Air Malta offers 35,000 seats at reduced prices

Stephen Thorne

Jun 25th 2008, 18:38

I don't rate Air Malta at all. Having been very impressed on the flight to Malta in February, they have ruined their reputation for me by damaging my luggage on the return and then by completely ignoring my claim (£35!!) and letters requesting redress. An airline that hasn't even the courtesy to respond to a customer is a very poorly run company and that has been the message I have passed on to friends and colleagues who asked about a holiday in Malta. So no recommendation from me.

Ryan Paul Galea

Apr 17th 2008, 23:54

Air Malta has a very good service and the planes they use are A319/A320 which use the fly by wire technology so they are more or less quite modern. Ryanair uses the B737-800 which is quite a modern model as well. As regards to Jason Pace's comment about the fact that he felt safer flying with Air Malta, i think that this isn't a question on 'safeness'. Ryanair's aircrafts are held up to date and the aircrafts are among the safest in the world being proved safe by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and by European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). They meet very high standards and the B737-800 aircraft is, if not the most, one of the most aircrafts that are popular with the airlines today. I think Ryanair is very feasible to fly with considering the fact that some flights are being charged at only 1c excluding taxes. But at the end of the day, the most important is the fact that you arrive at your destination without any problems. My personal toughts are and I will conclude with it, that Ryanair is more worth to fly with money-wise.

Jason Pace

Apr 16th 2008, 23:29

Well since I fly often, this is my opinion from my experience:

1) I travelled with Ryan many times to Lotun and once to Pisa, what I can say is that the flights were ALWAYS ON TIME. On the other hand service is a disaster on the plane, and true people are stupid to rush for a seat. If you purchased a ticket than there is a place for you on the plan! Timing is another issue, but going to central UK is convenient...

2) I went to Spain with Easyjet (from UK) and flight, plane and service was excellent. I am going to UK in 2 weeks time and looking forward - going with easyjet.

3) AirMalta have no idea what on time means. Ask the people who fly often from the UK, if they tell you that the flight was on time, than they are very lucky. My mum 2 weeks ago came from Tunis - 8 hours delay and I am not joking. Mine was from Birmingham - 3 hours delay. Though service is great and feel more safe on the plane!

Last time airmalta did similar offer when they launched the new site, I was really irritated since when going to buy the tickets, the prices were very high to the once advertised and for me they lose credibility in this way. I have not bothered to check today but I bet it is the same. This is why competition is nice!

Emma Micallef

Apr 16th 2008, 13:47

I am working & living in Bristol at the moment so I fly back home to Malta quite often, using a variety of airlines. Although occasionally you can find a good deal with Ryanair, you usually get ripped off when you add baggage on (which is only15kgs). Add to this the pushing & shoving of other passengers to rush on to the plane (seat numbers are not allocated), the less than pleasant cabin crew who just about speak English, and the awkward times that flights tend to land in Luton I would gladly pay 'more' to receive 'more'.
I have flown with Easyjeyt from Bristol to France for a skiing holiday & thought that they blew Ryanair, Air Malta & British Airways out of the water. Although seats still aren't allocated, you do get 20kgs of luggage, pleasant, friendly and English speaking cabin crew and new, clean planes. Needless to say I was very impressed, especially when all this cost us £65 return each including taxes. Other airlines could learn a thing or two from Easyjet!

Stephen Spiteri

Apr 16th 2008, 13:09

It's easy for people to rubbish airlines like Ryanair, but not when I've just come from a weekend in Barcelona having paid 110 euro return for THREE tickets !!! Beat that Airmalta !

TANYA BARTOLO

Apr 15th 2008, 15:53

I have just booked and paid via airmalta.com two tickets to London Heathrow from 16 to 19Jan for EUR117.40 per person inclusive of taxes. The calendar view helps you identify the lowest fare on a day by day basis. Certainly not a Gimmick!!! Remember Ryan Air had to shut down their website recently since it was not showing all the charges. And by the way I purchased also online the travel insurance for less than EUR10.

Paul Savona

Apr 15th 2008, 12:22

Julian, it is not rocket science, you times it by 2. As with all other airlines, it depends on availability that is why they wrote "from". I just checked, a return to Heathrow is €128, €64 each way. WOW, cheaper than the published € 67!! If I flew on the Saturday I would have paid more. Neither Ryan Air or Easy Jet have published fares in November yet. Sames dates with BA is €170 return €85 each way and that is Gatwick not Heathrow.

Julian Gatt

Apr 15th 2008, 11:20

As usual the deals are on One Way, but some of like to come back. Is it on the return journey we get hit between the eyes? Why can't they be upfront and tell us in their advertising the full cost including taxes and surcharges for a return journey as well as the special one way deal?

Steve King

Apr 14th 2008, 23:57

Nothing special about Lm28 per fair. BA will still be cheaper around that time. This August, my tickets for a 2 week return to Malta from Gatwick were over Lm300 from Air Malta, Lm252 with EasyJet and Ryan Air - British Airways were still cheapest with LM180 (for 2 people return). Although BA have lost the best flight times to EasyJet, I have so far always found them cheapest overall, for most times of the year.
They also give 23Kg for baggage and no weight limit for hand luggage.
Going back to Ryan Air though, I have always found them more expensive than most airlines, by the time you add you baggage to the costs.
Has anyone flown with EasyJet yet, since their flights came into force?

alfred agius

Apr 14th 2008, 22:30

One way ticket ? Ugh! No deal.

J.Bonnici

Apr 14th 2008, 21:08

How much will it cost to return home?

Doris Attard

Apr 14th 2008, 21:06

Great for Christmas shopping, especially as they fly to central airports and give 20Kg luggage allowance! Try doing that with Ryanair at any time of year Mr. Abela.

A Abela

Apr 14th 2008, 19:50

The cheap flights are for winter. This summer I'll fly Ryanair then.