Hi, I wonder if you can help a newbie??? (and nervous flyer!!!)

Me and my family fly out to Sanford from Manchester on 5th August 2010 - TCX044K, returning 19th August 2010 - TCX044L. I wonder if you could give me any information on the aircraft i will be flying on like seat pitch, in-flight entertainment...I don't even know if there's seatback IFE! It says something about Airbus A330 but having looked around here that doesn't seem to necessarily mean its going to to have seatback entertainment etc, etc. Also, if there is entertainment then where can i find info on films etc that are available?

Thank you!!

rach0203,

Welcome onboard
MAN-SFB-MAN (TCX044K/L) are operated by an Airbus A330-300 (OY-VKI). This aircraft only has 29" seat pitch and no seat back IFE, screens are located over the isles. This is a change from the usual long haul Airbus A330-200. You'll find further aircraft information on our What Aircraft? guide (link below). You'll find the IFE listing linked from the What Aircraft? guide.

Darren

Hi Darren...

Thanks for that!! BUT I am now mega confused and more than a little concerned...I've read the What Aircraft Guide and it says Long Haul is A330-200. Configuration: Economy 3-3-3 (rear 5 rows 2-3-2) with 33" seat pitch, Premium Economy 2-3-2 with 35" seat pitch. Seat back IFE throughout.

On the seat plan they've sent and on the booking bit where I've booked my seats online then the cabin looks exactly as above - whereas the same aircraft for short haul is laid out differently???? with 7 rows of 2-3-2 at the rear as opposed to 5???

I am so confused!!!! Surely it is classed as long-haul as it is over 7 hours and there is only the one A330 indicated on the What aircraft guide on long haul?

Forgive me if I'm being thick?

Cheers

rach0203,

You aren't being thick, don't worry and it's also confusing. As I mentioned above, your aircraft has been changed from the usual long haul A330-200, to a higher density Airbus A330-300. It's a slightly larger aircraft, leased from sister airline Thomas Cook Scandanavia for the summer that isn't in TCX's long haul configuration. You'll find the aircraft details for the A330-300 under the short haul section for Thomas Cook on the What Aircraft? guide. I suspect they've changed it for the school holidays, but don't quote me on that. Thomas Cook have been using what are now classed as short haul configured aircraft on selected long haul flights. Some are for operational reasons. You're just unlucky that your flights are some of the ones that won't be operated by a long haul configured aircraft.

Darren

Hi, We are flying from Glasgow-Sanford on the 30th April, flight no-TCX324 and returning on the 14th May TCX927.
Could you tell me if it's the normal long haul plane? By that I mean 33" leg room etc.
Thanks Mark.

Hi all,

just another Q if i may beg your indulgance!

we are leaving Sunday morning on flight TCx80K - Gatwick to Sanford, is there any way i can tell what the preceeding flght is? (ie where its coming from) - also is there a history of their flight times to be able to see if there is a chance of a delay?

I've booked food on-board (kids were moaning for it so i relented!!!) will checkin confirm that the meals have been booked?

and finally .... ive done online checkin ---- I assume i can goto bag drop??

tia

chappo

mark_26,

would that be 2011? It's a little early to know exact aircraft assigned! I would assume a normal long haul by then.

Darren

Hi Darren

Thank you - that explains it a little more - having said that - I really had a panic earlier and phoned Thomas Cook who assured me that they are required to inform me if my plane has been changed from the 33" seat pitch long-haul one to the shorter one and the womann I spoke to confirmed that they have not done that so she says it is definitely the long-haul configuration (which does make sense with the online seat booking which follows the long-haul configuration and I cant see how they could let you do that online if its gonna change when you get to airport??)

My question is this...you obviously know what you're talking about...Thomas Cook want me on an airplane regardless - how likely is it that they are telling me the truth and it is the long haul configuration...or are they going to either a) Miraculously tell me in the next couple of days that the plane has changed or b) let me get to Manchester and then give me the bad news???

I know it sounds daft to be so worried about seat pitch etc but, as a nervous flyer, being crammed into the thing is gonna panic me to hell. Plus that poor hubby of mine is over 6ft and would be super-squashed!!

Thanks for everything

pchappo,

It operates TCX098K/L (Sanford) before yours normally. Past performance is not really an indication of possible delays. They can happen for any number of reasons and doesn't necassarily mean the flight on your dates will or won't suffer from a delay. Meals should be confirmed on your booking confirmation. You can ask at check-in, but that'll only be the same as on your confirmation. Once you've check-in online, just drop your bags at the assigned bag drop off desk then you can go through security.

Darren

rach0203,

I've checked the dates, and the information I have on my screen clearly state the aircraft is operated with 29" seat pitch and no seat back IFE, ie the A330-300 (OY-VKI). It is presently operated by the usual long haul A332, but the information I have shows it changes for selective dates. I've been across the pond many times on aircraft with 29/30" seat pitch and it's not as bad as you imagine, but 33" is obviously roomier and more comfortable on a 10 hour flight.

Darren

Thank you Darren

I don't know what to do now re: Thomas Cook because I don't just want them to fob me off. Can you help clarify? I mean - I'm trying to convince them that I have alternative information but I'm hard pushed arguing - IS the info you have freely available (or how do I tell them I know) and is it something I cn argue with them on???

I know - I'm a pain...

rach0203,

You can only go off the information Thomas Cook are giving you. There are two flights that day; TCX044K/L and TCX085K/L. It could be the 85 is now on the A333, so if you're on the 44, that may be back to the usual A332.

Darren

rach0203

Do you have your tickets yet, if so if you could post the long code underneath your name and address that begins with G-TCX/ this should give us a bit more info.

Hi Darren - thank you!! Have spoken to Thomas Cook who again state is A332. They say there are unlikely to be changes and when I asked about the plane on the alternative code TCX085K - they say that is the A333 so maybe that could explain that?

Thanks BEfreeTODAY...that code on my tickets is G-TCX/AG-TCX-NOIFE
Does that help me?

God - I am such a drama queen - airplanes scare the heck out of me so I need to be sure about the seat pitch...
(Now off to read the fear of flying section for tips )

THANKS

rach0203

From the code its possible to tell that what Thomas Cook are saying is correct and it will be a A332 if it was the A333 or short haul 332 it would say to the effect of Ex Canada or Ex Scan

BEfreeTODAY...THANK YOU!!! That's mega news!

rach0203,

All sorted then Have a great holiday

Darren

Dazbo HT Mod wrote:

rach0203,

You can only go off the information Thomas Cook are giving you. There are two flights that day; TCX044K/L and TCX085K/L. It could be the 85 is now on the A333, so if you're on the 44, that may be back to the usual A332.

Darren

85k is on the a333, 44k is the usual a330-200

Hello
I am travelling on TCX845 from Gatwick on 5th August at 14:35 returning Halifax to Gatwick on TCX 82 L on the 12th August.
Is there anyway of finding out a) whether this has IFE personal screens
and b) is it possible to find out what will be shown on the flights?
We are travelling with a large group who need to be entertained throughout so wouldnt mind passing on the info if anyone could help.
Thanks very much for all your help
Lou