TA Airlines Recommended or Avoid at all costs?

[RiverCityCruiser]

Air Canada's seats don't recline as far back as British airways do. (in coach)

 

Thank goodness!

[TMLAalum]

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience with Aer Lingus. I have flown with them many times and never had any issues. The service onboard is always good. In common with most airlines these days, Aer Lingus do charge for refreshments on short haul routes.

 

My biggest complaint about our JFK-DUB AerLingus flight was the cramped seating in coach. DH & I sat in a double window/aisle row and I couldn't get comfy the entire flight even as a vertically challenged, normal weight woman. Our return flight must have had a different aircraft as there was more room sitting in the same seat configuration.

 

Last year flew AerLingus from DUB-LIS. The flight was fine but the checkin and queues out of DUB was not pleasant.

[We're The Groupnors]

I've booked a Greek Isles cruise for next year. I've never flown overseas. I'm looking for comments about the various airlines (Delta, United, Continental, Air France, Alitalia, British Airlines, and Air Canada) which seem to fit my scheduled trip. Any comments about your experiences before I book my airlines for my cruise?

 

What is your destination city in Europe? From Orlando you can probably go via Toronto to your destination, with Toronto being the only stop. We like Air Canada, and find the long-haul flight staff is more on their game than the domestic staff.

 

We have also flown Continental to Europe via Newark. Like changing planes in Toronto, it's much easier than the mayhem of Heathrow or Charles de Gaulle.

 

Lufthansa is very good, but your connection will most likely be Frankfurt, which can be daunting.

 

Alitalia has to be the worst airline we have ever flown. The staff was allowing passengers to hang out near the back galley and smoke, and many of the flight attendants were running for their seats as the plane began to take off. The planes were also in poor repair.

 

Good luck with your choice, and enjoy your cruise!

[JoePDX]

For me even more important than the airline is the type of airliner that is flown on the route. I always try and book a trip on an Airbus 330/340 or a Boeing 767. These all have 2 seats on the window sides of the plane which makes it much more comfortable when traveling with a partner. Another thing I look for is whether the carrier has personal tv screens at each seat. These can make a flight go by so much faster!

 

Check out seatguru dot com for seat maps and video device configurations of all the main air carriers. For airline reviews you can check out airlinequality dot com.

 

I have flown Delta numerous times to Europe and South America with no issues. Maybe I don't expect much...but they have always gotten me there on time with my luggage intact. Luthansa is also a great choice, although I find their legroom to be very cramped and service crisply, coldly professsional. :D The best flight I have ever taken was on EVA Air - Seattle to Hong Kong in their premium economy class (Evergreen Deluxe). Superb legroom and inflight meal service for the price.

 

Flying in coach to Europe isn't full at all, but it's a necessary evil if you want to travel. :cool:

 

Good luck!

Joe

[Bobby Dee]

What is your destination city in Europe? From Orlando you can probably go via Toronto to your destination' date=' with Toronto being the only stop. We like Air Canada, and find the long-haul flight staff is more on their game than the domestic staff.

 

We have also flown Continental to Europe via Newark. Like changing planes in Toronto, it's much easier than the mayhem of Heathrow or Charles de Gaulle.

 

Lufthansa is very good, but your connection will most likely be Frankfurt, which can be daunting.

 

Alitalia has to be the worst airline we have ever flown. The staff was allowing passengers to hang out near the back galley and smoke, and many of the flight attendants were running for their seats as the plane began to take off. The planes were also in poor repair.

 

Good luck with your choice, and enjoy your cruise![/quote']

 

I'm flying Orlando to Athens and returning Rome to Orlando. From what I'm reading here, I'm leaning toward Air Canada or Air France. Air France may wind up being too expensive at the time I want to book. I'm using Chase card miles, so I'm a little limited in what I can afford and what the options are.

Thanks to everyone who has helped out. I really mean that.

Bobby Dee

[Gracie115]

Ok we are flying to Rome from Orlando next September and I was actually looking at a USAIR flight that connects in Charlotte and then direct to Rome. After reading this thread I wonder what I should do. Why are so many so negative about US airlines? I had read previously about Alitalia so that wasn't a surprise but this is the first thread I've seen that basically blasted most and sometimes all US airlines. What is the difference? If it's food and drink then I'm not concerned but if it's more than that please let me know.

 

This is our 1st trip to Europe so YES we are newbies...but sure don't want to miserable because we picked the wrong airline. Thanks to anyone who can help.

[SgpMBL]

I suggest you check out Aer Lingus, the Irish National airline. When flying with Aer Lingus from Dublin to Venice for a cruise in October I noticed that there were a lot of Americans on the flight who were also joining cruises in Venice. Apparently flying into Dublin from the States and connecting to mainland Europe from there is becoming very popular. I notice you are from Orlando and Aer Lingus do fly direct from there to Dublin and then onwards to many European destinations. I agree with other posters that connecting in London is to be avoided if at all possible, it's just manic there. In fact, we have just booked a cruise from Miami and are considering flying Dublin to Orlando just to avoid a connecting flight which we will have to take if we fly to Miami.

 

Completely agree with the Aer Lingus recommendation. We flew Aer Lingus from Rome to Dublin and then from Dublin to JFK on economy. Food was good, the seats were comfortable and the flight staff were friendly.

 

Also flown United transatlantic, which was fine, but recommending paying a little extra for to get the additional leg-room.

[Gracie115]

Check out seatguru dot com for seat maps and video device configurations of all the main air carriers. For airline reviews you can check out airlinequality dot com.

Flying in coach to Europe isn't full at all, but it's a necessary evil if you want to travel. :cool:

 

Good luck!

Joe

 

 

Thanks for the seat guru site!!

[andawayigo]

Alitalia makes American look good.

[JoePDX]

Ok we are flying to Rome from Orlando next September and I was actually looking at a USAIR flight that connects in Charlotte and then direct to Rome. After reading this thread I wonder what I should do. Why are so many so negative about US airlines? I had read previously about Alitalia so that wasn't a surprise but this is the first thread I've seen that basically blasted most and sometimes all US airlines. What is the difference? If it's food and drink then I'm not concerned but if it's more than that please let me know.

 

.

 

The US Airlines have cut, cut, cut service and ammenities over the years. The European carriers are starting to follow suit as well IMHO. Food is edible, nothing more in economy. It you are worried, grab a sandwich to go in the terminal or bring your favorite snacks with you. Free drinks are gone from the US carriers...not a biggie for me. I still order a Bailey's after dinner to relax and hopefully get me ready to nap. You still get a pillow and blanket at your seat, unlike flying domestically. Service can be "surly", but I find a smile and friendly please GO ALONG WAY! As for me, I get on, get out my book or magazine, sleep if I can and wake up to a new adventure. How fun can that be????

 

I'm not sure you can "go wrong" with any airline. Will some treat you better than others, sure. As others have mentioned, I always try to book on a European carrier, but for me, as I stated before, aircraft is number one, number of connections and time in between is number 2 and price would probably be third. Service and food for me would be way way down the list.

 

I think you'll be fine on US Air. I haven't flown them...but the connections look good to me.

 

Glad to help with Seat Guru. Try airliners dot net for cabin pictures of the different planes. Airlines meals dot net for food pictures. And I love kayak for schedules & rates if you don't use Choice Air which seems to be getting raves over their prices.

 

Have a great first trip in Europe. Our first trip was nearly 9 years ago, and it is still what we compare all other trips to. HAVE FUN and don't SWEAT all the little stuff. Just my two cents. :D

 

Joe

[Christine Frances]

I just returned from a dental trip to Costa Rica on US Airways - Seattle-Phoenix-San Jose return. Friendly service and flights worked. Not first class but I didn't pay for first class and I definitely would fly with them again. I loved Phoenix as a hub as well - very easy to navigate.

[Gracie115]

The US Airlines have cut, cut, cut service and ammenities over the years. The European carriers are starting to follow suit as well IMHO. Food is edible, nothing more in economy. It you are worried, grab a sandwich to go in the terminal or bring your favorite snacks with you. Free drinks are gone from the US carriers...not a biggie for me. I still order a Bailey's after dinner to relax and hopefully get me ready to nap. You still get a pillow and blanket at your seat, unlike flying domestically. Service can be "surly", but I find a smile and friendly please GO ALONG WAY! As for me, I get on, get out my book or magazine, sleep if I can and wake up to a new adventure. How fun can that be????

 

I'm not sure you can "go wrong" with any airline. Will some treat you better than others, sure. As others have mentioned, I always try to book on a European carrier, but for me, as I stated before, aircraft is number one, number of connections and time in between is number 2 and price would probably be third. Service and food for me would be way way down the list.

 

I think you'll be fine on US Air. I haven't flown them...but the connections look good to me.

 

Glad to help with Seat Guru. Try airliners dot net for cabin pictures of the different planes. Airlines meals dot net for food pictures. And I love kayak for schedules & rates if you don't use Choice Air which seems to be getting raves over their prices.

 

Have a great first trip in Europe. Our first trip was nearly 9 years ago, and it is still what we compare all other trips to. HAVE FUN and don't SWEAT all the little stuff. Just my two cents. :D

 

Joe

 

Joe,

Thanks so much for the reassurance and all the info. Don't care about food on

the plane, although will probably spring for a drink! We are so excited and the trip is still 10 months away. Thanks again

Gracie

[Gracie115]

I just returned from a dental trip to Costa Rica on US Airways - Seattle-Phoenix-San Jose return. Friendly service and flights worked. Not first class but I didn't pay for first class and I definitely would fly with them again. I loved Phoenix as a hub as well - very easy to navigate.

 

Thanks for this. We're not going 1st class air either, just want to get there safe and sound! Thanks again

[Minoushka]

Air Canada is VERY good on international flights

Air France is VERY crowded service not that good ...they squash more seats per row ...ATTITUDE with a capital A

[nocheckedbags]

Once my wife and I bought a third seat to have a whole row to ourselves; it's a lot cheaper than business class, and makes the whole trip feel a lot less cramped.

 

 

I am interested in how you booked 3 seats for 2 people now that you need names, ect for the seats. I think this is a great idea and want to try it. I have been putting us in the aisle and window seat lately, hoping no one is will show up for the middle seat. But that doesn't happen anymore. So I always trade my window with the middle person so I can sit my DH.

[tonyd285]

Just a couple of airport comments. When flying via Heathrow (London) give yourself plenty of time between connections. The Brits take security very seriously and sometimes delays to transfer can be well over one and one-half hour. DeGaulle (Paris) is filthy and the staff are generally rude. Frankfurt is another airport with long delays between connections (the Germans also take security seriously). Schipol (Amsterdam), Munich (very modern and well organized) and Copenhagen are much preferable if you want ease of transfer and pleasant and helpful staff.

[TMLAalum]

Frankfurt is another airport with long delays between connections (the Germans also take security seriously).

 

We connected there last July from a Malev flight from Budapest to an American Airlines flight to Dallas. If AA hadn't had escorts to meet our flight and guide us through the Frankfurt airport to their terminal, we'd have had a difficult time navigating on our own. We had to proceed thru another security check before we could get to our departing gate.

[ceemacon]

I am interested in how you booked 3 seats for 2 people now that you need names, ect for the seats. I think this is a great idea and want to try it. I have been putting us in the aisle and window seat lately, hoping no one is will show up for the middle seat. But that doesn't happen anymore.

 

I had to call the airline (and pay the extra fee). They booked the seat with my last name and XTRASEAT as the first name. Since Mr. XTRASEAT didn't actually have to go through security, he didn't need an ID or anything else. I checked in and boarded with both boarding passes.

 

This is pretty standard, but hard to do without calling the airline itself.