Strategic Airlines Passenger Reviews and Strategic Airlines Customer Trip Reports

BHX-CFU, 30 Jul 2012. Delayed 10 hrs - service at B'ham was awful, we were left waiting for hourly updates. Each update was "we will give you more information in an hour". The was were no customer service agents around to speak to, there was however a telephone that you could speak to a member of staff on. At approx 11.30pm (over 5hrs since we should have departed) a member of staff appeared sheepishly and informed us we would depart at 4.15am on 31st July. We were to make our way to the Ibis hotel where rooms had been booked for us and gave us a £10 per person voucher to spend on food/drink in the airport. We did depart at 4.15 the following morning, flight was comfortable, food was as good as any other airline and the cabin crew where excellent. CFU-BHX, 6TH Aug 2012 - 7.5 hrs delay. Much better communication at Corfu airport from Olympic reps, was meant to be a slight delay but plane had been struck by lightening on previous evening and was being checked over. Olympic took all of us to a hotel in Corfu Town, fed and watered us and we spent a couple of hours relaxing. Again flight on return leg was comfortable, food good and staff excellent. Its a shame, but I will not fly Strategic again as I can't take the risk of them having the same problem with their limited number of aircraft's.

Having checked our flight information to Zante before we left home we were then informed at check-in that there was a 9 hour delay, the excuse was that the pilot was unwell. We wondered why they couldn't have emailed or text this information to us. By the time we boarded the plane at 23.40 we didn't fancy eating the meals that we'd prepaid for. It was an exhausting journey and we didn't arrive until 3.00am. We'd paid for a day in the accommodation that we didn't even use! We were shocked to discover that other holiday makers had experienced similar or worse delays.

Flying to Zante on the 19th Aug awful - 12 hour delay, plane was broken and we had to wait for another (seems a standard problem for Strategic Airlines). We had a change of airport from Birmingham to Manchester by coach! We were expected to leave at 2.30pm and left 2.30am, losing a day of our holiday. We were appalled at the lack of information from both Olympic reps and Strategic airlines. Having a 4 year old daughter this was not the best start to our holiday.

Flight to Corfu. Outbound flight fine. We had to wait in a queue of planes to take off but that's because the airport was busy, and we arrived 10 minutes early. The inbound flight was fine as well, we left on time and arrived 40 minutes early. Staff were friendly on both flights and I have no complains. I wasn't expecting any entertainment as this was a charter flight and I had my laptop to watch a movie anyway. The only downside was the leg room in the plane. I am not that tall and I could just fit in so I can't imagine how taller people managed to fit in that space. Overall I wouldn't mind flying Strategic again and I would recommend it to other people.

Flight out on 21st August BHX to Heraklion left on time and arrived on time. Return flight on 28th August also left on time and landed on time. Having read previous reviews and nowing friends who had bad experiences we were dubious about travelling with Strategic. Leg room is very sparse but staff were pleasant enough. Hot meals could be purchased for £4.95 or a panini for £3.95 plus drinks and chocolate were available. It is a very budget airline and with only 3 aircraft if one does have a technical issue it can have a huge impact causing lengthy delays.

Gatwick to Zante on Sunday 19th August, and back on Monday 27th. Had read reviews on here and was expecting the worst. Outward bound: Late flight, scheduled to leave at 00.30hrs. Arrived for check in, long queue, one person checking in, however another check in desk opened and we were checked in 20 mins later. As it got closer to flight departure time there was no sign of boarding, I knew there would be a delay. An announcement was made, delay of possibly 1.5hrs. 20 mins later, they said we'd been cleared to land, so we could now board. On board, had a nice comfy leather seat with extra leg room, was pleasantly surprised. Flight time took 3 hours. No comments on crew service, as I closed my eyes. Inbound flight: Good checking in service at Zante, the plane took off on time, again same comfy leather seats, pitch is slightly small but no more than Monarch in my opinion, who Olympic used to use. Arrival on time, landing less heavy than outbound flight. Overall, despite all the reviews on here, the airline wasn't that bad, on this occasion. Still wouldn't recommend them or use them again though, based on everyone else's experience with them.

Just returned from one weeks holiday to Zante, 12th August-19th August Olympic Holidays. Strategic Airlines from Birmingham airport. 2.5hrs late taking off, no explanation for delay. Arrived at Zante airport 19th August at 9.30 for take off at 11.25, at 12.00 issued with meal tickets, approx 13.00 were informed flight had been cancelled and we would be flying 06.10 next morning, and would be returning to Manchester airport with coaches to return us to Birmingham airport. We were put up at a 2* bed and breakfast hotel and picked up 03.25hrs next morning, Olympic rep was rude and unwilling to give any information regarding the situation. Was very glad to get home. All these problems ruined what was a very enjoyable holiday.

We had 18.5 hours delay from MAN to Zante, 19th Aug. Lost a whole day of holiday due to delay. Having checked in at Manchester at 3am, arrived in Zante 5.05 the following day. Paid for meal on plane - very dry. Very poor airline but I would stress it wasn't cheap!

Flew Manchester to Zante on 9th August. There was a 15 hour delay on the way out due to them waiting for a part from Airbus. They took us to a hotel and provided us with 2 very poor meals and no other drinks throughout the day. On the way back flight delayed 1.5 hours due to the fact that Strategic wanted to change planes so we had to wait for the later Gatwick plane to land then be got ready for us. After losing over a day of our 7 day holiday we will not use Olympic again if they continue to use this very poor airline.

Last minute break with Olympic to Rhodes. We arrived at Manchester and were sent to gate 300 in the basement then transported by bus to the far corner of the airport. Flight left on time, staff were ok, plane condition was ok, had obviously been passed on from airline to airline so was a little 'tired' looking. Arrived in Rhodes on time, no problems at the airport. Return journey relatively the same - took off early and pilot announced we would land 15 mins early! As we approached the UK we were informed we couldn't land in Manchester because of fog and would be landing in Birmingham, that's where Strategic literally dumped us at 3.30am! We were informed worse case scenario we would be arriving in Manchester in 2 hours, waited at arrivals for info on coaches. And wait we did without any info from any Strategic staff member at all. We were informed at 6.30am by an airport person that the coaches were on the way from Cardiff and would be with us at 8am! All I can say is if you have to land at another airport don't get off the plane until you are assured there is transport waiting to take you to your airport.

Was to fly back from Zante to Birmingham 19th August at 11.45am. Finally flew back to Manchester airport 20th Aug 06.00hrs - 18 hours delay, for some reason unknown. Had to get a coach from Manchester to B'ham. A total disgrace, cabin crew not very good.

Flew from Manchester to Zante 9th - 16th August and was an absolute disaster. After getting up at 4am to get the airport for 6.45 check in we were informed along with everyone else that the flight was delayed 14 hours! We were put up in a premier inn and given two cheap barely edible meals but no drinks? Finally boarded the plane at 11pm that night and arrived at our hotel at 5am the following morning, missing a full day of our holiday. Flight back was again delayed by an hour and nobody told us why or how long the delay was, all we could do was sit and wait. Upon returning to Manchester airport it took a good while for the baggage to come through and ended up costing £15 in parking charges for family that had come to give us a ride home! Will not be using this airline again, disgraceful.

Trouble with this airline 2 years running. On flight from Skiathos did not get meal until the pilot was making his approach to Gatwick - staff priority was to sell drinks and snacks. On flight from Gatwick to Kalamata - initial 5 hour delay was extended and then we had to wait on the plane for another 1.5hrs while they sorted out paperwork. Flight back to Gatwick just as bad and the provision of "refreshments" at Kalamata was so nominal as to insulting. Easily the worst airline I have flown.

6th August 2012 to Corfu. 8 hours delay, and on the way back on 26th of August 2hr 15min delay. We shall never be travelling with this company again due to the length of delays and lack of explanations.