AFRIQIYAH AIRWAYS review : 5 May 2009 : by B Ajinibi
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |  |
Lagos to Tripoli was ok except the deplorable condition of the toilet, no inflight
entertainment, cabin crews were boring beyond description, meal was ok. Landed at Tripoli
airport on time and cheerful ground crew. I have never seen a worse and appalling toilets like
what I saw at the Tripoli airport. Tripoli to Gatwick flight was ok, a better and newer
aircraft, more responsive cabin crew, inflight entertainment though without headset, arrived
Gatwick on time. Return flight was almost a replication of the inbound flights except that
there was headset for inflight entertainment. Afriqiyah should replace aircraft flying Lagos
leg, its below international standard, and they dare not fly such aircraft to Gatwick.
Will fly them if they improve on the hygiene
AFRIQIYAH AIRWAYS review : 28 April 2009 : by Peter Higgins
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |  |
Dubai - Tripoli - Dakar. All in all the flight experience was a pleasure, with very good food,
good seat space and regular drinks - the spare seat next to me also helped. It was also good
not to have the flight constantly interrupted by announcements of one kind or another in three
different languages as seems to be the trend these days. Tripoli airport isn't a pleasure, but
no worse than you would expect and every landing seemed calmer than I am used to on the bigger
planes. Two big faults though: firstly we had to turn the plane around for a sick passenger,
and no one made any announcement until about 5 seconds before landing, which made most of us
think we had turned around for a plane fault. Secondly on the outward flight, my bags arrived
two days late. Not a disaster for me, but certainly it could have been for some people. No
apology, no attempt to trace me when the bag arrived (though they said they were just about
to). Also, only 3 movies for 26 hours of flying. Very cheap and comfortable.
AFRIQIYAH AIRWAYS review : 2 February 2009 : by Rob Sidley
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Customer Rating : 4/5 |  |
London - Tripoli - Accra. Have to say that in both directions a pleasant and trouble free
flight. Onboard catering was fine and Coach class seating exceeded standard specs, both pitch
and quality of seats. New aircraft but remember that this is a dry airline so no alcohol
available. Overall, I would be happy to fly with them again.
AFRIQIYAH AIRWAYS review : 6 January 2009 : by Dan Harvey
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |  |
The airline has improved since I first started travelling with them4 years ago. The airplanes
are new, food is great, seats comfortable and staff are improving. However, the baggage
service is a big disgrace. At the airport in Mali the service is useless, and at the office
in Bamako, they cannot tell us anything. So until Afriqiyah can improve this, I will not be
travelling Afriqiyah again.
AFRIQIYAH AIRWAYS review : 22 December 2008 : by A King
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |  |
Gatwick to Accra. I was not disappointed with the quality of service - time, seat, cleanliness,
entertainment and food. Each section of the trip proceeded smoothly and I felt comfortable.
Whilst the airline was superb, I was disappointed with the toilet facilities at Tripoli. On both the
outbound and the inbound flights, I have never seen an international airport with deplorable and
unhygienic toilets like the ones I saw in Tripoli.
AFRIQIYAH AIRWAYS review : 11 November 2008 : by F Mahmood
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |  |
Ouagadougou to Gatwick - the plane which was due to leave Ouaga at 1.00 am arrived at 4am & departed
at 5am. I asked one of the ground staff before departure if I could possible catch the connecting
flight at Tripoli which was due to leave at 8.30 am considering that it was a 4 hours flight to
Tripoli and 2 hours time difference in advance. I was reassured more than once that I will catch the
plane and even a message had been sent to wait for me there. I boarded the plane with a lot of
apprehension and when we arrived at Tripoli I was not surprised to find that the plane had left
without me 2 hrs earlier. I contacted Afriqiyah staff and they looked embarased and didn't know what
to do with me - I had to stay in the airport lounge till the next day when one of the staff took
somehow pity on me & upgraded my ticket to the first class. Food is not bad, inflight service good
and 48 kg baggage allowance for somehow modest ticket price.
AFRIQIYAH AIRWAYS review : 7 November 2008 : by S Anutika
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Customer Rating : 2/5 |  |
I travelled London Gatwick-Tripoli-Douala with Afriqiyah recently. Arriving 4 hours late, at 01.00
hours, I discovered that my luggage, and that of most of the other passengers, was not on the
plane. I could get no information from staff at the airport, but was told that I would have to wait
until Monday for the next scheduled flight, to see if it was forwarded. With my schedule completely
ruined, and no change of clothing, I had to book a hotel, at my own expense, and wait till Monday. I
spent most of Monday at the airport, trying to get information, without success. Finally, at 22.30,
I was reunited with my luggage. Some passengers on that flight also, did not get their luggage. I
will not be using this airline in future, even if it is still the cheapest deal.
AFRIQIYAH AIRWAYS review : 19 September 2008 : by Michael Redman
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |  |
Gatwick-Accra-Gatwick and found the journey up to expectations. On time, both directions and the
onboard staff very attentive without being fussy. The let-down was Tripoli airport on arrival from
Gatwick: very scruffy and down-at-heel, and staff bullying passengers into line for us to obtain
Boarding Cards for the Tripoli-Accra leg of the journey. Information was less than brilliant too.
The return transfer was a better, but that's probably because I knew what to expect! Afriqiyah
Airways are good value in my opinion.
AFRIQIYAH AIRWAYS review : 27 August 2008 : by T Cisse
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Customer Rating : 4/5 |  |
London-Tripoli-Dakar, returning in June. Much better than charter flights from Paris or charters to
Gambia. Very few people on all legs of the flight meant that everyone could stretch out over 3
seats, fast and efficient check-in, I was told I could have taken 40kg, but the ticket issued
through last minute.com only said 23kg. Entertainment good, western and arabic films, interesting
documentary, and tapes of Koran. Staff responsive but dont fuss, laid back, will give extra food,
plenty of drinks. Food all Halal and more'real than that served on 'western flights' but the same on
return. Delay at Gatwick but they held all connecting flights in Tripoli. Planes modern and clean.
Staff helpful and responsive in Dakar in changing return flight for under £50. Good cheap way to
get to West Africa. This is an airline that caters for ordinary people and adequately meets those
needs.
AFRIQIYAH AIRWAYS review : 18 June 2008 : by J Essomba
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Customer Rating : 2/5 |  |
Afriqiyah Airways customer service is non-existent. I travelled from London via Tripoli to Cameroon
last December. I lost my luggage - I am still to be compensated and nobody seem to care. I will
think twice before travelling again with this airline.
AFRIQIYAH AIRWAYS review : 31 May 2008 : by Nick Imboden
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Customer Rating : 1/5 |  |
I work for the UN in Bangui, CAR, and I and many of our staff use Afriqiyah regularly. On December
17th 2007, the airline stranded me and 50 other passengers in Bangui airport for more than two days,
with another planeload stranded in Ndjamena. Although the delay is possibly excusable - they had a
technical fault with the aircraft - their treatment of passengers is not: customer service was
entirely non-existent, or deliberately obstructive. No explanation or information of any kind was
ever given, let alone accommodation, food or compensation, and they refused point blank to get in
touch with head office or to divulge phone numbers so that passengers could. Everyone just waited at
the airport for 51 hours, not knowing when to expect the plane. Needless to say, subsequent letters
of complaint were ignored or brushed off, and they even refused to sign an attestation of delay for
my travel insurance. In summary Afriqiyah is alright when all goes well, they've invested in some
newish planes, food isn't bad, luggage is sometimes delayed but rarely lost, and although many of
their Europe-Africa connections are delayed by 3-5 hours (I notice another reviewer complaining of a
'horrendous' 5 hour delay, which is actually a fairly common occurrence) it's all generally
tolerable. However, if something goes even slightly wrong, they fail utterly to deliver even the
barest minimum of customer service. If you are travelling on business I seriously recommend you
choose the slightly more expensive European airlines, as the risks in choosing Afriqiyah outweigh
the savings in cost.
Afriqiyah Airways review by E Smeeton
31 March 2008 Customer Trip Rating : 
Have just flown to and from Tripoli. They were late leaving Gatwick on the outward journey due to
missing passengers and luggage having to be removed but check-in etc was fine, although we only had
hand luggage. We returned on a new A320 Airbus. We left Tripoli on time and touched down at
Gatwick on the dot. The service was fine and the food was acceptable.
Afriqiyah Airways review by Krishin Advani
9 January 2008 Customer Trip Rating : 
Flew to Cotonou from London on 06/01/08. Check-in a breeze, although one lady who was flying to
Douala was carrying around 8-10 oversize suitcases, which slowed matters down. But we were never
told of a horrendous 5hr delay! Flight delayed till 2.30pm - not a good start. Boarding was class,
and this was one of their new Airbus A320s, so quite happy. Inflight entertainment is quite simple,
3-4 English movies, 3-4 Arabic movies, 7 music channels and children's channel. For a 3hour flight,
I can't complain. Service was good, inflight food a slight howler. I was given the choice between
chicken and beef - I asked for chicken and was given 150% vegetarian! A bit low - then asked for
beef - since they didn't collect my veg tray - had two lunches! Arrival in Tripoli was late, but our
Cotonou sector was delayed by 2hrs - the flight was still in Cairo at the time! We should have been
airborne by 18.40 from Tripoli; but instead left around 22.30. We arrived in Cotonou at 3.30am, more
convalescent with Royal Air Maroc timing. Aircraft on this sector was tired, no entertainment, and
lighting was depressing. I am surprised though. I believe Afriqiyah are currently going through a
rough patch with the West African flights it seems. From Tripoli to Cotonou, only 11 passengers in
total boarded. Last night's flight to Cotonou had 14 passengers. The sector is operating under a
heavy loss. The reason I foresee is that their timings from Tripoli are based around leaving about
8am Tripoli time, hence getting into Europe around 11am/12pm European time. Passengers miss their
morning appointments and in some cases, their transit flights. This is my assumption. Anyone else
have a technical reason? The fare was amazing - around £350 for a 3 week ticket. Can't be blamed.
Despite a monumental setback on this flight, and it being empty, I'd still fly them.
Afriqiyah Airways review by Chris Simpson
5 October 2007 Customer Trip Rating : 
I was amazed at the ticket price, around FCFA300,000 Abidjan-Gatwick return, less than 300 pounds
sterling. This is extremely good value given prices charged by other carriers for West Africa-Europe
trips. I expected a fairly bare bones service, but food was adequate, if unspectacular. I was
impressed by the friendliness of the service at Tripoli, with staff making sure tricky connections
were met on time. Delays on the return home, particularly at Gatwick, were irksome and a bit more
information would have been welcome. Inflight movie choice was fair, but no audio!
Afriqiyah Airways review by E Kofi-Opata
12 July 2007 Customer Trip Rating : 
Ghana to Gatwick via Tripoli. The trip was smooth but the aircraft
looked tired. Food was not too great. Tripoli to Gatwick the stewards
did what they were supposed to, and then were chatting at rear the
whole time. There were not enough blankets, even though the flight was
not full.
Afriqiyah Airways review by S Ngantu
11 July 2007 Customer Trip Rating : 
Gatwick to Doula via Tripoli and Bangui. Outbound flight was 40 minutes
late and inbound we spent a day in Tripoli in a rather nice hotel paid
for by the airline as there was no onward flight from Tripoli to
Gatwick. It was a welcome break as we were still on holiday and rather
enjoyed our shopping in Tripoli. Overall this airline is practical if
you are not in a hurry, are laid back, do not enjoy onboard
entertainment and don't like stewards and stewardesses fussing over you.
It is also cheap and the food is okay which are added bonuses.
Afriqiyah Airways review by Richard Green
22 June 2007 Customer Trip Rating : 
I recently flew London-Accra and back from Lome. I found the overall
experience to be surprisingly pleasant. The ground staff at Gatwick were
friendly and efficient. The aircraft were clean and tidy, and left and
arrived on time. It's true that the seat pitch makes for cramped
flights, but low loads on all four flights meant that people could
stretch out. The crew's attitude was very patchy however - some great,
some ok, but most pretty disinterested. The food was fine - I've
certainly had a lot worse - and the fare was a good deal cheaper than
the more established carriers. I wouldn't hesitate to fly them again.
Afriqiyah Airways review by Philip Earl
28 May 2007 Customer Trip Rating : 
Gatwick - Tripoli return. Cost £252, so good value but definitely no
frills, you get what you pay for. Food average - better on return -
hearty breakfast. Cabin staff do just what is necessary and no more.
Left bang on time on return and landed bang on time at Gatwick. 90
minute delay going out not due to airline but absorbing Ghanan
passengers from another carrier who cancelled their flight and took an
age to sort out the ticketing. Arrived 55 mins late. Near riot at
Tripoli when Libyan customs initially wanted to send them back to London
but eventually relented and let them into transit! No worse experience
overall than many with Flybe who I use frequently and whose customer
relations border on the laughable at times.
Afriqiyah Airways review by R Greco
25 April 2007 Customer Trip Rating : 
Good overall. Flew from Tripoli to Bangui - then return with layover in
Cameroon. Clean enough - mostly empty flight. Food pretty good
actually. Friendly enough staff - answered questions and help us transit
through. Was expecting it to be pretty shoddy from, but was pretty
good. I would fly again if needed.
Afriqiyah Airways review by A Docherty
15 April 2007 Customer Trip Rating : 
I recently travelled Gatwick to Tripoli and back on this airline. in
general the flights were good, the outbound departure was 10 minutes
late and the return was 30 minutes late, both arrived about on schedule.
The aircraft was an A320, it was clean and well presented, the meals
were average to good and the cabin service was quiet and efficient.
My only big misgiving was the seat pith which was frankly far too close
for anything more than a 1 hour flight. Both flights were carrying very
low load factors, the return flight had just 20 passengers! If this
airline wants to survive and expand it would do well to increase the
seat pitch and advertise the fact as a sales feature, If these flights
were anything to base an average load factor on then they would have
nothing to lose by increasing the pitch. Would I fly with them again?,
if they improve the pitch, then yes.
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