I’ve been lucky enough over the last two years to fly on both the Airtours and JMC versions of my favourite aircraft; the A330-200.
So I thought it maybe useful to draw a comparison between the two..
Both flights were Manchester – Cancun, the Airtours flight in 2001, the JMC flight in 2002.
Externally, I can make no distinctions between the two fleets, despite the obvious livery differences. Internally, however its a different story.
The Airtours (Mytravel) aircraft all have downstairs WC’s, which gives the impression of a larger cabin. That I feel, can only be beneficial to the ‘feel’ of a long-haul flight. Walking down a flight of stairs to the loo, also, could give the impression of being on a 747 and it does have a certain novelty factor. Conversely, the JMC aircraft have main cabin WC’s which generate the usual problems of people queuing down the main aisles and congregating near the galleys, which, must be very annoying for someone unfortunate enough to be sat near there.
The seat configuration is broadly similar too, though, (whilst I haven’t checked this fact out), I’m certain there were plenty more window ‘2’s on the Airtours aircraft. As I was travelling as one half of a couple, that certainly was beneficial to us. If I remember right, the only ‘2’ on the JMC aircraft is right at the very rear of the cabin.
Both airlines have PTV’s throughout their A332s, with a range of movie and TV packages to choose from. Of course, the moving map was on one of the channels but Airtours did have the ‘viewcam’ facility with views from both the under-carriage and the ****-pit. This is certainly a fascinating view for someone who doesn’t normally get to see that kind of thing. Approach into the airports was great using this facility!
The seat-pitch in standard accomodation seemed much of a muchness really. Both were arguably cramped as has been noted here a number of times. But for some reason, I felt less cramped on the Airtours A330. Could this be because I sat on a ‘2’ as opposed to a ‘3’? Could it be because the cabin appeared less cluttered?
The in-flight service was the only noticebale area where JMC were superior to Airtours. I found the crew extremely polite and friendly and essentially a team of people who couldn’t do enough for you. I can’t remember anything specifically incompetent with the Airtours crew, just that they didn’t provide that little extra bit of something that the JMC crew did.
So, in my experience, I have to say I enjoyed flying the Airtours A330 much more than I did the JMC equivalent, though in terms of crew service, JMC outclassed their rivals.
By: Ren Frew - 14th March 2003 at 09:16
I agree about the spacious feel on the Airtours 330. I was on one last year. I actually felt more like I was on a ferry than a plane because of the downstairs toilets.
I understand the downstairs ‘module’ can be configured in a variety of manners. A shop for instance or a crew sleeping area, or just a relaxing “chill out” area for general use.
I flew an Aer Lingus 330 six months after Airtours and it had a more conventional cramped layout as described in the JMC experience.
By: EGNM - 14th March 2003 at 00:16
sorry biased MYT…
7 Sectors as AIH and never had a major complaint – we did have a 7 hours delay on the MAN-HER but that was due to a diversion from Girona due to a “Ground Accident” with another aircraft. 1 other inbound i think it was a BY had the same fate.
Sectors flown
LBA-PMI-LBA
MAN-LPA-MAN
MAN-HER-MAN
LBA-LBA
😀
By: T5 - 13th March 2003 at 23:54
We fly charters so frequently and have done for several years now. I guess charters are not the best in the world, but they get you there.
Having flown more scheduled airlines recently; particularly British Airways and United Airlines and my parents with Qatar Airways, I very much doubt that we’ll fly charter again.
It’s convenient when you’re booking a holiday and is definitely more cost-effective. To think that you could book a last minute 7 night holiday to Spain for example for a mere £99 including flights, when the same flight with BA could be around £150, this proves my point.
Dare I say it though, I’d much rather pay the extra I think and be comfortable and happy. I think short haul hops within the EU are managable and the leg room, entertainment and other on-board facilities are acceptable too. When a two hour flight becomes 10 hours or even more, it’s incredibly uncomfortable and I’ve read many charter reviews on CarSurvey.org/air and people (including myself) constantly complaining about the discomfort of the seats and the lack of entertainment and foulness of the food!
Before February 2002, I’d never flown a scheduled airline, not that I can remember anyway, so I didn’t really know much different. I did fly Cyprus Airways on an A320 to Larnaca in 1995 but their service left a lot to be desired.
Last February, I flew British Airways for the first time ever! My national airline and I finally get to fly them. I loved it. The flight was a quick one and there was adequate space to stretch my legs, leather seats and more – all for less than 90 minutes in the air! Then United Airlines last November. Undoubtedly the best flight I have ever had in my near-enough 18 year life. All the little things you could only dream of from the charters chucked into one seat – seatback TV with a vast selection of bi-lingual television stations, newspapers, wide seats with plenty of leg room and absolutely fantastic, top-notch meals which I ate all of (and trust me, I’m a hard one to please). In thought I was flying First Class when I could just hit the Cabin Crew call button and ask for a free coke or some nibbles.. it was fantastic and the 7 or so hour flight seemed to come and go very quickly.
Sorry to drift off-topic, just had to share that with you!
By: T5 - 13th March 2003 at 17:22
Originally posted by A330Crazy
Though yes I did find the seating arrangement quite crampped
I think cramped seating arrangements is typical of most charter airlines and I do not believe they take the comfort of their passengers into consideration when putting the seats onto an aircraft – I think with DVT risks in recent years, charters should be forced to remove rows to allow for extra leg room.
Back to the A330 topic.
I have flown the Airtours A330 as some of you will know. I flew to Montego Bay, Jamaica from London Gatwick (G-MLJL), a flight which lasted 5 minutes off of being 10 hours – that’s right, 9h 55mins! 😀
I loved everything about the aircraft apart from the legroom. Your own personal TV, two cameras outside the aircraft which could be viewed on your TV, toilets beneath the passenger cabin and more.
I’ve only flown JMC once in my life and that was in 2000, in the pre-A330 days when the DC-10-30s had to fly the long haul routes. I found their crew to be quite rude and full of useless ideas. I mentioned a headphone incident in my flight report where the headphone socket wasn’t working. One of the stewardesses suggested my mother and I took turns in using her socket. We couldn’t both listen to the entertainment at the same time – no apology, nothing!
I liked the Airtours aircraft and crew, they were both brilliant and constantly had a smile on their face for the long haul flight across the pond. Nothing was too much for them.
By: A330Crazy - 13th March 2003 at 13:08
Thanks for that Pembo, a good write up. I have flown on the Airtours 330 once, that was back about 2 years ago. I found that having the WC’s downstairs, made it feel like you were on a B747 too.
Though yes I did find the seating arrangement quite crampped, and I wasn’t expecting this at all, being a bigger aircraft, you expect more room, but not the case. 🙁
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March 13, 2003 at 12:41 pm