Strategic Airlines Passenger Reviews and Strategic Airlines Customer Trip Reports

Due to fly from Manchester on August 19th at 05.20, flight was delayed by over 18 hours. We had the same experience as a previous contributor, herded on to buses and sent to local hotels for sandwiches and chips. Ground agents did their best, but we were given conflicting stories regarding the "technical problem" which took all day to fix. We lost the whole first night and day of our holiday, and having only gone for a week this had a major impact. Cabin crew on both outbound and inbound flights seemed like the rejects from other airlines. No effort re customer service, and we spent most of the inbound flight confined to our seats with the seatbelt signs illuminated. If you have a choice, do not use this airline. This is sad for Olympic holidays, but it is their choice to use such a third rate provider.

Flew return from Gatwick to Skiathos dep 31/8/12 returning 7/9/12. Despite the poor reviews everything was great, slight delay as is normal with all air carriers. Staff were friendly and helpful, the legroom was standard and the aircraft generally tidy and clean. Re-fuel stop was required on return flight as a fully loaded and fuelled Airbus A320 cannot take off from Skiathos as the runway is too short. Those who give scathing remarks probably don't understand the industry or that graffiti and minor damage cannot be rectified immediately, and probably complain about most things. Strategic is not immune from long delays and problems but all other carriers on holiday routes have similar delays and problems, sometimes its just the luck of the draw when you're travelling.

Just got back from Corfu, flights both ways left on time and arrived early. Cabin crew friendly and helpful, better all around than our usual carrier.

Travelled Gatwick to Kalamata on 26th August, returned 9th September. Both flights left on time and arrived at destinations approx 15 mins early. Staff were professional and as attentive as any other airline experienced.

Flew from Gatwick to Rhodes on 2nd September and back on 9th. Flight out was on time. Flight back took off 20 minutes early and arrived at Gatwick an hour ahead of schedule - so no complaints there! Staff were friendly. Leg room a bit cramped but we've had worse. The landings were very heavy both ways.

Our flight was to Dubrovnik on 30th Aug and return on 6th Sept. This aircraft was chartered by Jet2. The flight crew were part of Strategic but the cabin crew were all Jet2 staff. Both flights took off on time and landed 15 mins early. The flight crew gave good information about the flights and the landings were as smooth as I have experienced. Inflight service was fine. We were near the rear of the aircraft and although the seats were comfortable they did seem very cramped.

We had an excellent flight, left on time from Gatwick to Rhodes on the 29th August 2012, and again we left on time from Rhodes to Gatwick on our return, both times we managed to make up time and land early! Our bags were off quickly, there were 3 check in desks open on both our outward and inbound flight. The flight went out along slide Thomson, and Monarch who left passengers with only one check in desk at times, delays and waiting for the cases!

Flew out to Zante in August and experienced an 11 hour delay due to 'technical issues' and had to be bussed to Manchester from Birmingham. The bus driver ran out of drive time and had to stop at services for 30 minutes. Ground crew at Birmingham were appalling and we were not kept informed at any stage about what was happening and when the coaches finally arrived it was a free for all to get on board them first. We arrived last at Manchester and our party of 12 were allocated seats all over the plane. Initially our 7 year old was sat by herself! Ground crew were not sympathetic and said things like "if our management weren't here we would provide you with more vouchers". Absolutely appalling.

Gatwick to Kalamata on 26th August return. I travel quite often and I found this flight both ways very good, dare I say better than BA going out. I was very worried about the flight given the reviews and that I had not heard of this airline. The check-in and boarding was effortless and we even took off before time. The plane had comfortable leather seats and the in flight was good as far as in flight food goes. The staff were very happy and gave good service. Of course I know things can go wrong, but remember it is a charter flight and the price you pay reflects that. I would highly recommend this airline.

Flew from Gatwick to Zante, 26th August - 3rd September. Flight out was on time and flight home was delayed by an hour. Staff were pleasant and professional, but the planes themselves are pretty tatty - scratched up seats and gum ridden carpets. However, they were no worse than any other budget airline really and no where near as terrible as I was expecting them to be.

Went on holiday to Rhodes in August. To be fair staff were great and staff at the airport were very helpful. Flight was delayed outbound by an hour and a half but the pilot made up time and we landed 30 minutes late. Outgoing flight not too bad however the leg room was terrible. Pretty cramped. The return flight left on time in was early hours in the morning. Staff very nice on board returning to Manchester. The cognition of the returning flight aircraft was extremely poor. Graffiti, dirty and ripped seats. Would definitely choose another airline.

Holiday to Zante 9th-16th August. Arrived at Manchester airport at 6am for a 8.45am flight. Got to check in desk to be informed they were waiting for a part and we were delayed until 11pm! We had to wait around in the airport 3 hours before being taken to a local premier inn hotel. Lunch and evening meal (if you can call it that!) were provided but no drinks! Finally taken back to the airport at 9pm where nothing was open apart from a bar! Called to gate at 10.45pm and boarded at 11.30. Arrived 15 hours late to Zante. Lost a whole night in hotel. Flight was awful and the crew were not helpful at all, just concerned about trying to sell food and drink to you. Would not advise use of this airline to anyone!

Family of 3 flew from Manchester to Zakynthos on August 19th. Due to depart at 05.20 on August 19th. We were called to the departure gate, and while en route heard a tannoy call saying the flight would be delayed and the next update would be 06.00. At 06.00 we were told 07.00. then 11.00 and so on. Eventually departed Manchester at 23.50 on 19th, a delay of over 18 hours. Given a hotel room at around mid day, and provided with lunch and an evening meal. Arrived in resort at 07.30 on the 20th, 20 hours after we should have arrived. Return flight was on time, the crew were disinterested and the in flight tannoy system kept screaming with feedback so no information could be heard. We were kept in our seats for most of the flight and the crew just seemed to be doing the bare minimum. While waiting for our eventual departure, we spoke with other Strategic passengers who had been due to depart from Birmingham, but who had undergone a 12 hour delay and had been brought to Manchester from Birmingham by coach.