Flew with Astraeus earlier this month to Samos pretty basic airline but got us there and back with no delays.
Staff where very helpfull especially with screaming kids.
Don`t know if they allow extra allowance for skuba kit but you could try
http://www.flyastraeus.com there maybe some info on there or a contact number you could try

32kg is the handling weight - which is fine if you want to pay excess baggage charges for each kg over Astreus' limit (22 kg I believe). Our cases were each about 3kg over the limit and we were charged £6 per Kg. No leeway whatsover.

Hi,

Next wednesday, (24th August) i am flying from Manchester to Bergamo on Astraeus AEU471. I just wandered if anyone knew were in Terminal 2 Astraeus usually check in or if they have their own check in desks.

Thanks.

We flew with Astraeus Airlines from Manchester to Taba, which is a 5.5 hour flight.

We checked with the Astraeus website first to follow advice before travelling. We did everything right, we arrived at the airport very early for check-in, requested emergency exit seats for the extra legroom and were told that this was fine and that appropriate seats had been allocated to us. This is when the good bit ended.

We were taken to a Boeing 737 and our seats (26a/b) were not at an emergency exit, but were in fact the very last row at the rear of the plane against the bulkhead. The legroom was tiny and these seats, being against the bulhead were bolt upright and would not recline at all, but the seats in front did recline, right into the already restricted passenger space of our seats.

The inflight entertainment, which you would normally expect on a medium/long haul flight was non existent. There was no radio or tv facilities on board.

The in flight meal was average, and the cabin crew seemed insensitive to our needs/comfort.

This type and size of aircraft is, in my opinion inappropriately equipped for such a flight and I would strongly urge people to consider this before booking the Manchester to Taba flight.

Our return flight to the UK was delayed by 10.5 hours with no compensation offered by Astraeus.

I will not fly with Astraeus again and would not recommend this airline to others.

Hello
Just returned from Samos, using Astreus Overall was well satisfied. We boarded on time at Manchester, were then delayed for 40mins due to ATC problems (not Astreus fault). We arrived in Samos 10 mins late pilot having made up some time. On return journey we arrived back in Manchester 1 hour early There was more leg room than on previous charter flights Food was edible, proper roast chicken and nice sweet. Hot towels supplied after meal 2 drinks service staff very efficient and friendly. No films, but had good book to read, and can usually manage without Mr Bean anyway. Would definitely fly with them again.

Hi have just booked a island hopping deal with FC and found out our carriers are Asturias airways? has anyone ever flown with them or even heard of them? I cant find nothing on the web now getting a bit nervous.

Is it by any chance Astraeus Airways

http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery;jsessionid=1vfw7smb1u07?method=4&dsid=2222&dekey=Astraeus+%28airline%29&gwp=8&curtab=2222_1&sbid=lc07a&linktext=Astraeus

I think it must be good when even your tour operator has no idea?
Many txs
johnandfran

I do believe you have a spelling error in name, try astraeus.com Tonyt

johnandfran

You may be correct after all, I have been trolling through the net and have discovered that there is indeed a new airline called Asturias, although they are not yet in operation.

I believe they will be operating Boeing 767s.

Some of the information I found can be viewed here

http://www.luchtzak.be/posts12350-highlightasturias.html

Graham

Now im realy confused wonder which one it is?. Reading both sites I think its time to change my holiday .

Still no joy from FC whome it is?
Have e-mailed astraeus to find out which planes they use for Santorini still awating reply.
Will keep you all informed
Thanks all
johnandfran

johnandfran,

If it is Astraeus who are chartered (I would think it is them rather than the other airline, I've never heard of them), the aircraft used would depend on passenger numbers. They use Boeing 737-700 and 757-200 aircraft which are both ETOPS rated for extended range flights.

AEU315, LGW - Santorini which departs on a Tuesday at 0915 between 16/05-10/10 is normally operated with a Boeing 737-700 from what I've seen.

Darren

Not sure you'd get a 767 in to Santorini which might point things more towards Astreus. (It's not a long runway!) Will try find out for you

Txs to all need as much info as possible not very good write ups on forum for 737s

I have flown on many 737's with no problems or concerns, whatever the complaints on the forum are, I wouldn't worry about it.

Good news I have received a reply from Astraeus customer care .

Dear johnandfran,

Thank you for getting in touch.

There is no need to worry, the route between London Gatwick and
Santorini in August will be carried by one of our B757-200 aircraft.
This has an ample 35" (90cm) seat pitch throughout the aircraft.

Concerning our B737-700/300 fleet; they are all fitted with seat pitch
of between 29-30" (70 to 76cm). This is actually above the standard,
average 27-28" that is offered by most other charter airlines on
standard class seats. So in reality the leg room is above our
competitors.

On behalf of Astraeus, can I wish you a fantastic trip.

Many thanks,

Astraeus Customer Services

(this letter has been edited to comply with forum rules)

Well this has put my mind at rest I hope it helps others.
Thanks everyone for your help.

Johnandfran

Now that the carrier has been established as Astraeus, I have merged recent posts with the existing topic, which may also provide some useful info.

David

We flew with them to croatia last year, very impressed, more leg room than any other package flight that I have ever been on. Staff were all very helpful, we had been told that meals were extra, as it is such a short flight decided not to bother, but once on board found that the food was included. Although we are vegetarian they still managed to find food for us, which I may add was better than most I have had on a flight.

reports seem to be getting better all the time roll on August