AIR MALTA review : 2 August 2008 : by S Leeming

Customer Rating : 1/5

Flew to Lanzarote from Manchester on the 17 July, meant to fly at 6.30am, insisted we were at airport 3 hours before so no sleep that night. When we arrived, not told of any delays, no tannoy to tell us, just happened to notice on the boards that the flight was delayed until 11.30am. About midday we were all tannoyed to attend customer service desk to be told we were being taken to a hotel, even though we were definitely going to fly at 2.30pm, 2 hours later. couldnt understand why on earth they would bother taking us to a hotel if we were going to be flying in 2 hours but they insisted we go. Had to reclaim our baggage and everything. Not told where to go to get the bus, all just following each other. They put on a 25 seater bus to transfer 180 of us to the hotel. Therefore had to queue for the bus or walk! Told us on arrival at hotel about 1.45 that at 2.15 lunch would be provided. At 1.50 we got a call in our room telling us we had to go straight back to the airport as the plane was ready. We all rushed back. Then no announcements made but when we returned to the airport, again on the 25 seater bus, noticed on the board that the time of the flight had been changed to 6.30pm. Cant tell you how cross everyone was, we had to insist at the customer service desk that someone from Air Malta come and tell us what was going on, they did eventually, technical problems with the plane, needed a new part and a road had been closed so a delay in getting the part to Manchester Airport. staff at Malta had told them to bring us all back from the hotel as the plane would be ready to set off at 2.30 but it wasnt! Eventually it set off at 6.45pm, just over 12 hours late! We got some vouchers for breakfast, a very rushed lunch at the hotel and some drinks vouchers when they took us back to the airport but the customer service and information we were given was a disgrace. It was like chinese whispers with one person managing to find out a snippet of information and passing it onto the next person etc. We booked with XL Airways who chartered the flight to Air Malta but then they must have chartered it out again as it was LA Charter who we flew with. Very little leg room. 30 mins delay coming back but when we got on the plane they told us that we would be refuelling at Faro which caused another delay, the week before some people we had met on our flight to Lanzarote came back after one week and their plane refuelled at Faro too so it must be a regular thing! I asked the cabin crew why we had refuelled at Faro and not at Lanzarote, she said it was because of high winds and the heat, however, another passenger was told it was something to do with the weight of the plane. Nobody tells you when you book that you will have to detour to Faro and take off and land twice! Would never ever go with Air Malta - LA Charter again, definitely a mickey mouse operation. Avoid them like the plague.

AIR MALTA review : 30 July 2008 : by S Wild

Customer Rating : 1/5

Manchester to Las Palmas 19/7 flight due out at 18.15 on arrival we saw 20.00 hours on the screen but on the desk delay until 00.50. We finally got to the front of the queue for the assistant to then close her desk and leave. We managed to checkin and were told there had been a delay in the day and as Air Malta had only started to charter this summer they did not have enough fleet to cope. We were given refreshment vouchers, that was the end of any information. We finally took off at 0315. The return journey was just as bad. We should have flown at 23.15 according to the ticket, 0115am according to the airline and eventually flew at 0330am. The plane had not been cleaned, no information no complimentary drinks and the lack of concern was amazing. This will be the last time we use Air Malta.

AIR MALTA review : 29 July 2008 : by D Martland

Customer Rating : 1/5

Manchester to Lanzarote - just returned at last. 12 hour delay going 4 hour delay returning including refuel in Portugal. LAT Charter plane had a technical problem in Manchester and after a lot of complaining we were taken to a hotel. After a brief stay then rushed back to airport as plane was fixed and we were to take of in 2 hours. Then told crew had gone over time and it would now be 4 hours to take off. We should have landed in Lanzarote 1030am - actual landing time 1030pm. Return delay reason sounds familiar reading other comments - member of cabin crew off sick. Very little information given at either airport and even then only when passengers became angry. In future I would not accept free tickets from Air Malta let alone pay for them.

AIR MALTA review : 26 July 2008 : by Ron Piper

Customer Rating : 1/5

Had the misfortune of having to travel with Air Malta (LAT Charter) from Manchester to Fuerteventura last week. I was a bit worried having flown with them from Paphos several weeks earlier when a delay of 5 hours meant we didn't leave Cyprus until 200am. The outward flight was delayed by 1 hour and the return by just over 2 hours. No mention of delays until I specifically asked the question of the check-in staff. The flights were all terrible, no entertainment, no in-flight food and extortionately expensive drinks (£1.80 for a cup of warm water and a tea bag!). The cabin had been left in a very poor condition with rubbish in the seat pocket. They seem to have a standard announcement regarding the delays merely blaming the incoming arrival as the reason. They are obviously taking on more flights than they can manage and consistently fail to deliver. Judging from comments already posted, I don't know how this airline can keep on providing such a poor service for so many of it's flights. I will always try to ensure that my future flights are not with this airline.

AIR MALTA review : 23 July 2008 : by R Nichol

Customer Rating : 1/5

I've used Air Malta 4 times now, most recently this month. Delays have ranged from 90 minutes to 8 hours. The main problem I find with Air Malta is their inability to keep passengers informed. My most recent trip was from Manchester to Luqa, the flight was delayed for 2 hours and they blamed late arrival of the incoming flight although I know the LAT charter plane was on the tarmac for 3 hours. When I boarded I had to remove the remains of a bag of crisps from my seat so not a lot of cleaning had been done. For a national flag carrier they are a shambles, but what else can you expect from a country that closes its airport for firework displays. Such a pity as the Maltese people are so friendly and helpful, the opposite to its airline.

AIR MALTA review : 23 July 2008 : by K Thomson

Customer Rating : 1/5

Manchester to Zante. 9.5 hours delay going out and 7.5 hours delay (via Venice) coming back. Staff were rude and no apology for poor service. No complimentary drinks and there was no food on the return flight.

AIR MALTA review : 22 July 2008 : by Graham Jones

Customer Rating : 1/5

Manchester to Fuerta - 8 hour delay going and a 7 hour delay coming back a fortnight later. No explanations or apologies offered. We did get some vouchers for food, however this does not make up for time in an airport. This flight has suffered delays all summer and ours was the worst yet. On arrival at Manchester the desk did not open on time - approx 40 mins late. Only told of delay after we had checked in, they did not know how long it would be, so could not give vouchers out. Later found that passengers about 4 behind then had vouchers and I had to wait again in the large check in queue to get mine. 6 hours later they then issued another voucher, however they only announced it once on the tannoy and not everyone heard it - then less then 30 minutes later we were all marched across to the Radisson Hotel (once again only on the tannoy once!) at 12:30pm and told to be back in departures at about 2:30 when a further announcement would be made, this did not happen. Finally boarded and flew at around 4:45 to Fuerta. No explanation given by rather rude cabin crew, no offer of any free drinks etc. No entertainment and poor leg room (Latcharter plane). I coud go an explain the return leg, but I wont as it just about mirrors this rather sad tale. Lets just say that something needs to be done about it as it is not only our flight that is constantly late. I won't be flying with Air Malta again.

AIR MALTA review : 22 July 2008 : by I Font

Customer Rating : 1/5

I reinforce everything that has been said about Air Malta. We booked through XL Airways Manchester to Las Palmasreturn. We found we were travelling with Air Malta which also had a LAT charter sticker on the side of the plane. We suffered a 5 hour delay on the way out and 7 hours on the way back. Even the crew admitted they tried to squeeze in too many flights into the schedule and ground handling staff at Las Palmas airport were sick to their back teeth of this incompetent airline. It seems these 1980's type delays are the norm for this airline. XL Airways are supposed to be OK, but they have made a mistake sub-contracting to Air Malta

AIR MALTA review : 22 July 2008 : by M Willis

Customer Rating : 1/5

My friend and I experienced severe delays travelling with this airline via Lat Charter. We travelled from Manchester/Corfu return. The outbound leg was delayed by hours and once on board we were told it was due to cabin crew going sick at the last minute. The return journey was hell. On arrival at check in at 18.00 hrs local time we were greeted with a sign on the desk advising of an approx 6 hour delay. This transpired into excess of 10 hours, finally departing at 4.40am local time. The reasons were explained again on board the aircraft this time being due to technical failure of the aircraft the day before, and in addition having to wait in Corfu for the airport in Venice to open at 06.00am to land for fuel en route to Manchester. In addition to this massive inconvenience there was no meal service on board on either flight, only bacon rolls on offer which had to be paid for. I would not recommend anyone to book a cheap ticket with this airline.

AIR MALTA review : 22 July 2008 : by M Earles

Customer Rating : 4/5

Birmingham to Tenerife and no problems. Having read reviews prior to flying with Air Malta we were a little dubious, however were surprised. No delays, crew were nice and we had more leg room on these flights than we have had on other airlines. Good value flight for the price.

AIR MALTA review : 16 July 2008 : by J Lewis

Customer Rating : 1/5

Booked with Air Malta to fly to Las Palmas - after a 4 hour delay we boarded a LAT charter plane which must have come out of a museum - no leg room, no entertainment, broken seats, etc. On the return journey we did board an Air Malta A320 after a delay of 4.5 hrs. Once again no leg room, two inches between my knee-caps and the seat in front. Once again no entertainment - I for one will never fly them again and will do my best to warn others about this 3rd rate company.

AIR MALTA review : 15 July 2008 : by Alasdair Robertson

Customer Rating : 1/5

Do not fly with them unless you are prepared for delays double what you are told and delays you are told nothing about. We flew to Gran Canaria and back to Manchester. On the way out we were told of a 2 hour delay. This turned to four. In the end it was 6 hours late. On the way out we sat on the aircraft for 45 minutes before they even started to load on the luggage. This was now a night flight because of the delay. I was tired so went to put my chair back only to discover that it didn't work! So I sat for 4 hours shattered and upright. The food was overpriced. On the way back we got to Las Palmas airport - as we entered, the screens told us that the flight was on time. We were told of no delays at check-in. It was only as we got into the departure lounge we found out of a 2 hour delay. This though changed to 4 hours and then half an hour after that passed 6 hours. As a young family of 5 we expected to sit together. Oh no, not with Air Malta. We were spread out across the whole aircraft whilst a young group of adults sat together. Do they have no minds?! The captain said a short sentence to us on the first leg and that was it. We didn't get anything on the way back.

AIR MALTA review : 12 July 2008 : by Pat Pickerill

Customer Rating : 1/5

Manchester to Paphos Cyprus return. 3 hour delay both ways. We were booked to fly with Air Malta, to discover we were with Lat Charter on both flights. Had to pay for meal going out and drinks although we were under the impression that we would have a meal. No offer of anything on the return. Perhaps because we were returning at 4 am. No sick bags - a child was sick on the return 10 minutes after take-off. The mother had to go to galley to ask for sick bag. By this time the child was sick all over the seat. We had the smell of vomit for 4 hours on the return journey no crew to help clear it up. 2 television screens at the front for 200 passengers - which didn't make any difference because there were no video tapes or head sets. Very cramped. Reading matter in the pocket at the front of the seat only to open and had been stuck down with chewing gum. Clearly the aircraft had not been cleaned properly. We will never again will use Air Malta.

AIR MALTA review : 12 July 2008 : by Paul Taylor

Customer Rating : 1/5

Terrible delays from Malta to Manchester regularly now every Thursday it would seem. There have even been letters in the Malta Times about it and my plane for this evening has been delayed by 2 hours (although they often extend this once the deadline gets closer). I've written to customer complaints about this as I use this flight regularly and have still received no reply. Seeing as it regularly gets delayed to 23:50 (at least) I wish they would just reschedule the flight for then so that I'd only have to check in at 21:50. Not looking forward to the inevitable flight on LatCharter airlines. I wonder if I can book direct with them and save the money instead?

AIR MALTA review : 7 July 2008 : by T Widdop

Customer Rating : 1/5

The worst ever flight. Delay upon delay. I would ask all people who have had a poor flight to write to both Air Malta and the tour company who chartered them to complain. Unless people do this Air Malta will continue to offer this very poor service. How can a company charter twice. We finally flew with Latcharter! An ex iron curtain company on a plane that looked as though it had come from a third world company.

AIR MALTA review : 3 July 2008 : by W York

Customer Rating : 1/5

Manchester to Corfu recently and knowing what had happened to the flight in the previous 3/4 weeks we feel we could have spent less time in the airport both going out and coming home. We had a 2hr delay going out with feeble excuses given out over and over. Coming back a 3hr delay because cabin crew had rang in sick. Studying the departures for the previous 3/4 weeks I fully expected this to happen. Why for goodness sake can they just not change the original time in the schedule and avoid all the unnecessary hanging around? Like a lot of other people, we will never book with them again.

AIR MALTA review : 7 June 2008 : by J Pitt

Customer Rating : 2/5

Just returned from Tenerife - flight from Birmingham. Booked Front Row 1 return seats weeks before departure and had confirmation - cost of £90. Only problem so did 3 other couples! Despite getting to check-in desk 10 minutes after opening we were allocated Row 12 on departure flight and Row 18 on return flight. Still trying to get refund. Check-in staff told us this happens all the time, so don't rely on any paperwork you have. Flight ok - you get what you pay for. Cabin staff spent most of their time behind curtain reading newspaper. Took picnic on board as couldn't trust catering facilities. Seemed ok though. Do not serve coffee, only tea and hot chocolate with soft drinks. Cabin clean and seats comfortable.

AIR MALTA review : 24 May 2008 : by Ian Grundy

Customer Rating : 1/5

Possibly the worst flights ever on KM146 Malta-Manchester yesterday. A 2 hour delay (not advised at check-in) was later extended to a 5 hour delay, but this was later pulled back to just over 4 hours. No information was forthcoming until a rather angry group of passengers demanded it. A voucher for a sandwich and drink was provided, but again only after demands. No telephone calls or e-mail facilities were offered. I asked for the extra legroom seats by the emergency exit and these were great. The in-flight movie was awful (both directions was a primarily childrens film - Garfield - on an almost entirely adult flight) and at least two of the drop-down screens were malfunctioning. Dreadful meal, tough chicken (but a free drink because of the delay). However beyond this drink the bar costs had risen 250% from a fortnight earlier when we flew out (a mere 2 hour delay here)! Stewards were polite but absent for most of the time and unwilling to catch a passengers eye - very poor service. Announcements were made in several languages but were generally indecipherable beyond grasping what the subject matter was (weather in Manchester, football results etc) - except for the pre-recorded announcements which were clear. Finally touched down in Manchester at 22:25 (instead of 18:35) but then had to wait for 30 minutes whilst the captain managed to get a set of steps brought to the plane. Again very little information given out. The engines were switched off and soon the packed plane was unpleasantly stuffy. I shall avoid Air Malta in the future, I have had many a better charter experience than this scheduled airline. Still I suppose I should be thankful that I am not travelling today - I see that there is a 5 hour delay forecast for the Manchester flight as I write this!

AIR MALTA review : 23 May 2008 : by A Booker

Customer Rating : 4/5

Travelled with Air Malta numerous times and always found crews excellent. Without warning this year they have introduced pre-bookable seat charges. There is no note of this at time of booking and goes against their advertising of no hidden charges. You can't arrange this though Tour Operator and must telephone but unfortunately lines are constantly engaged. Air Malta will not make arrangements by e- mail and just tell you to keep ringing and do not take problem seriously. I have been trying to book seats now for 2 weeks.

AIR MALTA review : 21 May 2008 : by T White

Customer Rating : 4/5

Club class to Malta from Heathrow recently. Impressed by legroom & meals on board outbound. When we returned a week later, we found ourselves in row 5 - the last row for club class. My husband could not sit comfortably as the row in front was on top of us, I could not put my tray down to eat. Very annoyed because we had enjoyed our first journey so much, but how can Air Malta charge club class rates for row 5, which is obviously not club class.

AIR MALTA review : 7 May 2008 : by C Roe

Customer Rating : 3/5

MAN-MLA-MAN, weekend flights so full in each direction. Outbound flight delayed by 3 hours which really cut into the weekend, and judging by the comments made by airport staff, it's a regular occurrence. Probably the worst inflight meal I have had and it was exactly the same meal coming back - inedible. Free bottle of wine or beer on the outbound flight but no such provision on the return. Nice leather seats and adequate legroom onboard the A320, and an inflight movie both ways. Return flight MLA-MAN on time. Excellent value for money and certainly no worse than other airlines operating the route, apart from the inflight catering. Next time I'll take sandwiches.

AIR MALTA review : 28 April 2008 : by C Groundwater

Customer Rating : 4/5

Air Malta has an excellent service onboard. But ... and this is a big but, watch out for your luggage as theft out of what you may consider as secure luggage occurs when you check in at Luqa. We have just recently travelled to Malta travelling in three groups from Frankfurt, Gatwick & Heathrow and two of them groups returning to different airports on different days had there locked luggage broken open and items taken. Air Malta's perfect service is only spoilt by individuals at Luqa after check-in. Remember when travelling home from Malta - make sure your have your valuables in your hand luggage!