air couriers... - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**simply_angelic** · 02-20-2005, 08:53 AM

I think the name pretty much says it all, but I guess I'll elaborate a bit more on why im asking this. As I plan my trip to euorpe for the summer, I've been wondering which AIRLINE to take. I know that some horrid AIRLINES have been mentioned in the past (which i happen to forget now....

) but I was wondering if any of you guys have advice as to which ones you LOVE and others not so much. There are so many great flying deals out there....I just don't want to necessarily go with the cheapest one then find out that it was the worst travelling experience of my life. Any comments/suggestions in this area would be greatly appreciated. THANKS SO MUCH!!!

geez guys, i guess I didnt realize there was much diff b/w couriers and airlines....they still carry stuff overseas hehe

**omisan** · 02-22-2005, 01:25 AM

Not to sound silly or anything, but do you mean Airlines? Or do you plan on escorting some overseas shipment to travel for free?

**kingcrazylegs** · 02-22-2005, 08:35 AM

^ Thats what I was thinking too omi!

I think it is somewhat hit or miss. I have been on lots of different airlines and sometimes they are great and sometimes they are horrid. American Airlines is the only one I really don't like.

**omisan** · 02-22-2005, 10:23 AM

I generally take foreign carriers if I can. Why?

* I refuse to take American or United overseas and be treated like crap not only on the plane, but also on the way back. (i.e. going through AA's *own* security screening at the gate for a second time because they don't trust the folks at Heathrow)

* Taking AA or United or Delta or whatever from the West Coast usually requires a stop at a hub elsehwere in the country before continuing to Europe. That means no free drinks, no free movies, etc. as it's a domestic leg.

* The service I've encountered on BA and Virgin-Atlantic has been stellar in comparison, and the flight attendants younger and cooler to deal with.

* The foreign carriers I've taken seem to have been far less anal-retentive about luggage restrictions (great for when you're brining back lots of stuff!)

Other things you might want to consider when flying: Mileage/rewards programs. I primarily rack up miles for my Virgin Flying Club account because I like V-A a lot and they have the easiest accrual - 40k miles gets you a free trip to London. So I take my domestic flights on partners like Delta and AmericaWest, and if I ever have to rent a car or (god forbid) stay in an actual hotel, I go by whatever partners will get me miles. In less than a year, I've earned enough for one free trip.

So if you already buy/use products/services that can earn you miles with a particular airline, that's one way to go.

**space virgin** · 02-22-2005, 10:31 AM

I have nothing but great things to say about British Air. KLM Royal Dutch is *okay* although I found out the hard way that they're infamous for losing luggage.

Plus they're allied with Northwest Airlines, home of the Most Rotten Trans-Atlantic Flights (according to Space Virgin and lots of other people she has talked to.) Unfortunately Virgin Air doesn't fly into our neck of the woods, so I don't know about them.

Either way, I agree wholeheartedly with Omisan: Foreign carriers all the way!

**bluepea** · 02-22-2005, 07:22 PM

I loved Iceland Air - you have to stop in Iceland. Some people will find that inconvenient, but I loved it. Plus, they were all very friendly.

**ChasinJason1313** · 02-22-2005, 10:32 PM

I heard a rumor that Iceland Air wold put you up in a hotel in reykjavik, or whatever, for a couple nights if you flew with them, is that true?

KLM does lose baggage

I need to get on that Virgin miles program thingy

**TheWills** · 02-22-2005, 11:30 PM

VA, what can I say, I herd they are pretty easy going about the mile high club to

**bluepea** · 02-23-2005, 09:39 AM

We did stay in an uber nice hotel in Reykjavik for a night because of their flight schedule. I can't remember if we had to pay for it or not... If so, it wasn't expensive.