Bulgaria Ski discussion board
some questions about flying with Balkan
Author:Eggtastico
posts : 18 (Beginner)Date : 05-24-15 23:10some questions about flying with Balkan
hi,looking at flying with Balkan from Bristol first week of March next year.
I have been hearing some horror stories about cancelled flights.
Double touchdowns we could probably cope with.
A lot of the searches on google seem to be from 5 years ago, so how have they been lately?
Also, they are offering coach transfers & as we have infants (under 2yrs old), we was wondering what the laws are with seating/car seat, etc. on coaches & if they are provided.
re:some questions about flying with Balkan
We flew with balkan in March. It was the last week of the tour operator season (w/e 14th) and I understand flights were combined (think London and Manchester). Bristol was direct but a couple of hours later than we were told.The transfer coaches had seat belts. I don't know if they can provide child seats. Maybe get in touch and enquire?
re:some questions about flying with Balkan
Thanks for the quick answer.
We are going on the 5th & back on the 12th.
As there are 2 infants, we thought we would avoid the following week & the Horizon Festival, just in case it gets a bit rowdy (had no problems 2 years ago.. but then there was no infants!).
We only using Balkan, so we do not have to go via Gatwick, as it will a logistical nightmare, as this is for a group of 20.
I asked Balkan, but the sales rep didn't have a clue... and they are based in Bulgaria. I will try to ...
We are going on the 5th & back on the 12th.
As there are 2 infants, we thought we would avoid the following week & the Horizon Festival, just in case it gets a bit rowdy (had no problems 2 years ago.. but then there was no infants!).
We only using Balkan, so we do not have to go via Gatwick, as it will a logistical nightmare, as this is for a group of 20.
I asked Balkan, but the sales rep didn't have a clue... and they are based in Bulgaria. I will try to ...
Thanks for the quick answer.
We are going on the 5th & back on the 12th.
As there are 2 infants, we thought we would avoid the following week & the Horizon Festival, just in case it gets a bit rowdy (had no problems 2 years ago.. but then there was no infants!).
We only using Balkan, so we do not have to go via Gatwick, as it will a logistical nightmare, as this is for a group of 20.
I asked Balkan, but the sales rep didn't have a clue... and they are based in Bulgaria. I will try to ask Customer Services, but they are based in the UK.
Was wondering/hoping if someone had seen any infants on coach transfers and how they was restrained. Trying to read the EU directive, but it's quite vague in answers.
We are going on the 5th & back on the 12th.
As there are 2 infants, we thought we would avoid the following week & the Horizon Festival, just in case it gets a bit rowdy (had no problems 2 years ago.. but then there was no infants!).
We only using Balkan, so we do not have to go via Gatwick, as it will a logistical nightmare, as this is for a group of 20.
I asked Balkan, but the sales rep didn't have a clue... and they are based in Bulgaria. I will try to ask Customer Services, but they are based in the UK.
Was wondering/hoping if someone had seen any infants on coach transfers and how they was restrained. Trying to read the EU directive, but it's quite vague in answers.
re:some questions about flying with Balkan
I don't recall seeing any little ones on the coaches but you can't be the first to travel with infants. Be interesting to see what the UK office says.Good luck!
re:some questions about flying with Balkan
Have flown with Balkan at least 15 times. Planes are OK now. You should have been there in the old days. Never had any issues during the season with flight changes although it can be a bit dodgy early or late season. I do not do the in flight meals if offered as they are basic but they do do drinks trolley etc. Extra seat belts are available for children. regarding the transfer coaches they are fairly modern but not all have seat belts.re:some questions about flying with Balkan
But what is the price differential?
When I look & admittedly I look up to a year in advance I always find BA the best offering - flight times, 23kg of weight, in flight meal & free drinks, Terminal 5 Heathrow, T2 Sofia and key is price is the same/if not less when you add in all the extra's you would opt for..
Also as a personal perspective its the closest and quickest airport to get to & its a British company paying UK taxes.
And very lastly - as we collect air miles with out ...
When I look & admittedly I look up to a year in advance I always find BA the best offering - flight times, 23kg of weight, in flight meal & free drinks, Terminal 5 Heathrow, T2 Sofia and key is price is the same/if not less when you add in all the extra's you would opt for..
Also as a personal perspective its the closest and quickest airport to get to & its a British company paying UK taxes.
And very lastly - as we collect air miles with out ...
But what is the price differential?
When I look & admittedly I look up to a year in advance I always find BA the best offering - flight times, 23kg of weight, in flight meal & free drinks, Terminal 5 Heathrow, T2 Sofia and key is price is the same/if not less when you add in all the extra's you would opt for..
Also as a personal perspective its the closest and quickest airport to get to & its a British company paying UK taxes.
And very lastly - as we collect air miles with out credit card spending on stuff we buy year round it ends up being a free flight i.e. this year for a family of 4 were flying Club Europe for free (well taxes only) [probably the final nail in the coffin]
When I look & admittedly I look up to a year in advance I always find BA the best offering - flight times, 23kg of weight, in flight meal & free drinks, Terminal 5 Heathrow, T2 Sofia and key is price is the same/if not less when you add in all the extra's you would opt for..
Also as a personal perspective its the closest and quickest airport to get to & its a British company paying UK taxes.
And very lastly - as we collect air miles with out credit card spending on stuff we buy year round it ends up being a free flight i.e. this year for a family of 4 were flying Club Europe for free (well taxes only) [probably the final nail in the coffin]
re:some questions about flying with Balkan
"But what is the price differential?
When I look & admittedly I look up to a year in advance I always find BA the best offering - flight times, 23kg of weight, in flight meal & free drinks, Terminal 5 Heathrow, T2 Sofia and key is price is the same/if not less when you add in all the extra's you would opt for..
Also as a personal perspective its the closest and quickest airport to get to & its a British company paying UK taxes.
And very lastly - as we collect air miles with out ...
When I look & admittedly I look up to a year in advance I always find BA the best offering - flight times, 23kg of weight, in flight meal & free drinks, Terminal 5 Heathrow, T2 Sofia and key is price is the same/if not less when you add in all the extra's you would opt for..
Also as a personal perspective its the closest and quickest airport to get to & its a British company paying UK taxes.
And very lastly - as we collect air miles with out ...
"But what is the price differential?
When I look & admittedly I look up to a year in advance I always find BA the best offering - flight times, 23kg of weight, in flight meal & free drinks, Terminal 5 Heathrow, T2 Sofia and key is price is the same/if not less when you add in all the extra's you would opt for..
Also as a personal perspective its the closest and quickest airport to get to & its a British company paying UK taxes.
And very lastly - as we collect air miles with out credit card spending on stuff we buy year round it ends up being a free flight i.e. this year for a family of 4 were flying Club Europe for free (well taxes only) [probably the final nail in the coffin]
"
London is a non starter - early flight times, mean needing hotel rooms + the extra expense in travelling makes it a non starter.
The Early Bird booking with Balkan is soooo tempting.. less than £900 for 2 adults, half board in the Straz, transfers, lift passes (2 for 1), friendlier departure time.
How many airmiles do you need for a reward flight? I can see £50 off for 7500 miles. Tempted to swap to Avios, as I currently collect the Richard Branson variety.
When I look & admittedly I look up to a year in advance I always find BA the best offering - flight times, 23kg of weight, in flight meal & free drinks, Terminal 5 Heathrow, T2 Sofia and key is price is the same/if not less when you add in all the extra's you would opt for..
Also as a personal perspective its the closest and quickest airport to get to & its a British company paying UK taxes.
And very lastly - as we collect air miles with out credit card spending on stuff we buy year round it ends up being a free flight i.e. this year for a family of 4 were flying Club Europe for free (well taxes only) [probably the final nail in the coffin]
"
London is a non starter - early flight times, mean needing hotel rooms + the extra expense in travelling makes it a non starter.
The Early Bird booking with Balkan is soooo tempting.. less than £900 for 2 adults, half board in the Straz, transfers, lift passes (2 for 1), friendlier departure time.
How many airmiles do you need for a reward flight? I can see £50 off for 7500 miles. Tempted to swap to Avios, as I currently collect the Richard Branson variety.
re:some questions about flying with Balkan
as for the coach issue, i think we are going to arrange private tranfers for those with toddlers.cant get an answer from anyone!
re:some questions about flying with Balkan
I'm unsure as to the economy airmile cost but from memory were using maybe 60,000+ (for club and for all of us)
As for transfers we use Early Bird Wendy & Steve over a big bus option - 2x kids and prefer the safer driving style.
I booked up Feb 2016 months ago/more or less as soon as the flights became available as charter flights start low and only increase. This year we should have gone a week earlier but as I delayed buying flights they went into the thousands per person so delayed ...
As for transfers we use Early Bird Wendy & Steve over a big bus option - 2x kids and prefer the safer driving style.
I booked up Feb 2016 months ago/more or less as soon as the flights became available as charter flights start low and only increase. This year we should have gone a week earlier but as I delayed buying flights they went into the thousands per person so delayed ...
I'm unsure as to the economy airmile cost but from memory were using maybe 60,000+ (for club and for all of us)
As for transfers we use Early Bird Wendy & Steve over a big bus option - 2x kids and prefer the safer driving style.
I booked up Feb 2016 months ago/more or less as soon as the flights became available as charter flights start low and only increase. This year we should have gone a week earlier but as I delayed buying flights they went into the thousands per person so delayed a week and obtained a good deal.
As for transfers we use Early Bird Wendy & Steve over a big bus option - 2x kids and prefer the safer driving style.
I booked up Feb 2016 months ago/more or less as soon as the flights became available as charter flights start low and only increase. This year we should have gone a week earlier but as I delayed buying flights they went into the thousands per person so delayed a week and obtained a good deal.
re:some questions about flying with Balkan
I always book full package flights lift pass etc. Have often looked at doing separates but have never been able to save that much so cant be bothered with the hassle. Last time out £394 all in . Haven't looked this year yet but will find a deal somewhere. Normally Balkan come back and match anything I find because I have been with them so many times.dbut
