Rate these three airlines PLEASE!
Apr 18th, 2004, 11:54 PM
#23
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,642
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Calamari, I would side with AAFF on this one and take AA as they seem to be the best of the bunch for cattle class. One option would be to fly AA to NY and then from there to Rome. I think that breaks up the travel time a little better. Plus, the last time I flew AA economy (from Chicago to Florida in December '03), I was expecting a terrible seat, but was surprisingly comfortable.
Apr 19th, 2004, 03:17 AM
#24
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
KLM did a major overhaul and expansion of it's baggage handling facility at Schiphol, so lost baggage shouldn't be a big concern. I can't speak for Zurich, but Amsterdam is a FAR, FAR superior airport to Heathrow, especially in terms of connections. (they're all in one building). Heathrow is a big, confused mess, even for a point-to-point traveler. Amsterdam is cheerful and bright, with plenty of good shops and eateries. Advantage KLM.
Apr 19th, 2004, 03:34 AM
#25
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,922
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For what it's worth, which in regard to any individual experience, is probably bugger-all, I just read the results of the 4th annual Skytrax survey. Based on 10.8 million passenger votes, the Top 10 in the "world's best airline" comp were (1) Singapore Airlines, (2) Emirates, (3) Cathay Pacific, (4) Qantas, (5) Thai, (6) British Airways, (7) Qatar Airways, (8) Malaysia Airilnes, (9) Continental Ailines, (10) All Nippon Airlines.
Apr 19th, 2004, 03:38 AM
#26
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,194
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<<I missed out on the fares I was considering.>>
You provide no clue what those fares are/were.
<<I hope to leave around May 31 and return end of June. Should I hold out hope that summer rates will go down>>
No.
<<or am I just not taking my family to Italy again this year?>>
I have no idea at what price point you will need to make this decision.
Am I missing something? Is there a question here for which I can possibly offer you any kind of concrete answer?
I would expect that a 21-30 day trip to Italy from LA, for a family of 4 would cost $12,000 minimum up to $20,000 comfortable; $30,000 princely. Is a missed opportunity of $200? $300? per person on airfare going to make or break that decision?
I guess the mental checklist for me would have to factor in: income, income security, your age, your children's age(s), assets and liabilities, status of college savings, probability of their going to college, status of retirement savings, availability of travel time later in the year, who knows what else...
You provide no clue what those fares are/were.
<<I hope to leave around May 31 and return end of June. Should I hold out hope that summer rates will go down>>
No.
<<or am I just not taking my family to Italy again this year?>>
I have no idea at what price point you will need to make this decision.
Am I missing something? Is there a question here for which I can possibly offer you any kind of concrete answer?
I would expect that a 21-30 day trip to Italy from LA, for a family of 4 would cost $12,000 minimum up to $20,000 comfortable; $30,000 princely. Is a missed opportunity of $200? $300? per person on airfare going to make or break that decision?
I guess the mental checklist for me would have to factor in: income, income security, your age, your children's age(s), assets and liabilities, status of college savings, probability of their going to college, status of retirement savings, availability of travel time later in the year, who knows what else...
Apr 19th, 2004, 09:31 PM
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks to everyone for their input.
I booked our flights and signed up for an AAFF for all four of us. I am not willing to endure economy class knowing that the person next to me might have paid less, thus my fuss. We got what I think is a great deal. Only proublem is that we have not received our e-tickets. If the print out I do have is the e-ticket, it sure looks very different from our British Airways e-tickets from last summer. So far Expedia has been v. helpful. Now the hunt continues for a hotel in Rome with a quad room. Our favorite place is booked up and we need to stay in Rome for a few days before we get to our house in Florence. I will do a search, but if anyone has any suggestions...Thanks again.
I booked our flights and signed up for an AAFF for all four of us. I am not willing to endure economy class knowing that the person next to me might have paid less, thus my fuss. We got what I think is a great deal. Only proublem is that we have not received our e-tickets. If the print out I do have is the e-ticket, it sure looks very different from our British Airways e-tickets from last summer. So far Expedia has been v. helpful. Now the hunt continues for a hotel in Rome with a quad room. Our favorite place is booked up and we need to stay in Rome for a few days before we get to our house in Florence. I will do a search, but if anyone has any suggestions...Thanks again.
Apr 19th, 2004, 10:09 PM
#29
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 23,073
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
E-ticket means there's no ticket. What you print out or they send you is just a confirmation. Doesn't matter what that looks like. As long as you have a ID/passport, the confirmation number, and the credit card that you use for the purchase, you don't really need to bring anything to the airport.
Apr 20th, 2004, 03:54 AM
#30
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,194
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<<I booked our flights and signed up for an AAFF for all four of us. I am not willing to endure economy class knowing that the person next to me might have paid less, thus my fuss. We got what I think is a great deal.>>
This forum can be most helpful to all if you are willing to share the details of the fare you got. With details (you have already said in May and from LAX; I assume that didn't change). Citing which weekdays is also important in comparing fares.
This forum can be most helpful to all if you are willing to share the details of the fare you got. With details (you have already said in May and from LAX; I assume that didn't change). Citing which weekdays is also important in comparing fares.
Apr 20th, 2004, 06:34 AM
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rex -
We paid $707 RT per adult and $530 per kid plus a wopping $451 in taxes. Hopefully we will not have to fly standing up. By the way, I checked out Trinita dei Monti but they are booked. Looks like something I will check out when I get there though.
We paid $707 RT per adult and $530 per kid plus a wopping $451 in taxes. Hopefully we will not have to fly standing up. By the way, I checked out Trinita dei Monti but they are booked. Looks like something I will check out when I get there though.
Apr 20th, 2004, 07:26 AM
#32
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,194
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The taxes are not negotiable and are the same from all points in the US (more or less; there might be minor differences in airport fees). I think you got a phenomenal deal, starting so late, and traveling in May. Farea from airports in IN/KY/OH to aNYwhere in Europe are rarely that good for May - - especially not to Italy.
Apr 20th, 2004, 07:40 AM
#33
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rex
Thank you so much! I just love it when phenomenal and deal are used in the same sentence! My challenge at the moment is to find good accomodation for four ppl. I'll throw some coins in the fountain on your behalf!
Thank you so much! I just love it when phenomenal and deal are used in the same sentence! My challenge at the moment is to find good accomodation for four ppl. I'll throw some coins in the fountain on your behalf!
Apr 20th, 2004, 09:50 AM
#34
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Chuckled at Rex' 'friggin 5 kilos' -
makes for some pretty creative packing
if you only do carry-on and are going
for a month!
We're going BA FF in something called
'world traveller plus' which is between
econ. and business. The good news (well,
better news) is the cabin baggage allow.
is a bit higher - 2 pces. no more than
12 kgs in total. One bag can't be over
9 kg. I've started weighing my shoes
already and we aren't going until Sept.!
makes for some pretty creative packing
if you only do carry-on and are going
for a month!
We're going BA FF in something called
'world traveller plus' which is between
econ. and business. The good news (well,
better news) is the cabin baggage allow.
is a bit higher - 2 pces. no more than
12 kgs in total. One bag can't be over
9 kg. I've started weighing my shoes
already and we aren't going until Sept.!
Apr 20th, 2004, 12:02 PM
#35
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I also have been very unhappy in a packed Cathay (Hongong) A-340, but let's admit, any aircraft that is full in Economy-Class is uncomfortable over long distances. And if you neigbour is an overweight and egoistic creature, your space will be reduced even further. It is a gamble.
The detail that is not a gamble is the tranfer airport: large airorts like London-Heathrow or Amsterdam (I hate them both, it starts already before landing, aircraft often hold/circle up to an hour before touch-down) are adding to your travel stress. Whenever you can, try to change planes at a smaller airport on Europe, such as Zurich, Vienna, Lisbon, Manchester, Munich, Prague or Dublin.
Richard
The detail that is not a gamble is the tranfer airport: large airorts like London-Heathrow or Amsterdam (I hate them both, it starts already before landing, aircraft often hold/circle up to an hour before touch-down) are adding to your travel stress. Whenever you can, try to change planes at a smaller airport on Europe, such as Zurich, Vienna, Lisbon, Manchester, Munich, Prague or Dublin.
Richard
