Hi all

How long does the flight take going non stop? I have always had the stop off at Bahrain before but this time am going direct.

Flying from Birmingham with Thomson can any one tell me if flight is direct not received tickets yet, and was hoping that it may stop so can have a walk round. Going on 29/30 January early hours.

Arpora Julie, the Goan guy you are talking about, is it Fabian Rozario of Take Flight Travel by any chance? He is the M.D.

Hi , Yes you DO get fined for staying more than 4 weeks on a charter flight, I know because I was fined, and they also took my passport away and made several photocopies of it, but don't expect a receipt.

Lin

poohhead,
Check the flight is non stop, direct means it is allowed to stop to refuel but you can't get off.

This is typical charter doubletalk.

I agree with gramps, go for scheduled, it usually works out about the same price but it is more comfortable and you are a customer not an annoyance to be put up with.

Steve

Hi Flip,
Yes it is Fabian, we were laid in bed trying to think of his name and hubby who is usually so bad with names remembered it! Thanks for that.
Julie

We were told in April (by the Jewel in the Crown rep)that you can fly in on a charter and stay more than four weeks providing that you get a scheduled flight from Mumbai(or wherever) home.This is what we are doing and we're flying out from Manchester with Monarch on Sat 14th.
Tony.

Doesnt going out charter and back scheduled work out as dear as getting a deal and going scheduled both ways? Also it limits the days you travel out to the times the charter flies whereas going sheduled you can go any day of the week. Alan

Ha.Good point.I'll let you know at the end of the season.Only paid £189 for this so I'm not too bothered.

hi all,

Thanks very much for all your advice and comments- its so much appreciated having all your experience to rely upon. Yes think you're right that scheduled may be a better option than the worry of a fine or seizing passports. Couldn't believe how little room there was on the Monarch charter last November and it was so embarrassing as I ripped the side pocket off my 3/4 trousers on the way down the aisle to the toilet - can anybody walk straight-on on those flights?!

I've been checking out all the scheduled flights - theres a sale on at the moment so Virgin is 425 return within the year, Jet Airways 20,000 INR (return within 4 months), BMI is 360 and BA is 399 return provided I give a return date. The only problem is I'm not able to give a return date and as soon as you ask for a flexible ticket prices go sky high in excess of 1500 each stirling. Anybody booked with a scheduled and changed dates? Who is best for this and at what cost to change?

Also I got a non-tourist one year (supposedly) extendable visa - code says XV - last October (2005), went for two weeks in November 2005 and was queried at Dabolim airport about it - they didn't seem to know what it was. As I'm going again soon and want it to last beyond October 2006 has anybody got one of these visa's and successfully extended it in Goa?
I tried to extend my 6month tourist visa last May in Goa and ended up having to fly to Sri Lanka and extend it there (it was issued within the day!).

Thanks once again for your help.
Matti

p.s. Nonstop flight London-Goa about 9.15/9.30hrs & about extra hour on the return (must be up hill)!

Matti

Hi Matti,
We booked a return ticket when in goa in november with jet airways, we had to change the return flight, we were due to fly on the 9th jan from h'row we have changed it to 19th jan with no charge, you are allowed to change the flight once with no charge, we also changed a flight last year with emirates no charge, but only once then you pay about £60 if you change it again,i dont know about other airlines, but we didnt have a problem changing, providing they have seats available on the day you want.
We found both airlines very good, and comfortable, as it is a long flight.
Hope this helps you. Edwina

Hi Edwina

Thanks for prompt reply! The sale flights i have been looking at on the internet seem to have 'small print'restrictions which say non changable dates but I will ring Air India direct to see if they are changable.I cant find the number to ring Jet airways direct from the U.K without going through travel agents such as Southall travel,do you know the number?
Matti

You'll find the Southhal Travel no. on the first page of this thread Hope this helps Alan

no mattie the reason its an hour longer flying back is not because its up hill!! its because of all the speedbumps that are suddenly appearing all about!!

Hi Matti, the reservations number i have for jet airways is 08000265626
Hope this helps.
edwina

Does anyone know about how good or bad Monarch are at the moment, we are flying on the 21st, we have deceided to upgrade just in case

Hey kft

If you find my ripped pocket from my trousers hanging from a armrest on your flight can you check my lotto numbers - I might be able to upgrade
next time too!!!
Monarch economy is fine if you are under 4ft 9" (sorry, small people)!!
Have a safe journey&great holiday
Matti

Hi matti i,ll have a look, do you know what type of plane you went on

We're flying to Goa on 21st Jan with Jet Airways We booked it and got our tickets about six months ago. Is it necessary to reconfirm these flights? I read an article some time ago by the travel editor of the Independant saying it was no longer necessary. Any advice on this would be appreciated also any reconfirmation phone no. if anyone has it to hand Thanks Alan