Strategic Airlines

[jann]

Just back from a fantastic 2 weeks and reporting on the Strategic flight!

Well, at check in we were told that there would be no food, drink or any other items available to buy unless a meal had been booked because their delivery had not arrived!

We did however get 2 complimentary drinks, tea, coffee or water during the flight!

The flight itself was on time but based at the furthest away gate and we were taken on a bus to board.  

Apparently they only have 2 planes and are registered in Luxembourg. both are the  A40 Airbus (and they look very well worn to me. ) One flies from Manchester and one from Gatwick.

Seat comfort not too bad,had worse on some Monarch flights.

On the return they seem to have improved , although some of the snacks/food sill not available. Didn't book a meal but met someone who did and he said it was the usual stuff you get!

Both flights were on time although 2 changes were made weeks before .

jann  

[JBMouse]

I am interested in the Strategic way of doing things, so thanks for the info.
A couple of questions: Did the transfer include all the numerous drop offs along the north coast, and, importantly, what time did you arrive in Plakias? (I am assuming you were on the 11.25 flight from Gatwick)
Airbus A40 I do not know, I suspect it was an A320/319, was the seating plan 3+3 with one centre aisle?, or maybe it was their A300, with 2 aisles and a lot more seats?
Can you tell me what the price of a 500 ml bottle of Mythos was in any of the tavernas/bars.

Hope you had a good time, I will be there in June

[sandra]

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Just back from a fantastic 2 weeks and reporting on the Strategic flight!

Well, at check in we were told that there would be no food, drink or any other items available to buy unless a meal had been booked because their delivery had not arrived!

We did however get 2 complimentary drinks, tea, coffee or water during the flight!

The flight itself was on time but based at the furthest away gate and we were taken on a bus to board.  

Apparently they only have 2 planes and are registered in Luxembourg. both are the  A40 Airbus (and they look very well worn to me. ) One flies from Manchester and one from Gatwick.

Seat comfort not too bad,had worse on some Monarch flights.

On the return they seem to have improved , although some of the snacks/food sill not available. Didn't book a meal but met someone who did and he said it was the usual stuff you get!

Both flights were on time although 2 changes were made weeks before .

jann  

             hi jan been waiting for your report on strategic ,. that does not seem to bad! did you feel; safe?on the worn airbus  we are returning to plakias after five yrs , has it changed much hope they are still traditional with there food and not to commercialised  we like to walk a bit so we hope to get to the nearby villages  , were old beach bums really an d enjoy just lying on a beach , how was the weather ? and how long did it take from the airport . we are staying at kostas chrousula , only a week this time just had a longing to see plakias ,. enjoy the rest of summer its been good here up to now . sandra  

[fenman]

I am interested in the Strategic way of doing things, so thanks for the info.
A couple of questions: Did the transfer include all the numerous drop offs along the north coast, and, importantly, what time did you arrive in Plakias? (I am assuming you were on the 11.25 flight from Gatwick)
Airbus A40 I do not know, I suspect it was an A320/319, was the seating plan 3+3 with one centre aisle?, or maybe it was their A300, with 2 aisles and a lot more seats?
Can you tell me what the price of a 500 ml bottle of Mythos was in any of the tavernas/bars.

Hope you had a good time, I will be there in June

THe only aircraft Strategic have registered in Luxenburg are 3 X A320

[Ploppy]

They also have an A330 (VH-SSA, ex Sabena, Lufthansa, Swiss) though I doubt this was used on a sub 4 hour charter.

The A330 is only 11 years old compared to the 18-20 of their 5 A320s.

Who can guess Aviation is another of my passions :-)

http://flightdiary.net/paulrickwood

[Mike G]

IMHO Monarch's standards of service and comfort were nothing to write home about. In particular the legroom was the worst I have experienced and the meal very mediocre. It sounds as if Strategic is no worse and possibly a bit better.  

Olympic are now using easyjet for some flights which I would be happy with.

Jann, you didn't mention their check in procedures so presumably no problems there.

Mike

[jann]

[quote name='JBMouse' date='May 12 2011, 07:18 AM' post='15571']
I am interested in the Strategic way of doing things, so thanks for the info.
A couple of questions: Did the transfer include all the numerous drop offs along the north coast, and, importantly, what time did you arrive in Plakias? (I am assuming you were on the 11.25 flight from Gatwick)
Airbus A40 I do not know, I suspect it was an A320/319, was the seating plan 3+3 with one centre aisle?, or maybe it was their A300, with 2 aisles and a lot more seats?
Can you tell me what the price of a 500 ml bottle of Mythos was in any of the tavernas/bars.

Hope you had a good time, I will be there in June
[/quote



Sorry, yes it was the A320 with 3+3 centre aisle !  I actually  flew from Manchester at 9.30 am arriving in Plakias just before 7pm ( Greek time)  which was great for me.  Shame yours is a couple of hours later although you should still have pleny of time to eat if you want, I often didn't eat til after 10 !  If you don't need to eat  Ostraco is open nearly all night !  ( I can confirm at least til 5am    )

This time I only drank carafes of local wine but I think the Mythos would be around 1.80 - Euros !

I hope you have as good a time as I did ! my best one ever  

[jann]

 

[font="Comic Sans MS"][/font]

Just back from a fantastic 2 weeks and reporting on the Strategic flight!

Well, at check in we were told that there would be no food, drink or any other items available to buy unless a meal had been booked because their delivery had not arrived!

We did however get 2 complimentary drinks, tea, coffee or water during the flight!

The flight itself was on time but based at the furthest away gate and we were taken on a bus to board.  

Apparently they only have 2 planes and are registered in Luxembourg. both are the  A40 Airbus (and they look very well worn to me. ) One flies from Manchester and one from Gatwick.

Seat comfort not too bad,had worse on some Monarch flights.

On the return they seem to have improved , although some of the snacks/food sill not available. Didn't book a meal but met someone who did and he said it was the usual stuff you get!


Both flights were on time although 2 changes were made weeks before .

jann  

             hi jan been waiting for your report on strategic ,. that does not seem to bad! did you feel; safe?on the worn airbus  we are returning to plakias after five yrs , has it changed much hope they are still traditional with there food and not to commercialised  we like to walk a bit so we hope to get to the nearby villages  , were old beach bums really an d enjoy just lying on a beach , how was the weather ? and how long did it take from the airport . we are staying at kostas chrousula , only a week this time just had a longing to see plakias ,. enjoy the rest of summer its been good here up to now . sandra  

Hi Sandra, yes I  did feel safe !  and overall I think it was good and will improve as they get going. The cabin crew were very good too.

I first went to Plakias over 20 years ago and essentially don't think it has  changed much at all, it's still my favourite place in the world!  so I don't think you will  be disappointed.
The food is wonderful everywhere, Kostas is a lovely friendly place to stay, and Kostas has just taken over running Gorgona (again) which I can highly recommend, he is very proud of the quality of the ingredients for his food which is all traditional and Filippos the chef is wnderful.
We were there on his opening night and got to try some 'experiments'  

Go to Myrthios (about 3km walk ) and have a lovely food in Panorama taverana with a fantastic view of Plakias Bay. and to Sellia  both lovely traditional  villages, if you go to Sellia, say hello to Marianna (Morris) the artist with her llittle studio, she's lovely and a fount of knowledge of the area.

I've only been back less than 2 days and longing to go back.
Enjoy it    

[jann]

IMHO Monarch's standards of service and comfort were nothing to write home about. In particular the legroom was the worst I have experienced and the meal very mediocre. It sounds as if Strategic is no worse and possibly a bit better.  

Olympic are now using easyjet for some flights which I would be happy with.

Jann, you didn't mention their check in procedures so presumably no problems there.

Mike

I agree Mike, they are possibly a little better. I felt a little more comfortable with the both seat widths and leg room.

No problems at check in, very efficient, the limit was 15kg  and 5kg for hand luggage. and  they did pool passengers travelling together!

 I've also used Easyjet and would be happy with them.

Jann  

[Arnaki]

Hi Jann,

Thanks for your reports and the answer to the baggage question.  You must feel like an early pioneer aviator, bombarded with questions about the experience!  Our flight from Manchester is 10.30am ish, but you give me hope that it might be moved earlier.  I'd smuggle you back to Kostas in my suitcase if I could....

Arnaki

[grahame]

Hi Jann,

Thanks for your reports and the answer to the baggage question.  You must feel like an early pioneer aviator, bombarded with questions about the experience!  Our flight from Manchester is 10.30am ish, but you give me hope that it might be moved earlier.  I'd smuggle you back to Kostas in my suitcase if I could....

Arnaki

I booked my holiday with Olympic in November when the flights were showing with Monarch. The baggage allowance was 15kg unless you paid a supplement to up it to 20kg. I got my tickets last week (we fly out LGW 31 May 11.25). The tickets show a luggage allowance of 20kg. I have been told previously that your luggage allowance is that which is shown on your ticket. Either Olympic have made a mistake or Strategic allow you a greater allowance on the Gatwick flight.
Grahame

[jann]

Hi Jann,

Thanks for your reports and the answer to the baggage question.  You must feel like an early pioneer aviator, bombarded with questions about the experience!  Our flight from Manchester is 10.30am ish, but you give me hope that it might be moved earlier.  I'd smuggle you back to Kostas in my suitcase if I could....

Arnaki

I booked my holiday with Olympic in November when the flights were showing with Monarch. The baggage allowance was 15kg unless you paid a supplement to up it to 20kg. I got my tickets last week (we fly out LGW 31 May 11.25). The tickets show a luggage allowance of 20kg. I have been told previously that your luggage allowance is that which is shown on your ticket. Either Olympic have made a mistake or Strategic allow you a greater allowance on the Gatwick flight.
Grahame

sorry Grahame, another error on my part, the allowance was 20Kg as shown on the ticket, and not 15Kg

[Mike G]

IMHO Monarch's standards of service and comfort were nothing to write home about. In particular the legroom was the worst I have experienced and the meal very mediocre. It sounds as if Strategic is no worse and possibly a bit better.  

Olympic are now using easyjet for some flights which I would be happy with.

Jann, you didn't mention their check in procedures so presumably no problems there.

Mike

I agree Mike, they are possibly a little better. I felt a little more comfortable with the both seat widths and leg room.

No problems at check in, very efficient, the limit was 15kg  and 5kg for hand luggage. and  they did pool passengers travelling together!

 I've also used Easyjet and would be happy with them.

Jann  

Thanks Jann for your reports on Plakias which I'm sure will have wetted a few appetites for their return.

Re. the hold baggage, it had better be 20kg as I have paid extra for this and Olympic has assured me that is what I will get!

Mike

[jann]

IMHO Monarch's standards of service and comfort were nothing to write home about. In particular the legroom was the worst I have experienced and the meal very mediocre. It sounds as if Strategic is no worse and possibly a bit better.  

Olympic are now using easyjet for some flights which I would be happy with.

Jann, you didn't mention their check in procedures so presumably no problems there.

Mike

I agree Mike, they are possibly a little better. I felt a little more comfortable with the both seat widths and leg room.

No problems at check in, very efficient, the limit was 15kg  and 5kg for hand luggage. and  they did pool passengers travelling together!

 I've also used Easyjet and would be happy with them.


Jann  

Thanks Jann for your reports on Plakias which I'm sure will have wetted a few appetites for their return.

Re. the hold baggage, it had better be 20kg as I have paid extra for this and Olympic has assured me that is what I will get!

Mike

Mike, I didn't pay for the extra 5kg but it was still 20kg on the ticket and that's what I got. Maybe you are due a refund??

[Gemma1]

Glad you had such a great time Jann and pleased the Strategic flight was ok as we're flying with them from Manchester at the end of September.  We've booked the meals as it was only £6.99 return and I figured we wouldn't have got a drink and a snack for that price.  The prices is Plakias still seem very reasonable and we'll definitely be eating at Mousses  

Is Angelo the barman back at Kostas this summer?