Affordable Canada Flights

MetalStorm · 21 Nov 2006 at 02:45

nands said:
G'day all,

I (and family) will be flying to Canada next summer (July) and I was wondering if anyone had any advice with regard to airlines?

We want to fly from Manchester to Vancouver, direct is hugely preferred, two small children and a long haul flight do not go together so the shortest possible travel time would be good.

I have flown to Canada many times before but only with 'traditional' airlines, Air Canada, BA, KLM etc. When looking at these airlines tickets are over £3,000. Looking at the budget airlines (Zoom, Globespan, Air Transat and My Travel) the cost is lower but still over £2,000.

I was wondering if anyone has flown that route recently and could recommed an airline for good service at the right price?

I fly with Zoom regularly for £10 there and $25 back... Then again my fiancé is one of the air hostesses

badgermonkey · 21 Nov 2006 at 04:12

Zoom airlines to Toronto (in economy class) is like £100 for a return ticket. Not bad tbh

EDIT: But it's so damn cramped, i didn't like the food and the TVs are tiny and spaced at huge intervals along the aisle

Skiddley · 21 Nov 2006 at 08:43

badgermonkey said:
Zoom airlines to Toronto (in economy class) is like £100 for a return ticket. Not bad tbh

EDIT: But it's so damn cramped, i didn't like the food and the TVs are tiny and spaced at huge intervals along the aisle

More like 200-300 with taxes, and that isn't in July

Anyway, Vancouver is the same distance again as the UK is to t-toe. Recommend Zoom, I fly a lot to Toronto and Ottawa (from Gatwick), Canadian Affair is quite good too. You can usually get cheap upgrades on the Zoom flights shortly before departure. *sometimes* BA have offers to Vancouver from Heathrow but these are few and far between. Better class of trolly dolly tho

Unless you spend a lot of money, you will have to compromise somewhere, dates of travel (gets MUCH cheaper in September), departure (Gatwick is cheapest generally), or go via the east coast, generally Toronto.

Can't have your cake and eat it!

Skidd.

nands · 21 Nov 2006 at 09:44

badgermonkey said:
But it's so damn cramped

That is my big fear, I'm 6'7" and am usually in pain at the end of the flight anyway but any aircraft where seats are described as cramped scare me!

Technically I shouldn't pay for my youngest who will be under two but we need the seat for him and my legs!!

TerraS said:
Air Transat :- Cheap, but terrible customer service and lousy 'food' on the plane.
FlyZoom.com :- Cheap, good customer service, good food, sometimes flies via Gatwick, which kinda sucks, unless you live in London.
Globespan :- More expensive than it used to be, changed the times of the flight at the last minute, good food.

Nice summary, Thanks!

nands · 21 Nov 2006 at 09:46

Skiddley said:
Unless you spend a lot of money, you will have to compromise somewhere, dates of travel (gets MUCH cheaper in September), departure (Gatwick is cheapest generally), or go via the east coast, generally Toronto.

Can't have your cake and eat it!

Skidd.

You are right, I cannot change the dates, although am slightly flexible a week or so either way but must be there for 18th July (brother's wedding).

Just trying to make sure that I get the best deal!

MarcLister · 21 Nov 2006 at 10:23

Nice thread dude. Got family on Vancouver Island and its been about 14 years since I've seen my eldest cousin, about 9 since I saw my younger cousin out there and it'd be nice to go out there again.

I'm thinking flying from Heathrow/Gatwick at Easter might be cheaper than in the summer break from uni? It would still cost a few hundred though.

MetalStorm · 21 Nov 2006 at 12:26

Skiddley said:
More like 200-300 with taxes, and that isn't in July

Anyway, Vancouver is the same distance again as the UK is to t-toe. Recommend Zoom, I fly a lot to Toronto and Ottawa (from Gatwick), Canadian Affair is quite good too. You can usually get cheap upgrades on the Zoom flights shortly before departure. *sometimes* BA have offers to Vancouver from Heathrow but these are few and far between. Better class of trolly dolly tho

Unless you spend a lot of money, you will have to compromise somewhere, dates of travel (gets MUCH cheaper in September), departure (Gatwick is cheapest generally), or go via the east coast, generally Toronto.

Can't have your cake and eat it!

Skidd.

I have to disagree... I lived with a girl working for BA as an air hostess and she was horendusly ugly... Her BA mates weren't anything special either...

Skiddley · 21 Nov 2006 at 12:29

Well, in my experience. Maybe there is a munter quota, like they have for the old and ethnic minorities.

Beansprout · 20 Dec 2006 at 17:21

Bump alert...

For various reasons I need a flight to Calgary tomorrow, from somewhere in the UK. Link me, babes! :eek:

themistry · 20 Dec 2006 at 17:44

The flights at this time are absolutely disgusting. I fly there 3 or 4 times a year for as little as £300 inc taxes.

Anything over the Xmas period will be at a huge premium and there is little you can do about it.

Indian Airways from Birmingham to Toronto Pearson (YYZ) are usually the best but even they are looking to be over £2k.

Good luck,
TM

pedrochop · 20 Dec 2006 at 17:48

What you want to do is check out www.whichbudget.com

Its the best!

Beansprout · 20 Dec 2006 at 18:09

themistry said:
The flights at this time are absolutely disgusting. I fly there 3 or 4 times a year for as little as £300 inc taxes.

Anything over the Xmas period will be at a huge premium and there is little you can do about it.

Indian Airways from Birmingham to Toronto Pearson (YYZ) are usually the best but even they are looking to be over £2k.

Good luck,
TM

Thanks, will check it out