This may have been done to death in other topics but anyway ... since Easyjet seem to have stupidly cancelled the Luton flight I was wondering what people's recommendations were for flights to England are these days?

Generally looking at flights to South East but anywhere south acceptable really.

Was thinking Aegean to Heathrow ... Comments on that one anyone service/prices etc.?

I couldn't give you any sensible answer to your question but kindly refrain from using any sort of reference to Heathrow(-up).

I've been to a lot of airports worldwide but this Hea... Hea... (see, I can't even write it down anymore) is definitely in the top three of worst experiences ever (and not just one time either! )

Oh dear Ian. Well do elaborate come on! Don't pull your punches. Haven't flown from Heathrow for years ... since the good old days of flying really. What will now be looked on as the golden age of flying. So have no idea what has happened to the place. The last time I flew out of there was in 2006 a couple of weeks before the fateful August 2006 when all security arrangments were changed worldwide overnight..

So maybe I should really look at Easyjet - Gatwick then?

There’s a website detailing flights between UK and Crete including all flights via Athens.

http://travel.creteforyou.com/scheduled ... via-Athens

It also shows internal flights between various UK airports. Until March 10 there’s a link up between Aegean, flying into Heathrow, with BMI connections to five UK destinations and Dublin. There’s a bit more detail in the news archive here [unfortunately the special offer cheap flights have ended]:

http://travel.creteforyou.com/news1.html

Domino

Out of season all flights seem to be via Athens. coming from the north of England Olympic did us no favours they cancelled the Manchester Athens route following their privatisation so we have to make two flight changes now from my experience last Nov & this March Manchester to Rhodes by KLM via Amsterdam & Athens was the cheapest way. There have been previous comments about KLM and the service provided but I personally found them to be ok. from the south though you should have more choice as you have both Heathrow & Gatwick to choose from

Hmmph. Really cheesed off that Aegean changed their Stansted flights to Heathrow. Stansted was handy for Suffolk. But the service was good, more leg room than easy jet, and if you booked early, as cheap, too. Terrible food though- worst food I've ever had on a scheduled flight! Pretend its easy jet and take sandwiches

Papou: when you're in Amsterdam, please can you look for my suitcase as it's still missing, one month on?

Olympic into Gatwick or Heathrow is very good. All brand new planes and service good since Marfin bought them from the Government. And prices are comparable to EasyJet. btw. My experience of T5 with BA at Heathrow has been consistently good from many destinations.

I fly with Aegean once or twice a month. They seem ok. I used to use BA (who I like) , but the Aegean flights are cheaper. I don't (didn't) like Olympic, but haven't tried them under new management.

Different airlines seem to attract different types/ class of customers. So I can't see Olympic changing unless the customer base is different to what it used to be.

Never tried Easyjet, but I am sure its beneath me to race for a seat rather than being civilised about things.

I try to use Easy jet all the time … as the chances of getting a seat next to my wife is minimal.

In fact when we checked in the attendant said for an extra fee she would guarantee we could sit together, I told her I normally pay extra to guarantee we don’t.

And did I tell you all that our 30kg suitcase was lost by KLM?

And one month later they still haven't spoken to me or responded to my emails and messages!

And didn't I tell you a while ago that this is policy? Schiphol Airport and KLM insist that there is no problem. It is us, stupid travelers who insist on taking bagage with us. So it is your own fault.

By the way, they arrested another 10 bagage handlers on Schiphol a few weeks ago after someone thought of the possibility of looking at the security cameras in the complex. And yes, people were caught red handed. This was after someone from the UK filed a complaint in London!
And this is the second time a a short period:
http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/thieving-luggage-handlers-dutch-airport

Hi All

I fly with easyjet every week...yes every week! I go from Thessaloniki to Gatwick ....
The prices are the cheapest and they also fly to Athens. They stopped flying from Luton (nearer my town) because of the airport charges to the company they supposedly refused to pay the increase etc.

With regards to ' on your marks..get set..run to the plane for a seat' well one has to be an experienced easyjet flier to obtain the best seat on the plane... a few tips;

If you are only taking a hold bag you are designated a number 2 if you have luggage you get a number 1.....after the babies and speedy boarders are alighted (not many) Number 2's go first, number 1's to follow...So you have to be seated very near the entry point, when you notice the attendants taking positions or walking toward the desk you casually get up and sidle towards the desk. There you stand solid only allowing the mothers and babies, speedy boarders to push through you. Then you are in prime position to go first. Now this is the important part...once on the coach on the tarmac stand fast by the front door on the same side you got on the coach, from this position you can alight at the back of the plane (no one goes to the back stairs!) you then walk at very fast speed and double step the stairs with your boarding pass in hand!! no time to fumble at this point! push pass the steward and take the window seat in the emergency exit mid plane, make sure it is the nearest one to the front or they will run out of sarnies before they get to you! With regards to getting off once landed, take your time and wait for everyone to get off the plane as by the time you leave your luggage may just have been put on the truck!

All in all they are a 'no frills' cheap service that deliver the goods!

Or you can do what I have seen Stelios do which is to get on last and just take whatever seat is left . . .

He also paid for his coffee!

Aah bless! Did he really?? Yes well I think all of this is very useful information... am glad I started this thread. And to think I never would have done if Stelios hadn't cancelled Luton

Anyway still being among the family boarding thing have not really had an issue with running for seats but will do soon no doubt.

It's neck and neck at the moment Aegean or Easyjet ...still can't decide because of faffing for various reasons there is now no time advantage to the Aegean flight.

And of course have been totally put off KLM by what has been posted here. Besides who wants to do transit lounge with 2 young kids?? BA sorry wish this was NOT the year when Orthodox Easter coincided with Catholic would have made for a lot of savings all-round but not taking risk of them threatening strike action.

Olympic hmm...