IB F vs FinnAir F vs BA J to Moscow
May 19, 2010, 6:27 pm
#1
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IB F vs FinnAir F vs BA J to Moscow
I want to take the Transiberian Express from Moscow, using AA miles to get a 1st class air to get to Moscow. Since AA does not fly to Moscow, I have to use a OW connection in Europe. I have a choice of Iberia F from Mad, Finnair F from HEL, or BA J from LHR. Any recommendations on which way to go? (I am drooling for S-7 coming into OW!!!)
May 19, 2010, 6:38 pm
#2
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I want to take the Transiberian Express from Moscow, using AA miles to get a 1st class air to get to Moscow. Since AA does not fly to Moscow, I have to use a OW connection in Europe. I have a choice of Iberia F from Mad, Finnair F from HEL, or BA J from LHR. Any recommendations on which way to go? (I am drooling for S-7 coming into OW!!!)
How would you get to MAD or HEL in F anyway? I don't think AA flies 3-cabin aircraft to MAD, and AA doesn't fly to HEL at all.
If it was me I'd go either AY JFK-HEL-SVO in J, or else AA LHR BA DME, and try for BA's 767 rather than the A320s. Service on IB in J is good, but the seats aren't the most comfortable. Ditto for shorthaul service on AY, but HEL-SVO is a lot shorter than MAD-DME.
May 19, 2010, 7:55 pm
#3
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AY longhaul J is pretty good. Seats are great (full flat seats on the JFK-HEL route) on the A330. The food is dire, but the wine list is good. FAs, IME, are quite good. It is a short connection in HEL and is around a 2 hour flight to Moscow. As an EXP, you can access the Flagship Lounge in JFK (AY uses the AA Terminal).
May 19, 2010, 9:38 pm
#4
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AY longhaul J is pretty good. Seats are great (full flat seats on the JFK-HEL route) on the A330. The food is dire, but the wine list is good. FAs, IME, are quite good. It is a short connection in HEL and is around a 2 hour flight to Moscow. As an EXP, you can access the Flagship Lounge in JFK (AY uses the AA Terminal).
May 19, 2010, 10:03 pm
#6
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It obviously depends where you're originating, but the connections in HEL are vastly easier/faster than either LHR or MAD. Keep in mind also that a return via LHR will require either taking the 5:50 am red-eye from DME or will probably require staying an additional night in London.
May 19, 2010, 10:23 pm
#7
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It's okay, but I don't think it's particularly nice. Most of the drinks are paid (like an Admirals Club), with just a beer and a few low quality wines free of charge (these are dispensed through a machine, adding to low class feel). All the rest is paid (although they have gotten better and now offer some more FOC for OW Emeralds). The food on offer is poor. The buffet dinner in the evening for J pax on the BKK and HKG flights offers one main dish, one side and a piece of cheese. Dessert is some stale cookies. The design of the lounge itself is nice, to be fair.
Now there is a spa that is part of the lounge complex, but it is not FOC for most pax (including J pax) and all the services are at an extra fee).
Overall, I like Finnair and use it to get to Asia from JFK, but mostly because it undercuts AA, JL and CX by about $2000 (albeit with some long layovers on the outbound and a forced overnight on the return, except for HKG and BKK) and Finnair offers the 100% PLT and EXP bonus for AAdvantage elites.
Now there is a spa that is part of the lounge complex, but it is not FOC for most pax (including J pax) and all the services are at an extra fee).
Overall, I like Finnair and use it to get to Asia from JFK, but mostly because it undercuts AA, JL and CX by about $2000 (albeit with some long layovers on the outbound and a forced overnight on the return, except for HKG and BKK) and Finnair offers the 100% PLT and EXP bonus for AAdvantage elites.
May 21, 2010, 5:10 am
#8
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It's okay, but I don't think it's particularly nice. Most of the drinks are paid (like an Admirals Club), with just a beer and a few low quality wines free of charge (these are dispensed through a machine, adding to low class feel). All the rest is paid (although they have gotten better and now offer some more FOC for OW Emeralds).
May 21, 2010, 1:59 pm
#9
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It obviously depends where you're originating, but the connections in HEL are vastly easier/faster than either LHR or MAD. Keep in mind also that a return via LHR will require either taking the 5:50 am red-eye from DME or will probably require staying an additional night in London.
Dave
May 24, 2010, 12:14 pm
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May 25, 2010, 7:10 am
#11
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What is free to drink from the bar for Oneworld Emeralds at the Via Lounge, apart from the "low quality wines and beer"?
Does anyone have a list?
Jun 11, 2010, 11:51 am
#12
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Well, if you'll fly JFK-HEL-SVO- you'll have just 30min to change planes, which makes using of Via Lounge impossible. But if you'll stay for taking next AY flight, then I'd consider HEL instead of LHR or MAD. Because it offers beer not from bottle 
and it offers scandinavian related food. Neither LHR nor MAD do offer something what american person could call different than american food 
As a rule- the shorter European segment of trip- the nicer you'll feel the trip.
Both IB and BA and AY services in flight are misery. IB offers one time one soft dring served with meal, and after that only one additional time possibility to drink tea. And that is for 5 hours long flight in coach
Unless you'll decide to go BA 763
and it offers scandinavian related food. Neither LHR nor MAD do offer something what american person could call different than american food As a rule- the shorter European segment of trip- the nicer you'll feel the trip.
Both IB and BA and AY services in flight are misery. IB offers one time one soft dring served with meal, and after that only one additional time possibility to drink tea. And that is for 5 hours long flight in coach
Unless you'll decide to go BA 763
Last edited by Tries; Jun 11, 2010 at 11:59 am
Jun 13, 2010, 11:59 pm
#13
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It's okay, but I don't think it's particularly nice. Most of the drinks are paid (like an Admirals Club), with just a beer and a few low quality wines free of charge (these are dispensed through a machine, adding to low class feel). All the rest is paid (although they have gotten better and now offer some more FOC for OW Emeralds). The food on offer is poor. The buffet dinner in the evening for J pax on the BKK and HKG flights offers one main dish, one side and a piece of cheese. Dessert is some stale cookies. The design of the lounge itself is nice, to be fair.
Now there is a spa that is part of the lounge complex, but it is not FOC for most pax (including J pax) and all the services are at an extra fee).
Overall, I like Finnair and use it to get to Asia from JFK, but mostly because it undercuts AA, JL and CX by about $2000 (albeit with some long layovers on the outbound and a forced overnight on the return, except for HKG and BKK) and Finnair offers the 100% PLT and EXP bonus for AAdvantage elites.
Now there is a spa that is part of the lounge complex, but it is not FOC for most pax (including J pax) and all the services are at an extra fee).
Overall, I like Finnair and use it to get to Asia from JFK, but mostly because it undercuts AA, JL and CX by about $2000 (albeit with some long layovers on the outbound and a forced overnight on the return, except for HKG and BKK) and Finnair offers the 100% PLT and EXP bonus for AAdvantage elites.
Incidentally, PresRDC, does AY provide you with a hotel in HEL on your return journey, when there is a scheduled misconnect in HEL? I had (naively) assumed that they would since I was on a fully paid J ticket, but they refused flatly. So I am just curious to know about your experience.
Jun 22, 2010, 11:39 am
#14
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+1 Couldn't agree more about the much vaunted, yet mediocre AY long haul lounge in HEL.
Incidentally, PresRDC, does AY provide you with a hotel in HEL on your return journey, when there is a scheduled misconnect in HEL? I had (naively) assumed that they would since I was on a fully paid J ticket, but they refused flatly. So I am just curious to know about your experience.
Incidentally, PresRDC, does AY provide you with a hotel in HEL on your return journey, when there is a scheduled misconnect in HEL? I had (naively) assumed that they would since I was on a fully paid J ticket, but they refused flatly. So I am just curious to know about your experience.
Jun 22, 2010, 1:13 pm
#15
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