BBC1 Watchdog

[sunny d]

I thought this may be useful on here, as there are a fair few post about failing holiday tour operators, flight cancellations and general questions as to what is going on with regards holidays at present.

Watchdog last night had a piece where they were discussing the above, they named and touched on XL, LTE both the large and small carriers, the service, whats is exected of the airline when things do go wrong and what to do in those circumstances at the time and when you arrive back in the UK. They have added all info onto thier website which some of us may find helpful and also a survey for you to if you wish fill in and so give back feedback, of which and the subject they say they will return to.

I myself did indeed watch the piece last night and gone onto the website and got something from both, its quite good yeah..worth a look.

[mary]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2008/10/the_lows_of_travelling_by_air.html
presumably this is the website you are talking about

[mary]

actually this one
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/consumer_advice/latest_travel_emp.shtml)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/consumer_advice/latest_travel_emp.shtml

[sunny d]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2008/10/the_lows_of_travelling_by_air.html
presumably this is the website you are talking about

Yes, thanks .Mary that is the one.

They say they will come back to the subjet in the series.

[sunny d]

Maybe of interest to some. Watchdoog have the result of the travel industry survey on tonight. starts 7.30 bbc1

[claire1967]

Maybe of interest to some. Watchdoog have the result of the travel industry survey on tonight. starts 7.30 bbc1


Watched this a couple of hours ago sunny d, and unbelievably, BA came tops in a poll of 24,000 viewers as BEST AIRLINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!

Doesn't equate with my experiences personally but there we go...:dumbfounded:

[sunny d]

Sorry took so long, i watched it too - the usual winners and loosers eh, no surprises LOL .


The question asked ,do you rate price before comfort, or visa versa?

With me its to be honest its price. However id prefer a named airline not some twin propeller flying shed out of eastern europe, most airlines are much of a muchness really. I was looking on teletext and most of the airlines name i would recognise but the tour operators themselves were random, so i probably wouldnt use them to book through.

We were in puerto rico and deceided on staying on a week or so more, so i rang around and was quoted a range of prices for the same flights, same days,flight times,airlines etc. For example Thomson/skytours wanted £176 one way from there to here, i went on the thomson website same flight details one way cost us £53 each. How can the justify quoting us £176pp x 4 no amount of administration cost that much ridiculous, when we managed to get home on the same flight for approx £200 all in for the 4 of us,still with them.

We booked some years maybe 2005, with going places, had quite a pleasent week but the return journey was a pain. They picked us up took us to the airport, then whilst queing made the announcement that our flight was delayed. The passengers due to leave on the flight before us earlier in day,their flight home had been delayed leaving and they too were still here,the plane had broken down when it gotten to the UK much earlier still in the day.
The reps were apologetic and said they will keep everybody informed as the night went on which they did, theyd pick us up at 630 and out flight was maybe 9/10pm cant remember. Anyhow they gave us all 10euro vouchers each for food and drink, and the girls got blankets. In the Burger King it was rammed,I thought youd get the change,until anotherpassenger said they wont give change so we had the biggest burger you could XXXL whopper with matching fries and a huge coke. (which we couldnt finish,so took on board later). When a plane did arrive and leave we were told another was leaving and would be here soon. They had thought we would have to wait for that one to go and return for us. When it came it was a brand new plane a proper big long haul type plane. The Captain a lady apologised for the nights events saying we can use the whole plane and as soon as the seat belt lights went off you didnt have to bundle though we did up business end where the seats lie down as beds,there was rows and rows of seats,and the loos were down stairs. And we all got offered a free meal, and kept the freebies from business class.

That was so far a one off, but even if youd paid a lot of money youd still have been stuck in the same delays, so the ticket price didnt really matter. What I was happy with was the poor reps who did get it in the neck for really trying to keep the peace and keeping everyone updated with the situation. These things happen, the plane broke down,The customer service from the holiday reps was excellent this time.

But then you have companies like Ryanair who always seem to be in the press advertising lowcostseats that dont seem to materialise,or in the paper or on tv for poor customerservice, most recent of late was watchdog, working lunch and in recent weeks the main news. They were reporting from airports that travellers were being turned away at check as the tickets were deemed invalid. Ryanair say this was because they were bought through a third party for example a highsteet travel agent, the Ryan air representative came on reading a statement saying this was correct and only tickets purchased online at Ryanair or throught Ryanair would be valid for use. I dont know what the situation with them is, and ive never used them. But having seen and heard about them in the media they wouldnt be my first choice of call when booking a ticket. It seems good or bad publicity, its all the same to them..