Thread: Flying to Europe

Originally Posted by Trixsea

I have flown into Orly, but never CDG.

I also like Frankfurt better, but Heathow is great for people watching!!

Yes, lots of pink mohawks with spiked leather collars and such...

Just wanted to add what I hope is something to think about when making air reservations to or from Europe, particularly from the West Coast (or anyplace other than the East Coast, where a flight is usually less than six hours).

Considering that many travellers will be going COACH, and on flights for extremely long periods of time (often 11 hours or more), remember that a flight is not a flight. Consider:

Recent reports (4/30/06) from friends: Avoid Aer Lingus. They are trying to build a niche as a bargain European carrier, and they offer no services inflight other than those you purchase! That's right, even water will cost you 2 euros!!! There is no meal service .... no service, period. Imagine doing this for 11 hours. Think carefully!

Air France: (5/1/06): EXCELLENT choice for anyone on a very long haul. We were ticketed from Barcelona to Paris, where we changed planes to a super wide body jet nonstop to Houston, an eleven and a half hour flight. Only five vacant seats on the flight! Upon boarding, there was a pillow and blanket waiting in each seat; flight attendants passed out packets with ear plugs, sleep masks, and moist towelettes. While the coach seats were cramped (aren't they all?), they provided three large meals inflight (fully four courses: salad, entree, cheese course, and dessert ... and the food was GOOD); flight attendants patrolled the aisles regularly offering baguettes from baskets during meals, along with complimentary wine and snacks at will. There was also a duty free store (!) and complimentary Haagen-Daz freezer midplane so you can get up to stretch and get ice cream if you wish. The crew were EXCELLENT and very helpful, and each seat had it's own video screen with a selection of five movies and other distractions, like old TV show reruns, travelogues, music, and video games.

Hope others will post their airline experiences for the benefit of everyone trying to make ticketing decisions.

Cheers~

Originally Posted by JoeyandDavid

Hi Flo just wondered what does a formal kilt outfit wiegh? and what makes a kilt acceptible for formal vs everyday wear?

Well Dh's kilt is 8 yards of 13oz material about 8lbs plus jacket about 3, brogues about 2, shirt etc about another 6 so it is heavy. He wears it on formal nights and will wear it at our daughter's wedding on the Sea Princess.
Food on BA is good as well as attention from crew and you have your own seatback screen with over 15 channels. Legroom isn't too bad either.

Originally Posted by Trixsea

Has anyone changed planes At Charles de Gaulle airport. I usually fly thru Heathrow or Frankfurt, but never Paris. Just wanted to see if it was any easier?? Thanks.

Terry, if you can avoid changing planes at CDG, do so. It is a nightmare: Our plane from Barcelona landed on a bare runway not connected to any terminal. It was like a flight from the 1950's: no jetway, but used the stairs down and across the runway to buses some 100' away. These buses take folks to the terminal indicated on your ticket as your landing terminal only to have you go through a customs line and then board yet another bus to go over the same route you came from! The y make stops at each terminal, though not in alphabetical order. We were nervous wrecks; our tickets indicated we had an hour and twenty minute layover there ... in actuality, all of that was taken up bussing around the airport. When we FINALLY reached our gate, they were already boarding the plane. If we were five minutes later, we would have been out of luck. It is poorly organized and a logistical laugh. Connect at any other airport -- it could only be better.

Cheers~
Nicki

Nicki, thanks for the info. I will be flying Air France on 5/23, from PHL. Fortunetly I have a 3 1/2 hour layover before departing for Athens. Since it is not for a cruise, I thought I might just take a chance. Lucky for me the return in on Lufthansa with an overnight in Frankfurt. Just keep your fingers crossed for me!!