Excel Airways

Flown twice with Excel, both times delayed 10 hr 11. Aircabin staff ran over flying hours maybe just unlucky. No more Kosmar holidays for me now as excel took them over last year, everything on cheap now.

(Aug/Sept 08) I cannot believe how awful my return flight to Crete was. The seats were fixed in a bolt upright position making it impossible to get a degree of comfort. I have been in pain ever since with a bad back and neck. It was also really cold, luckily I had my warm windcheater with me. But others were really suffering. Perhaps they intended it to be this bad, because they were do a good trade selling blankets and pillows? There were only 3 toilets for about 200 passengers and most of the time the access was impossible due to the desperately slow trolly's blocking the way whilst selling their wares. I have flown a lot and can honestly say that this was the worst I have ever endured. I think health and safety should take a good look, as I am sure the discomfort factor must be verging upon the illegal. I can't imagine anyone ever flying twice with them.

Flew with XL Airways to Cyprus on 29th July 2008 was one of the best flights both ways we left Luton 5 mins late the cabin crew we friendly and helpful loved the boarding music Galaxy FM. The aircraft was clean but very tiny as used to flying on a330 and a321 first time for about 5 years flying on a 737. The meals were very nice and very good value. flight back was even better we left 1 hour early they didn't have as much of a choice of meal however it was still really nice on the flight back as their was 2 seat we were asked if we wanted to be moved to an over-wing exit which we did their was so much more room. The film was OK but the TV kept repeating things as it was a faulty system as we were told. However XL I think has one of the best selections of TV programs many of my best ones such as top gear. I have already booked again for next year.

Take out as many rows of seats as ness to make life on board liveable. I would be more than happy to have paid the extra for seats removed. But perhaps it's to late now as we won't be flying with them again.

Was not looking forward to fly with xl as a lot of the reviews were poor but what a pleasant surpirse! Have never seen such a quick check in and the flight was stress free. Thank you xl for your friendliness I will DEFINITELY fly with you again.

Based on reading other reviews was expecting a nightmare on long haul from Gatwick to Sanford. Delighted to say that legroom more than adequate despite not booking extra legroom seats. Children's meal ordered was delivered to appropriate seat and with adult meals. Cabin crew helpful and polite despite other passenger comments. Was not expecting first class service due to price paid but very good value for money. Both outward and return journeys more than acceptable bearing in mind price paid with Travel City Direct included complimentary drinks and meals. Inflght entertainment adequte despite not having seat back screens. DVD entertainment systems available for extra cost but not needed. Would happily book again in the future.

Overall a good flight and i would be happy to fly XL again! Flights on time or even early on outbound flight!Crew were very helpful and were working for the whole flight (not just sat behind a curtain as usual)Pilots very informative.

TRIP:11th August, Manchester(MAN) - Lanzarote(ACE): We got to the airport for check-in and split up, one group to go to the ticket desk to pick up our tickets and the other waiting for the meet and greet service. We met back in the MAN T2 lay-by and waited there for a long time waiting for the meet and greet (Will NOT use that company again) which ended in us putting the car in MAN's long stay. We did then get down to check in. The queue, when we got there, was long but moved very quickly and we were soon into Man's new T2 security (Very Nice!) and I bleeped the machine. We got through quickly though and were into the departure lounge. The plane was on stand 209 and we were on quickly and away on time. Flight was excellent and uneventful. Crew were fab and captain was talkative.

Flight outbound from Gatwick to Sanford with XL airways was OK, we were kept well informed. We were sat on the ground in the plane at Gatwick for over 5 hours and had to travel up 5 flights of stairs to get back to the terminal which was not good for people with disabilities as there were no lifts. Managed to get to Sanford eventually everything was fine from then on.

AWFUL AIRLINE!On outbound flight (Gatwick to Sanford Orlando), the extra leg room seats were not extra leg room but infact bulk head seats. We were told that bulk head seats were classed as leg room seats, but we didn't see it on the plane! Inbound was a nightmare! When we checked in we were told that the scheduled plane was not available so we had a standby plane which was smaller and therefore only 2 out of 3 of the extra leg room seats that we booked were available to us. As well as that, our party of 10 had been mixed up and were not together, even though we had paid to be sat together. We were told at early check in that they were unable to shift the seating around. When at the airport we were called to the departure desk where we were told one of our extra leg room seats was broken and this brought us down to have only 1 leg room seat. At the departure desk they were able to swap our party around with the empty seats amongst the rest of the party. When we got on the plane, we found the seating for standard passengers (those without extra leg room) was appalling, with there being no room and most of the passengers being cramped due to their knees touching firmly on the chair in front. It was the worst flight I had ever been on and was not at all happy due to it being a 9 hour flight. And to top it all off, we were delayed!