Free transatlantic kids' flights, when two adults fly

bollywood_rani

Hi DuggyMak

Thank you so much for the great information ! Its definately restored a lot of my confidence in booking with Zoom. My husband and I are still trying to finalise holiday dates with work, and our trip is all dependant on whether we get the 2 weeks we want. But if we are able to get the annual leave then Zoom is top of my list with the airline to fly with (there are mixed reports about the childrens places still being available, they are still on website, although it does say the offer ends 31st July). But even if we can't get the free child places, they still are considerably cheaper than other airlines.
I have visited Canada before, a couple of times, as I have a large extended family our there (so never have to book a hotel) ! But this would be the first trip for my husband and the kids to see their Canadian cousins. It is a wonderful place, with lots to see, and yes I have to agree that the Canadians are so friendly.
Thank you again for taking the time out to provide all these really useful details and your PM. I'll let you know if we book.

DuggyMak

Hi bollywood_rani.

Glad to help, keeping my fingers crossed you get your annual leave arranged quickly. (I have to decide each October when I want my annual leave, between the following April and March the next year! I usually find the letter on return from an extended family visit to Canada and it's difficult to think so far ahead, while remembering the highlights of this year's holiday).

I just checked the promotion code "Children2008" and it does work (simply enter it into the "promotions box" on Zoom's homepage) and it confirms that the offer has been extended until 31 August.

Incidentally, an excellent budget airline (within Canada and to Mexico and the Caribbean) is WestJet who regularly have seat-sales with discounts up to 50%, usually on mid-week flights. In fact, they also have even better deals but they don't alert you to them by e-mail, you simply have to keep monitoring their website!

Link: http://c3dsp.westjet.com/guest/home.shtml?language=EN

I have flown short-haul with WestJet twice, and, in my opinion, they are as good as, if not better than Zoom. On both occasions one of the cabin staff either sang or told jokes, over the intercom, while we taxied to our arrival bay! It was the icing on the cake of a tremendous "budget flight experience" and everyone on-board really appreciated their effort. As I said in my previous post Canadians really understand customer care!

I heard rumours last year that WestJet were thinking of starting a transatlantic service sometime but, presumably, in these difficult times for airlines such an idea will have been put on hold. However, if WestJet ever do fly from Glasgow it would be a difficult decision not to use them instead of Zoom, if their pricing was competitive!

DuggyMak

Saturday/Sunday (9 & 10 August).

I have been checking Zoom's "arrivals and departures" overnight as it is exactly a week until I fly out from Glasgow to Vancouver. Many of their flights have been on schedule, or earlier, however, apart from the usual small delays that can affect any airline, I did notice a few major ones.

The worst seems to have been an 11-hour delay because of a "bird-strike" to an aircraft flying into London. The second was because of a medical emergency involving a passenger which resulted in the London to San Diego flight being diverted to Denver. Neither of these could be avoided so people shouldn't blame Zoom, but I bet a few will. Remember if it was you or a friend who fell ill you would want the same treatment. Also, although it might seem insignificant, a bird can do a lot of damage to a modern jet so it wouldn't be allowed to take-off again without a thorough inspection/repair.

Finally, directly affecting my route there is an, unexplained, 4-hour delay on the incoming flight from Vancouver to Glasgow. I just hope all these delays gradually disappear over the next few days so I can once again enjoy a problem-free flight with Zoom.

I have made a note to post details of my flight after I arrive in Vancouver, assuming I can remember how to access my "forum" account. (It's automatic from my own computer!)

Incidentally, I just tried the promotion code "Children 2008" and it no longer works, although it definitely did a few days ago.

Jazzy_B

I got the following in an email from them at the start of the month.
Pay Only the Fees and Taxes
for Children Under 18 on all Zoom Routes
BOOK BY August 31st and Save

*Terms & Conditions: Valid on new bookings only. Limited availability. Taxes, fees & charges apply. Valid on all routes when booked before 31 August 2008. Must be a round trip flight. Minimum of 2 Adults paying full fare per booking. Maximum of 2 children per discount per booking. Child is subject to the discount in the seating class selected by the accompanying adults. Child must be 17 years old or younger.

Looks like you've been unlucky.

DuggyMak

I just checked Zoom's website as I will be flying to Vancouver tomorrow and wanted to see if any flights were delayed. Anyway, I noticed the promotion code "Children2008" is still valid until 31 August. Sorry if my earlier post misled anyone. It looks like it is even valid for returns in 2009 provided the booking is made before 31 August. It's important to note that the child must still be 17, or younger, at the date of the return flight!

DuggyMak

I again enjoyed an excellent (Economy) flight with Zoom from Glasgow to Vancouver (via Calgary) on 17th August. We left 20 minutes late due to a baggage problem but, eventually, arrived 20 minutes ahead of schedule. The plane was full but I was checked in very quickly as soon as the desk opened and I also managed to get a window seat.

I certainly noticed some cut-backs from my 3 previous flights (2 Premium Economy 2004 & 2006 and 1 Economy 2007): such as no complimentary pillow, bottle of water, or free wine with the meal but if that keeps their head above water in these difficult times I can accept it.

All in all, I still have no hesitation in recommending Zoom and look forward to my return flight from Calgary to Glasgow in 2 months!

pudding

has anybody found any cheap ones for 2009..it says all routes but i can't get any to fort lauderdale from gatwick or toronto from manchester..i have been playing about to get flights for next summer but aren't getting any child discount at all

Jazzy_B

I booked for next summer, Glasgow to Calgary, Vancouver to Glasgow.
Hope you find some flights

sonofmatrix

Just returned from two lovely weeks in Vancouver and the Rockies. While Zoom Planes are not as modern as Thomson which I used last time I flew to Vancouver there are good points and bad points which Ill list here.

Bad Points

• The Aircraft were a bit outdated
• Lack Of legroom on Economy
• Only the middle seats had there own screens for in-flight movies
• Some people depending on which side they sat on the plane had a choice of in-flight meal, my girlfriend did, I never strange.
• Sound not the best through zoom supplied headphones
• Toilets dirty

Good Points

• My two kids went free using Zoom Promotion Big saving there!!
• Flight Crew were excellent
• Direct Flight
• Food and drink ok nothing special
• 4 in-flight movies

Overall I would use them again but only if the promotion was on otherwise Id shop around.


Hope that Helps:j

withabix

Zoom have just gone into Administration!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7586654.stm

There website has shut down as well - just a holding page now:

www.flyzoom.com

WILL MARTIN START A PAGE TO HELP THOPSE WHO HAVE LOST MONEY, SEEING AS SOME USERS OF THIS WEBSITE WILL HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE OFFICIAL PLUG???