Booked on XL flight 12th January 2008

[Steve Wooler]

We'll have no flagellation here, please.

Glad to see us picking up the pieces of other sites. Having paid to be listed there, I don't imagine Porridge or other owners would be too happy if enquiries aren't getting though.

[Phil Walker]

Just a quick update re our wedding. Got an e-mail from Jeanelle who is free with Porridge to arrange our wedding

Not sorted any details as she says will arrange everything when we arrive, guess that's the Tobago way, laid back, just like me really. My better half has already bought her dress I'd be happy in my T shirt and shorts, not allowed though, been ordered to be smart.

Too long to wait, can't even count the days yet, and this weather here is getting right on my

[Rowena Lipfriend]

We've just flown with Excel and got back last week. The flights were on time both ways and on our return flight the BA flight was running 5 hours late when we left!!! Our expereince was excellent the crew were fabulous and the
the plane was fine. I would stick with your plans . I would definately fly Excel again.

Rowena

[GillMathews]

Hi Rowena,
I endorse your comments about Exel as I also returned with them last week. I have used them for the last four years and only experienced a delay on one occasion flying out of Gatwick due to weather conditions in February.No overstated luxury but value for money. They get me to Tobago for a decent price so thats fine with me.
Gill

[Phil Walker]

We've just flown with Excel and got back last week. The flights were on time both ways and on our return flight the BA flight was running 5 hours late when we left!!! Our expereince was excellent the crew were fabulous and the
the plane was fine. I would stick with your plans . I would definately fly Excel again.

Rowena

Hi

Glad to hear of your good experience with Excel. I've been following various sites with peoples experiences, they don't seem too bad. I pretty comfortable in staying with them now , certainly at the price.

Bet it was fun seeing all those BA guys delayed, knowing you'd paid possibly half the price they had, priceless!

[Phil Walker]

Just thought I'd resurect this thread, as we fly out on Saturday.

Everything thing almost organised and we are looking forward to meeting everyone in Castara!

One question that has sprung to mind, applicable to this thread- the outbound flight is via Grenada. Anybody know why XL do this? Surely not for fuel, as its near Tobago, and I've noticed they are stopping it soon.

[Carole Ward]

Hi Phil

We arrive next Thursday 17th as well but we are staying at the Naturalist nearby.

When's the wedding going to be? We'd like to help you celebrate

See you there, have a good flight.

Caroleeee (and Greg)

[Phil Walker]

Thanks for that Carole.

Good question. The date has not been set yet. Porridge and Jeanelle are organising, and we will sort all that when we arrive. We would like it within the first week, but we're just going with the flow.

It would be nice to have it at Castara Retreats, or the beach as we are staying at Ali babas, but we'll see. I'm sure if you're around the Boathouse you'll find things out anyway

All the best

Phil & Sarah

[Tony G]

Hi Phil & Sarah

The great thing about getting married in Tobago (or one of the great things) is that you can have the ceremony virtually anywhere. If you are arriving on Saturday you won't be able to apply for the special licence until Monday. Then you need to have a chat with the minister (any idea who it will be? We were married by Rev.Brent Hart - a very cool dude!!) so you have plenty of time to decide where to have the ceremony. Getting hitched in Tobago is a doddle. A couple of words of advice - try and get your marriage certificate before you leave Tobago (otherwise it will have to be posted to you), and make sure you get a few copies (especially if Sarah is going to change her name, she will need them).

See You There (flying out tomorrow)

Tony

[Phil Walker]

Yep, we've done a bit of homework, but missed that bit re the marrige cert, just assumed we'd get it as a matter of course.

We've no idea of any details! Just leaving it to Porridge, I'm sure he'll do a great job. We're being really laid back about it.

Thanks for the heads up, and have a good flight.

[David Watkins]

Well,Phill must be jinxed.......his Excel flight was delayed by 24 hours!!!! But he is here now.
David

[KarlC]

I guess your holiday didn't start so good then....I was due to fly back from Tobago with XL on Jan 12th 2008 and the flight was delayed for almost 24 hours. I think this is the plane you would have been coming out on, so you probably lost a day at the beginning of your holiday

Someone on our flight said this was the 3rd time this had happened to them with XL when returning from Tobago to London!!

[Phil Walker]

Yes after all that it happened. Delayed by 24 hours

It was due to a "technical" issue with the plane. The prop within the engine had a stone chip in it. They had been trying to repair it since the night before.

At 3.00pm on our deptarture date (scheduled for 11.45am) we were told no flight, would have to be put up in Gatwick Hilton overnight.

To be honest we also got a £5.00 food vouchor each during the day and an evening meal at the Hilton. We got off at 8.30am the next day. The XL staff were actually very good both during the delay and on both flights.

It just seems that the Management of XL seem determined to keep costs down by doing "maintainence in the air" so to speak. I think other airlines operate with better contingency plans to keep these things to a minimum.

The question you may ask, would I fly XL again. Yes if the price is sufficiently lower than other airlines to justify the risk of delay.

[Adrian L]

We,too, were on this delayed flight and lost a day's holiday.

On the whole it was handled OK, although I'd like to see XL#s overall reliability rates.

We received a £5 voucher plus an evening meal and overnight accommodation at Gatwick. An XL rep also allowed us to use his mobile to re-arrange pick ups in Tobago.

However, having sent us to a hotel (after a seven hour wait at the airport) we were told our checked in bags wouldn't be returned to "speed up" the process in the morning. Yet, we were still asked to be at the airport at 5.30am, three hours before departure. We hadn't requested one, but XL very kindly arranged for an alarm call at 5am! (I believe all passengers got the same) which was not appreciated.

The on board entertainment is poor, as is the food. But, as has been pointed out, the fares are cheap (£316 each for us).Personally I would in future pay £100 or so extra to avoid XL on a long haul flight. You do get what you pay for and, I suspect, the risk of delay is greater than with other airlines on the route.

Re the delay - there was some suggestion that compensation might be on offer. All we were given was a letter for our insurance company. Does anyone know what the position is under EU air law - the rules seem a bit vague.

[Phil Walker]

Yes, there are no strict set out regulations for this sort of delay it seems.

As long as the airline can be shown to have done all it reasonably could to have avoided the delay, then you'd struggling to sue for compensation. Coupled with the fact they gave food vouchers, hotel and evening meal, they would be seen to be doing eveything that could be reasonably be expected.

Better to just claim the travel delay through your insurance. We should be due £40, better than a kick in the teeth...