THOMSONFLY review : 10 June 2008 : by N Haynes

Customer Rating : 5/5

Gatwick to Cancun return on Boeing 767 300. The worst part was the 1 hour queue outside Gatwick airport North departure buildings at 6-7am whilst they funnelled all First Choice and Thomsonfly passengers into one allocated check in area. Once inside the building we had another huge wait queuing. Bedlam. Nevertheless. The flight outbound was excellent tidy cabin, comfortable seats, fair food and excellent crew. The extra 3 inches to legroom do make a huge difference. The entertainment systems worked fine - although had to be re-set on the return journey as some units did not work. Well worth the £5 upgrade to get multistart movies and full range. The only drawback to the whole trip was the food on the return flight. A chicken pasta dish that I think had goats cheese in it which is not to everyone's taste and a very poor cornflakes and nutrigrain bar breakfast. This is the first time we have used Thomsonfly for longhaul and based on this experience and the excellent legroom in particular we will happily use them again.

THOMSONFLY review : 3 June 2008 : by D Gray

Customer Rating : 1/5

Tenerife South to Gatwick. Be careful how you buy 'extra legroom' at check-in. I paid Euro33 at services desk. Receipt states 'extra legroom'. Allocated seat was at a bulkhead with less legroom than a regular seat. Still chasing Thomsonfly for a refund. Will not use this airline again unless desperate. Worst 'customer care' department I have ever had the misfortune to attempt to deal with.

THOMSONFLY review : 3 June 2008 : by A Horsfall

Customer Rating : 4/5

Manchester to Funchal return. We'd reserved seats together. Excellent flights. A 757-200, 41 rows of six seats. We were near the rear. Plenty of legroom for six-footer me, which was a surprise. Comfortable, four hour flight, arrived on schedule. We took our own drinks and sandwiches with us. Bought a coffee on board, good. Don't rely on buying sandwiches on board on the way home: after serving six rows, the trolley was almost out, and only cheese ones were left, which caused some complaints. We ignored the inflight film, small screens over central aisle. Funchal airport is small and efficient, very quickly through, no problems.

THOMSONFLY review : 3 June 2008 : by Fred Mckeon

Customer Rating : 4/5

EMA to Zante return. Almost new aircraft in both directions Boeing 737-800. Seats comfortable with plenty of legroom, but lack of anywhere to put something like a bottle of water etc. Cabin crew in both directions cheerful and helpful.

THOMSONFLY review : 30 May 2008 : by D Squires

Customer Rating : 1/5

Gatwick to Sharm el Sheikh, delayed both ways. North Terminal indescribable now, just a shambles. Went to Thomson Platinum check-in but unfortunately belt not working so had to queue for some time before they decided to take the suitcases manually. Seats are so uncomfortable that the flights were a nightmare. They are hard, badly designed and there is very little leg room. Food was poor going out but excellent on the return journey. Information at Sharm el Sheikh was misleading, they knew we were going to be delayed, but kept telling us the flight was on time! We left 2 hours late and very frustrated. Will not book this airline in the future.

THOMSONFLY review : 27 May 2008 : by A Anderson

Customer Rating : 3/5

Glasgow to Naples B757. Food excellent, but not served until late into the flight. They have removed the knee level magazine pocket, replacing it with a hard plastic slot above the table. No room for anything bigger than a magazine! This stops you taking your own water or even a book, since the seats are so close together it is impossible to retrieve anything from the footwell. Very little seat padding meant discomfort within an hour. The seats are quite claustrophobic. Avoid 17a where a curving cabin wall and no window takes away even more space. Cabin crew hung back chatting amongst themselves rather than helping passengers.

THOMSONFLY review : 19 May 2008 : by B Wainwright

Customer Rating : 4/5

Manchester-Palma return onboard ageing & noisy 757-200. The aircraft were clean and pretty comfortable, both journeys left on-time and arrived early. FA were great and helpful but on the return they didn't know who'd paid for meals - so had to ask to see everyone's tickets during the flight which caused some disruption. Its time to get some newer planes or re-furb the ageing birds then you'd be looking at an excellent airline

THOMSONFLY review : 29 April 2008 : by Robert Bushby

Customer Rating : 4/5

LGW North (note Thomsonfly have just changed from LGW South) to Majorca return. We had on-time flights in B757s with zero problems. We were allocated (comfortable) seats together at check-in and did not bother with meals and headphones so I guess we were easier to please than had we paid for those latter two 'options'. Clearly our good rating reflects this minimalist approach on our part to these short flights. Although strictly speaking an airport issue, our bags were on the belt at Palma by the time we reached the baggage hall whilst LGW was also speedy in this respect so no problems there, might be different in July though.

ThomsonFly review - by C Gaunt

23 April 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

We flew Gatwick to Antalya. Checked flight before leaving as advised arrived 2.5 hours early and checked in. Once through passport control the screens displayed a change of time from 9.00 to noon with no explanation offered. The screen then stated flight delayed until 14.20. News of meal vouchers were issued over a tannoy. We eventually boarded the flight and took off some time around 14.45. The excuse given was mechanical failure resulting in the need for a new aircraft and crew as the scheduled crew had by now exceeded their hours. We were asked to be sympathetic to the crew who had stepped in at short notice and were tired and congratulate ThomsonFly for not allowing their customers to fly in unsuitable aircraft. Strangely enough on our return a fortnight later the same flight was delayed for the same reason. Staff at check in made no mention of the delay. Once through passport control we were advised of a delay from 16.00 until 18.00 which then became 20.20 almost the same delay as the outward journey. No information was given apart from a letter which as no one spoke English could not be queried. vouchers were issued for a Burger King which was inedible; this was the only type of refreshment made available. We were left to spend the rest of the afternoon and evening in an airport lounge where a coke cost the equivalent of £5, two ice- lollies £7.50 and a bottle of water £3.60. No provision was made for those travelling with small children (and there were a lot). We finally boarded to be told by the captain that the delay was due to a mechanical failure and had to await a new plane and a new crew. Those that had flown out the week before had experienced the same delay then also. Same delay, same excuse three weeks in a row. The captain apologised and again asked us to have sympathy for a crew who had stepped in at short notice. A very surly crew I might add. Our flights were booked a long while in advance, were not cheap by any means and we kept to our part of the bargain by checking online before flying to make sure the flights had not changed. Same flight, same excuse, at least three weeks in a row. If ThomsonFly are experiencing technical difficulties on such a regular basis they really need to get their act together. This does not instil confidence in me as a passenger if their planes break down on such a regular basis. The lack of information at both ends was unacceptable but especially at Antalya where no one represented the company, took responsibility or bothered to ensure the comfort of their passengers. If they cannot run this flight as scheduled then they should cancel it until they can provide the service stated on the tickets that people have paid for. I have experienced far better service on budget airlines. Asking the passengers to have sympathy with a surly crew after keeping their paying clients hanging around for most of the day was the final straw. We will never travel with ThomsonFly ever again.

ThomsonFly review - by N Batchelor

23 April 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

LGW-Natal (Brazil) Flight was very empty, only about 70 passengers on board, so lots of room to spread out which was good as the seats are far narrower than on other carriers using this type of aircraft (Boeing 767) but leg room was excellent. Inflight meal tasty although no choice was offered, drinks reasonably priced. On demand seat back entertainment was superb. Cabin crew were friendly and efficient and complimentary comfort pack was useful.

ThomsonFly review - by Michael Livshin

11 April 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

ThomsonFly have a new way of making money. Manchester to Tel Aviv with hand baggage only. Check in and security were ok as my hand baggage was within the size and weight specified on the ThomsonFly web site. On arrival at the gate every one with hand baggage was asked to put it in a measuring frame which was smaller than the size of luggage on the web site. Of course they managed to find at least 20 people with hand luggage bigger than the frame and we had to pay £10 for this luggage to be put in the hold. On my return I have emailed the web relations site to complain and all one gets back is a standard letter stating that I had excess baggage over the allowed limit. There was no problem fron Tel Aviv to Manchester with the same hand luggage.

ThomsonFly review - by Paul Jordan

9 April 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Dont believe the 'All Long haul flights offering seat back entertainment etc'. Flew to Maldives with Thomsonfly. We would have gone with Kuoni had it not been for a stopover in Dubai eating into a short (1 week) holiday. Thomson advertised a direct flight on its thomsonfly plus service (seat back tvs etc) which combined with an extra 5kg allowance free for divers meant we booked with them. Once booked, everything went wrong with the trip. The literature stated one piece of hold luggage per person and a maximum weight of 20kgs. Several phone calls later and noone could tell me whether the extra 5kg scuba gear (for dive cert holders) should be carried in a third bag, or whether we should add to the existing 2 bags. In the end we gave up and left out some of the gear. At check-in, no one seemed to know about the 5kg anyway so it was a good job. Next problem was a 2 hour stopover at Gatwick on our 'direct' flight from Manchester. To add insult to injury, we had an ancient plane with no seat back tvs (still had roof mounted CRT tvs with horrendous flicker because of the age). Headphone socket didn't work, so was shown plastic cup trick which didn't work. 14 hour flight with no entertainment.

ThomsonFly review - by M Crookes

8 April 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Flew to Sharm el Sheikh and return from Manchester. Boarding onto plane was easy both ways and airport experience was ok slightly chaotic at Sharm and slow at Manchester but not too bad. Onboard there was little room in the seats width and lengthways. Very difficult to eat the meal and very uncomfortable if the inconsiderate person in front reclines their seat. The food served was tasty if you like strong flavoured, Italian food. The staff were pleasant enough.

ThomsonFly review - by N Antony

4 April 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

LGW - POP (Puerto Plata) - LGW. Cabin crew very good and provided a good service, entertainment and leg room acceptable and flight on time. However, the seats are hard and narrow and very uncomfortable, 2-4-2 configuration against 2-3-2 on First Choice, seats were hard with no adjustable headrests. A good choice of entertainment but couldn't relax to watch as my seat was constantly being jolted by the passenger behind playing games on the touch screen - why don't they have handsets like everyone else ? Food was a totally unappetising, I don't know who Aldo Zilli is but after this experinece I won't be eating in one of his restaurants. Breakfast equally dire and was served just 3 hours after the dinner. Flight was spoiled by parents who obviously thought it was acceptable to allow their children to run around the cabin shouting & screaming and then sit and play games in aisles.

ThomsonFly review - by E Stuart

2 April 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Manchester -Turin and back. 757 showing its age but adequate legroom for a 2 hour flight, and I'm pretty tall. Staff professional and food adequate. A good option for shorter flights, I have previously flown in their new 737s which are lovely. One nifty idea in both aircraft is that the magazine pocket is above rather than below the tray, which means slightly more space at the knee.

ThomsonFly review - by R Fox

25 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Manchester - Punta Cana. We paid for Premium seat as it was our honeymoon, and they sat us apart on the way there - but we were told when we booked we would be sat together! Cabin crew friendly and sympathetic. Meals ok, worth paying the upgrade - extra legroom, free drinks, great entertainment. Flight delayed on the way over but on time on the way back. Touch screen tv okay, but you have to stretch to reach the seat in front if playing games.

ThomsonFly review - by A Towler

23 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Sharm el Sheikh to Manchester. As my husband had recently had a knee op, and was unable to bend it back much, we paid extra for a seat with no seat in front and for me to sit next to him for both journeys. We got the necessary seats on way out. However, as it was a different plane on return we were given bulkhead seats - we complained but crew said there was nothing they could do, so he had a very uncomfortable 5 hour journey.

ThomsonFly review - by J Foy

15 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

LBA - Alicante. As I have son with special needs paid for seating together and requested two window seats to ensure 1 adult sat with each child. On check-in (2.5 hours before departure) allocated 3 seats together and one across aisle- queried this but told they were the only seats available. Once on the flight I was seated next to a lady and her son who had been given seats together plus two in front for her husband and other son without payment and told it was not a problem for them to sit together. When I complained to staff I was told I would be refunded via customer services on my return - no chance. I have been told that I am not entitled to a refund and the other passengers were just lucky. Won't be travelling with or paying for seating together with Thomson Fly!

ThomsonFly review - by A McClure

12 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Gatwick to Sal in Premium. The aircraft was not fitted with the new seats or IFE. The Aldo Zilli food was awful. IFE was digiplayers with a fairly good selection, just very difficult to balance on your knees when the table is being used for food. Basically it was like flying BA economy but with a little bit of extra legroom

ThomsonFly review - by K Hall

6 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Gatwick to Santo Domingo as part of cruise package. Check in was fine, plane clean and tidy, food was average and seat back tv had problems to begin with so everyone was given the upgraded package free of charge. Leg room in economy is good however this does not compensate for the width of the seats which is not enough for a nine hour flight - the seat cushion had very little padding and was one of the most uncomfortable I have ever sat on. I would not use this airline to fly long haul again unless premium economy was available (I tried to upgrade to premium economy six months before we were due to fly, but Thomson said the plane was chartered to Royal Crribbean and I had to deal with them - Royal Caribbean said to upgrade at the check in desk and despite being tenth in line to check in, premium economy was full. The seats had already been allocated to those guests in the best suites on board ship.

ThomsonFly review - by E Gibson

6 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Salzburg to Coventry. Delayed 36hours. Little or no explanation. No-one from Thomsonfly contacted passengers. We were taken by coach from Salzburg to Munich and then told that the crew had run out of time and we had to spend a second night in a hotel. Will never fly with them again.

ThomsonFly review - by Mike Griffith

5 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

MAN-TFS return. Check-in not speedy since First Choice flights were included but not too long. Cabin crew polite and efficient. Inflight entertainment OK, meals quite good but drinks service is now so slow - it can take almost an hour depending where you sit to get a drink. That is if they don't run out of certain drinks as they did on the return journey. Return check-in quicker although no mention that the flight indicator boards were showing a 2 hour delay and a different departure gate. However this was rectified to show an on time departure, The return cabin service was as good as the outbound journey.

ThomsonFly review - by Angela Mulheron

2 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Gatwick-Montego Bay. Advertised as having seat-back tv entertainment - had to put up with screens in aisle which could not be seen from window seat - earphones supplied were not the right ones for that aircraft and did not fit the connector - were advised to put a water cup over it to hold it in (how professional). Were told on flight out that the aircraft had had to be changed and we were in the last one to be upgraded. Strange that we should have exactly the same problem on return flight. Many complaints from passengers, and we found out that they had to put a troubleshooter onboard to deal with problems so that cabin crew could get on with their job. (She was very brusque and not at all apologetic). The crew were so busy chatting and moaning to each other the passengers felt like an added inconvenience. Food - not great - left a nasty aftertaste and indigestion. Am writing a strong letter of complaint and will never fly with Thomson again - will they care? Somehow I doubt it!

ThomsonFly review - by Adam Simmons

28 February 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

LTN-TLV-LTN. I was a little worried about legroom but 737-800 was fine. Thankfully, the two of us managed to bag an empty row of three which obviously made the journey more comfortable. Thomsonfly website is woeful, however; all amendments must be made by telephone and the landline number I acquired (rather than the ghastly 0870 number they publish) no longer works. No problems with the crew on either sector: friendly and courteous throughout, in spite of the obnoxious behaviour of many passengers onboard!

ThomsonFly review - by S Hood

28 February 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Manchester to Tel Aviv and back. Small plane on way out but asked for aisle seat and was reasonably comfortable. Similar to Ryanair. Took own food and bought drinks - they came round with water later in flight. Slight delay on way out - half an hour and about an hour on way back but larger aircraft and very comfortable.

ThomsonFly review - by M Fagh

21 February 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Recently flew Thomsonfly Manchester to Luxor Egypt - my first holiday with Thomson for a long time and surprised to find they are still using the same aircraft! Outbound we had an ancient 757 with the worst seat pitch I have had. My knees were always in contact with the seat in front. It would seem the extra legroom given to the Premium Plus seats has been swiped from the Sardine class passengers! Outbound meal OK but no free soft drinks and only one small hot drink with the inflight meal which cost £6 each. On a short 2 hour hop to Spain maybe the seat would not be so bad but this was a 5.5 hour flight out and not acceptable. On the way back we had a 767 which did have slightly more legroom - but seats were very small / cramped laterally which made eating your inflight meal challenging to say the least. I could not understand why the seats were like this then I realised the seat configuration was 2x4x2. Return meal poor and not worth £6, and the inflight entertainment had only 1 movie - when were promised two outbound. On both flights we had constant annoying tannoy announcements that froze the movies while we were encouraged to spend yet more more money on bar service, gift service, duty free service. If you are thinking of using Thomsonfly for medium to long haul flights or holidays, don't bother!

ThomsonFly review - by Nigel Gorski

7 February 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

MAN - LPA - MAN . Booked online well in advance and paid £121 per person return including seat allocation and meals. Fast check in machines at MAN very easy to use the fast bag drop - was a 30 minute queue of similar length to the normal check in queue. Security also subject to lengthy queues but these moved relatively efficiently. Flight operated by reconfigured 757-200 with leather seats and plastic backs. I am 6'2" tall and for 2 hours these seats would have been fine but the 4 hour flight became uncomfortable especially with my knees directly against the plastic backs. A leg room option sadly was not available on this flight. Standard breakfast service followed by duty free served by a very experienced and professional crew - certainly reminiscent of the pre LCC days. Very quick disembarkation and baggage reclaim at LPA. On the return check in and security took a maximum of 10 minutes, the flight left early and arrived some 30 minutes ahead of schedule. Again decent in flight fayre served up by a very professional crew of 7 - unusually 2 more than the minimum. Overall these flights represent great value for money with an inflight experience ahead of many LCC rivals but the experience was pulled back by delays at Manchester and the poor seat pitch.

ThomsonFly review - by Paul Rogers

24 January 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Flew with Thomsonfly to Cancun. Flight departed on time. Cabin crew friendly and efficient, and passed through offering upgrades for inflight entertainment which was worth the £5.00. The next service was drinks from the bar followed by a hot meal. The meal was satisfactory, however I can see it not being to everyone's liking. Heard a few people moaning about how narrow the seats were. On the way back the flight again departed on time, crew friendly and as it was a night flight didnt keep interrupting with announcements.

ThomsonFly review - by P Martin

24 January 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

We searched for the best deal for flights to Jersey for a short break at the end of last October, returning 1st November, and found Thomsonfly from Coventry met our requirements. Several weeks after making the booking they sent an email saying that the return flight was changed by a full day to 2nd November. To accept, it was only necessary to click on the email, but to decline required calling them. Apart from the onus being put upon the customer to do this, contact proved extremely difficult, hanging on for 15 minutes at our own expense with no reply. By changing the advertised flight to another day, weeks after booking, we had also missed opportunities with other airlines, and incurred parking cancellation fees etc. While we accepted that Thomsonfly, in common with all travel organisations, must have rules to protect themselves against unforeseen problems, there has been no evidence that this change is for anything other than their own commercial benefits at our cost. When we complained, their letter of apology was vague on the possible reasons, and when we pressed the issue they refused to be specific. They appear to be hiding behind their terms and conditions to make changes that they cannot properly defend. Clearly Thomsonfly cannot be relied upon when it comes to delivering their agreed bookings.