ski-air travel stories

[jasoncapecod]

I've only scored spare seats beside me a couple of times. I have often got a 20 something stone human in the next seat though.
I think I've mentioned that I can sleep on long flights. My most recent flight back across the Pacific I managed an unbroken 7 hours plus a snooze or two after that. My method of eye mask and ear plugs and 5mg valium continues to deliver. Kylie got at least 6 hours too.

I wish that stuff worked for me, It always makes me feel like a drank a bottle of scotch..

 

[EMSC]

Almost always but to be conservative, I'll say three out of every four transatlantic flights.

Wow. Had reasonable # of domestic flights over the years with a row to myself, though probably only 5-10%. Though rare in the past decade since I'm in premium economy or occasionally upgraded to first.

Don't think I've ever had a whole row on a flight going across either pond. Though to be fair, when I used to have to go to Asia I was allowed to book business class, which the company was paying for, and is of course a far better experience on such long flights.

 

[Sbooker]

I wish that stuff worked for me, It always makes me feel like a drank a bottle of scotch..

I simply asked the doctor for a script for something that would help me sleep on the plane and he prescribed that. I don't think 5 mg is very much at all. It's the lowest dose I believe. I don't feel any after effects whatsoever. Maybe you've taken a higher dose?

 

[Tony Crocker]

Almost always but to be conservative, I'll say three out of every four transatlantic flights.

Absolutely mind blowing, and it seems from others' comments that my experience is more typical than James'. Furthermore a great many of James' flights to the Alps are over Friday night while ours our mostly midweek. There must be some overcapacity between NYC and Europe, or maybe it's at capacity in the summer and they don't cut back the flight schedule that much in winter. At any rate this is not happening between LAX and Europe in the same time frame as James' trips.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

There must be some overcapacity between NYC and Europe

Just because there are a few sets of three empty seats in steerage doesn't preclude that the flight is 90% full, which is almost always the case. My general maneuver is to book the middle seat to keep people from wanting to sit next to someone else. If that doesn't work -- while boarding the plane, I ask a flight attendant to look on his/her phone to see if there are still any empty rows left. They're usually very helpful (and also advise you to take the middle seat during takeoff and meal service to discourage people from moving next to you).

 

[tseeb]

On our overnight Iberia flight to Spain last Oct, my friend quickly found empty middle row of 5 seats and slept the whole flight including through meals. I only found empty 2 seat wide row next to window and did not sleep very well.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

I only found empty 2 seat wide row next to window and did not sleep very well.

Yeah, it's basically being upright (tough to sleep without knockout pills) but at least you don't have to worry about touching someone else.

 

[ChrisC]

I have the lowest level of status on United and American airlines. Generally, it's good for a free bag and a larger seat on domestic/international. However, I'd rather sit back in Economy vs. a packed Premium Economy if it means I get an entire row for myself on an international flight that I'm paying for in miles/cash.

For example, my flight from Newark to Milan this winter was maybe 75% full, so I opted for taking 2 window seats in Economy in a 2-5-2 seating arrangement vs. a Premium seat. It's more comfortable for me to lean against the window and try to sleep for a bit. A footrest really does not do much for me sleep-wise. Meals are not really different - the same on this flight.

With low-level status, I rarely get upgraded to business/first since there is generally a sizeable business population with higher statuses. However, on 'vacation routes' business/first upgrades are possible: ski towns, Caribbean or Pacific.

On trips back from Europe, I am awake the entire time watching movies and/or working on the computer so I want the extra room in a larger seat in order to open my laptop. I've also developed this crazy Gen Z habit of turning on English subtitles on movies/tv so I can read ahead and not always listen to the program since I am on the phone/computer. Multi-task.

I also use SeatGuru to help me chose better seats on flights. Or just avoid bad ones.

Work can pay for international business-class tickets, but I'm not paying more on a flight than I would skiing for a week. Once in a blue moon, I have been targeted with a $300-400 business class upgrade that I have taken advantage of internationally.

 

[EMSC]

My general maneuver is to book the middle seat to keep people from wanting to sit next to someone else.

Of course if it doesn't work, you're now stuck in the worst seat on the plane. But sounds like a worthy risk on NYC to Euro flights given your success rate.

so I opted for taking 2 window seats in Economy in a 2-5-2 seating arrangement vs. a Premium seat.

Every one of us is different obviously. Only 2 seats wouldn't be worth it to me in that scenario. I'd prefer the premium economy seat where I can get my meal service quickly and get to sleep first. I've been on last second flights to Euro for business in the last row of a 747 for example and it takes forever for meal service to get to the back of the bus. Even if I wanted to skip it, the commotion of it is too much to nod off (in that case I was also in the middle seat on a 100% full flight). Though not a cakewalk, I apparently have fewer issues sleeping on a plane than others (neck pillow thingy, eye mask and usually noise cancelling ear buds playing music at low volume; no drugs needed thank goodness).

SeatGuru to help me chose better seats on flights.

Understatement as to the surprising usefulness of SeatGuru.

With low-level status, I rarely get upgraded to business/first

Bottom tier status, while helpful, doesn't really get you very much. I seem to bounce between bottom tier and mid tier status; Gold on United for example is where the benefits start to get fairly decent.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Bottom tier status, while helpful, doesn't really get you very much.

That's me (silver) and as my mother says, "better than a snowbank," but not game-changing.

in the last row of a 747 for example and it takes forever for meal service to get to the back of the bus

That's why the most important free asset to me is the FF lounge. So nice to relax, get good F&B, do some work, and take a sleeping pill so I don't need to wait for dinner service (as you mentioned, sometimes 90+ minutes into an overnight flight) to crash. BTW, while at the 90s-era United Club West in DEN two weeks ago, I saw signs that they're finally renovating the other one there so it'll be similar to Newark's -- something to look forward to if you use them.

 

[ChrisC]

Thought I would share this regarding EU261 Compensation for Flight Delays. My flight from Milan to Newark was delayed and then canceled. I took an Emirates flight to NYC that got in late (8pm) with no Star Alliance partners to continue onto the West Coast. Stayed and ate at the rather cool, renovated JFK Terminal 5-based TWA Hotel ($250/nt not too bad for NYC) - they had a rooftop infinity pool that overlooked the runways open till 11 pm. Continued to SFO the next morning on Emirates partner JetBlue.

Most Americans in Milan accepted some lame compensation from United for a $100-200 voucher that showed up in the app or email. I did not sign/accept anything. Acceptance of alternative compensation voids an EU261 filing.

Submitted for overnight expenses and filed my EU261 claim in late February to United Customer Service. Received the following response and choices (below). I took the $1,000 travel voucher vs. the EU261 payout of EUR600 / USD $650. It will pay for next year's ski trips. Anyways, I wanted to share this and the rules since it was so simple to file, get a response, and only required a single follow-up call to get it prioritized.

Hi Christopher,​

​

Thank you for your patience while we reviewed the circumstances surrounding the disruption to your travel plans. Please accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience you incurred.​

​

As alternative options to your claim for compensation under Regulation EC 261/2004 (EU261), we would like to offer you the choice between an $1,000 (USD) United Travel Certificate (redeemable and transferable toward the purchase of flights operated by United, United Express, or United codeshare partners) or 50,000 United MileagePlus® miles (redeemable on flights operated by United, United Express or by Air Canada, ANA, Austrian, Lufthansa, SAS Scandinavian, Swiss, Thai, and 20 additional Star Alliance partners worldwide).​

​

To view additional MileagePlus® services and award options within the world's largest network, including Star Alliance and our other global partners, please visit us at: http://www.united.com/mileageplus. Travel Certificates expire one year from the date of issue, and MileagePlus® miles do not expire.​

​

If you would like to select one of these options, please let us know your preference, and we'll facilitate delivery via e-mail within 3-5 business days.​

​

 However, if you still wish to pursue monetary compensation under EU261 in the amount of EUR600, please provide a valid address where we can send it. You will receive your compensation in the form of a USD check. Processing your payment may take up to six weeks.​

​

​

​

We appreciate your business and hope to welcome you aboard again soon.​

​

​

Regards,​

​

Michelle​

Customer Care​

Regarding the EU261 rules for filing - basically, a delay of 4hrs+ or cancellation will get you 600 Euros flying to/from Europe to the United States on any airline.


I use TPG (The Points Guy) for information like this. Here

Flight Itinerary	You’re flying an EU carrier	You’re flying a non-EU carrier
Flight from the EU to the EU	This flight is covered by EU261.	This flight is covered by EU261.
Flight from the EU to non-EU	This flight is covered by EU261.	This flight is covered by EU261.
Flight outside of the EU to the EU	This flight is covered by EU261.	This flight is covered by EU261.
Flight outside of the EU to non-EU	This flight is not covered by EU261.	This flight is not covered by EU261.

Compensation for delays and cancellations​

Rules for compensation are based on the specific time you were notified of the flight delay or cancellation and the distance of your intended flights. The longer the distance, the greater the compensation.

What is considered a flight delay under EU261?​

Passengers on a delayed flight have a right to the airline’s assistance, reimbursement and a return flight, depending on the length of the delay and the distance of the flight.

If you are delayed three or more hours, you are entitled to compensation (see the chart below) unless the delay was caused by “extraordinary circumstances,” including weather, political strife, air traffic control decisions that are out of the airline’s control and security risks.

Things like mechanical and technical problems are not extraordinary circumstances. However, airline strikes, for example, may be considered an extraordinary circumstance.

In some cases, airlines may be exempt from paying compensation, including if they can prove an unavoidable impact even if all reasonable measures had been taken.

What should I expect if my flight is delayed?​

When your flight is delayed beyond its scheduled departure time, EU261 entitles you to meals (in proportion to the wait time) plus two free phone calls, emails or faxes, within the following duration and distance constraints:

• A delay of two-plus hours for flights of 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) or less.
• A delay of three-plus hours for intra-EU flights of more than 1,500 kilometers and for all other flights between 1,500-3,000 kilometers (932-1,864 miles).
• A delay of four-plus hours for all other flights.

If your new departure time is scheduled at least the day after your originally scheduled flight, you are also entitled to transportation to and from the airport to complimentary hotel accommodations.
If your flight is delayed at least five hours after the scheduled departure, the airline is required to reimburse your ticket. If you have a connecting flight, the airline is also required to get you to that airport as soon as possible.

What is considered a flight cancellation under EU261?​

For the purposes of EU261 compensation, a cancellation means one of the following:

• Your original flight is canceled and you are moved to another scheduled flight.
• Your aircraft took off but was forced to return to the departing airport and the airline transferred you to another flight.
• Your flight arrived at an airport that is not the final destination indicated on your itinerary (unless you accepted rerouting or the airport of arrival and the airport of the original itinerary service the same town, city, or region).

How much compensation will I get for a delay or flight cancellation?​

If you meet the eligibility requirements discussed above for either a delay or cancellation, you’ll receive compensation accordingly

Compensation	Distance
250 euros ($267) per passenger	1,500 kilometers (932 miles) or less
400 euros ($427) per passenger	More than 1,500 kilometers within the EU and all other flights between 1,500-3,500 kilometers (932-1,864 miles)
600 euros ($641) per passenger	3,500 kilometers (2,175 miles) or more

 

[jamesdeluxe]

I did not sign/accept anything. Acceptance of alternative compensation voids an EU261 filing.

Thanks, that's an easy best practice to follow. So you paid $250 out of pocket for lodging and got $1,000 in flight credit?

Stayed and ate at the rather cool, renovated JFK Terminal 5-based TWA Hotel ($250/nt not too bad for NYC)

Here's my report about the TWA Hotel on Harv's forum-- can't remember if I cross-posted here. How were the rooms? Especially convenient given that you were departing JFK on Jetblue.

 

[ChrisC]

Thanks, that's an easy best practice to follow. So you paid $250 out of pocket for lodging and got $1,000 in flight credit?

I was reimbursed for lodging/meals for delays by United - about $300. But did originally spend out-of-pocket.

The TWA Hotel was really interesting and nicely restored. I was just in a basic room (maybe one size larger?), but there were a lot of updated/smarter wood accents and subway tiling. The rooftop pool was heated to 95f and the gym was huge. However, the most interesting things were: TWA historical exhibits, Paris Cafe (overlooked runways from main windows), and the Connie Cocktail Lounge (a restored Alaskan bush plane with its original 60 seats and a bar in the back). I loved it! And I'm not really an aviation geek. Overall, not very crowded on a mid-winter Saturday night.

JFK is a popular hub for JetBlue. I you have time, it's easy to visit the TWA hotel, see the exhibits and possibly have a meal or drink in the Connie.


I tried to upgrade on Emirates since I have never flown them and always hear/see such great reports on their premium cabins, but no luck. They were just dumping passengers from my United flight onto Emirates who did not want to be stuck in the Italian boondocks of Milan Malpensa.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

JFK is a popular hub for JetBlue. If you have time, it's easy to visit the TWA hotel, see the exhibits and possibly have a meal or drink in the Connie.

With the Air Train, it was easy for me to check my bags at AA Terminal 8 then run over to the TWA Hotel at Terminal 5. As a TWA fanboy, I would've loved to get a pic of me in one of the bathrobes.

the Italian boondocks of Milan Malpensa

Before my return flights from MXP the last two years, I stayed in a pleasant and inexpensive B&B in Malpensa, but yeah, boondocks is an appropriate word.

 

[tseeb]

Frontier giving gate agents commission for charging passengers for carry-ons that are not oversized.

'Ridiculous': Frontier admits to controversial carry-on bag policy

Frontier Airlines customers accuse budget airline of imposing unexpected and unwarranted baggage fees. Frontier pays gate agent $10 for each checked bag.

www.sfgate.com

 

[jamesdeluxe]

This just in from Melbourne. Reminds me of nutcases who actually wore their ski boots onto the plane.

Teenager fined by airline after attempting luggage hack of wearing all her clothes

‘I looked like a bear,’ said embarrassed passenger

www.independent.co.uk

 

[ChrisC]

Frontier giving gate agents commission for charging passengers for carry-ons that are not oversized.

'Ridiculous': Frontier admits to controversial carry-on bag policy

Frontier Airlines customers accuse budget airline of imposing unexpected and unwarranted baggage fees. Frontier pays gate agent $10 for each checked bag.

www.sfgate.com

Frontier is ridiculous with some of its luggage fees. $60 for a carry-on at booking that can go much higher at the gate.

Much more than the ticket value.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

We love to complain about airlines; however, I had a good experience flying back from Denver last week, proving that they're capable of making things happen if given the opportunity.

I was booked on an 8:15 am flight but woke up early, returned my rental car, and got to check-in at 5:25 figuring that I'd do some work and have a relaxed breakfast in the lounge. I asked the agent if there was space on the 6 am -- one seat was open but instead of saying "you'll never make it," she overrode the "too late to check in" and "too late to check baggage" alerts on the screen and told me to run for it. I made it to the gate (panting) at 5:49 just as they were about to close the door and was given an aisle seat near the front of the plane. Yay.

Instead of arriving at United's pleasant Terminal C, we pulled into gleaming new Terminal A, which feels like something you'd see in Europe and features an organized curbside system for catching your Lyft or Uber (still not the case at the big terminal). Also worth noting, even with the very late check-in, my suitcase made it on the plane and was waiting for me at the carousel.

 

[jasoncapecod]

We love to complain about airlines; however, I had a good experience flying back from Denver last week, proving that they're capable of making things happen if given the opportunity.

I was booked on an 8:15 am flight but woke up early, returned my rental car, and got to check-in at 5:25 figuring that I'd do some work and have a relaxed breakfast in the lounge. I asked the agent if there was space on the 6 am -- one seat was open but instead of saying "you'll never make it," she overrode the "too late to check in" and "too late to check baggage" alerts on the screen and told me to run for it. I made it to the gate (panting) at 5:49 just as they were about to close the door and was given an aisle seat near the front of the plane. Yay.

Instead of arriving at United's pleasant Terminal C, we pulled into gleaming new Terminal A, which feels like something you'd see in Europe and features an organized curbside system for catching your Lyft or Uber (still not the case at the big terminal). Also worth noting, even with the very late check-in, my suitcase made it on the plane and was waiting for me at the carousel.

Nice...
My experience at terminal A wasn't great...I park at P4. It's a total joke getting there from A.. The airtrain doesn't go to A and you need to take various buses...

 

[jasoncapecod]

How do you accumulate so many points? Do you book with airline's credit card ? Fly one airline?
This year I have flow a gizzilion mile. We just book the cheapest flights regardless of airline.