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Airline Reviews > Airline A-Z > Thomas Cook Airline Reviews Flight Timing: 6/10 Add Your Airline Review Thomas Cook Route Information Service: 5/10 Comfort: 4/10 Food: 4/10 Value: 5/10 Overall Rating: 5/10 Date of Travel: Aug 2007 Flying from: Tenerife South Reina Sofia Airport Flying to: Manchester Airport Class: Economy Recommended: No Submitted By: Steve Smith Comments: No major complaints with the holiday itself. This review is more concerned with the flights. Flight out was on time. 7 hr delay on the return leg due to a technical problem. We understand that technical problems occur and this can affect any airline. It is how Thomas Cook dealt with the problem and communicated with passengers that we would like to comment on. Shortly after pick-up at the hotel Alisios in Los Cristianos, at 13.30 we were informed that there was a 3.5 hr delay for the flight. Shortly after arrival at the airport the delay turned in to 4.5 hrs. This then grew to a 7 hr delay. Good points: We received 2 x 6 Euro vouchers each for refreshments. The second vouchers however were only issued reluctantly due to passengers becoming angry. The drinks and food were also however quite expensive so these didn't go too far. However they did help and were gratefully received. We also received a complementary drink on the flight which was a nice gesture. Bad points: The delays inevitably caused much confusion with the departure boards moving the time backwards and forwards. Passengers were becoming agitated particularly as the airport was quite hot and uncomfortable. It would have been far better if Thomas Cook made an announcement over the tannoy asking customers to report to the information desk for an update. It took quite some time to get information on the extent of the delay and we did feel Thomas Cook could have been much more pro-active in keeping us informed. It later transpired that Thomas Cook had known about the delay since about 9.00 that morning. We were picked-up at 13.30 from our apartments. The representative said that he had just received a phone call informing of the initial 3.5 hr delay. It seemed quite clear to us that the Thomas Cook knew of the delay well before this. It would have been far preferable to be allowed to stay around our accommodation and picked up later instead. However it is our understanding that tour operators tend to want to get you to the airport rather than allow this. Poor leg-room on the flight. We are fairly seasoned travelers, and the leg room we did feel was quite poor giving us that cattle in a truck feeling. Overall, therefore despite some positive comments, this did end up overshadowing what was otherwise a nice holiday. We appreciate that delays are sometimes difficult to predict, but regular updates from the representative would have been far better and would have diffused much of the agitation before it occurred. We probably would prefer not to travel with Thomas Cook again therefore. We feel that there is some significant improvement required in dealing with these situations effectively to minimise passenger discomfort and upset. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Aug 2007 Flying from: Manchester Airport Flying to: Montego Bay Airport Class: Economy Recommended: No Submitted By: Charles Comments: If was there was minus mark for the 'comfort on flight' section I would use it. How can T.C. get away with these dreadful seating conditions? £169 extra for extra leg room is a joke. Passengers using these seats were getting out with red marks on their legs and hips. I fly quite frequently on business and pleasure and can state quite definitely that this airline is the worst in every dept. Even to the extent that the staff don't seem to care. T.C. makes a very good case for traveling by sea or train. Considering they are a high street chain they are a disgrace. I won't be using them again.........EVER! Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Aug 2007 Flying from: Newcastle International Airport Flying to: Corfu International Airport Class: Charter/Package Recommended: Yes Submitted By: Peter Baldwin Comments: Very pleasant flight, left on time, arrived on time. Didn't get the extra leg room seats we had booked (currently sorting this out) but allocated seats 31A and 31B which have more space than other seats and are sold by some other airlines as extra leg room seats. Cabin crew were very friendly and efficient. Came back from Corfu on return flight. Departed early, almost 40 minutes, and arrived in Newcastle 25 minutes early which was a real bonus. Cabin crew again very friendly, helpful and efficient. In flight meals not brilliant but acceptable. We were originally due to fly with Fly-Jet but following their recent spate of excessive delays we cancelled those flights and went instead with TC. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Aug 2007 Flying from: Faro Airport Flying to: London Gatwick Airport Class: Economy Recommended: No Submitted By: Sally Skinner Comments: Flight TCX544l 11.25 am 18 august 2007 – faro – Gatwick 11.00am. Arrived at departure gate and flight shown as delayed. 12.15 (approx) member of Thomas cook staff arrives and tells passengers that there has been an accident to one of our aircrafts doors due to flight steps being driven into it. 12.30 told by flight staff that an engineer will have to fly out from Manchester to assess damage and that there will probably be a delay of about 5 hours. The display boards were at that time showing an estimated departure time of 15.30 for this flight. We were all led back through arrivals and security checks to wait in the departure lounge. We were supplied with vouchers (8 euros) and a letter explaining that there would be an update at 16.30. There was no agreed contact point for information or tannoy announcements. Passengers gained information by approaching Thomas cook reps as and where possible (in the main outside the restaurant where the meal vouchers were handed out). At approx 16.15 we were informed that the engineer had arrived and was inspecting the damage and would make a decision as to the viability of the aircraft by 18.00. Around 17.30 passengers waiting in the restaurant heard rumors that the plane would not be flying and that a replacement aircraft would have to be flown from the UK. As we knew that the airport does not keep its facilities open all night questions were asked about hotel accommodation on several occasions but we were informed that this would not be provided. At 17.30 a Thomas cook rep told us that our aircraft would not be flying and we would have to wait for the replacement aircraft which should arrive at faro at approx 02.30 to depart at approx 03.30. Requests to speak to a supervisor were declared impossible, as he was apparently supervising the engineer. At 18.00 a Groundforce representative confirmed that the plane was unserviceable and that a replacement would be flown out at approximately 02.30. However she also stated that the replacement flight would be a smaller aircraft and would not have room for all the passengers. (there was no Thomas cook representative present at this time) She needed 45 passengers to transfer immediately to flights leaving for Manchester and Blackpool. And could not provide any written confirmation or information about these arrangements or written guarantee of coach transfer back to Gatwick. Passengers were told that their luggage could not be transferred to the Manchester and Blackpool flights but would return to Gatwick on the replacement aircraft. It is important to state that at no point was any of this information given out over the tannoy and passengers waiting for information in other parts of the airport were unaware of these developments. As we were unhappy with the reliability of information given up until this point (misinformation) and with grave misgivings as to whether a replacement flight would occur, we reluctantly decided to take the Manchester flight. On arrival at Manchester airport a member of Thomas cook staff was there to meet us and take us to our coach. She informed us that our luggage would be delivered to our homes the next morning, requesting luggage identification information from us. She also distributed disclaimer and compensation forms which were duly filled in and returned to her before the coach departed. No other written information or contact details were provided regarding luggage retrieval. Attempts to contact Thomas cook the following day to discover when our luggage would arrive were met with Sunday closure of all contacts, apart from Manchester lost luggage who had no knowledge other than of other passengers from the same flight with similar queries. His response was for us to call the following afternoon (Monday) for information. We did this and were told our luggage would not be delivered until Tuesday. I would be interested to hear other passenger's experience of this event and what time the passengers left at faro eventually got a flight back to Gatwick as we couldn't see any sign that a flight had departed faro for Gatwick during the night. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Jul 2007 Flying from: Manchester Airport Flying to: Larnaca Airport Class: Economy Recommended: No Submitted By: Heidi Comments: Flight was on time at 9.30am however due to "air traffic" we were sat on the flight 2 hours before we actually even set off. So instead of the flight taking approx. 4.5 hours, it took approx. 6.5 instead! There isn't much room on the flight, and considering that my boyfriend is over 6 feet tall that was a bit difficult for him. For the flight home, the flight number kept changing so we were up and down to different gates constantly, and because it was a foreign country we didn't have a clue what we were doing. And then to top it all off, the flight was delayed another 1.5 hours, and the plane was freezing cold when we actually got on it! Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Jul 2007 Flying from: Newcastle International Airport Flying to: Bodrum Airport Class: Economy Recommended: No Submitted By: Miss Khanom Comments: This was our first time flying with Thomas Cook, and after flying with them it's put me of flying completely. The flight was delayed both times, and finally when we were on the plane it was so small it was hard to breathe let alone sit comfortably. There was a constant noise which gave you a headache and the plane get moving suddenly. We ordered meals for the flight and specified that we were vegetarians, we received sausage and mash. When we told them that we were veggie we were told they had no spares and that was all. They didn't try to compromise with anything else. We had late night flights so we were starving and they let us starve. Overall I would never like to fly with Thomas Cook and I recommend no one ever does. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Jul 2007 Flying from: Birmingham International Airport Flying to: Dalaman Airport Class: Charter/Package Recommended: No Submitted By: Verlie Campbell Comments: Like allot of people commenting on Thomas cook, the only real grievance I have is with the seats!! A nightmare! I can honestly say they are the most cramped, uncomfortable seats we have ever had .bad enough on way out, but worse on the return journey as we had seats up against the toilet wall and could not recline .My husband and I are only of average height so cannot begin to imagine what tit is like for others who are above average. Will not book with them again. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Jul 2007 Flying from: Manchester Airport Flying to: Puerto Plata Airport Class: Charter/Package Recommended: No Submitted By: Not Specified Comments: We had paid extra for an "upgrade” on traveler plus , do not bother you do not get what is advertised . Seats are smallest I have ever been in I am only 5'2" and weigh 9 half stone and had no room to move , could not even stretch out my legs , staff were not interested in us , 1 even said he did not want to work ! We were on plane for 9 hours and it was the worst seating , service , and staff ever ! If you are going long haul, find another company , honest ! Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Jun 2007 Flying from: Manchester Airport Flying to: Dalaman Airport Class: Economy Recommended: No Submitted By: Dave Forrest Comments: The plane was late onto the gate and therefore we missed our departure time but then had to spend another 2 hours sat on the plane waiting for a slot, one of the runways had been closed apparently? However this only served to emphasise the cramped conditions. I'm only just 6 foot but I was unable to move my legs and would have found it difficult to brace myself had that been required. Even my son who is an average sized 13 year old complained that his legs were stiff on leaving the plane (B757-300.) I presume that the seat pitch is CAA minimum but it's really unpleasant and was the most uncomfortable that I've ever been on. For that reason alone I won't be flying Thomas Cook again which is a pity as the actual flight was ok. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Jun 2007 Flying from: Manchester Airport Flying to: Bodrum Airport Class: Charter/Package Recommended: Yes Submitted By: mrs c m mcindoe Comments: We had 2hrs. delay on the outward journey, I thought that was not too bad, but on the return trip we had a fifteen hours delay due to mechanical problems this we accepted we think our safety was very important. Our complaint was that the staff had no idea how to sort out and help all these people, when they finally got some coaches to take us to a hotel they never gave babies or the old the chance to go first, this we feel should be part of their training. We have no complaint about the hotel ect. and we are not looking for any compensation, but we would like the staff to be given an update on how to help the old and babies! We would book again with Thomas cook. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Jun 2007 Flying from: Faro Airport Flying to: East Midlands Airport Class: Charter/Package Recommended: No Submitted By: Sarah Comments: Just returned from holiday to Algarve with Thomas Cook (Faro airport). There is NO benefit from booking through Thomas Cook. Was treated incredibly badly by their staff on resort & especially at the airport on our return (12 hour delay - see below). Thought I might try going through Thomas Cook for a bit more security this year but frankly it was the wrong choice. There were absolutely NO benefits... And the best bit... 12 hour delay on return & rude, lying Thomas Cook employees... Booked in 2 & half hours before. Fine. Then realised that there was no info for our flight on the board. No Thomas Cook rep anywhere. Called info line & told there was a delay. Called again & insisted talk to rep. Board flashes up 'more info in 1 hour'. Eventually track down rep. They SAY they know nothing. 2 hours later board flashes up ' more info in 2 hours'. By this time I was fuming. Thomas Cook rep eventually handed out vouchers for snacks. Then fellow passenger has call from UK to say that Thomas Cook & East Midlands website say estimated time of arrival is 2:30am (12 hours late). Reps deny this & refuse to find out anymore. After 8 hours they tell us fault with plane & will coach us back to Faro town to a hotel to feed us. We go, eat, and sit around. 9pm: No news. Families with babies are left to sleep outside hotel on grass as reps will not allow us any rooms. Eventually at 10:30 we are told that Faro airport shuts at midnight & that if we can't fly before that, they will allocate hotel rooms but we have to return to airport in 30 mins to either collect our luggage or fly. Eventually flight takes off at 11:55 (12 hours 5 mins late). Appalling. Arrive East Midlands, guess what time? 2:30am! They lied through their teeth. On arrival we were told we couldn't claim compensation except through our own insurance. Oh yeah? Just you watch me. Thomas Cook & associated companies: NEVER AGAIN. You lie, you lose. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Jun 2007 Flying from: Sharm El Sheikh Airport Flying to: Newcastle International Airport Class: Economy Recommended: No Submitted By: Thomas Cubby Comments: The leg room is pathetic I am only 5ft 7inchs my wife is only 5.3 and even she complained, this was a 757 200 I find a 737 300 and upwards are far more comfortable. I must admit that the staff were impeccable and cannot be faulted at all, remove a couple of seats and give the passengers comfort. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Jun 2007 Flying from: London Gatwick Airport Flying to: Sharm El Sheikh Airport Class: Charter/Package Recommended: No Submitted By: Ann Firmstone Comments: The plane was cramped. The Stewardesses abrupt, off handed and miserable. We asked for another drink and were told (like naughty children) no! Food was going to be served. I think the Hostesses need a customer care course. Won't fly with Thompson again. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Jun 2007 Flying from: London Gatwick Airport Flying to: Cancun Airport Class: Premium Economy Recommended: No Submitted By: P Maslen Comments: Gatwick - Cancun-Gatwick 17/6/07 and 1/7/07. Flight departed both ways on time. New A330 outbound, slightly older inbound. Paid extra to travel in Premium cabin with separate check in etc. You are not told that Traveller Plus passengers also use same check in, so queue was just as bad. No separate check in desk shown at Cancun until after we had joined large normal queue- agent then had a problem because we were in wrong queue. Sorted out with help of supervisor. Cabin not too bad as regards comfort, larger leather seats only 2 abreast by windows which were good. Food in Premium cabin was abysmal so we felt sorry for anyone travelling in Economy. Plenty of complimentary drinks etc. Landed 1 hour early at Gatwick, but well over an hour before there was any sign of baggage. Unable to sleep on return overnight leg owing to screaming child - obviously not airlines fault. Overall flights weren't too bad but certainly not worth the extra payment for Premium cabin except for legroom. Flight and cabin crew better than some experienced on Full service scheduled airlines. Think would consider alternative airline in future to try out Upgraded cabin service. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Jun 2007 Flying from: Newcastle International Airport Flying to: Toronto Hamilton International Airport Class: Economy Recommended: Yes Submitted By: G Alderson Comments: I flew from Newcastle to Toronto accompanied by a very large lady. The seats were so huge that this was not even noticeable. Leg room was superb. The meals both outbound and return were every thing you could wish for. On entering plane we were handled a bottle of water for the journey. Only down side was the movie, but as I do not watch them I have nothing to complain about. Both flight left on time and arrived early. I would definitely recommend this flight. Plane was a 757 - 200. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: May 2007 Flying from: Cancun Airport Flying to: Manchester Airport Class: Economy Recommended: No Submitted By: Not Specified Comments: We have just returned from a holiday which was booked through Thomas Cook, the outward journey was with my travel and the return with Thomas cook don't ask why as this was a Thomas cook holiday however my travel were fantastic and was a pleasure for the whole 10 hours flight its a pity I cannot say the same for Thomas cook and I would not recommend them to anyone. Ok on with the review. Check in at Cancun: - no complaints here all went smoothly and ok flight was on time however was early so no complaints there. We booked the exit seats and paid £50 each a total of £100 due to the extra legroom however when we got to the seats we found the seats so narrow the sides really hurt and dug in to our sides, it was a night time flight and I think I had 15 mins sleep in total this wasn't due to any noise it was due to the total discomfort even throughout the flight other passengers were standing in the exit area as could not bear to sit down. The other thing we was annoyed about was the in flight entertainment on our seats were broken we were offered 2 other seats in normal leg room and was not guaranteed we would sit together however we were offered free drinks etc this we got a hot chocolate and 1 glass of wine hardly adequate o there you go we had paid 100 quid extra for total uncomfortable seats and no in flight entertainment plus was long haul now I know what battery hens feel like. To add to the above if that was not enough the air stewardess marched pass me as though the aisle was 10 feet wide and nearly knocked hot cup of coffee over me luckily nothing happened however this could of become very dangerous did I get an apology not a chance. The other part of the flight I noticed was a rubbish bag in the area of the exit area and in decent I noticed a member of staff talking to supervisor when really the bag should of been put away into the toilet area out of harms way I don't even work for them and even I know this is dangerous Anyway hope you have found this helpful and I for one will not be traveling with them ever again I would rather walk lol the day after we returned I was sick and have only just got over it. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: May 2007 Flying from: Manchester Airport Flying to: Barbados Adams Airport Class: Economy Recommended: No Submitted By: Helen Brewer Comments: Poor legroom, cramped seats, indifferent staff, poor food etc. I agree with everything with the previous reviews. £169 for premium seats with extra room is robbery, the seats are just as narrow. How can T.C. get away with these conditions? It completely spoilt the holiday. We will NEVER fly with these people again. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: May 2007 Flying from: Manchester Airport Flying to: Heraklion Airport Class: Economy Recommended: No Submitted By: Ryan Comments: First the good bits. Food was acceptable, staff pleasant enough, outbound flight slightly late, but pilot made the time up in the air. Inbound flight on time. OK - now the nasties. The seat pitch on this flight was appalling. I'm 6' 4" and am generally ok on short haul flights - this one was different. Outbound I had a window seat, the armrest did not list up so my thigh was constantly squashed. My knee was also jammed against the metal parts of the seat in front - thankfully they didn't recline their seat! Inbound I had a centre seat (3 - 3 configuration) and again was trapped against the metal parts of the seat in front In short- if you're of average height or above, or suffer from mild claustrophobia, then avoid the Thomas Cook B753 (280 seated) planes at all costs! Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: May 2007 Flying from: Glasgow International Airport Flying to: Toronto Pearson International Airport Class: Economy Recommended: Yes Submitted By: Katie MacDonald Comments: Flew to Toronto with Thomas Cook on 19th May returning on June 7th and was really delighted with all aspects of journey. Inward and outward flights perfect timing, staff nothing but pleasant and caring, lots of legroom and comfortable seating. Keep it up Thomas Cook and I will certainly use again and of course recommend. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: May 2007 Flying from: London Gatwick Airport Flying to: Calgary International Airport Class: Economy Recommended: Yes Submitted By: Rachel Jones Comments: This was my first long haul flight, the staff were very good, the food was good and plenty of it, and healthy. The flight was on time, both directions. Leg room was a little cramped. I would say that the flight back was through the night, but haven't flown before at night we did not relies that they only come around with the drinks trolley once and if we needed any more we had to go to the back of the airplane to get it. But I would fly again with Thomas Cook. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Apr 2007 Flying from: Birmingham International Airport Flying to: Tenerife South Reina Sofia Airport Class: Economy Recommended: No Submitted By: Malcolm L Taylor Comments: I can't believe any airline would get away with the no leg room and rubbish food, I fly at least twelve flights a year and I don't how they get away with it, we won't be flying with Thomas cook ever again .It spoilt the holiday. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Apr 2007 Flying from: Manchester Airport Flying to: Lanzarote Airport Class: Charter/Package Recommended: Yes Submitted By: A Matthews Comments: The flight was on time and the staff helpful, however I have a problem with Thomas cook as you have to pay for everything separate had a problem with the meals not being included in the ticket price when I paid a lot of money for my tickets. Also there was an express check in lane at the airport for people who wanted to give them more money for extra legroom etc. I felt compared to other airlines they were not as good. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Apr 2007 Flying from: Paphos International Airport Flying to: Newcastle International Airport Class: Economy Recommended: No Submitted By: John Barry Wood Comments: Anyone transporting animals in this manner would probably be prosecuted. I am only 5'9" and found the leg room unacceptable. I dropped something on the floor and had to wait until the other two seats were empty to be able to get down to recover it. Fortunately it was only a 4 1/2 flight. I had some spare Cyprus £ notes left. As they are going into the Euro this year I decided to use them for drinks in flight. I ordered 1 tea and 1 coffee. Total in GBP = £3-20p. I proffered CY£3. 1Cy£ = approx. £1-20. I was then asked for an extra 6pence.The equivalent almost £3-70p for the drinks. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Mar 2007 Flying from: London Gatwick Airport Flying to: Cayo Coco Jardines del Rey Airport Class: Charter/Package Recommended: Yes Submitted By: Jackie Rowan Comments: The seats were very small. The aisles were narrow and the leg room was minimal. Thomas Cook pack you in like cattle which is not so bad on short haul but we were 9 hours in relative discomfort. On the way back it was a night flight, we had one drink of water offered. We had to to ask for more. Not very good at all. I would seriously think twice about flying with Thomas Cook again. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Mar 2007 Flying from: Manchester Airport Flying to: Larnaca Airport Class: Charter/Package Recommended: Yes Submitted By: Jacquie Pounder Comments: Our flight time going out was changed, which meant that we missed the first day, arriving at the hotel at 11pm - too late for the evening meal. We found out later that there had been six empty seats on our original flight. My husband travelled in great discomfort as he is 6'3" and his knees were pressed against the seat in front. We had requested aisle seats so that he could put is legs out into the aisle but he was unable to do this because of the arm rest. Coming back our flight was delayed through some fault with the plane. We did eventually fly home with Monarch - a much more comfortable flight! We will never fly with Thomas Cook again unless they improve their standards and give a little more thought to their customers. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Feb 2007 Flying from: Manchester Airport Flying to: Marsa Alam International Airport Class: Charter/Package Recommended: Yes Submitted By: Sam Hoggarth Comments: Arrived at airport late due to multiple pile up on M62. Check in closed but ground staff excellent with an escort to the gate by a wonderful lady. Onboard was a different story. I am 6'6" and my wife is 5'11". SHOULD HAVE BOOKED EXTRA LEGROOM!!!!!! Although theses are just the emergency exit seats anyway! Aircrew did their very best to find me some leg room but they can only work with what they have got. Food was very average but piping hot. Ground staff and aircrew excellent but please change the seat pitch!! Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Feb 2007 Flying from: Manchester Airport Flying to: Tenerife South Reina Sofia Airport Class: Economy Recommended: No Submitted By: Sarah Comments: We booked this flight as part of a package holiday, and it was the only part of the holiday which was a complete let down. Everything else, hotel, car hire, food etc were far better than we had expected. ON THE PLANE... The chairs were spaced so closely together that it was almost impossible to sit in them, we were travelling with an infant on our knee and had to ask the passengers in front not to recline there seats as they would have hit the baby on the head. In my opinion the situation was dangerous for a child to be in such a small space. Our daughter is only 10 months old but others could be travelling with much larger infants and should beware. The seat spacing must min the minimum legal spacing, I can't imagine trying to fit into a smaller place. Even the food tray rested on my husband's belly and would not lie flat due to the shortage of space. I pulled a muscle in my neck when retrieving a toy as it was so difficult to even get to the bags by our feet. On the return flight we arrived at the airport 2 extra hours early in order to ask for seats with extra leg room, only to be informed that when travelling with an infant Thomas cook are not allowed to allocate these seats. We eventually managed to negotiate the seats in row 12 this is the one behind the exit aisle, as the exit aisle only has 2 seats one person has a little extra space and so we did not need to ask the other passengers not to recline there seat, or spend the whole flight in fear that they would forget and bash the baby on the head anyway. Thomas cook should be ashamed of themselves, this is pure greed, packing seats so close together that you can hardly move. Anyone travelling with an infant under 2 years old should seriously beware of flying with Thomas cook airlines. I have since flown with BMI baby and Easyjet both low cost airlines and did not experience any similar problems. This flight spoilt our holiday, as once there I worried so much about travelling home with the baby. I WILL NEVER FLY WITH THIS AIRLINE AGAIN. And this is very sad as I had no other complaints about the rest of the package. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Jan 2007 Flying from: Manchester Airport Flying to: Barbados Adams Airport Class: Economy Recommended: Yes Submitted By: G. and L. Noble Comments: When my wife and I checked in at 07.00. for a 10.45 flight we were told that there was a delay. This was caused (we were told by technical faults developed on the inbound flight from Cuba. Whilst I agree that Health and Safety are of the unmost priority the handling of the customers on the 12+ hour delay was appauling. I will not go into detail about the delay. But what is the point of giving out food vouchers at 20.30 when we were already at the departure gate? There were no food outlets there. We were asked to board the plane at 21.30 and sat there until 23.05 when the aircraft took off. Our biggest complaint is over the cramped and uncomfortable seating conditions. We are not overweight people but there was minimum leg room and very narrow seats. T.Cook have changed the seating from 2-4-2 to 3-3-3 which gives them an extra seat in each row. I had an aisle seat which meant that everyone who passed me hit my shoulder. If there was ever a fire this cramped seating would certainly be a safety hazzard. The £149 charge for upgrade seats is a waste of money. There is extra leg room but still the same narrow seats. Passengers on this flight were disembarking with red marks on their hips! The 12 hour delay combined with this stressful 8 hour flight meant that my wife and I will do our utmost never to fly with Thomas Cook again. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Dec 2006 Flying from: Newcastle International Airport Flying to: Gran Canaria Las Palmas Airport Class: Charter/Package Recommended: No Submitted By: Michel Gacioni Comments: Thomas Cook airlines are a disgrace. Myself and my wife are not tall individuals yet we had so little leg room on the flight. The comfort of the plane was an embarrassment. Low cost airlines such as easy jet and BMI are far superior in terms of comfort. I can not believe a reputable airline such as Thomas Cook could let standards fall so low. I will never fly with them again. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Oct 2006 Flying from: Quebec International Airport Flying to: London Gatwick Airport Class: Charter/Package Recommended: No Submitted By: S Moss Comments: We have just returned from a Princess cruise to New York, New England and Canada. We flew out to New York on a BA flight and we flew back from Quebec on a charter flight with Thomas Cooke. The flights were part of the holiday deal. What none of the passengers were expecting was the very cramped condition of the Airbus 330. I have been onto the Airbus site and the configuration of the seats on the site is 2/ 4/ 2 but the aircraft we were on was 3/3/3. We had no room to move in our seats at all can anyone tell me if this is the normal for aircraft seat configuration for a long hall flight. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Oct 2006 Flying from: Toronto Pearson International Airport Flying to: Manchester Airport Class: Economy Recommended: Yes Submitted By: Sylvia Harrop Comments: This was my first time with TC (I have always flown Air Transat). The plane was a 757 and the leg room was phenomenal! There was 12 inches from my knees to the seat in front. What a joy after the cramped Airbus seating. The room is superior to club class on other planes. As for the food, it was an absolute gourmet feast compared to other offerings of supposed pasta with a lick of red paint and seaweed on top. The outward trip was beef, little roast potatoes and a Yorkshire pudding and veg, fruit cocktail, roll and butter, cake, cheese and biscuits and a mini chocolate. Downside - you buy everything. Not even soft drinks are free, and the entertainment isn't great. One movie, travelogues a few sitcoms and a lot of nothing. However, you have so much room it is easy to relax - there is no need to watch the movie out of frustration. Yes, whenever I go to England from Toronto I will be looking out for a Thomas Cook Boeing 757 flight. (Sorry, Air Transat - give me more room and get rid of the rotten pasta and I may be back). Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Oct 2006 Flying from: Newcastle International Airport Flying to: Bodrum Airport Class: Charter/Package Recommended: Yes Submitted By: Carol Jackson Comments: Will always travel Thomas Cook. Flight was early in both directions. Food was excellent and entertainment good. The staff go out of their way to help. Took ill on a flight a last year and the staff (especially June) were brilliant. Well done Thomas Cook. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Oct 2006 Flying from: London Gatwick Airport Flying to: Malta Luqa Airport Class: Economy Recommended: No Submitted By: Hayley H Comments: Awful! Absolutely awful!!!! Got on the plane in plenty of time, it was very foggy so fair enough we were waiting in the plane for some time. In the air it was awful, no space leg room wise...I didn't want to get up to go to the bathroom too often due to having to ask the person besides me to move. I obviously wasn't expecting tons of space, but it was hard enough for me - 5'8 - but poor boyfriend who is 6'2 found the plane journey awful. On the way back we were sat behind the people with extra leg room...my boyfriend once again was struggling with the leg room, as was I now...I swear the space was even smaller for us on the way back! The lady in front laid her seat backwards, making my boyfriend's leg crunch underneath...I spoke to the lady on board - but sadly she couldn't ask the lady to move forwards. She promised to do so when we were having our meals...so we waited...the lady was like that the whole way, I asked my boyfriend if he wanted us to swap places, but he was too much of a gentleman. It was awful. Never again, we are flying with Thomson this year for our holiday and we've paid out for extra leg room so we never have to deal with that again! Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Sep 2006 Flying from: Glasgow International Airport Flying to: Tenerife South Reina Sofia Airport Class: Charter/Package Recommended: Yes Submitted By: C Clarkson Comments: Our flights were both on time and ran fairly smoothly. Ground staff and cabin crews were all friendly and helpful, which is especially important when you are travelling with a toddler like we were. On the return flight, Thomas Cook had a dedicated "Families with Children" check-in line and there was also a separate family security entrance. Great ideas that would do well everywhere! The only real niggle was the fact that the prams we'd checked in and handed over as we boarded were the very last items to appear once we arrived in Glasgow, meaning we were waiting for around 40 minutes after landing with babes in arms. Seat space is the other major issue when flying charter, but the crew on the flight offered us use of the unsold "extra legroom" seats after we'd taken off. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Sep 2006 Flying from: Manchester Airport Flying to: Izmir Adnan Mend Airport Class: Economy Recommended: Yes Submitted By: Natalie E. Hemus Comments: The flight was on time and reasonably comfortable, the cabin crews were excellent! Everything was fine with Thomas Cook Airlines. I had no problem on there. It was cheap yet great quality. I can advise Thomas Cook everyone! Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Sep 2006 Flying from: Manchester Airport Flying to: Mahon Airport Class: Economy Recommended: Yes Submitted By: Tim Comments: Very good ten minutes early arriving, crew friendly, good leg room, and couldn’t complain at all, I would definitely fly with Thomas cook again! Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Sep 2006 Flying from: London Gatwick Airport Flying to: Rhodes Diagoras Airport Class: Charter/Package Recommended: No Submitted By: Jeff Comments: This is the second time I have flown with Thomas Cook and it will be the last. I booked at extra cost the extra legroom by the exit doors. These seats turned out to be by the toilets and - you've guessed it - once in the air the passengers with weak bladders decided that our extra legroom was the area for them to queue in! The staff could not care less about the passengers and were more intent in continuing their own conversations. The food was tasteless, poor value for money - it's extra with Thomas Cook! Flight was on time both outbound and return - in fact we arrived early at Gatwick but because Thomas Cook seem to want to save money they don't use a pier and you have to be bussed around the airport - an extra 30 minutes added to your trip. Overall avoid Thomas Cook at all costs. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Aug 2006 Flying from: Birmingham International Airport Flying to: Gran Canaria Las Palmas Airport Class: Charter/Package Recommended: Yes Submitted By: Mel Webb Comments: No delays at either end. Not enough room to be comfortable though on plane. Need bigger seats and more legroom. Not all passengers are 5 feet tall, and weigh 9 stone! Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Jul 2006 Flying from: Manchester Airport Flying to: Kefalonia Airport Class: Charter/Package Recommended: Yes Submitted By: Dave Comments: Just got back from Kefalonia, with Thomas cook Airlines, who where great. Enjoyed the holiday from start to finish. Many thanks to Thomas Cook. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Jun 2006 Flying from: Newcastle International Airport Flying to: Bodrum Airport Class: Charter/Package Recommended: No Submitted By: M Depp Comments: I have never met such miserable, rude & unhelpful cabin crew. Neither have I travelled in such a cramped aircraft either! Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Jun 2006 Flying from: Newcastle International Airport Flying to: Rhodes Diagoras Airport Class: Recommended: Yes Submitted By: Lucy Curry Comments: We travel with Thomas cook every year and think it is a good choice. But there are two things they could improve. 1. More leg room as we are always cramped. 2. A lot less cheaper quality gifts. They do know how to charge but doesn't every airplane. We are going back this year to Rhodes to the emerald apartments in July and will be flying with Thomas cook. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: May 2006 Flying from: London Gatwick Airport Flying to: Hurghada Airport Class: Charter/Package Recommended: Yes Submitted By: Laura Jackson Comments: Like another reviewer has said - not everyone is 9st! I was not the biggest person on the plane, but I could not get the silly flap 'tray' thing to stay down while I ate my mediocre meal. The trays need to be a bit higher. The seat however, I kept slipping and having to correct my posture! Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: May 2006 Flying from: Glasgow International Airport Flying to: Lanzarote Airport Class: Charter/Package Recommended: Yes Submitted By: Gael Kennedy Comments: I am not a great flyer and this is only the second time I have flown with Thomas Cook but I have to admit they were good. Both outbound and inbound flights were on time and the captain kept us well supplied with information. I love the new meal style on some flights where you just get a package and when you are finished you just bundle it all up and hand it back. Entertainment was ok. Usual film then couple of sitcoms. Not an awful lot of room but then I think that most 757's are the same. Bit of a bumpy landing at Lanzarote but this can be forgiven as the runway is almost on the beach. Stewardesses were friendly and even advised me of a special deal when I was buying duty free. Thomas Cook as a travel agent is expensive but the flight was definitely worth the money. Would travel with them again. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Aug 2005 Flying from: Birmingham International Airport Flying to: Heraklion Airport Class: Economy Recommended: Yes Submitted By: Aiden Comments: When I flew with Thomas Cook the seats weren't that comfortable but the service was great. The flight was on time at landing and take off. I would recommend it to a friend it was great. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Jun 2005 Flying from: Newcastle International Airport Flying to: Bodrum Airport Class: Charter/Package Recommended: No Submitted By: Mr Atkinson Comments: A 'flying cattle truck' best describes the aircraft that we flew in. There was absolutely no room for you legs (or the rest of your body come to think of it). The departure times were horrendous, but we had no choice in that department. Now to the cabin crew...........the outbound flight had a more 'happy/helpful service' flight than the inbound. The cabin crew on the return were so unhelpful and looked down their noses at you. If they hate dealing with the public then they shouldn't be in the job! Our 6yr old son needed the loo, just as the 'Fasten Seat Belt' sign came on for landing. A female crew member was nasty and told him he had "better hurry up" and asked why he couldn't 'hold it in' until we had landed, which was a good 20 minutes away. The food was nothing to shout about, but what's new! Would I travel with Thomas Cook again? No. Add Your Airline Review Date of Travel: Jun 2005 Flying from: Manchester Airport Flying to: Cancun Airport Class: Premium Economy Recommended: No Submitted By: Lauren Comments: Where do I start!!!! We arrived at the airport very excited as it was our first time going to the Caribbean, and couldn't wait to get to Mexico. As it's a longer flight we booked toe premium seats, and so were told we would have priority check in. An hour after waiting.... we got to the front of the queue only to be told that there was a 24hour delay due to a technical fault. Now a couple of things to complain about here.... firstly, we had queued for an hour, there were Thomas cook airport reps around, not one of them told anyone about a delay. Secondly, technical faults happen and believe me I'd rather be delayed than something going wrong up in the air, but if the plane was going to be delayed for 24hours and they had already printed off information about the delay for the passengers then Thomas cook obviously knew about the delay and instead of having everyone waiting in the airport for "24" hours, they could have made an effort to contact people. I only live about 30mins from the airport and it would be easier for me and cheaper for them if I had stayed at home, and I suspect this would be the case for a lot of other passengers also. After being told about the delay we then prepared to travel back home, only to be told that we were not allowed to and we would have to stay in an airport hotel over night. Now when you live 30mins away, surely it would make more sense for us to go home? Apparently not. We then had to wait around the airport for 5 hours or so until the hotels had been sorted out, we ended up at the Hilton which made things a little better, until we arrived that is. In all fairness the staff there were not expecting us all (about 50 or so guests) and it really wasn't their problem! But they were slow in organizing rooms and didn't distribute them fairly, we waited for about an hour only for the next coach load to get rooms first! Anyway, once in room we relaxed a bit. The only complaint I have here was that we were booked all inclusive, and here it cost us £10 for a vodka and coke from the mini bar.... Next day, we arrived at the airport, was told the flight was on time and got on with usual airport stuff. Called to the gate, there was a pilot, air stewards/ess but no plane. Once again Thomas Cook had lied and said the plane was here when infact it wasn't. It was at Gatwick, flown in from Canada. So half hour later we get on the flight. As I mentioned we had paid extra for premium economy and I must say it was worth it! Loads of space, comfy seats, own TV... things were looking up. Sets off.... comes back. Message that they were just refueling. Now is it just me or is that a bit alarming when you're about to travel god knows how many miles across all that sea, you go a few hundred yards on the runway and you need more fuel? Enough said. This then turned into a small technical fault. This then turned into a small technical fault, which needed a small part, someone's gone to get it. Can't find the part. Found the part, but now crew are going to run out of flying hours if they don't hurry up with it. Bigger fault than thought. Waaaaay bigger fault going to have to off load everyone. However this can not be done because the airport has been evacuated because of a security alert. 5 hours later we get off the plane, however because of the fault we parked quite a distance from the airport so had to walk across the runway in the rain. At this stage we had already rang our insurance and was told we could get a refund if wanted, so we got our bags (which were soaking wet after being left outside for some time) and went (even that took us a good few hours because of the lack of common sense these people have). So we should have flown at 1pm Monday, almost went on Tuesday, went to the travel agents Wednesday, got a deal for Majorca for Thursday, (NOT with TC) and arrived in Palma before the Cancun flight had gone. As it turns out, the poor people were only there a day or two when they were hit by a bad hurricane, so it was lucky I guess, but dreadful all the same. Now one thing I will say. The cabin crew were great. They told us more than any of the airport staff had and were very polite and apologetic. The airport staff however, I have never met people so rude and arrogant in all my life! They couldn't understand why people are naffed off, and in fairness if it was just the delay then yes people would be disappointed and what not, but it was the rudeness and the fact that they just lied to us all the time that really annoyed people. Everyone was being told a different story and it later emerged that the Cuba flight took them out, not the Canada one.... funny how the Cuba flight was also delayed for 24 hours, then onto 48hours.... just lies lies lies. I have worked in the industry and one of Thomas Cooks strong points is meant to be customer service, every employee must work to constantly exceed the customers expectations, well god only knows how they managed to get a job with them, let alone keep it. I will never travel with them again. Yes I was probably just unlucky and these things happen and can't be helped. But the way it was handled was appalling. The girl would took us through the airport to get out bags who worked for a different airline said that this was always happening, their planes always break down. That was enough for me!!! Add Your Airline Review

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