Croatia Airlines

Flight from Zagreb to Paris on 18 Feb 2013 and return on 22 Feb. Flying to Paris with an A319 very clean aircraft in very good condition friendly personnel smooth flight. Flying back to Zagreb with an A320 somewhat older aircraft but in good condition clean. Again friendly personnel very smooth flight. Food was simple in both directions but acceptable for a 1 hour 40 min flight good choice of drinks. Seats somewhat harder but enough space for legs in both aircraft (I'm 193 cm). No entertainment except for a tourist booklet but I don't think it's needed on such a short flight. The view of the Swiss Alps was spectacular. The price was more than affordable with 190 EUR for the return ticket (I booked early).

Flew Zagreb - Frankfurt return. Check in was fast and smooth. Outbound flight on A320 very clean aircraft. Staff were great very friendly and attentive to all passengers. There was no inflight entertainment at all just a few screens with commercials. Generally good service for 1.5 hour flight.

Heathrow to Zagreb 8th November and returned 12th November. I travelled with a sporting rifle and as a result expected to have problems. The booking in going out and returning was smooth and well conducted. The staff were very pleasant and helpful. The flight was smooth and reasonably comfortable for an economy seat. The meal quality has gone down from previous trips but when I consider the price and duration of the flight I think it is very good value. I have difficulty walking so always ask for a seat near the front door and in every case I have been obliged.

LHR-ZAG-LHR. Tried checking in online and twice it crashed. At Heathrow I asked the check in agent for an empty row in Economy as I had seen there were several. He sort of grunted and sure enough I was sat in a row with another people so moved to an empty row once the doors closed. Not sure what the dish was it was a cold Croatian pastry filled with cheese not really to my taste. Immigration in Zagreb was disorganised with passengers queuing but those with transfer flights moving to the front so it felt like constantly moving backwards. Bags took a long time to come out despite the fact only a few passengers had checked in. Return journey was pleasantly surprised to be upgraded to Business Class. Lounge was compact and the food available were peanuts cake and canapé sized bread that was it. The catfish with cold bean salad was again not to my taste. In London immigration was quick but we did have to wait 30 minutes plus for our bags. It will be interesting to see if Croatian improve the offering on this route with a rival airline launching LHR-ZAG flights from December.

LGW-ZAG/PUY-ZAG-LHR. Used Croatia Airlines before and staff attitude and friendliness has changed a lot. On all flights smiley and polite crew. Catering has got worse now a piece of cheese strudel given (although very tasty) with 4 small pieces of honey cake on the side. On 2hr flight drinks offered only once but refilled if asked. On A319 new Recaro seats which are not very comfortable but ok for short flight. On return from ZAG 1 hour delay which was explained and apologised for. The only minus really was baggage handling at LHR waited for over 45 minutes for bags. Good airline offering good product.

MUC-ZAG in C class. Flight departed and arrived on time. The food for business class was more than disappointing even at that early hour (9am). A very tiny bowl with slices of fresh fruits (mostly melon which is the cheapest) and a small warm croissant. That was it. No butter no jam no cold meats. As for the drinks no champagne or sparkling wine and no refills either. Really not worth the money as the seat pitch is exactly the same as in economy as Croatia does not even leave the adjacent seat vacant on their Dash 8 compared to their competitors.

We travelled to and from Split on 7 14 September. We really enjoyed both flights: very good light meals were served on both occasions with good wine free of charge. The staff were very efficient and pleasant.

Flew business class Dubrovnik - Zagreb - Istanbul. Both planes small props. (DH4). Meal service almost non existent and very disorderly. But the most annoying part was the A/C. The plane was close to 30C and couldn't cool off until Istanbul which took 2h 20 mins. Seats are very small and leg distance very tight. All together a very bad experience for a lot of money.

ZAG-DBV. Lost their afternoon flight but was rebooked on the evening flight at no extra cost and easily. For a flight of 45 minutes they managed to serve a bottle of water and a cookie with a smile which was highly appreciated. Their A320 was clean with enough space and comfortable seats. The flight had some turbulence but this was dealt with high professionalism from cabin crew. Departed and arrived on schedule. Very impressed with their service.

LGW-ZAG-SKP on older A319. First sector delayed about 20 minutes but made up time in the air. Ordered a Gluten intolerant meal on the Croatia Airlines website no gluten intolerant meal available on flight. Second sector delayed about 30 minutes no gluten intolerant meal available again. Landed at SKP late and sat on taxiway for 20 minutes with no explanation given.