Looking at finally doing this (maybe) and checking out flight prices today, I've noticed that a one way on AirTransat is around half the price of the next available alternative, which incidentally is Continental and goes via the States which is something I would prefer to avoid if possible.

The reviews of AirTransat aren't all exactly positive though and there doesn't seem to many positive things said about them in online reviews either. Are they really all that bad if you just need to get from A to B or are they better off avoided even if the next direct flight costs the largest part of a £1000?

Air Transat are fine. I've used them on a number of occasions. It's not the height of luxury but still perfectly OK. The crew are usually very nice.

For a small fee, you can pre-reserve seats on AT. It's worth it.

My comments on Continental would be deleted by the moderators.

they are fine - just the transatlantic version of ryan air. Everything costs extra - e.g. head phones, blanket, pillow, alcohol.

I fly with them approx every 6 weeks and never had a problem with them

I'm not going with Continental just for the reason that it connects in the US and I personally have no real desire ever to go back to the US again at the moment.

No worries, I thought that would be the case, thanks man.

Parents fly with them all the time , never had any complaints except with regard to the food.

If my choice was flying them or going through the states , I would pick them everytime

I really don't want to go through America, I take enough objection to the level of passenger treatment in UK airports but at least this is my country and I have the freedom to argue over here.

The OH wants to go to NY at some point next year to see her friend but she can do that on her own.

So, pretty much the same as any airline in North America these days.

From the sounds of it yes.

The last couple of times I flew to the US, which is going back a few years now, I used BMI because the price was often cheaper and I find US Airline staff to be obnoxious. You don't really get any special amenities on the US Airlines anymore as you say either, not even on transatlantic flights.

I did incidentally take a return flight from Incheon to Tokyo last year though. It was bloody awful.

Its 8 hours on a plane, how bad can it be?

Ive used them several times and had no problems. I seem to recall they sometime cancel flights to smaller cities if they are not booked enough, but flying to and from Toronto they have been fine. If you have long legs you might want to explore your other options as seat pitch is economy, and people like thomas cook offer more leg room, but other than that its just what you would expect for economy air service.

That's my only concern, I'm 6'2" and my legs are quite long. The only transatlantic flights I have ever been comfortable on are those where the plane has been nearly empty and I've had a row of 1 or 2 empty seats next to me to stretch out a bit. When I fly to Asia I always use the same airline for the longhaul stretch and book the seats that I want in advance.

Do Transat tend to offer less legroom as standard than the likes of American Airlines and US Airways?

Read my previous post. You can view the seat plan and select your seat (for a fee).

i have found that their bog standard seats have much more leg room than the american companies.

I have also been able to have my choice of aisle or window seat without paying extra in advance.

Sorry yes, sounds OK to me then I'll suggest it to the OH tonight.

Thanks for all your help guys.

Yep, sounds good to me.

That flight last year reminded me of why I used to hate flying in America, especially internally. The only positive thing about using US-based airlines is to see the ludicrousness of the latest issue of Skymall.