La Compagnie - any recent experience with this airline?
Feb 12, 2015, 4:12 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 93
La Compagnie - any recent experience with this airline?
£600 for pseudo-business class return from Luton to EWR. Not bad.
What does worry me though is:-
1) they'll go bust one week before my flight leaving me scrabbling around to get something else.
2) In the unlikely event of technical problems I'll be stuck in EWR for days (they only own two planes). Not good for me - own company no work = no pay.
Any comments on the airline?
What does worry me though is:-
1) they'll go bust one week before my flight leaving me scrabbling around to get something else.
2) In the unlikely event of technical problems I'll be stuck in EWR for days (they only own two planes). Not good for me - own company no work = no pay.
Any comments on the airline?
Feb 12, 2015, 5:14 pm
#2
Senior Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat/2MM [23-yr. 1K, now emeritus] clawing way back to WN-A List; MR LT Titanium; HY Whateverist.
Posts: 12,396
Please follow the thread as it moves to the Other European Airline forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.
Feb 19, 2015, 6:38 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: OSL
Programs: SK Diamond, LH SEN, KL Ivory, AY Basic, OZ silver
Posts: 1,103
I'd actually book a £600 J class ticket at once, no doubt about it. No such thing on legacy carriers. Worst case scenario, if their London aircraft fails for whatever reason, you may ask for a flight to Paris and get on the Eurostar to get back to London or so. The chances of both aircraft failing and being fully booked seems to be not so large.
It's actually a miracle that they are still around and are successful enough to even expand operations. I guess the airline is much tougher and the concept more successful than it seemed at first. Anyway, here are two reviews that you may find helpful (but note: they are from the absolute start up period).
http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...newark-review/
http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...newark-review/
It's actually a miracle that they are still around and are successful enough to even expand operations. I guess the airline is much tougher and the concept more successful than it seemed at first. Anyway, here are two reviews that you may find helpful (but note: they are from the absolute start up period).
http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...newark-review/
http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...newark-review/
Feb 26, 2015, 3:54 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 154
I am flying them Newark-London this summer. My first question to them was what happens if the flight doesn't go. They said they will protect in Business Class on another carrier. Of course, if you are at Newark at 10pm at night and there is a last minute problem, I'm not quite sure of what the options will be. Hoping for the best!
Mar 14, 2015, 5:25 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York City
Programs: AA Platunum
Posts: 498
La Compagnie - any recent experience with this airline?
Nancy,
I don't have any experience with La Compagnie. However, I did have that experience with OpenSkies which is similar airline. OpenSkies has a flat bed Biz Class and a Premium Economy. I was booked in Biz Class.
On an evening flight from Paris to NY, we were 1.5 hours into our flight, when the lights weren't working properly and the Capt said we were going back to Paris. So now, it's 3 hours later and they don't have another plane and there are very few flights to put us on - and being in Orly, there are less choices than from Chas De Galle. They did the best they could to get people on to other flights, and there was no protection of status. If you wanted to get to NY that night, you just took the seat you were offered. By the time they got to my friend and I there were no seats left on any airline and they put us up in a nearby hotel, gave us dinner and breakfast. (there were about 40 of us at the hotel) The next day we were back at the airport and we got seats on OpenSkies, but there were no Biz Class seats left, so were in Premium Economy.
A few days after getting home, I wrote to BA (who owns OpenSkies) and reminded them of EU261 and was given some babble about how that rule doesn't apply in this case and as a good will gesture they gave me a $250. credit towards a future flight and a refund for the difference betw. PE and Biz. They were wrong in denying me the 600Euro refund from EU261 but my mother was dying at the time so I didn't have the time nor stamina to fight them.
My point is, should your La Campagnie flight get cancelled, you'll likely be in a similar situation. They'll get you on whatever flight they can. If you're downgraded to coach, I'm sure you'll get a refund of the difference. If you insist on a biz class seat you might have a longer wait especially if you're flying at a popular time when flights are full and there aren't many empty seats available.
I don't have any experience with La Compagnie. However, I did have that experience with OpenSkies which is similar airline. OpenSkies has a flat bed Biz Class and a Premium Economy. I was booked in Biz Class.
On an evening flight from Paris to NY, we were 1.5 hours into our flight, when the lights weren't working properly and the Capt said we were going back to Paris. So now, it's 3 hours later and they don't have another plane and there are very few flights to put us on - and being in Orly, there are less choices than from Chas De Galle. They did the best they could to get people on to other flights, and there was no protection of status. If you wanted to get to NY that night, you just took the seat you were offered. By the time they got to my friend and I there were no seats left on any airline and they put us up in a nearby hotel, gave us dinner and breakfast. (there were about 40 of us at the hotel) The next day we were back at the airport and we got seats on OpenSkies, but there were no Biz Class seats left, so were in Premium Economy.
A few days after getting home, I wrote to BA (who owns OpenSkies) and reminded them of EU261 and was given some babble about how that rule doesn't apply in this case and as a good will gesture they gave me a $250. credit towards a future flight and a refund for the difference betw. PE and Biz. They were wrong in denying me the 600Euro refund from EU261 but my mother was dying at the time so I didn't have the time nor stamina to fight them.
My point is, should your La Campagnie flight get cancelled, you'll likely be in a similar situation. They'll get you on whatever flight they can. If you're downgraded to coach, I'm sure you'll get a refund of the difference. If you insist on a biz class seat you might have a longer wait especially if you're flying at a popular time when flights are full and there aren't many empty seats available.
Mar 29, 2015, 8:27 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Programs: AA PLT, *A Gold, Club Accor Gold
Posts: 73
Dear psychocandy and Nancy Colson,
Just had dinner with La Compagnie staff member, things are not going very well...
Luton and low fuel costs maybe will keep them flying until the end of summer 2015. More planes only in 2016 if they survive until then... Best case scenario there after is Air France buying them just like BA did with OpenSkies. Good luck.
Just had dinner with La Compagnie staff member, things are not going very well...
Luton and low fuel costs maybe will keep them flying until the end of summer 2015. More planes only in 2016 if they survive until then... Best case scenario there after is Air France buying them just like BA did with OpenSkies. Good luck.
Apr 14, 2015, 7:29 am
#8
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 34
Bumping to say that my EWR-LTN flight was cancelled less than 3 weeks before takeoff. Below is an excerpt of the e-mail I got notifying me of cancellation:
"Dear Valued Client,
We are sorry to inform you that we must cancel flight B0007 from New York (EWR) to London(LTN) on May 01st, 2015 due to a flight programming adjustment.
We have automatically booked you on our next flight for London, leaving New York on May 04th. Your travel information remains the same: La Compagnie flight B0007, departing New York - Newark at 10.20 pm. If you choose this option we offer you a voucher of £160 per person to use on your next flight with La Compagnie. However, if this doesn't suit you, we can place you on our next LA COMPAGNIE flight from New York to Paris B0 101 and we'll help you to reach London from Paris.
If you would rather travel on another date, we would be happy to modify your flight free of charge. If you prefer to cancel your ticket for now, we will refund the leg not flown. If you have any questions or we can be of further service, please don’t hesitate to contact our customer service team on number: 0203 481 1575 or by e-mail at [email protected] . The team is available from Monday to Saturday, 9.00 a.m. - 06:00 p.m.
Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused by the cancellation of your flight.
We look forward to welcoming you soon on La Compagnie."
I'm in the U.S., so I tried calling their 1-800 number. The nice customer service lady said she would put me on the EWR-CDG flight on May 1st so that I can still potentially reach London by May 2nd in time for an event. However, she said that I won't be confirmed or ticketed until her request is approved by headquarters in Paris, and it still hasn't been confirmed two business days later. In addition, I sent an e-mail several days ago requesting assistance getting from Paris to London but have not received any sort of response yet, not even a "We received your e-mail and will respond shortly" kind of automated response.
I'd like to figure out ASAP if I can still work out travel with La Compagnie. I'm worried that prices for other airlines will start to skyrocket even more than they already have.
"Dear Valued Client,
We are sorry to inform you that we must cancel flight B0007 from New York (EWR) to London(LTN) on May 01st, 2015 due to a flight programming adjustment.
We have automatically booked you on our next flight for London, leaving New York on May 04th. Your travel information remains the same: La Compagnie flight B0007, departing New York - Newark at 10.20 pm. If you choose this option we offer you a voucher of £160 per person to use on your next flight with La Compagnie. However, if this doesn't suit you, we can place you on our next LA COMPAGNIE flight from New York to Paris B0 101 and we'll help you to reach London from Paris.
If you would rather travel on another date, we would be happy to modify your flight free of charge. If you prefer to cancel your ticket for now, we will refund the leg not flown. If you have any questions or we can be of further service, please don’t hesitate to contact our customer service team on number: 0203 481 1575 or by e-mail at [email protected] . The team is available from Monday to Saturday, 9.00 a.m. - 06:00 p.m.
Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused by the cancellation of your flight.
We look forward to welcoming you soon on La Compagnie."
I'm in the U.S., so I tried calling their 1-800 number. The nice customer service lady said she would put me on the EWR-CDG flight on May 1st so that I can still potentially reach London by May 2nd in time for an event. However, she said that I won't be confirmed or ticketed until her request is approved by headquarters in Paris, and it still hasn't been confirmed two business days later. In addition, I sent an e-mail several days ago requesting assistance getting from Paris to London but have not received any sort of response yet, not even a "We received your e-mail and will respond shortly" kind of automated response.
I'd like to figure out ASAP if I can still work out travel with La Compagnie. I'm worried that prices for other airlines will start to skyrocket even more than they already have.
Apr 16, 2015, 1:19 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: *G, used to be with TK but left due to their corruption and political ties
Posts: 4,407
Bumping to say that my EWR-LTN flight was cancelled less than 3 weeks before takeoff. Below is an excerpt of the e-mail I got notifying me of cancellation:
"Dear Valued Client,
We are sorry to inform you that we must cancel flight B0007 from New York (EWR) to London(LTN) on May 01st, 2015 due to a flight programming adjustment.
We have automatically booked you on our next flight for London, leaving New York on May 04th. Your travel information remains the same: La Compagnie flight B0007, departing New York - Newark at 10.20 pm. If you choose this option we offer you a voucher of £160 per person to use on your next flight with La Compagnie. However, if this doesn't suit you, we can place you on our next LA COMPAGNIE flight from New York to Paris B0 101 and we'll help you to reach London from Paris.
If you would rather travel on another date, we would be happy to modify your flight free of charge. If you prefer to cancel your ticket for now, we will refund the leg not flown. If you have any questions or we can be of further service, please don’t hesitate to contact our customer service team on number: 0203 481 1575 or by e-mail at [email protected] . The team is available from Monday to Saturday, 9.00 a.m. - 06:00 p.m.
Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused by the cancellation of your flight.
We look forward to welcoming you soon on La Compagnie."
I'm in the U.S., so I tried calling their 1-800 number. The nice customer service lady said she would put me on the EWR-CDG flight on May 1st so that I can still potentially reach London by May 2nd in time for an event. However, she said that I won't be confirmed or ticketed until her request is approved by headquarters in Paris, and it still hasn't been confirmed two business days later. In addition, I sent an e-mail several days ago requesting assistance getting from Paris to London but have not received any sort of response yet, not even a "We received your e-mail and will respond shortly" kind of automated response.
I'd like to figure out ASAP if I can still work out travel with La Compagnie. I'm worried that prices for other airlines will start to skyrocket even more than they already have.
"Dear Valued Client,
We are sorry to inform you that we must cancel flight B0007 from New York (EWR) to London(LTN) on May 01st, 2015 due to a flight programming adjustment.
We have automatically booked you on our next flight for London, leaving New York on May 04th. Your travel information remains the same: La Compagnie flight B0007, departing New York - Newark at 10.20 pm. If you choose this option we offer you a voucher of £160 per person to use on your next flight with La Compagnie. However, if this doesn't suit you, we can place you on our next LA COMPAGNIE flight from New York to Paris B0 101 and we'll help you to reach London from Paris.
If you would rather travel on another date, we would be happy to modify your flight free of charge. If you prefer to cancel your ticket for now, we will refund the leg not flown. If you have any questions or we can be of further service, please don’t hesitate to contact our customer service team on number: 0203 481 1575 or by e-mail at [email protected] . The team is available from Monday to Saturday, 9.00 a.m. - 06:00 p.m.
Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused by the cancellation of your flight.
We look forward to welcoming you soon on La Compagnie."
I'm in the U.S., so I tried calling their 1-800 number. The nice customer service lady said she would put me on the EWR-CDG flight on May 1st so that I can still potentially reach London by May 2nd in time for an event. However, she said that I won't be confirmed or ticketed until her request is approved by headquarters in Paris, and it still hasn't been confirmed two business days later. In addition, I sent an e-mail several days ago requesting assistance getting from Paris to London but have not received any sort of response yet, not even a "We received your e-mail and will respond shortly" kind of automated response.
I'd like to figure out ASAP if I can still work out travel with La Compagnie. I'm worried that prices for other airlines will start to skyrocket even more than they already have.
* Rerouting the same date
* Change of date
* Full refund
Apr 19, 2015, 1:46 pm
#11
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, ex-BD Gold, SPG Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 2,040
They are currently offering NYC-LON and NYC-PAR for 2 passengers for $3,090 and $2,990, respectively, all-in. I am tempted to take advantage of this, but also worried about the risk of bankruptcy, particularly after reading the reviews. It's almost like we're all waiting for a house of cards to collapse.
Apr 24, 2015, 8:52 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 26
Reports of schedule changes:
http://milesfromblighty.boardingarea...ating-flights/
My parents and my wife and I are booked later in May. Getting concerned.
Time to buy travel insurance.
http://milesfromblighty.boardingarea...ating-flights/
My parents and my wife and I are booked later in May. Getting concerned.
Time to buy travel insurance.
Apr 25, 2015, 10:49 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: EMA
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 78
Very recent experience
Hi there
First time posting so be kind...!
Currently sat in Grand Central Station having flown the inaugural LTN-EWR flight yesterday.
Absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish.
I think your view will depend on how regularly you fly J on other carriers. My partner has never flown anything other than economy and was over the moon the whole way. I can see how people who travel J regularly could 'pick holes', but it's important to consider in context of what the overall product is and for the price it is absolutely a bargain.
I'm hoping to do my first ever trip report when we're back but would briefly comment that:
Meal service was better quality food than I've ever had in BA J.
Crew were superb.
Flight itself was comfortable, on time and very pleasant.
The CEO was on board and made a point to talk to as many pax as possible - his enthusiasm for the product he's created was tangible.
I would definitely fly with them again and hope they make it through the summer - if nothing else it's nice to see someone challenging the traditional market.
Reading this back it sounds like I'm a paid shill, but I promise you I'm not!!
Hope this is of use.
First time posting so be kind...!
Currently sat in Grand Central Station having flown the inaugural LTN-EWR flight yesterday.
Absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish.
I think your view will depend on how regularly you fly J on other carriers. My partner has never flown anything other than economy and was over the moon the whole way. I can see how people who travel J regularly could 'pick holes', but it's important to consider in context of what the overall product is and for the price it is absolutely a bargain.
I'm hoping to do my first ever trip report when we're back but would briefly comment that:
Meal service was better quality food than I've ever had in BA J.
Crew were superb.
Flight itself was comfortable, on time and very pleasant.
The CEO was on board and made a point to talk to as many pax as possible - his enthusiasm for the product he's created was tangible.
I would definitely fly with them again and hope they make it through the summer - if nothing else it's nice to see someone challenging the traditional market.
Reading this back it sounds like I'm a paid shill, but I promise you I'm not!!
Hope this is of use.