FIRST CHOICE review : 20 June 2008 : by S Borrett

Customer Rating : 4/5

East Midlands to Sanford return. Departure on time and though we were one of the last to check in, given centre exit row seats with extra leg room. The only problem with this was that, despite an announcement to the contrary, passengers used the space in front of us to cross from one side of the aircraft to the other which was very annoying. B767 clean and tidy, food better than Thomsonfly and crew efficient rather than warm. The best features of this service are the use of two secondary airports where sheer weight of numbers and the consequent hassle that brings were absent. Shame First Choice about to be gobbled up by TUI.

FIRST CHOICE review : 3 June 2008 : by J Ollington

Customer Rating : 1/5

Booked First Choice Holiday to Lanzarote for early holiday in May 2008. The experience on the outbound plane left a lot to be desired but coming home was worse. We chose First Choice because the advertising always pushes the fact that the leg room on their planes is 33inch pitch. We were so cramped (even before the person in front of us threw her seat back) that our knees were jammed up against the seat in front. When the food was served the Stewardess told everybody to be careful 'as the boxes were hot and the food had been left in the heater too long'. I couldn't even get the lid off my meal to begin with as the heat had fused the carton and lid together. I had to ask my husband to identify the 'green slime' in the corner of the carton which turned out to be 'broccoli'. We both gave the meal a miss and decided to just eat the cheese and biscuit - the cheese had turned to liquid with the heat from the dinner! The Stewards came along immediately with tea and coffee so most people declined - you just couldn't hold onto it.

FIRST CHOICE review : 3 June 2008 : by R Foulstone

Customer Rating : 2/5

Flew home with First choice on 29th May - no leg room, very squashed. The headphone plugs in seats didn't work - after paying for two £2.50 each set. Cabin staff were really stretched - about 240 on board. After 1.5 hrs they finally offered us a chance to buy a drink - no hot choc and had run out of many food items I requested. The staff were flapping - didn't seem experienced or enough staff onboard to cope. Food was poor. Will probably not book a holiday with First Choice again.

FIRST CHOICE review : 30 May 2008 : by A Holt

Customer Rating : 1/5

Manchester - Paphos return in May. B757 out and back. Tirst choice cabins showing heavy wear. I had an exit seat both ways - the outbound seat wouldn't lock upright! 1 toilet u/s, food inedible; never seen so much go back! Late departures at both ends. Given TUI group ownership of First Choice & Thomsonfly, check in at Paphos was utter chaos - all group departures checking in at once, hence all flights delayed due terminal congestion - no management whatsoever. A couple got on our Manchester bound flight that should have been on the Birmingham flight adding to the delays while they and their bags located to the right flight! Dont bother with the pre booked seats either - they were oversold and people let down.

FIRST CHOICE review : 27 May 2008 : by G Viles

Customer Rating : 4/5

LGW-SFB-LGW Star Premier Class. Service was good, reasonable AVOD, food and drink good and priority baggage both ways. Flights pretty much on time. I would use them again in this cabin class, but worry as they are now being integrated into Thomsonfly. Only complaints - there is only one toilet for a cabin of 60 and on the return the aircon was very cold.

FIRST CHOICE review : 16 May 2008 : by Roger Pearse

Customer Rating : 1/5

Flew with First Choice from Gatwick to Luxor. This is a 5 hour flight. On the way out I was in the first row, so plenty of leg room. But the overhead lockers were full of cabin crew junk, so your coat and bag had to go several rows back, which isn't good if you have money in them. I had the aisle seat, and was jostled constantly. On the way back I had a standard window seat. I was dreadfully uncomfortable for the whole trip. This seat spacing was just greed.

FIRST CHOICE review : 13 May 2008 : by John Lynn

Customer Rating : 4/5

Manchester to Taba. Paid extra for extra leg room seats - excellent although the seat base a little hard. Cabin crew Inbound excellent.

FIRST CHOICE review : 13 May 2008 : by David Marlow

Customer Rating : 3/5

Gatwick - Fuerteventura return on First Choice. As a frequent traveller to Fuerteventura and at just over 6'5" and of very big build I am usually so tightly packed in and cramped that a seat belt is hardly required. We booked the flight using a refund from first choice as they offered a premium cabin, just 24 seats available. On the way out we sat in row 1 E/D/F - the leg room was fine however the fixed arms based on solid centre's restricted the width. On our return flight the standard arm rest which are hinged to the seat allowed for more thigh room. The cabin of this Airbus was immaculate and comfortable and the flight was enjoyable. Much more friendly crew on the return, although the changes that Tui Group seem to be inflicting on its staff were evident, from the crews comments and overhearing their gripes from behind the front curtain. I know it comes down to cost and profit for any type of business but come on First Choice - let us see you lead the way and make the pitch 33" for any passenger in economy cabins on any route. 28" seat pitch and I cannot fly with you, you are putting people through pain and discomfort before and after their holidays!

FIRST CHOICE review : 11 May 2008 : by Michael Barling

Customer Rating : 1/5

Bristol to Lanzarote. First time with Firstchoice and unless something changes it will be the last. The seats were the tightest providing the smallest leg room I have ever sat in after many years of airtravel. I am not a giant, just over six feet, and to have to endure over three hours of cramped conditions is unhealthy. The service was fine and cabin crew worked hard but when will airlines understand that it is the seat and not the drinks trolley or the movie that make for a comfortable journey.

FIRST CHOICE review : 11 May 2008 : by Colin Pay

Customer Rating : 4/5

Gatwick-Monastir return.B757 out A320 back. B757 had plenty of spare seats allowing people to spread out. A320 full but legroom was better. FAs friendly both ways. Both flights on time.

First Choice review - by Philip Butterworth

8 April 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Gatwick to Margarita economy return. Check in at Gatwick (weekend before Easter) was chaotic as all flights queue up together for all desks and took nearly 2hrs 30mins to get into the departure lounge! Therefore no time to do anything there. Plane Good and seemed fairly new, seat pitch fine (much better than Thomson Fly 2 yrs before to Brazil), Entertainment ok but limited if you dont upgrade for £5. Food pretty good. FA's good. Entertainment even more limited on the way back but everything else was fine. Altogether though, good value for money and reasonable comfort. Would fly long haul with them again.

First Choice review - by David Annakin

28 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Manchester - Taba return. I'd heard that the seat pitch was tight so had to pay £100 for 2 seats next to exit. I'm 6'4" and there was no way I could have got into a standard pitch seat - I felt sorry for everyone else behind me. The food was appalling - I couldn't believe any airline could be so mean. FA's did their best in difficult conditions.

First Choice review - by Colin Pay

13 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Gatwick to Taba return. Over 90 minutes late leaving Gatwick- flight starts in Manchester much to my surprise! B 757 showing their age, minimal seat pitch and narrow seat width. FA's both ways only interested in selling headsets, drinks, snacks, duty frees etc. FA's on the way out reasonably friendly, return was a different matter. I have been flying for over 40 years for work and leisure and this flight had some of the most unhelpful and arrogant FA's I have ever come across. On boarding at Taba at least 2 of the overhead bins at the rear of the aircraft were full of items for sale and one was full of video equipment, leaving very limited space for passengers to store their carry on baggage. FA's very reluctant to move their stuff. The behaviour of one of the FA's was childish in the extreme throughout the flight. My wife and I were seated in the aisle seats in row 39 one row from the back and the FA's crew station. During the taxiing to the stand at Gatwick the man next to my wife turned on his mobile phone and received a phone call, which he answered and informed the caller that we were just taxiing and he would be about 20 minutes. Everybody in the area (apart from the FA's who were too busy chatting) heard this. My wife brought this to the attention of the male FA in charge of the rear. His comment was that it didn't really matter as we would be arriving at the gate soon. He was then heard to comment on the intercom to a colleague that he would complete a task, but he had just been told how to do his job by a passenger! When I confronted this man about current regulations concerning mobile phones he became defensive and arrogant stating that of course mobile phones should not be used till in the terminal building he said that he could not deal with the complaint as he was disarming the doors, we were still moving when the complaint was made. I would not recommend this airline. Unfortunately on some holiday destinations there is no choice and you have to put up with First Choice's money making service and rude and arrogant staff!

First Choice review - by D Felton

12 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Manchester – Bridgetown return with Premium upgrade. All seating pre-allocated by First Choice on both outbound and return flights, so no choice of window or aisle seating. Poor 2-3-2 seating arrangements throughout the plane, so do not expect to sit next to each other. Both ways, my wife had to sit in the row in front of me and we were not the only ones. Outbound flight FA’s cheerful and attentive throughout, but unable to supply any drinks whilst we sat in the aircraft and waited on the ground for two hours due to technical problems. IFE was a good choice of films in both directions, but the same TV/Radio and music programmes on both flights. Good choice of menu and one of the best meals we have had on a charter flight. Afternoon snack before arrival, which consisted of a couple of sandwiches and a scone with jam and cream. Priority luggage on arrival in Bridgetown was a joke, we had the wait nearly three hours to obtain our suitcases, along with everyone else and no information. Return flight FA’s very grumpy, positively rude and ignorant to say the very least. The worst FA's I have ever come across in years of travelling. Everything appeared to be too much for them and all they wanted to do was sit and talk and do a crossword in the galley. Food for the main meal on return journey was appalling. This was our first experience and will definitely be our last with First Choice.

First Choice review - by Bob Ellis

7 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Flight to and from Goa in Star Class. This was our first trip in First Choice Star Class, having suffered the miseries of other Charter Airlines to Goa. As a fairly tall individual, I normally to pay for extra legroom seats, so the promise of 33 inch legroom seemed ideal. We boarded the plane and when we got in our seats we were pleasantly surprised by comfort and space. Our happiness lasted until after take off when the seat belt sign went off, and the reclining seat back in front was lowered on to my knees. With the seat backs in recline the leg room was as bad as or even worse than the cheaper charter flights, with a leg room less than 27inches. It was not even improved by reclining my own seat as it did not give me any more leg room and just made the person behind me miserable, so I put it back up. The return journey was another 11 hours of misery. If you have long legs and want to travel First Choice Star Class, book an extra leg room seat.

First Choice review - by Nick Batchelor

2 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

LGW-POP-LGW. Premium cabin. Boeing 767-300. Overall great flights, this is my 4th longhaul with FCA and whilst seat comfort, pitch, cabin crew service and AVOD are fantastic for a charter carrier, the cabin furnishings look very worn and in need of a refurbishment, the food served and quality is slowly diminishing, menu descriptions are slightly over optimistic and the breakfast is now no more than a small snack, in fact you get a far better breakfast on many European short haul carriers in economy.

First Choice review - by G Carter-Smith

21 February 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Gatwick-Cancun-Gatwick. On our way to Mexico we had no problems, good legroom for charter, entertainment a choice of several recent movies although you had to upgrade £5.00 for the latest blockbusters, food was nice and cabin service professional. On our way home it was ok but not as good - we were subjected to no end of PA's by the purser which seemed to be never ending and trivial. These must have gone on for about 20min. Choice of meal was beef or beef - so no choice at all. They had no replacement headphones as mine had broken, and my entertainment kept crashing and having to be reset. We were eventually allowed to go to sleep but were woken by the purser doing yet another PA advising that if we dont want breakfast leave our trays up. I would fly first choice again but hopefully with different crew.

First Choice review - by G Saxby

4 February 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

I would say that First Choice would be classed as a typical charter. LGW-GVA-LGW outbound flight no problems even departed early but inbound we took off an 1.5 hrs late. Not their fault and they kept us regularly informed. Legroom is minimal. A hot meal was served both ways but on the in bound we were served an out of date chocolate muffin! Cabin crew good. Service was a bit confusing outbound. Breakfast / tea & coffee / duty free but on the in bound Lunch / duty free whilst still with our trays and no tea of coffee. This is due to the merger and is as TUI want the services now. Think they may go downhill once the merger has been completed but overall a fairly good experience

First Choice review - by D Whiteley

4 February 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

FCA to Punta Cana Dominican Republic in the premier cabin. Checked in hold bags the day before at Gatwick very easy and then drove up the next day. Quickly through security then through to Aviance lounge. Lucky with seats both ways (Row 1), very good service from crew, take your drinks and meal order (our veg meals didn't seem to be onboard but there was a veg option anyway). Crew made an announcement to stop people passing across to the toilets in front of us. On the way back sat in the last row so you could recline without upsetting anybody. Good film choice and you can pause and rewind. Some toilets stopped working on the way out near end of long flight. I thought the crew worked hard. Comfy seats, good pillows and blankets, amenity kit, water and newspaper at the seat on the way back. On the way out, crew came round selling pringles and stuff if you were still hungry. We normally fly to the Caribbean with Virgin in premium and I was very impressed with FCA, a good trip both ways.

First Choice review - by Jackie Waring

22 January 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Gatwick to Cayo Coco. We paid for a premium upgrade at a cost of around £500 for the 2 of us. I was not expecting business class but you do expect something for your money. This upgrade does not include the VIP lounges. In the row behind us there were 4 infants that made the 10 hour outward flight a nightmare. The crew did nothing to resolve the situation. This led to a very fraught and unpleasant atmosphere. Food ok, small amenity set. Inflight entertainment limited and TV selection same on both flights. Supposed to have had priority baggage service in with the price - this did not happen and late off oad of bags caused us to miss our onward flight to Manchester. My advice would be think very carefully about what you are getting for the extra that you pay.

First Choice review - by John Leonard

30 December 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Lanzarote/Dublin. I paid 38 euro for extra legroom at the airport and it was worth it, IFE very good - novel idea of having "trival pursuit" type of questions on the drop down screen between movies. Inflight catering was included and was fine except they have switched to ECO friendly re-cycled cardboard boxes to replace the traditional trays, and it does not work! Even the friendly crew were having difficulties trying to serve the meals with these.

First Choice review - by K Wright

12 December 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

MAN-POP (Puerto Plata) return. Excellent premier class cabin, well worth the upgrade when you're over 6'4 tall! The comfort, food and service was excellent. However, priority baggage off load was a joke, took longer than economy luggage to come off the belts, both ways! and separate check in wasn't worth it on the way back, took forever, might as well have checked in with economy passengers All in all though, I would travel again with First Choice.

First Choice review - by Kevin Chivers

4 December 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Gatwick to Male return. Was told by FCA that check in would not open until 3 hours before departure. However, we arrived 1 hour before official opening time and were able to check-in with no problem. We had paid extra to sit together and were pleased to be allocated a window and the one next to it. Configuration was 2-3-2. Leg room was good - pitch 33" - and the leather seats reasonably comfy. In-flight entertainment was fairly rubbish unless you paid £5 to upgrade. Service slow because you have to pay for drinks, snacks etc. The complimentary outbound meal was dreadful but was a little better on the return. Would not fly with them again.

First Choice review - by Lee Fitzpatrick

27 November 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Manchester-Sanford return. Travelled standard Star Class cabin - excellent wide seats and 33" leg pitch. Service was good, meals and entertainment good and well worth the £ 5.00 upgrade to on demand. In my opinion you are better off not upgrading, as all you will get extra are a couple of drinks, free entertainment and 3" extra leg room.