Hi

I know how you feel. We had great flights booked for August 06 with First Choice, 08.25 out, 15.40 back. Recently been told flights have changed dates and times, 20.00 out and 03.15 back. When I queried this I was told it was due to the original flight being cancelled due to poor sales!

I could understand if it was other way round. Good luck with your search.

Same as, we are flying from Gatwick to Dalaman, leaving Gatwick at 10pm arriving in Dalaman at 4am then returning from Dalaman at 5am arriving at Gatwick at 7.30am All this with a 21 month old, not relishing it but hey ho

Although I flew to Antalya from Stuttgart two years ago in high summer, I have been hoping to return ... and find that all charter flights seem to keep strange hours not only to Antalya but to other holiday destination airports. We arrived at 2 am even then.

I wonder if it is anything to do with the heat - melting runways etc? It was certainly very hot at 2 am and the Efes on the coach slipped down a treat ....

Newford,

and isn't it convenient that both your altered flight times are just within the 12 limit?

not being cynical at all of course, probably just a coincidence.

(very tongue in cheek)

Bill

Ineresting theory about the runway..... but we have flown to Egypt and Florida in high Summer - this did not prevent us landing in the heat of the afternoon ...and as I've said we are flying to Dalaman later this year and arriving 2pm.

Come on....... some one on these boards must know why ?

After a lot of searching I have finally found flights are not great, but at least reasonable times..but after reading the above posts I'm reluctant to book them...they are over £150 dearer than the cheap anti social flights, but how mad would I me if I booked, and then the flight times were changed to anti social times as above........not just the inconvience but also that I could have saved £150 ....there seems to be absolutely no protection for the traveller on this issue.
Seems that if you buy one product and get a lesser one in its place in the airline industry, there is no protection for the consumer...something should be done to compensate you if flights are changed ...... after all this may mean you booking extra time at your hotel, booking extra days off work or making more expensive travel arrangements to the airport

Runways are not an issue here.

The flight time and time difference have some of the effect here. A 2000 eveining departure here ( reasonable if you are travelling to Spain ) turns into an 0200 arrival in Turkey. The aircraft then turns round and comes back so a horrrible 0300 return.

For seat only my guess is they push the anti social flights first keeping the day flights back for package holiday makers making the holidays easier to sell or keeping the p[rice at a premium for DIY travellers for the nice day flight.

Also no night flying restrictions in Turkey so a good place to plan an evening flight unlike Greece where a lot of the airports are shut at night. Charter airlines need to keep the aircraft flying as many hours per day as possible.

Kind Regards
Stewart

Hi, We have good flight times to Antalya with Thomson, they have day flights from several airports might be worth checking.

could also be down to the fact that it is cheaper for the airline to fly during the night due to the very many costs incurred with aircraft and airports.

Cheaper to fly at night is an urban myth. Many airports have night surcharges and the running of the aircraft costs the same.

However due to the cost of the aircraft charter operators have to keep it flying as often as possible including the night hours.

Kind Regards
Stewart

Places like Dalaman are about the longest of the European sectors.Say your aircraft starts its day at 6am then it can get in at least 2 very short haul sectors ie Reus or Palma/malaga etc then be ready for a night haul at the end of a busy day returning to UK about 3 am which gives the engineers about 3 hours for routine maintenance before the operating day starts again.
Inconvenient, but does keep the costs down because of high utilisation of the aircraft.On the other hand all it takes is one breakdown and the whole set up goes for a ball of chalk......

Biiltrac,

I'm already cynical as far as Travel Comps are concerned. Out of interest what is 12 limit?

Our flights are 2 days later than planned.

Dave

Cheaper to fly at night is an urban myth. Many airports have night surcharges and the running of the aircraft costs the same.

It's not a myth, I know at Manchester airline fees are lower for off peak departures, this applies to late evening departures. Night time regulations do not come into effect until after 11pm which is why you will have many charter flights leaving late evening and returning early morning.

Turkey has been hit hard this season due to bird flu scares and hence tour operators are selling holidays for less, with less demand. Hence, less airline capacity is needed and costs have to be lowered to account for cheaper prices being offered, hence having departures in the evening saves the airline and tour operator money.

Newford,

sorry that should have read 12 hour limit when changed flight times become a major change giving you different options etc

Bill