Excel Airways > Reviews > Excel - Cyprus-ingly good

Author's product rating:   

Food Quality	Good
Customer Service	Friendly and attentive
Punctuality	Satisfactory
Space	Uncomfortable
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	Quick check in at Gatwick, good food, reasonable price
Disadvantages:	Cramped seats, worrying anouncements from the captain

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Booking - I had never heard of Excel, but discovered them on a flight comparison site. They fly twice a week from Gatwick to Larnaca, and for the dates that we were looking at were about £100 cheaper than BA and Cyprus Airways, and the flight times were better. I booked on the XL.com website, which was simple. The cost is showed at all stages including tax, which is very clear. As we chose not to book an in-flight meal (of which more later) the flights were £170 each.

Check in and boarding- at Gatwick, there were five check in desks open, and not one person waiting to check in - result! We were asked what type of seat we wanted, and were allocated a window and aisle seat together. Following 30 minutes at security and last minute shopping, we arrived at the gate and boarded the aircraft on time.

At Larnaca there were only three desks open for check in, with the two queues snaking around the check in area. After about 45 minutes, three more desks opened, and in the resultant scrummage those who had only just arrived got checked in before those of us who had been queuing for ages. Hmph. Check in was conducted in silence, we were offered no choice of seat, and not advised of any delays. After security (one minute) and shopping we arrived at the boarding gate. Boarding time came and went. No announcements, nothing on the departures screens to advise of the delay. We discovered that those who had arrived at the airport on coaches had been advised of a delay of around 45 minutes, but as we had been dropped off by relatives we didn't have a clue. Hmph Hmph. We eventually boarded.

On-board - the seats look very smart, all fake leather. With a 2 -4 -2 seat arrangement, you are never more than one seat from the aisle. On sitting down, my other half, at 5ft 11, discovered his knees hit the seat in front, indicating a small seat pitch. The seats were also fairly narrow, and as the arms between the seats didn't go up fully we couldn't have a proper cuddle in flight, although it did relieve pressure on the side of our legs.

There was an in flight service of snacks and drinks at usual airline prices. As we hadn't booked in-flight meals, we had stocked up on baguettes at Gatwick. An hour in to the flight, we smugly tucked in……. just before our lunch arrived. Somehow, it appears that meals are included on the flight, as everyone got one. The food was surprisingly good, especially given some horror stories I had heard about charter flight food. I was glad, however, that I hadn't opted to pay for these during booking.

Crew - Just for fun, would you enjoy these comments from the Captain and Cabin crew during your flight? "We are delayed here at Gatwick due to Military Action." "All cabin crew please return to you seats and put on your full harnesses immediately." "For those requiring assistance, wheelchairs will be available at the bottom of the stairs." Yes, these were actual comment made over the PA during our flight to Larnaca. But in all fairness, the crew were very good.

Baggage - took 45 minutes to arrive at both Larnaca and Gatwick.

Overall impression - if your travel dates are flexible, and you don't mind slightly cramped seats, Excel seem to offer a good service at a reasonable cost. However, check in at Larnaca could be improved.