ASTRAEUS review : 1 August 2008 : by S Morris

Customer Rating : 3/5

Gatwick to Arrecife. All seemed to be go pretty well. The seats were quite big, but the service seemed pretty slow. the staff uniform seemed to be made of trendy denim! I can't remember the food; airline food is never great. It would seem that Astraeus have ceased scheduled operations at the moment as their website is closed. I've no idea what's going on there as the site just says it's closed "to reflect a change in company strategy" (whatever that means). As there aren't many scheduled or chartered carriers flying between LGW and ACE, the current situation would not seem to favour the passenger as choice is now limited.

ASTRAEUS review : 7 June 2008 : by Paul Jackson

Customer Rating : 1/5

LGW-Calvi return. 5 hour outbound delay, 4 hour inbound delay. Outbound delay due to 'technical problem'. Captain informed passengers that actually the plane was running late due to a rugby fan charter delay from the previous evening. Inbound delay due to 'plane unavailable'. 2 replacement planes needed. Shocking shoddy service, dirty outbound plane, poor food, will not fly again under any circumstances!

ASTRAEUS review : 30 April 2008 : by Tony Bagnall

Customer Rating : 1/5

Manchester to Taba. When we booked our holiday we tried to upgrade seats as two of our party are well over 6", but our travel agent told us we had to arrive at the airport early and book them on check in. This we did paying £60 for two extra legroom seats. After squeezing into my allocated upgraded seat, I made a comment to the flight staff, who informed me, to my suprise, that there were no extra legroom seats available on the plane and after consulting the ground crew she apologised and said my money would be refunded. The flight was also let down by the fact that on a 5 hour flight there was no onboard entertainment. On writing this comment 28th April 2008 still haven't received my £60 and can't get anybody at Astraeus customer services to answer the phone.

Astraeus review by Robert Johnson

30 April 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

We were booked to fly with Astraeus from Norwich to Funchal. In fact the flights were handled by Thomson.fly and all went well - except that the oven for the 'snack' meal on the return flight was faulty and we were offered badly reheated chicken - which we did not eat!

Astraeus review by Roger Middleton

28 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Astraeus Input Gatwick to Kuusamo (Finland) direct for £198 each - only airline to offer direct service and only alternative is Finnair via Helsinki for £450. No inflight entertainment but not an issue on a 3.5 hr flight. Complimentary snack adequate (barely) so you may want to take some additional snacks. Complimentary tea/coffee but alcohol extra - again not an issue. Delayed 90 mins at Gatwick because the food had been loaded on to the wrong aircraft and by the time it had been reloaded on to the right aircraft we had missed our slot. Given that it was only a ham/cheese panini I would have preferred to fly on time without the food. Budget airline and you get what you pay for, which is not a lot - but as we saved nearly £500 between the two of us compared to the alternative, I'd prefer to have basic travel and keep the £500 in my pocket any day.

Astraeus review by Clive Boyes

16 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Astraeus Input Cramped seating, no entertainment, low budget dirty planes on a five hour flight to Taba, Egypt. We could not believe it - spoilt what was a perfect holiday. Worst of all, no feedback from My Travel who chartered this service.

Astraeus review by Tim Pearce

10 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Manchester to Banjul. Seats with extra leg room requested at check in because standard pitch was only 29 inches. Check in staff promised extra leg room seats, then sat us in row 26, right at the back with seats that can't recline, even though aircraft flew with 40 seats empty, including Row 13 which has extra leg room. Stewardesses were helpful and allowed us to move there in flight.

Astraeus review by S Connelly

7 February 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Travelled to Hurghada Egypt. Have Son 6'4", told flight full SO paid for four extra seats £120 - flight half empty. Miserable staff, old plane. Coming back told flight full again - paid for 2 extra seats £72 and flight less than half full. We could have our pick where to sit. One thing WAS nice meals. But had for an extra £180. What a rip off.

Astraeus review by Peter Wakeham

7 February 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

After numerous bad experiences with Monarch we flew Astraeus scheduled 757 from Gatwick to Banjul. Legroom acceptable for me as a six footer, meals good and most important of all we were on time for both legs of the journey. Would choose them again.

Astraeus review by L Sweetman

5 February 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Barcelona to Gatwick British Airways flight operated by Astraeus. Flight was 2.75hrs late departing. Boarding passes gave us seats in row 36, there were only 35 rows on the plane. Managed to get a seat but arm rest was broken. Sarcastic and unhelpful crew. Landing had to be aborted due to workers & their vehicles being in the runway. Arrived at LGW at 00.50 hrs. 3 hours late. Never again!

Astraeus review by K Clark

8 January 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Gatwick to Chambery 22 Dec. Delayed for nearly 6 hours with no information from Astraeus staff, various excuses given by pilot once boarded, cabin staff quite good and plane was clean offered one free drink for delay. Return flight delayed by 4 hours with no information at all, told it was a problem with ATC by pilot but nearly all other airlines were leaving on time, hot snack provided on flight. Will not be flying with Astraeus again.

Astraeus review by S Walton

8 January 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

We have now flown with Astraeus four times (LGW-Kephalonia, LGW-Chambery) and will not be flying with them again. On average we have been delayed 5 hours per flight and on the last flight our destination was even changed from Chambery to Grenoble (AEU 281)! Surely such routine delays are not the product of unfortunate coincidences but of high level incompetence. Each time there was a chronic lack of information regarding why we were delayed and staff on the ground were very poorly informed. When holidays are so precious it is extremely galling to have to spend so much of them confined to airports. Think twice before booking!

Astraeus review by Alex Zak

2 January 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Manchester to Banjul return in December. Aircraft both ways a B737-700 with cramped 29" legroom and not a 757 with extra legroom as assured by the tour operator. There are often surprises when booking with the Gambia Experience so be warned as Astraeus staff told us that the 757's never do this route so they often have unhappy passengers. Other than the unsuitability of this aircraft on a 6.5 hr route in my opinion, the service, food and stewardess friendliness were above average for a charter operator. Aircraft fairly clean, just the usual dirty trays, pockets and ashtrays. No entertainment. Also there are only 2 "extra legroom" seats. These are the window seat on each side of the wing exit behind the row with 2 seats, consequently the seat in front is missing. Check in staff sell the 2 seat row seats as "extra legroom." These are in fact even worse seats as they have the same poor legroom with NO seat recline.

Astraeus review by J Hughes

27 December 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Travelled on LGW-Krakow which they operate for BA at present - so they may have been trying extra hard. Meals both ways were hot and non-veg was good. Service a bit rushed but incentive provided by turbulence to be sure they could deliver on hot stuff.

Astraeus review by Marion Christmas

16 December 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Gatwick/Banjul. Flew out on a 757 and in general a good flight with good service although legroom really limited. Due to aircraft availability problems, the return flight on 11th December was on a 737. No problems with the staff or service and we were informed as to why we were on a 737 but the 737 is simply not suitable for a flight of this length - nearly 6 hours. The seats are far too cramped for any flight over 2.5 hours. Only two toilets were available for use by the majority of people on the plane and there was no in flight entertainment. Please Astraeus consider the comfort of you passengers and only use the 737 on short haul. We were a party of 12 on charity work and we are all agreed on the above.

Astraeus review by Michael Fadjar

9 December 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

LGW - HMD (Hassi Messaoud - Algeria): on this particular route all passengers are oil / gas employees, the service is good, my only gripe is that the Boeing 757 always arrives somewhat late from LGW to HMD, and at one time it caused me to stay overnight at LGW due to missed connection. I should add however that Astraeus is subcontracted / "wet leased" by Jet Air (i.e. Jet Air agents handle everything that takes place outside the aircraft / ground handling) and so far the handling of Jet Air has been very professional. With this type of passengers (no family / kids obviously) the service from the onboard Astreus crew has been quite good actually, and the plane has been clean.

Astraeus review by C Donnelly

19 November 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Gatwick-Marsa Alam. All in all not a bad experience, although as someone else has said first eight rows have great legroom, row seven outbound, inbound row 25 not pleasant, very squashed. Crew on both sectors friendly, weren't constantly trying to push sales, meal fine, although don't understand why airlines are now serving meals in a box. B757 was very tatty and showing its age. Would use again, just remember to try and get a seat at the front of the aircraft.

Astraeus review by S Bartlett

14 November 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Bristol - Banjul. The 6-hour journey was a disaster on an old 737. Plane too heavy, all Bristol passengers bags were offloaded - approx 50. No in-flight entertainment. Crew surly and unhelpful. For a week's holiday luggage arrived on 4th day pm. Banjul - Bristol same old 737. Sat in Row 11. Could not recline seat. We boarded the plane which was an hour late in arriving to find that there was a problem with fuel. Not enough this time. Sat on tarmac for 2.75 hours before taking off. Again crew members surly. We were on plane for 9 hours. Offered 1 free drink - wow!! Will never fly with Astraeus again.

Astraeus review by A Rains

3 November 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

To and from Paphos Boeing 757. Overall a good experience tidy and clean cabin, leg space reasonable, meals fine, onboard entertainment not brilliant - so take a book, cabin staff courteous and pleasant. Would fly again with them, though slightly concerned if it were to be one of the aged 737's other respondents have mentioned.

Astraeus review by Kaye Harrington

19 October 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Have always used Astraeus when visiting Taba and think for what we pay it is excellent value. The cabin staff are 100%, food good and planes old, but comfortable and clean. For those folk who cannot live without a screen try a good book or just close your eyes and think about your trip.

Astraeus review by A Goodrum

17 October 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Gatwick to Bergamo in Boeing 757. Excellent flights in a clean aircraft. Flight deck informative. Simple but appropriate meals and piping hot. No frills but more than adequate. Newspaper for each passenger on return flight was a nice touch. Cabin crew well organised. Comfortable leather seats, 3 by 3, good knee space, giving plenty of room to stretch out legs. We would certainly use Astraeus again.

Astraeus review by M Long

23 September 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Gatwick to Calvi (Corsica) on B757. Excellent inflight service with hot meal served. Meal on return was roast beef for a 0900 (local time) departure, which was rather strange for breakfast. However, quality was good and the meal welcome as we had missed breakfast to get to the airport on time. Flights on-time for both legs. Seated in front section of aircraft, originally Business Class with previous owner, at no extra cost, despite offer to upgrade on website at a cost. Aircraft getting old and cabin a bit tatty.

Astraeus review by G Frost

2 September 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Gatwick to Faro return. Service food and extras excellent. I would certainly fly again.

Astraeus review by G Parry

15 July 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Flight to Sardinia (Olbia). Flight out on 737-700 from Manchester. The plane was clean and tidy and appeared to have leather clad seats. Leg room minimal, no entertainment, food ok. Both flights on time and no problems - staff pleasant and efficient. It was an okay experience.

Astraeus review by Dennis Milllward

19 June 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Boeing 757 charter from Gatwick to Preveza (Greece).   We paid a little extra for the Star Class upgrade, and were seated in what looked like ex-BA Club Europe seats. Very comfortable, plenty of leg room. The cabin service started with champagne and juice and savoury snacks. A cooked breakfast and more drinks from the bar followed. Flight attendants were attentive, polite and cheerful. Inflight entertainment was music on some channels, plus Casino Royale on video. The 757's don't have video screens in seat backrests - monitors in the ceiling above the aisle. On our return, flight attendants were first class - more champagne and a hot lunch. The standard of catering was far better than we had expected and stainless steel cutlery. No IFE for the return trip. We were impressed with Astraeus and hope they can maintain their current high standards of service.

Astraeus review by M Thomas

31 May 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

LGW to Kefalonia and return. Outbound on a 737, managed to get additional leg room for £20 each which was a bonus. Staff and service very slick and attentive. Return on a 757. It was a pleasure to fly on it as they have been one of my favourite aircraft since they were introduced a long time ago. Plenty of legroom and comfortable seats. This was my first time with this airline. I have always flown scheduled in the past and was to be honest apprehensive about flying the dreaded charter. I was very pleasantly surprised. The service reminded me of BA in the good old days. The cabin crew were friendly, polite and very fast, no waiting for ages for the service. There was even the unexpected bonus of a hot meal on both trips, very passable. All in all a pleasure to fly with. May they continue to maintain their high standards, I hope they do not go the same way as so many airlines over the last few years! I would certainly fly with them again.

Astraeus review by Mike Houlden

24 May 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Excellent service for a disabled passenger (me). Good legroom and service, food, etc really very nice. Staff attentive and kind. I would recommend this airline. Same crew on the way back from the Gambia, recognised me and treated me extremely well.

Astraeus review by R Herbert

1 May 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Leeds Bradford to Chambery return. On time both ways and uneventful. My main gripe was the lack of a drinks service on either sector on the grounds that the flight (2 hours) was too short. I have travelled this route many times with other operators and never had this problem. The only drinks were tea/coffee with the meal. As we had been held on a transit bus for 20 minutes in the sun at Chambery before boarding we would have appreciated a drinks service which after all would have generated more income for the airline.

Astraeus review by J Wilson

27 April 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Gatwick to Chambery on B757. Trip got off to a great start as we looked at our boarding passes and saw we were in row 2. Rows 1-8 have extra legroom and appear to be sold as standard seats on short-haul flights. Even the main cabin on the way back wasn't as bad for legroom as some other Charters. Hot food supplied free both ways with friendly, efficient FA's. All in all, a cut above your average charter airline.

Astraeus review by Melanie Baldwin

24 April 2007   Customer Trip Rating : n/a

LGW-TFS-LGW Checked in no problems at Gatwick, when we boarded the plane pleasantly surprised that the seats we were in were Star which I believe must be the premier seats, plenty of legroom, we had not paid for or requested these. After settling down into the flight I started to look around the interior of the plane - Astraeus really do need to refurbish some of their planes, ripped seats with stains on, table tops stuck together with black tape and the leather on some seats coming away and the wood underneath clearly visible. I always think if the interior of the planes are like this what must the rest of the plane be like. Anyway this airline do provide food inclusive of the price so that is a bonus, albeit usual standard. All in all would fly with Astraeus again as pretty competitive price compared to other low cost airlines.

Astraeus review by J Wilkinson
27 February 2007

Gatwick to Sal Cape Verde. Service not bad, crew worked very hard - glad we upgraded only extra £89 p/person. My only real problem is no entertainment in the seat backs which on a 5 to 6 hour flight I think is necessary. Flight delayed around one and a half hours on both the outbound and the inbound, so glad we paid for the extra legroom.

Astraeus review by Jean Tooth
7 December 2006

Manchester - Banjul. Found the service superb, FA's friendly and they worked the whole time - better organised than some of the larger airlines we have travelled. The food was good and aircraft clean and comfortable. No inflight entertainment but they tell you this in advance and it did not worry us - take a book. We managed to book and pay for extra legroom seats going out as we are both 6' tall this was an advantage, but on the return we were told in Banjul that they had all been pre-booked - which was a surprise as they advertise these seats are only available at check-in. But for the 6 hr flight it was not uncomfortable and we have been more cramped on other airlines.

Astraeus review by Hayley Stephenson
1 November 2006

Just come back yesterday from Larnaca, Cyprus (departing Leeds Bradford on the way there). The flights both ways were fine. But some inflight entertainment would of been nice! we travelled on a boeing 737-700. on the way there it took 4 hours 20 mins and on the way back 5 hours 25 mins. Food was nice, better than many others. The plane was clean and not old looking. I would fly with them again.

Astraeus review by J Marsden
27 October 2006

Manchester-Dalaman return. Booked Aircraft was being serviced on outward flight and replaced with an Irish Airbus with good leg room. Pity about the return - an ageing 737-300 that had seen better times. They claim 31" leg room but my partner at 5'4" and slim had difficulty in getting into seat at row 11 as the passengers in front refused to have seat in upright position at any time. Food on both flights was good and crew exemplary.

Astraeus review by Pauline Ellis
27 October 2006

Manchester to Taba, Egypt. The flights both ways were very good and more or less on time, food was very acceptable with additional snacks, which were a pleasant surprise. It was good to have a commentary periodically from the Captain let us know our flight path and progress, as have flown with other airlines recently and have had no information from the flight crew at all. It would have been an advantage to have some inflight entertainment on this five and a half hour flight. All in all think Astraeus are better than some of the other package holiday flights and would be more than happy to use them again.

Astraeus review by Andy McKay
5 October 2006

Manchester to Sharm return. Both flights arrived on time, would have appreciated entertainment but was not available on the 737 we were on so take a good book book! Meals fine, glad we are not too tall as leg room may have been a problem. Great crew especially on return leg, me and my partner were seated apart once in flight crew moved us to empty first row - bonus!

Astraeus review by Bob Hutchings
30 September 2006

Manchester - Kefalonia return. Decent legroom much appreciated. Comfortable seating. Cabin crew professional, cheerful and efficient In-flight meal very good. Please get the delays fixed - 1.75 hours outbound, 2 hours inbound. Air travel is already a tiresome and tedious business - delays like this just spoil what would otherwise be a great service.

Astraeus review by Alan Barnard
6 September 2006

Just returned from holiday to Marsa Alam with Astraeus on behalf of Thomsons. Outbound flight 5.5 hour delay due to "technical problems" replacement 737 came from Hungary along with the tired crew (but did have limited audio/visual onboard). Offered £5.50 meal voucher. Inbound flight delayed 6.5 hours due to "technical problems" offered free drink onboard. Jet was an Astraeus 757 rebadged from First Choice and showing signs of wear & tear inside the cabin especially the seats however the increased legroom was welcome. Perhaps if they purchased new jets they would not have so many "technical problems".

Astraeus review by Rachel Lamb
22 August 2006

Would usually fly BA but price ruled it out. Flew Astraeus to Dubrovnik on a 757. Both flights were on time, food was extremely good for a 2 hour flight (in fact was good enough for a long haul flight), cabin staff very good. Bags for rubbish disposal a great idea. All in all, very good for a short haul flight, would use them again.

Astraeus review by John Ramsbottom
3 August 2006

To Taba from Gatwick in Star class. Overall very good. Good seats, service, check in and much improved food compared to last year. 25 mins late on both occasions but no real problem. The £50 upgrade to star class worth the money.

Astraeus review by Linda O'Sullivan
18 July 2006

Gatwick to Kefalonia return. Our flights had been changed to Astraeus at the last moment. Check in was fast and the staff friendly. The 757 was clean and we had plenty of leg room. The inflight food was excellent and we were provided with a good gluten free meal (which makes a change from other airlines). Liked the hot towels given out at the end of the meal. Would certainly travel with them again.

Astraeus review by Peter Cobbe
8 July 2006

Excellent flight to Corsica and return - plenty of extra leg room , polite attentive staff . Better than average airline food and 3 vegetarians served without the usual airline mistakes. A good experience and we will use them again.

Astraeus review by David Doughty
21 June 2006

Flew to Dubrovnik from LGW. Plane on time both legs, seats roomy, plenty of leg room, good cabin crew, edible meals, useful bag to take rubbish to hang on back of seat. No aircraft cleaning at Dubrovnik, but not a major problem. Usually quick to criticise, wanted to say well done for a comfortable trip.

Astraeus review by Stephen Cox
29 May 2006

Their in flight mag says they are a low cost airline with levels of comfort and service more commonly associated with premium carriers. The seat cushion was a bit hard and a funny shape, but perhaps my bottom is different from average. Particularly liked the food and presentation. They include a bag to clip above the seat-back tray that takes the endless wrappers and debris. Convenient, too, for the staff in cleaning up. Blanket, pillow, even hot towels! Happy efficient crew, too. Very satisfied charter customer, and I would look out for this carrier again. 30 kilo main luggage allowance a big bonus, but banning any wheeled case from cabin could be awkward.

Astraeus review by Robert Hill
24 May 2006

My partner and I flew from Gatwick to Taba return. Both flights took off on time and landed early - only 1/3 full both ways. We got free upgrades to Star Class with stacks of legroom (- food was reasonable, cabin crew were excellent. Didn't bother with the films - we never do, just read some papers and finished our books before landing. No complaints at all. We liked Astraeus from our first experience with them 18 months ago on the very same flight and chose to fly with them on a Thursday rather than Monarch on a Monday. We like Astraeus and would be more than happy to use them again - if they could reach the Maldives, Seychelles or Mauritius in one hop they would clean up!

Astraeus review by Dave Stanley
18 May 2006

Freetown and back. Astraeus seem to have gone down hill rather badly since I last used them a year ago. The new seeting configuration on the 757's with Star Class means the leg room in the rear of the aircraft is now poor. The food was terrible too, more like something you would expect from the cheapest budget airline.

Astraeus review by Ian Winstanley
10 May 2006

Just returned from Taba (Egypt), 0015 departing back to Manchester. OK the glossy in flight magazine goes on about the extra legroom in the 757's going to Gatwick but that was no comfort to the poor souls onboard a very cramped 737 with no entertainment, no pillows, no blankets etc. This turned into a night flight which was not planned when the holiday was booked through Thompsons. Cabin crew very efficient, food adequate. If this aircraft is regarded as being part of a modern fleet, I rest my case.

Astraeus review by Ronald Lowen
6 May 2006

Boeing 737 to Taba. Sheet of paper apologising for delay from Gatwick because the plane had not come from the repairers on time. Our friends travelled a week earlier, they were also delayed. No legroom,no entertainment, no apologies from cabin crew on a 5 hour flight. Return on a 757 not much better with only the soundtrack of the in-flight movie. Why have 12 channels on your headphones when 10 of the channels are silent? Get up to date Astraeus or lose passengers.

Astraeus review by Carole Luxon
28 April 2006

A Nile Cruise with Kuoni flying to Luxor. We would definately fly this airline again. we had ample leg room on the 757, and although there were some slightly untidy areas it was no more than was to be expected through normal wear and tear. The aircraft was clean, food was satisfactory, even give hot towels after our meal, and sweets given out! The crew were in fact very professional and pleasant. Outgoing flight boarded on time - although due to a heavy queue we did actually take off 30 mins late, which is nothing compared to delays we have experienced in the past. Flight back left on time. Pilot full of apologies for tubulance - but had to be expected and did not last too long anyway. All in all good travelling both ways with a good airline.

Astraeus review by Linda Hunt
18 April 2006

Flight to Aqaba in March/April 06. Pure cattle class. On return flight 114 dinners on board and over 140 people so we were asked who would go without dinner on the five and a half hour flight to Gatwick. This was not a good experience and it makes EasiJet look like BA First Class.

Astraeus review by David Rees
25 March 2006

Flight to Luxor return. Adequate knee room; seats slightly narrow. In- flight meals plain and simple and all the better for that. Entertainment system looking dated - a few small CRTs in the aisle ceiling. In-flight magazine claims new 757s will have in-seat screens. Flight safety briefing an almost unintelligible gabble. Quite an acceptable flight on the whole.

Astraeus review by Sandra Anley
15 March 2006

Gatwick to Taba. Check in at LGW terrible, 1 hr 15mins in queue. Flight delayed, aircraft interior looked a bit worse for wear and by this time we were getting a bit concerned as to what to expect. Cabin crew redeemed the whole situation, friendly and attentive, standard of food better than BA. Trip back delayed, another B757, so a comfortable flight. Taba airport not a great place to spend more time than necessary, but delays happen whenever and however you choose to travel.