US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Opinion on PHL-AMS

Hello Everyone - I am not a regular in the US forum and I did try a search, but I was wondering if anyone has been doing the PHL-AMS route and what your opinions of it are. You know, the general stuff we are usually concerned with. If it's already been discussed, just point me to the thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Thanks!

I'm doing the trip next week if you can wait. But I think that 1 or 2 other FTers have been to AMS and back.

It all depends if you are asking about coach or Envoy.

The trip is about 7 1/2 hours from PHL. It's done on a 767-200, which is a step below the newer A330s in terms of comfort. Nonetheless, US has gotten high reviews from Frequent Flyers as well as independent reviews for it's remarkable international service.

On the 767's, coach won't have anything too out of the ordinary in terms of services. The movie in the front coach cabin is on a big screen, and in the rear coach cabin, it's on a big screen, as well as a monitor or two further back in the cabin section.

Seats are pretty standard, too, with about 32" of pitch. The seats are in a 2-3-2 config. The best rows are 5 and 12, as they are bulkheads(12 is better since it's the exit row, too).

Envoy class passengers enjoy luxurious service with wide seats that recline like lazy-boys. Pitch is about 55", and there is a comfortable footrest. The 6 course dinner takes about 2 hours to fully complete, and you can watch a selection of movies and general programming on your own 5" personal TV that comes out of the armrest.

If you have the need to go to another European city that US serves with it's A330s(LGW,CDG,FCO,FRA,MAN), you'll see a huge difference in cabin comfort. All coach seats have their own TVs and more pitch.

Hope this helps!

My wife and I had the unfortunate opportunity to fly the maiden voyage on April 11 and there were major problems, which I'm sure have been corrected. We've flown tons of trans-Atlantic trips on US (always in Envoy) and this was the first time we had had problems, but attributed it to the fact that it was the first flight over. The return trip was somewhat smoother, except the check-in process took about 25 minutes as the contracted agents in AMS were still trying to get accustomed to the US system and were being overly cautious to make sure they didn't make any mistakes.

I had the fortune/misfortune to fly half of a round trip BDL-PHL-AMS-CPN. I got to BDL on 6/16 and my connection to PHL was delayed because of weather. They said they wouldn't even let me on the flight when it left because I wouldn't make the flightn to AMS. My wife had dropped me off at the airport and wasn't going home, so neither could I. After playing with several iterations of possibilities, they gave me a cab ride to Boston, I got a discounted room at the Marriot Long Wharf and the next day caught a 6PM flight on British Airways to HTR which connected to Copenhagen. I only missed my appointment by one hour. The amazing thing was (and the only reason I agreed to it) they put me in 1st Class (not business) with a fabulous amenities pack (including pajamas) and a full reclining bed.

On the way home, I flew coach on US, AMS-PHL-BDL. I was really disappointed in the lack of room/pitch (flight was full) and the overall quality of service. I won't fly to AMS again coach but will make my all connections through FRA because of the A330.

By the way, does anyone have any idea what's up with the luggage connecting service after customs at PHL? We had to wait over a half hour just for some one to put our bag on the conveyor. Why don't they have either a person for perferred or a person who just takes baggage and doesn't rebook connections?

Also, anyone who is making connections over the pond this summer through PHL should take possible weather delays into account when making reservations. My wife just barely made the next day's flight BDL-PHL-AMS and she was booked on a 4:00 flight that didn't get off the ground until six and circled PHL for an hour.

[This message has been edited by Brattflyer (edited 06-24-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Brattflyer (edited 06-24-2001).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by Brattflyer:
they put me in 1st Class (not business) with a fabulous amenities pack (including pajamas) and a full reclining bed.
</font>Man, I wish I could fly in a first class suite to AMS and get a set of airline pajamas http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

A big welcome to another US FlyerTalker from Vermont. There's just a few of us around here.

They gave you a taxi ride from BDL to downtown Boston? Wow!

I definitely agree being careful about international connections out of PHL. I was in CDG last month and the original itinerary only had a 50 minute connection at PHL. I took an earlier flight and spent the extra 3 hours in the Envoy lounge. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif BTW, it's not easy to connect online out of that lounge. The phones there (for some strange reason) won't let laptops dial out to 800 numbers.

[This message has been edited by BillMorrow (edited 06-24-2001).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by Brattflyer:
[B][/We had to wait over a half hour just for some one to put our bag on the conveyor.B]</font>
Wow! That’s all you had to wait? PHL is a nightmare for baggage/connections/ international, etc. On my last Envoy trip from ROM, it “ONLY” took 1hr. 10 min. for the bags to appear on the belt. (That was 5 min. better than the wait for my bags in ROM on Italia for the 45 min. flight from Bologna to ROM!)

On my previous trip in Envoy to CDG, the bags were again lost.

And, in perhaps the most ironical of losses, my wife and I were guests of US Airways for the introduction of the A319 in Hamburg. Upon my return through PHL, guess what? Lost bags!

My flights on US Airways are usually great . . . PHL seems to have Murphy working overtime on his laws.

Does the baggage recheck facility at PHL have a special First Class/Envoy Class line (I understand that there is no separate Preferred line)? I know that Delta in Atlanta has an agent check each and every bag before you can recheck it. I guess this helps during irregular operations as they make sure the tags are correct and they check the computer to make sure you haven't been rescheduled or anything, but, unless you are BusinessElite (and go to the special line), the lines to recheck can be maddening. Continental in Newark on the other hand doesn't have any agents! There are baggage agents who take your bags from you and throw them on the belt, so there is really never a wait! I think the best would be a mix. If you know your flight is on-time (won't miss your connection) and your baggage tags are correct, just throw them on the belt (like you do in ATL if it is your final destination and you want to check your bags thru to the main terminal). If you need to be rebooked, you have the option of waiting for an agent. Sounds too simple!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by BizJet:
Does the baggage recheck facility at PHL have a special First Class/Envoy Class line?</font>

Yes, it's to the right at the re-check counter.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by chexfan:
Man, I wish I could fly in a first class suite to AMS and get a set of airline pajamas http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif</font>


I predict that someday, half of your wish will come true. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I am going to bump this one to the top, because I decided to take advantage of one of these low fares ($362.50) and join some of my friends on the first leg of their trip to Europe. I am flying PHL to AMS Wednesday night and returning back on Monday (11/26/01).

A couple quick questions.

Has anyone flown PHL - AMS recently post 9/11? Any comments?

I have two sets of SWU's and am on the waitlist (as gold), with 7 seats in Envoy? Any predicitions if I will make it?

Finally, any last comments on the 767 as Envoy, though I have read a lot of the old posts.

Thanks,

Chris

There were 15 J seats available when I was waitlisted. I checked in plenty early and was told there was nothing available, but my name would go on the list. Myself and 3 others cleared at check-in. So, my point is that 7 seats showing open doesn't seem to mean a whole lot.

Otherwise, Envoy on the 767 is fine - even without the nuts. The seats are pretty comfy and if the FAs can operate the video equipment properly, the entertainment guide will actually reflect what's showing! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Did you use either of the lounges PHL?

Chris

My wife and I just did PIT-PHL-AMS last week. We had confirmed upgrades both ways (me with miles, her with SWUs). We did not really notice any major changes to the Envoy service levels - even got nuts.

On the way over, there were several empty seats in Envoy, and several people cleared at the gate.

On the way back, more than half of the cabin cleared at the gate and there was only 1 empty seat (the always empty crew rest seat).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by catwood:
Did you use either of the lounges PHL?

Chris</font>

I flew SFO-PHL-AMS on 10/31 and back on 11/4 using SWU to upgrate to Envoy.

Used the Envoy departure lounge in PHL, which was nice as the flight was delayed about 30 minutes waiting for catering . We made up the time and arrived about 2 minutes behind schedule.

Service was good and there were several empty seats including the one next to me. It took about 30 minutes in AMS for our bags to arrive.

On the return I checked-in about 90 minutes before departure although they advise 2 hours. No problems. Long line at the security checkpoint although if you know you can walk around to the KLM gates and through there where there was no line. Had about 45 minutes to relax in the JAL lounge before the flight. That lounge is pretty small and had beverage and snack service. No newspapers as they had not been delivered that day.

Had 3 hours in PHL (after it took about 40 minutes for our bags to arrive) before my connection to SFO and used the regular lounge there. All in all an excellent use of SWU's and I'll certainly fly this route again.

Don't forget to get your drink coupons when visiting the USAirways club flying on an Envoy ticket.

I've never flown US transatlantic, but have one booked for February in Envoy. Tell me what you mean about the drink coupons, please, Chexfan.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by syzygy8:
Tell me what you mean about the drink coupons, please, Chexfan.</font>


Well, I'm no chexfan but I think I can help...

When you travel on a US Airways trans-Atlantic flight and you are travelling in Envoy or Intl. First Class your drinks should be free. This is no problem at the PHL FC/Envoy Departure Lounge. However, at locations other than PHL where there is no dedicated international departure lounge for premium class passengers, you will have same day access to the US Airways Club system. Regular US Club members have to pay for wine, beer, and liquor at these clubs. Envoy or Intl. FC passengers need to identify themselves, show your boarding pass and get 'free drink' certificates so you don't end up paying for booze. Sodas, juices, coffee, tea, etc. are free.

Thanks geo1004

That answers my question, but raises a new one. For curiousity's sake, of course. Drinks are always comp in FC domestically, so why don't club members flying FC who show boarding pass, etc. but are flying domestically get free drinks in any club?

US Airways Club access is not a benefit of domestic First Class travel.

Most European and Asian carriers have expansive lounges with free drinks available only to premium class travelers and elites. The programs in the US are based on membership, but access is offered to international premium passengers to compete with the other airlines that do the same. Thus, free drinks to boot.