That would just be another excuse slightly more justified from the excuse bank of excell airways Yes I know it is an extraordinary event suffered by all airlines and certainly nothing to joke about

Excell are just a permanent joke

It wasn't only the inbound flight that had a problem. Our plane on the outbound leg had to be replaced too.
We were scheduled to fly out on a 737 and passengers were checked in at Newcastle using the 737 seating configuration i.e. three seats a,b,c the aisle and then three seats d,e,f. The plane we got was an old MD83 which has two seats a,b the aisle and then three seats d,e,f. We had seats 2a,2b,2c which we had paid for to pre book seats together. Seat 2b did not exist which lead to a free for all, just sit anywhere policy. The less said about the state of the plane the better.
The most annoying thing about being flown to Glasgow is that Excel knew hours before we boarded the plane at Fuerteventura that they were going to fly us to Glasgow. They just chose not to tell us until we were on the plane, and cabin doors locked. Very cowardly indeed.
Excel in my experience are just an awful, awful airline and don't deserve any of our hard earned cash. They certainly won't get any more of mine.
I have posted a full review of my experience on the Flight Only discussion section.

Sorry mis read post

Cant edit last post I really must be working too hard and getting mixes up with the days sorry once again

we travelled to skiathos 21/7/2006 from birmingham the plane was actually air malta but was chartered by excel (it also had xl.com emblazened on the plane) we took off on time and on our return we landed back at birmingham 40mins early we were well impressed

We flew to Zante from Gatwick 23/07 returned 6/08 with excel. I wqas expecting the worst but must admit i was suprised. Both ways were on time give or take 10min. The planes were clean, the staff very helpful, the food was of a good standard. Leg room was a little tight but it was only a short flight.

If they could get the delays sorted out then i think they would be OK.
I have had worse flights on BA and paid a lot more.

we met some people end of july in turkey that had flewn with excel ,there were 5 of them in their family including a baby and none of them received their luggage til a week into their holiday and after lots of phone calls and hassle and no explanation to what happened to them, what a nightmare especially with a baby and all the extra you take for them, she had to go 20 miles to the nearest main town to buy things that she could get receipts for to claim back, as we were stopping in akyaka there isnt many shops to buy clothing and none that give you receipts, bad start to anyones holiday i did feel sorry for them, but at least the cases arrived in the end

Hi all

Went with Excel from Gatwick in early June to Kavala (Thassos). Never again... A 17 hour delay going out. Total journey from Hove to the apartmet was 28 hours plus.

Had a reply from them today...We met all our obligations etc..etc.

My message is'' Use them at your peril"

Matthewb

Mathew,
if the 17 hour delay meant you missed one night's accomm. AND you were booked on a Package Tour you could claim for one seventh or one fourteenth (depending upon the booked duration) of the entire package cost from your Tour Op.

PM me if this is the case and I'll provide more info.

Mike

Mike

Thanks.....Have PMd you (possibly more than once)...Not used to this site yet

Matthew

Hi,
We booked an excel flight on the internet and paid with a debit card. However we still had a 5 pound credit card charge taken. Do you think it would be worth my time and effort to try to get that back or do you think I should forget it?

Hi ThePeacockRocks

Excel charge £5 per booking for both credit and debit cards I'm afraid.

Cic

Just by way of interest, Xl are contractors to the MOD and do a lot of flying to and from the Middle East and it appears they are not highly thought of by those who have to use them there either. Pretty much same sort of complaints as above including crews just not turning up on time!!

Interestingly though, when working for the MOD they come under the Freedom of Information Act and someone has made a request for details of their reliability record in this regard.That should make interesting reading.....

Its not just the MOD and the troops who are fed up. The people delayed going to and from Sanford this weekend were not impressed when they used their 747 to take other delayed passengers to Spain. Todays arrival to Gatwick is also likely to be 8/9 hours delayed.
Other fed up people apparently include those in the Falkland Isles who are also served by this lot.
It seems to me that they take on every job they can get then can't fullfil the promise.

The Air Atlanta flight (part of Travel City/Excel - AVION Group) in June 2005 was "pulled" resulting in our party of 7 being delayed for 14.5 hours.
Ros successfully recovered one fourteenth of the ENTIRE package cost from TCD for their late delivery of us at the resort - we missed one nights accomm.

Anyone in a similar position has a legal right to claim using clause 15 of the Package Tour Regulations. Case law as yet unturned by a further case set the precedence in the High Wycombe court back in 1999.

For further details - call Ros Fernihough on 01922 621114.

We flew to MarsaAlam (egypt) with Excel on 27th July. We had a problem on the plane at Gatwick. We all boarded only to be held on the plane with the doors closed for an hour in a temp of 36C (according to husband's dive computer) as we had missed our slot (we were told fuel load needed adjusting) and the ground aircon supply wasnt working as he couldnt start the engines. Everyone was absolutely dripping wet with sweat, fanning like maniacs with the safety cards for the hour. People were close to passing out. The crew were good, they were soaked too in this unbeleiveably uncomfortable "sauna" and handed out cups of water whilst waiting for the off. We cant blame the captain or his crew - unfortunately it was one of those things that happen. However in trying to make up for the heat they cranked up the aircon as soon as we were airborne but then it was like sitting in a freezer in soaking wet clothes......not sure what i preferred!!! Anyway all in all they got us there safe.
PS. didnt pay for the in flight meals but they were handed out to all passengers regardless outward and homebound. They were very good standard.

Situation normal this weekend. The arrival from Sanford to Gatwick which should have turned up yesterday is now due this morning. Todays arrival at Cardiff from Sanford now scheduled for tomorrow morning.

Thanks for the update Pilotpete.
I presume that returning aircraft will cause delays in the outbound passengers - possibly to the extent of a complete day's loss of their holiday.
I wonder how many of those delayed passengers realise they can recover that day's cost of the "package" ?

An advert for this site in the Excel In-Flight magazine would be useful

starting to panic now
flying to cyprus with xl in may hope its sorted by then