Written on: 11/04/2013
Just got on a 9 hour flight from calgary. No in flight tvs lousy service. Please avoid (read more)
Written on: 09/04/2013
We booked to go skiing in Banff via a flight from Gatwick to Calgary on 27 March. The sales staff were lovely and helpful. We got to Gatwick to be told that the flight was delayed for 2 hours as the incoming flight had had to be diverted to off load a disruptive passenger. Delay turned into 3.5 hours. The Captain apologised over the tannoy explaining that the passenger had been very violent and needed to be restrained by 6 people. Later as some passengers had not heard this explanation due... (read more)
Written on: 26/03/2013 by Scotswhahae (1 review written)
Just had our flight cancelled by Canadian Affair resulting in us having to cancel our entire holiday in May - cabins, hotels, car hire - the lot! Canadian Affair wipes its hands of the problem saying that it's Air Transat's fault but, of course, they work hand in hand with them! Also said they could offer alternative dates and then discovered after five minutes that, sorry, but they'd got that wrong as well and couldn't! How could they possibly win an award for something like "best travel... (read more)
Written on: 24/03/2013
I want to understand why a flight to Glasgow may17to31st costs $580 more than a flight to manchester same dates Donald Auld rabhaw@rogers.com (read more)
Written on: 24/03/2013
I have to say that like you were into Kina right from the start I was into the Barenaked Ladies right when they first started in 1992 in Canada My rmaoomtes and friends and I loved them when i lived in the USA and I bought back a tape of theirs, when nobody here had heard of them (read more)
Written on: 16/03/2013
I have just received a call from CA to inform me that all flights to Edmonton have been canceled with no explanation why, we had been booked to fly may 6th and all they can offer is to fly in June to the same location or fly on a different day to Calgary, This has caused concern with my family about the possibility that this is not a reliable airline, we did opt to fly to a different city then drive to Edmonton after the flight not ideal but at least we can still maintain our planned journey. (read more)
Written on: 22/02/2013 by wpcanuck (4 reviews written)
Not sure what all the negative feedback is about?? We have an absolutely perfect holiday (flights, hotel and car hire) out to Calgary/Banff last year. Canadian Affair sorted everything and it was flawless. Will definitely be using them again in the future. (read more)
Written on: 17/02/2013
We are booked for the first time with Canadian Affair and we are not impressed with the attitude of the staff. It seems as though they have your booking and your money so dont expect any proper customer service. We only hope the holiday is much better than the customer service. We travel several times a year and out experience with travel agent is good so will go through them any time in the future as we dont feel we need to put up with poor customer service when spending money on a... (read more)
Written on: 13/02/2013
Flight was cancelled (no reason offered other than 'airlines do this all the time', was offered an alternative a week later which we chose not to take as would have meant missing the wedding we were travelling to Halifax for. I wasn't offered an alternative flight on the same date to a similar destination (which they legally have to do), however when my sister rang up later they offered her a flight via Montreal using Westjet. When I rang back to ask why I hadn't been offered this option I... (read more)
Written on: 12/02/2013 by AthenasMum
We chose our wedding dates in Canada to correspond with the first flight of the season for Canadian Affair and told our guests to book through them, which they did. Three months later (with the date three months away) they cancelled with no reason given. They offered a flight a week later (4 days too late for the wedding) or a refund. When I called and explained that neither of those options were useful to us given that we wanted friends and family at our wedding and not our money back. They... (read more)
Written on: 11/02/2013
My last flight to Halifax was great. Check in was easy,no queues.Seats were large and comfortable. I made a small booking problem and they sorted this for me whearas 2-3 yrs ago it might have been a different attitude. Their specials are real genuine and great value! (read more)
Written on: 24/01/2013
Last year flew to toronto with canadianaffair from newcastle. Arrived 2 hours before flight left and guess what- overbooked 9 passengers. No apology shipped down to Gatwick for overnight stay for flight the next day. Representatives would not even guarantee flight next day. Gatwick flights also overbooked but fortunately got a seat. Phoned canadianaffair no apology no custome service, dont care ! AVOID (read more)
Written on: 16/01/2013
I don't know what eveybody is moaning about. I've travelled for 4 years several trips a year and only encountered one problem which was dealt with very sympathetically and quickly. Staff always friendly and helpful, flights on time (sometimes even early) food ok basic but at least you get food. (read more)
Written on: 15/12/2012 by Reallydisgusted
50th wedding anniversary holiday booked for over a year, hotels booked, special trips booked. All planned !!!!!!! then we get a call that the flight was non existant But we could go two weeks later. No Apology NO MONEY COMPENSATION. HAD TO CANCEL EVERYTHING AND SPOILT WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN VERY SPECIAL!!!!!!! (read more)
Written on: 18/10/2012
We have used Canadian Affair for 10 years. Previously with Thomas Cook as the carrier there were no problems. This year with Air Transat has been a nightmare. Departure airport and booked seats changed. Return flight for some of our family changed from direct to one stop.Our return flight cancelled. We were offered a flight three days later with no compensation for the extra hotel nights. In flight service on the return flight was abysmal. Only once choice of meal left by the time it reached... (read more)
Written on: 15/08/2012
CHEAP FLIGHT (Air Transat)Toronto/London return. Squashed like a sardine in my seat,good the portions of food were small as all they had left was vegetarian pasta (I am not a fan of pasta). The return flight was better, this time it was pasta but not vegetarian. No there was no selection left unless of course you chose to starve on the flight. I travel quite often to London & will pay a little more to fly Air Canada. (read more)
Written on: 11/10/2012
I bought a club seat.There was a catering strike and I too was offered the last dinner..pasta.I changed with another passenger and got his beef. Do the chefs intentionally make the beef chunks look like dogfood?ALso bought the options plus for my daughter and she didnt received everything she was supposed to. There were several other issues I delt with in my letter which I sent express post.
I asked Air Transat for a portion of my money back($600 for club seat, $100 for options plus and they basically dragged their heels for two months before writing me to say too bad.We arent giving you anything.
I have rewritten them saying it is unacceptable and shall see whether I take this further. Does anyone know whether you can go to small claims in your home city?( vs where AT is)
Written on: 14/08/2012
I just got back from Toronto, where I spent a week with my wife. I did not get my pre booked seats, I booked window seats and did not get them and on the return flight, both suitcases went lost. When asking for a compensation for the poor service, I had the pleasure to interact with their customer service: they said that "losing luggage happen within the travel industry" (is it a best practice?) and that I had to provide them with the boarding passes because "they can not see the seats that... (read more)
Written on: 01/08/2012
I have used Canadian affair for my flights to Canada. Normally I have flown with Thomas Cook and this year was the first time I have flown with Air Transat. As an budget air line I will admit I would not use them, as you get what you pay for with a charter flight, but to upgrade it is worth it 100%. For what you would pay on an larger airline carrier,the difference is not that great and you get a hell of a lot of perks, more weight (40kg), shorter checking time(1 hour) and a dedicated check... (read more)
Written on: 20/07/2012 by mollyrose (1 review written)
whats wrong with all you moaners, you get what you pay for. I have been travelling with canadian affair for 10 years,what's the problem yes its basic, but for the cost you get the flight and reasonable service on board. I am not interested in all the frills, I just want to get there and see my family, somethings are more important. If you want top class pay top class money, and travel by British Airways, or Air Canada. At the end of the day we all get were we are going, just the though... (read more)
Written on: 19/07/2012 by bobbyuk999 (1 review written)
i booked my flight from gatwick for the 13th september 12 for me.my wife and 2 daughter aged 2, and 3 before i booked the tickets i clearly stated I WILL ONLY BOOK THE FLIGHTS IF THEY ARE DIRECT AS MY WIFE IS PREGNANT AND I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN" OH YES SIR IT IS A DIRECT FLIGHT! two days after booking and paying over 1800 pounds i rang them and explained that i need to cancel my tickets as my wife has some complications in her pregnancy and i will not be able to travel, i was clearly told... (read more)
Written on: 16/07/2012 by cobminor
Just got back from Canada. I did not get my pre booked seats, I booked a set of tw and got shoved in to a set of three. When asking for a refund for the extra I paid I was told the seats were comparable and they would not refund me my money. I have been using these people for some years and they were good when they used Air Transat, Thos. cook and I think, Monarch. Now they are owned by, or own Air transat and all flights are with one airline they are nowhere near as good as they used... (read more)
Written on: 06/07/2012
COPY OF MY EMAIL COMPLAINT Just a quick resume of events, from our perspective which I believe highlight the thoughts of a number of customers using this flight and service provided by Air Transat and Canadian Affair. The flight was due to leave Manchester Airport, UK at 15.45 Local time, this did not occur and the flight departed some 35minutes later at about 16.20. The flight made up time and was due to land at Toronto Lester Pearson Airport at 18.05 local time, the ticket arrival time... (read more)
Written on: 27/06/2012
25 giugno 2012: Ho telefonato alle ore 13,00 circa e un operatore competente, paziente e gentilissimo ha risolto tutti i miei problemi e... parlando in perfetto italiano!!! Grazie Alex!!! Cinzia da Roma (read more)
Written on: 08/06/2012
I`ve used this company for the last three years when traveling to Canada, i`ve always booked on line with no problems, no issues with my allocated seats or checking in. I will admit I always upgrade to their club class as it s still cheaper than a mainline flight. I will be using them again this year. (read more)
Written on: 13/05/2012
Booked and paid in full for 2 flights direct to Vancouver. 7 weeks before flying the outbound flight was cancelled, offered a day either side, chose the day after. 5 weeks before outbound flight we are informed it is doing a touch down at Calgary 2 hour extended flight time. Complained to Canadian Affair and have been treated with contempt. No compensation as changes cost us £200 we were just told that it is in their terms and conditions. Essentially means they can do what they want... (read more)
Written on: 04/05/2012
I fly frequently and thought would give these guys a try as the prices seemed attractive - a decision I very much regret to this day. Extremely rude staff and above all extremely rude customer service manager at the Canadian Affair office in the UK. My girlfriend and I had a terrible experience flying with them. Never again. (read more)
Written on: 15/04/2012 by graememcleish (1 review written)
Our flight was delayed 3 hours. We arrived to check in at 11.40am (almost 4 hours before the flight) to be informed check in was closed. The Canadian Affair desk explained that our tickets had been re-sold as we should have checked in at least 1 hour before the original departure. There would be no refund for the missed flight. Canadian Affair also pointed out we were lucky our return flights had not also been re-sold as this was their right. They offered to rebook our flight for the... (read more)
Written on: 07/02/2012 by simons90 (1 review written)
Just been on the phone with them because they failed to let me know they changed my flights. I am now over £300 out of pocket due to activities I booked on the arrival day, I'm now missing these activities due to a later flight. They changed the flight after I had the booking for month. They didn't even have the decency to pick up the phone and call me to make me aware of the change, just presumed I would notice the small departure time change on the confirmation form, it wasn't even... (read more)
Written on: 19/04/2012
I am experiencing the same problem with these con artists - they have now changed the flights on 10-17th April Calgary to Manchester/return but have a re-route via Gatwick - they refuse to give me my money back or re-imburse for costs I am going to loose. What a company - I had to laugh when I was put on hold and they quoted they were the voted best 2011 - obviously by people not using them often. And yes I was not notified either.
Written on: 27/01/2012 by Julsb24 (1 review written)
Please do not give this company your hard earned money, yesterday I booked a flight and hotel with Canadian affair via their official website, received full email booking confirmation only to then receive a phone call approx 30 mins later to be told that the website was incorrect and I,d have to pay them a extra £600 if I wanted to stay in my chosen hotel. They do not care about the consumer and at present are cancelling my booking as I,ve refused to pay the additional amount. (read more)
Written on: 15/12/2011
DO NOT FLY WITH THIS COMPANY! We had a very legitimate complaint which the airline took 3 months to review before replying that they are not prepared to do anything for us. Regrettably we now have no choice but to pursue them in small claims court. Canadian Affair has many competitors, I strongly suggest using one of them as an alternative. (read more)
Written on: 18/12/2011
Do get in touch if you would like- I have lost a claim in the small claims court and am just now asking permission to appeal; A newspaper and a tv programme is also showing an interest. My email is chriwandco at yahoo.co.uk.
Written on: 27/01/2012
Good luck in the small claims this company is terrible hopefully if people read these reviews it will stop them permantly
Written on: 27/01/2012
I am in the process of appealing against a judgement made in Canadian Affair's favour. If you aren't short and fit, consider very carefully before flying with them. Do contact me if you like, I will be taking up my case with the press and M.P.
Written on: 07/02/2012
Just been on the phone with them because they failed to let me know they changed my flights. I am now over £300 out of pocket due to activities I booked on the arrival day, I'm now missing these activities due a later flight. They changed the flight after I had the booking for month. They didn't even have the decency to pick up the phone and call me to make me aware of the change, just presumed I would notice the small departure time change on the confirmation form, it wasn't even highlighted!
Terrible company, I have spent £5K with them in the past 2 years and this is the second problem I have had with them. Thought the first was an honest mistake but obviously they are pro con men.
Don't use them!
Written on: 10/02/2012
Please do get in touch if you would like to, Im gathering further info for my member of parliament. My email is chriswandco @ yahoo.co.uk. My previous comment was: I am in the process of appealing against a judgement made in Canadian Affair's favour. If you aren't short and fit, consider very carefully before flying with them. Do contact me if you like, I will be taking up my case with the press and M.P.
Written on: 13/02/2012
Shocking company, been in retail all my career and the way this company treat's it's current customers and potential customers in this current Market is a disgrace......... Never again.
Written on: 15/03/2012
please....who are the competitors...because I haven't found any...
Written on: 01/11/2011
paid little bit more than £300 for return tickets to Canada it's a bergain! definitely will book one more time (read more)
Written on: 01/11/2011 by Elscuz
I pre-booked in July for my flights to and from Birmingham/Toronto. When boarding in Birmingham I was given a different seat from what I had pre-booked. The cabin crew did not have a reason for this and it took 3 of them to sort it out - no such seat!! I was moved from 5C to 31J - not much difference. The TV was so far away I couldnt see it. I was told contact Canadian Affair for a refund on my pre-booked ticket which I did and I had reply saying it would take upto 30 days for a reply. I... (read more)
Written on: 31/10/2011 by Jimlowe
I won’t use Canadian Affair again. We had number of problems with the flights before we even started. I was informed before departure from the UK that the return flight was changed from a non-stop flight to a stop at Calgary. I specifically booked non-stop because of the long flight. This change added two hours to the journey time. I would have booked elsewhere if I had known it was not a non-stop flight. The out flight from Manchester was 4 hours late departing. I pre-booked the seat... (read more)
Written on: 22/10/2011
Having booked online directly with Canadian Affair it all seemed to be going well. Until the email came saying our flight had been changed so we fly via Manchester on the way home. Great only an extra 2 hours added and don't mention compensation as they kindley informed me they don't have to give any.This from what someone told me is a normal practice on Saturday flights as they have not always full going to Gatwick. After flying out with them I expected the flight back to be the same but... (read more)
Written on: 21/10/2011 by christoswest (1 review written)
I flew Thomas Cook / Canadian Affair London to Vancouver recently and regretted every minute. I had paid extra for more legroom, but it turned out to be at the front and was used constantly as a corridor for people to get to the toilets, as well as by harassed staff taking a short cut to the preparation areas. I complained but the staff said there was nothing they could do. So I spent the whole flight with my legs cramped; stretching them was not just impossible, it was dangerous- my legs were... (read more)
Written on: 19/10/2011
My flight from Ottawa, Canada to London Gatwick was absolutely unacceptable. The seats rows were too close together (so close Canadian Affair/Thomas Cook had to deactivate ALL of the seat recliners). I wonder if there is a safety issue here. If the plane needed to be evacuated, could passengers get out on-time? What health conditions (thrombosis or others?) could be attributed to seats cramped together so closely? I found it ironic, the in-flight magazine listed various exercises and... (read more)
Written on: 16/10/2011 by catsmuriel (1 review written)
We flew with Air Transat on Sept. 30th to London Gatewick. Worst flight ever. Non reclining seats should not be allowed on long haul flights. Leg room extremely cramped. Food very poor. Have flown many times with chartered airlines, this is the first bad experience. Came back with Canadian Affair, and since they are sister companies I do not understand the difference in quality. Canadian Affair seats (at least on our backhome flight) did recline somewhat. Meal and snack much better. Our... (read more)
Written on: 02/10/2011 by christophergale (1 review written)
return flight from vancouver to gatwick given row 9 seats which had the entertainment remote built into the seat this gave an area of under 16 (read more)
Written on: 22/09/2011
Worst flight ever both ways. Seating is the tightest I have ever known. Seats do not recline so sitting upright in a very cramped position for 9 hours on an overnight flight not to be recommended. Will never fly Thomas Cook again (read more)
Written on: 19/09/2011 by worldbestgolf (3 reviews written)
Long haul overnight flight from Canadian West Coast with the most cramped legroom I have ever experienced and no facility to recline the seat (recline facility had been disabled on all the seats). Very very uncomfortable and no possibility of any sleep. I travel long haul to Canada, USA, and Australia regularly and am always looking to save money even at the expense of being a little cramped - but this bargain priced flight from Canadian Affair was the most uncomfortable I have ever... (read more)
Written on: 18/09/2011
Don't book a thomas cook flight with canadian affair.You would be better off paying a bit extra for a better quality airline. If you intend to plan your trip a reasonable length of time in advance you can get better quality airline flights for not much more. We were always under the impression that thomas cook were a good tour operator. That maybe was true many moons ago but not now they just use their name. Just hope all these bad reviews give them something to think about. Now a bit more... (read more)
Written on: 19/09/2011
I think I must have been on the same flight and couldn't agree more - Canadian Affair treat their customers like cattle - in fact i think cattle probably get better treatment
Written on: 09/09/2011
The company books Transat flights. They will not change a reservation unless you purchase an entirely new ticket, even a change of one day, even though they would make money on the transaction. They are slow to answer their phones. They are unhelpful. Caveat emptor. I think they suck. (read more)
Written on: 03/09/2011 by JacquieRowe (1 review written)
WARNING!! From our family's own experiences intending customers should beware, if looking for cheap flights only use this Company at your own peril as unlike other airlines and bargain flight providers eg Ticket Pilot they will not readily make flight changes because of impending bereavment. Anette Rayner (CEO) and her staff sadly lack integrity and certainly have no compassion (read more)
Written on: 28/08/2011 by mrvirtual (1 review written)
I needed to change my return flight to London. My father is critically ill in hospital in Canada. Canadian affair will not allow me to change my date from September 8th to September 29th. Canadian affair has no heart and is uncompassionate in circumstances like this. I was told that i could buy a new ticket for £399.00. My ticket is paid for I just want to stay longer to be with my father in a coma in hospital. (read more)
Written on: 21/08/2011 by Regi (1 review written)
It started with plane boarding, they first called elderly and mothers with children but then everyone got in line and there was no priority boarding what so ever. The planes must be old, because even though I paid extra money for premium seats the seats were very narrow and uncomfortable. The pull out tv didn't work. The food was a bare minimum. During the flight I had a little stomach problem, the nerves and the uncomfortable conditions added to my distress. I made four trips to the... (read more)
Written on: 16/08/2011 by cosmicguerilla (1 review written)
We booked our flights, car rental and most of our accomodation through Canadian Affair and the service we were provided for booking and planning our holiday was excellent, all of the staff at Canadian Affair were very helpful. All of our accomodation in Canada was very good to superb. There was only one thing that was disapointing, the flights booked by Canadian Affair through air transat on a Thomas Cooks Airbus A330. I don't know how many folks Thomas Cook can squeeze on to an A330 but... (read more)
Written on: 06/08/2011
Do not fly Thomas Cook through Canadian Affair if you are taller than 5ft 9 ins. I am 6ft 2ins tall and have have never been on a short haul let alone a long haul flight where you are so crammed in, both in length and width. My knees were pressed hard against the seat in front throughout the journey. The only way to stretch your legs is if you have an aisle seat but the run the risk of being run over by the serving trolleys. Never again! When the lady in front tried to recline her seat, I... (read more)
Written on: 11/07/2011
Canadian Affair bumps single passengers off as they make less fuss, according to cockpit staff. As a family we flew out separately for my sister's wedding. My husband joined us a week later. He arrived 3 hours early at Gatwick airport and was told that his pre booked seat, booked in the previous November, was not available. He was told that it was very unlikely he would get on that flight or the next day's flight as both were very overbooked and that they would not put him up in a hotel. He... (read more)
Written on: 09/07/2011 by fedkins
airchansit is what i would call it,the first time i flew from birmingham to toronto about 4 years ago, on my retutn journey i was told there was no seat for me and that i could fly to manchester, after complaining i eventually got on the plane and was sat right in the middle of a hockey team (it was a nightmare). i said never again. but a few years passed so i decided to try them again, (same trip).july this year and on the return journey i was delayed 21 hours......... never again !!!!!!! (read more)
Written on: 29/06/2011 by a.h.
we needed a direct flight from manchester and canadian affair delivered.booking was easy on line.a very helpful membere of the booking team phoned us back and sorted out a few details such as picking up our hire car from the airport instead of downtown vancouver.the flight with thomas cook left near enough on time and landed early.the seats [pre booked]were hard, espeially after nine hours!food was ok,its airline budget afterall.they could do better on the entertainment,seat back screens did... (read more)
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Bevmacnaughton's Comment
Written on: 08/11/2012
Very similar experience. Received email while in Canada to contact urgently about major change. Finally got through to be told flight canceled and I had to go back 2 days early or 3 days later. Had to come back early due to work commitments
Had booked these flights 11 months in advance to get exact dates. Had also upgraded to premium but no seats left on way back. New flight was not direct and involved 2 hour extra as had to stop in Manchester. Canadian affair very dismissive no compensation or recognition of loss of holiday
Seriously considering arbitration through abta
Have travelled with them for ten years with no probs before. Absolutely appalling