Hi, Darren - sorry if this has been asked/answered but I can't see it on the thread...

We're on flight TOM 0584 from Glasgow to Sanford on 26th June.
I know its a 767 from your other posts, but not sure if its the Thomsonfly or First Choice config ?

Online seat reservations suggest its FCA (2-3-2) but info elsewhere suggests Glasgow flights are likely to use the "more cramped" 2-4-2 setup ?

Appreciated !

Dave

DaveGillen,

GLA-SFB-GLA (TOM584/5) is an additional summer flight that only opertes between 19th June and 31st July. Most long haul flights out of GLA are operated by a former Thomsonfly Boeing 767-304/ER (283 seats, long haul, winglets), normally G-OBYD. If online seat reservation is showing 2-3-2 in the economy cabin, this additional flight is operated by an ex-FCA. I can't check for definate as the flights aren't operating until next week.

Darren

I forgot about those flights, Thomson have suspended the Bristol-Sanford flight for a few weeks and using the aircraft that day to operate the Glasgow-Sanford. It will definately be an ex-First Choice 767. Your flight will position(fly empty) from Newcastle that morning after operating TOM677/8 NCL-PUJ-NCL(should you want to keep an eye on any delays)

Thanks, both !

Hi

[i]Re:The premium seats can be harder if the air cushion isnt inflated

How can these seats be inflated?

thanks

jonboy

jonboywirral,

It's the way they are designed and can be adjusted.

Darren

I haven't come across any of the air cushions work on the 767's anymore, not come across a working one since probably 2008. Obviously I havent sat in every premium seat on every aircraft, but have sat in quite a few on my travels/work.

Hi Darren,

After reading some of the comments on here, and searching on the web too, it does seem that the Premium seats on Thomson airlines are often very hard - and a little on the narrow side. I looked at the standard seats, but they have poor reviews too. Most reviewers said the seats were narrow and that even when booking a bulkhead seat they often had to stick their leg out into the aisle due to it being cramped. Of course, I could book the emergency exit seats, but they've already been taken for the week we want to fly out (they're not showing up on the booking form)

I have flown Thomson before, but that's only ever been short haul. I've only ever flown schedule long haul, and I'm not sure I could cope with a hard seat for 10 hours. I've searched around but there doesn't seem to be any scheduled flights to the airport I'm going to in Cuba - it seems to be just Thomson and Thomas Cook. I have flown Thomas Cook before (again, just short haul) and I thought their seats were very on the narrow side (and I'm of average size) Thomas Cook don't appear to do seat upgrades, so I was just wondering if you know what aircraft Thomas Cook use for long haul, and what the seat pitch/comfort etc is like?

If Thomson could guarantee me a comfortable seat in Premium that would be fantastic, but that's not going to happen. And I just couldn't bear being sat in a hard seat for 10 hours.

Strawberry

I think your worrying needlessly, the premium seats are in no way hard and are very comfy I've spent hours sat in both premium and economy on Thomsons long haul fleet and there is nothing to worry about far comfier than virgins economy and premium And way way better than BA's offerings. Tcx I've only used once and it was ok but I
Found the seats very narrow in economy.

Strawberry.

Sometimes you just have to take the plunge. People like to moan so you will read bad reviews as someone who is a moaner or has a bad experience are likely to tell ten to fifteen people about it but someone who has had a great service will only tell three or four. I have travelled on both first choice and thomson premium longhaul many many times and would never travel in standard seats. Im of average size and have had no problems fitting into seats. I prefer the first choice aircraft as seat reclines more and prfer the remote for the entertainment instead of someone punching the back of your seat! Lol. But both are good. Think of all the forums that are about with people complaining thomas cook have stopped premium and can't garuntee the seat on the way out and people saying they hope thomson don't do the same. If you have the money and would like it, go for it. I have been on thomas cook also and I would never do it again no matter what the price was, again just look at forums... Thomson wins! Let us know what you decide.

Graeme

Strawberry,

I agree with Graeme235. I have flown Thomson and Thomas Cook premium long-haul and the Thomson offering (B767) won hands-down compared with the discontinued Thomas Cook A330 premium product. It is certainly miles better than the BA economy long-haul that I flew last year and on a par for seat comfort with Icelandair Business. Whichever you opt for, there is no denying that you will be in the seat a long time and thus will feel some sort of discomfort in your 10 hours (or whatever) each way, but hopefully the brilliant holiday is worth it and you will know that by taking the Premium service you have maximised your comfort and are better off (except financially) than those sitting behind you!

My own holiday in Cuba was wonderful - please don't forego the experience by being unduly worried about the seat comfort!

Paul

Strawberry7 wrote:

I looked at the standard seats, but they have poor reviews too

Although review sites are very useful in getting a feel for things, I would always take them with a large pinch of salt. You'll find people will only post reviews when they have something to complain about with a small number giving praise. We all like a good moan! I've travelled extensively on these aircraft including the longest flight they operated at 14 hours duration and I'm looking forward to my 11 hour flight in 3 months time with them. In terms of charter airlines, they have the best cabins in the world in my opinion in the ex-FCA configuration. It surpasses what many of the scheduled airlines offer in economy. You'll be pleasantly surprised when you step onboard. If you have a look at our What Aircraft? guide (link below), you'll find extensive aircraft information including a link to aircraft photos including several cabin photos in both economy and premium economy so you can see what to expect. TOM's premium cabin is nicer than TCX's too in my opinion with greater seat pitch. The seats onboard these aircraft are actually wider than many other carriers. The premium seats have fixed arm rests however due to the position of the tray tables and I can see why some would say they are narrow, but they are wider than the seats on short haul aircraft and as wide as many other carriers. You have to remember that charter premium economy isn't quite the same as what the scheduled carriers offer in Y+, but it's near enough and in some cases, better. Scheduled carriers only fly in to Havana which is why you won't find flights to Holguin or Varadero, but personally, I would have no hessitation in travelling with TOM to Cuba or any other long haul destination. Details of TCX's long haul Airbus A330-200's is all detailed on out What Aircraft? guide including aircraft and cabin photos to you can compare them. Although they offer a similar service in terms of seat pitch, the seats aren't as wide as what TOM offer and the seat back IFE is of an older generation so not quite as good. They no longer offer a premium service either. I'd still fly TCX without hessitation, but would choose TOM and their ex-FCA aircraft first everytime. It's the bit between the flights that's counts anyway and the PRDO will be worth the trip.

Darren

Strawberry,

My mum flew premium with thomson in January going to Dominican Republic to go on a Cruise, she's the worlds worst traveller. It was also the first time ever she had flown long haul. She enjoyed all the premium extras, I booked them bulk head row seats, which other people also arent mad on. She said the leg room was very good, she could reach the controls of the IFE, but found she couldnt concentrate anyway she's nosy like me.

The cabin crew were lovely, so she was talking to them a fair bit and they spoke to the captain when he nipped out for a break. And as she's a coffee addict, she partook of quite a few cappuccino's especially on the night flight back.

The night flight was definitely the worse bit, but she managed a bit of a sleep, and she said the headrest on the seat stopped her head lolling to one side and didnt get a stiff neck in the process and had room to stretch her legs out.

She felt there was more room in the seat than you normally get in the bucket class flights short / medium haul. We're going to Dominican in October and I've booked premium seats for the 4 of us, so me, hubby and daughter have never flown further than Turkey . I even got a tape measure out and made my daughter sit on a chair and measure the 36in from the seat back to a chair in front, to see if there was enough leg room as they said. sad i know.

The pamper packs weren't bad either, the lovely blue fleecy socks, kept her feet warm .

You should be fine.
Bev

Did someone mention the PRDO? Paradise!!!!!

I flew Thomsons premium to Cuba in March this year. It was an ex FCA aircraft. I love the premium cabin, and won't travel longhaul any other way. The seats are definitely not narrow. My hubby is 6'6" and about 15.5 stone and he is comfortable. They aren't exactly the most comfortable seats in the world, but are any charter airline seats? They give you a fleece blanket on your seat, so I sat on it! I didn't notice anyone else doing it though, so maybe I've got a bony backside

The economy leg room is far superior to economy scheduled flights. The seats are narrower than premium but I haven't seen anyone having to stick legs into the aisles.

I won't fly Thomas Cook, not even short haul. There has been a thread on TA asking about TC and Thomson longhaul, and no one has said they prefer TC over Thomsons.

I have no hesitation in saying go for Thomsons premium. Good service, quieter cabin, good legroom, on demand inflight entertainment - great way to start a holiday.

To echo what has been said. Thomson is far superior to Virgin economy both in terms of seat pitch and service. Nothing to worry about and I would ignore all the bad reviews you may pick up. We have travelled Thomson/First Choice extensively mostly in premium economy and once in economy (due to a forced downgrade).

Mark

We went to Aruba last year with Thomson and the only way my husband could persuade me to go was by flying Premium LOl! We booked the last row in Premium, which I felt would be best as we would be able to recline our seats without encroching on other peoples space. However, on the return flight the aircraft had 10 rows, hence having people behind us ...... no problem, just didn't bother to recline our seats and flight was still comfortably for son and myself, but unfortunately not for my husband. He had a woman sitting in front of him with her seat fully reclined literally all the way back to Gatwick (apart from meal times when cabin crew asked her to put her seat up!)

We were offered a drink before take off, had pamper packs and a choice of 3 meals during the flight (which weren't bad considering aircraft food) and a snack before landing. As for the Staff, I couldn't fault them (far better than TC IMO) Legroom and IFE was great (once I got to grips with it LOL!) As for seat comfort, I'm not the slimest of people, but I had no problem whatsoever. found the seats to be pretty comfortable and wider than Economy.

Think my husband has made a rod for his own back, as if flying Long Haul again it will be Premium or nothing!

Regards,
Pat

Can anyone help me? A while back pampering packs had been stopped for whatever reason but my tickets booklet says a list of benifits of premium and pampering packs is one of them. Can anyone confirm this or otherwise?

Many thanks
Graeme

graeme235,

Pampering packs were stopped for a while as they had run out of them. I believe they are back in stock now though.

Darren

To confirm that we had pampering packs (premium cabin) on our outbound flight on 24th May and return flight on 7th June to and from Aruba.

Mark