...My parents introduced me to excel airways. I was cautious about flying with them as it was the first i had ever heard of them and i am not the best flyer. In my haste, my partner and i arrived rediculously early (over two and a half hours) although surprisingly we were not the first to arrive for the flight! We had to wait about half and hour at Gatwick for the check in to open and when it did we zoomed straight through to the departure lounge having ... ...I had religiously read the excel ariways website and new that the seats were leather. It is a nice touch but it could have been faux leather and i wouldn't have known the difference! The stewardess' were great and made sure that the emergency exit passengers new what to do if we plummeted to earth. The food was fine and the flight was very smooth, although that is more to do with the weather than the plane! All in all, for a budget airline, it is ...
bird 19.02.2004
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Having heard good reviews about Excel Airways I was looking forward to my flight to Rhodes from Gatwick on 7th July 2004. We boarded the 18 year old Boeing 757 TF-ARD and departed Gatwick about 30 minutes late. The take off seemed "strained" and the plane climbed incredibly slowly seeming to make very slow progress. About 30 minutes out, and still climbing slowly and now going through some extreme turbulence a burning smell was smelt throughout the ... ...9 hours. The information from Excel was next to nothing - although we did learn that in addition to the burning on board we also found out that an engine had to be shut down - hence, I guess, the noise and slow climb. The plane was grounded and another aircraft flown in from Manchester to rescue us and continue to Rhodes. Although Excel fed us twice - once in the airport and once in an airport hotel (the food was dreadful) they let us down badly ...
stueyg 17.07.2004
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...for the first time with Excel on 25th Sept. Our flight was at 6am from Glasgow to Alicante. We were welcomed by a friendly crew and settled down in comfprtable leather seats with good legroom. We had breakfast about an hour into the flight which left exactly on time. It was sausage scrambled egg hash brown and tomato followed by a tasty muffin orange , tea or coffee to drink. Very tasty and better than a lot we have flew with. Arrived Alicante a ... ...punctual Lunch roll chicken with rice and veg srawbwrry and cream sweet tea or coffee and a chocolate, again very nice. good flight good take off and landing despite coming home to bad weather. Only complaint £2.50 for headphones. A bit expensive but overall Excellent service. Wouldnt hesitate to use them again... ...
Ally441 02.10.2004
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Quick review of Excel Airways
We flew Excel to Tobago in May 2007. Cant fault them. Booked the enhanced economy which is as good as business class on most other airlines. very helpful and cheerful crew couldnt do enough to make the flight how it used to be - part of the holiday-. Arrived refreshed both ways. loved it. ...
Watsondog 03.01.2008
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Excel Airways
Advantages: Prompt, Comfortable, choice of meals Disadvantages: Cant think of any
I have used Excel Airways for 3 return flights in the last three years; 2 to Tenerife and 1 to Minorca, and I must say that I am very satisfied with them.
The on-line booking process was very easy, and very quick. It must have been good because I didn’t swear at the computer once!
All the flights departed on time, and all arrived on time, some were even early!
The planes that I flew on (Boeing 737 and 767’s) were all new, clean and tidy.
There's ... ...touch the seat in front of me. I am not particularly tall at 6ft 1ins but on other charter airlines I’ve had to twist my legs sideways or stand on tip toes during the flight.
The leather seats are actually very comfortable, and I managed to get some sleep.
Food was good, and you get a choice of meals, served by very friendly cabin crew.
One minor moan though; We got to Gatwick 3 hours early, and they wouldn’t let us check in early.
Well done ...
wibbleNutz 19.07.2004
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Advantages: CHEAP Disadvantages: VERY POOR SERVICE
NEVER NEVER NEVER AGAIN. We were a party of 6 travelling on XL airways boeing 767 on 15 NOV 2007 from Gatwick to Florida, through Tavel City Direct. All was well until we boaded the aircraft (on time 10.45am for a 11am take off) once on the aircraft we were told we would have a 20 minute delay as there was a hole in the runway. One hour later we were told that whilst waiting for the hole to be repaired the engineers doing a final check of the aircraft ... ...Two people actually got off the aircraft. We were assured it would take a maximum of one hour to take care of the matter. The weather was cold (6o) and whatever they fixed it with would not dry in the cold conditions, so we sat looking out the windows at engineers with huge heaters trying to dry this stuff. I must admit I was concered for our safety, but our holiday had cost us a lot of money and we just had to have faith that they would not let ...
SuzzyG 20.01.2008 (19.01.2008)
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Advantages: Acknowledged problem and dealt with it promptly Disadvantages: Small seat on substitue aircraft
I have just travelled with Excel to Tobago (6-20/11/04) and I wish to let the public know what an excellent service Excel provided.
On the outward leg it was great, the first time I've ever upgraded and it was good to be able to stretch my legs and not have my husband or someone else elbowing me every 2 minutes.
Even when the Excel plane was not available for the return journey due to being damaged, another aircraft was used and got us home early! ... ...grown ups).
When I went back to my travel agent to obtain a refund everything was already in hand and I received the refund today 30th November!
Well done Excel you acknowledged the problem and dealt with it promtly and I will definitely be travelling with you again. ...
Nikkinoury 30.11.2004
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Quick review of Excel Airways
I had a 32 hour delay spanning 3 days in September with this mob returning to Gatwick from Thessaloniki.Kept waiting at the airport for 11 hours before being bussed to a hotel at 1am and given a stale chhese sandwich and orange juice.Never again.I shall be checking which airline on my next package holiday.No more XL for me! ...
southcoastexpress 28.03.2008 (27.03.2008)
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Excel Airways
Advantages: Early and on time both outgoing and inbound Disadvantages: Slow drinks service on board
I would definately recommend this airline after travelling with them from Manchester to Malaga.
PUNCTUALITY
Our outbound flight was 30 minutes early and our inbound flight on time.
IN FLIGHT
On both occassions we flew on new Boeing 737-800 planes and had plenty of legroom.
My only gripe would be the slow trolley service on the inbound flight, but again this is minor.
Very clean and modern seats and aisles
Staff made you feel safe and were ... ...worth noting I held off buying my tickets till a week before my departure time and the price of the tickets actually fell to £55 each return from £100 each.
LEGROOM
Legroom on the aircraft was very good, I'm not that tall and neither is my wife but we both struggled on a flight with jet2.com from Faro for legroom.
FOOD
Sorry I'm unable to comment on this as I took my own on board. It didnt seem worth paying the extra £10 each way for a tray of ...
aduffy 19.06.2006 (23.10.2006)
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Advantages: None Disadvantages: Poor Service, no co-operation from staff, awful service
...there was no representation from Excel staff what so ever at our delayed airport, no information about our service and to be honest a complete shambles. We were eventually put on another flight but had no luggage, no buggy for my 2 year old or his childs car seat. This flight landed at Heathrow when our original flight was due to go to Gatwick. We were told that we were going to be met by an excel rep' at Heathrow, no one ever turned up, we were ... ...after making numerious calls to Excel head office. We then arrive at Gatwick and would you believe have to report our luggage as lost another 1 hour (in total a 12 hour delay), we eventually recieved our luggage back after 3 days. At Gatwick they thought it was acceptable to drive a 2 year old home without a child car seat.
They have refused to date any compensation, however I am in the process of taking legal action against them.
PLEASE, PLEASE ...
Justingosling 13.07.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Excel Airways
Advantages: None. A Disgraceful Airline. Should be banned. Disadvantages: A 27 HOUR DELAY WITH NO REAL INFORMATION GIVEN.
...kept 100 rooms spare for Excel customers - as this happens every two weeks!!!!!
This is a scam we think that they sent the plane elsewhere to get extra money but it certainly was a planned incident that will re-occur. We were kept at the airport and given little information, simply told that it was a technical fault (LIES!!!!). After 24 hours, and they had made us switch planes, we had to wait a further 3 hours because 'the Captain was stuck in ... ...made to change plane we couldnt land in the correct airport so had a further 3 hour coach journey. On the way home had another hour delay and then had to wait in the plane as the portable corridor thing was broken (sorry, i dont know the technical name). A complete Mickey-Mouse service, stear clear at all costs! Also failed to offer any compensation, even though we were paying for food and drink when meant to be on an all-iclusive holiday!!! ...
lewiswbrowne 28.04.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Excel Airways
Advantages: None Disadvantages: Think of a disadvantage and XL will tick the box.
...me on several occasions that excel would arrange accomadation and alternative travel after missed connections, this in turn denied me the chance to transfer connection flights and find suitable accomadation landing me with a £212 bill for train fares. Was told "I was no longer XL's problem when I was in the UK". The plane was dirty. I was left roaming Gatwick at 1:00 in the morning till 06:00 with a 4 year old child. Overall I was left out of pockett ...
exhell 02.07.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Excel Airways
Advantages: Cabin crew service Disadvantages: poor vision/leg room in front row premier class
...once we were on board.
Excel have indicated that they are changing the TV screens and are fitting a footwell to the bulkhead to give room to stretch out ones legs.
Until these modifications have been made however try to avoid the front row in the premier class cabin at all costs.
For a charter airline this was an excellent service coming close to scheduled standards.
Excel fly principally from London Gatwick and I believe Manchester mostly to ...
skifreak 29.01.2004
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...myself and my friends use Excel airways very often between Manchester(uk) & Las Palmas (Gran Canaria). We have always found the staff very pleasant , caring and helpful. Nothing is too much trouble.It was my partners birthday on a recent flight, this was made more special when the cabin crew presented her with a birthday cake.The cabin crew are always very polite and willing to assist if needed.the meals provided are generally good, we have no complaints ...
jacy 16.08.2004
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i went on this airline company last year and my opinion was the service was very good and perlite. i am going again this year and i hope the service is the same.the flight was relaxing and confortable and plenty of leg room they even had a dvd playing.so i would recomend that u use this company because they are kind and give you very good service.
to the people who are going on this company enjoy the flight like i did and have a good time.
if you ...
arsenaltillidie2007 20.08.2007
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