Opinions on airlines BOS to NBO

Old Jun 5th, 2013, 04:42 AM
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Opinions on airlines BOS to NBO

I'm looking at airfare now to Kenya for February . Price being the same or +/- $30, these are my choices:

British Airways BOS-LHR-NBO-LHR-BOS
KLM BOS-AMS-NBO-AMS-BOS (Delta on the BOS-AMS rt)
Air France BOS-CDG-NBO-CDG-BOS (Kenya Air on the CDG-NBO rt)

My concerns are: flying out in February, which is always risky in Boston due to snow and last year London had its share of snow delays as well. But of the three, London has the most option with Boston in the event I'd need to rebook due to snow. I had a not so great experience with KLM coming home from Tanzania this year, would rather not subject myself to it again OR give them more of my money, but I love connecting in Schiphol and otherwise I was fine with the Delta/KLM experience. I personally don't mind Air France, have flown them before but I read not great things about Kenya Air's planes and service.

Any thoughts or experience on the above?

So, the lesser of which evil...
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Old Jun 5th, 2013, 08:50 AM
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Unfortunately they all suck, but if I was forced to pick one then I'd choose BA. You are right, there are lots of connections out of LHR. KLM is the worst, they lost my luggage when I took them to hike Kilimanjaro, and it delayed my hike by two days.

My favorite airline is Emirates, but you'll have two stops along the way, and I think it will be more expensive than the above three. (BOS-JFK-DXB-NBO)
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Old Jun 5th, 2013, 02:41 PM
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Thanks amani, I checked out Emirates out of curiosity and it is actually cheaper than the above three by a little but the routing is just too long...I'd go crazy! I guess I just have to realize my options do suck and pick one!
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Old Jun 5th, 2013, 02:45 PM
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For me my only concern is that the plane takes off and lands. Just get me where I'm going and safely. That said, but especially for Feb travel, I'd be sure to add a day or two before due in Africa. Weather, naturally.
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Old Jun 6th, 2013, 05:52 AM
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I guess "first but not last safari" was accurate! Are you already heading back for another next February? Nice!

We had our luggage delayed a day flying KLM through Amsterdam to Uganda - and it was not a tight connection so no good excuse. Not that that doesn't happen with other airlines too.
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Old Jun 6th, 2013, 06:39 AM
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Yes, Leslie, I'm OBSESSED! The more I talk to people the more I realize it's a crap shoot. I'm still waiting to be teleported there...
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Old Jun 6th, 2013, 07:00 AM
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I had a good experience flying KLM from Chicago-AMS-JRO a couple years ago. Am going to Nairobi in a few weeks and am booked on Air France, but it's actually KLM again - Chicago-AMS-NBO. As before, I'm ONLY taking carry -on. At least that eliminates the lost luggage problem from potentially interfering with your trip. Any and all airlines lose your checked baggage for no good reason. Remember, you really need to bring less clothing and "stuff" with you than you think
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Old Jun 6th, 2013, 08:12 AM
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I have lots of packing lessons learned from Tanzania and definitely will take less this time, cateyes, but I'll never get to carry-on only, at least not legal "fits in the bin" carry-on only! LOL!
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Old Jun 7th, 2013, 05:44 AM
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What a fun obsession!
I agree about the crapshoot of picking an airline and all of them lose or delay luggage. I really wish I could go carry-on only but I don't think I'll ever manage that. Probably a higher likelihood of teleporting happening.
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Old Jun 13th, 2013, 07:23 PM
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Economy from Boston in Feb? hat that what we're talking about? I like KQ fine in business and love Schiphol and do SkyTeam most of the time, so I'd be inclined to go one of those routes. But it sounds like LHR might make more sense for you. I fly from California where weather is less of an issue.

If you become an Africa addict, look carefully at FF or points programs. Every little bit helps on these costly trips.
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Old Jun 14th, 2013, 05:37 AM
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I ended up going with KLM ultimately. I think AMS weather in February is more predictable than LHR. It's enough to worry about Boston. Plus, for fairly short money, I can upgrade to more legroom in coach, without having to shell out for Business.
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Old Jun 14th, 2013, 07:58 AM
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Regardless of the airline, I like to schedule a buffer day and either carry on or at least pack everything I need for the few first days in a carry on. All of my trips have been on Skyteam carriers and I've had my share of delayed bags and flight hiccups. Good luck and have a great trip!
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