FLYBE   Customer Reviews and Passenger Trip Reports

FLYBE customer review :  15 November 2009 by R Schlagboehmer   (Germany)

Gatwick to Dusseldorf. The incoming aircraft had developed a technical fault which could not be fixed on stand. Problem was the complete absence of customer service. All Flybe staff went into hiding. We were told to go to the service desk in the departure lounge to get a meal voucher. No Flybe staff there. Staff at departure gate were not Flybe and couldn’t get hold of information from Flybe. Flight then diverted to Cologne and bussed to Dusseldorf. 4 hours late overall. Flybe at Gatwick had cancelled a flight to Leeds and several other BE flights were delayed (eg. Aberdeen). Departure hall full with unhappy Flybe customers.

FLYBE customer review :  15 November 2009 by D Bryant   (UK)

Beware that flyBe has the lowest hand luggage measurements of any airline- the case I use was accepted on the flight out but rejected on the inbound flight which cost a lot of money.

FLYBE customer review :  15 November 2009 by S Monks   (Jersey)

Jersey to Doncaster and there were problems with computers and internet. I wasn't able to check in online so went to the airport where the self service check in machines were closed off. Apparently FlyBe also had problems with the computer systems. They checked me in and when we boarded the flight the captain commented on the computer problems. So far so good. 0th November I was returning to Jersey, went to the self service check in machine as I didn't have access to the internet. The terminal told me there was a problem and printed out a slip which I had to take to the check in desk where I was told that I was a 'no show' on the Jersey Doncaster leg so the system cancelled my return flight. Fortunately I hadn't thrown away my outward boarding pass so could prove that I was indeed a 'show'. The flight wasn't full so I was able to be re-booked but I felt for anyone on a full flight who probably had problems returning home. Locally FlyBe is known as 'FlyMaybe'.

FLYBE customer review :  15 November 2009 by Robert Marshall   (UK)

Nice clean modern aircraft, attentive cabin crew. On time departure, early arrival. GLA - CWL - GLA. Our only criticism is that as an elderly person doing everything online is not easy. The booking and check in process was worrying. For peace of mind we travelled to GLA to show our bags and boarding cards the day before the flight to make sure everything was in order. We have many friends around our age who would not attempt this procedure, even if they had a computer and printer. If this is the only way to get tickets with flyBe will use other carriers. Having to pay for the phone call for assistance with booking and payment is mean.

FLYBE customer review :  11 November 2009 by Nick Butler   (UK)

Everybody should be aware of the fraudulent headline ticket prices that Flybe advertise. The final price bears no relationship to the headline price. It is time that airlines were compelled to display ticket prices that include APD, Fuel surcharge, security charge etc. If you fly out of Manchester these 'extras' add up to around £45.

FLYBE customer review :  3 November 2009 by Kate Nulty   (UK)

I understand that terms and conditions state that a name change fee is £30 per ticket, and that if the price of the ticket increases, this cost is also incurred when the name is changed - but this doesn't make it ethical. I believe if the ticket has already been purchased and all that is required is a name change, this should not cost an arm and a leg! I paid £169 for 2 return flights for my partner's 30th birthday, but we split up, then I wanted to change the name to a friend's name and it was going to cost £137! Crazy. I will never fly with or recommend Flybe as I believe this is unethical.

FLYBE customer review :  29 October 2009 by David Webber   (UK)

Bristol to Jersey. Budget Airline - who are they trying to kid? Their website is so misleading with respect to their "cheap fares" that it is bordering upon fraud. How on earth they get away with this is totally beyond me. Shame as the aircraft is modern & clean and cabin crew efficient and polite. Still, although they managed to tuck-me-up once, I won't be giving them the opportunity to do it again.

FLYBE customer review :  28 October 2009 by S MacLaren   (Canada)

Well ahead of our flight date, Inverness to Heathrow (en route to Canada) we paid for one extra bag each. In fact, we took only one extra bag and weighed in one at 20k and the other two at 17k. However, Flybe charged us an exorbitant 257 pounds for extra luggage. In taking our up front payment for extra luggage then not allowing extra weight, Flybe could be guilty of false advertising in the least. How on earth Can Flybe accept your payment for extra baggage, but not allow extra weight? And how could they charge such a monstrous fee when we had already paid ahead for two extra bags? What is the point of buying more luggage space if you can not add to it? International clients who have tickets proving they are leaving for another continent should be allowed extra baggage. Incidentally, the flight was less than 2/3 full so the weight should not have been a problem.

FLYBE customer review :  26 October 2009 by J Ballard   (Isle of Man)

No matter what Flybe offer, their price hikes for normal services are getting to the level of absurd. Check out recent excess baggage charge flying to the IOM, 17kg over, paid for extra baggage, guess what, you pay for an extra bag, but you weight allowance does not change - try £295! In many ways residents of places like the Isle of Man are held to ransom by these shady business practices, be very careful and read what the small print says.

FLYBE customer review :  21 October 2009 by Hasse Marrum   (UK)

We fly regularly with Flybe, mostly to Duesseldorf but occasionally on other routes as well. Check-in, on-board service and punctuality is generally good but if you are charging 'over the odds' for drinks (like most value for money airlines) then one would at least expect proper tonic water and not the imitation flyBe provide. The reward system should apply to all the flights I book and pay for and not just the ones I actually fly on.

FLYBE customer review :  14 October 2009 by J Osment   (UK)

Flybe seem to have a cunning plan which traps passengers into paying excess baggage. On a recent trip from Southampton to Dusseldorf my carry on bag would not fit into their carry on bag size rack by 1 inch. That's the amount the wheels stick out. I had to put it in the hold and pay 5 kilos excess. With time to spare in Dusseldorf airport I tried my carry on bag in half a dozen different airline racks and it fitted in every one. Once on the plane - a Dash 8 I measured the overhead locker, and sure enough my carry on bag would have fitted easily - it was only 1 inch longer than my colleague's carry on bag and length is not the problem in the lockers. Another passenger on my flight had the same problem. He had a metal carry on flight case obviously made to fit in an overhead locker but it failed Flybe's measurement rack by less than half an inch. The racks are clearly deliberately undersized when compared to other airlines. And by the way you can't have a serviette with your drink on a Flybe flight unless you buy a sandwich. Now that really is mean spirited.

FLYBE customer review :  29 September 2009 by Heather Blackhall   (UK)

Edinburgh-Rennes. These direct flights seem to be seasonal and in our case only on Saturdays. Rennes airport in Brittany is small and quiet and very easy to use. Flybe is by no stretch of the imagination a low cost airline and I do not think it would kill them to offer (complimentary) one drink of whatever kind plus a snack. Not many passengers purchased from the trolleys, food or gifts. At £12-£14 for two baby bottles of wine plus two sandwiches I can understand why!

FLYBE customer review :  10 September 2009 by J Moss   (UK)

Even before I fly I'm left with a poor impression. Booked a golf bag one way and have no confirmation other than to trust the checking in clerk. Of course if I call their help line and pay 10p a min for the pleasure I may get an answer. Why cant they confirm on the web site what I have booked? My previous experience of Flybe check in does not fill me with confidence. I do wonder if anyone from Flybe ever looks at these comments because in my 4 years of using them they have not improved their customer services a bit. I always find their baggage size restriction confusing and unclear.

FLYBE customer review :  15 September 2009 by Richard Hayes   (UK)

SOU-NCE return on Embraer 195. Fast check in and speedy boarding, aircraft comfortable for a 6 ft individual. Cabin crew friendly and professional. It is sell, sell sell onboard - however it is much cheaper to take your own food with you. Return flight 45 mins late, annoying but not disastrous.