On arrival at BHX, a small queue for check in and then informed there as a 4 hour delay, but given £4 food vouchers straight away. As we were not cruise passengers (the majority were), our luggage was tagged and then had to be taken to the outsized belt to ensure cruise bags were separate. BHX I would equate to Stansted in size and facilities and was more than adequate. The flight finally boarded 4 1/2 hours late and once on board the pilot explained an electrical generator had failed and been replaced.
The plane was a 767 in First Choice livery, but the crew were in Thomson uniforms, with seating on a 2-3-2 layout in the economy cabin. The seats offered 33 inches of legroom, and a as a taller passenger, I certainly could notice the difference of the extra 2 inches compared to Virgin economy. Each seat had their own tv, providing 5 movies, several tv channels on a loop and 5 games, very similar to Virgin's Oddesy, although each channel looped individually and therefore there was not the big gap waiting for the next one to start experienced with Nova and Oddesy. An upgrade was offered at £5 for 3 extra movies, CD's and the facility to pause and rewind the movies. The emergency video was very funny, consisting of young children dressed as flight crew and giving a very cute version of what to do or not do on the aircraft.
Following take off, a drinks service was offered, but this was for payment and therefore much slower than that on a Virgin flight. Then followed the meal service, a potato salad, choice of 2 mains (I took the steak and ale), a chocolate pudding, cheese , crackers , bread roll and tea or coffee with a chocolate. The food was served in hardened plastic containers and not that dissimilar to the Virgin PE service to be honest, I found it very tasty.
A duty free service then followed,and then a further drinks service and an uneventful flight. About an hour and a half before landing, a cardboard afternoon tea box was given out. This contained a cheese roll, scone and jam, along with a further tea and coffee service.
On arrival all cruise passengers were disembarked first, leaving just 50 from a full load to stay in Barbados, meaning small immigration lines and luggage already waiting to be collected.
Overall , a very friendly and attentive crew, reasonable entertainment and a happy passenger who has discovered that there is an alternative to Virgin!and that Banks beers is great tasting!
My first TR so hope its ok Paul
