TUI Airways

[LBAYORKIE]

Cha

Sadly it’s not it’s off to BHX.

Changed to BHX immediately after take off. Had me going there especially since it was a positioning flight.

 

[airforced]

Reference to piece in the YP, which opened okay for me in the Ashley version, I wouldn't take any notice of any comment made by TUI as their words don't really mean anything in the real world. Words are cheap and freely available. If DSA closes and if TUI come to LBA it is probably the easiest solution for TUI but they most certainly would not be doing it (out of the goodness of there hearts) for LBA, so welcome it if it happens but don't expect it as it wouldn't be the preferred solution for them.

 

[Len Fish]

13 departures from DSA today (compared with 45 from LBA), 9xTUI, 3xWizz, 1x Getjet Airlines. Hardly seems viable currently.

 

[752]

DSA has been operating that amount of flights for years (if not less), clearly not viable hence the owners wanting it shut..

 

[White Heather]

J

DSA has been operating that amount of flights for years (if not less), clearly not viable hence the owners wanting it shut..

Just imagine how few there will be in winter.

 

[Finger66]

Without any committment from the owners, TUI and Wizz can’t plan much so it may be much quieter than normal, if it Is still open at all. Yes LBA is quieter in winter than summer, but still perfectly viable. No one ever wants bad news of closures etc. But this is still a business that needs to run profitably. Those pax then have to go somewhere whether they choose to follow the incumbent operator elsewhere or not!

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Cha
Changed to BHX immediately after take off. Had me going there especially since it was a positioning flight.

Just for the sake of the record I have made this post. Is this the first time a Dreamliner has ever taken to the air showing LBA as it's destination?

 

[A400]

Just for the sake of the record I have made this post. Is this the first time a Dreamliner has ever taken to the air showing LBA as it's destination?

We just need one to actually show up rather than be a glitch on FR.

 

[twevsmiff]

Just for the sake of the record I have made this post. Is this the first time a Dreamliner has ever taken to the air showing LBA as it's destination?

No, we had the BA 787's crew training here in 2015/6. They were flight planned LHR - LBA.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

No, we had the BA 787's crew training here in 2015/6. They were flight planned LHR - LBA.

I dont remember that which is strange. I must have been away.

 

[mdobuk21]

One came when I was at the 32 threshold but it was in thick fog! Heard it but did it see it!

 

[LBA787]

The BA training flights were planned as series around 3-4 week period. Initial approach/missed approach as well as flight handling was to be performed before crew operated commercially out of LHR. The a/c was due to night stop multiple times over that period as well as at NCL, PIK and NQY.

From memory they came for a few days at most then subsequently moved all the training away from LBA. It never landed either…

The weather wasn’t the best however, something didn’t sit well with me regarding the sudden change of plan.

Incidentally I’ve mentioned it on here many years ago, a friend of mine was FO for Qatar on the 777/787 (now back in Blighty as capt on the 320) he’s local to Leeds, loves the place but said he wouldn’t want to try land the dreamer in either direction.

 

[Finger66]

So I am back from my 2 week TUI holiday having used that airport over t’ill as you know. Here’s my view of where I see TUI as a company. This is also the 1st “package” we have been on in the best part of twenty years so our general expectations may have been misguided. Report below as i believe was requested:

Flights on the MAX and aircrew were excellent so absolutely no complaints there.

Representation in resort was not the best. A rep joined the coach on arrival in SUF on 10Sep, told us who would be dropped off when and promptly got off the coach again and left us to it. There was no rep at all on the coach back to the airport yesterday. The rep that visited the hotel, whilst very pleasant, was very much hard-sell on trips/excursions. On the excursions we did there were a few language issues and on each one the rep got off the bus before the last pax dropped off - not the best customer experience. However we are adults and well travelled enough to cope.

Calabria is defined as Italy’s new kid on the block and hence not currently a great deal of flight/operator choice. But it is a beautiful place and for us just the right amount of things to do but so peaceful where we stayed in a place called Parghelia that we were able to unwind immediately and stay unwound for two weeks which is exactly what we hoped for.

A few issues on return with ground staff and luggage delivery at MAN - but both these beyond TUI’s control so can’t blame them for that and proof the industry isn’t fully recovered as this was down to staff shortages. Landed at 1405 and left T2 M&G parking at 1535!

The conclusion:
TUI have a great aircraft in the MAX and good aircrew
Resort reps leave a lot to be desired - this could of course be due to an industry shortage
Disappointed we had to fly t/f MAN but a needs must on this occasion
TUI on a winner offering Calabria as a destination
They have an over-reliance on use of their App for communication
All the above will of course be fed back to TUI themselves
One final conclusion from me is that it’s great that airlines like FR/U2/LS have opened up flying to the masses, the flip-side to this is that where costs can be cut they will be and as such the industry is struggling to recruit and pay sufficiently qualified staff post COVID because other industries pay better. Let’s hope this resolves itself sooner rather than later.

So would I advise anyone from holidaying through TUI - absolutely not. The overall experience was great.
Do I want more from TUI at LBA - absolutely yes. We need more choice at LBA and the overall product is not bad so would be a good addition

However we are already planning next years hopefully “independent” holidays which with any luck will allow the use of LBA once again - it’s what we ideally want to do. However if the right self-packaging can’t be achieved from LBA then we will use whatever other airports provide that!

 

[airforced]

Finger66 as a person who has a very keen interest in aviation and not used to taking a package holiday in recent times, so presumably used to doing your own thing I believe you have been too kind to TUI. I too also am much more used to making my own way and rarely have taken a package in the last 20/30 years. However I wanted to stay at a particular small hotel that I knew was contracted to TUI so went ahead and booked it with them from DSA in recent years after a very poor experience with TUI many years ago. The flight to Crete initially was scheduled for early afternoon which was fine as we would get to resort around 9pm. Time to have something to eat and a drink before going to bed. Our departure time was changed 3 times, each by a sufficiently short increment to prevent us canceling, but it meant that we arrived at the hotel just before 2am. We unlike you had no Rep on our coach. I would have Cancelled had it been feasible.

Rather than go on and give a more detailed report it is probably sufficient to say that the TUI performance didn't get any better. To conclude the Rep, when we were around when she called, either had no info to pass on or chose not to do so even down to passing on detailed info and precise info regarding pick time and location for the return to the airport. To top it all when we got to the airport we were all rushed through to check in as we were told that the plane was waiting for us as boarding was imminent which it wasn't. Having been rushed though (a first for Heraklion with no opportunity to visit Duty Feee (sic). Confusing and annoying but as expected from TUI who seemed not to know what the left and right hands were doing. I didn't complain on our return as I remembered doing so after the last time we used them all those years ago. Just crossed them off the list as an option (this time for sure) even if they come to LBA in the future.

 

[Finger66]

I think the one thing Mrs Finger and I have in our favour here in our “praise (used loosely)” for TUI is where we went. Calabria is so unspoilt that even a lack of representation couldn’t spoil it. That said there are definitely thingsTUI could have done better. Most people hate that return from holiday, for various reasons, and whilst we could have easily stayed longer we we’re so chilled that the return home was less stressful. That said, and I agree airforced, this could be more due to the location than TUI. But TUI have a name, a “a reputation” and a network that overall can only be good to enhance the LBA choice, whether or not right for everyone! All in all our experience was favourable but equally not something we are likely to repeat in a hurry!

 

[Jerry]

We unlike you had no Rep on our coach.

Do reps travel on the drop off coaches often then because I had no Jet2 rep on my coach same with my sister when she arrived on Wednesday.

 

[LBA787]

Having used both Tui and Jet2 packages this summer it would seem the Reps no longer travel on the coaches unless they are catching a lift back to a resort they have accommodation.

With us the Rep’s picked up the coach tannoy introduced themselves, welcomed everyone on behalf on the company, introduced the driver then explained how long the transfer was going to be before wishing everyone well and getting off.

Tui told us to download their app if we hadn’t already done so. Jet2 opting to hand out a welcome pack with resort info etc.

It’s no real issue however, it was always a nice start and a personal touch having the Thomson/Thomas Cook Rep with you from the get go.

 

[Finger66]

Yes agreed. Suspect that’s where package holidays have changed since we last did one many moons ago. With use of the App etc. And a probable expectation that most have travelled before so are familiar with the drill, it helps them cut rep costs. It wasn’t a problem to us either, just not what we expected

 

[CM.]

In response to DSA closing TUI look to be adding more flights from LBA, MAN and EMA in Summer 23. Leeds is looking to have Dubrovnik, Antalya and Dalaman.

Source- SPD travels on twitter.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

In response to DSA closing TUI look to be adding more flights from LBA, MAN and EMA in Summer 23. Leeds is looking to have Dubrovnik, Antalya and Dalaman.

Source- SPD travels on twitter.

I wonder where the DSA based aircraft will be deployed.