After much advice on here a few weeks back, I've narrowed down my flights from BOS-FLR, and realize the most expeditious way to get there is Boston to Paris, Frankfurt or Munich on either Air France or Lufthansa.<BR><BR>Has anyone had recent experience changing planes in any of these airports, and what do you recommend for time allotment? Booking on the websites give us just about an hour to transfer, which I am certainly not comfortable with, unless they are super streamlined at tranfers. Thanks in advance...

I just flew Boston to Toulouse and back on AirFrance a couple of weeks ago. I was worried about the one hour time to make the switch between flights at CDG but managed to do so with time to spare (we were moving VERY fast). The worst travel horror show of my life was on Lufthansa with connections through Fankfurt a little over a year ago - missed flights...lost luggage - will never fly with them again. This was my first experience with AirFrance and was very satisfied - when checking in at Toulouse for my return, the agent gave me careful instructions for the trip between gates at CDG which was a great help - be sure to ask for this info.

I think I understand your question:<BR>you have the option of choosing from one of the 3 airports for a change of planes. If I had a choice from among the 3, I would select Munich hands down.<BR>It is a very large airport, but struck me as orderly, with one quirk:<BR>if you go down a level at the main ramps, one leading right and one left, you cannot !!!!!!! come back up that way! You have to go find another way up, like stairs or an elevator.<BR>CDG is not my favorite place.<BR>I fly in there Thursday and I dread it.<BR>

A July 28-02 comparison in the Lonndon Sunday Times travel section gave this advice on some airports regarding ease of making connections.Here is the rating for those surveyed.<BR>CDG----5/10<BR>Frankfurt-----8/10<BR>Vienna -----10/10<BR>LHR-----5/10<BR>Schipol----6/10<BR>Hope this helps you in making your decision.

Yes, that's exactly my question, which of the three. Thank you for the feedback. That is an interesting result about the airports in the Times survey. Also, personal experience counts for a lot too.<BR><BR>Amy

Based on my family's recent experience travelling on Air France from Toronto to Venice via Paris, I would strongly recommend avoiding Paris and Air France. <BR><BR>After arriving in Paris on time at 8:45 am we missed our connection to Venice departing at 9:55 am. Prior to booking these flights, I had been assured both by my travel agent and Air France that despite the short connection time (1 hour and 10 minutes) that this was a 'legitimate' connection and the timing should not be a problem. <BR><BR>However, after a considerable delay going through Security in Paris and having to transfer terminals, we arrived at the departure gate at 9:30 to find that the gate was completely deserted and had in fact closed at 9:10 (45 minutes prior to departure). After considerable delay and being shuffled from one counter to the next, we were told that next available flight to Venice would not be until 6:30 pm. All Air France personnel who we encountered in Paris were completely indifferent and unsympathetic. <BR><BR>Upon arriving in Venice, we learned they had lost 3 of our 5 checked bags. The 2 bags that we did manage to get we located ourselves in the area of unclaimed/lost luggage, so we can only conclude that these bags arrived on the earlier flight from Paris which we had missed. I find this most disturbing of all because despite the airlines assuring us of all the various safety precautions that are taken, here was clearly an example of luggage being placed on a flight without the corresponding passenger. <BR><BR>After 2 nights in Venice (still no luggage) and due to sail on a 12-night cruise, my husband finally took matters into his own hands, went back to the airport in Venice and physically went through the unclaimed/lost baggage area and guess what??? There were our 3 bags. Who knows how long they would have sat before some airline employee got around to looking for them? <BR><BR>BTW, the clerk at our hotel in Venice advised us that insofar as lost luggage was concerned, Air France was the worst that he had encountered.<BR><BR>Also, two years ago we travelled on Lufthansa Toronto/Frankfurt/Barcelona and Istanbul/Frankfurt/Toronto and had no problems whatsoever.<BR><BR>Hope this information is helpful and good luck on whatever option you decide on.(P.S. sorry for the long post).<BR>

I flew Lufthansa from Newark to Munich, thru Frankfurt. I rate Frankfurt as the worst airport I have travelled thru.<BR><BR>Arrive in one terminal and have to transfer to another -- up & down, in and out, back thru customs and back thru security only to find out you have to take a 15 minute bus ride to your airplane. <BR><BR>After a lot of rushing and running having flown all night, we barely made the connection to Munich. We arrive Munich about 10:00am with no luggage -- our luggage arrived at midnight. How special.

If I had my choice I would pick Munich without a doubt. Its clean modern and very organized. No long walks and a lots of shops. <BR><BR>If you have a long layover there is a shopping mall in the terminal outside the secure area including a lot od clothing stores, a supermarket and restaurants. Fun and good prices. <BR><BR>Just keep in mind one thing... When returning to the USA via Munich don't underestimate the amount of time it will take you to go from your arriving flight to your connection to the USA. Security is VERY tight on flights to the USA, you have to clear German customs and go through a second security check, plus sometime you have to re-check in. This is the same at all airports in Europe when you are connecting to the USA.<BR><BR>Also at Munich, have a pretzel and a beer at one of the stand up counters, those pretzels are a taste of olde Deutschland and the beer is delicious!<BR><BR>The other reason I recommend connecting thru Germany is that I assume you are flying Lufthansa who has the best on time record in Europe. When they are ready to go, THEY GO! Lufthansa doesn't have the most friendly staff, they act very professional and straight forward.<BR><BR>Second choice - Frankfurt, OK, its a bit confusing and sort of ugly but not bad. They have shopping too!<BR><BR>Third choice - Paris, but only if you are on a connecting Air France flight. If you change airlines you will probably have to change terminals, which means taking a bus to the other terminal. Slow and confusing. <BR><BR>Also when in either Munich or Frankfurt check out the "Travel Value" type shops, they always have great buys on cosmetics and perfumes!

P.S. The miles you fly on Lufthansa can be credited toward United Airlines frequent flyer accounts so sign up before you go!

Thank you all for your info. Very helpful, certainly insightful. Not certain, but I think I'm leaning toward the German airports, I haven't yet read anything great about CDG.

I'd probably pick Munich. It's not that big and fairly easy to get around. Frankfurt has a much larger selection of shops and restaurants but it hardly matters unless you'll be sitting around for hours. I'd rate LH higher than AF, but it hardly has a perfect on time record! I fly it very often and it's virtually never on time.

Bob, I hear you! I'm there the thursday after you and, to me, it always seems so un-orderly. Being forced to take a bus to another part of the same terminal; everyone asking everyone else whether they are, in fact, at baggage reclaim/Terminal One/ the exit/entrance/correct gate for Atlanta etc..so much confusion.<BR><BR>Amy - all depends on what gates/terminals you enter and leave from in my opinion.

If at all possible, do NOT go through Frankfurt. All flights to/from North America are located at the end of one terminal (A i think), and your connecting flight is almost guaranteed to be at terminal B-the trek between terminals is at least 10 minutes. On the return to North America, it takes at least 1 hour to get through security, as the screening procedures are slow and disorderly. I definitely agree with everyone and go through Munich.

Rhea, you are absolutely right. That happened to me in June, going to Munich via Frankfurt. It was a disaster both ways. We flew from Newark. I believe there is a direct flight from JFK -- take it, even with the hastle of going to/from JFK.

Can't comment on Munich, because it has been too long since I've flown from there...but I have recent experience with CDG and it was not pleasant.<BR><BR>I live in a Delta city, so trips to Europe usually mean connecting at CDG. In January, my takeoff from Cincinnati was delayed an hour so the flight crew could load two meal services instead of one. There was a caterer's strike in Paris.<BR><BR>No big deal, right? Well, when I got to Paris, there were tens of thousands of bags sitting on the tarmac, in driving rain. Baggage handlers would not cross the caterers' picket line.<BR><BR>The distances are long to switch planes and there are several slow checkpoints. Coming home, my luggage spent a few days on the rainy CDG tarmac.<BR><BR>I'd rate Amsterdam a good place to connect, followed by Frankfurt. CDG, not so much.

Interesting info. I've flown Air France many times, but never to connect to another destination, always to stop in Paris. I like the airline. I can understand strikes and delays, although I would hate it if that happens on my holiday. I'm more concerned about ease of connecting and if 2 hours is sufficient. Amsterdam isn't someplace I'd looked into yet...will do so now! Thanks!