Please help us to decide which airlines to fly with from Montreal to Amsterdam
 

These airlines have almost the same air fares around US$550.00 from YUL (Montreal-Dorval)to AMS for April flights<BR>British Airways (via London-Heathrow)<BR>Air Canada (via London-Heathrow)<BR>Air France (via Paris-CDG)<BR><BR>What is your experience with any of these airlines?<BR>Which one would you use again?<BR>Which one you weren't crazy about?<BR>Why?<BR>This is our first flight to Europe and I hope you will be able to help us.<BR>Thanks<BR>Zoe, Steve and Bradley<BR><BR>

I would chose British Airways. Firstly, I would never chose Air Canada for an international flight. I have flown on AC many times and have found that overall service and what not has gone down hill. Seats in BA economy are quite comfortable and in the newest airliners, they have personal TV sets. As far as Air France is concerned, I have heard good things about their first class, but nothing about economy.

There are two factors here: the airline and the connection. In terms of airlines, my order would be Air Canada, British Airways and Air France. If I was a really tiny person I would move British Airways up in ranking. If I enjoyed 6 hours of chaos and undisciplined mayhem, I would give Air France a higher ranking.<BR><BR>In terms of ease of connection, the ranking would be British Airways, Air France and Air Canada. For the first two, there would be no change of terminal at the connecting airport. Air Canada would probably involve a change from T3 to T2 or T1.<BR><BR>On balance, if triple x is right that BA no longer flies the 747s with the midget seats, I would choose them. If not, Air Canada would be my choice.

Zoe: Check out Air Transat, the charter company as I believe they are now flying direct to Amsterdam. What I like is the "big" seat they offer.....far less than one on the other airlines.

Speaking about small seats and bad service: I don't think any of the majors can be worse than Transat or any of the other Canadian charter airlines.

Quick copy of my response on the airlines section of the forum:<BR><BR>Author: Jim Rosenberg ([email protected])<BR>Date: 09/14/2002, 09:16 pm<BR>Message: Some airlines may be better than others on the margins, but coach is still going to be coach. Which has the best connections? Your VERY best choice is a direct flight to AMS because it is far superior to changing planes in Paris or London. I believe you can do that on KLM. If it isn't too much of a premium, it's certainly worth something to make your trip less time-consuming. You also eliminate two flights from the r/t itinerary and the associated chances for delays, etc. that go along with them. <BR><BR>* * *