MyTravel Airways (MYT) is the new name for Airtours, a Manchester-based company that has provided holidays for many years. However now they're going bankrupt as they've found that by expanding, they've got too big for their own good by taking over any company they see fit.
MYT was our choice to fly to Orlando, Florida last year. It was a lovely July day when we arrived at Manchester Airport, fresh from a stay at the Manchester Holiday Inn. We had chosen the "Gold service", called Premair Gold. We had flown before to Orlando with the company, and economy is too much for a long flight.
As we walked into the dedicated check-in area at manchester for MYT, there were massive queues for MYT051 (Our flight). 5 desks were open, and full of people sorting out their details. we joined the queue at the back, and a MYT rep came by, offering free drinks for people in the queues as they'd had a technical fault and were only just getting back to speed. She then noticed the gold labels that we were given
and told us we were in the wrong queue. She pointed to a desk next to the one we were waiting for, where a young girl was slowly falling sleep due to lack of people checking in at her desk. We went over and within 5 minutes we'd been sorted and told to proceed to the lounge on the top floor.
The lounge MYT had got us reserved in was one with all the business fliers, with free refreshments, food and newspapers. we went for a coffee and a sausage sandwich, and a read of the guardian, printed only a few hours earlier. Servisair / SAS were very friendly to us, despite not been the airline we were flying with, and they were happy to help MYT guests who couldnt use MYT's lounge as it was being re-furbished.
The boarding announcement echoed down the departure lounge, and we wondered happily to the front gate, after hearing rows 1-9 (Gold) were now ready for boarding. We came on board, greeted with a smile, a newspaper, and a glass of champagne before the flight. Economy passengers passed through a different door, into a 3-4-3 seating arrangement. Gold customers had a 2-3-2 seating arrangement, and leather seats. very nice!
Within seconds before departure, the cabin crew wished us a pleasant journey, handed out a complimentary MYT Rucksack, (which contained a wash kit (Toothbrush, paste, mini-mirror, hand cream, towel), pillow, blanket, tv guide, sweets for takeoff/landing, and headsets). which kept us occupied for the first few minutes of rolling towards the runway and allowing us to checkout what freebies we had got.
MYT051's flight crew prepared the aircraft and played a safety video. An animated story was shown with cartoons showing what to do. The television on the seat in front is a feature that MYT is placing on all Airbus A320 services to/from the states, and kept our attention on the screen infront. Afterwards, the cabin crew passed by asking if everyone had seen it and understood the proceedure. Takeoff then was instant.
After the plane reached the right altitude, the cabin crew quickly returned to their duties. Sat next to me and my girlfriend was a disabled gentleman, who had a wheelchair and was helped onboard by the flight crew. the stewardess came over to him, checked if everything was ok, and promised to pop by each half hour to ensure everything was ok. whilst there, she offered a drink for him and his wife, which she quickly ran off to get. She then appeared with a trolley and offered drinks (free of charge) to customers. As it was mine and my girlfriend's first time together to the USA, and our first holiday together, we asked for a bottle of champagne, which was free, and they pop-ed the bottle in front of us, and poured two glasses (real crystal!) for us to enjoy. the bottle remained with the staff, but if we wanted a top-up, we were to ask.
The meal was brilliant. served on a plate with plastic knife and fork (no metal ones after 9/11) but was still nice to have. a full english breakfast was really fresh, and the crew came around with a selection of items to choose, freshy cooked on board. sausage, egg, bacon and tomatos for myself went down a treat. within minutes warm toast was ready and the flight movies / tv channels were at our disposal.
The toilet facilities on board were much different. 1 toilet was available for gold customers at the front, however I decided to venture down into Economy to use theirs as there was a small queue forming for us. Passing through the curtain, it seemed strange to see so many people packed into a small space, all crunched up and watching their movies. the toilets were located downstairs, and 7 were available. each seemed clean and new, with a smiley air hostess assisting young children upstairs.
The landing came quickly. After a sleep in the luxury chairs and enjoying as much booze as I wanted, I relaxed with a Mars bar (free!) and looked out the window into the sunny US skies. The plane touched down, and the air hostesses jumped back into action. Helping the gentleman next to me, they helped him into a wheelchair and off the aircraft. we followed, and were thanked by the staff for our journey.
At the Orlando Sandford International Airport, we were welcomed by Delta Airline staff who informed us that Gold customers were to proceed through US Executive Immigration services. We passed through within minutes, as people in economy queued up to 3 booths. 3 staff to 300 people is quite an amount to get through!
down at luggage arrival, our bags were instantly available, as gold customers had priority. First in first off. Exactly what you need on such a long flight, and this way we were able to ensure we got to the destination refreshed and ready for a nice holiday!
Very good review. I believe it is worth it on these long flight to upgrade. However, I think you made a slight error in your review as you have said that the A320 is used, although this is actually incorrect as they use the A330 on this route. (The A320 is significantly smaller and is used on their short haul routes and doesn't have all the Premair Gold seating and seat back tv's, unlike the A330 which has them throughout in all classes)
Lancashire_Angel 29.12.2003 21:49
Sounds great, although I've never had any complaints really about the flights I've been on, in fact I've had good experiences and enjoy flying. Welcome to ciao, Sharron xxx
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Record Rent a Car is present in the main spanish airports and has a very wide fleet. We offer: exceptional discounts, free additional drivers,
unlimited mileage... subscribe to our Club Record and take advantage of special offers.
Dec 29th, 2003
very helpful by (81%):
helpful by (19%):
