$350 hou muc rt

[randyman65]

That's the magazine, but the bucket shops are numerous. Frommer's is just the best place I've found to find them.

The VA vs. BA choice was based on 1.5 hour layover vs. 7 hour layover. But VA was late departing and made the connecting passengers go through customs (?), therefore missing their connection. The quality of the experience can be worth a few extra dollars. Domestically, I always fly Jetblue, since the were the first to treat passengers like humans, have plenty of seat room, and generally fly into smaller airports. I hate flying into LAX, but Jet Blue flys into Burbank, which is like stepping back into the 50's. It has no jetway - you deplane by walking down stairway rolled up to the plane, and the baggage claim is outdoors under a breezeway.

[ziggy29]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gumby I don't mind flying, but I do prefer foreign airlines. I have enjoyed trips with Alitalia, Air France and British Airways. US airlines -- not so much.

I've never traveled on a foreign airline, but just about everyone who has tells me that the flight attendants are hotter the service is far superior on most foreign airlines, particularly the Asian ones.

[sailor]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hal3 OK, so fees bring it up to $457. Does anyone have enough money to take advantage of cheap flights to Europe?

Yup.
Whole Sailors family (now 5 of us) is flying to Europe for summer.
We were able to score cheap flights through Helsinki, which we never visited, so are planning to stopover there. Depending on timing we might add an overnight jaunt to Tallinn too (too bad Trek moved to Germany, we could visit him there).
Cheapest intercontinental fares I remember were part of now defunct "Delta Escapes" program. From Atlanta, Athens was $249, Paris $199, Tokyo $299.

[NW-Bound]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIREdreamer PS: I find flying domestically or internationally really stressful and tiring. For me, the enjoyment only starts once I reach my final destination.

Same here, although if one is truly rich and can afford first class or business class for all travel, the flight wouldn't be so bad.

Most companies have the policy of allowing business class tickets for flights of certain distance or duration. Several airlines have abandoned the first class section and expanded the business class section. As the result, the business class seats now recline much further to be near flat.

In the most recent overseas trip (overwater leg of 12hrs duration and 7 time zones from the East Coast) I was able to sleep through most of the flight, and was able to work the next day with no jet lag. The domestic leg of 4 hrs was a bummer; back to coach, due to company policy! Ticket price due to such short notice: $5000 for roundtrip.

We have not paid our own dime for business class seats; all such travels have been paid by our megacorps or by upgrade. With the incredible shrinking portfolio, we would be happy to afford travel at all, leave alone such luxury.