Germanwings

Advantages: Cheap
Disadvantages: Lack of routes

...London Heathrown to Cologne with Germanwings in December 2004. I had never heard of Germandwings but even though I only booked a fortnight before we wanted to travel they were still some £300.00 cheaper than BA. We checked in at Gatwick and the ticketless check in worked like a dream and we didn't even need our confirmation number, the check in staff worked on our names. We didn't even have to queue although I suspect that we were just lucky about ...
...and comfortable although wasn't a Germanwings plane. I understand the service was being operated by another airline in order that Germanwings could evaluate a new type of aircraft. The staff were German but all spoke english and seemed quite friendly. As a budget aireline, food and drink were not included, and whilst I didn't buy anything, the prices seemed reasonable. When checking in on our way back, Germanwings had an entire terminal to themselves ... Read review

Advantages: cheap, nice aircraft
Disadvantages: take off times

This was the first time I had used a 'budget' airline flying from Birmingham Airport to Cologne - the only direct flight available - previously we had to fly into Dusseldorf by BA and get a taxi (£60). The flight was cheap (£13.00 per person - each way) and the plane was brand new. It left on time and arrived on time both ways so no complaints there. Food and Drink was extra but quite reasonably priced - coffee £2.00 a cup. The flights were about ...
...Plenty of leg space and no extra charges for luggage. What do you expect for £13.00? Only two small gripes - the take off times, 7.40am from Birmingham (at airport 6.40am) and 6.40am (UK time - 5.40am) back from Cologne together with a feeling that it was a case of 'all pile on' whilst boarding. But then again, What do you expect for £13.00! ... Read review