Best Airline for Europe Travel

[Alvin Mpower]

Hi guys, thinking about going to going to European later this year, specially going to Rome Switzerland, and Munich. Going to fly from NYC to Rome back from Munich to NYC, what's the best airline to take without dealing with bad headaches? From what I can read, a lot of the European airline can a hit and a miss. I'm talking about TAP Portugal, Norse Atlantic Airways, Air Europa, Scandinavian Airline, Turkish Airline, ITA Airway and others. I know if I go with American, United, or Delta there won't be much issues with communications if any issues come up, but European airlines seems to have the better prices. Can someone advise me on which European airline is best to communicate and inflight experience? Thanks.

[Alfisti]

Of that list i'd stick to names I know, TAP and Scandinavian. 1st priority is go direct, at any cost.

[ppointer]

Delta all the way. In fact, I’m sitting in an A330 right now waiting to go from ATL to CDG. I’ve done JFK to Rome many times. United and AA can kiss my butt.

[Alvin Mpower]

Originally Posted by ppointer

Delta all the way. In fact, I’m sitting in an A330 right now waiting to go from ATL to CDG. I’ve done JFK to Rome many times. United and AA can kiss my butt.

I have this Delta flight on watch right now. TBH the cheap European airlines have to pay extra for seats, checked bags or even carry on bag? I think I still stick with domestic flight options as they cover everything and are all direct flights.

[Alfisti]

Always, always direct.

From there, if in Economy, they are all the same except US airlines have terrible food and service for the most part. Adults only or kids too?

[Alvin Mpower]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Always, always direct.

From there, if in Economy, they are all the same except US airlines have terrible food and service for the most part. Adults only or kids too?

3 Adults, I feel all none Asian airline have terrible food, unless you are in first class. But for 8 hours I don't really care what they feed me, probably just some kind of cold sandwich.

[MADBMWX5MC]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Of that list i'd stick to names I know, TAP and Scandinavian. 1st priority is go direct, at any cost.

My son flew Scandinavian to Eurpore...no issues.

[Alfisti]

If it's all adults then it doesn't matter. If kids are involved some planes have arm rests that go all the way up and others do not. This can be a life saver with small kids and incredibly annoying if the arm rests are fixed or only go up part way as I assume these are all red-eye flights.

I'd do the cheapest all in cost from a reputable airline that is direct.

[chassis]

Originally Posted by Alvin Mpower

Hi guys, thinking about going to going to European later this year, specially going to Rome Switzerland, and Munich. Going to fly from NYC to Rome back from Munich to NYC, what's the best airline to take without dealing with bad headaches? From what I can read, a lot of the European airline can a hit and a miss. I'm talking about TAP Portugal, Norse Atlantic Airways, Air Europa, Scandinavian Airline, Turkish Airline, ITA Airway and others. I know if I go with American, United, or Delta there won't be much issues with communications if any issues come up, but European airlines seems to have the better prices. Can someone advise me on which European airline is best to communicate and inflight experience? Thanks.

What does NYC mean? LGA? EWR?

Use the airline that is most prevalent at your departure airport. United is big out of EWR. I think American is out of LGA.

Use flights.google.com to survey the entire landscape of airlines for your route.

I generally go with the large legacy US-based airlines because it has worked best for my itineraries.

[ppointer]

Originally Posted by Alvin Mpower

I have this Delta flight on watch right now. TBH the cheap European airlines have to pay extra for seats, checked bags or even carry on bag? I think I still stick with domestic flight options as they cover everything and are all direct flights.

Just got to Lyon this morning and working through jet lag. Went direct from ATL to CDG, then another hour to Lyon.

I noticed a few weeks ago that Delta is running specials on many direct-to-EU flights from JFK through early next year. When we go to Italy, we normally go JFK to Rome or Milan. Last fall went Miami to Rome direct. All on Delta.

I have had multiple poor experiences with United and American, so only under extreme situations will I use either of those again.

[MADBMWX5MC]

NYC = New York City; LGA = La Guardia Airport, NY and EWR = Newark Liberty Airport, NJ.

[vreihen16]

You forgot JFK, which does a lot of the international traffic.....

[chassis]

Alvin Mpower which is your departure airport?

[Alvin Mpower]

It doesn't matter who airport out of NYC I go to, I will go to the one with the cheapest fly option

[chassis]

Originally Posted by Alvin Mpower

It doesn't matter who airport out of NYC I go to, I will go to the one with the cheapest fly option

Good idea. Which one have you determined it to be?

[HFW003]

QANTAS

[Alvin Mpower]

Originally Posted by chassis

Good idea. Which one have you determined it to be?

The best one for me now is the Delta direct fly to Rome and back from Munich. ITA is a little cheaper but some research shows ITA staff are not trained well and airplane are ancient, so I think Delta is the way to go.

I'm going in late September so I still got plenty of time to book the flight. The price is fluctuating everyday, I'm just waiting for the price to hit cheapest. Booking all the hotels and stay first.

[Joralemon st.]

Originally Posted by Alvin Mpower

It doesn't matter who airport out of NYC I go to, I will go to the one with the cheapest fly option

So wait, are you looking for cheapest or best?.. They might not be one and the same. Also, is there a reason you're not considering Swiss or Lufthansa?..

[Joralemon st.]

BTW Norse is very much a low-coster, not to say there's anything wrong with that. Just flew with them from London to Miami — it was perfectly fine!

[Alfisti]

Older planes can have advantages, really depends on the seating lay out. And you're waiting for it to get cheaper? Not gonna happen man, long you wait the more this will be.

[Alvin Mpower]

Cheapest option that doesn't break bank but have a more enjoyable flight experience. Obviously there are cheap airline like Frontier that constantly running late, charge for carry on, and customer service is atrocious. Norse is a little cheaper but charge you $75 for carry on, if the difference is couple dollars I rather go with domestic airline because I know they are solid and easy to deal with. Like I said the price of the flights are going up and down everyday, I'm waiting to catch a low. I have 4 more month to book, not in a rush. Best price is 2-3 months before, I have always bought the tickets during those time frame and always gets the best deal.

Swiss and Lufthansa Don't have direct flight, these are the options for nonstop.

[Joralemon st.]

Originally Posted by Alvin Mpower

Cheapest option that doesn't break bank but have a more enjoyable flight experience. Obviously there are cheap airline like Frontier that constantly running late, charge for carry on, and customer service is atrocious. Norse is a little cheaper but charge you $75 for carry on, if the difference is couple dollars I rather go with domestic airline because I know they are solid and easy to deal with. Like I said the price of the flights are going up and down everyday, I'm waiting to catch a low. I have 4 more month to book, not in a rush. Best price is 2-3 months before, I have always bought the tickets during those time frame and always gets the best deal.

Swiss and Lufthansa Don't have direct flight, these are the options for nonstop.

There certainly is a nonstop Munich - NYC flight. And I missed Rome — Alitalia then, not Swiss.