Barcelona flight...

[pixie08]

For those of you on the May med cruises (or people who have done the past med cruises) what airline are you using to get to Barcelona? I noticed Iberia (operated by American) has some decent deals....if you call $1200 decent anyway I just want to have a decent flight and I have never taveled to Spain. Thanks!


Oh we are in NYC flying out of JFK so I *think* most airlines fly out of here.

 

[lmhall2000]

Mary,

I have a daily ticker that runs on my laptop that lists today's fare...it's supposed to "ding" me if it drops below $600...I have heard of some using consolidators, not too aware of those things...I am flying out of Atlanta so I'm focusing on Delta/American...historically the lowest ATL-BCN last year was $400's...so if I can get that I will!! I will post here as soon as I find a good deal, but don't expect them to pop up until it's within 90 days of travel.

HTH!
Tara

 

[HallsofVA]

For those of you on the May med cruises (or people who have done the past med cruises) what airline are you using to get to Barcelona? I noticed Iberia (operated by American) has some decent deals....if you call $1200 decent anyway I just want to have a decent flight and I have never taveled to Spain. Thanks!


Oh we are in NYC flying out of JFK so I *think* most airlines fly out of here.

Air Lingus has some good prices to Barcelona from JFK though you have to stop in Ireland. I was looking today at flights in Sept 2010, and it looks like the quickest and cheapest non-stop flights (at the moment) are Delta, AA, and Continental out of the NY area.

 

[pixie08]

Wow thanks guys...Iberia just droped to $750 so that's progress! I have to look into Aer Lingus.

Tara can I ask where you got that ticker? Sounds nifty. It would help!

 

[MinnieDiva]

Read the 2007 trip reports and plan carefully. There were some luggage horror stories. I didn't look to see where you live, but I am on the west coast and there are no direct flights. I ran into a retired 747 pilot at work and asked his opinion on overseas flights. He confirmed that workers overseas can strike for no particular reason, unlike here where it is regulated by the unions. Or if they are having a bad day, bags have been known to travel to other locations than where scheduled. I am looking at flying to the east coast and then catching a flight there to Barcelona. Paranoid? Maybe, but if I can circumvent a blight to what I consider a trip of a lifetime I'm going to at least research it and give it a lot of thought.
I've been tracking trends on Kayak, and prices really start dropping about 4 months after release. For example, we go in August, and May/June flights are starting to look attractive.

 

[lmhall2000]

Hey the ticker is from American Airlines, you sign up for it on their website...generally if one airline drops their fares, so do the others but they won't last for long!

I like Kayak and Mobissimo?? or something like that to check on when I get the chance, but usually the best fares for May will come out in Jan/Feb...

Tara

 

[stingmom]

we flew RT from Jacksonville, Florida to Barcelona with 1 layover in Newark, NJ on Continiental last May for just under $400 per ticket. The service was great, no extra fees for luggage, they had plenty of food (included in the ticket price) movies, games, tv shows on an interactive screen on the back of every seat and a free headset and blanket for all. They were helpful with the kids too, keeping them well fed and full of drinks! We hope to fly them again for our return next May!

 

[pixie08]

FYI..I was researching Iberia (the Spanish airline) and wow it bombs. It sounds horrible. I think I will stick to US companies

 

[DisneyCruisin]

We used Aer Lingus for the TransAtlantic in 8/07. Flew JFK to BCN with a stop in Dublin. We are going to look into them again for 2010. The price was great. The seats on the initial flight are large and comfortable, with indivdual TV's, friendly service, decent snacks, meals and drinks. I prefer non-stop, but it was nice to walk around, freshen up and eat during the lay over.

 

[kcashner]

I'm on the TA....somewhat encouraged because I just found a flight that will only require one change. Home to ATL, ATL to BCN. That might be what sells it.....

 

[pixie08]

Does anyone know wether an 11:00am flight out of BCN is too early if the boat docks at 7am?

 

[stingmom]

Does anyone know wether an 11:00am flight out of BCN is too early if the boat docks at 7am?

We were on RCCL, docked at 7am with a 10am flight. I was worried about the time, but the cruise had us off 1st and we took our luggage off with us. We had plenty of time at the airport.

 

[pixie08]

OK so I am freaking a bit. The flight on AA and Delta just went up to 1800 pp today compared to $800 pp yesterday. I checked twice, had my husband check too because I thought I was going nuts lol! If that is the case Air Lingus here we come.

 

[Morgey24]

Yes, that can easily happen with flights. My suggestion is to determine your "strike price" and then, when you see it, book it.

In the case of those $400 type tickets, if you see them, book them immediately. I was online a couple of months ago and got a notice of $350 type fares to Madrid or Barcelona. I thought about it for 10 minutes and then started booking (because I had to look at cruises on other lines that left BCN to see what those fares were like, and look at DD's school schedule, etc.) I was on Delta's site and had the first leg selected and was booking the return air and the site FROZE. Blammo. Rates changed. In a second. I called Delta and they said basically, "too bad, so sad, rates are not guaranteed until you book." I was in the MIDDLE OF AN active booking. They didn't care. So if you are holding out for, and see, a super low -- almost weird rate -- book it ASAP.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

How far out did you buy your tickets? This is the route and airline we are looking into.

We used Aer Lingus for the TransAtlantic in 8/07. Flew JFK to BCN with a stop in Dublin. We are going to look into them again for 2010. The price was great. The seats on the initial flight are large and comfortable, with indivdual TV's, friendly service, decent snacks, meals and drinks. I prefer non-stop, but it was nice to walk around, freshen up and eat during the lay over.

I could be wrong, but a majority of the luggage issues stemmed from those who flew with a stop in London. London's airport was undergoing major renovations two years ago which caused a huge luggage issue.

Read the 2007 trip reports and plan carefully. There were some luggage horror stories. I didn't look to see where you live, but I am on the west coast and there are no direct flights. I ran into a retired 747 pilot at work and asked his opinion on overseas flights. He confirmed that workers overseas can strike for no particular reason, unlike here where it is regulated by the unions. Or if they are having a bad day, bags have been known to travel to other locations than where scheduled. I am looking at flying to the east coast and then catching a flight there to Barcelona. Paranoid? Maybe, but if I can circumvent a blight to what I consider a trip of a lifetime I'm going to at least research it and give it a lot of thought.

I've been tracking trends on Kayak, and prices really start dropping about 4 months after release. For example, we go in August, and May/June flights are starting to look attractive.

 

[woody73]

We used Aer Lingus for the TransAtlantic in 8/07. Flew JFK to BCN with a stop in Dublin. We are going to look into them again for 2010. The price was great.

I recently met a couple who have been on five transatlantic cruises. The used Aer Lingus each time and were very pleased. They like being able to buy a one-way ticket for half the price of a roundtrip.

Woody

 

[woody73]

I could be wrong, but a majority of the luggage issues stemmed from those who flew with a stop in London. London's airport was undergoing major renovations two years ago which caused a huge luggage issue.

Thousand of bags were delayed in the fiasco at Heathrow Terminal 5.

Woody

 

[gismo1554]

Thousand of bags were delayed in the fiasco at Heathrow Terminal 5.

Woody

Yep the joys of a new terminal opening. There are no longer any issues other than normal airport issues at London Terminal 5 however! Also only BA flies into Terminal 5 and their Barcelona flight flies out of Terminal 3

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thousand of bags were delayed in the fiasco at Heathrow Terminal 5.

Woody

This was a well published issue when the T5 opened and lasted for a few months. Since then over the last 18 months there hasn't been any issue at all, and so is in the past.

I have personally flown through T5 a number of times since the opening, and would say in my varied experience of airports and travel, to be the No1 facility now, and by a large margin above any followers.

Its the same as cruise ships. maybe we will see the DREAM have issues in January 2011, but I am sure it will be ironed out and become the flagship of DCL. We would not hold back on cruising on a new ship, when we were aware in its first few cruises it had some teething problems.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Does anyone know whether an 11:00am flight out of BCN is too early if the boat docks at 7am?

You are pushing it and there is little margin for error, now do you arrive on a Saturday? thats slightly better than the Wednesday 11 night arrivals. Rush hour slows down Barcelona, its a very bust city.

Now in 2007, we were off at 7am, prompt, lots of DCL coaches around all listed with the airlines and the terminals they would call at. We were on quickly.

For us the transfer Port to Airport was 45 mins, Barcelona is a slightly confusing and busy airport so it may take time to find your check in and it may well have a queue.

Check in for USA flights most likely will be in the ball park of 3 hours, for security clearance etc.

So counting back from 11am flight, thats 8am, so no margin for error.

Customs and immigration at Barcelona port has been fast, but all you need is one delay and you are at panic *red alert* status.

I personally wouldn't recommend any flight before 12 noon. Even for European flights.