Ron Johnston, Sliema
Compliments to national airline
I feel I must respond to the first paragraph of Kenny Greenan's letter (August 4) in which he refers to Air Malta's in-service catering in a derogatory way.
Having just returned from my annual visit to the UK, I would compliment Air Malta on their in-flight meal (even though I have digestive problems and could only partake of part of it). It was very highly complimented by other passengers too. This meal consisted of chicken, new potatoes and vegetables plus gravy, chocolate sponge, cheese spread, roll, two crackers, butter, tea or coffee.
Furthermore, a complimentary non-alcoholic drink was provided, as well as a set of earphones and The Sunday Times.
All the staff were very polite, mannerly and approachable.
Air Malta are second to none and a credit to tourism in Malta. Well done, it is recognised and appreciated.
18 Comments
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Claris Galea
Aug 8th 2008, 10:04
@apgrech
Could have been a misprint , but I just checked www.airmalta.com and Malta Catania in November is selling at Euro 34 plus other taxes :-)
Half price on wednesday , I think ?
C'mon guys , cut the cra..........
Andrew Azzopardi
Aug 7th 2008, 23:35
That is why we are paying a fuel surcharge of some €25 per segment, to make up for the increase in fuel prices. Since that is being covered already, one cannot also increase the base ticket price on that pretext.
If you care to look at my first comment, you will see that I said I was excluding 'fuel surcharges and other extras'.
As a matter of fact, the price of oil is now falling, which is good news for all. See http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080807/world-news/oil-falls-to-three-month-low/
Claris Galea
Aug 7th 2008, 20:18
If one was living in this world ,one would have noted that a barrel of oil today cost $135 .
Way back last year it was about half that, I think ,or less ?
My maths teacher used to tell me to compare like with like . or make pro rata allowance .
My science teacher once said " An aircraft uses engines which run on refined fuel oil to create lift and fly "
The Times allows everyone to reply to comments and mud slingers.
My grandad used to say "No one does anything for nothing " and "people who throw shite have dirty hands " and " Point your finger and have the other four pointing at you " .
More people like Mr Johnston should be helped to write on the Times, since it is carried on all Airmalta Flights.
apgrech
Aug 7th 2008, 19:52
I was reading Il Corriere della Sera and checked some advertised flight rates from Malta to Catania and back. The "special" deal was €1163.00. Now, that is a very special price indeed ;))
Andrew Azzopardi
Aug 7th 2008, 18:23
@Charlie Galea
Unless you are writing officially on behalf of Air Malta, I cannot see why you want to know the precise date(s).
No, I did not make the booking on the same date. In 2007 I booked less than a month prior to departure; in 2008 I checked nearly 5 months ahead (!), and the price was much higher, as I said.
If you take a look at the prices at www.airmalta.com and compare them to the previous year, you can see that there is a strong upward shift, which basically reverses the much-trumpeted reductions of previous months/years.
There is no competition on the routes I fly most. However, if the trend continues, I will be looking at any alternative solutions which may exist.
I have no illusions about LCCs, though I have frequently used them (never to/from Malta, though) and found them quite satisfactory.
What I do not accept is an LLC-style service at legacy airline prices - if not more!
Claris Galea
Aug 7th 2008, 16:55
@Mr Azzopardi
Your comparisons are Obvious :-)
You cannot compare flight prices on the same date .
Firstly you need to confirm that you made the booking for your tickets on the same date .
Secondly you need , but cannot know , to see if the flight being booked was nearly full of half empty .
Only then could you declare that you are being fleeced.
Other people fly LC and complain of other things
The market dictates the price , Plenty of supply -- cheap price, rare item -- high price :-)
You , I believe are a believer in a free market .
As the spiders said to the Fly " Come in , its only us spiders in here "
Claris Galea
Aug 7th 2008, 16:45
@Mr Azzopardi
If you are to be believed , you should forward your complaints to Airmalta, unless you only have the intention of throwing mud .
No airline is perfect , and many times the service depends on the services of other suppliers.
If you were to give dates and flights , your grievances would hold more water .
In this highly competitve world , your mud flinging hurts those that strive to give a good service at a competitive price .
Way back the wife of a well known person , was heard to say "Shop around and do not complain ? " at least today you have a choice :-)
Alfred Grech
Aug 7th 2008, 14:30
Once I flew from Canada to Malta with Lufthansa. Because of a snow storm, the plane was delayed and we missed the connecting flight to Malta from Frankfurt.
In Frankfurt, there was only one person to direct the 400 plus passengers and we were given one food coupon by the airline. I had to wait 8 hours in Frankfurt and it was no fun - no one spoke English and they would not accept Canadian dollars so I used VISA since one coupon was not enough to keep me going foodwise. I even had to buy a Coke using VISA towards the end of my wait.
I was lucky to be given a seat on an Air Malta flight which arrived at midnight here. The courtesy of the Air Malta staff made me forget the aggravation I went through.
laurence schembri
Aug 7th 2008, 13:29
Andrew, pricewise you are 100%. Mostly I travel in winter, my destination is mostly Germany.
I am lucky that Air Berlin gives the service that I need and at half-price than Air Malta would.
We are being fleeced, you know it, I know it, they know it.
Try book a block number of say six on a special offer, it is always the same. sorry there is only four seat left, two you have to book on normal fare. You board the plane and it`s half empty. I know, it happened to me.
My comment on the Fillet and Medoc was meant as a lighthearted comment, to break the ice.
vincent a galea
Aug 7th 2008, 12:50
I travel extensively. What Air Malta offers is far superior to other airlines (and I dont mean low cost!) who offer either a sandwich wrapped in cellophane paper or a packet of savoury biscuits...
Andrew Azzopardi
Aug 7th 2008, 12:42
My point is that one can overlook the quality of in-flight services on short and medium haul flights (as Air Malta's) if the price of the ticket is right. For all I care, Air Malta can dispense completely with in-flight meals, as long as they do not fleece us on the fare.
Mr Schembri, unfortunately many times there is no choice. In practice, it is frequently Air Malta or nothing. What do you have to say about the dramatic increase in prices? Is that also 'fine'?
laurence schembri
Aug 7th 2008, 12:33
@ Joseph Micallef
Of course there is two different versions Joseph. Yours and mine.
Graham Crocker
Aug 7th 2008, 12:28
I never had problems with Airmalta, but I think the best for Food and Drink is Lufthansa (for price that is lol) ,those ovenwarm Salami Buns with melted cheese were to die for.
AirMalta's food is nothing special, but its ok I guess there were times when some really good food was served by them and times when the food was under-average, but it was never as bad as Mr Azzo. put it.
Mr Azzopardi, I heard great comments about UAE airlines regarding service and food, but I also heard about the Price tag that comes with it.
bernadette farrell
Aug 7th 2008, 12:22
I have to say that compared to other airlines the food that you get on Air Malta is exceptionally good. I travel quite extensively all year and use different airlines and the quality of food has very rarely been as good as the food that Air Malta serve.
laurence schembri
Aug 7th 2008, 12:10
Air Malta is a fine Airline, I suggest that from now on Mr.Azzopardi will choose another Airline and compare, but please let us know if your fillet-steak was rare enough for you to enjoy and if your glass of Medoc was at room temperature.
Joseph Micallef
Aug 7th 2008, 11:42
Having read Mr. Johnston's letter and the comments that followed, I am getting the impression that there are two completely different versions of Air Malta!
Andrew Azzopardi
Aug 7th 2008, 10:22
Mr Johnston was extremely lucky. This year I have been on six Air Malta three-hour flights, and it was always the slice of plastic 'ham' or luncheon meat, the dodgy-smelling 'salad', and the stale bread.
Nothing is 'complimentary'. As a paying passenger, the soft drink (no more wine or beer!) would have been included in the ticket price.
This does not bother me at all. Some of the stuff Air Malta served in the days when it still provided hot meals was pretty repulsive, so a slice of luncheon meat is an improvement as far as I am concerned.
What does bother me is the exponential increase in fare prices - and I am not referring to the fuel surcharge and other extras. A flight in September/October 2008 will be costing me some three times what it did last year for the same dates.
Alfred Grech
Aug 7th 2008, 09:36
I have travelled with Air Malta and find their service as good as any other airline I have used. Staff has always been very friendly.