Hi Darren,

I haven't flown long haul with Thomson before, and we're thinking of going with them to Cuba later in the year. I'd like to upgrade to Premium, but I read a review somewhere stating that the seats in Premium are very hard : is that correct do you know? I also read a couple of reports that the service wasn't any better in Premium than it is in economy. I'm not so worried about the service, but I really can't stand hard seats! Any information you have on them would be much appreciated.

Thanks very much in advance

Strawberry

P.S. I have posted on the Cuba forum regarding accommodation : when you have the chance could you take a look, please? Thanks.

Strawberry7,

The premium seats are no harder than the economy seats providing the air cussion is inflated. It's subjective though. The service may not be quite what is was, but the service is still excellent. It's normally excellent in economy too. You aren't paying for the service though, you've paying for the extra seat pitch etc.

Darren

Hi Darren,

I must admit, it would seem strange if the Premium seats were harder than those in economy, but I just wanted to verify it with you.

Thank you.

Strawberry

Hello Darren,
Could you please confirm which aircrafts will be operating the TOM022 and TOM023 Cancun on the 31st July from LGW? And the return 2 weeks later? I have booked seats 8 A,B in the premium cabin. Do these seats have windows? As i am in premium do i get priority boarding?

Best regards

It will be an ex-first choice aircraft. Glasgow and Birmingham long haul flights are the only ones which have the Thomsonfly 767 operating this summer.

Row 8 does have windows and you will get priority boarding(both flights) and disembarking(cancun only) It is only row 9 on V2 767's that has no window.

Hi Darren,
Thank you very much for the speedy reply. Is there much difference in the Thomson and ex first choice aircraft? I know the premium section is larger in the ex first choice but wondered if there are any other differences? Are the ex first choice still in first choice livery or have they been re-painted? Do you know where my aircraft operates beforehand?

Best regards

lutonmale28,

It was BY-TOM-AMM-FCA that replied, not me! There are slight differences between the two. For example, the tray tables on the ex-FCA fold out of the arm rest rather than being seat back, there's mood lighting on the ex-FCA and of course the cabin is bigger. The ex-TOM have 37" seat pitch rather than 36". Your aircraft comes in from Sanford (TOM046/7) normally, Montego Bay (TOM024/5) occasionally. You'll find extensive aircraft information on our What Aircraft? guide (link below)

Darren

The premium seats can be harder if the air cushion isnt inflated or has broken

Hi, Darren - sorry if this has been asked/answered but I can't see it on the thread...

We're on flight TOM 0584 from Glasgow to Sanford on 26th June.
I know its a 767 from your other posts, but not sure if its the Thomsonfly or First Choice config ?

Online seat reservations suggest its FCA (2-3-2) but info elsewhere suggests Glasgow flights are likely to use the "more cramped" 2-4-2 setup ?

Appreciated !

Dave

DaveGillen,

GLA-SFB-GLA (TOM584/5) is an additional summer flight that only opertes between 19th June and 31st July. Most long haul flights out of GLA are operated by a former Thomsonfly Boeing 767-304/ER (283 seats, long haul, winglets), normally G-OBYD. If online seat reservation is showing 2-3-2 in the economy cabin, this additional flight is operated by an ex-FCA. I can't check for definate as the flights aren't operating until next week.

Darren

I forgot about those flights, Thomson have suspended the Bristol-Sanford flight for a few weeks and using the aircraft that day to operate the Glasgow-Sanford. It will definately be an ex-First Choice 767. Your flight will position(fly empty) from Newcastle that morning after operating TOM677/8 NCL-PUJ-NCL(should you want to keep an eye on any delays)

Thanks, both !

Hi

[i]Re:The premium seats can be harder if the air cushion isnt inflated

How can these seats be inflated?

thanks

jonboy

jonboywirral,

It's the way they are designed and can be adjusted.

Darren

I haven't come across any of the air cushions work on the 767's anymore, not come across a working one since probably 2008. Obviously I havent sat in every premium seat on every aircraft, but have sat in quite a few on my travels/work.

Hi Darren,

After reading some of the comments on here, and searching on the web too, it does seem that the Premium seats on Thomson airlines are often very hard - and a little on the narrow side. I looked at the standard seats, but they have poor reviews too. Most reviewers said the seats were narrow and that even when booking a bulkhead seat they often had to stick their leg out into the aisle due to it being cramped. Of course, I could book the emergency exit seats, but they've already been taken for the week we want to fly out (they're not showing up on the booking form)

I have flown Thomson before, but that's only ever been short haul. I've only ever flown schedule long haul, and I'm not sure I could cope with a hard seat for 10 hours. I've searched around but there doesn't seem to be any scheduled flights to the airport I'm going to in Cuba - it seems to be just Thomson and Thomas Cook. I have flown Thomas Cook before (again, just short haul) and I thought their seats were very on the narrow side (and I'm of average size) Thomas Cook don't appear to do seat upgrades, so I was just wondering if you know what aircraft Thomas Cook use for long haul, and what the seat pitch/comfort etc is like?

If Thomson could guarantee me a comfortable seat in Premium that would be fantastic, but that's not going to happen. And I just couldn't bear being sat in a hard seat for 10 hours.

Strawberry

I think your worrying needlessly, the premium seats are in no way hard and are very comfy I've spent hours sat in both premium and economy on Thomsons long haul fleet and there is nothing to worry about far comfier than virgins economy and premium And way way better than BA's offerings. Tcx I've only used once and it was ok but I
Found the seats very narrow in economy.

Strawberry.

Sometimes you just have to take the plunge. People like to moan so you will read bad reviews as someone who is a moaner or has a bad experience are likely to tell ten to fifteen people about it but someone who has had a great service will only tell three or four. I have travelled on both first choice and thomson premium longhaul many many times and would never travel in standard seats. Im of average size and have had no problems fitting into seats. I prefer the first choice aircraft as seat reclines more and prfer the remote for the entertainment instead of someone punching the back of your seat! Lol. But both are good. Think of all the forums that are about with people complaining thomas cook have stopped premium and can't garuntee the seat on the way out and people saying they hope thomson don't do the same. If you have the money and would like it, go for it. I have been on thomas cook also and I would never do it again no matter what the price was, again just look at forums... Thomson wins! Let us know what you decide.

Graeme

Strawberry,

I agree with Graeme235. I have flown Thomson and Thomas Cook premium long-haul and the Thomson offering (B767) won hands-down compared with the discontinued Thomas Cook A330 premium product. It is certainly miles better than the BA economy long-haul that I flew last year and on a par for seat comfort with Icelandair Business. Whichever you opt for, there is no denying that you will be in the seat a long time and thus will feel some sort of discomfort in your 10 hours (or whatever) each way, but hopefully the brilliant holiday is worth it and you will know that by taking the Premium service you have maximised your comfort and are better off (except financially) than those sitting behind you!

My own holiday in Cuba was wonderful - please don't forego the experience by being unduly worried about the seat comfort!

Paul