Thomson flights - no need to worry - report

I%26#39;m currently in Phuket having flown on the Thomson flight on 22nd Nov. It was O.K and I have no complaints about it.

The flight from Manchester was about 6.5 hrs to Al Ain. We spent just over an hour here and then back onto the same plane, same seats and a further 5.5 hrs to Phuket.

Al Ain is a small airport but there is a duty free shop and cafe. Enough to have a walk around and stretch the legs.

We have flown economy with Emirates twice, Qatar Airways and KLM all the Far East. I found the seat pitch was no worse than these airlines.

The Thomson flight doesn%26#39;t have TV%26#39;s in the seats but has plenty in the aisles. We watched Pirates of the Carribean 2, Mission Impossible 3 and and third film which was current but I can%26#39;t recall the name now. The food was also OK, not restaurant standard but I don%26#39;t expect that on a plane!

So, no need to worry about it now. One tip that we used was to book seats together and specify window seats. It only cost 17 pounds each (return). You just book by phoning Thomson - the number is with your tickets. The premier seats at the front had a larger seating pitch with leather seats. This looked good too.

All in all, I was satisfied with the flights. They were great for 350 pounds each return. The cheapest alternative I could find were 420 to Bangkok and then extra for an internal flight. This would have also taken a lot longer building in time for delays etc.

Personally, I%26#39;d rather spent my extra money here in Phuket. There is certainly plenty to buy! I%26#39;ll complete a full report on our return from this beautiful country, it is just paradise!

Nicola

Thomson flights - no need to worry - report

Thanx for taking time out from your holiday to update us on this particular topic Nicola, I was sure it would be OK. Just over two weeks for us to go! Hope you enjoy whats left of your holiday!

Thomson flights - no need to worry - report

Hi Nicola,

We are a retired couple from Glasgow - not infirm! but used to a decent seat pitch - was told Thomson was only 28'; and with it being such a long flight was a wee bit concerned. We also have the flight from Glasgow to Gatwick beforehand and as our return flight to Gatwick arrives too late for a flight back to Glasgow we have had to book a room for the night and fly the next day which is a bit of a nuisance. Hubby and I have been discussing the premier seating and was it worth 拢450 for the two of us. Can%26#39;t decide whether to use that extra money for spending when we get there! We are flying out on 5th February for 3 weeks at Merlin Beach Resort. This will be our first time in Phuket and are so looking forward to it.

I am sure you are having a ball there and hope the rest of your holiday goes brilliantly! Look forward to your trip report and let us know the best bargains!

Kind regards

Djan17

The premium seats with Thomson are a 2-3-2 configuration as opposed to 2-4-2 in economy. This is roughly the same pitch you would get on Virgin, Malaysian etc. None of the TV`s were working in premium seating on our way back from Phuket to Al Ain, and you are not guaranteed seats together, as we found out when my wife and i were sitting in differant rows.

I dont know whether they`re worth the money, i would have to sit in thomson economy for 14 hrs before i could answer that one, but even with the extra cost of 拢450 it is still quite cheap compared to other airlines.

Thanks for that.

We fly out on wednesday 29th .........so appreciate you taking the time.

Hi Texantutor

Thanks for your report Rr Thomson flight. I think it is such a pity that you payed 拢450 for Premium Seats and not able to sit with your wife also the fact that the tv console was not working on your return flight - the airline should have been giving you a refund! Was paying that amount of money worth having a little more leg room and a leather seat?

Hi Dajan17

On our flight from Manchester there were 31 seats in Premium class and with mostly couples in there, 2 couples are bound to be unlucky, we were one of them. The seat pitch wasn`t bad but they certainly weren`t leather, although i believe some of thomson planes do have them.

I am not a great flyer so personally i would say it is worth 拢450 to make my journey as painless as possible, especially on the dreaded flight home. But i can understand other peoples veiw that 拢450 goes a long way, especially in Thailand.

As regards delays, i know a few of the flights from UK were diverted to Abu Dhabi, ours being one of them, because of fog at Al Ain. This delay was 4 1/2 hrs, but we had no trouble on the way back, and actually arrives in Manchester 20 mins early.

Hi Celtic Fire,

We don%26#39;t stay far from your beloved football ground!

Are you flying from Gatwick? If so - would be much obliged if you could let us know how about the Thomson flight.

We don%26#39;t go until February so any tips would be much appreciated.

Have a fabulous holiday.

Hi Texantutor,

It would be just our luck to get separated and hubby hates my not being at his beck and call! Only joking! Just us oldies don%26#39;t like the thought of sitting apart. I would have thought when you booked Premier in advance seat numbers would be issued. We have flown many times long haul economy - usually with the bigger airlines but because this being a charter flight we though that paying the extra for an upgrade flight seat would be more comfortable. Not bothered about free drinks although hubby loves watching films on tv - he would be sorely put out if that was unavailable! So still undecided what to do!!!

Yes Dajan17 that was a mistake on our part, we just presumed that because we were getting premier seating we would be seated together. We booked this holiday on the internet, but we should have phoned Thomson as well for the `seating together ` option at a later date. Again, my wife wasn`t too upset that she didn`t have me fidgeting next to her all the time !!!

Let`s face it, you can`t lose either way, a relaxing long haul flight or 拢450 to spend in a special location.

Your choice ?

Nicola,

another thankyou here for taking time out of your holiday to post a report - it is very much appreciated.

We fly out Dec 20th (staying at Merlin Beach also) and I have to say we have been a little worried regarding the flight. I know it is only a means to an end, but it is such a long way!!!! We did try to book premium but they are all gone (as well as extra Legroom).

Wo originally thought we would be able to pre-book out actual seats but were told this is not the case, so we have already done as you suggest and pre booked seats together and requested a window.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday and look forward to hearing about more of your trip on your return

Carolynn