Excel Airways, which has gained a reputation in the short-haul charter holiday market as a leading airline for service and punctuality, is extending its route network with the addition of long-haul services.
From November 2003, in association with the tour operator Golden Caribbean, Excel Airways will be introducing twice weekly services between Gatwick and the Caribbean islands of Grenada, Tobago and St Kitts.
The programme of flights will build on the success achieved to date by Golden Caribbean and will feature direct return flights to Tobago on Thursdays and direct return flights to Grenada on Sundays. There will also be a service on Saturdays to St Kitts and Tobago. Fares start from £299 return.
The Excel fleet will be increased with the introduction of Boeing 767-300 aircraft, which will operate in a three class configuration, Excel One, Excel Premium Economy and economy.
Excel One will feature a dedicated cabin of 24 club-style seats with a seat pitch of 45”. Other benefits will include dedicated check-in, complimentary wine champagne and drinks, individual hand-held entertainment centre, upgraded meals served on china, newspapers and magazines, personal pampering kit, linen pillow and fleecy blanket, priority disembarkation, priority baggage and baggage allowance of 40 kilos.
The Excel Premium Economy service will offer a dedicated cabin with 28 seats providing a 34” seat pitch, 40 kilo baggage allowance, complimentary head sets, drinks, hot meals with a choice of entree and hot and cold towel service are among the benefits
Leather seats come as standard in the Excel fleet and will feature throughout the aircraft. Also offered will be three course meals with choice of entrée, pre-bookable children’s meals, complimentary headsets for all, kiddies’ packs for the children together with a special audio channel and in-flight entertainment.
Excel is operating the service on behalf of Golden Caribbean, an operator which has established a reputation for offering value for money seat only fares to the Caribbean islands.
Commented Martin Cooper, Golden Caribbean, “Our unique venture with the Islands of Tobago Grenada and St Kitts has been a remarkable success and this new programme with Excel will enable us to build on this. Excel has an excellent reputation in the short haul market and we are confident they can build on this with their entry into the Caribbean market on our behalf”.
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