© Saloca
in Wonderland
Nov 2011
|
Does it really matter who we fly with?
Traveling from the UK ,
the flight to Orlando is rough 9+
hours, and that is after we’ve spent 3 hours in the airport to board the plane,
and not forgetting the 1 – 3 hours it can take once we’re state side to clear
customs and arrive at our hotel. In all, it is a long day!
© Saloca
in Wonderland
June 2012
|
I have always said I would paddle across the ocean in a
dingy if it got me to Walt Disney World but after our trip in June, I have
started to re think those plans! We flew, for the first time with Monarch. I
had heard mixed reviews but we got such a great deal, I didn’t think I could
justify £300+ extra per person just to fly Virgin…and really, could it be that bad?
Apparently so!
Friends had flown with Monarch two years previous and had an
awful time, including delays, kamikaze birds and a hotel in the middle of
nowhere – I should have heeded their warnings! Of course, no planes are immune
to technical difficulties, but apparently, those Monarch planes have a little
Atlantic-crossing allergy! We go delayed for over 10 hours in June on the outbound trip! It was an awful start to the
holiday, but as I said, these things happen. You know how you get talking to
other delayed passengers. You grumble about how annoying it is, talk about past
trips with other airlines etc…I was so surprised at how many of them said this
had happened almost every time they have flew with Monarch on a long haul
flight. The delay was not always as long, but a delay nonetheless. The consensus
was if you chose them to fly to Europe you had no
problems, it was crossing the Atlantic that caused the
issues. Our plane had engine difficulties, so of course I was not happy to
board until it was fixed, but I watched so many Virgin flights go out that day
I could have cried knowing I would have been on one of them if I had paid that
extra!
This is not a Monarch-bashing post and I know any flight
with any other airline can be in the same position…so let us come away from
that rant and look at something else!
Entertainment
© Saloca
in Wonderland
Virgin IFE
|
Having flown Virgin several times, including on one of their
newest planes in November, I have developed a soft spot for flying with them.
That new in flight entertainment system is the real selling point to me, with
so many films, tv shows and music to choose from, the flight could double in
length and I wouldn’t have noticed! I do not sleep on flights so need to keep
myself entertained for the duration. I always take my books, notepad, music etc
but a film is just a nice way to sit back and relax. I suppose if I had an iPad
or took my laptop, I could bring along my own films too. You do not get that
seat back entertainment with Monarch; they are the no-frills airline of Trans Atlantic
flights! Not having a seat back tv, I thought I’d really struggle to keep
myself amused. They had odd ones dotted above in the aisle but watching would
have given me a very sore neck! I was dreading the flight, thinking it would be
so much longer with no IFE but
surprisingly I was wrong! I got lost in a book for a while, perused some
magazines, played some games, listened to music, had a chat with my boyfriend,
I even managed to take a tiny nap! Of course, on the outbound flight you are
excited and filled with anticipation so that really helps! Coming home however,
tired, cranky and sat next to the demon child who could rival Damien – that was
a much longer flight!
Comfort
Flying in economy with both airlines, Monarchs seat pitch
felt a little bigger but their chairs were not as comfortable. I like how the ‘wings’
fold in on the Virgin chairs to cradle your head. Both reclined around the same
distance but the trays on the Monarch flight became useless if the chair in
front reclined! You could play a good game of racing rolling pens down them
though!
Food
© Saloca
in Wonderland
Side dish to main meal with Monarch (outbound)
|
I have to say, Monarch came up trumps on this one. I much
preferred their food on the outbound flight compared with Virgins but the quality was not consistent on
the inbound flight! I really dislike how they try to feed you less on an evening
flight, not all of us fall asleep you know and traveling makes me hungry!
Virgin is at least more consistent both ways (and you really cannot beat their ‘sausage
and mash’ meal!).
We are always looking to save money somewhere to enjoy
spending it elsewhere and cheaper flights mean you could splash out on an accommodation
upgrade, additional trips, special souvenirs etc or just put the savings in the
pot to go towards the next trip. I do the same thing, I understand all of that,
but for me, getting there is all part of the holiday and I’d rather pay a
little extra and have a more relaxed, enjoyable flight. For all I know my next
flight with Virgin will be delayed over 24 hours and I will be made to eat my
words (pass the ketchup!), but for now I am happy to pay that little bit extra.
Flight booking tips!
- Read reviews, lots of them. Get talking to people who have flown to the same destination with the airlines you are looking at and what was their experience. Consider looking through traveler forums too, like the ones over at Trip Advisor.
- Grab a bargain in the sale! The reason we can sometimes justify our flights is that we got such a good deal on them during a sale. Book mark the airlines home page and check often. Consider signing up for their mailing lists too and be the first to know about impending flash sales.
- Consider a DIY holiday. Look at the package price, then look at it component separately with different travel providers. Your accommodation could be much cheaper with one site and your flights cheaper with another.
It is not all about how you get there, it’s what you do when
you get there that really makes each trip special – but a slightly nicer, more
relaxed flight helps!
Is it important who you
fly with?
Until next time,
Sarah
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