Whilst searching Ciao for my next literary piece I discovered an article on Cubana airways. Since I used the airline last year in November and December why not write about my experience.
Pre-flight experiences first. When researching and costing my trip to Cuba (Had to go as I was giving ... Read review
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Advantages: Price and good leg room Disadvantages: Older DC10's used pretty noisy in Economy
...I discovered an article on Cubana airways. Since I used the airline last year in November and December why not write about my experience.
Pre-flight experiences first. When researching and costing my trip to Cuba (Had to go as I was giving my sister's hand away in marriage - hard for some isn't it) I was getting many differing quotes and discovered the cheaper ones were with Cubana airways. So not wishing to put my family and myself ... ...as the reputation for Cubana Airways (CUB) wasn't all that good but it seemed that the people giving me their opinions had never actually used the airline but had had a friend who had. Eventually I discovered that most of the cross Atlantic fleet was subleased from Air France and serviced by them as well (I didn't ask what type of aircraft so they didn't tell me - more on this later). A good start I thought to myself.
I'd used an independent ... more
Whilst searching Ciao for my next literary piece I discovered an article on Cubana airways. Since I used the airline last year in November and December why not write about my experience.
Pre-flight experiences first. When researching and costing my trip to Cuba (Had to go as I was giving my sister's hand away in marriage - hard for some isn't it) I was getting many differing quotes and discovered the cheaper ones were with Cubana airways. So not wishing to put my family and myself at risk I thought I'd better ask a few questions, as the reputation for Cubana Airways (CUB) wasn't all that good but it seemed that the people giving me their opinions had never actually used the airline but had had a friend who had. Eventually I discovered that most of the cross Atlantic fleet was subleased from Air France and serviced by them as well (I didn't ask what type of aircraft so they didn't tell me - more on this later). A good start I thought to myself. I'd used an independent travel operator who arranged a customised package deal (for approximately £800 less than the nearest rivals who were offering standard package deals) and said that I'd receive my tickets direct from CUB a couple of weeks before departure. They arrived exactly 2 weeks before. Still good! Also they offer a mid afternoon Saturday departure - great if you have kids.
Arrived at the airport checked in friendly service and although we couldn't reserve which seats before hand we got seated together. Waiting for the plane was with all the other passengers nothing unusual here, and, then we saw the plane. A DC10!! Gulp I thought. My wife looked a little concerned, as it must have been all of 30 years old. Anyhow no going back. Again final check-in for the flight was well orchestrated and we took our seats and waited for take-off.
As it was an older plane we got a little surprise - the legroom in the normal class was good I'm 6 foot and I still had room to spare even with the seat in front of me down. The same was true for the width of the seats I had a largish bottom (so does my wife - may have gone too far on that one - ouch) but I have flown business class in Europe before with about the same space. The plane was obviously used but clean.
The airhostesses were polite and smartly dressed and they spoke good English (my Spanish is bad so I was quite relieved) and they went about their jobs proficiently. The kids thought it was great when on came a Harry Potter movie. Them sorted for the next couple of hours. Good! All the In-flight drinks were free and not just local brands but included wines, spirits, beer etc. and a selection of cold soft and hot drinks - tea/coffee. Very relaxing, but a little noisy. DC10's are not exactly the quietest aircrafts. After a while you got used to it and as I don't fly well I had earplugs in most of the time so it was OK.
Food served included 3 courses. Starters were cold only choice here was vegetarian/meat. 3 types of main course and a cold desert. After a few complimentary drinks I don't remember what they were but do remember that I ate all that was put in front of me (and so did the kids) so it can't have been all that bad. One meal down. A lighter lunch was served about 2 hours before landing. Again this went down well.
Our flight was not direct outward from Gatwick and we touched down at Hoguin airport at the far end of Cuba where we had a ¾ hour stay at the cafeteria / bar /shop and the first taste of Cuban air (8.30 in evening and it was hot – is this November or what?) The return flight would be direct so no need to worry about stopping again. The plane had been cleaned and one hour later we touched down in Havana. Polite good byes and smiles even though the stewardesses must have been tired then on with our 2-week break.
I’ll write about Cuba itself another time but suffice to say that I’d go again tomorrow! One important point though is don't be put off by the Cuban customs!! The people are not like that.
Now I haven’t finished yet because on the way home as it was a little later in the evening (10.30 pm flight) I upgraded to First Class. (After a little haggling it came to 600 equivalent for the four of us not really that expensive). Things do get a little easier from this point. You have the use of the club lounges with free food, TV, magazines, papers, drinks, shower facilities and you are told when you need to board by a person who finds you. The kids ate all the food they could find; the missus and me settled down and relaxed after finishing off the duty free shopping.
On the plane – The seats were huge and had many adjustable positions (more than economy) and when fully laid out the family went to sleep very comfortably. Champagne at take-off and during the flight the drinks again were all included. The food was great (I do love my Champagne so apologies can’t remember what it was) and even the kids ate all. The Airhostesses again were polite with a larger hostess to traveller ratio a little quicker to respond. To be honest I didn’t want to get off when we arrived back in the UK. I felt First Class is more comfortable but not essential however it was very enjoyable and reasonable value for money.
The golden question would I do it again with Cubana Airways. YES!!
Flying by the seat of your pants? I don't think so.
Advantages: Price Disadvantages: Old plane, indifferent service
...him. Welcome to Cubana airlines - certainly the flight that customer service forgot! Cubana is the Cuban national airline that recently celebrated 75 years in (and out) of the air. Since 1981, 8 of its roughly third of a million flights have resulted in disaster - a failure rate of 24 flights per million, a figure which places Cubana firmly at the foot of the airline safety stats. While even this tally provides some positive perspective about just ... ...Flyers on Cubana also need to be prepared for a long wait on the ground. Our departure was over four hours late, which I believe is standard. A mix up extended our delay; the wrong seating plan was used at check in, meaning that passengers were given tickets for non-existent seats. Fortunately, our plane was little over half occupied, and so the problem was resolved within an hour. Of course, even before this little mix up, we had already been exposed ...
Slug 11.06.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Cubana Airlines
Advantages: Cheap Disadvantages: You even don't get what you pay for
...several hours, the time that Cubana prepares a small plane for Holguin. (Note that arrived in Holguin, the airline has lost the baggages of 3 people and one found her luggage has been opened with a knive)
2) Santiago de Cuba- Havana: 3 hrs delay. Arrived at the hotel in La Havana, I've realised that a professional thief had opened my luggage, took stuff inside, and closed it without physically breaking the 3 digits lock. The airline company told ...
VicMc 10.01.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Cubana Airlines
Advantages: Low price including duty free rum at £4 a bottle Disadvantages: Poor scheduling, lack of in flight entertainment.
...motto and one that fits Cubana for us. We flew London to Havana as part of a package so the airline was chosen for us and I was a bit concerned before hand when The Cubana website gives practically no information and both their e-mail and telephone voicemail failed to get a response.
Our outgoing flight was rescheduled by 5 hours the day before we went and then took off an hour later than that which put us in to Havana at 1:00am when the airport ... ...enough for us but worse for the people on the plane who thought that they were going direct to Holguin and were then told that they had missed the connecting flight. The return flight was also suddenly rescheduled after we had go to the airport (despite the fact that the plane had come in from Milan so had been in the air for 11 hours) so we had 7 hours in the departure lounge where I think smoking wascompulsory.
On the flight, an IL96-300, the ...
PeterLondon 07.01.2009 (06.01.2009)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Cubana Airlines
Advantages: Flight safety of trans-atlantic flights no longer a concern Disadvantages: Safety feel of internal flights in Cuba
...somewhat concerned with our Air Cubana trans-Atlantic flight from London to Holguin. We were much relieved though to learn that new Airbus A330 planes leased from Norwegian Novair are now used on this route. Economy class is a big squeeze and while this is bearable on an Easyjet flight to Amsterdam it becomes rather straining on a nine-hour flight. Don't expect too much in terms of in-flight entertainment – bring your own books and games. The quantity ... ...worrying chapter to the Air Cubana story was our internal flight from Holguin to Havana. Contrary to all expectations the plane took off 30 minutes BEFORE scheduled departure. 40 minutes into the flight we were forced to make an emergency landing at Camaguey airport due to "operational difficulties" which turned out to be a technical fault with the old Russian plane. After a 5-hour wait (for a spare part to be flown in from Havana) and a simple meal ...
mschultzdk 05.10.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Cubana Airlines
Advantages: Beatiful country Disadvantages: Scared to death in the air
Cuba is definitely one of the jewels in the Caribbean, but travelling within the country on an internal flight has to be experienced to be believed.
All flights within Cuba are controlled through the government run national airline Cubana, on my last visit to this beautiful isle we flew from Havana to Camaquey.
The plane that we flew on was a very old Russian built twin prop, which looked as though it should have had pride of place in an aircraft ... ...rusting hulk of metal my heart sank.
The site and smell of a full toilet was nauseous in the extreme.
We were shown toward the front of the plane, and placed in a seat that could not be set in an upright condition. The plane did eventually take off and reached a cruising altitude of about 12000 feet. When the air conditioning system kicked in, the plane appeared to fill with smoke; this really freaked my wife. She saw the “smoke” and genuinely ...
piedpiper 11.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Cubana Airlines
