Agents have welcomed P&O Cruises’ decision not to contract Maleth Aero for its 2024-25 Caribbean fly-cruise season.
The line received a backlash from agents and customers last year after using the Maltese carrier to supply charter flights from Gatwick and Manchester to Barbados and Antigua for winter 2023-24 as the airline did not provide inflight entertainment or offer premium seating.
P&O Cruises announced last week it would not be contracting Maleth Aero for the coming winter season and was instead partnering with Tui Airways, Norse Atlantic Airways and Virgin Atlantic to fly customers for Caribbean sailings aboard Britannia and Arvia.
More: P&O Cruises changes alcohol allowance for embarking passengers
Travel Village Group chief executive Phil Nuttall said it was a “no-brainer” for the line not to continue a relationship with Maleth Aero, saying the service the airline offered “certainly wasn’t ideal”.
He commended the line’s decision to partner with airlines that all offer inflight entertainment and premium seating, and said it would benefit agents as they would no longer need to discuss the flight amenities with customers.
“Agents were getting asked all the time by customers who were interested in making a booking whether or not they’d have to fly with Maleth Aero, so by changing the carriers, it takes the pressure off the agents and allows them to get on with selling,” he said.
“I’ve no doubt some customers have been holding back on booking, so I imagine we’ll now see more sales.”
Travel Counsellors agent Emma Otter praised P&O Cruises for listening to feedback from agents and passengers, saying both the trade and customers have been “delighted” with the line’s choice of airline partners.
“My customers are delighted that P&O Cruises is using Virgin Atlantic, Tui and Norse Atlantic, as am I.”
World Travel Holdings (WTH UK) managing director Alison Earnshaw said: “It is very positive news that the airlines which P&O Cruises are using for their Caribbean charters this winter are well recognised airlines which will provide the onboard services customers will expect.
“I think it bodes well for forthcoming Caribbean sales as many regular P&O customers will have been waiting for clarification of this in advance of booking, especially if they were impacted by the challenges of last winter.”
Henbury Travel managing director Richard Slater said he wished the line had also confirmed its airline partnerships for the 2025-26 Caribbean fly-cruise season.
He warned that some customers might choose not to book in advance as they would not want to take the risk of a renewed partnership agreement between P&O Cruises and Maleth Aero.
“This is very positive news, but we would also like to see that flying for the 2025-26 season is sorted before the summer peak because it just delays bookings being made,” he said.
“Not having a [known] airline can kill off sales. Clients will not book before they know which airline they are flying with.”