qatarman,

Thomson do have an order in for the new 787.

They would be flying them early next year if not for the delays in the 787s production.

Papa

Travels from EDI,

Blankets and pillows are provided for overnight long haul flights.

Darren

qatarman,

It's far from the end of it's life span. She's got many more cycles in her yet. It's only 15 years old, there's at least another 5 years service in her yet as a passenger aircraft, and who knows how many more as a freighter. You have to remember aircraft are maintained to a far greater degree than a car for example. After a D check where they are pretty much stripped to component level for inspection, they're re-assembled and like new after leaving the hangar. There are different levels of damage. In this particular case, the damage isn't so severe it can't be repaired and isn't a financial right off. How many cars are there on the road that have been involved in accidents and have been repaired by professionals to the manufacturers specification? It's only the same. I must say in the last 5 years, I've not been aboard a 'scruffy' Thomsonfly aircraft. Yes, they are heaviliy utilised and may not be up to the same cosmetic standard of Qater or Emirates, but they do their job more than adequately.

Darren

MrsO,

BHX-SSH-BHX (TOM424/5) are operated by a Boeing 757-200. You'll find further aircraft information on our What Aircraft? guide (link below).

Darren

tootsylou,

Welcome onboard
Your flights are operated by a Boeing 767-300/ER (winglets). You'll find further aircraft information on our What Aircraft? guide (link below).

Darren

I have to agree with Darren that there's nothing wrong with the cabin's interior. When First Choice put in Star Class (?4-5 years ago) people on the flight didn't realise that it wasn't a brand new aircraft. Only certain things show their age like the toilets, the crew's galley and bits around the doors! They are now begining to tire a little, but hopefully the 787s will be here by the time a refit is really needed!
On a negative note though, just been looking at pictures of our food in FC's Star Class Premier in 2007 - a class above what we had this month in premium (but still way above what Virgin are giving in economy!!).

Agree,

We flew Star Class Premier when it was first introduced and a real effort was made to make it a different product.

The crew took a pride in what they were offering.

They literally used to throw drinks at you and your main course was served on crockery.

Of course the recession and rises in Air Passenger Duty has made the airlines cut back.

We always pay the extra to fly Premier but we are going to Goa next month just for a week and we really could not justify the extra cost for what is now just not that much better than Star Class.

It really hit home to me on our recent trip to the Dominican Republic.

The whole experience just was not that special.

With the recent APD increases in particular the higher taxes in Premium it is hard to see the charter airlines keeping this product.

Papa

Thanks Darren

I am on the TOM122 from Manchester to Puerto Plata on tuesday (2nd November.) Don't suppose you would know where the aircraft is coming in from? Just, it's quite handy to check the arrivals screen and see if it on time. It should be ex thomsonfly 767, so I think that would be G-OBYJ.

Thanks so much

Travels from EDI

Travels from EDI,

It won't necassaily be G-OBYJ as we're now entering the winter season where some of the short haul aircraft will be converted to long haul. It makes little difference in any case as they're all the same inside (ex-Thomsonfly long haul). As you are flying on the first flight out of the winter season, I can't backtrack the flight. It's looking like it'll be TOM113 from Barbados though.

Darren

Hi,

Your aircraft will operate GLA-BGI-LGW(TOM630/1) on the 1st then fly empty to Manchester before operating your flight on the 2nd.

Thanks so much Darren and TOM-AMM-FCA.

I'll let you know how it goes

Travels from EDI

We are going to book very shortly for July 2011 to Kenya. First Choice will be our preferred TO and they use Thomson.

We always try to fly Premier Class.

Does anybody with inside knowledge or perhaps anybody else know if Thomson is going to dump this service (Premier seating that is) next year given some rumours that they may because of the increase of APD?

Mark

Mark,

I've heard nothing to suggest Thomson Airways are stopping their premium service on long haul. It's Thomas Cook that are stopping the premium service at the end of April. The premium cabin is available for booking through 2011.

Darren

Weren't there rumors that the Dreamliners might be configured in single class?

Hi,

Three of us are flying out to Sharm el Shiekh 14th November, Thomson flight from Stansted, TOM 476. Does anyone know which gate that is likely to leave from? We plan to use the exec lounge and you can only use certain lounges if your flight leaves from certain gates.

Many thanks
Lady64

Weren't there rumors that the Dreamliners might be configured in single class?

They will be, the deal was to be single class if APD rises on 1st November which is it so its single class however its 34" seat pitch so not much different.

lady64,

I don't use Stansted, but airlines aren't generally assigned a particular gate. They use whatever is given to them on the day by the airport. You should be able to use the lounge from any gate though.

Darren

lady64

The use of lounges is usually determined by which terminal you fly from not which gate.

Hi,

thanks for taking the time to reply. Stansted has only the one terminal and information on the priority pass app shows that airlines flying from gate 49 can only use one lounge, passengers using other gates use the other lounge.

Not to worry, we'll find out when we get there.

Lady64