Best airline for international travel?

[iheartdisney]

My DH, who is stationed overseas wants me to fly out in a few weeks. Looking at the destination the airlines that fly to his location are:
Delta
KLM
Emirates
Turkish
Which airline would you recommend? i have no experience flying internationally. Also, the flight time is approx 28 hours and I am 6 feet tall.
Anything else I should know about flying overseas?
Thanks!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Which airline would you recommend? i have no experience flying internationally. Also, the flight time is approx 28 hours and I am 6 feet tall.
Anything else I should know about flying overseas?
Thanks!

Yes, you will need a passport and possibly a visa, depending on where you are going.

You didn't give enough information. What are the departure and destination cities? Will you be flying economy or business/first?

 

[iheartdisney]

Yes, you will need a passport and possibly a visa, depending on where you are going.

You didn't give enough information. What are the departure and destination cities? Will you be flying economy or business/first?

yep, I have a passport, and he is filling out the visa paperwork.

Departure city is LAX, and I would rather not say the destination, for security reasons. Most likely flying coach.

 

[jsilvers]

If you're flying coach and six feet tall, you will want to pay careful attention to the seating arrangements, because you could end up being very uncomfortable. For example, Emirates typically has 10-across seating in coach on it 777, while Turkish has 9-across seating. Additionally, for all airlines specific seats may have extra leg room (for example, exit and bulkhead rows) - but some airlines hold those seats back for elite passengers. Sites such as SeatGuru.com can be helpful in evaluating your choices, but are not always 100% reliable.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Departure city is LAX, and I would rather not say the destination, for security reasons. .

Seriously?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Yeah the lack of info pretty much means less useful info.

 

[Lewisc]

Yeah the lack of info pretty much means less useful info.

Are there any flights which are in the air for more the 24 hours? Is the OP including time changes or is taking connecting flights? Either way OP is 6 feet. Paying extra for exit row seats or paying $ for premium economy makes Sense

 

[iheartdisney]

Seriously?

yeah, seriously. Loose lips sink ships.

Yeah the lack of info pretty much means less useful info.

I was pretty much just looking for general airline information.
I have no experience flying commercially overseas. I've only flown within the US, mostly on Southwest. So I was looking for more general info. I am sorry if my opsec offended anyone.

Are there any flights which are in the air for more the 24 hours? Is the OP including time changes or is taking connecting flights? Either way OP is 6 feet. Paying extra for exit row seats or paying $ for premium economy makes Sense

Yes, it was 28 hours total. At least one stop. Thanks for the tips.

 

[Lewisc]

I think some people are little too revealing in posting their vacation plans. I'm not talking about their destination but rather information which lets the world at large know when their house will be unoccupied.

Asking for help, without indicating your destination airport, is kind of a waste. Use seatguru. Be willing to pay for better seats and/or premium economy.

 

[jsilvers]

yeah, seriously. Loose lips sink ships.

If this is a serious concern, you may want to consider asking that this thread be deleted. Your signature identifies your DH's branch and specialty, and if one reconciles that information against where the airlines you have listed fly, it is possible to guess where he is stationed.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If this is a serious concern, you may want to consider asking that this thread be deleted. Your signature identifies your DH's branch and specialty, and if one reconciles that information against where the airlines you have listed fly, it is possible to guess where he is stationed.

Exactly. I think people would be surprised by how much they inadvertently reveal about themselves on message boards. OP, no one cares where you are going when you visit your husband! If you are that concerned, you shouldn't be posting online. Not giving your destination makes it impossible to give you any travel advice. In general, if you're traveling economy, most international flights are pretty much the same anyway. Go by price and schedule.

 

[Lewisc]

I'll try to give you some other suggestions.

Make sure you entire itinerary, at least for each direction, is on one PNR (ticket if you will). You don't want to book a flight from LAX to LHR then separately book a flight from LHR to XXXX. You won't be able to check your luggage straight through, lower luggage limits are likely to apply to the LHR to XXXX segment. You'll be in real trouble if your first flight is delayed or if there is a schedule change. The second airline is under no obligation to accommodate you.

Make sure you have enough time make any connections. Will you have to re-clear security at your connecting airport? Will you have to change terminals? Do you have a long layover? Is there anything to do at the airport. Is there enough time to leave the airport and go into the nearest city?

I'll repeat my previous suggestion. Find out which airline will let you pay extra and reserve an exit row seat. Some airlines might limit those seats to elite passengers. Find out which airline offers premium economy and see if its in your budget. Go to seatguru and check seat width and pitch.

 

[iheartdisney]

Thanks for the advice! I found the ticket I wanted, and premium economy was actually less expensive than regular economy! I'm really looking forward to the extra 6 inches of legroom! Paid the extra to choose my seats so i could have a window and be near the bathroom, and the only layovers i have are in london, so i don't have to worry about a language barrier anywhere!

OK, so next question... what does one wear on an international flight? I don't want to perpetuate the stereotype of the lazy American and show up in yoga pants, but i also want to be comfortable sitting for that long. Or am I completely overthinking this?

 

[Tara]

Thanks for the advice! I found the ticket I wanted, and premium economy was actually less expensive than regular economy! I'm really looking forward to the extra 6 inches of legroom! Paid the extra to choose my seats so i could have a window and be near the bathroom, and the only layovers i have are in london, so i don't have to worry about a language barrier anywhere!

OK, so next question... what does one wear on an international flight? I don't want to perpetuate the stereotype of the lazy American and show up in yoga pants, but i also want to be comfortable sitting for that long. Or am I completely overthinking this?

I used to regularly take Singapore Airlines EWR-SIN flight, the longest nonstop flight in the world. That's when I learned that a cotton jersey knit maxi dress is the ultimate long flight uniform. It's cozy, no matter how you curl up, you're not exposed, it helps ward off airplane chills, and you don't look like a schlump. throw in a pretty scarf and a soft pair of flats and you're set. Never jeans. Never anything constricting because your body can swell during a long flight and that can be very uncomfortable. Bring along fuzzy socks to wear midflight so you can take your shoes off.

 

[MillauFr]

Seriously?

Exactly. The OP has security concerns but doesn't the see the irony of posting questions on Disboards????

I don't understand.

 

[iheartdisney]

Exactly. The OP has security concerns but doesn't the see the irony of posting questions on Disboards????

I don't understand.

I was just seeking general travel advice. do i think that people with nefarious intentions are trolling the DISboards? probably not. Do I think that anyone is cyberstalking me hoping for breadcrumbs of intelligence? Highly unlikely. But better safe than sorry, and some habits are had to break. When DH was battalion, more than once homecomings were pushed back because wives/ parents/ friends posted on FB and other military boards "my man will be home in 14 hours!" They will delay a full plane for violations of OPSEC such as that.


The line in my signature... I didn't even think it was visible, as it went beyond the standard allowed height of a signature and it never showed up when I posted so honestly I forgot about it (it was also completely outdated. LOL!!)

Sorry if i confused you.

 

[MillauFr]

Thanks for clarifying. Good luck on DHs trip.

They don't fly overseas, but Alaska Airlines's Disneyland airplane was the best flight I ever had. Full of pixie dust.

http://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/fleet/739-spirit-of-dl2.aspx

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Thanks for the advice! I found the ticket I wanted, and premium economy was actually less expensive than regular economy! I'm really looking forward to the extra 6 inches of legroom! Paid the extra to choose my seats so i could have a window and be near the bathroom, and the only layovers i have are in london, so i don't have to worry about a language barrier anywhere!

OK, so next question... what does one wear on an international flight? I don't want to perpetuate the stereotype of the lazy American and show up in yoga pants, but i also want to be comfortable sitting for that long. Or am I completely overthinking this?

No experienced traveler ever chooses a seat near the bathrooms, . I also prefer aisle seats, especially on international flights, so I can get up and walk around easily.

Yes, you're over thinking the clothing. Whatever you want to wear is fine, as long as it's clean and in good taste. Nothing is wrong with jeans or yoga pants. Natural fibers are best, as they won't melt in case of a fire. I would never recommend wearing a maxi dress; kind of hard to move quickly in an emergency.