smithva

From those of you with more travel experience than I have, are any US airlines better than others for travel to Europe? I've used British Airlines and Air France before and was satisfied, but their schedules/prices are not as attractive for the flight I'm now booking. Are there any differences in the travel experience between the major US airlines? Is it worth paying for a more expensive flight with Lufthansa, BA, or Air France over US carriers? I really appreciate any comments.

Langcraft

Every trip, except one, that I have taken to France in the last 10 years has been on Air France. I have never paid to check a bag on AF, they do not charge for alcoholic beverages in flight, and when arriving in Paris, AF flights arrive at Terminal 2, which is where the CDG-Roissy TGV station is located: Upon arriving, I take the TGV to a city in the general region I wish to visit, then pick up a rental car. I check daily for prices to Paris on United (out of Newark Liberty) or Air France from JFK. I haven't found a substantial price difference between the two carriers. Unfortunately, sometime in 2011, AF discontinued the one non-stop flight they had to Paris from Newark; departing EWR @ 7:45 pm, arriving CDG @ 8:30 am. For whatever it's worth, I'd suggest you fly Air France direct to Paris if it's doesn't cause you any major problems.

Ackislander

Strongly agree with Langcraft, though I fly from Boston rather than EWR.

Sarastro

Most of the aircraft are identical no matter what airline you choose, you´ll only be in the plane for 5 to 6 hours (hopefully asleep for most of the time), much of the differences are perceived rather than actual; I´d look at price and convenient schedules rather than the paint color on the side of the aircraft.

ira

Hi S,

I prefer AF or BA over Delta
I won't use US Air

In general, however, cattle class is cattle class. I go with the best schedule.

isabel

If price was equal I'd go with Air France nonstop flights. But it rarely is. I booked two tickets on Aer Lingus for this summer and saved over $800 over Air Frances price. For $800 I can spend an hour each way in the Dublin Airport. Last year I flew Iceland Air and saved about that much. You need to search sites like Kayak.com and compare. Occasionally there will be a sale but otherwise Air France is usually substantially more and I don't think a couple glasses of free wine is worth it. British Air has you connecting in London to get to Paris so no advantage there. There is really very little difference in the actual comfort of the experience from one airline to another.

phillyboy

Realize that a lot of people shy away from USAirways, but being in the Philadelphia area, they are usually one of the practical options for me. I have flown USAir to Europe at least a dozen times, and have had no real problems or issues.

I have heard that, for travellers connecting through PHL from other airports, USAir is inefficient and you need lots of time. The layout of the PHL airport doesn't help.

Have also flown to Europe on Continental/United out of Newark a number of times, and that was also fine.

kybourbon

It's not just the airline, but the type of plane.

TPAYT

I agree about the type of plane. Our worst flight over was on American in a plane with no individual TV screens but a small drop down TV in the center row. Even if a movie isn't your thing, the seats on this old plane were uncomfortable--felt like they were made of cardboard. Yes, it was the cheapest but never again.

We like Air France but the newest, most comfortable plane we ever took was on Continental--individual TV screens with 125 movies to choose from. As for us it's an 8 hr. flight from Chicago, comfort is important.

StCirq

I'm an Air France fan, though I did fly United for many years. I absolutely love the new AF Airbus 380 or whatever it is - smoothest ride ever and plenty of room to move about, even in Economy. Like the free wine/drinks too, and the food's usually palatable compared to other airlines.

giro

Have previously flown to Paris on Air France and to Europe on British Air.
Air France was always competive price wise, but in booking this year, both Air France and British Air were way off the charts.
We are booked on US Air out of Philadelphia for about 60% less.
If US Air is substandard, a sleeping pill should solve that problem rather quickly!

smithva

Thanks for everyone's comments. Sorry I didn't mention that I'm actually not going to Paris, but am booking an open jaw flight into Nice and out of Marseille. The cheapest Air France flights have very close connections (1 hour or so) that make me very nervous since I'd have to clear customs, so I guess it's a choice between paying for a more expensive Air France flight with a longer connection time or using a US airline. That's why I'm wondering whether the US airlines are at all comfortable for an international flight. I have never slept on an airplane - even when upgraded to business class (with a flat bed) on British Airways once....

StCirq

You don't clear "customs." You go through Immigration and Passport Control, and yes, that can take some time, but I've taken plenty of AF flights into Paris that go on to other French destinations, with connections as little as 45 minutes. They'll get you there - most of the time.

I've never experienced any level of "comfort" on ANY airline. I just suck it up and deal with it.

If you book on a US airline and then switch to an AF flight once you arrive at CDG, you're going to have to allow for a LOT more time.

maxima

You should know that some airlines code share.. so for example when you book on Air France it could also be a Delta flight, or a Continental flight depending on the airport and the actual flight. you can look at itasoftwear.com and then click on the flight matrix.. it will list the flights and prices of all airlines.. easy to read but you cant book on that site

janisj

"<i>The cheapest Air France flights have very close connections (1 hour or so) that make me very nervous since I'd have to clear customs, so I guess it's a choice between paying for a more expensive Air France flight with a longer connection time or using a US airline</i>"

AF is fine IMO, but I loathe connecting through CDG . . . However if AF would sell me a good fare w/ a short connection through CDG I wouldn't worry. If you miss your flight they will put you on the next available flight. They do tend toward short connections . . . .

Ackislander

We connected from Marseille at CDG in the other direction -- USA bound with a very short connection time. We did the minimal exit formalities at MRS, then at CDG a minibus picked us up _at our aircraft_ and drove us directly to our plane to the US. The crew was waiting for us and shut the doors and started as soon as we were aboard.

I hope this doesn't happen to you as it was slightly fraught, but it does show you do not need to worry very much about connection times on the same airline unless you are physically handicapped.

smithva

Thanks, everyone, for your help and comments. I ended up booking on Air France after I found an acceptable fare that had two-hour connections each way.