Barcelona flight...

[CRSNDSNY]

If cruise departs on Saturday, what about flying in on Friday? Do you think that is enough of a leeway of time?

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.

 

[NancyIL]

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

American Airlines and Iberia are partner airlines. If it says the flight is operated by American Airlines, then you would be flying on an American Airlines plane and not on Iberia.

 

[Anal Annie]

We don't go to the Med until Aug of 2011 but just out of curiosity (and to try to budget) I set up fare alerts thru kayak.com to watch for fares for Aug 2010 and have been in real sticker shock watching these fares.

We're doing a 10 n so it departs on a Wed and comes back to Barcelona on a Sat. I set it up to watch going over on Sat, Sun and Mon as ideally I would like 2 or 3 days in Barcelona pre-cruise to get over jet lag & see some of Barcelona. I am comparing both BWI and Dulles but both look REALLY HIGH. Anything $1,000 or less has HORRID travel times (like 17 or 18 hours PLUS). I really hoped to be able to go in 12-13 hours. THOSE flights are running well over $1,100. I also noticed that it was REALLY RARE to see departure flights for the return later than 11:00 am & I was concerned about the timing on those too.

I did not think of waiting until only 3 or 4 months out to book (I am WAY TOO anal retentive for THAT thought!!) Do you really think fares will be lower to wait like that? I am really watching all of you 2010 Med cruisers for advice!! My HOPE is to be able to use credit card miles to cover some of this so the lower the tix the better for sure!!! If we could get flights for under $600 we could honestly cover all of us with miles!!!!! That would leave more $$ for excursions & shopping!!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

If cruise departs on Saturday, what about flying in on Friday? Do you think that is enough of a leeway of time?

In my personal opinion, its doable, but with increased security issues on transatlantic flights, and health and safety that they will not fly any plane that has any issue, across the Atlantic, there is always a chance of a cancellation and delay. Flying with an airline with a considerable fleet of planes so instant replaceable stock, helps, some airlines have only a few transatlantic planes, and therefore if there is a maintenance issue, or knock on delay, they will fall behind.

I going the other way in August 2009, flew into Orlando three days before, this was my buffer zone, that if we encountered delays or cancellations we could still get out there. For the Med in 2011, I plan to get in on the Friday, but my flight is just two hours. To allow for jet lag, I personally would say try to add a day come in on Thursday or Wednesday. But its down to the time you are allowed off work. In the end its doable, but has a risk, albeit small.

We don't go to the Med until Aug of 2011 but just out of curiosity (and to try to budget) I set up fare alerts thru kayak.com to watch for fares for Aug 2010 and have been in real sticker shock watching these fares.

We're doing a 10 n so it departs on a Wed and comes back to Barcelona on a Sat. I set it up to watch going over on Sat, Sun and Mon as ideally I would like 2 or 3 days in Barcelona pre-cruise to get over jet lag & see some of Barcelona. I am comparing both BWI and Dulles but both look REALLY HIGH. Anything $1,000 or less has HORRID travel times (like 17 or 18 hours PLUS). I really hoped to be able to go in 12-13 hours. THOSE flights are running well over $1,100. I also noticed that it was REALLY RARE to see departure flights for the return later than 11:00 am & I was concerned about the timing on those too.

I did not think of waiting until only 3 or 4 months out to book (I am WAY TOO anal retentive for THAT thought!!) Do you really think fares will be lower to wait like that? I am really watching all of you 2010 Med cruisers for advice!! My HOPE is to be able to use credit card miles to cover some of this so the lower the tix the better for sure!!! If we could get flights for under $600 we could honestly cover all of us with miles!!!!! That would leave more $$ for excursions & shopping!!

Following UK transatlantic flight costs I found, personally form my experience, the following:-

• Release day say 12 months out, Expensive.
• From about 11 months to six months best price.
• Six months, > three months, increased back up.
• Last three months, very expensive,

This was for summer flights, sample, 2005,2006,2008,2009,BA and Virgin Atlantic, AA, Continential, United,tested.

 

[tripodjw]

Following UK transatlantic flight costs I found, personally form my experience, the following:-

• Release day say 12 months out, Expensive.
• From about 11 months to six months best price.
• Six months, > three months, increased back up.
• Last three months, very expensive,

This was for summer flights, sample, 2005,2006,2008,2009,BA and Virgin Atlantic, AA, Continential, United,tested.

I'd second that priceing plan with one exception. Both BA and virgin are pretty competitive and both hold fairly regular sales (especillay in current economic climate) which can then lower the price quite considerably.

Usually BA and Virgin sales are at the same time (obviously in response to each other).

For instance this August I got direct flights from London to LAX on BA about 6 weeks before departure in a sale. The Sale price was £400 (about $600) per person. The day before the sale prices kicked in the cost for the same flights was £750 (about $1000) per person.

BA in particular tend to have sales after Xmas, Late February, Easter, May, late August and a.n other in the fall. Sometimes the "sale" will be business/first class only (like the one that started today) but most include economy.

I would strongly recommend not buying a BA or Virgin ticket unless they have a sale on - best way of finding out when they have a sale on is to sign up for their newsletters on their websites.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I'd second that pricing plan with one exception. Both BA and virgin are pretty competitive and both hold fairly regular sales (especially in current economic climate) which can then lower the price quite considerably.

Usually BA and Virgin sales are at the same time (obviously in response to each other).

For instance this August I got direct flights from London to LAX on BA about 6 weeks before departure in a sale. The Sale price was £400 (about $600) per person. The day before the sale prices kicked in the cost for the same flights was £750 (about $1000) per person.

BA in particular tend to have sales after Xmas, Late February, Easter, May, late August and a.n other in the fall. Sometimes the "sale" will be business/first class only (like the one that started today) but most include economy.

I would strongly recommend not buying a BA or Virgin ticket unless they have a sale on - best way of finding out when they have a sale on is to sign up for their newsletters on their websites.

Its a good point in the last year they both have had sales, but also as you point out, it has not had sales during the English Summer time, but post Christmas, non holiday season to pre Easter, not Easter, a few in Spring, then none to late August. Those going on DCL Med cruises run a big risk if holding out for a 'sale' particularly if they need to come on 1>2 days pre cruise, and leave shortly post cruise, and therefore have dates tied up.

 

[woody73]

Following UK transatlantic flight costs I found, personally form my experience, the following:-

• Release day say 12 months out, Expensive.
• From about 11 months to six months best price.
• Six months, > three months, increased back up.
• Last three months, very expensive,

This was for summer flights, sample, 2005,2006,2008,2009,BA and Virgin Atlantic, AA, Continential, United,tested.

Andrew,

Roundtrip airfare from London to Los Angeles, departing mid-June, and returning mid-August (LHR-LAX-LHR) costs around $745 USD. Is this a good price?

Woody

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andrew,

Roundtrip airfare from London to Los Angeles, departing mid-June, and returning mid-August (LHR-LAX-LHR) costs around $745 USD. Is this a good price?

Woody

I am assuming Economy class, I would say thats a reasonable ball park figure, for mid June. If premium Economy its a very good price. Your return is at *peak* UK school holidays.

 

[woody73]

It's Economy class. What do you suggest -- buy now or wait for a better price? Thanks.

Woody

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

It's Economy class. What do you suggest -- buy or wait for a better price? Thanks.

Woody

If its me, I would buy, as I like to know its organised, I have the days I want, etc, flights times etc. There is a lower chance of sales for June and August as its peak UK and Europe summer holiday time.

 

[woody73]

Thank you for the sound advice.

Woody

 

[DSNEYFAN]

I was freaking out also when is saw the flight prices from DFW to anywhere in europe!
I booked the four of us on economytravel.com for 650 per adult and 600 per kid, flying on KLM which is my fav airline to fly to europe, they have those little screens on every seat, helps keep the kiddos entertained!

At first I was skeptical at how they could offer a fare for 400-450 less than everyone else, but I bought trip insurance just in case, I called KLM after I booked and they had all the info correctly and the flights are booked normally and we have tickets and all. I suggest you look at them, just make sure you read the fine print, they are 100% non refundable, non cancellable and no changes can be made. Still we saved 1400! We are flying into Paris for a few days pre cruise first and flying back home from BCN.

 

[pixie08]

I was freaking out also when is saw the flight prices from DFW to anywhere in europe!
I booked the four of us on economytravel.com for 650 per adult and 600 per kid, flying on KLM which is my fav airline to fly to europe, they have those little screens on every seat, helps keep the kiddos entertained!

At first I was skeptical at how they could offer a fare for 400-450 less than everyone else, but I bought trip insurance just in case, I called KLM after I booked and they had all the info correctly and the flights are booked normally and we have tickets and all. I suggest you look at them, just make sure you read the fine print, they are 100% non refundable, non cancellable and no changes can be made. Still we saved 1400! We are flying into Paris for a few days pre cruise first and flying back home from BCN.

I will take a look...thanks!

 

[HallsofVA]

I was freaking out also when is saw the flight prices from DFW to anywhere in europe!
I booked the four of us on economytravel.com for 650 per adult and 600 per kid, flying on KLM which is my fav airline to fly to europe, they have those little screens on every seat, helps keep the kiddos entertained!

At first I was skeptical at how they could offer a fare for 400-450 less than everyone else, but I bought trip insurance just in case, I called KLM after I booked and they had all the info correctly and the flights are booked normally and we have tickets and all. I suggest you look at them, just make sure you read the fine print, they are 100% non refundable, non cancellable and no changes can be made. Still we saved 1400! We are flying into Paris for a few days pre cruise first and flying back home from BCN.

Allow me to be skeptical for a minute, but since this is your first post, and you sound like a commercial for the website you mention, I'm wondering if you are a legitimate traveller or just someone trying to drive business to that website. I think I'll stay away from them just in case.

 

[DenverVal]

For comparison, in 2007, I booked on Delta using flycheapabroad.com, Denver to Atlanta to Barcelona for just under $800/person, including taxes. I checked tonight and it's just a shade cheaper now. British Airways was (and still is) less expensive, but the baggage allowance (weightwise) was significantly less than Delta's.

Several families I was traveling with flew on Aer Lingus and were very satisfied with the airline.

 

[DSNEYFAN]

Allow me to be skeptical for a minute, but since this is your first post, and you sound like a commercial for the website you mention, I'm wondering if you are a legitimate traveller or just someone trying to drive business to that website. I think I'll stay away from them just in case.

Haha!! I did sound that way you are right! I am NOT trying to sell anything, I was just offering advice since I was in the exact same place trying to get decent flights from Dallas, almost thought I was going to cancel the cruise since I wasnt going to spend 4k on flights kwim? That was my first post
I am booked on the May 5th 2010 10 night medi cruise out of barcelona, this will be our first disney cruise and we cant wait!

 

[HallsofVA]

For comparison, in 2007, I booked on Delta using flycheapabroad.com, Denver to Atlanta to Barcelona for just under $800/person, including taxes. I checked tonight and it's just a shade cheaper now. British Airways was (and still is) less expensive, but the baggage allowance (weightwise) was significantly less than Delta's.

Several families I was traveling with flew on Aer Lingus and were very satisfied with the airline.

What was your experience with flycheapabroad? I've looked everywhere on the web, and can't find anyone who posted that they used them, and were fully satisfied with the experience. I found a lot of folks who posted that they'd booked with them, but never updated after their flights to say how it went. (Hopefully that's a good sign.) They are the cheapest option for us at the moment going from IAD to BCN, but I'm just very skeptical of them and the others who are offering the flight for 1/3 of what the airline is selling it for.

 

[kcashner]

I just checked this web site. They are showing the same flights that my TA booked for me yesterday....only flycheapabroad is charging $564, and my TA got the flights for $474!

 

[pixie08]

One more question for you all if you do not mind....

Does anyone see any problem with taking 2 different airlines. ie: one there...delta (direct) and another home like BA (1 stop so we can leave BCN later to ensure we make the plane)?

TIA!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

One more question for you all if you do not mind....

Does anyone see any problem with taking 2 different airlines. ie: one there...delta (direct) and another home like BA (1 stop so we can leave BCN later to ensure we make the plane)?

TIA!

The only thing is that is most likely to be far more expensive, often return prices have a good discount over single tickets, even if you book open jaw flights flying in and out of different airports often its a better price than two singles on different airlines.

I have priced this many times and always found flying UK>USA a return ticket is better value, than singles, hence why I do not go on transatlantic repos.