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FLYBE review :  30 July 2009 : by Y Palfrey   (UK)

I have been trying all day to book a simple flight to Newquay on the internet, stalling at the booking seats stage. I then tried two very expensive phone calls to the "helpline"; when I finally got through after 20 mins a time, I was passed on each time to different internet booking numbers, neither of which were operational! More hassle than it's worth and not a good sign for a calm and safe flight.

FLYBE review :  30 July 2009 : by Mary Birch   (UK)

Having travelled with flybe last October and been happy with the trip (although the flight definitely was not value for money) I had few qualms about making a trip to Alicante this summer. However, on the return flight there were problems with the aircraft which the pilot announced as passengers boarded - not very reassuring as regards flight safety! We sat on the tarmac for the next 2+hours whilst we kept being told by the pilot that we should be leaving within the next 15-20 minutes. At around 9.30 we were decanted back to the terminal and told that engineers were working on the plane. I think there was one or two announcements after that but then everything went quiet on the intercom and we became the passengers that time forgot, although still being led to believe that we would be leaving for our destination. (despite the fact that at Aberdeen airport the flight was shown as cancelled and as we later found out that some on the runways in Aberdeen were being tarmacced overnight!). At 1am (5 hours after the flight was due to take off) we were told to go to Gate 1. Now I knew through some friends who had tracked down someone at the airport information desk that proceeding to Gate 1 was not to get on a flight as some passengers might have thought but actually to collect our baggage and be directed to a coach and then transferred to a hotel where we spent the night and then went through the whole thing the next morning. Gleaning information about what was happening, when we would be picked up the next day etc. was a little like Chinese Whispers - if you happened to be on the coach when a member of the ground crew popped her head in to tell you you'd be picked up at 9am all well and good because you certainly wouldn't have found out any other way as the coach driver clearly was not aware of the arrangement nor were the hotel staff (why should they as they were not flybe employees). Next morning there was apparently breakfast laid on but many people didn't know about this and boarded the plane at around 1pm having had nothing to eat since the evening before - further exacerbated by the crew announcing there was no hot food on board because of 'hygiene' reasons! There were many families with children travelling on the flight as well as people in wheelchairs and the crew (who had been sleeping in their beds whilst the passengers re-enacted The Terminal the previous night) hadn't the courtesy to change the script when we boarded, simply apologizing for any 'inconvenience'. Yes passenger safety is important and no-one wants to fly in a plane that is faulty (although why passengers were even allowed to board it when this was a know fact is baffling). My major complaints are the lack of communication from the airline and the total lack of accountability to the passengers from whom flybe is more than happy to take money.

FLYBE review :  30 July 2009 : by Duncan Johnson   (UK)

I regularly fly Man-Milan with Flybe and it does what I need. I don't have luggage and I don't need to reserve a seat or need any food. However, to avoid the extortionate card payment fees, I got an Electron card. Trouble is Flybe refuse to accept that it is an Electron card even though its printed across the front of it. So the website won't accept it, and then I have to go through the trauma of phoning up the call centre to book instead.

FLYBE review :  28 July 2009 : by Frances Murray   (UK)

Glasgow to Stornoway on 22 July. Because of traffic problems and queues at drop off point, I was 3 minutes late arriving at check in. I was aware that I might not be allowed to board, but surprised to be told that the reason was because Captain had finished his paperwork. He must have been pretty quick starting it. Advised to go to desk to purchase ticket for later flight. Did so, to be told that I would have to travel business class- this is a joke on the Stornoway flight where all seats are exactly the same. I accepted the £131.00 quoted for this single flight (low cost it is not) but was shocked to discover an extra £30 had been added (without any notification during the transaction) for 'changing' my ticket. I would contend that given I had not been allowed on to the initial flight, this was a new ticket I was purchasing. Throughout the transaction, the member of staff behind the desk kept up a conversation with her colleague and was most unhelpful. Not a good way to run a so-called life-line service, but it is a monopoly, so what can I do?

FLYBE review :  23 July 2009 : by M Lapin   (UK)

FlyBe is not a low cost airline. Glasgow to Southampton return cost well over 400GBP for my wife and I. Customer service at Southampton is non existent. FlyBe have a catch-all cabin baggage con-trick. Firstly they have the smallest cabin baggage size allowance of any UK airline, which will catch you out if you have bought a bag certified as suitable for onboard use. Then they ensure that their staff at non-hub airports like Glasgow ignore the baggage size rule, but insist that their staff at airports such as Southampton ruthlessly apply this rule - thereby catching many travellers and netting the company a tidy sum in additional baggage and weight costs.

FLYBE review :  22 July 2009 : by A Fitter   (UK)

I used to travel flybe from Exeter to Edinburgh. Budget airline they aren't anymore, and suggest travel to Bristol and checking in with another airline for far less money!

FLYBE review :  22 July 2009 : by S Shalor   (UK)

A near stranglehold on the domestic market may be astute business, but it militates against consumer interest and seems to allow Flybe to practise dishonesty. Fare prices quoted on the website are invariably around (or less than) a third of the actual, real price you pay because the tax and charges components are carefully concealed, or just not divulged. Many of the "options" (baggage etc) open in your web browser with the tiny inconspicuous box already ticked so that without exercising your "option", you incur the charge. Surcharge levied for debit cards - yes, not just credit cards which cost the supplier, but also debit cards which don't. Flybe con-artistry on their website may catch a few extra punters, but shows them leading the field of dodgy practitioners sailing as close to fraud as they dare.

FLYBE review :  18 July 2009 : by Sylvia Goddard   (UK)

Southampton to Edinburgh day return. Out on a Dash 8 [turbo prop] and back on an Embraer 95 [non turbo prop]. Excellent service, cabin and safety. Small planes but clean, well kept and prompt service with a smile. Good legroom in a 2x2 config. This was a work trip so I feel a full price was paid even though it was ordinary economy [over £250] - so I would not call this a low cost airline. In view of this they need to up their game on the refreshments side and offer something as part of the fare. No comments on luggage etc as I only has my handbag with me. Could be a problem for others though.

FLYBE review :  14 July 2009 by Jenny Thwaites   (UK)

We have been regular Flybe customers as the airport is convenient, with short check in time for our frequent trips to France. We have now deserted our favourite carrier in favour of Ryanair or driving. Ryanair service is cattle like, but Flybe are often double the price and the difference has become too much. Sorry Flybe, but you have priced yourselves out of our reach.

FLYBE review :  8 July 2009 by I McGregor   (UK)

ABZ-LSI-ABZ. FA and crew very pleasant and friendly on this short flight. I agree about comments on price. When British Airways ran the flights they were much cheaper. I have flown this route on and off over the past 15 years, and the aircraft, which are operated by Loganair are still the same so the cabins are now getting a bit old and tatty. Overall it was a good flying experience however the prices are not "low cost".

FLYBE review :  23 June 2009 : by Erica Williamson   (UK)

I have just returned from a trip to Orkney and Shetland and used Flybe. I would agree with the comments about price, they are not really that cheap. When things went wrong in Sumburgh on the way back the staff were helpful, courteous and good humoured. They kept passengers informed and offered alternatives, such as booking passengers on the ferry. I had to stay an extra night and was booked into a hotel and rebooked for flights the following day with no arguments at all.