In order to use my FFMs, I have to fly CSA Czech Airlines and I am not familiar with them. They look OK to me on the web sites I visited. Is there any reason why I shouldn't fly them? Thanks.

I understand your unease, one reads of the national airlines of ex-communist countries, namely Russian ones having a less than satisfactory safety record.

I am flying to Prague this summer, and whilst Czech Airlines are marginally cheaper I chose to fly BA. Whilst there is no real evidence I am any safer with BA, it just happens to feel that way. Furthermore I accrue points as part of the BA frequent flyer scheme.

There's no real reason why you shouldn't fly with them, but ultimately it is your own decision.

We flew Czech Air this past Nov, part of a Lufthansa promotion . . . in fact, we flew United from DFW to Chicago, then Chicago to Frankfurt, then Czech Air to Prague . . . we claimed and received all our miles on United. All flights were OK.

Hope this helps,
Sandy (in Denton)

It's unfair to lump Czech Airlines in with the less reliable former eastern block carriers. It, LOT Polish Airlines and Malev Hungarian Airlines, as well as Adria Air from Slovenia are safe, well-run carriers.

I am a nervous flier and choose my airlines with care. I check who they code-share sectors I am flying with.I have previously booked a holiday on the condition that I am perfectly happy with the airline offered ( Virgin) but I was not prepared to take a codeshare operated on the same route.
I would fly C.S.A. and I agree with sfowler that you need to discriminate between those former Eastern block airlines which have developed and improved(including this one) and others.

Hi WT,

See what these folks have to say.

http://www.travelfirst.com/pays/csa_e.htm

Well, let's see, I've been flying CSA for the past 7 years, and have never had a problem. 1st class treatment, 1st class staff, and all but one flight was on time. I've even seen them handle medical emergencies, and they did an excellent job.

As for BA, I've been delayed 4 times, had my baggage lost, been asked to move to a different seat because their check-in agents screwed up, NOT TO MENTION the fact that an awful lot of their flights have been cancelled lately...

When I had to change my flights around 2 summers ago, BA was the one that REFUSED to change my tickets, but CSA changed them for a $25 fee, and I was even upgraded to 1st class.

HMMMMMMM.

In fact, I was just thinking, yesterday, that I will not be flying BA this summer, because this whole terrorist/cancellation thing is not worth taking a chance. Although CSA has had some scares, as well, it does not seem that terrorists are choosing a small airline, like that one, as a target.

So, I'll just continue to fly on what is, in my opinion, the better airline, save some money, and have a lesser chance of my flight being delayed or cancelled.

Nashledanou

Thanks to all! What scares has the CSA had recently? I am not worried about terrorist problems. I am worried about maintenance of equipment and the money to do it with and the quality of the flight crew. Thanks again, WT

Just fly an airline your comfortable with and forget your FFMs, use them another time.

I asked a pilot how to check airlines in Europe and was told that the JAA is the equivalent of the FAA in the US. If an airline is a member and doesn't fly old Soviet planes, they should be fine. FYI, Czech airlines is a member of the JAA and Croatia is a Candidate Member as of January 2003.

We flew Czech Airlines last October from JFK to Prague and I don't have any complaints. The crew was polite, the food was decent, we departed about 30 minutes later than scheduled and arrived on time. I would definitely fly them again. Hope this eases your mind. My complaint is with Atlantic Coast Airlines. Departed Boston about 1 hour late and arrived in JFK 30 minutes before our flight to Prague left.

http://www.carsurvey.org/air/

At this site people review flights. Czech are a good airline - United wouldn't partner with them otherwise...