Air Transat review - by Mike Ferrara

29 July 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

A 7-hour overseas flight on their A330-200 can only be described as sardines in a tin can. I'm pretty small at 5'7" and still suffered the most uncomfortable flight ever. My partner at 6'2" actually had bruises on his legs from the cramped conditions. Paying extra for a bulkhead seat on our return flight to avoid further torture proved fruitless when we arrived on the plane to find that not only were the seats assigned at the check-in counter not bulkhead - but not even window seats!! We were offered a $2 pair of headsets and our first drink for the trouble. I know it's about the airline making money while providing cheaper fares, but is it worth it to lose what would have been a loyal frequent flyer with your airline?

Air Transat review - by J McDonald

25 July 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

YVR-MAN-YVR. We did not shell out the extra $ for club class as it would have added approx $1200 to our cost. Boarding well organized and timely. We pre-paid for seat selection and were bulkhead on outbound (good legroom) and rear of plane return but with only 2 seats instead of 3 on the outside rows (last 6 rows or thereabouts). It made the trip more comfortable not having to climb over someone, or vice versa. The outbound flight left on time (even a few minutes early) and arrived shortly ahead of schedule in MAN. Return flight delayed about 45 minutes, and there was a problem with passengers that had been assigned crew seats at the back of the plane (I think that was the reason for delay, as they had to play musical chairs). That said, they managed to pick up a bit of the time and we arrived at YVR about 20 mins behind schedule. The gate area at MAN was small and cramped with not enough seating for passengers. On both flights, the seats were comfortable as can be expected in economy (leather seats a nice touch); IFE was fine, 3 movies and some fill-in short programs; food is ok; I booked vegetarian to be safe but my husband had the standard meals. Flight attendants on both flights friendly and professional. Drinks are expensive at $5 CDN or 2.50 UKP, but all other beverages complimentary and offered frequently. We also purchased our duty-free on-board and their prices are better than airport duty-free shops. The one glitch I encountered was trying to order our duty-free on-line - it would not accept the order, however, we got what we wanted on the plane. The trolley was brought around on the return flight, but passengers had to go to the back of the plane to purchase on the outbound flight. Baggage handling could use improvement as we had long waits at both ends for our luggage. Overall, we had a good experience with Air Transat. Considering the cost of flying scheduled airlines to the UK, I would use Air Transat again.

Air Transat review - by P Herman

12 July 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

LGW-YYZ on A310. My overall impression: a professional and experienced charter airline. Key word being "charter": as the flight was full, and with a 9 abreast layout where most airlines have 8, there was little room to spare. Tight seat pitch. Extremely uncomfortable for 7+ hours, but if you can grin and bear it, it might be worth the cost savings. If you are over 6', as I am, I highly recommend you choose an aisle seat, where at least one leg can stretch out. Food was underwhelming and low in quantity, it's advisable to eat something beforehand, and wine costs extra. Flight attendant was kind enough to supply me with an extra "dessert" when requested (fruit in my vegetarian meal), and overall the crew was fantastic - friendly, alert, responsive, and well-groomed - unlike what other people have written. Flight did not leave on time, but some of that was caught up in flight. I saw special kits being handed out to child passengers. Entertainment consisted of 3 movies (1 was suitable for kids and 1 much more violent in nature) and headsets were supplied for $1 or 1 pound sterling. A good flight.

Air Transat review - by R Burda

19 June 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

My wife and I were flying with our two little daughters 1 and 4 from Toronto to Holguin, Cuba in June 2007 in economy class. We were pleasantly surprised by good service we received. Cabin was not as cramped as most passengers write. We had a typical economy class seat pitch. Cabin bright and clean; LCD screens conveniently located and visible from all points. Entertainment good even for the short flight of 3.5 hours. Food adequate and was not thrown to us but given with a smile. We were impressed and will fly with Air Transat for our next vacation. I would give it 4 stars.

Air Transat review - by Stuart Ray

31 May 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Do not fly Air Transat unless you are going Club (which is the same as American economy with another £10 worth of food and drink). Economy is ludicrously cramped. I have never felt claustraphobia like that before. I was jammed into my window seat from Toronto to Gatwick. There are also no air nozzles. We were told air con would not be available until we reached cruising altitude. Food awful, but if you could see a screen the movies were not bad. A310 Airbus is supposed to be 2x4x2 according to their website and Air Transat fly 3x3x3. Its very cheap and you will find the reason why. Do not consider this airline for business travel, you need a week to recover. My left foot has taken a week to regain feeling on the instep.

Air Transat review - by G Gleizer

24 May 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

YYZ-LHR-YYZ. As mentioned in previous comments, the seats are narrow and leg room can be a problem. The meals were ok, entertainment acceptable. No problems with check in/luggage, return flight delayed by 30min (not a big deal either). Considering the price (CAD364 roundtrip taxes included) it was an amazing deal.

Air Transat review - by Kristine Moore

15 May 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Air Transat to Cancun from Toronto in economy class. Never again! Seating was terrible, cramped. Food was lousy - same cold sandwich on each flight. And to top it off, we were flying until 2 am. and they nodded their heads when I asked if they would be turning off the overhead lights. They never did.

Air Transat review - by Rob Denver

8 May 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Toronto to Cancun and back. The service was ok, with a sandwich thrown in along with a drink of your choice. The luggage took too much time to arrive at the conveyer belt at both locations. At Cancun, I watched with envy as passengers from the later WestJet and Air Canada flights walked away with their luggage first while we were kept waiting. A word of caution: Air Transat Reps at Cancun can be pretty strict with luggage exceeding 20 kgs. They will accept only USD. So be prepared if you suspect your luggage to be over the limit.

Air Transat review - by Elaine Morley

26 April 2007   Customer Trip Rating : n/a

We have just returned from flying Air Transat review - never again! No legroom, uncomfortable seats, only 3 toilets and miserable cabin crew. The food was diabolical! We had to endure a stop at Glasgow Airport supposedly for 50 minutes but ended up being 1.5 hours. On the way back we had pre-booked our seats for extra legroom - these were the three seats (Row 13) in the middle of the aisle near the emergency exit at an extra cost of £29 each. Don't know why we bothered, we were constantly interrupted from trying to sleep by people clambering over our legs to get to the toilet situated at the front of the plane. How rude! My 12 year old son was desperately trying to sleep as it was a night flight and there were constant knocks as people pushed past us. Why does Air Transat charge extra for seats when we had to endure this? I spoke to a crew member who agreed it was rude and unacceptable, but yet did nothing about it. She did bring me a comment card but of course nothing will be done about it. We have flown with Zoom before and will do so again. Air Transat is a cheap but not cheerful airline. Cheap flights, cheap service.

Air Transat review - by Brian Mooney

31 March 2007

Gatwick-Toronto. Economy class with my wife and son. Seats cramped and cabin crew the worst I have flown with, not one smile from take off to landing. Food terrible and nothing like the inflight brochure singing the friendliest airline in Canada and friendly staff. I certainly won't be wasting my money on this airline again.

Air Transat review - by Brian Dell

5 February 2007

One-way Toronto to Dublin, and a great deal for the price (C$99 plus taxes), but I would warn people that they can be harsh re the excess baggage. I had a laptop and a small daypack at the gate and they were repeatedly announcing that the law will only allow one carry-on piece. A woman actually came up to me while sitting at the gate to tell me two carry-on items were not allowed. When I said the second one was just my laptop they let it go, but this may not be a great airline if you have a lot of stuff. They print the weight of your checked baggage right on your boarding card, and when my parents flew them they were really smacked by excess baggage fees.

Air Transat review - by Doug Hampton

29 January 2007

Calgary to Punta Cana was very good with excellent service but did find seats a bit cramped in economy class. Trip home wasn't as pleasant. Seats very cramped, couldn't stretch out at all, there were lots of spare seats towards back of plane but was told we could not move. Service was very good - blankets, pillows, etc. One bag sustained damage to one wheel.

Air Transat review - by M Tushingham

12 January 2007

On my last flight back from Toronto to Gatwick I flew Club. There are three rows of seats, mine was in row 3 - these seats do not recline as there is a bulkhead right behind them. I asked them afterwards what was the point of paying extra for an overnight flight in a Club seat that didn't recline - when all the seats in Economy do? They said that "reclining seats" were not part of the Club spec - but that the food, "comfortable setting" and "added amenities" were provided. Rubbish - they offered me a $75 voucher, I again said that the extra cost of flying Club in £'s was not compensated by a $75 voucher. They were not prepared to give more, and still did not seem to understand what my complaint was about - BEWARE, if you fly Club - ask if the seat reclines - or spend a long over-night flight sitting up!

Air Transat review - by John Nicolson

27 December 2006

Glasgow to Toronto via Manchester. Flight late in leaving Glasgow due to the shambolic boarding system adopted. Arrived in Manchester at 0915hrs and were told it would be approx. 1 hour on the ground. Flight delayed due to the flight deck computer crashing. One and a half hours later flight again ready to go when another unconnected fault found in the engine reverse thrust. Beginning to worry now that this plane was not fit to be carrying passengers. Another one and half hour delay before being able to depart at 1330hrs. Not permitted off the flight so by this time Glasgow passengers had been on plane 5 hours and had travelled no further than Manchester. Still facing a 7 hour flight in what can only be described as cramped conditions within a shabby looking aircraft. The backs of the seats in front of where I was sitting had large square holes torn in the fabric. This was a service that can only be described as extremely poor. No offer of refreshments over the time on the ground and a couldn't care less attitude by the cabin crew - some of whom decided to have a nap whilst they were waiting. Return check in at Toronto was a disgrace. 5 check in desks for Manchester passengers and 1 for Glasgow passengers. This desk then remained unmanned for a considerable time as Manchester passengers continued to flow through their check in desks. Over 1 hour to check in for my wife and I in a queue at that time of only 20 people resulting in no choice of seating. Dreadful service.

Air Transat review - by B Cooper

25 November 2006

Manchester to Vancouver in economy and Toronto back to Manchester in club class. We got was extremely pleasant and attentive service in both directions. I am not the smallest person in the world, but I found that I had plenty of room, even in economy class. I have been on more cramped (and more expensive) flights. On the outbound flight, after we "lost" several passengers at Calgary, the flight attendants passed down the plane asking passengers if they wished to change seats to the vacated ones to give more room. On the inbound flight, the service was, obviously, even better. BA wanted about £350 more for economy both ways, and would only deliver us back to London. When we go back to Canada - and we will - we would have no qualms about flying Air Transat.

Air Transat review - by Lynda Town

2 November 2006

Vancouver- Manzanillo Mexico. I would just like to say how wonderful our flight was and you couldn't ask for better service. We had to take an earlier flight home due to illness from our 2 week stay. Our trip was all arranged for us without any hassel what so ever. We were kept very comfortable and able to have J.C Air Transat travel rep. in Mexico take care of all our travel arrangements.

Air Transat review - by Lee George

27 October 2006

Club class Glasgow - Calgary and Vancouver - London Gatwick in late Sptember and early October. Flight a little late leaving Glasgow due to the huge line-up at security (not the airlines fault), but arrived more or less on time at Calgary, return flight left on time and arrived early. Service on board was excellent, couldn't be faulted, staff helpful, friendly and responded to call buttons promptly. Food was very good and plenty of it. No individual IFE but good view of central screens, 3-4 recent movies shown in each direction plus 'shorts'. Enough legroom to stretch out and reaonable recline. This should be compared with WT+ of BA rather than business class and on that basis it compares well, the food was better, the legroom similar and the staff friendlier. Price wise it is cheaper than WT+ and much of the time Club on Transat is about the same price as economy on AC. Recommended and I would use again without hesitation if it fits with my schedule, but only in Club as steerage looked very cramped.

Air Transat review - by Steve Williams

27 October 2006

Recent return flight from Gatwick to Toronto. Having read some comments on the internet shortly prior to our trip we should not have been surprised by what we actually experienced. Everything about Air Transat was third class. Their staff were amateur in the way that they carried out their tasks. They were miserable, lack lustre, uncaring and appeared to want to be anywhere other than onboard the plane that we were travelling on. One of our two new suitcases had somehow been ripped apart by the time it arrived at baggage collection at Toronto. Having requested at least a new suitcase and spent a great deal of time pleading our case we eventually gave up trying to deal with the unbelievably unhelpful Air Transat Staff at both Junior and Senior levels. We would like to state that the only way we were able to identify our destroyed suitcase was by recognising a very classy pair of boxer shorts going round and round the carousal. The food was appalling and breakfast on the return flight from Toronto consisted of a carrot muffin each. Christine had the honour of holding a carton of milk whilst one of the flight attendants dealt with another far from satisfied customer. At one point we noticed one of the attendants pass a full pot of coffee to one of her colleagues over the heads of the three people sat in the centre section of the aircraft. Surely this is a very dangerous practice and reflects very badly on the standard of cabin service. Air Transat have proved themselves to be far the worst airline we have ever come across.

Air Transat review - by Geert Bogaert

27 October 2006

BRU-YUL return Club Class. Do not understand at all some remarks on Air Transat flights! We had a perfect flight -on time - friendly staff - good seating and just the kind of food for such a flight. Fresh fruit for breakfast. Is it possible that the people who complain fly only once a year and expect really to much for the money they pay.

Air Transat review - by Derek Hunstone

22 October 2006

BHX-YYZ outbound flight just acceptable, we were fortunate enough to be allocated two seats at rear . Return flight YYZ-EXE-BHX absolute nightmare - never to be repeated. After an overnight flight to be stuck in Exeter whilst plane was cleaned, very unsatisfactory, made worse by "jobsworth" Exeter airport employees. Air Transat flight is obviously the event of the week, lets triple-check everyone yet again, they may have missed someone at YYZ. Staff acceptable on both legs of journey, food very poor seating leaving a great deal to be desired. Although Canadian Affair is now part of the Transat empire we would advise trying to travel with Thomas Cook Airlines, we found on previous trips they are far superior.

Air Transat review - by Robert Harris

13 October 2006

I disagree with comments of October 5th. Air Transat Club is in my view, excellent value for money. It is not business class, just an upgraded charter service, and what you get for you money is really quite remarkable. It is not as spacious as Club World or Executive First, but then it only costs a fraction of the price of those tickets. £3/4K is a small fortune - not a few hundred pounds.

Air Transat review - by Andy Newland

12 October 2006

Toronto - Gatwick. Return flight from Toronto, got to airport early and requested extra legroom seats which were granted near the "bulkhead". When we got on the plane, we got extra legroom just but the width of the seats was narrower than normal - resulting in one of the most uncomfortable flights I have ever been on. The food was terrible.

Air Transat review - by Corinne Hillman-Bickle

5 October 2006

Exeter to Toronto via Birmingham on 12th September Club Class. Toronto to Exeter 2nd October.Check in OK, apart from being told on the return trip that we were unable to sit together as preference for seats had gone to passengers who would be flying on to Birmingham - why?? Felt cheated by the Club Class seating, especially in view of the money that it had cost. The seats were very narrow and also very close together. If 1 row of seats were to be removed, it would be so much more pleasant. We were seated directly in front of the huge screen, which we found obtrusive and just too close. The cabin crew were attentive and helpful. The food was well presented and of good quality. The one thing that really annoyed me: what is the point of having Club class passengers board the plane first if the rest of the passengers then have to file through the Club class compartment? Instead of being relaxed and comfortable, I was constantly being jostled by people making their way to their seats. I also heard comments like 'I thought there was supposed to be more leg room in Club class' and 'The only difference is, is that their TV screen is bigger' sentiments which I agree with. I spent a small fortune on getting those seats, mainly for the sake of my husband, who at 6'6" tall and with a chronic spinal condition needs to have plenty of room. On the upside, on both flights, the cabin crew were lovely. If Harmony Airways can get it so right, why can't Air Transat?

Air Transat review - by Bill Farrow

22 September 2006

Manchester to Vancouver. Check in good in spite if recent security problems. Aircraft clean, legroom ok but seats very narrow especially if you are sat next to a well built person. Crew very pleasent, food ok although no choice. Entertainment good. Vancouver to Manchester. Again good check in. Similar aircraft to outward journey. Drinks and a biscuit served between Vancouver and Calgary. Crew change at Calgary saw an immediate drop in the standard of service. Drinks served just after take off then a wait of over three hours before meal served .This was 5 hours after the start of the flight, up to eight hours after check in. The meal took almost a hour to be served to all passengers as a drinks service was being conducted at the same time. The first film was not started until the meal was served. Many popular duty free items listed in the brochure were not available in fact one flight attendant said they had been out of stock on the previous flight. Request for cigarettes took three attempts with three different flight attendants before they were supplied an hour later. This cabin crew just didn't seem interested. On arrival at Manchester one suitcase missing. Daily phone calls to the ground handler needed to get any information. It often took 20 minutes to get through. Suitcase found after six days and now ,hopefully ,on its way from Vancouver, in spite of the airline saying it was not in Vancouver two days after it was reported missing. No contact from the airline to keep me informed. I had to do the chasing.

Air Transat review - by Mak Doric

26 August 2006

YUL-LGW-YUL Economy. A310 seating 259 passengers. Both flights were full as its a very busy route. Check-in at Montreal was fast regarding the very long queue. There were 6 flights departing tonight for only 6 counters. They had the longest queue of all airlines. Staff on ground was friendly, in Montreal and in Gatwick. The seats in the plane were in excellent condition, but I think its worth paying extra for the Club/Business class. The entertainment was good. The food was good, on both flights it was pasta, I think. The crew was more then friendly.

Air Transat review - by Rob Braddock

26 August 2006

LGW to Vancouver and back from Calgary. Seats were so narrow that my reasonably slim frame was tested during the 11-hour journey, so no chance of any sleep in either direction. Plane was an hour late arriving from Vancouver on return journey, no explanations supplied at time apart from "it'll be here in 5-7 minutes". When the plane arrived, the flight attendants acted as if we were no more than an inconvenience to them, obviously the passengers were preventing them from getting any sleep! Food was awful - I couldn't work out what the meal was supposed to be on the way out. Unless you have no funds to travel with a half-decent airline, don't choose this company, I certainly won't be again (valuable lesson learnt). 3 tips if you have to fly AT:- Eat decently prior to embarkation as their food is terrible, choose seats at the back of the plane (there are only two seats as opposed to three by the windows). Ensure you have sufficient materials to keep yourself amused as there is precious little in the way of inflight entertainment, unless you have bino's to see the mini tv's that a few and far between.

Air Transat review - by Peter Fife

22 August 2006

Flew Club from Gatwick to Toronto in August 2006. Check in both ways was quick and efficient. Baggage came through quickly in Toronto, not so fast at Gatwick. Seats were brilliant (I'm 6'4 and had plenty of room). In flight meals and entertainment were acceptable. Staff were great. I would fly anywhere with this airline as the extra cost for Club Class is sensible. OK its not the equivalent of Club Class in other airlines but as it's only a fraction of the cost it is great value. I would recommend anyone flying to Canada tries Air Transat Club.

Air Transat review - by R Whitehead

22 August 2006

Toronto to Manchester Club Class. The wait at Priority check in was approx 20 mins. The plane was so old it didn't have air vents and was very hot for at least 40 mins into flight. Meal choice wasn't available. Tray cloth was dirty and glass cracked when meal arrived. 4 requests for water to take medication were not responded to and finally all the club class passengers had to watch whilst economy passengers got their luggage first. We had to wait an hour! What is the point of priority labels? We paid a substantial premium for this service over the regular fare for little or no benefits. Even the legroom isn't brilliant and infact was less than the economy flight we took 5 days later to Boston on Air Canada Jazz on a small plane

Air Transat review - by John Vankesteren

24 July 2006

Toronto-Belfast. Price was decent - about $250 CAD less than next best option ($900 versus $1,150), service was decent. We flew in their regular passenger area - not Club Class That said it is very unlikely that I will ever fly with them. I anticipated snug seating thus understood I took a gamble for the price, but lesson learned. I am 6'1". Sitting in the seat in any position my knees were against the seat in front. When the person in front of could not recline their seat and occasionally when they tried it crushed my knees. My wife is 5'8". She just barely fit, but when the passenger in front of her was determined to recline her seat to the maximum it was very uncomfortable for my wife and impossible to use the tray infront of my wife. I cannot recommend Air Transat to anyone that exceeds 5'6" tall.