Writing now in Ciao Spain about all my favourites in London; as soon as I get used to Spain I will b...
Writing now in Ciao Spain about all my favourites in London; as soon as I get used to Spain I will be writing here about all the places I discover.
Member since:16.08.2001
Reviews:28
Members who trust:3
I fly very often EasyJet :it is the only 'cheap' airline that goes to Madrid and my family is over there. Before, there was Go, but usually came out more expensive.
It is clear I do it for money rather than love but also because booking is so easy and quick.
It happens that I find myself sometimes with a few days off at the last minute and not lots of money in my pocket neither the time to look properly for a flight.
Then I got 2 options (I will always give more tries but my experience says I always end up there): Lastminute or Easyjet.
A few times there is only one real option(because of prices, timetables...). I will speak about Lastminute another day (they have got their advantages, too).
Prices: ######
If you really book in advance, you can get a single ticket for about £40 (London-Madrid). Tought what is good for me is that last minute prices are still good if you compare with other airlines: the average return ticket I get is for about £150.
A big point is that you may buy a single ticket. In fact, all ticket are singles, you just buy 2 if you need a return.
Booking: #######
The website is quite fast, easy to navigate and reliable ( I have never had bad experiences). Moreover, you get a discount of £2.50 (£5 for a return) when booking through the Internet.
You choose the airport and dates you want to travel and would give you posible flights with times and prices. Some of the hours are really bad : early morning departure or late night arrivals (for instance 7 a.m dep or 12 midnight arrival). It might be actually good and give you and extra day but it is often a hassle to get to airports these times unless you go by car.
Then you decide (or go back for another date or place) and goes to next stage: adds prices and taxes (including Barclays' fat one, read the website about) and you are ready to enter your details (name, credit card...)
--There is a credit card surcharge of £3--
That's it.It's done! In less than 5 min. You will get your confirmation number (in case something goes wrong). Ready to go to the airport and pick up your flight. No ticket, just your passport needed. Simple.
Getting to the airport: ######################
I use Luton. It takes longer to get there from London than other airports. There is bus (cheap: £5 return) or train (about £9, but quicker, of course).They got some deals for EasyJet customers, so check website when booking your flight.
It is also a smaller airport but I see it as an advantage: check in and getting to your departure lounge are more relaxed (not long distances, not loads of people).
The flight: ##########
The boarding systam is a bit peculiar. You do not have a seat number but a number allocated at check-in (something like your grocer's queue). First numbers (<30) will board first, then the next lot and so on. So the sooner you are or the faster, you choose your fav place. I have never seen people running but ...
Delays are usual even if not very long (for me it is always a matter of 20, 30 min). We will wait for the plane to arrive from its last destination, deboard passangers and we will board straight away (or it seems). A very short turn around.
Of course this system saves them money but other than seeming dangerous (what sort of checks do they have time to do?) any delays will work as a domino affecting the rest of flights at where-ever destinations.
I think also that their flight times are inflated : we always leave late but manage to arrive more or less on time (to find pax waiting to board again!)
The flight itself is not very different than in any other conventional airline but in this 'no frills' you need to buy your meal (they have got some snacks and a few sandwiches as well as drinks) or take your own (that I recomend). I do not really mind if the saving on my fare is worth it. You don't get newspapers but they have their own magazine (average). Fligth attendants are smiley and very polite, at the departure lounge look more stressed.
Of course, I have done only short flights (2-3 hours) , maybe for a longer one I would prefer more confort/entertainment.
Well, the flight is finished and I do not regret the savings I have made ( if I do not spend all of them in the taxi, that is it)
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This is quite the best opinion I have read today. Very detailed. Thanks!
MRSCANADA 22.03.2002 19:16
I enjoyed reading all of your reviews..LL
sue.51 19.01.2002 12:10
Their flight times are inflated - talking to a hostess on our flight, as she pointed out many people don't seem to realise that flight times actually includes taxiing etc - our flight was billed as 1hr 10 mins but we were actually in the air for 42mins - although having come back from Lanzarote in December with Britannia, we were 45 mins late leaving with a flight time of 3-3/4 hours, yet managed to get back in 3-1/4 hours, so I guess as the planes get newer, flight times will reduce, showing all airlines as having improved their punctuality statistics.
Sue
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