Need Some Trans-Atlantic Travel Advice

**starbkjrus** · 15th December 06, 12:43 PM

Hi all.

I'm currently pondering booking a trans-atlantic flight and need some sage advice on whether or not to go with upgraded accomodation. For example, British Airways is around $ 500 (256 GBP or 382 EUR) in Economy for a round trip ticket. It's double that for their "premier" economy service which gives you 7 inches more legroom and the seat reclines further. (Please tell me that in regular economy there is more room than on a normal domestic flight in the US or Canada.)

(Also, if one has to change planes do you recommend London (Heathrow, ugh) or Amsterdam?)

So, do I pony up and extra $ 500 for more comfort or will economy do?

**cessna152towser** · 15th December 06, 12:53 PM

I've only crossed the pond once and that was twenty years ago. Canadian Pacific via Amsterdam to Calgary then on to Vancouver and Victoria. The long section of the flight was Amsterdam-Calgary - 8 hrs. 22 mins actual flying and Calgary-Amsterdam - 7 hrs. 46 mins. On the outbound I had a window seat - would have like to have seen a bit more from the air of Greenland, Baffin island and Lake Athabasca but people kept wanting the blinds shut so they could get a clearer view of the in-flight movie. On the way home, a seat in the centre section. The eastbound flight was overnight and I managed to get a few hours sleep. Economy class provided ample leg room for me, but then I'm only 5 ft. 9 ins.

**thescot** · 15th December 06, 12:55 PM

YOu're looking at a very long flight no matter which airport you choose. 8 hours cramped up can seem like 20-to-life. If you can afford the money, do so. I used to fly to both regularly, and a tight seat sucked. First class is snazzy, but you didn't mention that. Also, British Airway seems to have better seats in general, so you might think of that.

I always found Amsterdam an easy place to move around; London not quite so easy, but that was pre-9/11. I think that the layout is still OK in Amsterdam. Depending on where you are going as your final destination, I vote for Amsterdam. If you're going to Scotland, do the England route and take a train from London. Ha.

Sounds like you have a nice trip lined up in any event.

**davedove** · 15th December 06, 01:00 PM

Both times I have flown to Europe it was an overnight flight, standard economy class on American. Let me say that it was a rough night for me both times and I was worthless when I arrived (or even more worthless than normal:rolleyes: ). I'm a big guy (6'2") and fairly heavy. The seat was okay, but I couldn't really sleep at all. Fortunately, I didn't have anything planned for the day I arrived and I could just collapse. Now, if you can sleep sitting in the airplane seat, you should be okay. I just have a hard time sleeping unless I can stretch out.

I guess I'll have to deal with it again in April. I'm flying over to take a Mediterranean Cruise. A two week cruise, I'm ready to leave now.

**starbkjrus** · 15th December 06, 01:14 PM

Thanks for the answers so far guys - that was fast.

On another note: What is this I see that you can fly from Dublin to Glasgow on Aer Lingus for 1 Euro?? :eek:

**thescot** · 15th December 06, 01:15 PM

I think you have to flap your arms and peddle real fast!

**thescot** · 15th December 06, 01:16 PM

One other thing to consider.

Almost everyone in Holland speaks English. Almost no one in England does.

(OK, that's a joke before someone takes offense. I used to tell that to my clients as a joke and they laughed. Especially the ones in Northern Ireland and Scotland.)

**cessna152towser** · 15th December 06, 01:31 PM

If you can book in advance Aer Lingus now offer very low fares - I flew from Glasgow to Dublin and back for £3 each way last summer; even after adding all the hidden extras such as airport tax and booking fees the total cost of the return flight came to just £38. Around half the passengers on the flight were Americans using this as a connection for a transatlantic flight at Dublin.

**bikercelt1** · 15th December 06, 01:34 PM

I can never sleep on an airplane. I always want to but I never can. The seats weren't a problem, I'm just never really comfortable in a moving building. Do remember to get up and move around regularly, it can make a big difference in how you feel at the end of the flight. When you sit still for that long it can stiffen the most supple of athletes and can even be life threatening for us regular less-than-fit folks. When we flew over we went by way of Amsterdam and landed in Dublin. We had a Ryanair flight to Edinburgh that was pretty cheap but they made up for it with rediculous "overweight" charges. Those flights may work for commuters that are flying light. Plan those discount fares very carefully or you may end up paying more than you expect.

Jmaie

**Splash_4** · 15th December 06, 01:42 PM

I have crossed the pond several times using both coach and first class. All my flights have been over-nighers from the states and daylight on the way back. I strongly suggest the larger seats on the way over. On the way back, it does not seem to matter so much.

BTW, I am a large tall guy myself 6-1 290 and it is all in the torso. The cheap seats do not allow anthing resembling sleep and the additional legroom and reclining did help.