Thomas Cook Airlines Customer Reviews and Passenger Trip Reports

Flew Glasgow-Malta-Glasgow June 26th-July 10th Boeing 757/200. Definitely the most uncomfortable flight I have ever had and I have flown 100's of times. We were packed in like sardines with no clearance at all between the seat in front. Staff however were good and the meals ok but I wont be using Thomas Cook again in a hurry. Seems to me they have the perfect recipe for people not going abroad on holiday.

Had a good couple of flights with Thomas Cook as part of my holiday. The aircraft was clean and legroom was reasonable with comfortable seats. The cabin crew weren't anything special but were as polite as any other. The flight itself was ahead of schedule and was extremely smooth.

Flight tcx5125 was a terrible journey home, 8 hours delayed then landed in Manchester - bussed to East Midlands. Not enough information, nobody was telling us anything, so many different stories as to why we were delayed.

Flight to Zante 10/06/12 return 24/6/12, the worst flying experience I have ever encountered. (TCX2116/2117). First flight delayed 1hr, 3/4 in flight 5 drunk lads start getting abusive 2 then decide to smoke in the toilet. After 2 weeks on our return on Sunday pm 24/6/12 pleasant enough flight up until we entered British air space possibly only 1/2 hr from landing to be told we were being diverted to Newcastle due to tech problems at Manchester and that people from Thomas Cook would be waiting with all info and coaches back to Manchester (3hr drive). 2hrs later we got through arrivals to find no one from Thomas Cook, only some unfortunates from Swiss Air trying to sort the carnage - only two coaches that already had people on ready to go with two more supposedly on the way. (1hr later) with some 14 of the remaining passengers we were bundled on to a mini bus with all our luggage very cramped to be then driven 3hrs back to Manchester. All our pick ups have now left Manchester having not been aware until they had arrived for the scheduled flight that there was a diversion so chaos ruled again trying to find alternative travel home 1 1/2 hrs back towards Newcastle having driven past our home town. Total disgrace.

Travelling from Manchester to Bodrum in May the check in queue was horrendous, snaking round the barrier past all the other check in desks and out of the door at terminal 1. To ease the queue staff offered VIP check in, stating 'do you really want to queue in that?', 'We have just the answer and it is only 10 pound per person'. Staff showed us 2 dedicated check in desks for VIP, the remainder of the queue had 6 desks. This appeared to be a money making scam. The lengthy check in queue meant we had limited time airside, even though we allowed 2.5 hours at the airport. The rest of the flight experience was ok but not to be recommended.

These old aircraft still perform well. I flew Manchester-Santorini and back last week. Perfect flights - just a shame about the interiors. Going out, the seat belt (buckle part) on 27B was the incorrect one, had to be fastened twisted, confirmed by cabin crew. Came back on G-FVLC. Seat 28B the tray went passed horizontal, the seat back of 27C was actually broken, so the seat back was twisted when the passenger leaned on it. The main complaint though - seat pitch! Just not good enough.

Flew Wed 13 June Manchester to Bodrum. After boarding for a 1pm takeoff we waited whilst an engineer tried to fix the plane. After 40 mins he left and pilot said we could go, that lasted until halfway to runway when the plane stopped and the pilot announced we were going back to the stand where after another 45 mins the pilot had us all taken off the plane. Back to departure lounge we went, at half 4 the boards said departing at 7pm. They got round to giving us a £7 meal voucher at about 5. Got to destination hotel at gone 4 am, first day of holiday gone. Fast forward 2 weeks to 27th June, arrive at Bodrum airport to be told flight delayed by 165 mins, Bodrum airport even more expensive than Manchester. Board says departing at 11pm. 11.45pm before we were ready to go. No onward trains running that late, taxi back to Crewe, home at 3.45am. Thomas Cook staff were great but the company has some serious issues, it was the first time I've seen people asking for the questionnaire that they give out on homebound flights.

Flew to Palma on the 21st May return. All flights on time. Crew friendly and a attentive. Brought extra leg room so was very comfortable.

Flew from Glasgow to Dalaman 8/6 and return 22/6 on a 757-300 both ways. Flights left slightly late both ways but landed on time. Plane was good and adequate for 4.5 hour flight. Had the meals which were excellent. Crew worked very hard and were friendly both ways. Captain kept us informed of progress etc. Can't fault Thomas cook at all enjoyed flight both ways flying again in September so hope for same results.

MAN-REU return mid-June. Remembering that this is a package holiday airline, I found this to be the most cramped plane I have ever been on. I have been flying all over the world in planes of all sizes and for the first time ever I had to request a seat belt extension. At meal time the table would not lower on to my lap, Fortunately on the way home the seat next to me was empty. FAs were professional and smiling and the food ok. Flights were either on time or early. Disappointed that there was no bag drop during the night of departure from UK despite assurances from 2 separate staff that if checked in online there was a bag drop open all night. Manchester airport at 0200 is not a fun place.

Norwich to Dalaman. Worst plane in terms of age, comfort and space. Basically trying to cram as many onboard with little regard for the passenger. Even though Norwich is close, is it worth the discomfort and inflated price for the sake of a few hours drive? I say no.

Had to leave Turkey early because of a funeral, return flight was meant to be with Monarch but they wanted over £300 to change flight. Tried to book with Thomas Cook over Internet but would not let use complete booking, so drove to Dalaman Airport to book direct. Flight £250, nearly twice the cost of Internet price. Given flight time we had seen on Internet but then girl said we could have one 2hrs earlier and wrote out tickets and gave us a receipt. As we were leaving 2 days early, changed our transfer time and date. When we got to the airport on 14/6/12 at 12.30pm our check in was not open. This was because the flight was not until 16.35, the girl had given us the Glasgow flight time not Gatwick. When we found a Thomas Cook member of staff she could not understand error until she realised it was Glasgow flight time. We had to spend 4hrs at airport and had to buy food and drink as we had missed lunch at hotel. Annoyed as we were already going to miss a number of meals by leaving early. Asked if we could have free extra leg room seats because of mix up, no chance, all they said was we were lucky the Glasgow flight was earlier than Gatwick one, other wise we would have missed it.

Having read various reviews on Thomas Cook Airlines flights we commenced our journey to the airport with some trepidation. What a surprise we had in store! Flight TCX472 Man to Sanford 1st June 2012, Flight TCX473 Sanford to Man 15/16th June 2012. Both flights left and arrived early. Crew on both flights were extremely friendly and helpful. Food on both flights was excellent. Cleanliness when entering the plane on both flights was excellent. If only the same could have been said after each flight! Oh, what messy passengers. Obviously this was no fault of either the airline or its staff; just disgustingly untidy passengers. Many thanks for two excellent flights.

9th June Manchester to Menorca. Arrived to find very long queues. Staff hadn't taped up the area so people were joining the queue at various points causing bad feelings. Just 3 check in staff. Told we had a 5 hour delay due to our plane being in the wrong place due to technical reasons. Sat 16th June arrived in departures and found we were first in the queue, delighted until other passengers pointed out the notice stating another 5 hour delay. Airport reps were defensive and unhelpful - one stating that Thomson were even worse than them, very unprofessional. Onboard the captain gave us exactly the same blurb as the previous week. When they announced they would be sending round a questionnaire there was a combined jeer from the passengers. As well as the vouchers, which you have to provide, a free drink on the plane, or some other extra, may have calmed people's feelings. Never again.

TCX212/3 Puerta Plata. 3 hour delay from Gatwick, no great problem to us we were in the lounge and asked politely if we could remain and it was no issue. We pre-booked and paid for the extra legroom seats and were allocated 30H and 30G worth every single penny. Flight crew worked hard, standard of service top notch. The food was tasty. Entertainment system played films and shows, the downstairs toilet area, I felt worked very well indeed. Return flight the same, excellent all round.

Passengers be aware! We have just returned from a 10 night holiday to Majorca and I have to say the experience that we encountered at Terminal 1 at Manchester Airport for this airline can only be described as cattle market check in. The worst combination of an inefficient check in system by the bove airline and an old & very outdated Terminal 1 at Manchester. One would imagine 2 hours before flight time would be enough, but with 300-400 passengers in the queue and less than half Thomas Cook check in desks open - not so. Very poorly organised, poor filtering for different destinations and times which would have defined urgency from non urgency. We arrived at the airport at 4.35am (with a 6.30am flight time) and at 6.20am, my wife and I were literally running to the gate, Poor information, too few check-in desks open (why?) and very few Thomas Cook staff in general attendance. Staff indifferent and matter of fact and took exception that we dared to criticise or complain. Loved the holiday - would go again but not with Thomas Cook. In contrast, Palma Airport for the return home check-in, was a dream. Checked in, in 14 minutes - all desks open - perhaps you'd care to share your secret with Thomas Cook.