Flights to Europe
 

First trip to Europe next April. We are flying from Denver to Rome, then returning from Paris to Denver. Any advise for best airlines? We are flying coach. (ugh)

Hi SS,

IMO, cattle class is cattle class.

Take the least expensive, most convenient plane.

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

Agree with Ira. I've flown to Europe coach about a dozen times. The difference between airlines is minimal and, frankly, I think the crew you get any given day, and who your sat next to, are more important.

Pick the best flight at the most convenient times. Avoid connections if possible, even if it costs a few extra bucks. It can stink at times but it's worth it.

Keep checking prices to see who has the best deal. Avoid stops or changing planes at all cost - since it is not only a PIA but significantly increases the chance of lost luggage. (Always take onecomplete change of clothes and a couple of extra underwear in your carry-on - just in case.)

And cattle car is pretty much all the same.

Here are some thoughts:

1. first trip - make your connections in the US, it will be more familiar to you and easier in the long run. Just make sure enough connection time is allowed.... as you know our US carriers tend to run late these days on domestic flights.
2. Do you travel often in the US? Be sure to travel with a carrier that is part of the frequent flyer program that you may already have miles with....don't wast those that you will ear.... you can use them in the future
3. Get to CDG in Paris 2 full hours early..... IMO it is Europe's most challenging airport!
4. So, here's a silly thing with me....If I can fly a EU carrier transatlantic I do....makes me feel like I am on vacation while flying (doesn't really contradict #1) ... Look at British Airways
5. Before you buy tickets be sure to check available seating..... last thing you want is a middle seat....and aisles across from each other are great - you both get to stretch

....and well, a veteran of probably 30+ coach flights across the pond, always think in terms of the next time... you will be thrilled and overwhelmed by both cities, you will not see it all.... just think about the next trip... have fun!

I'm with Ira - take the least expensive plane - excluding those with long layovers or risky connections. Coach is pretty much the same throughout all the airlines.

In your particular case, British Airways may be your best bet.

I would prefer European carrier, e.g. Air France or Lufthansa, which should not cost more than US carrier but will provide better service and food, IMO.

I do think they all suck in coach, but I also stick with one airline in order to earn FF miles. We don't fly for business, but find it isn't impossible to earn enough points for a trip if we stick with one airline, use our airline credit cards and plan ahead.

So my choice is the airline I've been collecting miles on.

No. Seafox gave you some bad advice.

<b>On your return you MUST get to CDG no less than 3 hours before your flight if it is transcontinental</b>. Two hours is a minimum for any transcontinental flight because the airlines perform bag-matching to match passengers with checked luggage. CDG is a complete pit and the security lines are s l o w, therefore you MUST allow for extra time.

You are leaving and returning from Denver. Therefore your hometown airline is United. This does help somewhat. First, you should have or should procure a frequent flier mileage credit card of some sort - Cap One Venture card has no foreign exchange fees, but United has its own deals with card companies too. Second, using United you can fly through Chicago both to Rome and from Paris (I think - the Rome to US flights are hard to trace on this map, the Paris flight is easy to determine http://www.airlineroutemaps.com/USA/...americas.shtml).

Third, connecting in O'Hare is relatively easy even with its enormous size. And I've HEARD (haven't done it) that re-entering the US through O'Hare is not an ordeal.

Other thoughts: (1) United's cattle class is not terrible. The seats are a bit wider than those in BA or on American (suck) for the 767-300 and United also provides a personal entertainment screen. See seatguru.com for details. If United uses a 777 airplane for the flights, know that the configuration is 2-5-2 for the three columns of seats.

(2) Be careful about BA. Note all fees and charges when booking - BA charges various fees on top of its ticket price. The overall cost may be similar to a United ticket. Using BA on frequent flier miles is not good because BA sticks fuel surcharges on the FF tickets. Also connecting through Heathrow can require going through another set of security screening (did this myself earlier this month in Terminal 3) and depending upon the terminal, your gates could be very far apart. Or, worse, different terminals at Heathrow (although I think Chicago and Rome BA flights are both out of Terminal 5 - see here: http://www.heathrowairport.com and check out the "Which Terminal" button).

(3) Do NOT re-enter the US through Miami (primarily American Airlines) or Dulles (THIS IS A UNITED airport). Both can have horrendously long US Customs waits. Dulles is an OLD airport and outdated for its use. I'd also avoid JFK just because it gets so much international traffic.

If you have a choice of airlines and/or aircraft, and the opportunity to choose seats, check seatguru.com for the best location available to you. Some airlines still have 2 seat rows at the windows in coach, and these are far more desirable for a couple traveling together.

Thanks so much. I know cattle car is gross, but I prefer to spend the money on the trip and fun! I do use seatguru - good suggestion. One final thought - how far in advance to you look for tickets? After all, this is five months out. Am I too soon? Better prices closer to the date?

We've flown several airlines internationally (coach) and American has some of the narrowest seats and skimpy legroom. While we prefer the 2 seats on the side, a center section aisle plus seat next isn't too bad. Often there's nobody in that middle seat. Wherever I sit, in whatever airplane,I want at-seat video to help pass the time. The overheads are horrible. www.seatguru.com will guide you. Enjoy your trip!

Now is not too soon but you also wait 1 or 2 months.

Sorry my experience of Air France is terrible food.

I would recommend being either a vegitarian or a fruitarian for these horrible trips. No one (!) can spoil vegetarian and if you have some sort of fear of this then fruit is hard to ruin

Thanks, everyone.