PaulFeagan9 flew Thomson Airways Short/medium-haul, on a B737-800 (01/05/2013 11:47)

Thomson Airlines – London Gatwick – Funchal, Madeira

Thomson operate a one-class 737-800 on this route – flight time is about three and a half hours. It is possible to pre-book seats for a fee, but only the first row offers any value. All 32 rows are arranged as 3-3 so there’s no option for couples wanting to pay for a combined aisle and window configuration.

Outbound (row 28):
We used the ‘night-before’ check in – something that I think Virgin first invented and really useful. So in the morning we already had boarding passes. Gatwick security seems to have improved and we were through quite quickly.

Legroom was acceptable for a charter flight, seat width was a little tight.

All food and drinks were chargeable. Prior to trolley service, the flight attendants walked the aisle and asked if anyone wanted to order a hot panini. We ordered one. The trolley service commenced but it was another hour before the panini arrived; by that time many passengers who had ordered the same were complaining.

There was a permanent line for the bathroom throughout the flight. The rear section had two bathrooms.

Upon (early) arrival, passengers were disembarked by the front and rear doors onto a bus. Passport control was quite fast as was baggage delivery.

Inbound (row 2):

Check in was a little slow, although there were five desks available. Security and passport control were reasonably fast. Only one cafe and one shop after passport control and no lounge evident.

A bus delivered passengers to the aircraft. Boarding was by the front and rear stairs.

Prior to departure, the crew walked through the cabin spraying insecticide. Passengers were assured that this was harmless. I’ve never seen this happen before, even when returning from Asia. I’m guessing that one spray won’t harm anyone, but I wonder what cumulative effect this has on the crew. Something for their union to consider. Still anything that kills bugs is a plus.

All food and drinks were chargeable. This time there wasn’t a question about hot paninis and we didn’t ask for one after the outbound experience. We’d also purchased some really good quality sandwiches from the cafe just near the departure gate. As this was the return, I could see that many passengers were hoping to use their left-over Euros for on-board purchases. This was possible, but the smallest denomination accepted was a 1 Euro coin. I saw one person’s purchase converted to EUR6.03 and they had to pay 7 Euros. The exchange rate didn’t look to good either. We used sterling for drinks.

There was one bathroom at the front and this wasn’t very busy – not sure why the outbound rear bathrooms were so busy.

On arrival, passengers disembarked via the front door and an air bridge. I’d recommend assistance for elderly passengers as we walked over a kilometre to passport control. Baggage arrived reasonably quickly.

Overall, not a bad experience – although my expectations weren’t high to begin with.

egyptisthebest flew Thomson Airways Short/medium-haul, on a B737-800 (27/01/2013 12:13)

We flew from cardiff airport and had to make an emergency landing in gatwick airport due to a technical fault with the plane after 5 hour wait with only £5 voucher we made our flight to Egypt

JoeBrag flew Thomson Airways Short/medium-haul, on a B737-800 (06/10/2012 16:50)

Flew on G-FDZU and G-FDZY from East Midlands to Sharm and back respectively. The service was impeccable as always and food was adequate for the flight. Overall 9/10 and no complaints at all!

VinceJackson flew Thomson Airways Short/medium-haul, on a B737-800 (18/08/2012 13:21)

Flew Thomson again July 30th to ZTH and returned on the 6 August, on 737-800 'ZB' this is well over the 60th time I've flown Thomson (inc Britannia from 1969) and all I can say is the standards are as high as ever, ableit some cost savings have been made, food and IFE for example, but what airline hasn't?

Check in both ends very easy, smooth and quick, boarding fairly relaxed unlike LCC bunfights when the gate opens. Seats on NG B737 are comfy and certainly more leg room than all other charter or LCC. The aircraft was clean and fresh and the cabin crew were attentive and helpful.

Purchased on board food and drink (Pizza, Chips and a Tea) cost no more than I would have paid in terminal and was quite tasty.

Flight uneventful and 1st officer regularly updated passengers on route and likely views.

As I have mentioned above I have flown with this company since 1969 (1st Boeing 737 operator in the UK on G-AVRN) but not exclusively so I have experienced other Schedule and Charter operators and apart from BA I have not used anyone who can compete with Thomson on all aspects of a trip.

Long haul or short haul I cannot fault them and you don't become the biggest or oldest charter company despite all what has happened over the years with many falling by the wayside, but Thomson, just keep going.

Already Booked Mexico next year and fingers crossed it'll be on the Boeing 787 again another first for Thomson!

JoshTilbrook flew Thomson Airways Short/medium-haul, on a B737-800 (08/07/2012 06:47)

Thomson airways short-haul no longer have ANY on-board entertainment!!!! A very boring flight. I had plenty of leg room but I only 5ft5 so has never been a problem for me!!! Food and drink very expensive on board so buy before you get on.

flyingsam flew Thomson Airways Short/medium-haul, on a B737-800 (03/04/2012 13:20)

We flew doncaster (DSA) to Sharm el sheikh (SSH)

mikebrown8488 flew Thomson Airways Short/medium-haul, on a B737-800 (09/03/2012 15:00)

Flight to Egypt. Very cramped cabin, and Thomson has withdrawn all entertainment on these flights. Food cold, and the aircraft ran out of water, so no hot drinks!!

thomson???? flew Thomson Airways Short/medium-haul, on a B737-800 (06/02/2012 18:11)

As others have said on here boarding was a free for all, in the past they have called row numbers but not this time.

The flight attendants spent that much time selling that you could'nt get to the toilets because of the trollies.

The worst thing about the return flight from Las Palmas Gran Caneria was the check-in, for some reason they tried to check 6 flights in at the same time through 7 desks, so when you did eventually get to the front of the queue (after queuing for 75 minutes) people were then pushed in front by the staff because thier flights were boarding.

The seats are not too bad but we pre-booked extra leg room having flown with them before and knowing how bad the normal leg room is.

andymgriffin flew Thomson Airways Short/medium-haul, on a B737-800 (30/10/2011 09:20)

Pleasantly surprised.

I'm 6' 4" and I managed quite easily to sit comfortably with my legs stretched out under seat in front.

I was amazed to be honest. Don't have any complaints about the flight both outbound and inbound. Food was also good, and no need to buy headphones for TV as normal mobile headphones fit the socket.

All in all very good. Both journeys also on time.

jacewiczkevin40 flew Thomson Airways Short/medium-haul, on a B737-800 (21/10/2011 13:35)

When it came to boarding I thought it was handled in a very bad way, everyone just stormed pushing past and pushing over little children to get to board first (although everyone had assigned seats), Thomson should start boarding by rows, for example rows 1-15 first then the rest.

As we boarded the Thomson 737 interior immediately stands out with the lovely leather seats. The cabin crew were very friendly and smiling.

I sat in seat 6A which impressed me with the legroom, the 737 seats had at least 50% more legroom than their competitors at Airbus such as the A319 and A320.

About 15/20 minutes after takeoff the cabin crew came around with meals for the people who pre-booked them, I was confused when the cabin manager (who was giving out the meals) gave meals to people in rows before me, and then missed me out, and went straight back to row 26, I couldn't quite see why when the meals are all the same. But anyway, the meals were very nice but I would expect something much better for the amount that they cost.

Half way into the flight cabin crew offerred us duty free, which consisted of a very good selection considering we were flying short-haul, you could even compare it to some large airlines duty free collections.

Landing at Ibiza on RWY 06 was very smooth by the two Captains, and disembarking was prompt and proffessional. I liked how a member of the cabin crew stood outside on the air stairs saying goodbye to you as well as the member of cabin crew inside.

Overall it was a great flight and I give it 8/10.

bobcaz2001 flew Thomson Airways Short/medium-haul, on a B737-800 (19/09/2011 07:22)

SHAUNking flew Thomson Airways Short/medium-haul, on a B737-800 (01/09/2011 18:37)

EXCELLENT SERVICE FROM START TO FINISH. CABIN STAFF VERY GOOD, FLIGHT MEAL NOT TO GOOD.
BOOKED EXTRA LEG ROOM WELL WORTH THE £50
WILL USE THOMSON NEXT YEAR FROM BOURNEMOUTH

mutmit07 flew Thomson Airways Short/medium-haul, on a B737-800 (04/08/2011 19:39)

I travel with Thompson airways on a yearly basis as I book my holidays through their sister company, first choice!

We usually go in and around europe, so a flight no longer than 5 hours! so short haul!
when you get onto the plane, the cabin crew are extremly friendly and take you to your seat if needed, they are great with kids, sitting them towards the front of the plane to make toilet trips easy, and also so kids dont get blocked by the trolley when needing to go to the toilet.

During the short haul flights there are overhead luggage stores, for good storage room, also there is up to a 26" leg room, as standard, the most i have had is a 35", but we sat at the very front of the plane as allocated, we diddnt have to pay any extra!

There are overhead TV's to every 5 rows of seats, hard to see in some circumstances, but find the right position to sit in and seeing will be easy. Sleeping is hard, as the seats do go back, but only a little and when they go back the people behind dont have much room and sometimes complain!

As for entertainment, there are in seat radios and a movie on each way, after the movie a TV show such as friends or the simpsons comes on for the remainder of the flight! great entertainment.

As for safety, for fifteen minutes before you take off the cabin crew go through safety to a vigourous extent, and they show a rather funny video of kids showing safety procedures, the aim of this is to entertain people, and make the safety regulations stick in your head, also there are safety leaflets in the seat compartment of the back of the seat in front of you.

Food is good, great for the price, and considering the conditions, the food and drinks form the cart are great, bit pricey but what do you expect! also the shop, you will find a catalog in the seat wallet which takes advantage of non tax items and exchange rates!

Staff are so friendly and do a great job, great with kids!!!

Only ever one problem, four toilets, only two were working after being blocked, which meant having to go to the back!!! but not to problematic!!!

Great flight, I reccomend. people who rate them bad must have had a very bad experience!!! or are just very hard to impress! its not the Hilton in the sky, but definetly not far off!

bazzsmith flew Thomson Airways Short/medium-haul, on a B737-800 (19/09/2010 10:50)

Hi, as a family of four we went to Gran Canaria from Luton on 30th August for a week. When we checked in i asked what plane it was and when they told me it was a Boeing 737-800. Being over 6'2" i thought i would be in for a uncomfortable flight but was really surprised with how much room there was. The crew in and outbound were 1st class and apart from some numpty having a fag in the toilet on the way out, the flights were excellent. Thomson Airways.......consider yourself recommended. The Smiths

connorclusker flew Thomson Airways Short/medium-haul, on a B737-800 (28/08/2010 23:44)

Hey guys : )

We flew out from London Gatwick (LGW) to Sharm el sheikh with Thomson airways for a week. We flew out on a B737-800 which was very roomy. The flight was half full which was a bonus! At the Airport we paid that little extra for more leg space and we were seated at the very front behind the front galley. And to be honest what a disappointment. It was basically a wall blocking you from the crew which left you unable to stretch your legs. As the flight was half full we were able to move around the cabin and sit with friends. our friends were in the down behind us and to be honest they had more leg room than us and we paid for extra! The crew were extremely friendly and offered us food and drink and duty free regularly. Boarding was swift and quick and we will definitely be flying with Thomson again!!