After booking our Excel flights in March I read posts on here and I have to say I was starting to wonder if I'd made a wise choice as there seemed to be so many complaints.
Our flight (XLA616) from Newcastle to Palma on 5 Aug was due to depart at 2.30pm and we due to land into Palma at 6.15pm (local time). We actually departed at 2.50pm and with a 2 hour 10 min flight time actually landed into Palma at 6pm (local time) effectively 15 mins early so no complaints there.
Our flight was Finnair with Finnish pilots and Flyjet (English) cabin crew who were great - everyone received a meal (we hadn't paid for them but got them). Inflight entertainment going out was 'Over the Hedge' and earphones set you back £2.50. The screen also displayed info on altitude, speed, estimated arrival time and a map showed you where we were flying over which was quite nice.
Suitcases arrived safely at Palma - there were about 8 families ourselves included who were missing one suitcase and we were still hanging around the luggage carousel an hour after the flight landed however they did eventually appear 1hr 15mins after flight had landed! Not sure that we could blame Excel for that - more likely baggage handlers at Palma.
We returned yesterday - our flight (XLA617) was due to depart from Palma at 7.15pm and we were told we were to be at departure gate at 6.30pm - at 6.40pm a "Delayed" notice was put onto the screen however at approx 6.50pm we were finally allowed to board bus to take us to plane.
At approx 7.15pm when we were due to take off, we were advised by the Finnish pilots that we would be delayed by 45mins due to air traffic controllers. I didn't double check my watch but I think it was somewhere around the 8.20pm mark when we finally took off and the screens showed a flight time of 2hrs & 50 mins - thought that was a bit long but didn't think too much of it at the time.
Apparently this was a mix up - cabin crew thought pilots had said 2hr 50 mins but they'd actually said 2hrs & 15mins which had them in a panic and meals were served with great haste, no time for tea/coffee or the duty free trolley but cabin crew were once again, great - special mention to Nick!
Inflight entertainment returning home was Runaway Vacation (I think) with Robin Williams and very funny.
We landed I think at 9.30/5pm -just 15/20 mins late which considering hour delay at Palma was quite good and we were out of the airport with all our suitcases and in thru' our front door before 10.15pm.
All in all - no complaints from us at all and I'd certainly book with them again.
Flew out on 6th August to Cyprus from Manchester - no delays at all and even landed early... 
Came home on the 20th and had about an hours delay, not the airlines fault but the chaos that ensued at Larnaca airport with the baggage being loaded...
Got meals provided both ways even though we didn't pay for them...
T.V was broke on the way back and we had the most cramped seats (couldn't recline them due to the toilets being right behind us!) but it wouldn't put me off flying with them again!
Came home on the 20th and had about an hours delay, not the airlines fault but the chaos that ensued at Larnaca airport with the baggage being loaded...
Got meals provided both ways even though we didn't pay for them...
T.V was broke on the way back and we had the most cramped seats (couldn't recline them due to the toilets being right behind us!) but it wouldn't put me off flying with them again!
Situation normal this weekend. The arrival from Sanford to Gatwick which should have turned up yesterday is now due this morning. Todays arrival at Cardiff from Sanford now scheduled for tomorrow morning.
Well, they are "good value for money" .....................so I am told!
Just booked again for June 2007.
Manchester to Antalya, staying in Side, DIY.
IMHO as good as any airline flying Budget to Turkey.
Manchester to Antalya, staying in Side, DIY.
IMHO as good as any airline flying Budget to Turkey.
Just come back from a fortnight in Sivota and flew with Excel from Manchester to Preveza.
No problems. Flights out 15 minutes late but arrived on time. Coming back we took off and landed absolutely bang on time.
Great planes, great crew, good food (for an airline). Highly recommended,
As for Sivota - that's another story!
No problems. Flights out 15 minutes late but arrived on time. Coming back we took off and landed absolutely bang on time.
Great planes, great crew, good food (for an airline). Highly recommended,
As for Sivota - that's another story!
Went to Sharm El Sheikh with Excel and had an hours delay taking off due to baggage not being on board (due to extra security check) so missed our slot.
But that was it everything else was on time with a good crew both ways. So can't complain and would definately use them again.
But that was it everything else was on time with a good crew both ways. So can't complain and would definately use them again.
Hi all,
We're booked with Excel to fly from Newcastle to ibiza on Sun morning early doors (6am), flight number is XLA4072 i believe.
I've just looked on Excel's website and its down there that they list Gatwick as the only airport that Excel fly to Ibiza from.
Am i missing something here???
We're booked with Excel to fly from Newcastle to ibiza on Sun morning early doors (6am), flight number is XLA4072 i believe.
I've just looked on Excel's website and its down there that they list Gatwick as the only airport that Excel fly to Ibiza from.
Am i missing something here???
i may be wrong but i think xl only show flights where they are selling flight seats direct to the public. it may be that your tour operator has chartered the whole plane meaning xl have no seats to sell, however if you go onto the tour operators site you will find they are selling flight only seats on the flight.
like i say i may be wrong but i'm sure thats how it works
like i say i may be wrong but i'm sure thats how it works
joules79,
Spot on! XL are a scheduled airline who also run a charter business for independant tour opperators, and also do sub-charters for the main ones.
Darren
Spot on! XL are a scheduled airline who also run a charter business for independant tour opperators, and also do sub-charters for the main ones.
Darren
Cheers fellas 
KeefG - wonder if you'll get the Finnair aircraft that we had with Flyjet crew. If you do you should have no problems.
Ahhhhhh...that could explain why Excel dont have my flight listed on their website?
Dont suppose you know what type of plane it was and the seating config?
Dont suppose you know what type of plane it was and the seating config?
I have gone with Excel for past 5 years use mostly leased craft 757 sometimes their own craft so should be 3x3.In May we went NCL to Palma was FLyjet but its normally Finnair. I can only speak from my experiences and thay are just the same as other carriers no better , no worse. My parents go to Ibiza end of Sept on this flight from NCL declined a meal with My travel wonder if they will get the Meal??? I usually do but if everyone is on a package it could be different. Maybe you could let me know? Thanks. CBG
Hi
Flew with XL airways, arrived home yesterday, both flights left ontime and no problems.
They are very strict with overweight baggage leaving gatwick airport.
On the plane back from tunisia, the stewards spent most of the time running up and down the aisles like chickens, serving drinks, food, etc. Never seen anything like it. But overall good flights both ways.
The plane was freezing though
Flew with XL airways, arrived home yesterday, both flights left ontime and no problems.
They are very strict with overweight baggage leaving gatwick airport.
On the plane back from tunisia, the stewards spent most of the time running up and down the aisles like chickens, serving drinks, food, etc. Never seen anything like it. But overall good flights both ways.
The plane was freezing though
Excellent trip, one of the best ones we have had. My youngest daughter is hoping that we can travel with them all of the time 
it was a finnair plane and it was lovely, couldn't find any faults.
it was a finnair plane and it was lovely, couldn't find any faults.
We always use xl and have had a good service.We are going to Dalaman again Oct 2nd for 2 weeks.Have not booked flights as yet as hoping price will come down in next couple of weeks.
Diane
Diane
Prices for Dalman are already great with XL.com .
......we would be paying about £180 less for 2 A/ 2C 2nd week in Oct., if we'd booked now instead of last year (normally prices have ALWAYS risen after we have booked this early - but this year we have been caught out !).
Just make sure you use the promotion code TESCO when you book !
......we would be paying about £180 less for 2 A/ 2C 2nd week in Oct., if we'd booked now instead of last year (normally prices have ALWAYS risen after we have booked this early - but this year we have been caught out !).
Just make sure you use the promotion code TESCO when you book !
Hi there, can anyone tell me what the hand luggage rules are for Excel at moment, is it all back to normal? Flying From Mancher to Palma
Thanks Bobby
Thanks Bobby
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