Blue Air

Luton to Bucharest Awful. Old 737-400 very tired and dirty booking was a nightmare everything was an extra including booking a seat so we didn't bother. On the way back and my wife and I were split up and no one was interested. Will fly Wizz or BA next time.

I flew from London Luton to Bucharest and back and I had one of the most awful experiences. It was impossible to receive an itinerary per email. Secondly the cabin was extremely hot until the plane was in the air. Even the stewards were using the magazines as a fan. Most important on the flight back we were allowed at check in to take our hand luggage onboard but at the gate they weighed it and didn't allow us to get on the flight until paying 50 euros for 3 kg overweight on one of the bags. We reduced it to 1.5kg and still didn't allow us. Instead of weighing it at check in before security they left it on purpose to do it at the gate. Moreover they said it's 50 euros but took 250 RON Selected seats that we paid for were already given to someone else as well and we had to get others. Luckily were quite early at the check in so we got only one row further but if we were late we would have received even worse seats. The crew had no clue where we will get our bags whether at the airplane steps or with the rest of the luggage. Hugely disappointing experience and I would never recommend them.

DUB-BCM return in June 2012. Flying with Blue Air produced very different experiences going out and coming back. At Dublin they were very inefficient. They had one staff member on check-in for a full 737 so it took ages. When I eventually reached the check-in desk the staff member told me the flight was delayed by half an hour. Fair enough I said and I texted my girlfriend in Romania who was to pick me up from the airport in Bacau. It didn't stop there however. When the staff eventually arrived at the boarding gate half an hour late they informed us that the gate had changed causing yet another delay. When we finally got on the plane it literally sat there for another half an hour and we left Dublin a total of one hour and forty minutes late. Now this would be slightly understandable at a peak time like three in the afternoon. However this was at one in the morning. There were no other flights to cause congestion! The flight itself was fine and smooth but there were so many screaming children that getting any sleep was impossible. Legroom was better than Ryanair but that isn't saying much. Coming back was much better in relation to time. We left Bacau on time and even arrived in Dublin ten minutes early so I was happy about that. Screaming children was a problem again (another night flight) but it was cheap so I guess I can't be too upset. As for food and beverages there were none for free just a ridiculously overpriced menu. Unless it proves unavoidable I probably won't fly Blue Air in the future.

LTN-BBU-LTN. Both flights on old Boeing 737-400. Dirty cabin old tired and dirty blue leather seats air conditioning system did not work and some tray tables were broken. Good seating assignment system that works well and cabin crew on both flights friendly and attentive. We will definitely be flying Wizz Air until Blue Air has replaced their fleet of ageing aircraft.

Bacau-Brussels return. Pleasant flight although shortly delayed apologies given by Cabin crew after boarding. Cabin crew were nice and helpful and seemed interested in our comfort. Plane was rather old but ok. Bacau Airport is very small with only 2 check-in desks. Ticket price was more than fair.

Luton to Bucharest return. On the outbound flight we had a very cramped seat and one of the air stewardesses was quite rude. On the return flight the check-in attendant at Baneasa airport was again very unfriendly. Leg room on the return was much more spacious at the front of the plane. Both flights were on time so no problems there.

Dublin to Bacau return. I had a bit of trouble trying to book tickets using their web-site but the representatives in Dublin office sorted it for me over the phone. The flight attendants were extremely pleasant on both flights toilets clean and stocked. Seats spacious for a budget airline but ask for window or aisle not the middle seat. I would choose Blue Air rather than Ryanair.

My first experience of Blue Air was positive: cheap ticket and reliable service nothing fancy absolutely low cost. The second time I booked Stuttgart–Sibiu the flight was cancelled. I was ensured on the phone I could get a refund. However in spite of numerous phone calls and emails and promises made by customer service in Germany and in Romania the fare was never refunded. I will not fly Blue Air again.

An interesting experience. The website booking was fine though it changed suddenly into Romanian halfway through the booking process with no ability to change back to English. The aircraft on Luton to Baneasa routes are not always Blue Air aircraft and planes themselves are ancient. Flights were on time Baneasa airport is a wonderful relic. It works but only just. Any more flights per day and it would be overloaded. While we were away the airline seemed to get sued by someone and local TV suggested that flights might stop. We were pleased to get to the airport to find this was not the case. Planes were comfortable although I'm sure the cabin crew were smoking behind the curtain at the back on one flight.

Bucharest Baneasa - London Luton. Delays delays and more delays with terrible customer service. Flight time changed the day before from 1545 to 1835. Half the people on the flight including myself were unaware of the change so were at the airport way too early. I asked at the Blue Air desk why the flight was delayed and I was told "Blue Air don't have enough planes". Baneasa airport is worse than a bus terminal nowhere to sit poor air conditioning (in 35C temperatures) and uninterested staff. 1835 came and went but we did eventually board a plane at 1910. The excitement was short lived as we were asked to get off the plane and were bussed back to the cramped terminal. There was no information given out by the Blue Air staff and for long periods they disappeared to avoid angry passengers. People were having to phone the airline to get any information. After being strung along for a while with false promises we were told we would be taking off at 2240. They initially did not want to give out refreshments even when reminded of the EU regulations but after much arguing eventually did. Never again!