demon125,

At present, XL have an all Boeing fleet (737, 747,757, 767). XL are part of a larger company with Airbus in the fleet, but the UK side of things is all Boeing at the moment. The 767 is a great aircraft, I've been across to the Caribbean and Pacific many times on them. I prefer the Airbus as an airframe because its a much quieter aircraft at cruise and the wings and Rolls-Royce engines (if fitted) are British built! The main thing you'll find with XL is the slightly larger seat pith and lack of seat back IFE. Apart from that, they're much or a muchness. As for the horror stories, I don't normally fly with them personally but I know people who have and apart from minor problems they've always found them ok. All airlines have problems from time to time, it just seems XL have a few more than average.

Darren

What is the difference between schedule and charter flights? Are meals included on the schedule flight?

shamus,

A scheduled flight is like a bus service; they are regular flights and are on open sale. Charter flights are flights operated on behalf of a tour operator, ie they have chartered an aircraft / airline and you cannot book a flight direct with the airline, you have to go through the tour operator. Generally speaking, meals aren't included in the price of a charter flight and are chargable extras. They may be included on scheduled flights.

Darren

Thanks for that Darren. I'll post nearer the time to get the plane details.

One other thing. I live in Manchester so have to get to Gatwick for the 11.45am flight. I'm considering using the earliest the BA Shuttle to Gatwick priced around £114 for 2 I think. Do you think that is a reasonable choice, rather getting the train down and hotel overnight.

Cheers Phil

demon125,

You have a few options to get down to Gatwick. Personally I would fly since its easier than lugging suitcases on and off trains and at the moment, I would trust air travel over train travel reliability wise. I bet cost won't be a factor either, won't be much in it at that time of day. Just make sure you leave plenty of time between flights for the unexpected.

Darren

Just a query,

I'm booked to fly with XL Airways as part of a Package with XL Holidays in 11 days time and just wondered when they typically send tickets out as I am still waiting for them in the post.

Thanks
Mark

I just returned yesterday (4th July) from Kos with XL. They normally operate 2 flights from London Gatwick on a Wednesday, but one was cancelled and they amalgamated the 2 flights and sent a 747-300 to take passengers out and bring us home. I was on flight XLA5045 which was not the cancelled one., these flights are scheduled to depart within about 15 mins of each other.

I like many other fellow passengers were surprised that a plane as large as a 747 could land on the island, but I realise that the plane must be of similar height to other aircraft because they could put steps up to it., it is just the length and breadth of the plane that makes it so big.

On the flight home I asked the hostess and she said that it was the first time a 747 had landed on Kos as all the airport staff during the turnaround were coming out and photographing the plane.

Just to add to our delays - we were told that the original morning flight with XL out of Stansted had been cancelled and as there was spare capacity on the 747 they were bring the Stansted passengers home via Gatwick.

In all our departure time was almost 3 hours later leaving, BUT we actually only landed just over 2 hours late, then just under 2 hours to clear passports and claim baggage and the airport was not even busy.

I am aware that XL is slated, but on arrival at Gatwick an XL member of staff was at the exit to the plane handing onward instructions to the passenger wishing to return to Stansted.

I am returning to Kos again in 8 weeks with XL - as I am visiting my daughter who works with one of the tour operators who use this airline. Just hoping that the next trip doesn't result in delays.

Does anyone know if i can book a flight with xl for a holiday off 21 days on there site they will only give the options off 7 and 14 days.
I have send them a email with this question but they will not answer me by mail they want me to call the 0870 number.
So does anybody know if it is possible and what it will do to the price off a ticket.
The holiday is planned for jan/2008 to Antigua with xl one for 2 persons.

Sorry for any mistakes in my English but i am Dutch

Pendragon

say no to 0870

the listed number for the excel group at Crawly west Sussex UK is

01293 410727

from outside UK 00 44 1293 410727

no guarantee so good luck

wizard

I was due to fly to Alicante with XL on 5TH August but i am going to have to cancel as my mother is very ill after having a stroke.I have spoken to my insurance company and they say i cannot claim the taxes back as i have to do this through the airline.Will they just refund this or will they charge me admin fees?I am not really bothered about the money but just need to know where i stand on the matter.Any info appreciated.
Pat

patb03,

sorry to hear about your mother, I hope she gets better soon. I've had a look through the XL website and the only cancellation fees I can find are here but this refers to the cost of the flight rather than tax recovery. I think the easiest was is to phone them and ask direct. The number is listed on the link above.

Darren

Flying from Gatwick - Barbados on thursday, anyone know what plane they use for this? Anyone ever went this route before?

StevieBelfast,

Have you got a flight number, XLA852/3? It's a Boeing 767-300/ER normally although ACARS is showing G-OXLA allocated to that flight in June, a 737-800 which is rather strange!

Darren

Yea thats the number. Cheers

Thought it would of been a 3 - 3 seater.

StevieBelfast,

Thought it would of been a 3 - 3 seater

According to ACARS logs, two flights last month were! I can't see that being correct though, the aircraft don't have the range and XL one seats are on offer which means a 763. ACARS must be wrong in this case.

Darren

Hi

Does anyone know if this flight does exist. Flight XLA2V from Manchester to Dalaman on Fridays at 14.15. We are booked for 19th October but cannot find any ref to this flight on their website. I did email them to check but have not received a reply.

Chris

chris63,

Are you sure that's the right flight number? XLA flight numbers normally have 3 numbers after the airline code, eg XLA200V. The only flight I can see which reletaes to XL is a flight operated by Flyjet, FJE866V but that departs at 1800. I can't see any flights by XL at 1415. If this is a charter flight, it probably won't show on the XL schedule since its operated on behalf of a tour operator.

If you can confirm the flight number, I'll have a search through ACARS.

Darren

Darren im flying from gatwick this coming monday at 6 in the morning. My flight No. is XLA5000. Could you please tell me which aircraft im flying on. Cheers.

tom88,

XLA5000 is being operated with a Boeing 767-200 at the moment.

Darren