Hi, Have a look under the topic "Are Balkan up to their old tricks again, this will show you the changes, I believe it is only going out, you visit Glasgow, on the return the plane touches down at Gatwick first. How close to Gatwick are you, because the Stanstead flight goes direct, but you call into Exeter on way home. Are you close to Luton, you could get a wizzair flight and book Hotel only. Cheers Tonyt.

Thanks Tony. Balkan have advised that in my case it will be six hours both there and back, although as you say, if I go from Stansted (which wouldn't be a problem as I'm near Dartford Tunnel in SE London) it is straight there but still 5 hours coming back. And if we get delayed at Exeter who knows how long it would be, which I can see happening knowing my luck. I just can't face it. Can't stand being on the plane as it is without the added anxiety.

Hi whistler-alison,

Looking at the currently available arrivals/departures at Burgas airport for Gatwick First Choice flights (FCA366 & FCA812 to Burgas; FCA367 & FCA813 from Burgas), for June/July/August there are no 'vias' shown, (which is the case with many of the Balkan Holidays Air flights, as you've discovered).

Baldur

Thanks Baldur. That's the flights I was looking at with regard to booking instead. I did a search on this forum and couldn't see any reports of vias happening in the past with First Choice. So I think I am going to go with them. I'm so hopping mad about it

Hi, Thomas Cook also have direct flights from Gatwick on Monday's. Tonyt

I fly from Manchester but always find Thompson the cheapest

We have been to Bulgaria with Balkan 3 times over the last few years. There was only one holiday (the first one) when they didn't change either the accommodation or the flights. I decided never again with Balkan although you get a much better choice of resorts and we like to go off the beaten track a bit. Will be going with Portland direct (Thomson) next time as I have never had any problems with them. Will be flying from Birmingham, staying in Ozbor. Balkan customer service is minimal to say the least!

Regards

Yvonne

Hi - thanks everyone for their kind advice. I've booked up with First Choice and have only paid £26 more than I was paying Balkan for the same hotel. Flights are a bit better too going out! Would rather not have had the hassle but I'm starting to get over it now

I flew with First Choice last year and had no problems.

Thanks, Adam. When I spoke to First Choice before I booked it she said that there were just 4 seats left on the plane. Assuming that she was correct, I now have two of them, so if they want to pick anyone else up around the country they will probably have to sit on the wing so fingers crossed all will be fine.

hi whistler, i flew too varna airport with balken in 06 from manchester and about 6 weeks before we went were informed by balken we were to stop off at newcastle to drop off and pick up and same on way back, very unimperessed, last year we went to varna with first choice and had direct flight, no probs at all. i also thought balken pilots were a bit kamakazi, ie accelerating turning the corner before taxing down runway, and the balken trolly dollys were real miserable so n so's. its a shame but it only seems like balken are flying to varna this year, for what ever reason

LOL - I thought that about the Balkan pilots too when they were landed at Bourgas in a cranky Tupolov plane. It felt like they were waving their wings as we were landing like they were excited to be coming home. It was like being on the Dambusters raid. I was pooping myself! That was just the first time though. Every other time seemed OK.