Jann

I will be taking my family of 4 grandchildren(age 1,5,8,9) and 6 adults to Italy for 2 weeks in July2005. I will be purchasing the tickets as the schedules to use mileage on United are all over the place. We will be flying coach. Which airline do you believe is the most comfortable for adults & most accommodating for children. Thank you

Weadles

We have often flown with our kids on American from JFK-Rome. We always choose American because of the extra legroom, but I understand that some of the planes are being scaled back in coach. Just check it out before booking.

By the way, I'd look into the flights soon since they can book up early for the summer. Good luck!

Grasshopper

Any airline that has a direct flight. Changing planes takes the most out of you. Also, with the kids you should be able to get a row in bulkhead which will give you more legroom.

massagediva

You are the BEST grandparent in the world!!!!

stefanaccio

Sono d'accordo. I always try to fly USAirways nonstop from Philly.

Casale-Abruzzo Villa
http://www.angelfire.com/film/casale

Traveler863

Yes great grandparent...adopt me!
Don't discount UA miles...look into using a partner such as Lufthansa (connect Frankfurt) or BMI from Heathrow. Otherwise, I've flown AA from JFK or Air France via (CDG)....I prefer Air France. You can also fly British Airways with very good service.

rex

I agree that the transfer issue is critical to any answer - - thus, the missing piece of information is: what will your likely choice(s) of origination airport(s) be?

And you should be aware that with ten people traveling together, you may need to go through the ""group desk" - - the kicker is that the one-year-old would typically not be required to have a paid seat (unless birthday two is coming before you travel).

Although it is a pain to call the airlines these days - - with long, long waits on hold - - you may need/want to do this, to talk to the group desk.

Group fares are not always the cheapest option (though sometimes they are your only option) - - but they do confer certain privileges, such as not having to pay in full up front (balance due at 30, 45 or 60 days out), and the privilege of changing names, if the group changes.

Best wishes,

Rex

Traveler863

Rex,
You are very correct and good run down on group fares. I typically travel in groups 8+ and we've always consulted the group rate desks, however we've also always done the wait and see game and it almost always comes out that hitting a sale fare works out cheaper. And to my best recollection, I don't beleive group fares offer kids discounts, the typical 75% adult fare for kids 11 and under....which in the past made a difference too, which they could get a discount on a sale fare as well, so double whammy. Not up on recent kiddo fares, its been a few years...mine are 20ish now so been paying adult fare for 8 or so years now. But anyone in that boat should definitely check all these possibilities out to make their best decision.