Cruise Air Latest Topics

Time needed from FCO to catching train to Florence

Sat, 20 Feb 2021 19:26:29 +0000

We plan on landing in Rome and then catching the high speed train from FCO to Florence.

The flight we are looking at lands at 8:00 am and the train departs at 11:00 am.

Will that be enough time to clear customs, etc.?

Thanks

International to US Domestic @ LAX

Sat, 20 Feb 2021 16:21:48 +0000

MIL is returning 🙂 as there are currently no direct flights to SFO (where were at) she'll will arrive at LAX.

She's on CZ from China to LAX to SFO on DL on a single ticket. CZ codeshares with DL.

As I understand it, after clearing customs and immigration at LAX, there's a "in-transit" carousel or belt that she can drop off her luggage, go through security to her DL gate, and all this within the Tom Brady Int'l Terminal. LAX website shows DL gates are in TBIT.

Is this basically correct? And would a 2 hour layover be enough?

TIA🙂

Meals (or Not) on Long International Flights

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 19:47:59 +0000

So I'm dreaming about and researching future cruises, including getting an estimate of flight costs. I was looking at a one-way flight to Buenos Aires, and noticed both Delta and United have eliminated meal service and are only serving snacks "in order to minimize contact". How is a flight attendant serving me a bag of nuts and a Coke putting us in less contact with each other vs. placing a meal tray in front of me? Unless the attendant breathes in my face while serving me a meal, what is the difference?

Has anyone flown internationally recently? What was your experience with food service? A 12-15 hr. flight with only snacks seems unreasonable. I guess if this continues to be the airlines' practice, I'll have to pick up a sandwich or salad in the terminal where I make the connecting flight.

Extra days added to Cruise Air?

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 02:28:56 +0000

We are looking into possibly spending time in Italy either before or after a 7 day Mediterian Cruise (ports in Greece and Italy). Because booking flights has usually been less expensive through the cruise line, do you think we would be able to add days so that we could spend extra time in Italy

Air Namibia ceases operations....SW code switch?

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 17:13:37 +0000

For years, folks talk about flying SW, while the actual code for Southwest flights is WN. In news yesterday, Air Namibia has announced that they are ceasing service and will be liquidating - a victim of the reduced air traffic over the past year.

Will IATA reassign the SW code that Air Namibia used? Will it remain in the list of assigned but defunct codes (such as NW and US) or will it be recycled (like CO and HP)? Will it go to Southwest or will Southwest just stay with WN?

Musings for a Friday.

YIKES! Flight cost increases! Cruise cost is less then Premium Economy!

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 18:55:36 +0000

So, now the cost has increased, basically overnight, for the flights that

we have been watching (on Princess EZAir).

Economy was running about $700.00 pp and is now about $900.00 pp

Premium Economy was about $1400.00 pp is now $1700.00 pp

Yes, Premium Economy is TWICE the amount of Economy and cost more than the cruise!

The cruise is in September so we have time to book. I was surprised to see the hike

which has been up for the last few days.

NCL Portland Maine to Hawaii

Fri, 15 Nov 2019 15:46:06 +0000

Booked a NCL Hawaii Pride of America cruise for my wife's and mine 25 Anniversary Oct 2nd -9th 2021. We payed for the reduced flights and I have a few questions. I'm aware its a little early just trying to prepare.

What airlines can we expect to fly on?
Would it be smart to book a Pre-cruise hotel or will they book one for use seeing we may have to fly the day before? We would love to see Pearl Harbor.

New Canadian travel restrictions

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 22:14:41 +0000

For details, check Assoc Press news story...issued today. Very strict and costly to comply.

Seems not good for travel.. but maybe good for reducing spread of Covid. .Not sure what the Canadians down here in Florida & elsewhere will do about getting home

Early EZ Air flight from Seattle

Sat, 30 Jan 2021 17:47:37 +0000

I am looking at booking Princess EZ air flights from Seatac after a cruise in Sept. I notice that the Princess EZ Air program lists allowable RT flights as early as 11:20 AM. We have returned from many cruises using Seatac and have always been there very early so I am considering this flight over a mid afternoon flight. We will be in Victoria the night before.

What would you do? Thanks for any advice.

ORD to SYD or ORD to AKL

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 00:19:05 +0000

I'm hoping to be able to take our 1/2022 cruise from Sydney to Auckland. Right now, I'm guessing, because of so few flights, prices are crazy expensive. About $6000pp for economy for ORD -SYD & AKL-ORD.

What is the best option normally? Round trip to/from Sydney and short flight from Auckland to Sydney after our cruise? Round trip to/from Auckland with short flight from Auckland to Sydney before our cruise? Two one ways? Is there a day of the week that might be best?

What would you consider a reasonable fare? I had been thinking under $3000pp, but is that unrealistic? We are not tied to any airline, our Chase points work for most airlines.

Thanks for any guidance. I'm just looking for a base line, as I know that things are very different now.

How Horrible flying Spirit?

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 18:47:49 +0000

I’m looking for real life experiences. I’ve only ever flown with delta and southwest before. So flying Spirit is a new experience, but the prices are so good we may not be able to pass it up. We don’t need frills. I don’t need in flight entertainment, although WiFi for purchase would be nice. We mainly care about sitting together, only because we have 2 little kids.
I know the option to pay to pick your seat is available, but would they separate a mom and a 4 year old if we don’t pay for that?
I know there’s a lot of different upgrade options available that I’m sure add up quickly. Well try to avoid those if possible.
But overall is it it worth it to fly spirit?

Premium Economy Twice as much as Economy! Ugh

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 20:29:56 +0000

I think I remember having seen comments regarding the ratio between

Economy fare versus Premium Economy.

We are looking for flights for September from Seatac or PDX to either Rome or

Venice. Only one leg is even in Premium Economy; so I am fairly sure we will

not be booking it. This is on Princess EZAir: Economy is running about $800.00

per person and Premium Economy is running about $1600.00-1700.00

Yikes! Virgin Atlantic is not even a possibility... darn

Would you do it?

Norwegian Air Downsizes

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 14:36:13 +0000

NO RELATION, but sadly, Norwegian Air is being killed by Covid and eliminating all long hauls. They will be come a regional airlines out of Scandinavia. Great airlines, very sad to hear this news.

Norwegian AS -- No long haul until at least March 2021

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 17:37:58 +0000

For those fans of Norwegian, here is info from their latest presentation:

https://insideflyer.com/2020/04/norwegian-to-ditch-long-haul-flying-until-march-2021/

Highlights relevant to USA flyers include:

Schedule contraction to operating only 7 aircraft for Nordic destinations through 2020 and early 2021

Planned focus operation at Gatwick to selected "high-density" destinations in the USA

Gradual ramp-up, with full operations not forecast until 2022

Full presentation available through the above link.

BA Amex ? for ExcitedofHarpenden or anyone else

Sat, 09 Jan 2021 20:31:26 +0000

There was a thread last year about the above on here and excitedofharpenden was very helpful about the BA card. So helpful, I signed up for a premium card and have just earned my first companion voucher!

I am looking at flights for the end of the year and just checked the terms and conditions and wondered if someone can explain what this means please?

Companion Vouchers can be used for travel on any route in any cabin class as long as the Member has sufficient Avios to complete the booking for their desired journey.

Does this mean I must be able to cover one flight completely with Avios points?

below are the full terms and conditions.

https://www.britishairways.com/travel/axptandc/execclub/_gf/en_gb

Thanks for your help.

DOT: No more emotional support animals on aircraft

Thu, 03 Dec 2020 20:29:26 +0000

I am applauding this new ruling. Next: cruise ships. Oh, and service animals on aircraft can ONLY be dogs. Read it and weep, as my old boss would tell us as he posted the day's work schedule.

Shortage of air carriers to YVR from DFW?

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 03:26:06 +0000

I've booked a back-to-back from Vancouver, B.C. to Seward, AK and return. In searching for flights to and from YVR from DFW, it appears that my choices are limited to United and American. What happened to Alaskan Air? Also, when returning from Vancouver, it seems that United cannot fly out of Vancouver without using Jax Air. This confuses me because if United has jets flying in to YVR, they must fly back out loaded or they lose money. That is unless United is using those jets to fly somewhere else besides returning to DFW.

AA dropping service to Venice, Budapest, Prague and Dubrovnik

Sat, 19 Dec 2020 14:53:48 +0000

Word is out that these cities won't be serviced by AA for 2021, though there may be a return in summer 2022.

I know that many liked the AA non-stop between VCE and PHL, eliminating a connection in Europe. Plus the BUD and PRG routes fit in with various river cruises.

Time to become a bit more flexible in your flight demands -- and a chance to experience other carriers.

positive Delta changes

Sun, 20 Dec 2020 14:33:23 +0000

I don't have a link because the info has come in various different emails etc. but just as an FYI, Delta has announced two very positive things in the last few days.

1. They will continue to block middle seats at least through the end of March 2021. Some other airlines are already filling all seats if demand exists.

2. They have said the elimination of change fees has been made a permanent change. As always, if you do change a ticket, you would be subject to any difference in fare, but losing a change fee $250+ right off the bat from the value of your ticket will be a thing of the past.

SW Air has fares from $29 for this Spring.

Mon, 04 Jan 2021 12:14:59 +0000

Book by end of day Jan 7. Do not remember seeing fares this low for quite awhile.

14 Things Flight Attendants Want You To Know

Sat, 02 Jan 2021 20:08:45 +0000

Very interesting. Enjoy

https://lifeventure.club/2020/04/21/14-things-flight-attendants-want-you-to-know/

Tom😀

Alaska Airlines is banning "Emotional Support Animals".

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 02:39:08 +0000

Most people thought this whole thing was a scam anyways. Just a way to get your pet on a flight for free. It looks like other airlines won't be far behind.

Does it make sense to use cruise line air programs for the foreseeable future?

Thu, 05 Nov 2020 22:11:35 +0000

With cruise calendars in flux and trips being cancelled, does "cruise air" offer more protection in terms of refunds if a particular cruise gets cancelled? I know airlines aren't likely to give your money back if your cruise trip gets cancelled and your flight is still going. What happens if you book your airfare via the cruise line's program? I have never used cruise air and I don't know the policies.

I guess my other option would be to simply wait for the last minute buying my ticket from the airline and take potentially more price risk.

QANTAS very likely to mandate vaccine for international flights

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 16:45:17 +0000

As I have expected for both air and cruise travel, vaccines will likely be required for all travelers. While QANTAS has the first announcement, my expectations that vaccination will be required just about by anyone involved in international travel.

https://www.flightglobal.com/strategy/qantas-likely-to-mandate-covid-19-vaccine-for-international-passengers/141248.article

https://nypost.com/2020/11/23/qantas-to-require-covid-19-vaccine-for-international-flights/

https://www.ft.com/content/8a59043d-df0d-45c1-b870-2780f06c5d1e

Alaska Airlines Friends and Family Discount Code

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 03:48:42 +0000

Alaska Airlines is doing a friends and family sale for travel between January 5, 2021 to August 31, 2021... just in time for the Alaska cruise season! The discount code is FLYWITHME and you can use it on the Alaska Airline’s website. It’s 30% off the current published fare but you have to book before 11:59PM on Dec 19. The terms are at alaskaair.com/flywithme and they also fly to many destination outside the west coast such as Hawaii, Florida, Texas, New York, Mexico, and Canada. Best part is the code is also good on first class tickets.