You get what you pay for-not good for long flights (Air Transat)

Member Name: mrpies48

Product:	Air Transat
Date:	25/08/08 (564 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheapness compared to BA and Air Canada

Disadvantages: Too cramped and bad food for such a long flight.

I think my headline says it all really! I travelled in late July from London Gatwick to Vancouver- a flight of over 9 hours. Check-in was quite speedy, though I noticed several passengers hadn't realised the luggage allowlance limit was 20kg.

Flight boarding was fine but you soon realise how little legroom where is present. I had paid £9 extra to be able to choose my seat (on top of a £740 flight price this seemed little extra to pay) and I was so glad I had chosen an aisle seat, enabling me to at least stretch out a bit. I had to pay for headphones(£1 or 2 canadian dollars) to watch the screens set up on the roof (no individual TV screens here) and was a bit disappointed with their choice of films (PS I love You, Shrek 3 and The Other Boleyn Girl).

The main meal was, well, adequate-it was hot and had a bit of meat in it, and I supplemented it with a couple of lagers (£3 for a small can). I was very disappointed with the breakfast-a cold roll with some flavourless cheese is not the best way to start a holiday in Canada.

The staff were very helpful-I think they realised that everyone was a bit cramped in and liable to get grumpy. Cold water whenever you asked for it and they came and gave me a new pair of headphones when I realised that the ones I had bought were barely working. I think it would have been OK for a flight to the East side of Canada but it really was a bit much for the flight to Vancouver. Next time I'll have to consider BA or Air Canada just for the better food and more room.

Overall? You really do get what you pay for-this might have been the cheapest option but meant I arrived in Vancouver slightly crabby and absolutely starving: make sure you take at least a sandwich on board if you doing the same flight. And make sure you save the headphones for the return flight.

Oh, and when booking make sure you check the air transat website for special offers. I have noticed that their prices vary considerably over time.

Summary: Never again to Vancouver but worth considering for the Eastern side of Canada