ekscrunchy

I am confused about how to book a non-stop flight from JFK to MAD and a non-stop flight back to JFK from Lisbon. The simplest looks like JFK to MAD and Lisbon to JFK. But how can I do this non-stop?

I would prefer to stay either in Flying Blue (preferred) or the OneWorld.

I also need a ticket from Bilbao to Lisbon but think TAP is best for that.

I prefer to use airline sites and not third-party agents such as Expedia.

I would prefer business class.

What is the best way to buy a RT ticket using airlines from two different airline families? (Forgive the naivety of my questions; booking flights are a stumbling block for me and I am even considering a travel agent to help) On previous trips I always used the same carrier, or the same airline group; this time I do not see any non-stops within the same group.

Travel is in late October, for two passengers.

Thank you so very, very much to all who take the time to help out here.

travlsolo2

Check on kayak dot com, using the multi-city option, and then filter for non-stop flights. That will give you the airlines, and then you could go to their site directly if you see flights that would work.

dotheboyshall

United do what you want as one ticket - but from EWR. Otherwise you'd be looking at booking Iberia to Madrid and TAP from Lisbon.

Gardyloo

United and TAP have nonstops to/from Lisbon (United from EWR, TAP from both EWR and JFK) but both are in Star Alliance. Iberia and American (Oneworld) have nonstops from JFK to Madrid, as do United (EWR) and Delta (JFK.) Delta is in Skyteam thus will convey mileage credit to your Flying Blue account.

If you want to go nonstop both ways then you're going to have either a split-alliance ticket, or one with Star Alliance (UA/TAP) for both segments. Multiple-carrier tickets aren't difficult to arrange using Expedia or other OTAs but doing so through an airline is - probably - going to result in a higher overall price.

I would explore that option, but I'd also look at itineraries that would involve an intermediate stop in one direction. American flies to Lisbon from Philly, for example, or you could look at Air France or KLM with changes in Paris or Amsterdam, probably on the return. (Use Delta to Madrid, then AF or KL from Lisbon back to JFK via CDG or AMS.) Or of course Iberia has frequent service between LIS and MAD and IB's current business class product is very good (as are its lounges at Barajas airport.)

ekscrunchy

Thanks, all. I can fly out of Newark but again it means Star Alliance.

I did look at Kayak, there is an option with an airline I've not heard of..Air Europa.

Gardyloo: If I took the non-stops do I just book two one-ways: One on TAP and the other on Iberia? Maybe you are right, it is not such a huge deal to take Iberia both ways and just makes the stop in Madrid on the return...... OR: Use Delta and get those points, stopping at CDG or AMS on the way back.

I'm gratified that you say Iberia business class is good. I'd hate to shell out all that cash and have a mediocre flight.


I am so leery of booking through Expedia. Is that foolish? Are there not benefits in booking directly with the airline?

This seems so complicated that I want to put it in the hands of a travel agent but I will do more research and return with questions, no doubt.

ekscrunchy

ps. How is it possible that Finnair has a direct flight from JFK to MAD?

Gardyloo

<i>ps. How is it possible that Finnair has a direct flight from JFK to MAD?</i>

They don't, that's a "code share" flight where one airline simply puts its own flight number on a flight operated by a partner, in this case either Iberia or AA, both of which are Oneworld members along with Finnair.

<i>If I took the non-stops do I just book two one-ways: One on TAP and the other on Iberia?</i>

No, you will pay a huge premium. You want both flights on the same reservation or else the fare will shoot up - probably double because of nonsensical pricing on one-way flights over the Atlantic. You want "open-jaw" pricing - A to B and C to A - which usually ends up costing close to the same as a round trip IF it's on the same ticket.

I just looked on Expedia and the cheapest nonstop (both ways) option in late October is almost $6000 using United on both legs. By comparison, for the same dates a one-stop (outbound) itinerary on TAP, JFK or Newark to Lisbon, connecting to MAD, then nonstop back from Lisbon, was $2313. One-stop services on Delta or KLM/AF for the same days was over $4000. You can buy a lot of miles over the counter for the two grand you'd save by flying with TAP. TAP's new lie-flat business class product is pretty decent, too, according to this recent review: http://thepointsguy.com/2016/06/tap-...30-biz-review/

Booking on Expedia is perfectly safe; millions of people do it every day, and your route is not complicated at all.

ekscrunchy

A million thanks...I will take another look in the next few days and try to nail down one of your options. I have about 100,000 Flying Blue miles but no idea how to buy or use these for a flight..hopeless here, I know.

Are you recommending I stay with TAP both ways?

Sorry but I am really dense with this stuff...I can tell you where to eat tuna in Barbate, Spain, but cannot seem to get these airline flights settled..

Just let me know what I can help with if you ever pass through my areas--NYC or eastern seaboard USA....my treat for dinner.

jeep61

ekscrunchy,
I wish I could help since you came to my aid twice: pointing to me to the perfect villa near Bologna for our 50th anniversary celebration with kids and grandkids, and then recommending Liesl Matthews at Southern Destinations for another three generation family trip - this time to Southern Africa in 2018. She has been terrific and we hope to meet her in Los Angeles next month.

We flew non-stop to Lisbon but it was from Philly on American and then returned from Madrid non-stop but that was to LAX on Iberia (The latter was not a great flying experience in an ancient plane with uncomfortable seats and small TV-like screens hanging fro the aisle ceiling. Not good.)

Too bad since I would have loved to help you! Good luck with your challenge!

Southam

Your best source of options is presented by www.itasoftware.com which is a Google operation serving the airlines. It does not sell tickets retail but will show a wide range of choices. It takes some time to work out its filters. To repeat, you must use the multi-city search function because these combos are not one-way ticket purchases.
I think you are setting too many requirements on yourself. Playing airline alliances against non-stop flights against a dislike of agency sites is a juggling act that will be hard to keep up in the air. Yes, buying from an airline site is a good idea -- except when several airlines are involved that don't sell each other's flights. Then it is only practical to turn to the agencies, not just Expedia but Priceline, Cheapoair, and lots of others.
In looking for a low price on non-stops you run up against the merchandising fact-of-life that airlines are charging more for the non-stops knowing they're in demand.

ekscrunchy

Thank you. If I book with Expedia or one of those sites, can I choose my seats?

Southam

In my experience you will be better off using your ticket information, once purchased, to go to the airline site and choose your seats. I like Cheapoair but their seat choice option was both confusing and ineffective. I used the ticket info on the site of the originating airline, Air Canada, to easily select my seat. No guarantee, unfortunately, that other carriers will be so easy.

ekscrunchy

Thanks to everyone who responded. I just booked the RT: Delta non-stop to MAD and AF from Lisbon with change at CDG. Booked through the AF site.