Now we have FINALLY returned I thought I'd add my opinion!! I'll say the good first as I believe the onboard staff deserve it - outbound the ground staff were excellent and very accomodating. On both the outbound and inbound flight the on board staff were also ecellent and very helpful when I asked for a seatbelt extension (very discreet and lovely too). Both planes were clean and had no apparent issues.

Unfortunately I have to add that there was bad too. We were due to fly back on the 15th when the whole volcanic ash drama kicked off. In fact we were actually at the airport when many uk flights were cancelled. Whilst ALL the other airlines were very quick to cancel and help there passengers Viking were not. Most passengers around us were quickly dealt with (including Ryanair etc even if they were being told soonest flight would be 1st of May) however we were told numerous times by an incredibly rude man that our flight would be leaving soon (amazing since it was still sat on the runway at manchester) and when they finally admitted we were going nowhere, at about 3pm in the afternoon, we were told as it wasn't Vikings fault to sort ourselves out until further notice. A week, later after being told next to nothing on the website and unable to get through on the phone for 6 days, we arrived for a flight that was already scheduled to run with passengers for both the 15th and the 22nd. Again the same rude man was demanding everyone with tickets for the 22nd had to go to the back of the queue so I'm not sure if everyone actually managed to fly despite us all being told to turn up. And now after paying out nearly £700 extra in accomodation and food, we are trying to claim back the money it seems Viking should have legal paid whilst we were in resort. However the 1 phone conversation i managed to have in the whole time suggested they do not intend to comply with ec reg 261. I have filled in their online complaint form and have been told to expect a reply in 28 days.

Donna, how did your husband cope with the leg room? I'm debating whether it's worth paying the extra for my 6ft + husband. Glad to see some positive feedback, as I was beginning to regret booking these flights for this surprise trip! Will have to wait and see and post myself when back.

Also please could someone tell me what type of aircraft will be used on the Glasgow Heraklion flight 13th July?

Hi Donna, first of all I'm very sorry to hear of your experience. I am glad however that at least the first section of your post had a bit of positive info. As front line crew it's always nice to here at least that part is working.

As for the rest well, you seem an intelligent person so I'm not even going to bother with the, the ash cloud was an unprecedented event, as I'm sure you are well aware and well versed on the goings on during that period as presumably you like us were glued to the news to glean info. I cannot speak for the handling agent responsible at the airport you were at but again I apologize as these people are contracted in by viking and as such there should be a level of duty of care that they are treating you in the correct manner. With regard to the information, to give you a slight insight into the situation and to that end try and excuse the seaming lack of info at your end. We as crew during that period like crew of all other major airlines in the UK, Flybe, Thomas Cook, Thomson and even BA(i know because i have close friends in all) where without an idea as to when we would be able to operate should it be within the hour or as it seamed at one point not for weeks to come. This was not due to the airlines management or operations teams but more because of the lack of knowledge within NATS and EUROCONTROL. All airlines where conducting periodical phone conferences with both of the above to ascertain what airspace would be available and when. I myself was being called just about every three hours by my poor mother who was stuck in Malaga at the time (flying with Aerlingus) trying to get info from me as the same was happening with her. The fact of the matter is no one had any idea when we would be able to operate and so info was very thin and many airlines had people reporting for multiple flights which got canceled before the end of the troubles.

As for bringing passengers for both flights (15th&22nd) to the airport I can only imagine this caused more distaste again but I only surmise that the company had 1 some under-load ie. space on the plane 2 where using a larger plane or 3 just wasn't sure how many people would be left as some people may have found alternative ways home so although it may cause some annoyance i think you'll agree in the situation it would be better than flying home with spare seats.

I thankfully just have to fly the aircraft and therefore cannot comment on the customer services team and or there response to this period but i am sure they are run off their feet and hopefully working hard for you guys. I do hope that they deal with your issues in a helpful, productive and timely manner.

All this being said I do believe this episode has enabled many airlines to look at there procedures of communication and problem management and i know alot has been learned by the viking team.

Elviramotd, it will be a Boeing 737-800

foxy, thanks for letting me know.

Elviramotd - to be honest the leg room wasn't too bad and as far as i'm aware the only extra leg room seats were the type with the table in the arm rest which would mean less bum room! We certainly have had less with other companies.

Todders - I am a great believer in giving praise where it is due and after the flight out was planning on giving Viking a big thumbs up. I understand that no one knew what was going on, especially on the 15th but am more disappointed at the lack of communication in the days after that. It was 6 days before the website stated our flight was going to be on the 22nd. I do still hope that they will step up to the plate and pay us our added expenses but I think that might be wishful thinking.

A Question
 

Is Viking coverd by the EU delay rules. As the planes are not on the UK register.

SLF-Flyer
 

Yes, it's determined by the location of the flight not the location of the aircraft's or airline's registration - Art. 3.1(a) and (b) of the Regulations:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/h...egulations.pdf

Or for a more user-friendly interpretation specifically looking at the volcano disruption:

http://www.auc.org.uk/docs/306/AUC%20Volcano%20pack.pdf

Pohutu

Hi I have just been reading through this thread and others about viking airlines and kinda wishing i didnt haha.

Firstly, could somebody find out what plane viking would be using on the 6th september from newcastle to corfu, flight VIK3013.

Me and my friend are due to fly then by viking airlines, and it is her first time flying, and is, naturally, abit nerveous. i have flown many times but always with my parents, never on my own with a friend.
I booked the holiday and then researched the airline and got abit worried..
I then asked my dad, who works in newcastle airport, about viking and he said they have had many problems with viking regarding not flying the luggage with the passengers, he said Newcastle airport had even considered banning Viking airlines from flying to and from there.
He did say that this was a little while ago and that they may of changed because the airport gave them a huge telling off.
We arrive in corfu in the evening, and have a transfer to catch, obviously with a new flyer and me being abroad for my first time with a friend, its pretty worrying to read about all these things that have gone wrong..
has anyone, recently, had any problems with baggage etc?

Rachface

Its due to be a 737-800 (sunwings) with Gatwick Crew

Reading all the very interesting threads about Viking Airlines i just wish to put the matter straight on a few issues that may be worrying some prospective passengers.

Viking Airlines are in fact a Swedish company and operate with a Swedish Air Operators Certificate.

Passengers flying with this airline have absolutely nothing to worry about re the safety of flying with this company. Started in 2003 and still operating is surely some testament to this.

A note to the last person as to which aircraft will operate a certain route on a certain date, please note that this is just a plan and as we all know in the aviation industry plans change.

Oh and if CT is reading this, any chance of my old job back? You know where to find me.

hiya..i am just in need of some reassurance. i am due to fly to sharm from manchester on 25th may..1ad,1ch and 1 infant on lap...i have got myself all worried that in the very unlikely event of needing oxygen masks, that there wont be enough!! does anybody know how many drop down??? will there be one for my infant. i have pre booked my seats 3e/f outbound and 4e/f inbound.
hopefully somebody can put my mind at rest..thanks guys x

lotusflow3R
 

Worry not. Certain rows on the aircraft have an additional oxygen mask specifically for this purpose. When you check-in you should be allocated one of these rows but ask just to make sure.

Sorry, just noticed you have pre-booked seats. I would suggest you contact Viking on 0871 737 8155 to confirm that rows 2&3 have additional masks.

thank you..think i will have to ring viking as i prebooked seats online and obviously only had to put 1 ad and 1ch...there was no option for the infant,so i may have booked seats that dont have the extra mask! thanks for your reply x

There are 4 masks above every row of 3 seats so there is always a spare!

Just what it is about Viking Airlines that has caused so many expressions of doubt and scepticism to be published? Perhaps the old adage "There is no smoke without fire" applies here?

Not even the multiple threads on Irish Harp Airways have generated so much suspicion.

Hardly a glowing recommendation.

In other words, Viking is nothing better than lack-lustre or mediocre.

A very well informed, mature and constructive message there my friend thank you for your valued input. But then looking back at your message history this does seem to be a theme.

Flew with them to Lanzagrotty in October last year, with a semi-famous Captain on the face of a certain DVD!

No complaints whatsoever. Cabin Crew dealt with nervous passenger amazingly well, regularly checking she was alright. Beats my attitude of chasing the wimps up the bloody stairs...

:)hi;i am brand new to this site and am looking for some info on forth comming flight to greece with VIKING . Will be traveling from manchester to heraklion,crete,on july 30th and was wondering which terminal they opperate from and what aircraft is used on this route.