Blue Islands

Southampton to Guernsey return - usually made on FlyBe but we wanted to change having been increasingly unimpressed by FlyBe's use of additional charges which make their "bargain" fares poorer value. Blue Islands' price was all inclusive comparable in total costs and offered a really impressive service in the face of adverse weather conditions. We were due to depart early on a fog-bound April Friday morning with a ferry connection we had to meet by 4.15pm at the latest. First flight was cancelled due to fog but second noon flight was swiftly re- arranged luggage transferred all with minimal fuss and still within the desired time window. We arrived in time to lunch on Guernsey and made our connection - wonderful service unlike that of their larger competitor which cancelled a similarly timed early morning flight and were unable/unwilling to "rescue" friends in time to make the same ferry. We had a fabulous weekend on Herm - they eventually arrived on Saturday missing half their break. Our return flight left early and arrived early with equally impressive service including the excellent Blue Island lounge at Guernsey. We have already booked our next flight with them and will seek to use Blue Islands whenever possible in future.

Bournemouth to Alderney and back. I cannot praise them highly enough. Obviously customer care is easier when you only have seven people on a plane but it was the little touches like giving us earplugs because of the propeller noise that are nice. All staff on the ground and in the air were friendly and helpful and courteous. Blue Islands will also allow you to change your booking at no extra cost should you need to. Also I had originally booked to fly from Southampton but they stopped flying that route. So they refunded me in full and gave me free flights on an alternative route. Other airlines please take note.

JER to GCI and GCI to SOU on Jetstream 31. A terrific experience! This is how airlines should be. Having flown earlier in the day with Flybe Blue Islands was a breath of fresh air! The complimentary lounges at both Jersey and Guernsey were fantastic and the onboard crew were a top draw. A service with a real personal touch in future I will always be using Blue Islands where possible.

GCI TO SOU. It became evident job would not be finished until later that evening. Phoned Blue Islands mid afternoon and changed flight to Sat am. No problem no charge and cheaper than the competition (Flybe). Straight orward fares no extra for bags no paying to check in. Fully flexible up to 1 hour before.

JER-GCI-JER. What a great service! A user friendly website which is not full of tricks and gimmicks to cost you money and all fares fully flexible change as often as you like without any fee. Online check in up to 48 hours in advance a little cumbersome but it works and a small lounge at the airport for all passengers with drinks and biscuits. I don't really think one can expect more on a 10 minute flight. Friendly and relaxed staff but obviously professional and rather like flying in the old days in light aircraft. A lot of fun.

I like small aeroplanes therefore the Blue Islands' Jetstream 32 Southampton-Guernsey (return) was terrific. From a customer's point of view it was excellent: on time both ways use of lounges flexible tickets as standard nothing to complain about really. The real experience is going an aircraft where the first officer is the cabin crew the cockpit door is open and everyone gets a big window to look out of; it is all very informal and good fun - just like flying used to be. I admit I would not want to take a very long flight in a Jetstream they are quite noisy but for this sort of journey it was perfect. Blue Islands treat you as a person not a piece of self-loading freight.

IOM to GCI. Guernsey now lacks a true business service since the disappearance of BA. Flybe economy plus product is expensive and offers little and Aurigny have no business product. I liked very much Blue islands the time keeping and friendly approach of the pilot’s and lounge staff at Jersey. The service certainly has a unique brand feel and a unique business model flying small planes with no hostess at flexible business type fares offering complimentary lounges in the channes islands However the shortcomings are that the J31 is not a particularly comfortable for Journeys of over an hour and while I welcome the lounges at JER and GCI there is no lounge access anywhere else. (Incidentally JEA used to have a hostess on their twin otters whan flying STN- GCI)). Suggested improvements would be offering a carry on refreshment bag or even the co pilot organising drinks from a thermos! The lounges could provide light snacks and alcohol at the times of evening flights and this could really compete in this world where the competion is all in the budget category.