Until I saw Marcs topic on Virgin earlier I hadn't even thought about the comfort of the flight to Tobago. So I went searching on the web to see if I could find any comments about BWIA the airline our travel agent used... now I am worried. I found about 10 horror stories to every good story. Now I know a bad experience usually promts a swifter more exagerated review, but the bad reviews I found have me slightly concerned I thrust this forum like no other, so if I could get some feedback from people who have traveled with BWIA before I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance
I flew BWIA a few times over the years, but not since they have adopted an excellent 34" seat pitch - best in the standard economy business (rivalling American), 3" more than BA (and size does matter).
Had a few delays on my trips, but otherwise fine. Plus, BWIA has an enviable safety record - never lost a plane in 50 years of flying (or is that 60??).
Have fun - plus it's convenient for Irish connections, from Heathrow.
Regards
Hi there--
We just flew BWIA from JFK to Trinidad/Tobago a couple of weeks ago. We flew on one of their 737's. The seats were pretty uncomfortable and the fake peach leather was pretty worn down. The food was pretty gross, but as someone else said their safety record is awesome and that's what I tried to focus on. They had inflight movies and their flight attendants were friendly. It wasn't the best flight I've ever had, but also not the worse. Our return flight was delayed 2 hours in Trinidad, not sure why because the plane was there, so we missed our connection in Miami and had to stay the night. BWIA footed the bill for the hotel and dinner for us, though. They were very pleasant people to deal with. For me, the number one concern is safety since I'm a little apprehensive about flying, so their safety record was good enough for me. Hope that helps...
I can now pass judgment because we have just returned from Tobago. BWIA are in our opinion a very good airline to fly with. All our flights were on time, the food I thought was fantastic. There was always an attendant to get you drinks, blankets etc. They actually had the biggest compliment of staff I have ever seen on an Airbus!!!!! Our only qualm was the comfort of the seats for sleeping on the return flight. I did manage to get an uncomfortable and broken 4 hours sleep, but Cheryl didn't hardly sleep at all. Other than that everything was perfect and I would definitely reccommend them.
As a National of Trinidad living in the United States who has done a significant amount of Travel within the US, I can tell you that I'll travel BWIA or BWEE as we Trinis call it, ANYTIME. The saftey record is the envy of the World - I would rather be delayed 24 hours and arrive safely or not at all.
As far a the food goes, I've travelled on American Airlines to Trinidad one time - from New York via Miami to Port-of Spain, only drinks, peanuts and
S'mores were served and there were no friendly faces, a cramped and under staffed cabin. Don't mean to sound too critical, but that's the nature of flying in the post September 11th era. Delays, lost baggage, cancelled flights are all part of flying, it happens to the best of 'em.
Two of my first cousins work for BWIA, one is a purser, the other a captain on the A340-300 - I can categoricaly say that the safety pre cautions that are taken pre-flight, in flight, post flight are extra-ordinary.
There are plans afoot to start non-stop service from Frankfurt and Zurich to Crown Point Tobago in addtion to services currently offered from Heathrow and Manchecter to POS.
Having given my "Kudos" to BWIA - I hope everyone had a wonderful and memorable time in Tobago and that you visit our shores again.
Hi-I am Canadian and have been to Tobago 15 times since 1991. I have flown Air Canada, Sky Service, and BWIA. The charters are the most uncomfortable. The flights offered by Bwee express between POS and TAB used to leased planes from Air Ontario, a division of Air Canada-it gives you an idea of the commitment of BWIA to offer safe reliable travel-Canada has strict aviation regulations.
Caribbean Star is a private airline offering flights within the caribbean-its great! If you fly to Barbados, which you can often find the airline of your choice, cheaper and more frequent flights, you can fly BWIA, LIAT or Caribbean Star direct to Tobago avoiding Trinidad.
At any rate, BWIA is no different than any other airline.
My personal favourite airlines are Air Canada, BWIA and British Airways.
Just returned from a trip booked on American Airlines (points from a wedding gift). Suffice to say I'm glad we didn't pay for the tickets. I have never had worse service. It also isn't such a treat flying through the US. We Canadians need to appreciate what we have. Sometimes it takes a trip away to appreciate what you have at home.
Have no fear. BWEE are a good airline, I fly with them all the time. Whilst we do not have an abundance of choice from Trinidad and Tobago. We do have American, and Continental to the US, BA and Virgin, to the UK, Plus Air Canada, Excel, and numerous Charters.
All Bwee planes have been replaced now. The UK routes use the Airbus, A340 I think and the to the US and Canada they use 737 800's
If they were that bad, trust me I would use one of the other options.
The one thing that they have not mastered I will admit is time keeping, but the staff are friendly, the planes are good, and the food is not bad.
I thrust this forum like no other, so if I could get some feedback from people who have traveled with BWIA before I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance
