Flying Excel One
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Keith V.
Flying Excel One
Three of us flying to Tobago late July and I'm a marginal flier, to put it mildly. That's why we've treated ourselves to Excel One. If my wife is in the next seat to mop my fevered brow, divert me with the Telegraph crossword etc I'll be OK but Golden Caribbean say they can't guarantee adjacent seats - even though I offered to pay extra for pre-booked seats. What are the chances of two of our three seats not being together?
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Jo B
- myTobago Nut
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2005 3:21 pm
- Location: Kent, England
Keith
We flew Excel One in October and found it to be an excellent service. However, despite checking in relatively early, we didn't have much choice of seats, as most other passengers appeared to have pre-booked seats or checked in extra early. Another time we would investigate doing this and would recommend that you investigate this option further - surely the whole point of prebooking seats is to get your choice!?! But as a couple we got a pair of seats in both directions, just not necessarily the ones we would have chosen.
However the Excel One cabin is small but spacious, so it shouldn't be too much trouble if one of you is not exactly with the other two.
I'm sure you will enjoy the experience. Be warned that the in-flight entertainment is limited, but then you are receiving business class service for half the price of BA or Virgin. And there are plenty of magazines and newspapers handed out.
Jo x
We flew Excel One in October and found it to be an excellent service. However, despite checking in relatively early, we didn't have much choice of seats, as most other passengers appeared to have pre-booked seats or checked in extra early. Another time we would investigate doing this and would recommend that you investigate this option further - surely the whole point of prebooking seats is to get your choice!?! But as a couple we got a pair of seats in both directions, just not necessarily the ones we would have chosen.
However the Excel One cabin is small but spacious, so it shouldn't be too much trouble if one of you is not exactly with the other two.
I'm sure you will enjoy the experience. Be warned that the in-flight entertainment is limited, but then you are receiving business class service for half the price of BA or Virgin. And there are plenty of magazines and newspapers handed out.
Jo x
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Neil Roberts
- myTobago Nut
- Posts: 89
- Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2003 1:28 pm
- Location: Leatherhead, Surrey.
Dear Keith,
We have travelled Excel One four times and my wife and I have had no trouble at all getting two seats together. A lot of our fellow passengers were couples, and so as the seats are in pairs, it makes it pretty likely that you'll be together. I'm sure you'll check in early....all of us nervous flyers seem to do that for some strange reason!
Kind regards,
Neil Roberts.
We have travelled Excel One four times and my wife and I have had no trouble at all getting two seats together. A lot of our fellow passengers were couples, and so as the seats are in pairs, it makes it pretty likely that you'll be together. I'm sure you'll check in early....all of us nervous flyers seem to do that for some strange reason!
Kind regards,
Neil Roberts.
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Ray Vanner
Keith
My partner and I always fly using Excel 1-well worth the extra! Baggage, extra allowance for scuba gear and priority check in to name a few reasons
You can pre-book seats at upto a month in advance on 08701677747. Very helpful staff on the other end of the line.
There are 6 of us going out in 2 weeks time-started packing already
Ray
My partner and I always fly using Excel 1-well worth the extra! Baggage, extra allowance for scuba gear and priority check in to name a few reasons
You can pre-book seats at upto a month in advance on 08701677747. Very helpful staff on the other end of the line.
There are 6 of us going out in 2 weeks time-started packing already
Ray
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John Fox
Have just returned flyng Excel One again - still the best way to Tobago with excellent seating/leg room and the meals with choice were very good for airplanes. The cabin staff were excellent and have obviously never worked for BA !
A bit of a shame is that they have doubled the size of the Excel One cabin by, I believe, doing away with Premium Economy, so it is not as quiet as it was especially when babies are there !
A fact worth noting however is that despite a superb 40KG weight allowance per person there is a 30KG limit per case ( health & safety issue). I assume this applies with all airlines but is not advised ahead of getting to the airport.
It is worth the extra cost over going Economy with any airline.
A bit of a shame is that they have doubled the size of the Excel One cabin by, I believe, doing away with Premium Economy, so it is not as quiet as it was especially when babies are there !
A fact worth noting however is that despite a superb 40KG weight allowance per person there is a 30KG limit per case ( health & safety issue). I assume this applies with all airlines but is not advised ahead of getting to the airport.
It is worth the extra cost over going Economy with any airline.
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Steve Wooler
- myTobago Editor & Chief Anorak
- Posts: 4856
- Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2002 11:00 pm
- Location: Suffolk, England
- Contact:
Hi John
Thanks for your reports.
Just for information, the two class (Excel One/Standard Economy) configuration was a trial for the Winter period. The original three-class configuration with Premium Economy returns for the summer months, starting 4th May. I don't think plans for next winter have been released yet.
The 32kg item limit on checked luggage was, I understand, an EEC directive and applies to all air services landing or taking off anywhere in the EEC region. We mustn't let those poor baggage handlers strain their backs, must we?
Thanks for your reports.
Just for information, the two class (Excel One/Standard Economy) configuration was a trial for the Winter period. The original three-class configuration with Premium Economy returns for the summer months, starting 4th May. I don't think plans for next winter have been released yet.
The 32kg item limit on checked luggage was, I understand, an EEC directive and applies to all air services landing or taking off anywhere in the EEC region. We mustn't let those poor baggage handlers strain their backs, must we?
Steve Wooler
myTobago.info - the definitive Visitor Guide to Tobago
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James Blackshaw
- Tobago Guru
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2003 7:35 am
- Location: Oxon, England
Excel One
Having been lucky enough to have won the upgrade to Excel One in last years competition, here is my feedback.
Thank you first to Golden Caribbean, for providing the upgrade and for their efficiency and friendliness throughout.
There are most definitely some plus points, and as Steve has mentioned one or two minor drawbacks, that go with a charter flight. Bearing in mind this was a free upgrade, although we always go either Club World or Virgin Upper, I will try to be as contructive as possible.
The priority 'check in' afforded by Excel One was a smooth as silk, and I am delighted to say, a completely painless experience.
The extra baggage allowance is excellent, for those that dive or snorkel or just have wives that carry the whole wardrobe abroad. Just remember, as Steve mentioned, once you get over 23 odd kg (max 32) in one case, they start labelling the bag heavy, which in my experience can cause it to be last out on the carousel.
You get fast tracked through to the departure lounge and entry into an executive lounge, which given how busy Gatwick was, a great comfort. Also the flight was delayed(will get to that) so a relief to be able to relax in the lounge.
Once on the plane the seating in One is perfectly comfortable. I am 6ft 3ins and do not have (any more) snake hips, but I was able to stretch out quite well. No it is not BA flat bed or as roomy as Virgin Upper, but this is similar to most other club seats. Given the normal upgrade prices, very acceptable.
I would also commend the cabin staff, who were kind and attentive throughout. The food and drink offered, suprisingly, as good as any. Well done!
The stop in St Kitts was no problem, the actual flight, the baggage pick up, car waiting all excellent. If it all goes to plan it really is a an easy and pleasant way to get to Tobago.
Finally the nit pick.....delays, delays. As Steve said the back up of many aircraft is not there, so when you get a technical hitch, delays are inevitable. I have no problem making allowances for inevitable delays, that are not restricted just to charter flights, I just wish we knew before getting on the damn beast!. We were delayed just before boarding for 4 hours on the way out. No problem, chill in the lounge and be patient. Then you run into another problem once on the plane it is more of a pain. Having said that once you get to the Hotel in Tobago, have a first cocktail or cold Carib and all is soon forgotten.
On the way back we had a good 6 hour delay. Initially it was no problem, as we were advised of some delay. The hotel were very good about allowing us extra in the room. It is only that final communication, or lack of, that gets all the passengers crammed into one small room, with no way of escape (smokers take note), with another 3 hour delay. At past midnight it is not such fun.
It is shame about the delays, taxi drivers tell me it is a regular occurrence, because otherwise Excel, and Excel One particularly, offer a very good all round service with pleasant, extremely helpful staff. Just take an extra book of Sudoku!!
regards
James
Thank you first to Golden Caribbean, for providing the upgrade and for their efficiency and friendliness throughout.
There are most definitely some plus points, and as Steve has mentioned one or two minor drawbacks, that go with a charter flight. Bearing in mind this was a free upgrade, although we always go either Club World or Virgin Upper, I will try to be as contructive as possible.
The priority 'check in' afforded by Excel One was a smooth as silk, and I am delighted to say, a completely painless experience.
The extra baggage allowance is excellent, for those that dive or snorkel or just have wives that carry the whole wardrobe abroad. Just remember, as Steve mentioned, once you get over 23 odd kg (max 32) in one case, they start labelling the bag heavy, which in my experience can cause it to be last out on the carousel.
You get fast tracked through to the departure lounge and entry into an executive lounge, which given how busy Gatwick was, a great comfort. Also the flight was delayed(will get to that) so a relief to be able to relax in the lounge.
Once on the plane the seating in One is perfectly comfortable. I am 6ft 3ins and do not have (any more) snake hips, but I was able to stretch out quite well. No it is not BA flat bed or as roomy as Virgin Upper, but this is similar to most other club seats. Given the normal upgrade prices, very acceptable.
I would also commend the cabin staff, who were kind and attentive throughout. The food and drink offered, suprisingly, as good as any. Well done!
The stop in St Kitts was no problem, the actual flight, the baggage pick up, car waiting all excellent. If it all goes to plan it really is a an easy and pleasant way to get to Tobago.
Finally the nit pick.....delays, delays. As Steve said the back up of many aircraft is not there, so when you get a technical hitch, delays are inevitable. I have no problem making allowances for inevitable delays, that are not restricted just to charter flights, I just wish we knew before getting on the damn beast!. We were delayed just before boarding for 4 hours on the way out. No problem, chill in the lounge and be patient. Then you run into another problem once on the plane it is more of a pain. Having said that once you get to the Hotel in Tobago, have a first cocktail or cold Carib and all is soon forgotten.
On the way back we had a good 6 hour delay. Initially it was no problem, as we were advised of some delay. The hotel were very good about allowing us extra in the room. It is only that final communication, or lack of, that gets all the passengers crammed into one small room, with no way of escape (smokers take note), with another 3 hour delay. At past midnight it is not such fun.
It is shame about the delays, taxi drivers tell me it is a regular occurrence, because otherwise Excel, and Excel One particularly, offer a very good all round service with pleasant, extremely helpful staff. Just take an extra book of Sudoku!!
regards
James