which airline to Spain?
May 26th, 2006, 03:26 AM
#1
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which airline to Spain?
My wife and I will be flying to Spain in September. I've found that pricing is close with about 5 carriers. Would anyone recommend one (foreign?) airline over any others? Do foreign airlines offer better service and facilityes?
BS
BS
May 26th, 2006, 03:37 AM
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If you want frequent flyer miles, I would go with a U.S. airline. If you want a free (alcoholic) drink including wine with dinner, I would go with a foreign carrier. U.S. airlines now charge $5 for each drink (alcoholic).
British Airways and Virgin Air have some of the best video films for entertainment.
If you want to sleep and not watch movies, fly on a 767 aircraft, which Delta has many of.
American Airlines is even charging people for earphones on international flights, so if you pick them, be sure to bring your own earphones.
You may want to look at www.seatguru.com for more ideas.
British Airways and Virgin Air have some of the best video films for entertainment.
If you want to sleep and not watch movies, fly on a 767 aircraft, which Delta has many of.
American Airlines is even charging people for earphones on international flights, so if you pick them, be sure to bring your own earphones.
You may want to look at www.seatguru.com for more ideas.
May 26th, 2006, 04:10 AM
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I started flying British Airways five years ago--switched from American. Full free bar service after take-off, complementary wine with dinner and the food is so much better on British Airways. In coach they had a salad with smoked salmon, chocolate cheesecake, and individual television monitors at each seat with many unedited movies in coach
On American, it was $5 wine, $5 drinks, pay for earphones (either $2 or $5) and a fasten seat belt sign that NEVER went off. They even sensor the word "SEX" when they play 2 1/2 Men.
American is a great airline in First Class, but in coach, they are the pits. And they got rid of their "extra room in coach," too.
You can read the reviews for all of the airlines on www.airlinequality.com.
On American, it was $5 wine, $5 drinks, pay for earphones (either $2 or $5) and a fasten seat belt sign that NEVER went off. They even sensor the word "SEX" when they play 2 1/2 Men.
American is a great airline in First Class, but in coach, they are the pits. And they got rid of their "extra room in coach," too.
You can read the reviews for all of the airlines on www.airlinequality.com.
May 26th, 2006, 05:11 AM
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You don't mention departure city so that would obviously make a difference. Having said that, I would ditto wally's comments about BA (and won't repeat all his reasons with which I agree). We've had good experiences with LH recently and are taking them again next week to FRA. (I've probably just jinxed our trip). Good, attentive service and very decent food (for steerage) and free drinks before, during and after dinner (wine, etc). My only complaint is there are no individual screens in seat backs - only the drop down from ceiling (At least on the A340-300s. I don't consider that a seriously major issue but some people do).
It's been a few years since we've flown AF or KL, and those experiences probably aren't very valid today, so I'd rely on others for current opinions.
It's been a few years since we've flown AF or KL, and those experiences probably aren't very valid today, so I'd rely on others for current opinions.
May 26th, 2006, 06:50 AM
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I've read a lot of negative stuff about Iberia Airlines of Spain; most of it is true (i.e., Flight Attendants aren't customer-oriented, especially for Economy Class Passengers). Our main reason for flying Iberia TransAtlantic was it qualified us for a 'Visit Spain' Pass: an inexpensive add-on to our Trans Atlantic fare. You can buy 3-to-5 Flight segments. We went Madrid-Sevilla-Barcelona-Santiago and back to Madrid (4-segments). It allowed us to cover a lot of territory in our short (21-day) visit.
May 26th, 2006, 07:09 AM
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Viajero2 is referring to the Airbus A330. Northwest Airlines flies those too. Avoid DC-10's and Continental's 757 to Barcelona. Have you considered booking an open-jaw ticket--into Madrid and out of Barcelona. Why backtrack.
May 26th, 2006, 07:23 AM
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Thanks to all. We will more than likely depart from Newark. Landing in Barcelona and staying a couple of days then north for a few days and then south as far as we can go without overtaxing us. We plan to stay mainly on the coast. Our last trip to Spain was via Continental(some of our luggage was stolen and best to our guess was in Norfolk, Va) to Lisboa and north thru Galacia. We had a great time basically staying at hostels. Although we book a couple of days going and returning we usually follow our nose without itineraries. Wonder if this will be a problem in September?
BS
BS
May 26th, 2006, 03:19 PM
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Hi Wally
We just made our reservations and insisted on a foreign carrier. We got Air France. We had enough frequent flier miles for one reservation and had to pay for the other. Sounds OK to me. Any comments about Air France?
BS
We just made our reservations and insisted on a foreign carrier. We got Air France. We had enough frequent flier miles for one reservation and had to pay for the other. Sounds OK to me. Any comments about Air France?
BS
May 27th, 2006, 01:26 PM
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Thanks francophile. You're probably right. I guess I can equate Continental Airlines (that sponsored a theft of my luggage in Norfolk, Va. and wouldn't even discuss it with me until I got to the final destination and then didn't have any personnel at the airport and didn't return my calls until after the trip. We finally got re-embursed about 4 months after the trip with no consideration for what we needed while we were traveling) with any other airline. What do you know about Air France? My intineray states that I arrive at gate 1 terminal C and depart from gate 2 terminal F1 hour 10 minutes after we land. Any other comments concerning Air France would be appreciated.
BS
BS
May 27th, 2006, 02:05 PM
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Looks like the decision is made, but I vote for Iberia. Free wine, beer, etc. Visit Spain perks plus we have been bumped up to Business Class twice...just because we booked other Iberia flights (at low rates) in Spain. True, the attendants don't care about customer service, but it doesn't matter alot to me either.
