I f you are travelling on an XL flight dont pay for in flight meals as they are complimentary.Some travel agents and flight companies still charge you for them but everyone gets a meal on their flights.

You do not all get a free meal on all XL flights.

Chris

We didnt. If you dont pay for a meal you are sitted to the rear of the plane.

We always fly with excel and have never paid for a meal but always got one.

Diane

I agree with the previous comment regarding flights ending in a V ie XLA123V which have meals that need to be prepaid.

Just back from Tenerife, both out / in flights ended in a V and the cabin crew had a list of those who had prepaid for a meal and were only giving them to people in selected seats- the list wasn't too long !

We had prepaid for a meal both ways and didn't get one of the outbound journey because of an Excel cockup and the crew told us 'sorry cant have one as we only carry enough for those that have prepaid' - so you do have to prepay for meals on some flights.

Hi TFS1 ... whilst what you say may be the case at the moment, it looks as though changes may be imminent. According to Excel, as from 1st November flight numbers with a 'V' suffix will be designated as low cost flights, which will only carry catering that can be purchased on board. The pre-requested meals service will not be available on these flights. Catering products available on these flights will include Paninis, snacks, crisps and hot and cold drinks.

Passengers travelling on services without a 'V' suffix in the flight number will receive an in-flight meal with tea or coffee at no extra cost.

David

David,

Good info - thanks for the update.

Given a list of problems with Excel on recent flights ie no food, no extra legroom seats and no 'surprise' champagne' for the honeymoon couple we are unlikely to be flying with them again !

Although we had problems the flight crew were great, pity they were let down by their back office colleagues.

Chris

The Avion group has sold the XL Leisure group to a group of its managers. The Deal includes all the airlines and tour ops ie (Excel Airways, Star Airlines, Star Europe, Excel Airways Ireland, Travel City & Tour ops inc Aspire, Travel City Direct, Freedom flights, Kosmar)

See News Story

Hi...I booked my flight to Dalaman from east mids on a monday..11th June a few months ago...my mum then decided to have a look to see if she could get the same flight a couple of weeks ago and thought it was odd that she couldnt get a flight on a monday from east mids all season. I called excel to investigate, to be told my flight had been cancelled (thanks for letting me know)...and that a letter is being sent out to say this blah, blah...anyway i changed my flight ( i hope) to east mids on the Friday (after an extra £30pp added on too) and that my confirmation was on the way....2 weeks later and no sign, i called the company last week who told me to leave it until the end of this week...so i'll be on the phone in the morning!!!
I find this worrying and is this company still going to be around next summer...all seems a bit dodgy to me!!
Any one else had the same problem??

XL`s backroom and admin system is chaotic..very little ever seems to work smoothly.Just keep at them until they get sick of you and do something. This was a very good airline until the Icelandic clowns got their hands on it.As above its now been bought by its management who hopefully will change things but at what speed remanins to be seen.

They are a big player so should be around but as with all things aviation, you never know....

We are travelling with Exel next week to Fuerteventura, does anyone know what their policy is on hand luggage? They say on the their web page it is 5 kilos......... do they enforce this, or as long as the bag is within say the dimensions Easyjet set accept it?
I would really appreciate someone letting me know as I would hate to be charged £5 a kilo

Is this a record?

Booked flights with Excel on Thursday 9 November at 11 pm.

Tickets sent out Friday 10 November.

We received them in the post today, Saturday 11 November.

Well done, Excel.

Cic

Wow,Nilla that is a record,where are you off to ?

Diane and Norman.

Hi Diane and Norman

Son and partner are off to the Canaries for a week.

Unfortunately I am not going somewhere hot, I am off to Sweden Monday for 2 weeks+ depending on how mother is. Might have to stay longer. Just hope I 'll be back for Christmas.

Hope you are both well and you have recovered from your fall.

Hi
Can anyone help me ive got a bit of a dilemma
ive found a great holiday to Turkey but I can go with Excel or Thomas Cook ive read the reviews and wonder which would be best

Thanks Wendy

I had the same dilemma when I booked a flight for this Summer, Excel or Thomas Cook.
There was only a small price difference, but Excel appeared to offer much better flight times, so booked with Excel.
When the Thomas Cook flight left Fuerteventura bound for Newcastle spot on time, and I was facing a 9 hour delay on departure, and a 13 hour delay on arrival back to Newcastle, via Glasgow then bus to Newcastle, I realised my mistake in booking with Excel.

Regretably I had to write to Excel in October as they didn't provide the Champagne, extra leg room seats and meals - although prebooked and prepaid, on a couple of flights we had booked.

Got a letter today saying they we will reply but

'due to the current heightened security measures we are aiming to reply in full within 6 weeks and ask the you kindly refrain from phoning us as it will slow down our response time'.

Anyone know what they are on about ? - given the time of the year, perhaps 'leaves on the runway' would have been more believable !

Do they honestly believe that their backroom admin staff, who deal with the complaints, are directly affected by the now reduced security measures.

If anyone can provide an explanation please let me know as phoning them will clearly slow down the resolution of my complaint of them not doing what they said they would do (and charging me for it).

Don't hold your breath for a response within 6 weeks. I had the same letter regarding a complaint made in the summer.
They did eventually reply, but not within the 6 weeks, and then hid behind the Terms and Conditions when the booking was made.
Been mulling over their reply for a few days now, and not quite sure what to do next, apart from never booking a flight with Excel again.

Hi

I would like to say thanks to everyone who replied ive booked with thomas cook been with them a few times with no probs keeping fingers crossed

Thanks Wendy