[DallasTexan]

This winter, I plan on flying from the East Coast to Paris, France. It's been a few years since I've flown internationally off the continent (and the first time I've paid), so I need some help.

Since I live in Buffalo, I have a few choices. I could easily fly out of Toronto, New York/Newark, or Baltimore/D.C. What airline would you guys recommend? One of the American legacy carriers? Air Canadidia? Air France? Another Euro carrier?

I like a decent level of service, a non-stop flight, and I'd like to travel in economy plus (similar to BA's world traveller plus) so I can have a bit more room.

kthx :D

[WonderlandPark]

If you can get Air France, do it. Don't do Delta, Continental is decent, but go on a European carrier if at all possible.

[steel]

I think the Euro airlines still allow smoking if that matters one way or another. 8 hours of breathing smoke in an enclosed tin can is pretty brutal for a non smoker

[DallasTexan]

Yuck. I know from experience that it's banned on BA flights though. I can't stand cigarette smoke.

[urbanflyer]

Air France is the way to go. Catch their 744 or 777 from Montreal :)

[R@ptor]

I could easily fly out of Toronto, New York/Newark, or Baltimore/D.C. What airline would you guys recommend? One of the American legacy carriers? Air Canadidia? Air France? Another Euro carrier?

Fly from New York, that's definitely cheaper than flying from Toronto or DC. I've flown between New York and Paris with both Air France and Delta Airlines, Air France was ok, but the Delta service simply sucked.


I think the Euro airlines still allow smoking if that matters one way or another. 8 hours of breathing smoke in an enclosed tin can is pretty brutal for a non smoker

Almost no european carrier allows smoking anymore (only some charter airlines) and all flights out-and inbound of North America are 100% non-smoker flights!

[hkskyline]

Forget about flying out of Toronto. The airport taxes and airline surcharges can easily add another 200 dollars to your ticket. At this time of the year, European carriers offer a number of winter specials out of New York. Check the travel magazines or the airlines' websites since they're usually well-advertised.

[SpongeG]

definately fly out of the states

iberia airlines often has cheap flights but i think they all go via spain

[one very bored guy]

No scheduled European airlines alow smoking anymore, so don't worry about that.

Problem is of cause, the smell of smoke may have been disgusting, but it forced the airlines to push their AHU's to the max and filter them properly. These days, with no smoking, they have removed a great deal of the filtering and don't recycle the air as well, so more cotangents get spread around. Less likely to smell someone else's smoke, but more likely now to get whatever bugs and virus's they may have.

[JMancuso]

No scheduled European airlines alow smoking anymore, so don't worry about that.

good...because i am on an air france flight to paris in a few weeks...and don't want to get le cancer on the way over.

[oliveurban]

You can also fly non-stop to Paris' CDG from Philadelphia, via both Air France and US Airways.

[tonyo]

This winter, I plan on flying from the East Coast to Paris, France. It's been a few years since I've flown internationally off the continent (and the first time I've paid), so I need some help.

Since I live in Buffalo, I have a few choices. I could easily fly out of Toronto, New York/Newark, or Baltimore/D.C. What airline would you guys recommend? One of the American legacy carriers? Air Canadidia? Air France? Another Euro carrier?

I like a decent level of service, a non-stop flight, and I'd like to travel in economy plus (similar to BA's world traveller plus) so I can have a bit more room.

kthx :D

I just returned from Paris/London and had the pleasure of flying AirFrance to Paris from JFK here in NY. Great experience, as some others have noted. They do not allow smoking. The food was the best meal I have had on an airline in coach (as you would expect from the French). Fresh baguettes and the works.

My only complaint was the lack of leg room. I am 6'2" and when the person in front of me reclined their seat my knees were right up against their seat.

On the return, I flew Virgin from London. Excellent airline. The entertainment available for each passenger via a personal lcd screen and handset controller was amazing. There were dozens of newly DVD-released movies available, games you can play against other passengers and more. The food wasn't AirFrance-quality, but it was good. Pretty flight attendants in nice uniforms didn't hurt either. ;)

[j korzeniowski]

I think the Euro airlines still allow smoking if that matters one way or another. 8 hours of breathing smoke in an enclosed tin can is pretty brutal for a non smoker

eek, when was the last time you've flown internationally?

anyways, go with european carriers, as they still have free booze, i believe. plus, i have to say, having gone back and forth over a dozen times, i like the big airbuses, i.e., lufthansa's planes that go over the big drink.

have a nice trip.

[tayser]

fly to Londres and get the Eurostar, much nicer way to do it, probably cheaper across the atlantic that way too (Virgin Atlantic, BA, American and United all fly LHR-New York Airports afaik?).

[Grego43]

"fly to Londres and get the Eurostar, much nicer way to do it, probably cheaper across the atlantic that way too (Virgin Atlantic, BA, American and United all fly LHR-New York Airports afaik?)."

Nicer? Cheaper? Surely you must be joking, Tayser.

What is nicer about adding unnecessary hours to one's transit time? You would land at LHR, hop the express to Paddington Station, then the Underground or taxi to Waterloo Intl to catch to Eurostar, then 2.5 to 3 hours time to Paris. Cheaper? Add up all the transit segments, and don't forget the Eurostar fare of at least $150.00.

Doesn't sound like great plan to me.

[Fabb]

"fly to Londres and get the Eurostar, much nicer way to do it, probably cheaper across the atlantic that way too (Virgin Atlantic, BA, American and United all fly LHR-New York Airports afaik?)."

Nicer? Cheaper? Surely you must be joking, Tayser.

What is nicer about adding unnecessary hours to one's transit time? You would land at LHR, hop the express to Paddington Station, then the Underground or taxi to Waterloo Intl to catch to Eurostar, then 2.5 to 3 hours time to Paris. Cheaper? Add up all the transit segments, and don't forget the Eurostar fare of at least $150.00.


I guess that Tayser had in mind a few days - not only a transfer - in Londres before the Eurostar trip to Paris.
Otherwise, it's a weird suggestion.

[tayser]

what Fabb said.

However I'd prefer to speed through the northern suburbs of Paris on a Eurostar rather than mix with the hoi polloi on the RER B :haha: ;)

Surely American or United would sell open jaw tickets? NYC airports into London then CDG back to NYC airports.

[DallasTexan]

Actually, I am thinking of flying into London for a few days before heading over to France (via the Eurostar of course).

My biggest decision now is BA vs. Virgin Atlantic. I've been on BA before so I'm interested in trying Virgin. Their premium economy seems really nice and has a seat width of over 21 inches. It's only $40 more than BA's premium economy which only has a seat width of 18.5 inches.

It's on an Airbus though :( Decisions, decisions...

[urban_encounter]

Air France is the way to go.


Unless your expecting an air vent above your head.

The Airbus variant that I took to and from France this past summer didn't offer individual air vents. Now I've flow Airbus planes that do have air vents, but I'm guessing it's an Air France thing. Consequently it was not a very pleasurable experience as it felt like an oven flying at 40,000'.

Secondly, Air France lost my luggage despite my being at O'Hare Airport 5 hours before my flight departed Chicago.

The food on board was decent, the flight attendants were pleasant; but i couldn't get over just how uncomfortable the temperature on the plane felt.

If you are indeed going to the UK first, then British Airways would be a good option.

[Fabb]

However I'd prefer to speed through the northern suburbs of Paris on a Eurostar rather than mix with the hoi polloi on the RER B :haha: ;)

How come the RER B has such a bad reputation ?
I always use it when I go to the CDG airport. Some of the trains run direct between Gare du Nord and the airport. They're annoyingly slow, but you don't mix with the hoi polloi.

I don't know why tourists avoid the RER B. Are there horror stories that circulate about it ?
I like it because you get to see the Stade de France, the 120-m tall Tour Pleyel and the Sacré Coeur.

[Sky Tower]

If you decided to go to London first, then I'd definitely recommend Virgin over B.A, should be cheaper too!
If you decide to stop the night, I could drive up and buy you a proper beer, instead of that American/Canadian crap!

[mja]

I wouldn't recommend it coming from Buffalo but Delta/Air France do a partnership out of Philly that is really just an Air France flight and I've never had a problem with them. U.S. Air is terrible.

I've done the BA changeover at Heathrow and it can be a bit more taxing than is necessary if you don't plan on spending a few nights there.

[ac888yow]

If you can get to Montreal without much hassle I'd fly through there.

The Montreal-Paris route has insane capacity and by far the best frequencies served with the greatest variety of equipment (if that matters to you) in that there are half a dozen carriers (legacy and charter) or so that fly the route. Off the top of my head I can think of:

Legacy:
- Air Canada (multi-daily, A330 and B767)
- Air France (multi-daily, B747 and B777 and A330/340)

Charter:
- Zoom (multi-weekly, B767)
- Air Transat (daily I think, A330 and possibly A310)
- Corsair (multi-weekly, A330 and B747)

This is probably a good recipe for lowest price too.

[GreatTallNorth2]

Discard all the above advice immediately and fly Zoom Airlines (www.flyzoom.com) from Toronto to Paris. They are usually very inexpensive and great to travel with. I flew from Toronto to London Gatwick return for $550 Canadian including all taxes and have no complaints at all.

[The Chemist]

It's on an Airbus though :( Decisions, decisions...

What's wrong with an Airbus? The A340-600 that Virgin flys is one of the best planes flying today, IMO - smooth and quiet. The old 'If it ain't Boeing, I ain't going' is a pretty old, provincial attitude.

[DallasTexan]

Because while I've been on all the other big planes, I've never been on a 747.

*dies from embarrassment*

[FREKI]

I think the Euro airlines still allow smoking if that matters one way or another. 8 hours of breathing smoke in an enclosed tin can is pretty brutal for a non smoker Yep... but only the steamdriven ones... the ox-driven are non-smoking due to the wooden cladding...

My advice would be to take the Zeppliner - I've heard very good things about the Hindenburg... :cool:





Anyways... go with a Star Alliance carrier and you cant go all wrong...

[tayser]

747s are only good to land in - always smooth and you forget you're in the biggest passenger plane flying about, otherwise, they're just average and you're not missing much Sulley.

I'm hanging to fly in a 777, so if you go on one of them, report back ;)

[DallasTexan]

777s are excellent. I've been on several before... :drool:

[Buckeye Native 001]

Because while I've been on all the other big planes, I've never been on a 747.

*dies from embarrassment*

You and me both, but I'd rather fly on a 777 given the choice.

[BnaBreaker]

Definitely Air France buddy.

[Justin10000]

Living in Toronto, I can tell you that flying out of Toronto is really expensive. I think it is the most expensive airport in the world, in terms of landing fees.

The Airport is really nice though. Terminal 1 is new, and a sight to behold.

But most local Torontonians prefer to drive to Buffalo, and fly from there. It is much cheaper, even when you factor in gas, and crossing fees.

[DallasTexan]

Sooooo true. You Canadians love Southwest.

Of course, everyone luvs it.

[Justin10000]

My parents will not fly any other airline!

My sister swears by Jetblue though!

[JMancuso]

What's wrong with an Airbus? The A340-600 that Virgin flys is one of the best planes flying today, IMO - smooth and quiet. The old 'If it ain't Boeing, I ain't going' is a pretty old, provincial attitude.

true. a plane is a plane and as long as it gets me to my destination without exploding into a big ball of death and destruction on the runway, i don't care what i am in...well, except for a tupolev.

i am taking an A340-600 to CDG next week. i assume it's similar to a 777.

[staff]

I would kill to fly in a Tupolev some time. :)
Last year when I did CPH-SVO I got one of Aeroflot's A320's, unfortunately...