SILVERJET review : 16 September 2007 by David Ellis    (UK)

Customer Trip Rating :

Recommended:

Value for Money:

LUT-EWR-LUT. Outward journey was thoroughly impressive from start to finish. The car valet service happened without a hitch and check-in was over in a minute. The Luton lounge is spacious and comfortable and the 95% occupancy for the flight seemed to be accommodated easily. Security was a breeze and the private bus service to the plane was efficient. On board, staff were friendly and attentive throughout, and really seemed to enjoy what they were doing. Food was actually as good as I've ever had on a business class flight and the individual attention given to preparing and plating up the food seemed to make a real difference. Immigration and baggage collection at Newark was efficient and our pre-booked chauffeured limo was pretty much ready and waiting. The return journey didn't start too well because of the overcrowding in the Newark lounge. The flight was again full apart from a few seats and the lounge couldn't handle this. I've heard that a new lounge is due to open soon but Silverjet haven't confirmed this. The Silverjet CEO was actually on the flight so hopefully he'll have realised first-hand how unacceptable the current situation is. Take-off was delayed by about an hour because of air traffic control issues. The service on board didn't seem quite as polished as the outbound flight and the food was only average. Sensibly, Silverjet offer a two-course meal on the night flight, so that one can get the maximum amount of sleep. As others have commented, the seats are far from truly flat but comfort wise they're not bad and we both managed to get some sleep. Breakfast is a sort of on board 'take out', i.e., yohourt  smoothie, fruit and a choice of cheese and ham stuffed croissant or cream cheese bagel in a bag. Not really my ideal for breakfast but probably better than a ghastly reheated omelette and hash browns and certainly easier for the FAs to dispense 40 minutes before landing. Baggage handling at Luton again let the side down, but the car valet service was as efficient as on the outward journey. Overall, I'd rate Silverjet very highly; better then MAXjet, not quite at the level of EOS, but then it's half the price.

SILVERJET review : 18 September 2007 by Leon Mills    (UK)

Customer Trip Rating :

Recommended:

Value for Money:

LUT-EWR. Arrival at the private terminal in Luton is nothing like I have experienced before. Barely 6 feet through the door and my bag was taken off me and I was advised to go and enjoy the lounge and I would be visited by a staff member to sort out paperwork. I got some breakfast cereal, tea and some fruit, all very satisfactory. I had checked in online and printed out a boarding pass so was fascinated to see how this would work. I went to hide in a corner to put them to the test. I was found as people were starting to board and I presented my printed out boarding pass. It has the barcode etc. It was not satisfactory as they want to print out a proper card for the boarding card reader. It is not a total waste of time checking in online because I think you have to supply ETA information in the lounge if you haven’t done it online. Boarding was leisurely affair using security in their terminal and then you are bussed out to the plane (their own bus). I have flown BA Club once before, 4 years ago and I found the seat similar. There were a few stains on the seat from use but it was not dirty. Basic amenity kits are already stowed on the seat, along with digiplayer which is powered from the seat power (also used for your laptop). The seat controls are good, there is a massage function which is simple but effective. Sleep mode is as others have said not completely flat and I had to bend my legs and found the width restrictive when trying to find a sleeping postion but I am quite large. The salmon starter was moist and the chicken main very pleasant. Food is served on plates with proper knives and forks. 2 members of the crew change into chefs uniforms and prepare each plate in the galley. Carrot cake was served with afternoon tea. After landing at Newark I got super lucky. I was 6th off the plane and sprinted to immigration where there was no queue I was through in 5 minutes. I am comparing this experience to Maxjet and that is what I know and they are operating at similar price points. The whole experience is more polished that Maxjet. The Maxjet seat is not a lie flat pod seat but it is wider than the Silverjet seat. Food is similar but Silverjet do it with more panache. Cabin operations are much slicker than Maxjet, I found the cabin crew confident and pleasant. In my previous Maxjet reviews I have alluded to the haphazard nature of repeated safety briefings and small details of cabin service that were lost. It was clear on the Silverjet flight that there was someone in control and they knew what needed to be done in order to provide the product that the company is selling. I could tell that someone had thought about the experience in great detail. In the lounge, if you fly with them, look at the air conditioning vents in the ceiling, they are fashioned as turbofan engine blades. A small superfluous detail but from what I could work out the Silverjet experience is full of small details that all seem to add up to something quite pleasant and agreeable. At the price point (£627.40 one way for my ticket) I would be hard pushed to find anything to grumble about. When I return I shall report on the EWR-LUT leg to see if there is consistency as I have already booked my return with them.
 

SILVERJET review : 16 September 2007 by Rob Laughton    (USA)

Customer Trip Rating :

Recommended:

Value for Money:

A brilliant way to travel. My wife and I went to New York for a 4-day romantic break and travel both ways was relaxed and comfortable. We booked the valet parking at Luton and this is how it works. You drive to the front door of the terminal, get the bags out of the car and hand the keys over. Walk all of 20 yards to check-in where they take your bags and passports. Then walk a further 20 yards to the lounge for breakfast. A hostess brought our boarding cards to us about 10 minutes later. That was it. Flights both ways were full and on- time. Service was great, food was good, everything was just right. All the staff were fantastic.

SILVERJET review : 16 September 2007 by G Dalgleish   (USA)

Customer Trip Rating :

Recommended:

Value for Money:

Outbound EWR-LTN in flight cabin service very spotty. Good seats although the angled seat is not as comfortable for me as some claim. Overall eastbound trip was passable but much more. LTN to EWR 4 days later was far superior. Organized flight crew working together. LTN lounge and boarding program very slick. High marks. It strikes me that for the many things they do right, and have thought thru, they miss some small points, e.g. you can shower upon arrival in LTN lounge but where to shave? Overall very good value for the money I would use again if travelling on their route.

Silverjet review - by J Wake

15 August 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

I recently booked two tickets on the second Newark departure, outbound in July and return in August. One month out I was called to be told the introduction of the second departure had been delayed. I was re-booked on to the earlier flight, but the confirmation took over 10 days to appear. The flight was excellent value for money. The check-in process, through to boarding in less than 10 mins, the lounge at Newark was basic, but I didn't stay long enough to use it. The seat is not amazing, (no upper class or club world seat) but does the job nicely. The service was very personal, but a little slow and the amenity kit is nothing more than a BA coach toothbrush. Using the Luton arrivals lounge is okay, great shower rooms but mingling with departing passengers makes the lounge busy. My return journey was a customer service disaster. 13 days before the departure, already 2 days in to my trip I was called and informed that the second flight for my return had been postponed until September. This time I was only offered a flight the day prior or a day later as all Tuesday flights had been cancelled. I also booked a special fare so a refund was also not available to me. Neither of the two alternative flights were possible for me as I had other flight connections in place. It took about 5 phone calls, and two e-mails to resolve the situation. In the end I had to quote them the "Our Promise" from their website, worth reading if your Silverjet flight is cancelled and also reminded them of their responsibilities under the EU compensation rules. 3 days before my departure flight I was told that I had been rebooked in Upper Class on Virgin, which was an altogether excellent experience and the VS check-in people very understanding. For the price, Silverjet are a good business class airline when compared to paying a similar premium economy fare but the customer service when things go wrong is less than satisfactory and with only a couple of aircraft things seem to go wrong a lot.

Silverjet review - by D Gray

15 August 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

I too was booked on the 2nd flight, but unlike others here, I rebooked to the other flight and was not charged any more so benefited from the introductory rate for the 2nd service even though I flew at times that whilst I had not chosen, were actually better. Service on the way out was fantastic. The Luton terminal is brilliant - its just a shame they have not negotiated the same thing with Luton for the return trip where you have to go through Passport, Customs and Collect luggage in the main terminal before returning to the Silverjet lounge if you want breakfast there / showers etc. At Newark, Silverjet lounge is OK but nowhere near as good as at Luton and smaller so I don't know how this will work with two flights, and they don't have their own security lane there, so again there is so some queuing. The service on the return trip was a bit more hit and miss - staff friendly, but they did make a few mistakes and forgot to ask for breakfast. The good nights sleep (though a sloping seat not flat), reduced hassle and short check-in times and friendly service make it all a first choice trip for anyone who needs to do this route.

Silverjet review - by Matthew Hicks

2 August 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

I booked two return tickets on Silverjets second daily flight to Newark in mid August. They have informed me that due to technical issues with the plane, they have cancelled the second flight until mid September. Silverjet have offered us seats on their morning departure, which we are unable to make due to prior commitments and we cannot wait until the next day either. I asked to be put in Premium Economy on an alternative airlines evening flight into Newark (which I feel is very reasonable despite booking a Business Class seat with them). I was told this would not be done and that my only option if we could not make their morning flight was a refund. Well a refund is great but to get another Business Class fare at this late stage into Newark is now much much more costly. The more expensive discounted Business Class flight I have managed to get means I now have to fly into JFK. The next catch is that our non- refundable domestic flights into Newark to connect with the Silverjet flight home are no longer of use and they cannot be rerouted into JFK or LGA after issue or the times changed to allow us to cross New York to JFK in time! I therefore have had to purchase another set of domestic tickets as well to get us to JFK on time. So the refund is great but I am now out of pocket twice with Silverjet saying it is my problem not theirs. Thanks. Silverjet prices are incredible for Business Class but when there is a problem, as a customer, you can be left out in the cold as they give limited help. Silverjet claim to always put the customer first but in my experience that this is simply untrue. They say they are seeing business booming so why did they not charter Privatair or similar to cover the route for the 7 weeks the plane is out of service? I have been left with a bitter taste in my mouth and unexpected extra cost for no good reason other than we tried to fly to New York with Silverjet.

Silverjet review - by Simon Harris

2 August 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Checking in at their own LTN terminal was a a breeze. The lounge at Luton on a par with those of Continental at Gatwick. Crew very welcoming and happy to please. Seating good as was catering. My only concern was that they did not offer the option to eat when you want as advertised on their website. The meal service took about three hours to get through. I agree with the comments of others with regard to the Lounge at Newark, it is barely big enough. All in all was impressed with the Silverjet experience.

Silverjet review - by Ian Henderson

29 July 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

My wife and I travelled to EWR with Silverjet, and return. We connected from Belfast on easyJet and returned that way too. The Silverjet experience was excellent and compared with a recent Maxjet experience of much better quality, particularly food and onboard service. It is a pity that the delayed second service is not helping the overall reputation that a business class service must gain. Our experience with a Maxjet delay left a very bitter taste. The Luton lounge is good while Newark is not adequate. We were shown the plans for both it and Luton by the very professional lounge supervisor at Luton while in the lounge on Monday morning using the showers and breakfasting before onward connection to Belfast. As suggested in another review the amenity kits are poor and there is some confusion over breakfast service. However the cabin crew's enthusiasm and character make up for any slips. Silverjet deserves to succeed and will need to ensure consistency of service standards and reliability as it grows. We will be using the airline again.

Silverjet review - by L Hull

27 July 2007   Customer Trip Rating : n/a

I am a little concerned - I was booked on the afternoon Silverjet flight next Tuesday to Newark and noted when changing my seat last week that the flight wasn't anywhere near full. This morning I got a call informing me the second daily flight is now cancelled for the next few weeks because of 'mechanical issues' - reading the other reviews here it seems this is Silverjet speak for 'we can't afford to make the flight with such few customers'. I have been re-booked, completely inconveniently, on to the morning flight. Now I am unable to choose my seat online, being told by customer service to 'do this at check in to avoid disapointment'. I am worried that they are going to cancel this flight or bump people if you cannot even choose a seat 6 days in advance! I wish I had just booked Virgin as usual but thought I'd give silverjet a shot. Is anyone else in a similar situation or faced this lately with Silverjet? It is such a shame airlines cannot just provide the service you book anymore.

Silverjet review - by Martin Rothman

25 July 2007   Customer Trip Rating :

For those routinely traveling business class, the facilities at Newark are totally inadequate. If the flight is full then there is not enough seating, and what there is, is unacceptable for sitting for an hour or two. The staff at Newark were used to this complaint as they treated me with disdain telling me the new facility would open in October, not helpful when you are flying in July. This dishonesty, if you check the web site you are offered business class facilities at both airports which is not true, pervades an otherwise good attempt to establish a new service. There are no duty free facilities at Luton, not apparent from the web site. Management of the airline were not interested in my complaint saying that compared to other cheap airlines this was a good deal, which it is if you are going up from economy, not if you are going down from business.

Silverjet review - by D Archer

15 July 2007   Customer Trip Rating :

LTN-EWR-LTN. Far less hassle than Heathrow once you get to their lounge in private terminal outside the main airport. Check in done in the lounge and security fast tracked with only Silverjet passengers going through from the lounge. The day flight was enjoyable with good entertainment options and decent food. Coming back the lounge at Newark was less impressive but a good range of free snacks and drinks on offer. Returning on night flight, the cabin was quieter and more peaceful than usual with all business class cabin. Only gripe was the amenity kits which were adequate but not as good as they could be on a service like this. My tip for people coming by train from central London is to make sure you get the right one because train times vary considerably. The best is the 8am from St Pancras to Luton Parkway (First Capital Connect) which arrives at Luton Parkway station at 8.21 which is ideal for the 10am flight. From the station to the Silverjet terminal is about 5 more minutes by free Silverjet taxi. The 8.30am train will also make the flight on time with checking in allowed up to 30 minutes before take off if you only have hand baggage. However the journey time is 36 minutes. Other trains take even longer.

Silverjet review - by Gregory Jennings

13 July 2007   Customer Trip Rating :

As customers more used to budget class flights, we were hugely impressed by our Silverjet experience. The staff seem to genuinely want to provide a good service to their customers. The lounges at both Luton and Newark were excellent - particularly at Luton, where you avoid all of the other airport human traffic entirely. Meals were excellent. Silverjet deserves to succeed.

Silverjet review - by R Anthony

14 June 2007  Customer Trip Rating : n/a

Luton-Newark. Flying from Luton takes a bit of mental readjustment but in fact is not much harder to get to than Heathrow from central London (St Pancras) and somewhat faster than Gatwick. At Luton the private terminal is efficient, more like checking into a hotel. The lounge isn't as impressive as Virgin's Club House but more than adequate for the short time I was there after checking in about 40 minutes before departure with hand luggage. Security was one procedure at the gate at an exit from the lounge. The cabin is more spacious than the usual business class, a plus not having an economy cabin. On the minus side the seat wasn't as comfortable as a Virgin flat bed in Upper Class - it does lie flat, at a slight angle. I preferred the cabin crew to Virgin or BA, they seem more genuine and eager to help. The meals were fairly simple but tasty. Summing up, inflight was good, but best was the preflight service with the private terminal and security. Newark also had a lounge which was convenient and close to the departure gate.

Silverjet review - by J Levin

14 June 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

In early June ’07 I was scheduled to on Silverjet from EWR to LTN and return a few days later. On the morning of my outbound flight I went to Silverjet's website to check my flight’s status - it said cancelled due to mechanical problem. I immediately called Silverjet and the agent informed me that she would call me back within a half hour. After 45 minutes with no call I called Silverjet again. The agent informed me that she could get me an economy class seat on a Virgin flight a few hours after Silverjet's scheduled departure. I told her that wouldn't do - I wanted a business class seat since that is what I paid for, and I needed an earlier flight or else I would miss my first meeting in London. The Silverjet agent told me that the Virgin economy class seat on the flight she offered me was all she could do for me - effectively telling me take it or leave it. I left it. I cancelled my Silverjet ticket and got a full refund. I then booked a last minute ticket on BA. I found Silverjet's "mechanical problems" excuse suspect. A few days before the flight I logged in to change my seat and noted the flight was only one quarter full. Though I don't know, I'm inclined to believe that when flights are not sufficiently full and it is uneconomic for it to operate the flight, Silverjet cancels the flight, tells customers it is for mechanical reasons and offers them an economy class seat on another airline. I will not give Silverjet another chance. Not only did I not appreciate being left in the lurch by Silverjet, I was left with the very unpleasant feeling that I'd been scammed.

Silverjet review - by J Baker

14 June 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

The outbound experience was excellent, I slept well and flight was perfectly on time. My budget for holiday travel is right about where the prices of Maxjet & Silverjet are set and I find the comfort factor of Silverjet much better than Maxjet. The additional perks of having a comfortable checkin and lovely lounges were truly a first class experience. I was on the flight that got delayed 5 hours then diverted to BFD Hartfort, CT on June 5th. The experience was not pleasant, but problems happen on the best of airlines. Silverjet itself is that they gave me a hotel in Newark upon arrival and paid for the cab. They also told me to write an email to their Website. The customer experience director personally responded to my email. They are offering me a refund of the return leg of my trip and a free roundtrip ticket for use in the future. It is how the airline responds to the situation that gains my loyalty. Even being on a plane for 20 hours, the way Silverjet handled the situation proves their integrity.

Silverjet review - by Jonathan King

11 June 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Luton back to Newark. As a follow up to my last posting, Silverjet cancelled the return trip to Newark the night before the flight, due to technical problems. They did a decent job of putting everyone on a Virgin flight from Heathrow (to JFK, not Newark, Premium Economy) and offered a free round trip ticket.Don't think they could have done much more but reduces your confidence and I was glad I was travelling for leisure, not business.

Silverjet review - by M Garvie

11 June 2007  Customer Trip Rating : n/a

I just received an e-mail informing me that my July flight from Newark to Luton has been cancelled. It appears they will only be flying one flight daily (the earlier flight) from Newark to Luton now. They did extend a very kind offer - they will reimburse me without penalty.

Silverjet review - by Andrew Brader

11 June 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

LTN-EWR. I am shocked at some comments claiming Silverjet is not true business class. The seats are not horizontal like those of BA and Virgin but at a quarter of the price does a customer expect this? I found the seats very comfortable, wide enough. Silverjet aces its rivals in terms of airport experience and staff attitude. Lunch on board was a relaxing affair. They are striving to innovate and offer good value. Sure, there are glitches - housekeeping standards of the aircraft interior and the quality of a special meal being some - but those are easily fixed. Good luck to Silverjet - they are offering a great product.

Silverjet review - by Jonathan King

5 June 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Newark to Luton. I took advantage of Silverjet's buy one get one free offer to pay only one way so my round trip cost about $1000. This is about what Silverjet is worth and I'd need to keep getting this deal to keep using them. It's not Business Class, it's a really good Premium Economy product and if there's enough volume in this subsection of the market they'll do OK. The flat beds aren't flat. They're more comfortable than BA and Virgin's Premium Economy seats but a million miles away from Club or Upper Class. Staff are nice enough. They reminded me of the Virgin people early on, before they became as grumpy as they are now. In summary, Silverjet is the Marks and Spencer of the airline world. Not bad, but not good either, not expensive, but not cheap either. I can't imagine anyone who currently uses BA or Virgin for business volunteering to use them. If they're going to tap into that market, employers will have to force it on people and it's hard to see that happening, given the limited schedule.

Silverjet review - by Neil Oakshott

22 May 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

My first trip with Silverjet and overall some things were good, but others not so. On the positive side the lounges at each end were superb and the service in both top notch, plus check-in was effortless. I arranged valet parking at Luton and the car was taken from me upon arrival for my outbound flight and, thankfully, waiting for me outside the terminal when I arrived back in the UK, meaning I was away from the airport within minutes. As for the flights, well I agree with previous reviews that the seats are a little narrow and perhaps a little too hard, but there is fantastic legroom and moving about the cabin is no problem. On the EWR - LTN leg the footrest would not extend, so I had to try to sleep in an uncomfortable foetal position resulting in about sixty- minutes of shut eye. The food on the outbound leg, whilst limited in choice, was good but returning from Newark I have to admit that the pasta dish I chose was pretty much inedible and ranks as one of the worst in-flight meals I have ever eaten. However, tea and coffee served in proper cups, rather than the usual "two sips and it's gone" type was a welcome surprise. If you consider the Silverjet product as "business-lite" then I don't think you can be disappointed with what you get, but to expect a full business-class service for £1,000 is probably a little naive. The jewel in the crown for Silverjet is their staff  who are amongst the best I have encountered in many years of travelling. Every person I spoke to, on the ground and in the air, was helpful and seemingly happy in their work and nothing too much trouble. As my employers pay for my flights I am pretty much at liberty to choose who I fly with whenever I travel to Newark. Continental run a daily service from Birmingham, my local airport and I think this might just swing where my future business will go, but in saying that I recommend Silverjet to anyone considering them. After five-months they are still close to filling each flight and it is great to see what appears to be a successful British start-up operation

Silverjet review - by Matthew Furneaux

17 May 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

LUT-EWR-LUT My third return trip with Silverjet. There is now consistency in the product. The crew are great, lounges wonderful. Negatives would be the Luton experience on return, the immigration lines and baggage return times are not great (although not much worse that Heathrow T4). I understand from SJ that they have plans to improve these areas in time.

Silverjet review - by Drew Fairbanks

27 April 2007   Customer Trip Rating : n/a

Check in at Newark and Luton was smooth. Food from Newark was decent, it was better leaving from Luton. I wish they had an express meal option, as it would be better to get more sleep when leaving Newark. If you want a window, avoid rows 5-8, since each of those rows have only one window that is forward of your seat. Also, avoid the middle seats of row 8 since those are next to the bathroom and a lot of traffic.

Silverjet review - by Matthew Furneaux

15 April 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

LUT-EWR-LUT. Trying to compare Silverjet with BA Club World, Virgin UC or EOS is unfair, and yet Silverjet come close to these products, and in some areas, for instance the private terminal at Luton, surpass them. In my last report I commented that the beds were angled and I could'nt get comfortable. This time I had no problem on the way out, and on the return night flight managed 5 hours sleep. Maybe they take getting used to - I agree they are a little on the narrow side. Cabin crew are growing in confidence and experience. A pleasing change on the return flight this time was how full it was. With loads like that they should make it, and assuming they do, I will try to use them for the NY run.

Silverjet review - by A Preston

10 April 2007   Customer Trip Rating : n/a

I have tried just about all the airlines that offer a business class service to NYC. I want one thing and that's a good flat bed so I can sleep. To date nothing beats EOS, however they've shoved their prices up unreasonably and it's hard to justify paying those prices on top of a trip out to Stansted. Currently BA's Business Class is half the price of EOS and I can get to Heathrow in 20 minutes, so BA get my money. Anyway, along comes Silverjet making a big song-and-dance about their 'award winning flat beds' - awarded by whom? It's a great relief to see other people on here have been truthful about these beds - they are hard, uncomfortable, staggered/sloping surfaces that you slip down. Surely the word flat by definition means flat ? And on top of trying to get comfortable at this awkward angle you'll also find the so-called bed does not extend properly. I'm 5'7" (9st) and I could not stretch out. And what's with the obtrusive armrest that splays over the seats? How can this be award winning? Other matters: trip to Luton not a problem - Silverjet lounge nice enough - Staff are pleasant. I cannot figure out why on a 10am flight to NY (when travellers are still a bit sleepy) they are offered a choice of lamb, fish, curry, etc. Why try so hard to impress with cuisine at that time of day? Am I the only person at 10.30am who wants something that resembles breakfast? Personally I didn't think the food that great, but then I just wanted something simple and light. Onboard 2 toilets were out of order, and those that were in use looked a little shabby - this was a bit of a surprise as it was only their 3rd flight to NY. Obviously this is not a new plane but a tarted up old one. I was not able to enjoy the flight due to being uncomfortable and got irritable due to lack of sleep - try as I might to sleep I found my legs became quite painful due to the ridiculously designed 'flat-bed' and I couldn't wait to get off the plane and take a proper walk. After the journey back to London we waited just under 40 minutes for the luggage to come through - and there was no car waiting to drive me home. A car was only found when I lost my temper. However, I accept these are problems that could happen with any airline. I have called to complain to Silverjet over their false advertising regards claiming they have 'award winning flat beds' and I was promised someone would write to me, however 2 months on there's not been a word from them. I have been back to NY in comfort and needless to say it wasn't with Silverjet. I think I'm just left with a mixture of anger and sadness at being mislead, but mainly that a new airline has missed a great opportunity to get something right without charging an over inflated price.

Silverjet review - by Jonathan Beaumont

10 April 2007   Customer Trip Rating : n/a

It's managed to almost eradicate every aspect of the negative side of flying - refering to the airport experience. When I arrived by taxi at their terminal at London Luton I was greeted by a chap who took my bags from me. I checked in from my seat in their lounge and cleared airport security from the lounge. From there bused to the aircraft. You can even arrive up to 45 mins before the flight and remember this is a US flight. At Newark again there were no check-in queues but a separate lounge landside where everything was taken care of. From there it's up a short flight of stairs through security and onto the aircraft. I have never experienced check-in and security in as fast as Silverjet. The one thing letting them down is the IFE which is a portable player given out at the start of the flight. Trouble is once they start the service there's no where to put anything and TV screens and trays end up fighting for what little space there is. The seat is like angled lie flat variety and feels on the narrow side. One thing that did bother me was there was no protective head covering. The seats are fabric and very soon these are going to end up looking really grimey and it's also not very hygenic. The food was fine. Nice touches such as large plates and full sized glasses and crisp linen. Try and get a seat in rows 1-8 in the front cabin as these seats get served their meal first. I sat in row 9 on the way out and had to watch for a full half hour as everyone ahead of me got through their meal before the back cabin was served. Staff some of the most attentive and friendly I have come across. Baggage process at Luton lets them down. Had to wait 30 mins for luggage. But on the whole all very professional and slick and at a third of the price of BA / Virgin etc.

Silverjet review - by Allen Doherty

15 February 2007

Excellent value for money - full business class service for the cost of premium economy. Their terminal at Luton was v good. Food and wine some of the best I have tried in the air. Very attentive cabin crew. Can understand comments about their inexperience but it was refreshing to have highly motivated and happy ground staff and cabin crew for a change. My only disappointment was a 30 minute wait for luggage after an early arrival back into Luton - I assume this was an airport rather than a Silverjet issue.

Silverjet review - by Steve Robinson

13 February 2007

Only one Silverjet flight to comment on. Service not bad for fare paid, but agree with M Harris that Luton is one hell of a place to get to - and I thought Heathrow was a pain! Intrigued by the misleading statement below by A Murdoch about Silverjet seats being "way more comfortable than Virgin Atlantic Upper Class". I am not a Virgin fan, but have experienced their UC seats on both 744 and A340 aircraft - don't like high partitions they have, but Silverjet seats do not come close in terms of comfort (guess A Murdoch may be referring to Virgin seats 4 or 5 years ago?). The Silverjet seat is the slip-and-slide type, but at the cheap fares they offer I am not expecting a proper business class product.

Silverjet review - by A Murdoch

12 February 2007

Luton-EWR-Luton. Incoming flight cancelled due to bad weather in the UK. Airline employee called me twice in the US and kept me updated. Rescheduled for the following evening. Found the whole experience with Silverjet to be faultless. Seats spacious and way more comfortable than Virgin Upper Class. FAs attentive and friendly. Returned to Email from the airline apologizing for cancellation and including a free return ticket to NY for the inconvenience.

Silverjet review - by Matthew Furneaux

9 February 2007

Luton-EWR. I gave this service a try as I was staying in New York rather than connecting on elsewhere as I usually do. The private terminal at Luton was shiny and new, with good breakfast items and drinks. Check in a one on one affair. Silverjet have their own security station in the terminal which was quick and easy - such a difference to the hell that is Heathrow, even when using Fast Track. Bussed out to the plane. Cabin is nice, fairly conservative but spacious. I was in seat 9A, a bulkhead seat in the rear cabin. Masses of space. Cabin crew perky and interested, but in the main very, very inexperienced. Levels of humor and interest went a long way to overcome this, and they will gain experience with every flight. The seat was a mixed bag, in many ways a great seat, similar to the old Singapore Airlines Raffles seat - the famous sliding lie-flat"bed. When in this mode, it is very hard to get comfortable, because the footplate simply does not extend far enough! I am not tall (5;9) but the foot plate was several inches too short for me, and the leg extension became a bit of a pain. I tried to lie flat out several times, but because of this single problem, could never make it work. I will be interested to read if other travellers find the same. Food OK. Better than Virgin UC, not as good as BA Club. I paid around £850.00, and for that sort of fare, this is a truly amazing service.