper class seats on the B767? As the B757 is all basically cattle class, then what recompence would those upgraded to the comparatively posh bit up front get?
Surely a mere refund of the upgrade cost isn't sufficient? After all, the very availability of these seats may have been a deciding factor in booking the trip...
Looks like you might just about be OK if FCA get their RS into gear!
If they were behind schedule 4 weeks ago when I took the 757 Canadian Mystery Tour to Montego Bay, then someone should be strung up if the B767 STILL hasn't pitched up by Jun. Penalty clauses only go so far.
I wonder what happens to people who booked the super - - super dooper class seats on the B767? As the B757 is all basically cattle class, then what recompence would those upgraded to the comparatively posh bit up front get?
Surely a mere refund of the upgrade cost isn't sufficient? After all, the very availability of these seats may have been a deciding factor in booking the trip...
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why did they not refurbish their own 763's during the winter or were the 10 year leases up ?
does anyone know if the 757 (G-OOBA) they were using from Man/Gla to Sanford was still in short haul configuration or was changed to longer pitch and leather seating like G-OOOX was when it was on a private lease to TCS Expeditions
does anyone know if the 757 (G-OOBA) they were using from Man/Gla to Sanford was still in short haul configuration or was changed to longer pitch and leather seating like G-OOOX was when it was on a private lease to TCS Expeditions
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At a guess, the aircraft I flew to MJB on was still in short-haul config. Certainly no leather seats, and it felt like less room than the BY763 that brought us back (thankfully direct) to MAN.
Short-haul config, coupled with tech-stop in Canada, amounted to a less than pleasant travelling experience.
Many years ago, I travelled 3 times with AMM (B757) to BGI, and went via Bangor each time. Had I known at the time of booking that my MJB flight would be following this pattern, it might have influenced my decision.
All we got however, was a letter explaining the situation at check-in.
Short-haul config, coupled with tech-stop in Canada, amounted to a less than pleasant travelling experience.
Many years ago, I travelled 3 times with AMM (B757) to BGI, and went via Bangor each time. Had I known at the time of booking that my MJB flight would be following this pattern, it might have influenced my decision.
All we got however, was a letter explaining the situation at check-in.
Join Date: Jun 2001
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afterdark,
AL came to the end of it's lease in April. By that time BK (not used by FCA before) was online, but delivered late (almost 1 month), by the maintainance organisation in AUH.
AN should have been back from refit in AUH by the time AL left. It was not, and again was delivered to FCA about 1 month late. For a period of several weeks FCA were left with only one 767 during April. A 767 was wet leased in from Holland for 2 weeks to help cover, but passenger response/reliability/punctuality was even worse than operating on our own 757's!! Examples being Mexico flights having to operate via AMS as Mexican authorities would not allow a non 'G' registered aircraft to operate into Mexico from the UK.
BL should have been delivered by the start of May, and yes, again, is about 1 month behind. Due now beginning of June. The first couple of weeks of May only required 2 767's to operate, but as of then 3. Hence until BL arrives, some flights have to be downgraded to 757, or subbed out. Most have been downgraded, using 757's in the normal 233 config. Even so this has resulted in 20+ seats not being available on the day, and those pax being rebooked to destination with Virgin or any other UK operator.
This weekend some flights are being operated by an Iceland 767 whilst BL's arrival is still awaited. The vast majority of FCA long haul IS being operated by it's own 767's. Pax response on these flights is EXTREMELY good, and the cabin config is definately a winner. I travelled on one 'down the back' only a few days ago, and found it comfortable with no leg room issues at all.
AL came to the end of it's lease in April. By that time BK (not used by FCA before) was online, but delivered late (almost 1 month), by the maintainance organisation in AUH.
AN should have been back from refit in AUH by the time AL left. It was not, and again was delivered to FCA about 1 month late. For a period of several weeks FCA were left with only one 767 during April. A 767 was wet leased in from Holland for 2 weeks to help cover, but passenger response/reliability/punctuality was even worse than operating on our own 757's!! Examples being Mexico flights having to operate via AMS as Mexican authorities would not allow a non 'G' registered aircraft to operate into Mexico from the UK.
BL should have been delivered by the start of May, and yes, again, is about 1 month behind. Due now beginning of June. The first couple of weeks of May only required 2 767's to operate, but as of then 3. Hence until BL arrives, some flights have to be downgraded to 757, or subbed out. Most have been downgraded, using 757's in the normal 233 config. Even so this has resulted in 20+ seats not being available on the day, and those pax being rebooked to destination with Virgin or any other UK operator.
This weekend some flights are being operated by an Iceland 767 whilst BL's arrival is still awaited. The vast majority of FCA long haul IS being operated by it's own 767's. Pax response on these flights is EXTREMELY good, and the cabin config is definately a winner. I travelled on one 'down the back' only a few days ago, and found it comfortable with no leg room issues at all.
Examples being Mexico flights having to operate via AMS as Mexican authorities would not allow a non 'G' registered aircraft to operate into Mexico from the UK.
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Pax response on these flights is EXTREMELY good, and the cabin config is definately a winner. I travelled on one 'down the back' only a few days ago, and found it comfortable with no leg room issues at all.]
The whole point of this thread was to highlight the disapointment suffered by most passengers boarding these flights, I appreciate that things can go wrong with anything at anytime, but, to sell holidays, long haul at that, blowing a trumpet about their excellent new cabins with lots of legroom, comfort and IFE, then upon arrival to check in you are told you will be squeezed like sardines on an aircraft with what i assume to be low grade IFE if any not to mention a fuel stop on route, should this be acceptable ?
the least in my humble opinion they should have done was reconfigure the seating.
Buzz
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the least in my humble opinion they should have done was reconfigure the seating
I understand it must be very disappointing to not get the super aircraft expected. I am not trying to support FCA with this, just guessing why they wouldn't give extra legroom on the replacement 757.
Sorry if I've misunderstood you.
flyingbee
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afterdark,
Yes I fully agree there is dissapointment - I would be also at having booked (at least partially) on this basis.
Bottom line is FCA have been let down with delivery dates on these aircraft, the delivery dates promised were realistic, however not achieved by the third party maintainance contractor in AUH responsible for the refits.
As pointed out, to refit the 757 is at least a days work, in fact 2 are given prior to a TCS charter. This is not possible at the last minute with other 'normal' summer program commitment on the aircraft.
The answer I suppose would be to do what any low cost carrier does when there is a problem, or even large scheduled airline in fact - cancel the service!! Now, how many would like that at the last minute on a 2 week holiday compared with a 757 flight - I really suspect not many!!!
There's NO painless solution - but perhaps the less of 2 evils............
30W
Yes I fully agree there is dissapointment - I would be also at having booked (at least partially) on this basis.
Bottom line is FCA have been let down with delivery dates on these aircraft, the delivery dates promised were realistic, however not achieved by the third party maintainance contractor in AUH responsible for the refits.
As pointed out, to refit the 757 is at least a days work, in fact 2 are given prior to a TCS charter. This is not possible at the last minute with other 'normal' summer program commitment on the aircraft.
The answer I suppose would be to do what any low cost carrier does when there is a problem, or even large scheduled airline in fact - cancel the service!! Now, how many would like that at the last minute on a 2 week holiday compared with a 757 flight - I really suspect not many!!!
There's NO painless solution - but perhaps the less of 2 evils............
30W
Join Date: Apr 2004
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A friend of mine is due to fly Manchester to Sanford tomorrow. He was advised last week that the new style aircraft wasn't available and told he will be travelling on an Icelandic aircraft.
They also said they hoped that he would return on the refurbished aircraft.
They have refunded all the cost of upgrading for the trip both ways, even though he may get what he paid for coming back.
He is quite happy as they have bothered to tell him in advance, they have paid his money back and he still has a chance of upgraded service on the return.
So looks like they are making a reasonable fist of keeping their customers informed and I think they should be applauded for this.
How many other carriers bother to do this?
They also said they hoped that he would return on the refurbished aircraft.
They have refunded all the cost of upgrading for the trip both ways, even though he may get what he paid for coming back.
He is quite happy as they have bothered to tell him in advance, they have paid his money back and he still has a chance of upgraded service on the return.
So looks like they are making a reasonable fist of keeping their customers informed and I think they should be applauded for this.
How many other carriers bother to do this?
Join Date: Oct 2004
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The Loftleider aircraft was at MAN today, looked clean and tidy!
At least FCA have called the pax to tell them, gives them a fightening chance to get DVT socks before the cramped journey!
Hehehe!!!
At least FCA have called the pax to tell them, gives them a fightening chance to get DVT socks before the cramped journey!
Hehehe!!!
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I am glad to hear that First Choice have been informing passengers ( or some at least ) of the expected aircraft unavailability, the family I took to the airport on day of travel to Sanford were actually looking forward to the trip and I was looking forward to picking them up and finding out how good the flight was in respect to the other charter flights we have had together accross to Sanford.
In respect to a days work to refit a 757 and i would think that they had more than the two days notice that they have for the TCS charters.. This transatlantic flight for a 757 was not a one-off they were using it for a few flights so they could have kept the aircraft in a decent seat pitch config. couldnt they ?
I aint knocking FCA, I think their new long haul service is a breath of fresh air, good luck with it and i hope it grows from strength to strength, I just thought maybe they could have done a little more than they did on this occasion.
In respect to a days work to refit a 757 and i would think that they had more than the two days notice that they have for the TCS charters.. This transatlantic flight for a 757 was not a one-off they were using it for a few flights so they could have kept the aircraft in a decent seat pitch config. couldnt they ?
I aint knocking FCA, I think their new long haul service is a breath of fresh air, good luck with it and i hope it grows from strength to strength, I just thought maybe they could have done a little more than they did on this occasion.
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"In respect to a days work to refit a 757 and i would think that they had more than the two days notice that they have for the TCS charters.. This transatlantic flight for a 757 was not a one-off they were using it for a few flights so they could have kept the aircraft in a decent seat pitch config. couldnt they ?"
Theoretically yes, but you forget the 2 days worth of refitting before, and after the transatlantic flights. The summer season is up and running, and these 4 lost days may well have meant a lack of an aircraft for several European flights, meaning big delays for them and their passengers.
One forgets also that the TCS config is for 88 seats, so out of say 256 booked passengers, there are no seats for what, 168 pax when they arrive........ Finding alternative seats elsewhere for that volume of people is next to impossible, and if some of those are put onto other UK charter flights going the same direction, they will have the same seat pitch as on an FCA 757. Finding seats elsewhere for for 23 or so (256-233) passengers is a much different ballgame.
In short, to move 88 people in TCS config actually creates a much larger problem, and in the end those displaced off the flight will probably find themselves travelling in small split numbers on other UK charter flights, not necessarily the same day, but certainly with the same final seat pitch of a normal 29" config of a 757.
Theoretically yes, but you forget the 2 days worth of refitting before, and after the transatlantic flights. The summer season is up and running, and these 4 lost days may well have meant a lack of an aircraft for several European flights, meaning big delays for them and their passengers.
One forgets also that the TCS config is for 88 seats, so out of say 256 booked passengers, there are no seats for what, 168 pax when they arrive........ Finding alternative seats elsewhere for that volume of people is next to impossible, and if some of those are put onto other UK charter flights going the same direction, they will have the same seat pitch as on an FCA 757. Finding seats elsewhere for for 23 or so (256-233) passengers is a much different ballgame.
In short, to move 88 people in TCS config actually creates a much larger problem, and in the end those displaced off the flight will probably find themselves travelling in small split numbers on other UK charter flights, not necessarily the same day, but certainly with the same final seat pitch of a normal 29" config of a 757.
Buzz
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The Thomas Cook B757-200 for Canadian Affair which is configured at 35" seat pitch throughout has 187 seats.
FCA B757-200 have 233 seats.
Monarch 235
MyTravel 233
Thomas Cook 235
Britannia 235 (and 1, G-BYAR, with 219 but I don't know the seat pitch for that one or why it has fewer seats)
So I don't know how many seats there would be at 33" seat pitch but you can guess somewhere inbetween 187 and 233.
flyingbee
FCA B757-200 have 233 seats.
Monarch 235
MyTravel 233
Thomas Cook 235
Britannia 235 (and 1, G-BYAR, with 219 but I don't know the seat pitch for that one or why it has fewer seats)
So I don't know how many seats there would be at 33" seat pitch but you can guess somewhere inbetween 187 and 233.
flyingbee