Air Transat - how reliable?
 

I'm looking at fares from YYZ to LON this summer to catch a cruise and wow, there a lot of difference.

Air Transat always seems to be about $300-$400 cheaper, but how is their reliability? I've heard horror stories about 24+ hr delays due to maintenance but I'm wondering if that's the same on this route.

The horror stories usually are about their Caribbean routes. I think the flights to LGW are noticeably more reliable. The service is also noticeably better with free meals for one thing. And you can't beat the price -- on one flight I couldn't pass it up and I flew Club class for less than it would have costed in economy on AC (or even US) last year.

However in the end they're not a mainline airline. If the plane you're scheduled on has a problem they don't have another flight in a few hours and they can't just wheel out another plane. You're going to be waiting until they get the plane fixed.

What cruises start in London?!

Ahh good...I was hoping their Euro flights would be a bit better.

The cruise is actually heading from Dover to the Arctic Circle/Norway.

I guess we could always leave a day or so early and get a hotel in Dover. Unless they're completely rebuilding the plane that should cover any delays.

Trip insurance @:-)

EmailKid

We met several Canadians that were using them to go home from our cruise ending in Rome. They got fares for $99 USD. Never heard any complaints about them.

Aren't most of their flights to Europe operated by A330s now instead of the older (and I'm assuming less reliable) A310s?

Flew em once to Europe from YVR. The price difference was too big to even consider going for legacy carrier.

However, they did have a massive 6 hour delay on the outbound due to mechanical. Was provided the obligatory meal coupon and wallowed away the hours at the airport. Still can't complain, only 6 hours late to Europe and still hundreds of dollars less broke.

Flew them a couple of times to Europe and can't complain. Experienced some delays but as others have mentioned, I'm usually willing to take that risk reward in terms of price savings.
The two risks to be aware of IMO are:
1. As zkzkz mentions, because it's a smaller carrier with limited aircraft, you have a greater potential for longer delays due to issues and subsequent ripple effects.
2. They code share with Thomas Cook Airlines which IMO is crappier. You can avoid Thomas Cook flights though as Air Transat does denote which flights are code share.

Flight Stats puts on-time performance at around 80% which isn't too bad for a charter airline.

FYI they are phasing out the A310's and have launched a cabin makeover on the A330's, the video for which is here:

http://www.airtransat.ca/en/Info/vie...tentType=gamme

The improvements to Club Transat will bring it closer to a biz class than what is more of an premium economy product as it is now, at least IMHO.

recent YVR-GLA experience?
 

Any recent experience with the YVR-GLA nonstop? Plan to go 1-2 days early and buy travel insurance, but MUST be in Highlands in time for wedding. Bulky nonbreakable gift so input on accuracy of luggage policies/treatment useful too.

Also interested in any reports of land travel from US Pacific Northwest to YVR. Wish to depart US for UK/Europe sans TSA.

Tx/Ta/Cheers

Looks in US West and Canada forums for getting between Vancouver and Seattle.

There is a daily Amtrak Cascae through train from PDX but it arrives late and not near the airport.

I flew them YYZ-PUJ-YYZ December 2010 in Club Class on the A310. I did not experience any delays and my only 2 issues with them are the outdated cabin and the quality of the food. Seats were fine and the service was more than what I was expecting. A friend of mine flew them summer 2010 YYZ-MTL-DUB and back and from his descriptions I got the impression that hitchhiking would have been quicker. So I guess, it's the luck of the draw.

I am thinking of flying Air Transat from Glasgow to Toronto in October. I hear good and bad things about them, but getting the flight for £199 seems like too good of a deal to pass up. For that money I think it's worth a little inconvenience. Does anyone know their baggage allowances and fees?

This might help:

http://www.airtransat.ca/en/Info/bag...tType=voyageur

As well as this:

http://www.airtransat.ca/en/Info/kil...tType=voyageur

If it's within your budget, I'd strongly consider Club Class. It won't get you there quicker but it might make the journey a bit more pleasant.

http://www.airtransat.ca/en/Info/clu...tType=voyageur

That's very helpful, thanks mate. Not sure how much more Club Class would be over and above the regular ticket. It says it will give me an option to upgrade when I book the ticket so I might have a look at what the price difference is. If I can swing it, might be the way to go. Thanks again.