jbjayhawk

We are headed to France in September and Continental presently has the best fares. This is our first overseas flight and I get pretty bored & restless after 3 hours on a plane. Anyone know how good the Continental experience is? Any good airline recommendations coming out of KC? Thanks!

loves2sing

I'm curious too. I don't recall ever flying Continental but I just found RT flights that are almost $300 cheaper per person going from LAX to Cologne (instead of my original plan to fly into Frankfurt/out of Munich). But since we have six people going, it's quite a savings! Just have to do a little adjustment to the itinery now....

TamaraEden

I'm flying Continental on March 23rd. Non-stop from Newark to Amsterdam. I've flown Continental from LA to NY a few times and prefer them to other airlines. I like the head rests. They have these wing things that you can bend forward so your head doesn't fall sideways when you fall asleep. I don't think most people realize the seats do that. They also usually have a deal for free headphones if you check in online. Not to mention they are one of the few airlines that still provide free meals. I have to admit. I've ordered vegetarian meals and they are Amy's brand which is quite good and available at regular markets. Overall, I'm glad to be flying Continental.

isabel

I've flown them several times, and will again. I think they are better than average.

By the way, most airlines have free headphones on international flights, as well as free meals. I don't ever recall paying for either on a transatlantic flight. You get both dinner and breakfast on the night time flights.

Seamus

I'm an acknowledged CO fan so may have a bias. That said, I have flown CO all over the US and Mexico as well as to Europe and Asia, in both coach and BusinessFirst and they remain my carrier of choice. Obviously, BusinessFirst is preferable if ti fits the budget. Coach on CO is as good or better than others I have flown. The seats are well designed, including the adjustable headrests with "wings." Service is efficient and friendly, and they fly one (if not the) youngest fleets of jets in the business. Food service is great in BusinessFirst and usually pretty good in coach. On transatlantic fligths they serve a meal after takeofff and a light breakfast/snack just before landing. Check in online and you will get a coupon for free headsets, otherwise they charge $5 a pair on US/Canada/Mexico routes; they are free on transatlantic flights. Alcoholic drinks are $5 each, and to avoid having to worry about making change on the plane you can buy at an airport kiosk vouchers that you exchange in flight for your drinks.

rkkwan

I've answered the OP's question on the "airlines" forum, so I'll address the other replies.

loves2sing -

Keep in mind that Continental uses the 757 for its flights to Cologne (CGN). It's a narrowbody aircraft with one aisle. No individual video screen, and the audio is crappy. Bring your own entertainment. It's NOT a comfortable plane to be on for 7-9 hours (your return flight is that long).

---

TamaraEden -

Not only do the headrests have wings, they also slide up for the passengers with long torso or long neck.

Headphones and food are complimentary on all airlines flying across the Atlantic, so it's not an issue. The OP's ERJ from KC to EWR won't have an audio system.

Scarlett

We always fly Continental or Virgin.
Continental is just fine, we try to get the plane that has just 2 seats on one side. All planes could have more leg room, so they are no worse than the rest, and we have always been happy with the service and on-time record.
They have the little screens in the backs of the seats, I take my own headphones. I think the food might be ok, I rarely eat plane food but it doesn't look or smell bad LOL
Our flights were always out of Newark .

sprin2

We've flown Continental overseas quite a lot lately, because their prices seem to be lowest. I am not a big Continental fan, but price is generally our deciding factor.

As rkkwan points out many routes use the narrow plane, without individual entertainment systems and the movies on these Continental flights can be very old. While food and headphones are free, I detest having to pay for drinks on international flights -- but guess that's the trade off.

Amy

I flew non-stop from Newark to Beijing on Continental and was just fine; I slept most of the time, even though I was in a middle of five seat. (I was very happy actually that my seat had gotten switched to that as the alternative was an enormous kicking "baby" of maybe one and a half or two years old on his grandma's lap next to me for fourteen hours.)

I don't eat plane food, either, so can't comment there (note: except for VA's ice cream; I like that touch.)

AisleSeat

Continental is ok but I have learned to be into total flying time. We flew Continental from Seattle to London through Houston and it took about a lifetime and a half, I think about 17 hours. Since then we have learned to fly SAS, BA or KLM over the pole and we can be in Europe in 9 - 9.5 hours. That is a lot more manageable.

rkkwan

Amy - CO's 777 (for EWR-PEK) is configured 3-3-3 in coach.

Anyways, again, 767/777 = fine. 757 to Europe = I'd seriously look for alternatives.

loves2sing

I realize the LAX to CGN is in a smaller plane. But I'm curious...how exactly does the size of the plane make any coach seat more comfortable? From what I can see, my "space" is the same regardless if there are 120 people on the plane or 220. I have been on larger and smaller planes and in all cases, I am DYING by the time I arrive after a long flight! Well, and when my back is bothering me, I am dying even after a short flight! But seriously, is there something else I'm missing? Or are you refering more to the entertainment offered? The inseat video? The movie choices? While those are certainly nice to have, I'm not sure I'm willing to pay $300 more for them, especially since we're taking the three kids. We will definitely bring some stuff to keep everyone occupied, but actually I'm hoping to get some sleep. Does the 757 have the headrest wings? Those really help!

rkkwan

loves2sing -

First, the lack of personal video screens and the sucky audio is one contributing factor, but not all. Also, no powerport in any coach seat, while some on the 767/777 do have Empower.

Second, the 757 is 3-3. You get an aisle seat on a full flight, and you'll have two people climb over you. On a 767 (2-3-2) or 777 (3-3-3), you can lower or eliminate that problem. If you have a window seat, you need to climb over two people to get out (777 also), vs one on the 767. Chances of middle seat is also much higher (1 in 3) than the 767 (1 in 7).

Third, lavatories. 3 for 156 coach seats on the 757. Compared to 5 for 149 on the 767-200, or 6 for 200 on the 767-400 or 6 for 248 on the 777.

Fourth, with only one aisle, it's always blocked by the cart or people heading to/from the lavatories.

Fifthth, because of the curvature of the narrower fuselage and the interior design, the ceiling is a lot closer to you than on a 767/777. So, while in 2-dimension, you have the same seat space, your 3D room is significant less.

Sixth, much much less overhead luggage space. It actually does matter even in flight because ladies won't have the extra room to put their purse, or everybody their jackets in the overhead. So, they get crowded onto the seats.

Seventh, some of the 757s are as much as 12-years old. The seat cushions may be of an older design or maybe just plain old. I know CO's considering updating some coach seats on their 757.

But to answer your question, yes, the 752s also have the winged headrests.

loves2sing

Wow, you are an amazing bundle of knowledge!

I don't need a power port so that shouldn't be an issue for me.

The 3-3 should work perfectly for my family of six. The only people climbing over us will at least be people we know. My husband perfers the window seat so he can lean against the side to sleep and he doesn't get up much, I prefer the isle so I can chat with my mom and daughter, and its only my skinny kid climbing over me (when I say he can ). Grandma and the other two kids will have to duke it out on how often they can climb over each other (afterall, they should all be grateful Mom and Dad are even taking them on this trip anyway ).

I thank God everyday for my stong bladder!

And I love it when the cart is blocking the isle, that means food or drinks are comin'!

So if the ceiling is a lot closer, does that then mean the overhead monitors are also closer? Good thing, because once I turned 40, my vision started to go on me .

We're all light packers so I'm sure we'll be fine on luggage space. We're going in June so we'll not have bulky jackets. And I always keep my purse with me anyway. It's very small. (I used to carry a bigger one but my husband was always asking me to put a few beers in it <@.

Old seats, now that could be a problem. Hmmm, a new cushion or old cushion in coach...but to me, it's still coach (and all I really want to do is lay down...and I can't). But I think I can suffer the discomfort for 9 hours for the $300 savings. Just think what a family of six can do with an extra $1800 on vacation!

Okay, so maybe I do seem to have a song in my heart (notice screenname). But I'm going on VACATION!!! Yeah!!! And...at $300 a pop, I guess it pays to be able to find the good in the situation. Hopefully I can teach my kids that same lesson too .

loves2sing

All kidding aside (it's late, I'm getting punchy), I really do appreciate all your input. If anything, it has helped me to know what to expect and helps me decide what I can live with.

ipod_robbie

Eight - the smaller 757 is a much bumpier, noisier ride compared to the larger 767 or 777.

Please don't spend the night talking to grandma. Right after takeoff, even before they server dinner many of your fellow passengers will be trying to get to sleep. For most trans atlantic passengers, the goal of getting as much sleep as possible is a primary mission.

I prefer to eat before I get on the plane and squeeze in an extra hour or 2 sleep if possible.

loves2sing

We're flying out of Los Angeles in the morning. I seriously doubt any of us SoCal's will be sleeping just yet since we just woke up. We switch planes in Newark, departing at 6:45 in the evening from there. Don't worry, I do have good manners and I promise to keep quiet on that flight

But then...with that awful noisy bumpy ride, who can sleep? Adding earplugs to my list....will deal with bumpy ride. Gosh! I'm still singing and its 12:52am here!

Intrepid1

Go to www.seatguru.com and select Continental on the left-hand sidebar and then the exact type of plane to be used on your flight. A wealth of information.

vakantie

Winged headrests! If I had only known this when I flew continental Newark to Amsterdam last christmas I wouldn't have had to steal my boyfriend's pillow and he would have been a lot more comfortable as well!

By the way I thougt Continental was just an ok airline (although this was before I knew about the headrests!). The plane looked old and dirty, I didn' find the seats very comfortable, the food was by far the worst I have ever had on a plane and the free headset was of no use to me since my audio wasn't working

However we arrived according to schedule and paid an ok price for the tickets.

rkkwan

ipod_robbie - I agree with your 8th point.

loves2sing - I admire your positive attitude. Hey, I took CO's 757 to Bristol, England last year too, knowing all its "issues". But hey, for 25K miles (vs 50K normal) I won't mind.

Also, with 6 of you traveling, I'll take 2 rows of three on the same side instead of whole row.

vakantie - My experience is totally different then yours. I found CO's planes cleanest and best kept among US airlines, and better than some international ones (like AF). I've never found a dirty CO mainline plane. [The Continental Express ERJ is another story.]