easyJet

LGW-RAK-RAK-LGW. Both flights departed on time despite poor weather in the UK. Not as in your face selling onboard as Ryanair do so no complaints. Crew were efficient and got the job done and got plenty of information from the flight deck en route. For what we paid I really cannot fault them if you follow the rules 99% time all will be ok.

MAN-TFS return. Comfortable flight on a fairly new Airbus 320. Paid extra for exit row seats as this was a 4 hour flight and that gave us the option of Speedy Boarding. However not so important now that easyJet have started offering pre-assigned seats which removes the scrum. Speedy Boarding does mean you can drop your bag at a special Speedy Boarding desk rather than queue with the majority of passengers. This saved quite a bit of time at both ends. We had checked in online and the airline's website suggests you just turn up and drop your hold baggage. However Easy Jet's definition of "bag drop" sees the same lengthy queues at desks that you would get if you were checking in at the airport. Seats were comfortable with the extra legroom that goes with exit seats. Cabin crew efficient and friendly. The food offering is perfectly adequate for the length of journey. Plenty of information from the flight crew. Bit too much use of the PA system by the cabin crew. Altogether I find easyJet perfectly adequate for short haul flights.

It was not Easyjet's fault that we were delayed by bad weather and so we missed our connection to Edinburgh but they tried to profit from our distress by demanding £120 to transfer us on the next flight to Edinburgh the next morning. No offer of a hotel. Turned to British Airways for help who got us on their last flight that evening. What a difference better seats free drink and snack and happy staff.

I flew easyJet from CDG in Paris to Biarritz this week. Before I left I measured the size of my carry-on luggage to ensure it fit the easyJet requirements. It did. Yet when I arrived at the gate I was told I had to check my bag and pay 30 euros. I complained and asked to speak to a supervisor. This was the worst experiences I have had on a low-budget carrier. Ground staff were tenacious about my luggage. Completely unacceptable especially when the luggage fit the parameters of easyJets policy. Ground staff didn't like my laptop bag and wouldn't define it as one.

I've flown EasyJet from Bristol-Nice Nice-Paris and Bristol-Geneva (and the corresponding return journeys). I've never found them to be anything less than excellent especially in terms of value for money. The flights are efficient and clean and the staff friendly and professional. Food is reasonably priced and tasty. They are always the first carrier i check when looking for flights.

In January 2013 my wife and I booked and expensive one week Italian tour now spoiled by EasyJet! We were attracted by the premium departure time of 11.35 from Gatwick on 13 May 2013 and return from Verona departing 15.10 on 20 May. We have just been advised that the flight departure time from Gatwick has been brought forward by a massive 4hr 35min which means we loose a night sleep and to add insult to injury our return flight has been brought forward by 4hrs 10min again loosing a nights sleep and breakfast. We are both retired regular fliers and have not experienced this level of disruption before.