Would you fly Air Transat?

FigmentSpark · May 4, 2019

I'm seeing some amazing prices on Air Transat for next spring. But I am used to flying Air Canada. It's for a cruise, so I can't miss the flight or have it delayed. What do you think? The price is nearly half what Air Canada wants for the same dates.

Marc D · May 4, 2019

FigmentSpark said:
I'm seeing some amazing prices on Air Transat for next spring. But I am used to flying Air Canada. It's for a cruise, so I can't miss the flight or have it delayed. What do you think? The price is nearly half what Air Canada wants for the same dates.

The only disadvantage of flying Transat, in theory, is that they have less planes available to replace one in case of a breakdown. Other than that, they offer the same level of service as AC, especially if you compare it to Rouge. If you fly out of MCO with them, you’ll find your experience at check-in to be much more enjoyable. AC always has 4-5 flights checking in at the same time and it becomes a hot mess, even if flying in Business.

Minniemoo15 · May 4, 2019

We fly Air Transat every year one way from MCO-yhz (we generally fly AC on the way down on aeroplan). Their direct schedule suits our needs and the price is always right. We have never had any major issues - sometimes a 1hr Delay and the leg room is tighter than Air Canada but still worth it for us.

lizzyb · May 4, 2019

We flew with them to Barcelona a few years ago and had no issues. Would not hesitate to fly with them again.

Littlelily · May 4, 2019

It’s similar to AC rouge. I don’t find the flights to be any more likely to be delayed than any other airline. The interior of the plane is a bit less cushy but that’s about it. I’ve flown trans Atlantic with them, about a 7 hour flight, and was a bit uncomfortable from about the halfway mark but for a shorter flight it would be fine. Plus the prices are great.

Disneylover99 · May 4, 2019

If the price is right? Sure!

Iralyn · May 4, 2019

Yes, for sure. For transatlantic, I do find the legroom to be a bit more of an issue and if prices were equal, I might be inclined to choose a different airline. If travelling with kids, definitely sign them up for the Transat Kids Club...it has some good perks (in the past, it has included free seat selection and free snack selections -- not sure if those are still part of their current promotions).

Frozen2014 · May 4, 2019

I know...we have this debate too. We flew it one year to FLL and had no issues with the flight. For us, it isn't the experience as it's fine, but it's more that they only have 1 flight a day so what happens if that one doesn't run? But Air Transat definitely has the best pricing compared with other airlines.

FigmentSpark · May 4, 2019

Yeah, it was that one a day that scares me.... Fri-Sun, too. If they had flights daily, at least you could go a day early. We don't want to miss our cruise.

You can book one way on Air Transat? That might be the way to go.

SleeplessInTO · May 7, 2019

Our recent experience - we booked with Air Transat for our December WDW trip because of the price savings. Last Friday, we were notified that they changed our early morning departure on Dec 14 to one that lands at 8PM. Similarly, our return flight on Dec 21 was changed by more than 12 hours, so that it actually lands past midnight (ten minutes into Dec 22). The change on Dec 21 we didn't even get a notification for and only found out when we called them about the Dec 14 change.

Spent over an hour on the phone, we managed to get a refund, and booked with a different air carrier. It costs more now with the other carrier than it did when we first looked at flights, but thats the risk we took / price to pay for (a little bit more) peace of mind.

Doesn't mean I won't ever go with Air Transat. But if I'm flying with a 3 year old, or have to catch a cruise, I'm not sure I'd take that risk.

FigmentSpark · May 7, 2019

That was my biggest worry. Ours is a cruise. I can't have those times change by much and be in trouble. We hesitated and the price is up $600, so it's a no-go. We'll be driving again, which I think DH prefers, but it's extra time off school for our kids. My older DS will be at the end of grade 12, while the younger will be coming back and have to write is grade 10 English OSSLT test the following week.

Frozen2014 · May 8, 2019

FigmentSpark said:
That was my biggest worry. Ours is a cruise. I can't have those times change by much and be in trouble. We hesitated and the price is up $600, so it's a no-go. We'll be driving again, which I think DH prefers, but it's extra time off school for our kids. My older DS will be at the end of grade 12, while the younger will be coming back and have to write is grade 10 English OSSLT test the following week.

Too bad about Air Transat. They release pretty cheap and then i guess like every other airline, they raise the price (but often still less than other airlines). So looks like you'll be driving again? (I remember from other post) I did notice that it's a bit more reasonable if you return on the Monday vs Sunday...and flying out of Detroit is cheaper too. It's sad how high they raise the prices during march break. I know it's supply and demand, but prices can be outrageous. I'm checking prices Mar 2020 for a cruise as well out of Port Canaveral Mar 2021 and just crazy. Airline costs as much as the cruise....and as you say you're limited to specific days when it's a cruise.

Chrisizzle · May 8, 2019

I've made a personal rule not to fly on Air Transat or Sunwing based on those occasions when they locked passengers on a plane on the runway for hours. I know it's a rare (possibly singular) occasion but just the idea that management / employee culture thought that was even an option boggles my mind.

FigmentSpark · May 8, 2019

Frozen2014 said:
Too bad about Air Transat. They release pretty cheap and then i guess like every other airline, they raise the price (but often still less than other airlines). So looks like you'll be driving again? (I remember from other post) I did notice that it's a bit more reasonable if you return on the Monday vs Sunday...and flying out of Detroit is cheaper too. It's sad how high they raise the prices during march break. I know it's supply and demand, but prices can be outrageous. I'm checking prices Mar 2020 for a cruise as well out of Port Canaveral Mar 2021 and just crazy. Airline costs as much as the cruise....and as you say you're limited to specific days when it's a cruise.

I will go through the motions of checking JetBlue and Southwest, but I expect we'll be driving. Truth be told, there's a relief knowing I don't have to panic over what I pack or where I pack it. Flying, while convenient, is stressful.

And yes, it's almost as much as the cruise to fly.

quandrea · May 8, 2019

I can get AT for jan 5 at $173 one way. WestJet is $234 one way two days later. I’m going with WestJet. Like others have said, I bet they are fine if all goes well, but I don’t like the idea of just one flight per week, especially in January, the possibility of major scheduling changes or the notion that they keep people on the tarmac for hours.

Frozen2014 · May 8, 2019

FigmentSpark said:
I will go through the motions of checking JetBlue and Southwest, but I expect we'll be driving. Truth be told, there's a relief knowing I don't have to panic over what I pack or where I pack it. Flying, while convenient, is stressful.

And yes, it's almost as much as the cruise to fly.

Lol...very true. No luggage restrictions!

mab2012 · May 8, 2019

@FigmentSpark , I see that you've decided against anyway, but my answer would have been "no chance". Not for a cruise departing the same day, and probably not the day before either. Too much risk if the flight doesn't go. The major airlines usually have some options to get you to your destination, even if it takes longer and the routing is not ideal.

I don't have anything against the airline, and I'm sure I would fly with them under the right circumstances, for the right price - but not in your particular situation.

FigmentSpark said:
And yes, it's almost as much as the cruise to fly.

I guess you're not cruising on DCL. :rolleyes1

FigmentSpark · May 8, 2019

lol, yes, cruising with DCL during March break. We had a placeholder, so 10% off and $200 OBC and I booked on opening day, so that made it much better, especially combined with the Costco cash card and 2% Exec perk, post-cruise and the 3% back on my Fido card. Not cheap for sure, but manageable... until you throw in Air Canada prices.

Pumpkin1172 · May 8, 2019

We are flying Airtransat on Sunday - heading to Mexico. It is for our daughter's wedding...so it was the best option and price for everyone involved. I'm crossing my fingers that everything goes off without a hitch, as it is a worry for some of us. I would worry about not having a backup plane ready to whisk you away and have you miss your cruise. If the price is too good...maybe it's possible to leave an extra day earlier, and maybe be able to do something to fill in the extra day...just a thought

FigmentSpark · May 8, 2019

Pumpkin1172 said:
We are flying Airtransat on Sunday - heading to Mexico. It is for our daughter's wedding...so it was the best option and price for everyone involved. I'm crossing my fingers that everything goes off without a hitch, as it is a worry for some of us. I would worry about not having a backup plane ready to whisk you away and have you miss your cruise. If the price is too good...maybe it's possible to leave an extra day earlier, and maybe be able to do something to fill in the extra day...just a thought

Oooo. Congrats. :flower1:

I hope you have a great and uneventful time in Mexico and may your daughter have a blessed day and wonderful life with her new spouse.

I would have gone earlier, but the cruise is on Sat, so flying in Friday was the earliest I could have done. I like to be sure. The problem is if that one is kaput, then that leaves flying in on Sat morning. Way too much stress for that. Way too much. They didn't have a Mon-Thurs, so that was the best I could do, other than plan to hop on a very expensive and possibly over-sold competing airline.

Would you fly Air Transat?

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