Firstly, hello – i’m new around these parts. I have a casual interest in commercial aviation, moreso recently due to the amount I fly for work and the fact I have been in Schipol about 6 times already this year and since KLM are always late, I get the chance to have a gander. Also been down to Bristol a bunch of times, Barcelona and Faro. Somewhere in the region of 30 flights so far in 08 anyway. Don’t do a great deal of long haul flying although I did have the pleasure of flying Emirates to Japan last year via Dubai (obviously). Indeed, I believe my flight back in to Newcastle was among the first (21st September). Also flew with JAL from Osaka to Bangkok. Sadly, no 747’s but was on a 777-300ER from Manchester to Dubai…bloody huge engines on those. Also an A340 but i forget which series.
Anyway, I’m off to the Carribean (Dominican Republic) in October and Flying with Thomsonfly. Reviews seem…well…naff and I suspect the difference between a long haul flight with Thomson and one with Emirates will be worlds apart…Are Thomsonfly as bad as i’ve read? I can’t believe you have to pay to guarantee sitting next to someone! And no free drinks, how will I survive! Also what Aircraft operates this route?
FinnAir question…think I am off to Japan next year and they have a great deal on at £399, LHR to Helsinki to Osaka (KIX). I see they have some MD-11’s in their fleet – are these used on routes to the Far East? I’d rather avoid McDonnell Douglas wherever possible.
That’s all for now, thanks!
By: Rickt - 29th August 2008 at 15:59
Rick, thanks for the detailed post, most appreciated!
It doesn’t look too bad actually. Perhaps the reviews i’ve read are just from bad experiences so the writers make them out to be the worst thing ever. Can’t complain for £5pp I suppose; some people said there were no screens at all!!
As for the upgrade…well i’m not that tall, not too fussed about 2 extra inches on a screen and I certainly won’t be drinking even £50 worth of drink! Cattle class all the way lol.
Thanks again!
No problem..
The IFE TV’s are in the 767-300… if you was to use one of the 757 or 737 they just have the ceiling TV’s..
Enjoy your trip!
Rick
By: NCL_Chris - 29th August 2008 at 10:26
Rick, thanks for the detailed post, most appreciated!
It doesn’t look too bad actually. Perhaps the reviews i’ve read are just from bad experiences so the writers make them out to be the worst thing ever. Can’t complain for £5pp I suppose; some people said there were no screens at all!!
As for the upgrade…well i’m not that tall, not too fussed about 2 extra inches on a screen and I certainly won’t be drinking even £50 worth of drink! Cattle class all the way lol.
Thanks again!
By: Rickt - 29th August 2008 at 00:09
Couple of photos below… Not great quality… taken in a point and shoot fashion with the compact…. Just give you an idea though of what to expect..
Cheers
Rick
IFE
TOm Cabin in Premium..
Leg room in Premium.. (im 5ft 9in)
IFE again…. sky map..
IFE in ECO… (Smaller screen)
Raw Photo of the TOM 767-300 – (BYE) through the gate, blue tinted glass..
Below is a poor quality photo of FCA 767-3 — with the “relax” lighting
as said above… not the best quality photos i know.. but should give you an idea..
Cheers
Rick
By: Rickt - 28th August 2008 at 23:41
Hi,
I have used the one of the TOM 767-300 this year (same plane both legs)
I upgraded to the Premium package on the outbound which offered loads of leg room (i think 39inch) and 9inch IFE free drinks etc,..
On the return we were in the “cattle” class which was not too bad for a charter “tourist” route with 7inch TV’s and around 33-34 inch seat pitch..
After flying with TOM i would not upgrade to premium at the time of booking due to the cost and very little extras.. Hold off until 7 days before you fly and call them, if they need to fill seats at the front of the plane expect to pay around £50.00 per person compared to the £150.00 upgrade if booked in advance..
All in all…. TOM does what it says on the tin… ok IFE and comfy “ish” for a charter airline…
I have also used First Choice, FCA to Mexico on their 767-300 with the newer interoir and that is worls apart in premium, I used that for both legs and would use again.. (again.. i upgraded last minute for around £50.00
One thing to take into account with TOM and FCA.. If you want to upgrade the IFE onboard it is £5.00 per person, this offers more films and TV plus “PLAY ON DEMAND”, ie like sky plus.. compared to just a rolling video stream..
Summary… TOM good for charter when going on holiday but worlds apart from premium long haul airlines..
I will put some photos onto this thread of the 767-3 TOM cabin if you wish?
Cheers
Rick
By: NCL_Chris - 28th August 2008 at 12:56
True. I just get used to the free stuff I suppose :p
Thought as much for the 777, didn’t seem cramped..then again not been on an MD11 so don’t know what it’s dimensions are like!
By: B77W - 28th August 2008 at 10:43
Cheers for the replies.
Northern_Git – That video makes them look decent…but I’ve read that you only get a TV in your seat in the Premium Economy? And no free food/drink I think is a joke for a long haul flight!
Well how many charter airlines do? It’s only scheduled where everything’s free (normally).
As for 10 abreast, does my memory decieve me or are the EK 777-300ER’s 3-4-3?[/
The two-class -300ER, and the three-class -300ER both have the 3-4-3 config.
By: NCL_Chris - 28th August 2008 at 10:17
Cheers for the replies.
Northern_Git – That video makes them look decent…but I’ve read that you only get a TV in your seat in the Premium Economy? And no free food/drink I think is a joke for a long haul flight!
Finnair MD11s..hmm, well hopefully will pretty much all gone by then but if I have to fly on one, so be it…for £399 I can’t complain too much! Just don’t like the look of them…nor is McDonnell Douglas’ reputation particularly comforting :s
As for 10 abreast, does my memory decieve me or are the EK 777-300ER’s 3-4-3?
By: Skymonster - 28th August 2008 at 10:00
FinnAir question…think I am off to Japan next year and they have a great deal on at £399, LHR to Helsinki to Osaka (KIX). I see they have some MD-11’s in their fleet – are these used on routes to the Far East? I’d rather avoid McDonnell Douglas wherever possible.
Finnair are gradually retiring MD-11s in favour of A340-300s – not sure what the status of that program will be next year (it may depend on when you go next year!) but as of now Osaka should be a MD. If I remember correctly the Finnair MDs have a rather vicious 10-abreast config in the rear-most economy cabin with some rows nearer the front in 9-abreast. I believe the cheap tickets get the narrow seats!
Andy
By: B77W - 28th August 2008 at 00:23
Hello, and welcome to the forum (you big show off :P)
The TOM aircraft with be a B763. Here’s a rather boring/pointless video – http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EueWuT-Z5pk
In regards to the FIN question, it’ll either be an MD11 or A343 – maybe someone else will help you out. (Todays flight was an MD11 anyway)
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August 28, 2008 at 12:06 am