Hi Ali5

Dont worry you are able to take sandwiches and snacks through security except for drinks as you probably know. I did so a couple of weeks ago, the only liquids that are of concern to security are any over the amount of 100ml in which case these items must be put into a see through plastic bag and im sure some mayonase or sauce isn't going to add upto this much and i don't think they are goin to take sandwiches apart unless you look very suspiscious

As for XL letting you have your own food onboard im sure they won't mind as most airlines let you albeit except Flybe.

Aidoair

Hi Aido ... it is containers of liquids, gels, sauces, etc of 100mls or less which should be placed inside the plastic bags for closer examination. Liquids in containers in excess of 100mls are not allowed in hand luggage going through security checks.

David

Wickedchris - I know exactly how you feel, I'm considering paying an extra £80 to fly with easyjet as I know they will get me there.

my work mate waved us all off on friday afternoon to finish for 2 weeks in florida...the flight was to take off yesterday lunch time-they are still in manchester this is the second person i know to have had experienced delays with XL of this length, one of my close friends had a mega delay in sanford a couple of months ago on the return leg too, i have travelled with xl twice to the greek islands in previous years and they really were ok on both occassions...is it just the long haul destinations, and what causes 24 hour delays?

Definately not just the long haul destinations that are the problem with XL.
Had a 9 hour delay travelling to Faro this year, and the managed to get us back from Fuerteventura to Newcastle about 17 hours late last year.

Can anyone tell me what aircraft im flying on

depart lgw 12:15 arrive ssh 19:40 flight numbr XLA582

Many thanks

Had my flight to sharm cancelled last week and was told there was no alternative flight for me, now they are displaying another flight from birmingham to sharm on 22nd december. What are they playing at? Are they just getting peoples money and gaining interest and then saying flight is cancelled. Have emailed excel awaiting reply and refund from cancellation.

think thats excell

dude2005,

The last XLA582/3 service was operated by a Boeing 767-300/ER, presumably for the school hols. It's generally a smaller Boeing 737-8Q8.

Darren

I and another 250 passengers were delayed for 2 DAYS on friday, from Barbados - Gatwick.
Although we were put up in the Hilton.

I suppose its not as bad being stuck in Barbados and in a lovely hotel?????
Dunno what you say to yoour boss at work though! What an excuse!

XL (or Excel) are not too bad it would seem in the main as regards punctuality. The aircraft are new(ish) and the comfort on board those I have experienced is acceptable for the price. Where they come undone is in how they handle problems. An aircraft going u/s for example seems to throw them in to a fit and their contingency plans seem woefully inadequate. This leads to a total break-down in their customer care on many fronts. Obtaining information from them at the time and seeking recompense afterwards (or any form of communication with them via telephone or email) is fraught with delay, incompetence and downright evasiveness.
However, on the bright side, I have been monitoring a certain flight that we are intending to catch on the 23rd Aug. for the past two months. Over that period, the average delay is 13 minutes on the outbound leg (not too concerned with the return!) with a worst case of 24 minutes.

I'm hoping that they can keep this up for another 3 weeks!

Dunno what you say to your boss at work though! What an excuse!

I was in that position in March 2003. It wasn't with excel but another major charter airline and the aircraft had a technical problem on a flight between Dom Rep and Jamaica as we were returning to Manchester. Upon landing, in Montego Bay, we couldn't leave Jamaica for at least 2 days until the hydraulic problem was fixed or as it happened, a spare aircraft was available to bring us home. Instead of getting home saturday morning, we didn't leave while late sunday night so I had to call my boss on the friday to say I wouldn't be in work monday. It went something like "this will have to be quick because I'm stranded in Jamaica. I'll not be in work monday because the aircraft has a problem. I'll call you when I'm back"!! What can they say? It's out of your hands. We got a letter from the airline when we landed in Manchester so we could prove it was an aircraft problem. My boss actually wanted to look at the letter, don't think he beleived me!

It's good to know you were looked after. In my experience, when things like this happen, you are normally well looked after.

Darren

I'm still waiting for my refund, rang them today told it will take another 7 days for my refund.

But i had to re-book flights with jet2 last week and pay for them when i booked them.

There not on.

Tickets for Luxor have arrived now I hope there wont be a cancellation. I could be wrong but it seems that the majority of the cancellations are flight only so perhaps flight only doesn't make as much profit as a flight & hotel package just a thought.

Alan

Has anyone had any recent experience of XL from Newcastle to Faro?

We are looking to go in October and I have a choice of them or Thomas Cook (or possibly Easyjet if I can get off work a couple of days earlier!).

Is there a promotion code being used at the moment? the old ones seem to be expired.

We've flown Excel previously and no problems.

Neets.

Dont no if this is any help

http://www.xl.com/sparks/

Or Google Exel promotion codes and take your pick.

Alan

Hi, would be grateful for any information on the xl airways flight from NCL to Palma on 29th Sept, first time I will have flown with XL and wondering how they compare with eg. Thomsonfly. Will it be a 3-3, which plane, whats their food like etc. Thanks for any help