Jet Airways

I paid £999.00 each for my wife and myself to fly MAXjet from London Stanstead to Washington Dulles return. The outward flight from London was excellent. Check in VIP lounge cabin services etc were all of a high standard After a very enjoyable but tiring holiday we checked in at Dulles for our flight to Stansted only to be informed that our aircraft for the flight had been changed to a Boeing 737 and that no business class accommodation was now available. Half of the aircraft was economy class and the rest I would classify as an upgrade. We spent over an hour at the check in desk having arrived there at 19.00hrs owing to in my opinion inexperienced check in staff who were incapable of handling the situation. The security personnel sent us back to the check in desk no less than on three occasions firstly because they had not given us any boarding passes and then they had entered the wrong information or no information at all. Our problems did not end there . When we did eventually board the aircraft we remained seated for well nigh three hours before we finally took off at 0.29hrs. During this entire period we were not offered any hospitality and it was only after I had mentioned this to one of the cabin staff that cold water and a small bowl of mixed nuts were offered to the passengers and to add insult to injury the nuts were more or less immediately taken back on the grounds that take off was imminent although we still remained on the ground for another 30 odd minutes. I appreciate and understand that there was a logistical problem that was taxing some of the crew but this still does not detract from the fact that this level of service was a shamble. Where was the welcoming glass of champagne? Dinner was finally served at around 1.30am quite an unsociable hour. The seats were so restricted in their lateral movement so much so that my wife and myself both in our 70's spent a very uncomfortable night. We finally landed at Stansted at 12.30pm. Having paid £999.00 for each person I consider the offer of $500each person in vouchers to fly MAXjet valid for one year as totally inadequate.

This is not an airline an international passenger would want to connect to for they have a limit of one bag (33lbs US). We were on an international flight so we each had two bags. We kept them at 33 lbs for we knew the weight limit beforehand but did not find anywhere on their website that the limit was 1 bag each. We were charged extra. I will say that the gate agent in Rome took pity on us nad only charged us 30 euro instead of the 80 required. After some discussion in Palermo the agent relented and only charged us 30 euro back to Rome. Other airlines flying to Palermo may not charge for extra baggage so check them out first if you have more than one bag. Windjet flew A319 (similar to Southwest Airlines). Very comfortable left on time personnel was friendly. Other than bag restriction I would fly Windjet again. Price of ticket was very good.

Las Vegas to Stansted. On time efficient baggage handling staff helpful and good humoured. Turbulence meant the service carts had to stay secured so dinner was individually served and the staff kept smiling. the old business-class seats are not the most comfortable for a 10 + hour flight and the movies could be a little more edgy but for that price.

Stansted to JFK route twice in the last month and overall very happy with service and value. Stansted was great - fast check in fast track through security super lounge easy boarding. Service onboard was good if a little less attentive than most business class services - you had to ask for stuff instead of being constantly asked if you wanted more wine which is the norm in business class. The plane is old and cosmetically tired but what do you expect for £350. The lack of guaranteed connections and inability to check baggage onto connecting flights is worth accepting to get tickets this cheaply especially given the 30 min check in deadline. Korean Air Lounge at JFK was OK but they could do a better job of keeping the drinks stocked up. The free arrivals service at Stansted Radisson more than makes up for it. I am finding these newer airlines a breath of fresh air after years of Delta misery and look forward to seeing their network expanding further. Maxjet is keen to please and see their business expand through positive word of mouth. That is certainly happening - my only worry is that they'll use the higher load factors as an excuse to crank the prices up!

LAS-STN-LAS. Seats comfortable service was good. Both flights on time fast track through security wonderful. I think Maxjet gives good value for the money will use them again - hoping they eventually having flights leaving from the Los Angeles area!

STN-LAS-STN. Outbound - fast track through security worked perfectly lounge is good although crawling around the floor and lifting dusty carpet flaps for laptop power isn't really on! Flight was almost full and seemed to take ages to get everyone on board so pre flight drinks were served 30 mins into flight. Seats comfy enough although they are already showing signs of age plenty of room. Service was amateurish the crew seemed disorganized and I was trapped behind a tray table for over an hour watching the keystone cops handing out cold bread rolls. Rest of the flight was fine digiplayer was good and good selection of movies seat was great and even managed to grab a few hours sleep. Terminal 2 at LAS really is a dump! Inbound - No lounge this time and waiting for a business class flight in a bus shelter isn't on. Flight left late (again) but got a drink while we were on the ground this time as a sign of the service to come we managed to take off with several passengers still with champagne glasses on seats and in hand (a few rolled down the aisle). Service looked abysmal again (this seems to be a feature) not sure how they manage this with just 96 of us! I opted for minimal food and got out from under a tray table after just 20 mins decided to sleep for as long as possible large 80's style seats were great for a snooze resulting in 6 hrs shuteye! Toilets are grotty and worth avoiding if at all possible. Breakfast was a weird mixed grill wrap? which was luke warm managed to hang onto digiplayer until 40 mins from landing much to the annoyance of cabin crew. We landed 1 hr late no apology or even reason just late! Overall Maxjet need to change either quit pushing "all business class" and call it "huge seat at a low price" or sort out the service and cut passengers some slack to sleep or watch TV when they like! I'll fly again but I know what to expect now so a packed lunch and sleep all the way!

JFK-STN-JFK. On time both ways. Seats comfortable although passengers frequently needed assistance to return seats upright. Snacks and beverages great. Food good but did not meet expectations. DigEplayers fantastic and mine was collected 30 min before landing. Bathrooms needed attention. Service very attentive. Korean Air lounge at JFK great. Stansted lounge okay. Check-in both ways a breeze. Aircraft was clean except for bathrooms. I was treated like a first class passenger. Connecting at JFK was a hassle but worth it to fly Maxjet.

Observation on Andres Mesa's comment "Before reaching the check-in counter passengers are first screened in the queue asking the same security questions at the check-in counter [same process not adopted with BA/Silverjet etc]." This is because BA and Silverjet are not American Carriers. Maxjet being an American carrier are bound by the TSA to conduct such checks before checkin in a foreign country. The person doing the checks actually has a laptop computer which they download TSA info to and then scan your passport then and there! It is entirely separate from the check in process. As someone who has done it twice yes it's a bore but it is not down to the airline's incompetence!

STN-LAS-STN. 50% outbound and 97% return full flight. Uneventful and smooth check-in both ways - disappointed that no lounge facility in Vegas. Very enjoyable outbound flight - attentive inflight service though the food quality and quantity is a big let-down. Comfortable seat for the price. Inflight entertainment via DigEplayers. Unsure why it needed to be collected 1.5 hours before landing - seem to be the policy as occurs on both directions. Surely 1/2 hour prior to is sufficient. Las Vegas to London flight on time but inflight service is less than attractive. Some cabin crews appeared to be less experienced. Food ran out rather fast on the dinner service with bread roll served cold. Being an overnight flight it would be logical to dim the cabin lights and lower the shades after dinner serving - none had been acted upon. If you miss out of the initial breakfast serving 2 hours before landing be prepared to starve until arrival - very unimaginative. With a near full flight good refill of toiletries is essential - not so on this flight. I would be rather reluctant to try out the Washington and New York service if maximise sleep is top of the list - re shades and cabin lights. Given the price paid I would fly them again.

Maxjet to and from Las Vegas in march this year and found the flights excellent. Space great service very good and the food outward bound super but not so good inbound - lack of choice and they should not run out of options with only 79 to feed! Lounge at stansted and fast track great - we wait for the lounge at Vegas! Al in all well done and we will use maxjet again