Best and worst airlines to europe

[lmb]

Hi all - can you recommend some good airlines for travel to Barcelona as well as any to stay away from.

 

[Tracerr00]

Hi all - can you recommend some good airlines for travel to Barcelona as well as any to stay away from.

I've been to Europe quite a few times but somehow I've only flown one airline! It's probably because of where I'm located because Delta has a main hub here. I can tell you that the A330 is a great plane though if you can find one of those in your choices. When I flew to Hawaii a few months ago I specifically chose the itinerary that had that plane because I know it's a good one. I know for sure those have a tv screen in the back of every seat so it really kept my daughter occupied the whole way when she could choose her own movies and cartoons. I also had a friend that said Virgin is a good airline as well. Sorry I'm not much help!

 

[sayhello]

I flew Iberia Airlines (a large Spanish airline, affiliated with British Airways) and, except for the leg from Madrid to Barcelona, it was a fabulous flight. Large, well-maintained, roomy flight. (The problem with the leg from Madrid to Barcelona was that it was a commuter flight, and they had as many seats crammed into that plane as was physically possible. But that was less than an hour.) The flight from NYC to Madrid was spectacular. Their prices were also some of the best I found.

Sayhello

 

[castawaycayfans]

We flew on USAir to Frankfurt and had a so so experience. Our leg from Frankfurt to Barcelona was with Lufthansa, which we loved. The plane was clean and the service was great. They gave my DS7 a pack with crayons, small board game and coloring book. We were also served soft drinks and a snack, although my DH was able to get complimentary beer or wine, which is unheard of on USAir.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Air lingus is good for one way flights.
Any flight that arrives on time is a good flight. imho

 

[MouseMomx2]

I cannot say enough about SwissAir. You will have to go through Zurich or Geneva, but their service is top-notch. Note...if you have a layover of less than 24 hours it counts as a continuous flight. We were able to get a whole day in Zurich by getting in at 6:00 one evening and flying out at 5:30 the next.

 

[trimix]

It all depends on what you want and how much you are willing to pay. For first class, I don't think anybody will ever beat British Airways - although Virgin Atlantic is a very close second.

In business class, domestic airlines are catching up but are often still behind. Delta and Continental now have flat bed seats in what they call first class, but people I know who have recently flown in business class have said they are still behind British and Lufthansa. However, either of these airlines will require that you change planes elsewhere in Europe. If you can give yourself a six hour layover in London you will have time to go look at Buckingham Palace and get some fish & chips. On the other hand, American, Continental, and Delta can get you to Barcelona much more quickly.

In coach, whatever domestic airline you fly with will probably get you and your luggage to Barcelona close to on time. Or, for a bit more money, Air France and British Airways have an economy plus cabin with seats similar to domestic first class. The little bit of extra room makes a very big difference when you are going to be seated for over eight hours.

 

[PigletsPal2]

DD#2 says avoid Virgin economy like the plague! She says flying with your knees tucked behind your ears is no fun LOL!

Queen Colleen

 

[sshaw10060]

British Airways is the way to go!

 

[RoundtownGirl]

I flew Air France to both Germany and Paris. Both times everyone was polite but didn't go out of their way. I liked that you had real silverware even in coach and enjoyed the nice full course French meal. Wine with the coach meal didn't hurt either. Another plus was the drink cart left in the back throughout the night. It was nice to grab a cold water in the middle of the night without having to call for someone to get it.

 

[gatzsd]

I really wouldn't recommend KLM/Air France. Flew them in September and they lost all of our luggage. We were in Europe for 3 weeks with a 3 year old and no luggage. All of our FE stuff, everything - just gone. We got 2 of the bags back after we got back to the states (after our vacation was over) but they never did find one of our bags. Trying to get answers with the language barrier was very difficult and no one was willing to help us.

 

[mousejunkie98]

We lived in Europe for 2 years and flew back and forth for visits home several times a year. Hands down the best airline we flew was Air France. We flew Business Class on our way there for our move and it was great - but we took a look back in coach and it did not look so great. They had very little space and no in-seat entertainment. I've also enjoyed British Airways. Delta does have in-seat entertainment, but they can be less than stellar getting in/out on time.

 

[mousemom11]

We flew Lufthansa to Barcelona and Air Canada home from Barcelona, both in coach. Loved both of them! When we boarded Lufthansa, each seat had a complimentary blanket, pillow, and headset on them. We were served a full dinner and a full breakfast the following morning. Beer and wine were free. Each seat had its own TV set with lots of programming from which to choose.

Same experience on Air Canada. Additionally, there were power outlets in every row in coach, so we were able to keep all our electronics charged the entire flight.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Lufthansa is by far my favourite to cross the Atlantic. I will pay a fair amount more to fly them. Nice, clean planes, good crew, takes care of the kids well, blankets and pillows and headphones and in seat entertainment with no extra fees, decent food and drinks and snacks out in the galley or bathroom area (depending on the plane) all the way if you get thirsty or hungry in between--and top notch customer service if weather or something similar impacts your trip. Just make sure the flight IS a Lufthansa and not just under their name but operated by United.

Swiss Air often has some of the best prices into Barcelona and they are a really good airline as well

 

[JoyB-UK]

DD#2 says avoid Virgin economy like the plague! She says flying with your knees tucked behind your ears is no fun LOL!

Queen Colleen

Hi, we always fly virgin when travelling across the atlantic to the US or Caribbean, my husband is 6ft 2 inch and has never had problems with legroom. It is also well worth the upgrade price for premium economy, especially on those flights through Heathrow.

 

[debsters41]

I cannot say enough about SwissAir. You will have to go through Zurich or Geneva, but their service is top-notch. Note...if you have a layover of less than 24 hours it counts as a continuous flight. We were able to get a whole day in Zurich by getting in at 6:00 one evening and flying out at 5:30 the next.

I have to concur with this sentiment! Also, when I booked on Swiss for my trip over this summer, my fare also included 2 bags per person, while everyone else had only one. I have flown them before and it was the most comfortable flight I have had. Let's not forget the little chocolate that they pass around too!

 

[orlandothebeagle]

DD#2 says avoid Virgin economy like the plague! She says flying with your knees tucked behind your ears is no fun LOL!

Queen Colleen

Our Virgin flights were excellant last month, pretty comfy to me,

 

[TLSnell1981]

We book through Delta...keep my frequent flyer miles on one airline. They partner with AF and KLM. I choose a flight and check out the equipment, via seatguru. I love AF, but can't wait to try Delta's new flat beds.

 

[Reto]

I can confirm my home airline Swiss International Air Lines (as they are now named) is a pretty good airline. I use them to fly to MIA whenever I visit WDW.

Generous seat pitch (I'm always able to stretch my legs under the seat in front of me), personal TV screens onboard all their longhaul aircraft and for the kids, they even have some Disney-themed games loaded in their entertainment system:


Inflight Entertainment System onboard Swiss Airbus A340-300 HB-JME to Miami by Reto Kurmann, on Flickr

Another big plus is Zurich Airport, which scores regularly pretty high in rankings concerning the world's best airport. It is well-run, clean, small, easy to navigate, connecting there is a breeze. If you have a couple hours, there is a shopping mall in the landside part of the airport. Also, there is an observation deck where you can watch the airplanes from on top of Terminal E (which is where all intercontinental flights will arrive and leave from) or you can even leave the airport and take the train straight into Downtown Zurich (a 10-minute ride). IIRC there are 3 or 4 flights daily between Zurich and Barcelona, so you'll never have to wait too long.

However, please be aware that Swiss International Air Lines will begin to apply a fee for your 2nd checked bag beginning March 1, 2011. That fee will be $50. Still, Swiss is a great airline to use - never had any problems with them.

In North America, they have daily flights to/from Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Montreal, New York JFK and San Francisco.

 

[debsters41]

I can confirm my home airline Swiss International Air Lines (as they are now named) is a pretty good airline. I use them to fly to MIA whenever I visit WDW.

Generous seat pitch (I'm always able to stretch my legs under the seat in front of me), personal TV screens onboard all their longhaul aircraft and for the kids, they even have some Disney-themed games loaded in their entertainment system:


Inflight Entertainment System onboard Swiss Airbus A340-300 HB-JME to Miami by Reto Kurmann, on Flickr

Another big plus is Zurich Airport, which scores regularly pretty high in rankings concerning the world's best airport. It is well-run, clean, small, easy to navigate, connecting there is a breeze. If you have a couple hours, there is a shopping mall in the landside part of the airport. Also, there is an observation deck where you can watch the airplanes from on top of Terminal E (which is where all intercontinental flights will arrive and leave from) or you can even leave the airport and take the train straight into Downtown Zurich (a 10-minute ride). IIRC there are 3 or 4 flights daily between Zurich and Barcelona, so you'll never have to wait too long.

However, please be aware that Swiss International Air Lines will begin to apply a fee for your 2nd checked bag beginning March 1, 2011. That fee will be $50. Still, Swiss is a great airline to use - never had any problems with them.

In North America, they have daily flights to/from Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Montreal, New York JFK and San Francisco.

Love the Disney Games but OUCH on the checked bag fee! I wonder if that includes previously purchased fares, when we were told that it is included. I am going to start looking it up now.