I have just been pricing up flights for October this year and (to my delight) have found it''s cheaper to go via scheduled Turkish Airlines than any of the charter flights. £600 for 2 of us by Aegean and £435 by Turkish Airlines.
Being 6ft tall I am sick to death of being squeezed into a seat meant for someone much shorter, sleeping bolt upright, with my knees spread wide and still crushed is NOT a comfortable option to suffer for 4 hours - nor for a pensioner to boot!
Over the years I have seen a gradual deterioration of standards and customer service from the various charter flights and the last trip was the absolute pits.
Yes there will be a change of planes in Istanbul but choosing flights (daylight arrival too) carefully there is only a couple of hours to wait. A (decent) meal included on the international leg. AND, best of all, 32+ inch pitch seats (dependent on type of plane, some can be 36inch - I shall faint with anticipation) with a 6" recline. Not to mention 20kg + 8kg luggage. And such a choice of flights.
Normally we take the car to Birmingham but it''s better this way (and cheaper) to take Nat Xpress to Heathrow.
I have flown with them years ago but they lost out when the charters were cheaper and (then) better value. MISTAKE! Comfort on flights is more and more important as you get older.
Rosemary