Sheesh - seems like ages since I've been here. So many changes, business up and running - bred my f...
Sheesh - seems like ages since I've been here. So many changes, business up and running - bred my first litter of labs - moved house - guess I had better work on catching up now!
Member since:20.03.2001
Reviews:275
Members who trust:170
An enforced cancellation by Thomsons (yet again), 5 days before our long awaited holiday, found us trawling through the travel agents screens to find a last minute deal, which just happened to be a visit to Protaras, Cyprus with JMC.
THE AIRPORT We booked for the week @ £169 per person (reasonable for Spring Bank holiday), and a few days later tootled off to the airport to collect our tickets. As it was a last minute booking, we were not allowed to pre-book our seats (normally a free service with JMC I believe). The staff at Cardiff airport were very helpful and accommodating.
THE FLIGHT Upon boarding the plane, an Airbus A320, we found we were on the very last seats at the back of the plane (oh well I suppose we were in good
company with the black box), the leg room was very poor, for my 6'2" partner and I had to swap seats with my daughter as mine was broken, and probably would not have withstood my light, delicate frame for nearly 5 hours. The stewardess went around the plane with a tray of sweets for take-off, they could see that I was nervous and were very soothing and friendly.
The location of our seats was horrendous, and my partner took a few knocks from the never ending flow of trolleys up and down the single aisle, and was penned in his seat by the never ending queue for the toilets. I suppose someone has to sit there. The seats did recline, and at least we didn't have to worry about intruding the space of those behind.
THE MEAL The meal as far as I can remember was palatable, although they had no special meals for the kids, another feature of last minute bookings it appears, they therefore had nothing to eat for the duration. Drinks were on a pay as you go basis, and were priced about the same as Britannia.
IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT This must have been OK, but obviously didn't leave a lasting impression, as I can remember most of the stuff I have seen on Britannia (probably because it never changes between seasons). We were quite shocked that we had to pay for the headphones, and as my other half is quite tight, ended up sharing two sets between four of us, maybe this is why I can't remember more about it, travelling with two kids.
THE FLIGHT OUT The flight itself was very smooth, and the pilot gave us a good narrative as we flew over various places of interest. The landing was also good, the last time I went on an Airbus 320, it sounded like it was falling apart on landing.
THE HOLIDAY Was excellent, see my op on Protaras, Cyprus.
THE RETURN JOURNEY We had a good holiday, but bearing in mind the ridiculously high daytime temperatures in Cyprus, and our previous experience of return journies to airports, on this occasion we opted to take a taxi to ensure a smooth check in and more time in duty free at the airport.
We certainly got more time at the airport, but not where we wanted it. We arrived approximately 2½-3 hours before the flight, but could not check in, as the JMC rep could not tell us either when the check-in desk would be open, or where we would be checking in. I have covered this under a separate op on Lanarca airport. The staff were disorganised, and had a total lack of knowledge and information, they knew as much, if not less than the customers. We spent nearly two hours waiting to check in, and were then told which desks it would be, wrong again.
Arrival at the departure lounge was not much better, too many people, too hot and too small, but the duty free shop was a sight to behold and very very cheap, and very busy. Not enough time there because of the cock-ups with checking in. That was £18 wasted on a taxi.
THE RETURN FLIGHT Nothing exceptional, same plane, same seats, and over five hours long, and a lot of turbulence, these planes are not suitable for such long journeys, they have one aisle and little leg room, couple this with the trolley dolleys going up and down the aisles dishing out food and trying to sell duty free goods and it becomes a bit of a nightmare ============================= The holiday itself was very good, but after returning home through all the aggravation, I felt I needed another break, not long to go now, but back with old faithful Britannia, just hope they've changed their in-flight entertainment.
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May 8th, 2001
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