Thomas Cook Airlines

[Seaweed]

Hi

We are booked with Airtours next year, but it is a Thomas Cook Flight.

I think they have merged, I'm not sure though.

We have got 15kg of luggage allowance each, hubby, and three children.

We plan to do a fair amount of shopping while we are over there.

Can we take two or three suitcases going and buy the other two out there to come back with.
Or do we need to take five with us at the start.

Although I have 11 months to go I am getting very excited along with the children.

Cheers :purplejum

Seaweed

[Tiggers Friend]

Airtours (and it's airline MyTravel Air) was taken over by Thomas Cook last year. All the flight have now been branded TCA. During the transition there was some issue with flights, but this has now been sorted out.

The two flights are separate therefore you can take out what you like (to the limits) and bring back what you like (again to the limits). My advice though is not to go over those limits. Excess baggage charges are punitive.

[Seaweed]

Hi

Thanks for that Tigger Friend, at least that is one of my problems solved.


Seaweed:purplejum

[Simon Veness]

Yes, it is definitely a good idea to pack light on the way out, and then come back with the maximum that you're allowed. You can easily pick up some cheap luggage while you're in Orlando and it makes the journey out easier, too.

[1969steveb]

Hi Seaweed,
We flew with Thomas Cook airlines in January this year and we didn't take all our suitcase entitlement out with us and bought one out there, the 15kgs per person isn't much at all and if you are planning on doing loads of shopping like we did then i would advice either getting extra luggage allowance or making full use of your hand luggage allowance.

[Seaweed]

Hi Steve

Thanks for that, can you tell me what the flights are like, do you each get a seat back TV.

I am thinking about upgrading is it worth it.

Sorry that I have so many questions

I am glad I have found this forum now and not next year

The forum will be sick of me, but I work shifts so it will all be in bursts.

Seaweed:happy-smi

[1969steveb]

Hi Seaweed,
The flight's had no seatback t.v.'s and to be honest if you get one of the same planes we had and this is true the only difference between our seats and the upgraded seats was a curtain divided them from us and probably had 1 more air-hostess. I know this because a man in front of me collapsed and because i have first-aid experienced another air-hostess and i carried him through the upgraded area to the front of the plane to sort him out. I take it you are flying from Glasgow, we flew from Manchester and had to divert to Gatwick because of not enough passengers on board. We only went with the airline because it was really cheap!!
If you have any other questions at all please ask.

[dmrevis]

15Kg is shocking.

[loobylou]

We flew with Monach last august and managed with 15kg. We bought loads of shoes!! and other things.
I don't take towels as all hotels provide them and toiletries we take what we need and leave them there.

[1969steveb]

15Kg is shocking.

Your damn right it's shocking especially when i got 20kgs to go to Greece the other week with another airline. They charge you unbelievable prices just for the extra 5kgs as well, they should wear a mask when selling people tickets!!!!

[Simon Veness]

As long as it is 15kg per person (and the children should all qualify), that is still 75kg in total and it's very easy to pack light for Florida. As long as you use lightweight suitcases, you should still find you have plenty of room for manoeuver for extra luggage on the flight back. It obviously is worthwhile to weigh your cases before you leave home and have an idea of how much more you will have for the return journey. Also Thomas Cook Airlines should have all-seatback TVs throughout their planes this year (at least, that's what their PR office told us), so you should get reasonable IFE.

[LeonieM]

Our suitcases going out averaged 13kg each - but we took out 4 and came back with 5 - and that's between 3 of us.

To be fair, though, we do take a lot of electricals and chargers with us. No doubt if we didn't, everything would weigh so much less.

There's no way I could manage on 15kg, though, whatever. I mean I can take 46kg with Virgin, and even though I don't use it all, if you think about it that's the entire luggage allowance for all 3 of us just for myself!

I would sincerely hope they allow you hand luggage as well on top of that 15kg!!

[ELAINE]

We have just checked in to come home and were very glad of the 23 kg we had with first choice. we only had 3 cases on the way out but have come back with 5 one of which weighed 26KG!!! overall we were only 1.6 kg short of our total 92 (2 ad 2 kids) kgs!! I would consider paying for the extra 5 kg if you want to buy clothes or shoes they are so much cheaper that you can recoup some of the cost with your savings!!;)

[mortus]

we flew back with thomas cook back in march (booked with TCD but came back with TC) the flight back was great, we had headrest tv's and the seats where quite roomy as well. the meals where some what to be desired, but then again aren't all in flight meals. as for luggage because we booked with TCD and prebooked double baggage allowance we all had a 40KG allowance (only £15 if i remember right or it may have been £20 i'm not sure) but never the less it was money well spent.
there's nowt worse than having all the hassle of the packing the night before you come home as well as the worry of are we under weight or not, we've been 6 times now and when i look at booking it's something i always take into consideration when getting a quote for going to florida.

mortus:happy-thumb

[sex kitten]

We are going TCD next august and have paid £20 to have the 40kgs of luggage.
My only gripe is that not all of us wanted the extra allowance, but if one of us wanted it, all on the booking had to have it. :confused:

[pete21]

we,r goin this year with thomas cook we was,nt told about the 15kgs & its not on our bookin form can any one tell us if we still be able to have the 20kgs or it will have to be the 15kgs.also i thought all the tc planes had the tv on the backrest friends went with them last year & said the had them i think it would be very borein & long flight without them.

[Seaweed]

Thanks Everyone for your advice, will bear it in mind.

I am glad that I have started now to plan it, so that everything is sorted.

Another question do you get a meal on board or do you get a snack?

Thanks:happy-smi

Seaweed

[Tiggers Friend]

You should get a mid day meal and a snack before landing.

[Seaweed]

Thanks
That will keep my boys happy, always hungry

Seaweed

[Tiggers Friend]

When we used to travel with our youngster we always carried crisps etc just in case he got hungry or didn't like what was on the menu!

[louise.hughes1]

hi seaweed

I am flying from glasgow next saturday flying premium cabin so ill let you know how it is!!!

[Seaweed]

Hi Louise

Thanks for that, that will be a great help.

I have PM you

Seaweed

[ELAINE]

Have you checked that the children have got childrens meals? We flew with First choice and the people over the aisle had assumed that FC would realise that a 6 year old needed a child's meal but apparently unless you contact them and specifically ask for a childs meal they don't have one on board. We flew premium and for us the meals were lovely but to say that the 6 year old was not impressed by his salmon twirls or mozorrella and tomato salad would be an understatement.
Not only did we get 2 meals but also 2 lots of rice snacky things and a tub of ben and Jerrys to have while watching the films. It was great on the way out but they kept waking me to ask if i wanted food on the way back!!!:confused:

[Seaweed]

Hi Elaine

Last week we had an email from the travel agent (CO-op)to asked us what type of meals do we want.

The choice was

Kids meal
Veg choice
Diabetic

and various other choices

So we will see

Seaweed :purplejum