Easyjet

[Deleted]

As you can imagine, I have little to do here in Rhodes so - I am digging - very deeply. The more I uncover about Easyjet and it's takeover of GB Airways aircraft, the state of those aircraft both internally and externally, the more angry and disillusioned I become with Eastjet policy in this particular sphere. I am SO happy I decided to opt for the Athens amended booking option rather than take another stab at the Rhodes route.
I trust the company will finally free themselves of the crappy, duck taped jalopies they have inherited from GB Airways (BA Franchise) before the start of next season.
These aircraft MAY have airworthiness certificates (before the knowledgeable start pontificating) and not old in airframe terms but, they are nonetheless, jaded and unpleasant planes to travel in and as has been proved, subject to ever increasing problems.
The only upside to this is that after some 30 odd years in and passing through Rhodes, I have found at least two more class eating places. ;D
I will STILL use Easyjet in future. This is, I'm certain, an operationally planned blip. This outfit should know better and perhaps had good old Stelios Hadji-Ioannou still been at the helm, we would not be seeing this fracas.

[Liz]

Gonna play devils advocate here and Sth I truly hope you get sorted soon and throughout your posts you have stated that you will use easyjet again .. Is this not a case of ' you get what you pay for ' (and I don't mean to be derogitory to anyone in any way ) but the budget airlines are obviously flying someones castoffs and are not high in the pecking order for flight slots either .. If they miss their allotted time for whatever reason then the big hitters will take priority . The budget airlines are great when they work but when they fall down they are worse than anyone , the information is crap as you said , I don't think it filters down so the easy option is 'call blah de blah '
I'm not having a dig at Sth here at all , I'd still use easyjet tomorow or the like but I think it is a risk we take with the budget airlines , as I said I hope you are sorted soon Sth although I can think of worse places to be stranded

[Deleted]

All quite true Liz. However, Easyjet do as a norm, maintain a good all round standard in their fleet. These old GB Aircraft (and there only very few) do tend to let the image slip and, as I said before, let us hope they pass them on before too long. I have read on the Pilot's Forum that one is about to depart into some African ownership.
Rhodes is just fine and nothing is spoiling at home so - ;D

[Deleted]

Further to the above. Easyjet operate five ex. GB Airways airbuses all being based at Gatwick. Their service engineers -Virgin - state that 2/3 of them are departing the scene in October this year which bears out some earlier rumours I picked up. The remainder will go by March 2011 when the leases expire. Hooray!! No more duck tape

[howard]

My sympathys with your delays Sth and yes you will probably be better off via Athens. I agree that the ex GB Airways planes are well past their sell by dates but some replacements are already being used on the Rhodes route. Last year, I think it was in May we flew Easyjet to Rhodes on an Airbus that was still in the factory 48 hours before, it was it's first commercial flight. It does seem that all the planes on their Athens route are fairly new.
We fly into Rhodes on Easyjet but not out, we ferry to Athens and return from there.
We did have a 4hour delay last year due to technical problems with the aircraft but, Athens Airport is a civilised place tosit out a delay and Easyjet were very good at keeping us informed. Hope your trip home goes well!

[Kinygos]

I wrote this before Howard’s piece appeared but, “what the heck!”, I’ll post it anyway!

While the merits or otherwise of the low cost airlines give rise to annoyance we have to add to this the “efficiency” of Diagoras Airport and the dearth of information.
I know that Howard has such an aversion to the farce of the check-in that he always takes a ferry to Pireaus to fly from Athens.
The real question is; does it have to be this way?
Ask yourself this the next time you wait for baggage reclaim only to find your bags on a belt designated on the screen to another flight, find that on-line check-in has resulted in you joining the longest queue, or that you are given the mushroom treatment.
“This is Greece” does not excuse it, as Athens is as civilised as any European airport. The fact that Diagoras is smaller should make things easier to organise.
Perhaps they do not want the holidaymakers.

[Liz]

I don't think Diagoras is the worst ,Chania airport makes it look seamless !

[howard]

"I don't think Diagoras is the worst ,Chania airport makes it look seamless" !
Why, is it a grass strip?

[Liz]

Chania is the most disorganised
airport Ive ever been to -the queues lead nowhere and when you do reach a desk the you are directed to the back of another queue which leads you to the wrong desk when you eventually manage to check in you then have to join another queue to have your luggage scanned it took us over 2 1/2 hours to check in and get rid of the luggage . Even Skiathos airport is better organised and they make you wait outside !

[daisy]

Hmmmm try Kefalonia aka 1994

Makes Rhodes on par with Heathrow ;D ;D

[sunfun]

:oTry Zante! A bloody horror story!
Not only is it filthy and flies are buzzing everywhere...people were sitting on both sides of the stairs that lead to the pathetic duty free shop! Thank God there wasn't a fire! Don't even think about the toilets!

[Di]

Kos makes 'em all look wonderful

[Liz]

Lol so it's conclusive the Diagoras ain't that bad ! Pmsl maybe we should do a poll .. worst airport

[daisy]

Great idea Liz

I will start ball rolling with 2

Kefalonia and the so far unmentioned Corfu

[Kinygos]

Strange that a country so dependant on tourism is so notorious for dreadful airports!