katzen

Has anyone flown Delta overseas (to europe)? If so, how was it? My husband is tall (6'7).
They seem to have the cheapest airfare over at this point for summer.


Thanks!

ira

Hi K,

If you are going cattle class, it doesn't matter.

Your husband is going to be cramped.

Get aisle seats across from each other. When one leg gets too cramped, he can change with you and stretch it.

katzen

ira, I love it. We are definitely considered the cattle class. I've been on the phone with different airlines all day. The cheapest I found was out of Philadelphia on Delta. Fares on other airlines and even including 1-800-fly-europe are 1100 and higher... crazy! I'd hate to see what business class is going for!

I'm afraid we are going to have to suck it up if we want cheap fare

Balm

I have been flying to Europe (my home) on practically every American airline - even those no longer in existence - and a few European and haven't noticed marked differences in comfort levels between them, may be with exception of Lufthansa, which has most comfortable seats, but their ground personnel is overly bureaucratic and tries to impose European luggage restriction on an overseas flight from the USA, so never more Lufthansa for me. Delta's fine.

Hefeltraveler

We just got back from our 5th trip to Europe. I have flown on alot of different airlines. I don't mind flying coach, just anything that is the cheapest to get there. However, I must say that I was disappointed with Delta. The service was blah, you have to pay for headphones, there are no free drinks (alcoholic)and the worst for us was coming back in country through Atlanta, their hub. Atlanta is hands down the worst airport to go through customs at and the customer service is non-existent. Would I fly them again? Yes, if their fare was more than $150 less than any other airline. No, if a comparable flight could be found on Air France or even Continental. Good luck.

wliwl

We flew Delta (and Alitalia on the way back) to Europe in June. My son is 6'6".

On the way there he got an exit seat - get there early and BEG BEG BEG someone, anyone. Go to ANY gate that is open (don't wait for your gate to open) and BEG THEM. That's what I did and it worked eventually.

On the way back he was sitting behind a child who seemed to be alone. She never put her seat back, although in all honesty there is no way anyone could have put their seat back - my son's knees were right smack up against that seat no matter what position he was in. It was pretty sad really.

In hind sight I think maybe the bes thing would have been for me to choose a seat in front of my son. That way we could guarantee no one would be trying to shove that seat back.

wliwl

By the way, at 6'7" it is not going to make ONE BIT of difference which airline you fly, unless you upgrade to business ot first class.

mari5

American's 777 has 2 on each side instead of the 3 people on most other airlines....AND they have a couple of inches more width. However, the leg room is probably the same on all of them. I sat behind a perfectly healthy BIG and tall man (I was in the second row in coach---HE was in the first row that had nothing infront of him.(loads of space) He flies often and was an overseas oil field worker...When I asked him how he got that front row seat he said "can't you tell by looking at me? (at his size). You could certainly ask for that seat ahead of time and keep asking AND beg at the airport, getting there early. 6ft 7in is TALL. BUt that seat really is suppose to be for handicapped or people in leg casts etc.)
One other time a lady across the aisle from me was asked to move to another seat (she was on the aisle of the 5 in the middle)They said a family was coming to sit together.
No family came , but a very tall man, 6' 5" or so came to take that seat so he had that and one next to it. Flight attendant told me later he refused to board unless he could have that arrangement. Seemed a little strange to me, and it didn't seem right, did it?

rkkwan

I don't know any regular airline that charges headphones for trans-Atlantic flight. I highly doubt Delta does either.

If you want more legroom, you can fly United. If you are an United "premiere" or if you pay for a $399/year fee, you can get a "economy plus" seat with about 3-4 inches of extra legroom.

Or you can pay more and fly British Airways or Virgin Atlantic's "premium economy" class.

rkkwan

There is no extra width on AA's 777. They put 2-5-2 seating, vs 3-3-3 on some others. DL has both types of seating in their 777 fleet.

Again, no difference in width.

mari5

rkkwan: Sorry.......

American Airlines 777, in all configurations in coach has seat width of l8.2 inches.

Delta Airlines 777 in all configurations in coach has seat width of 17 inches.

(and this probably applies to other airlines)

Source is : www.seatguru.com

We've been in both and one wouldn't think one inch would make a difference, but it seems to.
I heard AA was going to go back to the width of some other airlines,,,but am not sure that meant on international flights.

Well, the original question was for a TALL person and leg room, so this really doesn't matter, does it?
But just wanted to let you know that there IS difference in width.!

jody

Sorry rkkwan..American does charge for headphones..at least they did in October. Luckily I never listen to the canned music or watch the movies!

hipvirgochick

I noticed while doing my searches that many of Delta's codeshare flights with Air France have similar pricing. I flew Air France and the service was great and we didn't pay for ANYTHING. So, if that's option for you check that out. Sometime's I'm actually thankful to be 5'2"

Therese

Not only does Delta provide free headphones on transatlantic flights, they no longer charge a fee for in-flight entertainment on domestic flights. You can use your own earphones free, or you can purchase earphones from Delta (very inexpensive) that you then keep and can use as often as you'd like on future flights.

All domestic (U.S.) airlines now charge for alcoholic beverages on transatlantic flights in coach, so Delta is not an exception.

And I find that Atlanta's international arrivals area runs very smoothly.

All transatlantic flights are crowded and cramped in coach, and they all supply truly dreadful food.

Go with the cheapest flight.

katzen

Thank you for all of the replies!! Yes, I do think if Delta remains the cheapest, we will stick with them. How can we beat $804 R/T for my husband to Germany and a $914 open Jaw for me (on the trip home I'd be on Air France)?

Every other airline is 1100 or higher!

rkkwan

jody - AA charges $2 for a headphone, but not for flights to Europe, Japan and South America. You can find the info on aa.com.

Again, no mainland US airline charge headphones for flights between US and Europe. They also all serve 2 meals, despite many rumors you may hear. They also provide pillows and blankets, again free. Please don't spread rumors.

---

mari5 - The 777 is a spacious plane when an airline put 9 seats across, and most do. Some have slighlty wider seats, some slightly wider armrest, some leave slightly wider aisle. The difference in width among the airlines with a 9-abreast seating on their 777 is negligible, despite the numbers.