An airline we'd definitely use again! (Air Transat)

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	Air Transat
Date:	18/10/09 (58 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great cabin crew

Disadvantages: Limited due to being a budget airline; food wasn't so great

Booking through Canadian Affair, our airline for travelling to Canad recently was Air Transat. In all honesty, we had no dealing with them apart from getting on and off the plane, as everything was pre-booked and pre-paid with the travel operators beforehand.

We arrived and booked in just over 3 hours before the flight left Gatwick for Canada, and this was smooth and painless, despite an employee going through the line saying they had overbooked and did anyone want to volunteer to postpone their flight for a day, with compensation, obviously. We didn't, but I understand that this is not an uncommon occurrence with airlines.

Boarding the plane, we weren't allowed on before others, despite having our 5 year old son, Will, with us. We had been told that this would enable us to board before the majority, but it wasn't the case. This didn't bother us in the slightest, but I did notice it. The flight itself was smooth, and I have to say the attendants were very good, especially with Will. It was his first flight and he enjoyed it thoroughly. We didn't have much leg room, but it is a budget airline, so I didn't expect any. There were 3 inflight movies, and enough for Will to be getting on with that we had brought with us.

The flight lasted 7.5 hours, and we were fine with it. There were 3 toilets on board, which wasn't ideal, especially with a 5 year old, but he only had to wait once, and was fine with it. Some kind people on the plane let us go first as he was desperate.

We got all our luggage back fine as well, and the flight staff remained curteous and great with Will right up until we left the airport, so we had a very positive experience with them on the way out.

On the way back, we were a bit down at having to leave Canada after a wonderful time, and having to come back to 'reality'. The flight was an hour shorter than the trip out there, and it was an overnight flight. There were 2 inflight movies, but I was too tired to watch them. However, I wasn't comfy enough to sleep, so I wouldn't say it's the comfiest airline to go with if you need to get some sleep on the flight.

Again, cabin crew were curteous and polite, and very considerate of the fact that we had Will with us. The food on the way back wasn't too good. Will's macaroni cheese was dry and horrible, but he was fast asleep by the time it came, even though it came out early, so he didn't notice it, and I ate it instead. Our food was okay, but the food on both flights was about average, nothing special but edible.

In all honesty, I have low expectations when I fly. I expect to have a comfy seat to sit in, a bit of legroom (usually request an aisle seat) and to be fed if it's a decent length flight. I understand pressures of customer service, and am not demanding in the slightest, and I noticed that they dealt with any problems swiftly and efficiently. I liked the crew very much, and those who spoke to us on both flights were lovely. Landing at Gatwick was as easy a process as any other flight I have experienced, and we were treated very nicely right up until we left Air Transat's care.

To sum up, everything they did was lovely and of high efficiency. They are a budget airline in many ways, so I am aware of limitations and that certain standards may not be the same as other, more expensive airlines. The food wasn't great, and the TVs were shared. There were limits on the service only because there were narrow aisles and only a certain speed they could serve the food, but no one else on the plane seemed rushed, and we were certainly enjoying every moment. Even on the way back, when I couldn't sleep and was a bit restless, I found them to be attentive, with high levels of customer service. Would happily use again.

Summary: Budget airline, but well worth every penny and more