Excel airways satisfaction [almost]

[Ruth W]

My husband and I travelled to Tobago on Thurs, 24th March, returning Thurs, 7th April. Both flights left on time and arrived slightly early.
As the new plane had not been announced when we booked, we decided to treat ourselves to Excel One as this was a similar cost to flying BA or Virgin economy. We could not fault the staff, the service or the food.
The only reservation is that the airline is having problems with the leg rests. My husband's was broken on the return flight and would not elevate at all. It was the same seat we noted someone complaining about on the outward flight!
I have written to notify them of our disappointment with this but so far no reply. However, it would not stop me from using the airline again, our experience was fortunately much better than the earlier March flight.

[Andy D]

We fly with Excel to Tobago on Saturday so only three more days to go...yay! Cant wait! Just hope everything goes ok with the flight,will write a review of both the flight and Hummingbird Heights when we return.

[Andy D]

Ok the flight with Excel on 30th April to Tobago was fine,we left Gatwick on time and arrived in Tobago at exactly 17:30 which was bang on time! We flew via St Kitts so the flight was 2 hours longer than last years with Virgin which was direct.
Seat pitch was just about ok although if you have long legs like me then things can get uncomfortable after a few hours,we plan to go again in October and i will definately look at Excel one to get some more room.
The food was fine,typical of most airlines and plenty of water was on offer throughout the flight.On landing in St Kitts my partners son used the toilet at the front of the plane and we were lucky enough to chat to the Captain and have a peek at the flightdeck which was interesting.
The return flight last Saturday (15th May) left Tobago just half an hour late at 20:00hrs and we arrived at Gatwick at 09:15am which wasn't bad at all at only 8hrs 15mins. Sleeping on the flight was impossible for me because i was upright and the seat didnt recline very far so catnapping was about all that was possible.Again the flight was fine,staff were friendly and the food ok although we only had one blanket between four of us and were told that there were none left! So i think Excel should invest in sufficient blankets for their night flights,i wasnt bothered but children especially would benefit.

FULL REVIEW OF HUMMINGBIRD HEIGHTS TO FOLLOW IN THE ACCOMODATION FORUM.

[Michael Crowther]

We flew with Excel, outbound 5th May and returned 19th May. There were 4 of us in our party and we had booked Excel Premium, mainly because I am 6ft 4in.

When we checked in at Gatwick, we were handed a letter and a complaints form because they had to use a back up plane due to maintenence requirements and there was no extra leg room. I was a bit miffed but never mind. We got on the plane and the stewardess informed us that due to Premium and Excel One being only half full we could have 2 seats each. So probably got more leg room than I would have done and the service from the staff was excellent, but the TV didnt work, so it seemed like quite a long flight. Plus there was a guy in Premium who got really drunk and was trying to sit in everybody's seat. We left an hour late but arrived on time.

Coming back we were informed at check in that we once again would not get the extra leg room, and we had the same plane that we had flying in. Anyway, once again it was only half full, two seats ech again and they had fixed the TV. Didnt make a lot of difference with the TV though because the programmes they had on were not fantastic. Again the service on the flight was very good.

We weren't going to complain, because at the end of the day we ended up with more leg room and received all the other benefits, like the drinks and priorityu baggage etc, but when we arrived home there was a cheque for £700 waiting for us from Excel.

All in all I thought Excel were pretty good.