Small Planet Airlines Discussion

07 June 2013 09:06:00 tezzer

i have read bad things about small planet , but having just had 2 very good flights with them i have changed my mind, very good safe flights plenty of legroom and good staff, if you want top service pay top doller and go with virgin, mancherster to preveza and return, on hire to olympic holidays who also were very good,

07 June 2013 09:06:00 Guest

I fear for you to be honest if you could get your money back now and re book elsewhere I would urge you to do so unlike us your in control of your destiny Guest : due to fly to larnaca with these on saturday 15th june from Gatwick never used olympic or small planet before does anyone have a good word to say about either.........

07 June 2013 09:06:00 Guest

Rang to confirm our pick up and the lady said to me phone back as far as she was concerned that flight back to gatwick was cancelled ? Still in limbo be prepared for a long day and night on Sunday Guest : Guest : Guest : where did you hear this from? I'm booked on that flight and haven't heard anything. Just spoke with Olympic Holidays who are not aware!!

07 June 2013 08:06:00 Guest

due to fly to larnaca with these on saturday 15th june from Gatwick never used olympic or small planet before does anyone have a good word to say about either.........

07 June 2013 05:06:00 Guest

Sincerely hoping they get their act together for upcoming flights, including those to Las Palmas. Flying out there in 3 weeks and am struggling to look forward to the holiday.

07 June 2013 04:06:00 Guest

Guest : Guest : where did you hear this from? I'm booked on that flight and haven't heard anything. Just spoke with Olympic Holidays who are not aware!!

07 June 2013 04:06:00 Guest

Guest : where did you hear this from? I'm booked on that flight and haven't heard anything Is anyone traveling to gatwick on Sunday 9th June heard our flight has been cancelled ?

07 June 2013 02:06:00 Guest

Is anyone traveling to gatwick on Sunday 9th June heard our flight has been cancelled ?

07 June 2013 01:06:00 Guest

I urge everybody to contact BBC s watchdog, let's try and get these cowboys accountable for the misery they are causing

06 June 2013 10:06:00 Guest

Anyone who is supposed to be flying small planet from Birmingham to Larnaca get ready for a surprise on the 8th of June. The flight is cancelled. We are all being bussed up to Manchester and are now flying to Phaphos via Thomas Cook. Small planet are dragging Olympic holidays reputation through the mud.

06 June 2013 09:06:00 Guest

I have made a claim for compensation covering a flight that goes back to July 2012. As expected, Small Planet sends an auto reply stating that you will get a personal response within 2 working days. Well, all I can say is that they must work extremely long days, because I get nothing back. All communication is ignored. Enough is enough. I suggest you all write to Watchdog and air your complaints, as I have just done. This isn't just about delays and bad service. It's about lies, wrecking peoples holidays and safety. How good are their planes if they are delayed every day be technical issues. The only way we're going to stop other people going through this is if we get some decent media coverage and force holiday companies to stop using them. Please go to ssl.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mg74/contac... and stop the misery.

05 June 2013 02:06:00 Guest

Hi all, We were on the 26th May '13 Gatwick to Gran Canaria flight and return on the 2nd June (on the same dodgy Ukranian plane mentioned below). Not much more I can add to what has been said below other that we wholeheartedly agree with everything said. Best description I can think of is "total farce" and this lot should not be allowed to operate out of the UK. Complain to whoever you booked your holiday / flights with, that's who should be giving you compensation. Also write to ABTA, ATOL, Civil Aviation Authority and the airport as they give out the slots. Try www.ec.europa.eu/passenger-rights. ec.europa.eu/transport/passenger-rights/... for info on your rights under EU law. Chris Martin

05 June 2013 01:06:00 Guest

Gran canaria flight fr om London gatwick 13.50 June 2nd !! The NIGHTMARE begins firstly delayed until 14.35 no problem at all with that.We all were called to the gate the plane was in view on the tarmac cases loaded ready to go or so it seemed we couldn't have been more wrong.At 1500 we were told there was no cabin crew available this changed after 15 minutes to no 1st officer at this time we were also told to leave the gate and return to the departure lounge.So arriving back there we were told by a airport working that a rep from small planet was coming to meet us all and explain the problem at 16.20 well ive got more chance of shitting in the queens handbag than that however at 17.25 after countless phone calls from passengers a swissair rep appeared and started dishing out £6 vouchers to everyone on the flight also he dished out sarcasm rudeness and no one was now in the mood to take grief off someone who clearly didn't give a monkeys about us !! 1730 came when we were promised another update this never came but at 1845 the police did because the rep now couldn't handle one lad who was clearly getting to him rather loudly !! Anyway the police seemed to get the ball rolling a bit as tensions were rising.More vouchers then appeared this time to the value of £10 a decision was promised at 10pm which we got about 9pm a night in the Hilton and a flight at 6am.Checked into the Hilton about 11pm and was up to check back in for the flight at 3.30am ouch !! On arriving back into the terminal the flight was delayed until 8am this time no plane no I ain't joking ! People now were tired and sick to death of the lies and * so descended on the desk at the departure lounge again !, same thing happened police called etc someone was about to explode there were young lads with family's who wouldn't have been out of order in lumping people quite frankly but seemed to keep cool considering the situation !! Now this is wh ere gatwicks terminal manager said enoughs enough and tried to sort something out for us which isn't really in his job description anyway miracles do happen we got a plane and a crew which was due to take some other poor people to Corfu at 950 we took off at 1015 and arrived to our destination 21 hours late god knows what happened to the Corfu lot please don't ever use this company you've got more chance on red rum winning the 2014 grand national !!

04 June 2013 03:06:00 Guest

Has anybody flown to Malta yet on the their new Saturday flights from Gatwick? These are new flights via Monarch for Summer 2013.

03 June 2013 06:06:00 Guest

So this is an update on Small Planet Airlines and their Summer operation in June 2013. My wife and I booked to go to Kefalonia, Greece via Monarch. A little later our four children (now adults) decided to tag along so we went to SkyScanner and booked four more tickets via Meridanfly. All looked okay and the flights left almost the same time. About £40 a ticket cheaper so made sense. We later found out that this was Small Planet Airlines which was no big worry until we starting reading on Trip Advisor some truly awful reports of horrifying delays. But, then most forums are like that. As a journalist I know people always report bad news. The weekend before our own trip of June 2 we checked out the flight from Gatwick to Kefalonia. It was not happy reading at all. A 13 hour delay. And, from the reports posted here, Twitter and Facebook, the company response was pathetic and non-existent. I posted a question to SPA to ask for some assurances that our trip, as much as anyone knows, would be free from these severe delays. I did get a response which was a generally honest and pragmatic explanation from the MD which I know is posted here. So fair enough. Small independent airline at the start of the season. Newer aeroplanes coming on line. Unfortunate, but a blip perhaps and assurances that matters were fixed. It's a fact of airline travel that all flights can be delayed. The early morning flight on Sunday June 2 was delayed from Gatwick for under an hour so we felt sort of relaxed about things and berated ourselves for worrying about Small Planet Airlines. On timeish, was good enough. Greece sunshine beckoned. Our children arrived at Kefalonia but not, as it turned out, on a Small Planet Airlines aeroplane but on one of the oldest Ukraine registered planes I have ever seen. Apparently the crew were not even SPA and spoke poor English. Then I started reading about the other flights the same day from Gatwick with Small Planet Airlines. It was like a rash. Rants, and rightly so, from passengers once again stranded at Gatwick for a 14 hour delay to Gran Canaria. Tweets, the like of which I have never seen before. And so on. Looking into this more it is clear that the stringent demands the CAA and EU put on aviation is doing its job. Small Planet Airlines, for now, have an old fleet which, rather like an old car, need constant work. As a result, and without the backup of a large fleet, delays are almost inevitable - and long ones too. So I had read and worried enough of this. All of our children have jobs which they need to be at next Monday and spread out across the UK. A 12 hour plus delay is not remotely palatable and nor should it be. So this morning have booked substitute flights on Monarch for the return trip. And thrown away the SPA ones to avoid a fiasco, which from all accounts, looks fairly on the cards. I note that this company was recently bought out by their management. They must be smarting right now as they face a salvo of EU claims from passengers. They must be running out of customer goodwill, even if that still exists. Pity that because I do try and support independent airlines. The big ones often seem faceless. But enough is enough. Probably best avoid from hereon in.

03 June 2013 02:06:00 Guest

PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS AIRLINE Caution when booking via Monarch! They do not communicate with their passengers, handling agents, or even senior airport staff. Ive been at gatwick 20 hours now and had no option to go home because my resort cant 100% gurantee my accomodation. Well worth paying the extra for a proper airline.

03 June 2013 10:06:00 Guest

Under no circumstances if you value your holiday or time off should you fly with this company. My sister was booked on the 1.50pm flight from London to Las Palmas. After an 8 hour delay they were told at 10pm that night that they were be put in a hotel for the night but would be on a 6am flight out. A 4am wake up call, and at the airport at 6am she was told they would be updated at 8am. She could have got out at 6am with another airline. She is now currently booking a flight with easyjet. There was a 12 hour flight last week with them also. We both fly to the Canaries 4 times a year but always with Easyjet/Ryan Air or Aer Lingus and have never had we any delay. The company do not know what they are doing. She only booked with Monarch as there was no one else flying on a Sunday. Next time, she will wait for Easyjet. They have serious management issues and if you value your time/holiday/sanity, do not travel with them.

03 June 2013 10:06:00 Guest

DO NOT BOOK WITH THIS COMPANY...they only have 8 planes and we have currently been delayed just shy of 18 hours and have no news! Booked brought monarch and lead to believe his was the company we was dealing with but this was not the case when our paperwork was received. BEWARE!

03 June 2013 12:06:00 Guest

NEVER NEVER NEVER ANYMORE!!! 16 hours delay, all that i can say! we should have taken off at 14h50 today, from lyon to rhodes! not any informations about this delay all the day long except " technical problem, you have to stay here at the airpot and get ready" it's 22h38 and we just get offered an hotel room for the "little night" since, the flight is now planned for tomorrow between 4 and 8 h ! but they re still unable to tell us the exact time ! it s just incredible !!! not any respect for the passengers, at least more informations should have been given ! moreover, the flight planned this morning at 6. was already 9 hours late when passengers from our flight arrived, so the company perfectly know that a long long long delay was planned for us! why not an hotel room at 19h 20H??? that's just crazy ! i don't recommand

02 June 2013 10:06:00 Guest

It all started one cold cold morning. we had woken up at 3 30 am to get a small planet airline flight. lets just say it wasnt great.l when we arrived at the airport we were told we had a 6 hour delay for some reason. WHY!!. anyway so the 6 hours passed and we were still waiting. A small army of people gathered around the desk shouting abuse. The man behind the desk replied. What kind of madness is this. The women replied. Madness, this is not madness.......THIS IS SMALL PLANET AIRLINES. she then turned to the crowd and shouted REMEMBER THIS THEY MAY TAKE OUR FLIGHTS BUT THEY WILL NEVER TAKE OUR FREEDOM. We then went to a nearby bar in the airport to drown our sorrows whilst watching the monaco gran prix. Unfortunatly louis hamilton collided into a corner taking him out of the race. This terrible tragedy could have been avoided if we had boarded our flight at the right time. on the bright side we were given £60 in tokens to spend on food as compensation for our 13 HOUR DELAY. After about 8 hours in the airport the staff changed at the info desk and a man who looked like an aging wolverine took the other mans place. He was no help at all and had alot of abuse shouted at him and was even refered to as kermit the frog. meanwhile people were getting widthdrawal symptoms from not having a ciggarette. Then it hit home.........the could have a full blown riot if they did not sort this out soon. people who were already going through a midlife crisis and had been drinking alcohol all day were turining into twisted creatures that no man should have to see. One very discruntled man demanded to see the managing direcrtor at gatwick airport. he didnt turn up. After this 13 hour delay there was no offer of free drinks on the flight and we arrived at our hotel at 2 am in kefalonia. Naturally we had some more alcohol and then went to bed. On the way back we were faced with abnother delay but only one hour this time. It was a chartered flight as small planet did not provide a flight. The crew were friendly but were russian so understood nothing we said. One of the hostesses looked like the mother out of the adams family- if you havent seen the adams family you have not lived. Anyway they were great and we got free HOT food and drink but no alcohol. if your still reading you would have realized i use quite colourful language but the main point is NEVER TRAVEL SMALL PLANET WE HAD A TOTAL OF 14 HOURS OF DELAY SO NEVER NEVER AGIAN . if you have read this far thankyou for your time

02 June 2013 07:06:00 tintysteph

Gran Canaria flight today 2nd June from Gatwick also delayed with no updates and no representative at airport, absolutely ridiculous service, 2.5hour delay already but mo updates available. Started off telling us cabin crew hadnt turned up and then went on to say no 1st officer, errr ok... looking forward to an update.... wont hold my breath for it coming any time soon though, sounds like we are in for a long wait!!

01 June 2013 11:06:00 Guest

Flew to and from Skiathos in Summer last year with Small Planet - never again! Had severe delays on the return flight, and the incoming passengers lost a day of their holiday. Our plane was awful. My wifes seatbelt was so short, she couldn't actually fasten it. Eventually, we got moved. Plane was tatty. We had to refuel at Volos. The cabin staff didn't bother to do a cabin check, the fasten seatbelt light was never switched on. I've written to them to claim compensation under the revised EU regulations. Got an email saying that I would get a personal reply within 2 days. That was 3 weeks ago, and reminders just get the same std "reply within 2 days", but they have just not bothered to respond. Now going to go through the small court. We did warn our holiday company (which is great - we've been with them for years) that if they used Small Planet again, we would not book with them. They've changed to Germania this year. My view of Small Planet - dirty planes, long unexplained delays, cabin staff who you can't understand, very very little legroom, safety procedures not adhered to, customer service lousy. Don't bother!

30 May 2013 10:05:00 Guest

Did you find any more info on this as I fly out as well on the 3rd from bhx. Jody : I just asked Small planet what date they start flying from Birmingham expecting end of may, I fly out on the 3rd June from there and they say its not till the 8th?! I don't know what to do!

29 May 2013 11:05:00 Guest

Olympic holidays have a lot to answer for to keep using small planet after their track record

29 May 2013 02:05:00 Guest

I dont know why Olympic Holidays continue to use this airline as they are disgraceful!

27 May 2013 02:05:00 Guest

Small planet sort your act out your putting reputable tour operators names down. All because you can run a decent programme bunch of crooks

26 May 2013 11:05:00 Guest

Second that!! Also waiting for the gran canaria flight with no information given, joined forces with the kefalonia pax at the information desk when the gran canaria flight "disappeared" from the departure screens and 1 rep for small planet turn up and ran away after 3 mins never to return again. Not impressed!

26 May 2013 08:05:00 Guest

on the 1350 gran canaria flight behind you and we've just been told they'll tell us what's going on at 2235... unbelievably bad customer service. Just want to know what's happening. ... Guest : 8 hour delay on the gatwick to kefalonia flight .... What is going on??? Can someone please inform us?!! We've paid a lot of money for this holiday only to ave it ruined by a long delay. Sort it out please ASAP.

26 May 2013 04:05:00 Guest

8 hour delay on the gatwick to kefalonia flight .... What is going on??? Can someone please inform us?!! We've paid a lot of money for this holiday only to ave it ruined by a long delay. Sort it out please ASAP.

24 May 2013 06:05:00 Jody

I just asked Small planet what date they start flying from Birmingham expecting end of may, I fly out on the 3rd June from there and they say its not till the 8th?! I don't know what to do!

24 May 2013 12:05:00 Guest

Leigh : We are flying from manchester to kos in july with small planet airlines ! Should we have any concerns ? We flew from Manchester to Crete last year with Small Planet with no problems at all. Older plane so it had more leg room. No fancy stuff like films but crew polite and pilot kept us informed. We are going with them again this year. You only hear of the problems and not about the many thousands of journeys that go OK

20 May 2013 10:05:00 Guest

Not a good experience when travelling 3 may 2013 from london gatwick to skiathos. delayed 1 hour 20 mins whilst the crew waited for "Menu Cards" so they knew how much to charge us for drinks etc. As we were told this was the first summer flight, one would have thought that being as they had had the whole winter they could have sorted the menu cards out!!!! The cabin crew consisted of 3 girls, who did speak english, but with heavy accents, and over the tannoy was incomprehensible to most passengers. They had to inspect each coin and note for its monetary value, and consequently spent nearly all of the flight working through the plane with the refreshment trolley. Not one word was uttered from the flight deck, I began to wonder if there was anybody there at one point, I suppose it was a stupid thought. Anyway we touched down safely about 1 hour late in the end, but I will think twice about using small planet again.

20 May 2013 07:05:00 Guest

I'm flying From bhx on 4 June with small planet when do there start flying from brum because they are not yet!!

17 May 2013 04:05:00 Guest

Guest : Our flight times have been changed three times in three weeks, fr om suitable times to terrible ones! I ahve never had to do this with other airlines, I don't understand the need to keep changing them! Where are you flying to and from?

16 May 2013 04:05:00 Guest

Our flight times have been changed three times in three weeks, from suitable times to terrible ones! I ahve never had to do this with other airlines, I don't understand the need to keep changing them!

14 May 2013 06:05:00 Guest

sue Kitchen : What is the hand luggage allowance ? Seems to be 5Kgs according to Small Planet Airline's own website

13 May 2013 10:05:00 ROBERT WILSON

MY FLIGHT RETURNING FROM CRETE ON 28 MAY 2013 HAS NOW BEEN CHANGED FRO1650 TO 2250 NO EXPLANATION WHY, NOT HAPPY!

13 May 2013 07:05:00 sue Kitchen

What is the hand luggage allowance ?

12 May 2013 08:05:00 Guest

when are you going look this up on the internet viking airlines torair small planets and soon green jet its all the same i worked for torair and small planets i left as i dident feel safe and i was the cabin manager its yet again a p wyat sham

12 May 2013 06:05:00 Guest

Small Planet Airlines : We will be serving the UK charter market with an upgraded product for summer 2013 and beyond. This upgrade encompasses a younger fleet of A320s, UK cabin crews, fully branded SPA product, among other modifications since 2012. Our fleet transition from older 737-300s to younger A320s is a big step for us at Small Planet Airlines and will significantly improve our reliability, cost of operations and our on time performance. We hope this is of reassurance to any future customers and we very much look forward to welcoming you on board and providing you with a happy, pleasant and enjoyable flight with us. When you state WILL be changing our fleet etc for this summer, does that mean that at present, anyone flying in the near future, say the rest of this month, will still be passengers on the old fleet which has had so m any complaints?? Can you give a specific date as to what you mean when you say THIS SUMMER ? The comments about broken seats and filthy toilets, never mind delays, from so many people who have flown with you do not make pleasant reading. Wish you had said we HAVE now replaced our old planes. Would appreciate a comment from you about whether old planes are still in use this month and if not, what date do you intend to replace your fleet? In my case, I would also like to know what planes are in use for the Gatwick Skiathos Friday services this month. Many thanks

12 May 2013 01:05:00 Guest

I was upset that Monarch changed our flights to Kos. Now flying with Small Planet at terrible times. We were due to return at lunch time on 30th May and this has been changed to midnight. Now we both have to book another day from work. Avro say there is nothing that can be done!!!

09 May 2013 05:05:00 ruth hayes

last july we had an 11hr flight delay to parga greece with olympic holidays worse ever airline i have flown with!! just heard we could put a complaint in!! where you on that flight from m/c july 12th 2012 did you complain!!?

07 May 2013 02:05:00 Small Planet Airlines

We will be serving the UK charter market with an upgraded product for summer 2013 and beyond. This upgrade encompasses a younger fleet of A320s, UK cabin crews, fully branded SPA product, among other modifications since 2012. Our fleet transition from older 737-300s to younger A320s is a big step for us at Small Planet Airlines and will significantly improve our reliability, cost of operations and our on time performance. We hope this is of reassurance to any future customers and we very much look forward to welcoming you on board and providing you with a happy, pleasant and enjoyable flight with us.

 

02 May 2013 05:05:00 Guest

We flew to Crete with small planet in September 2012 with no issues at all, efficent friendly crew no delays. Yes the plane was old but looked in excellent condition, more legroom than most of the competitions planes (being 6ft 3 that makes a big difference to me). We have just booked another Olympic holiday to Crete and are pleased to be flying Small Planet again. I even changed airports so that we didnt have to fly with the competition that has the orange planes! Overall I rate Small Planet as one of the better charter airlines

30 April 2013 06:04:00 Martin Burdick

How do I make contact the airline regarding a booking ? Martin Burdick

29 April 2013 07:04:00 Guest

Im not to sure how I confirm my flight with Small Planet Airlines - Anyone know?

23 April 2013 02:04:00 Guest

I'm flying with them in 7 weeks. Never heard of them before now. I have a good knowledge of the airline industry and I noticed some of you are worried about their safety. This airline would not allowed to be able to fly in EU airspace if they had poor records, its part of airline safety legislation. That's why there are so many airlines outside of the EU yet you never ever see them in Europe at all. This is because their safety is so poor EU legislation does not allow them to fly into EU airspace. For airlines to do this they have to prove their safety records etc etc. I do not know what this airline is like, hence why I'm on here, but they must have a decent safety record if they are being allowed to fly in EU airspace. They might not be all that good inside or their service but they must be safe. Besides it's just a few hours of your life, it will more than likely be bearable.

22 April 2013 02:04:00 Guest

Small Planet Airlines, an independent charter airline company, announced a buyout of the 99,5% of „Small Planet Airlines UAB“ (Lithuania) and „Small Planet Airlines Sp. z o. o.“ (Poland) shares fr om Avia Solutions Group. Following the transaction, Small Planet Airlines will be owned by Vytautas Kaikaris and Andrius Staniulis, current management of the company. Following closing, Vytautas Kaikaris, the CEO of Small Planet Airlines will own 70% of company shares, and the 30% shall belong to Andrius Staniulis, Chief Quality Officer of the company and member of the board of „Small Planet Airlines Sp. z o. o. Until the buyout Mr Kaikaris owned 4,5% of Small Planet Airlines shares. During the transaction, the management team of Small Planet Airlines was advised by legal firm Raidla Lejins & Norcous. „The decision for the buyout of Small Planet Airlines corresponds with ambitious growth strategy chosen by the management of the company, which foresees further expansion in major European markets. This strategy has already granted us positive results in Poland wh ere we finished the 2012 year profitably. Positive Q1 results in Lithuania also indicate we are on the way to become profitable in the Lithuanian market as well“, says Mr Kaikaris, the CEO of Small Planer Airlines. Small Planet Airlines plans to expand their fleet up to nine aircrafts during this summer, three of which would serve the Polish charter market and six spread evenly among the UK, France and Lithuania. All liabilities to the partners and clients shall remain unchanged and all flights will operate as scheduled. The total revenue of the Lithuanian and Polish companies operating under the brand Small Planet Airlines in 2012 has reached 94,4 million euros, what represent a 58,7% growth, compared to the 2011. Small Planet Airlines sp z. o. o. revenues in Poland totaled to 36,7 million euros - 75% higher than in the previous year. In Lithuania, UAB Small Planet Airlines revenues reached 57,7 million euros in Lithuania with 50% percent increase compared to 2011. The average passenger load factor at Small Planet Airlines in 2012 has been 87%. The Italian franchise „Small Planet Airlines S.r.l“ will retain the current shareholding structure 60% of its shares controlled by Italian company S.G.S.T., 35,5% Avia Solutions Group and 4,5% Mr. Kaikaris. Small Planet Airlines key markets include Poland, Great Britain, Italy, France and Lithuania. Small Planet Airlines works with the major tour operators to bring holiday travellers to Greece, Spain, Turkey, Egypt and other sunny destinations. The company also charters flights for the government, sport teams and private customers.

11 April 2013 11:04:00 Guest

Could some body please tell me if this airline as improved from last year?? Due to fly to Kos with them in September Dont like flying at the best of times Was told by co op travel that Monach own them!!! also told that they had new airplanes this year!!

24 March 2013 02:03:00 Guest

Just booked a Holiday to Kos in June through Monarch, I noticed the flight number was LLP and now discover they are Small Planet airways. Why do Monarch do this. I thought I was flying Monarch which has always been an enjoyable experience, now we are not looking forward to the flight having read the reviews. I always consider safety above comfort it appears this airline provide neither.