civilservant

I would just never choose to have a connection if I didnt have to. Too many variables.

Bluegrass Lass

Unfortunately for me, I have to fly United into Edinburgh in 2 weeks as that's the only airline I can take from here to import our pets. Not to mention, there's only 1 flight/day leaving from any airport within 150miles that can handle our pets and get them to Newark - and they still have to board them overnight as they can't our furbabies there for the EDI flight. When Continental was still around, they had no problems with the size of planes and number flights/day and had no issues getting our cats to EWR in time for the int'l flight. :-/

Over $1500 for my flight!!! I seem to recall back in 2003/2004 when I visited Scotland several times, it was about half that price to fly! Heck, even a couple of years ago, I think it was about $300 cheaper than that!

Guindalf

Yeah, but this can happen with any airline at any time, so no need to worry unnecessarily!

Agreed, but the options from here are Delta (yugh!) or BA (marginally better) and the prices were considerably higher. I got a notification of Delta flight that was cheaper, but it's too late to change now. I have reasonable layover times (aroud 1:45 going and just under 3 hours coming back, so I should be OK. My last return involved an overnight in DC due to missing connections!

Giantaxe

Of which the biggest component is the dubiously named "fuel surcharge". I think taxes are now in the range of $200 for a return transatlantic flight to the UK. I know I posted a breakdown a while back.

SultanOfSwing

That would have been a 777, for that route. You're lucky - the 777 is easily the most comfortable plane I have flown on (I have flown transatlantic in the 757, 767 and 777 so far), though mine was BA. Out of Chicago, we would get the 767 for most routes which is OK, but a little lacking in facilities and worse still, some get the 757 on AA, which is a great plane but not for an 8 hour flight!

Guindalf

The type of plane makes little difference to the comfort level offered apart from a newer plane may be kitted out better!

It's down to the design of the interior, not the aircraft itself. Most airlines customize the interior, takng into account the look and feel and, most of all, the best way to pack the cattle in the most efficiently while still trying to maintain an appearance of actually caring about passenger comfort.

markonline1

It's about 50/50 at Heathrow between the 777 and 763 so you may get lucky. I flew out to Vegas via Chicago once on UA. I knew the station manager so good upgrade chance. I found out I was flying on a 767 so had a chat with one of the engineers to see what they were like as I'd heard they were an old fleet. He just laughed LOL. The connection between Chicago and Vegas was on one of their Ted 320's and I seriously doubt whether that thing even had a certificate of airworthiness.

Scouse Express

Make that statement after making a Transatlantic Trip on a 757, as opposed to a 777.


Jim

callowman

Have to agree-prices are on the up and up.
for me from Orlando to LGW its 1200 return the thing that gets me is the price of the seat was only 580 the TAXES and FEES were 620 !!
how the F can taxes and fees be more than the seat !!

also looking into Orlando to Iceland to London...

SultanOfSwing

Giantaxe

Because it's at least partially a scam some airlines (primarily European) use to charge these "fees" on frequent-flyer tickets. As I've already pointed out the bulk of "taxes and fees" is a "fuel surcharge".

Scouse Express

Screw Iceland........after all the disruption caused by their wonky volcano!



Jim.

markonline1

Not just those 2 aircraft. Compare a 747 to a 777, compare an old 340 200 to a 340 600. Noise levels are different, even turbulence levels can be different due to improved aerodynamics on more modern models.

SultanOfSwing

I'd like to one day. I haven't had a chance to fly a 747 yet and they'll probably all be re-tasked as cargo planes before I ever do. Bollocks.

cluedweasel

Unfortunately we're stuck on a crappy 747-400 out of SFO the week after next. We had United points to use and that was the only decent option out of here. Maybe time for some good sleeping pills.