Air Transat

I took a flight from Dublin to Toronto with Air Transat over the summer. This is my fourth year in a row with the company and they never fail to disappoint. Staff are friendly and the aircraft spotless. Definitely value for money.

From Gatwick to Toronto then Toronto to Gatwick. On the flight from Gatwick to Toronto there was a change in planes after we bought the tickets and because of this had two different sets of seat numbers staff at boarding were helpful during this. Flight was enjoyable but after we left the gate the pilot said that the entertainment system didn't work so for the first 4 hours of the flight there was nothing to do after they got the entertainment system to work there was a very poor selection of movies. TV screens are 10 rows apart and no individual screens. The food was inedible. The flight was delayed but we arrived in Toronto early. Now from Toronto to Gatwick to begin with we checked in staff seemed very friendly but didn't quite know what they were doing we stood at the check in for 10 minutes while the woman serving was talking to another member of staff. We took off because it was a night take off the lights went off then the reading lights began to have a mind of there own going on and off flickering on and off. It was about 1 hour into the flight before we were offered a drink the food was even worse this time. It was impossible to sleep as the staff come around every half an hour to offer you something. Then the lights went out and it was pitch black in the cabin until we landed the reading lights worked just then landing the lights came on and flickered on and off until we got to the gate. We waited half an hour to get off the plane when we got to the gate. Then the real fun began Air Transat had lost out luggage and we are still waiting for the bags. Other times I have flown with Air Transat we have had no problems. I would not recommend them anymore.

Vancouver-Gatwick-Vancouver - The phrase "You get what you pay for " is right on the money for this airline. I am a small person and I felt very uncomfortable on this flight. My leg was touching the back of the seat in front of me. I wonder about those people that is 5'5 and above? The check in agent at YVR are the worst I asked if we were flying on the refurbished aircraft where you have your own TV the agent told me " I don't know. I know it's an Airbus". This airline is really strict about check in and carry on baggage. Carry on max is 5KG and min was 6KG and the agent is telling me that I need to pay extra $45 so I just told them that my laptop is in there as well and he let it go. The food was awful. I am however impressed by the flight attendants. They seem really nice and smiles all around. Bring your own food water and entertainment. Do not get an Aisle seat as you will not have a peaceful flight. Pay extra $200 and fly other airline.

Vancouver to Frankfurt. Even cabin staff were commenting on how narrow the aisles were. I am a large person but have never been so uncomfortable in an airline seat. The air-conditioning was on all the time and the blankets that they had were for sale and I just refuse to pay for things that should be included on a transatlantic flight. Staff were so busy trying to sell us stuff that they had no time to just attend to people's needs in the cabin. It was impossible to move because there was no way to stand up without being in someone's view of the overhead TV screens or bumping into the duty free cart. On a 12 hour flight it should be possible to stretch your legs once in a while. It's unhealthy to sit so long. No mention of the special meal I requested. I guess you get what you pay for. Although the flight came to almost $1100 at least $600 was taxes so I should have expected poor service!

Staff and food was great very comfortable nice amenities pack. The 310's are definitely old and tired looking but the Airbus 330 club class was the new style which was very nice except the TV screen had a mind of it's own and kept doing strange things. They definitely need to fix that. Spacious. Enjoyable flights both ways.

Never even got off the ground. I booked a flight from Manchester to Toronto to travel in September. Back in June the return leg of my flight was cancelled - the airline failed to inform me of this - I only found out when I checked their schedules webpage. I was moved to a flight the next day incurring an additional night's hotel charge. Now they have cancelled my outbound flight as well - again they did not inform me and I found out by checking their webpage. This time I have had enough - cancelled the whole thing and booked with another airline. It's just not worth the hassle.

I booked a direct flight to Greece and back to Toronto. Last minute they informed us that we had to stop in Montreal. After we were at the airport and on the plane - not only was there a stop but we had to change planes as well. If I wanted to book a connection I would have done so. Flight attendants say 'well things happen' well it seems they have been 'happening' on every flight to Greece all summer long. If you pay extra you get a pillow blanket and earphones but get rude treatment for whatever minor request you may have. I can deal with unpleasant food and I'll try to even accept that they use old planes but do not treat me like I am stupid.

It seems all AT flights leave London Gatwick at the same time from their own tiny row of desks in a back corridor which makes it chaotic to say the least especially as there is no online check in available from LGW. On the day we travelled every flight was overbooked so people were being strongly encouraged to accept vouchers and travel later in the week. We were not told at check in as we apparently should have been that due to a catering strike in Toronto the food quality on the flight would be greatly diminished. They weren't wrong - the worst food and the smallest amount I've ever seen. As for the complimentary glass (less than 100ml) of wine with dinner. We ordered an extra snack from the cabin crew which took over 2 hours to appear and the new seat-back video system has very few movies / shows loaded and they're definitely from the bargain shelves of the video rental stores. They've also installed the kit to run the screens underneath your seat so if you're in the habit of occasionally sitting with your feet positioned behind your knees you'll be very uncomfortable. Sometimes needs must but please find the extra and fly with a proper airline.

Amsterdam to Vancouver (10.5 hour flight) with Option Plus upgrade. Travelled with 6 members of family including an infant. Seats were so narrow that the flight was torturous for adults of average size. Attempted to upgrade to Club Class but were told there were only 4 seats available. Once on the plane there were at least 9 empty seats in Club Class. On board service was disorganized and poor. Asked for the baby bassinet 6 times and each time was told "Sorry I forgot". We sat in row 4 (directly behind Club Class) and there was absolutely no ventilation or air-conditioning in this section. All passengers in this section were sweating and overheating. When flight attendants were advised of the uncomfortable temperatures in this section nothing was done. Will never use this carrier again.

Manchester-Calgary then Vancouver-MAN. Check in queue outbound acceptable much longer and slower inbound as one queue for all flights with them at YVR. Staff attentive and meal quality and quantity outbound and return fine. Free glass of wine with main meal impressive for a predominantly leisure carrier. Outward the 5kg cabin baggage allowance strictly enforced but not on return leg. Itinerary gave 25kg hold bag allowance but on check in informed was 22kg. Amenity kits and headphones extra charge unless for minors apparently. Price paid less than other carriers at time of booking with the benefit of non stop service ex MAN although non refundable and no changes allowed. Would have no hesitation in using this carrier again and would rate better than some American carriers on transatlantic routes. Limited entertainment options as not AVOD being overhead screens.