Originally Posted by
nwflyboy
A little context...
Adria Airways (code JP) is "the airline of Slovenia" (or so they say), and is a member of Star Alliance ("*A").
I'm looking at putting together an award trip redeeming United miles on a variety of *A carriers. The route would take us transatlantic on LH into FRA, with a 3 hour layover, then connecting to an Adria Airways flight to Ljubljana.
For the Adria leg, the aircraft is a Canadair CRJ-900. The flight is about 1hr15min.
My questions...
Has anyone here flown this flight? Familiar with Adria? Anything to watch out for?
We usually prefer to not check bags, and I can generally manage with one standard maximum-legal size carry on bag (at least as usually defined by most major international carriers). This may be more of a challenge on this flight.
According to Adria's website, they appear to be fairly strict about carry on (hand/cabin) bags (like many smaller European carriers): just
one piece (not "one piece plus a personal item"), maximum weight of 8 kg (17.6 pounds). Anyone have any direct experience with that - do they generally stick to these limits?
With more than 3 hours to connect, I'm not too worried about making the connection - whether or not we end up checking bags. And the flight is just an hour or so, so we can tough it out on a CRJ (although it will be the third segment at the bleary end of about 24 hours of flying from the US west coast). I'm more concerned about our bags.
We
could check one bag all the way through (United>Lufthansa>Adria). I know what to expect from UA and LH, but how reliable is Adria for checked bags? Since we expect to move out within 24 hours of arrival in Ljubljana, it would be pretty problematic for us if our bag misconnected in FRA and arrived delayed by a day or more.
Any tips for a smooth trip on Adria into LJU?
Thanks.
Thought I'd update this thread, as I flew Adria CDG-LJU last week on a CRJ-900.
A few notes:
1) They gate-check luggage that's oversized for the CJ - you drop it right before emplaning and get it back immediately after exiting the plane. Much like United Express in the US. They weren't strict, but my rollaboard clearly wasn't going to fit in the overhead rack.
2) At least at CDG, they used Lufthansa to provide ground services - check in, gate management, etc. You could in theory check in online with LH.
3) First 3 rows of plane were labeled first class. Not clear what was different except a curtain, and perhaps free food (no one was sitting there). Food and drink were paid for on the flight. Cash only it appeared.
4) On checked bags, my colleague's bag checked from IAD arrived just fine and quickly in LJU. Also, the airport in Ljubljana is pretty small. Nominally 12 or so gates, but I don't think they have more than 3 or 4 flights departing in the same general bank of times (morning, midday, evening). So they shouldn't get overwhelmed. My guess is any of the hubs they fly to they contract baggage services to LH or otherwise.
5) LJU has a modest *A lounge with beer on tap, snacks, small sandwiches, and other beverages.