Hi Folks,

We just got back from what we hope will be our final pre-landing trip to Ontario.

We used Globespan for the first time and this is what we can report:

1. The outbound flight was delayed by 4 hours: a technical fault, followed by a divert to JFK where everything had to be taken off the plane, checked and then put back on (US paranoia). To add insult to injury, two passengers were refused entry to the US (or didn't have clearance to travel through the US) and were removed from the flight.
2. The cabin crew were great - very efficient, friendly and apologetic for the delay.
3. Inbound to UK, the flight was on time and the cabin crew were very good.

On talking to a couple of the crew it seems that Globespan are trying hard to break in to the transatlantic market. The problem for them is that they do not have a big fleet at the moment and are susceptible to delays when one of their few aircraft goes wrong.

Although we paid for meals, they were good (better than your usual cabin fare).

On the plus side, they seemed to be trying hard to win customers.

On balance, if you are looking for reliability, you might like to give Globespan a few more months to bed in. If you can stand the risk of cheap seats and a 'no-frills' trip, why not give 'em a try?

We also used Hamilton airport for the first time. Let's be clear, Hamilton is not a big airport. They still use steps to get on and off the aircraft. They recently had the runway carpeted - Hamilton airport is not a big place.

We checked to see if they had immigration landing facilities and the answer is yes. The CSBA staff were friendly and seemed keen to do well.

On balance, as it is a small airport, you might just get that personalised welcome to Canada.

Simon & Laura

Hi Simon

We flew with them last year and didn't have any pbms, we've flown with better and worse airlines.

Rosie

If you are on a flight to Canada and they land in USA and you dont have clearance, right of entry of whatever its hardly your fault. What did they do with them? didnt they get to canada or were they sent back to UK?

To be honest, I'm not quite sure what went on. The explanation given by the crew member we spoke to was that they had been 'deported' by US officials.

Whether they were on an 'undesireables' list or not I do not know.

Simon

typical f***ing american god complex, I stepped into the states last week for the first time and said that would be my last! there so up there own aholes its not even funny!!

Hi Simon and Laura

Glad to see that you seem to have had a good trip.

Not much longer for you guys now till all this malarky is for good - and it will come very fast. I am off in 3 days back with my Phil

Good luck huns

Gaynor
x

Thanks for that post

We are flying into hamilton on the 10th august for our recci trip and using globalspan
They did come out the cheapest and we are also using there car hire as well, as that worked out cheaper than everone else
We pre-booked the kids meals and the seats as they couldnt book us online and in the end we had to ring them to get a good price

Used transat before and found the flights ok, so here goes!!!!!

How was your trip simon??



Gill

Canada has a no-fly list too.....it has just been brought in. The same delays, refusals and problems with passengers are happening here too. The human rights people are up in arms, as there is no process for expeditious right of appeal, and if you get to the gate and are refused boarding due to mistaken identity, right now it will take months, perhaps years to get yourself off the list. Just imagine if someone with the same name and birth date as you is on the no-fly list. Not only will the US refuse you entry, so will Canada.

Globespan
My wife’s sister just used them.
Quick synopsis
When she booked her meal. Everybody got the same on flight, tinned bangers and mash, taste terrible.
Return trip.
Calgary departures screen on computer showed flight to be delayed by one hour.
Called Globespan Vancouver office to verify this and he stated it was running an hour late.
Split the difference and go to the airport 21/2 hrs instead of the 3. Lucky we did.
On arrival there was nobody at the check in counter.
Asked the Air Canada rep and she said that the plane had already boarded. By the way they use Air Canada check in staff if they do not have there own.
Pointed out the screen showed it to leave an hour later than expected, oh she said they have not changed the screen time.
After a lot more fuss and confusion I will not bore you with the details, she did get on the plane only to sit there until the late flight time it had shown on the screen.
Most important thing is the two flights were without incidence.

still after my crap flight back in may i would never fly with them again!, 8 hours delayed and very rude staff, sorry never again but maybe some people luck out and get a good 'one off' on time flight :curse:

My relations just used Glopespan from Gatwick-Vancouver return. They fly a lot, but swore they would never use this airline again. Food was disgusting and cold (bangers and mash) seats terrible, and the cabin crew rude though they understood little English. Their flight to Vancouver was almost 2 hours late but no info forthcoming from Globespan, and the YVR arrivals schedule had it on time even way past it's scheduled arrival time. The flight back was pretty much on time, but the four of them got split up on board, it was a different plane and the seating arrangement wasn't as booked. Same rudeness encountered, and very old movies shown. And not to mention, the length of the flight because there are no non-stops turns a 9-hour journey into over 12 hours. Exhausting.

Hi Gill,

This is going to sound very 'gloaty' but here goes:

The original purpose of our trip was to be a final reccie, in the hope we might get our meds soon. About two weeks before we flew out our meds request turned up!

With some quick 'phoning we managed to get our meds done before we went out. We used one of the central London doctors and they were very quick (but pricey).

As regular readers will know, we took a gamble back in November 2006 and bought a house in London, Ontario. We have had some friends looking after it since then, but this was an ideal opportunity to check out the new place (particularly as Laura hadn't seen it yet!!).

London is a great city. Very much on the up re: work and opportunities. It's also a great place for getting out and having fun. In just a few days we went to: Yuk, Yuks (stand-up Comedy), A folk festival, A movie by the lake, swimming at Grand Bend (Lake Huron - 45 mins drive).

After staying overnight with my cousin outside Toronto, we headed out to London and met our friend at the house. Everything was clean and ready for us. The best news was that Laura loved it! AND the house!!

Most our our ten days was spent getting some basics for the house: guest beds, coffee maker, toaster, etc. Then we were out pursuing jobs, schools, contacts, etc. We have now got the kids registered with the local High School who are preparing their arrival programme as we speak.

I came home with two good possibilities for work, and Laura is looking at starting up as a child-minder. The estate where we will be living is full of young, working families who want to continue to bring in the cash, so having someone on their doorstep who can help them out (for a reasonable fee) will be very welcome.

Looking good so far.

The only snag was that we didn't want to come back, but needed to, to wait for our PPR & Visas.

We can't wait to go "Home" for good.

Simon & Laura

Hi Celine,

I understand entirely. I know it sounds as if I am defending Globespan but they seemed to be trying hard to make a go of it.

Having said that, I honestly think that they are sailing too close to the wind to be reliable at the moment. In truth, we will probably use Zoom for our 'landing' flight.

Simon & Laura

No its not, we are not bothered at the mo about PR as once there with the right job, PR comes through quick, plus with ontario offering PNP we are going for that route first now
I hope globelspan is good the day we fly or ill have to set the kids on them, and after the 17 days if the flight back is bad, they will lose our business to zoom or transat, which ever way, i think some have good storys and some bad storys about every airline

Good luck with the PR

gill

In all my days of flying, I never seen so much bad publicity about one airline. Deciding to see what the fussw as really about, I flew with them a few weeks after they started the Manchester to Toronto route. it was thew orse excuse for customer service I had ever encountered. Considering this was Buisness class Stood in economy line even though there was supposed to be a seperate check in desk. No drinks served for at least 2 hrs onboard. The plane interior was dirty, footrests that had literally snapped and IE outdated.

Few months later, i again gave them the benefit of my doubt and bingo! Times moved around, delays, stopovers and to top it all no blankets and pillows on board for the overnight flighton.airlines such as Thomas Cook and Zoom who when compared to these cowboys make them look like a five star airline. The customer service helpline is extinct and emails rendered are not returned.

The Liverpool-jfk route has now been reduced, not because of poor demand but JFK were fuming with the complaints they had to deal with concering delays and shoddy service. Maybe not their fault, but their image is becoming tarnished. Globespan were kicked out of Toronto international again because of so many complaints and delay after delay, and this also reported on numerous forums. Maybe on eof the main reasons why Hamilton was chosen.

Without trying to slag off globespan, I have given the airline the benefit of my doubt but the airline has failed to deliver.