Originally Posted by
Kensterfly
We would be flying IAH to Budapest. Possibilities are:
Turkish
LH several possibilities
UA. to Munich or Frankfort or LHR. Even HAM.
Austrian out of Toronto (I think.)
We'd prefer only one connection. Miles required range from 57.5k to 70K.
I'm thinking TK would be the way to go but some of the LH offerings are 747-8 and A380s. UA has a couple of 787 possibilities.
I don't have enough miles to go premium both ways and would prefer to use them on the overnight long haul.
Thoughts?
Lots of thoughts
If you have the miles to avoid UA, do so @:-) OK, except E+ on the way back, and good thought on using Biz for overnight to Europe, that's exactly what I did about a month or two ago (and I did/do have miles for Biz both ways).
I've already flown 380, so would double connect to 747-8.
But wait, this European born has a suggestion. As someone quoted below suggested, try Austrian.
Onboard chef, most likely one connection to VIE, and you could visit Vienna, take a train/ boat to Bratislava (about 30-40 miles down the Danube), and another train/boat to Budapest.
Originally Posted by
Kensterfly
We'd be going two days early.
Excellent call ^
This would allow you to go by train / boat on my suggested itinerary if your flight arrives on time @:-)
LH/OS have a great lounge with lounge boarding at IAD, and MLL in Canada is wonderful.
Originally Posted by
BThumme
I vote for the 380
Flew it in reverse (FRA-IAH) and enjoyed every minute of it.
There's something to be said for flying world's largest passenger plane if you haven't done so already.
Originally Posted by
Kacee
And the IST lounge is amazing.
I've read praises of TK lounge that put Shakespeare to shame. On my to do list.
Originally Posted by
CappuccinoAddict
I think the best J experience of all these is with Austrian. Incredible service and food plus comfortable lie-flat seats, if you're ok with doing a double connection. Plus, VIE and BUD are very close.
Very, very close. Vienna is a wonderful city to visit and eat Viennese .... er, Czech pastries. Yes, I know they call them that, but we all know where they come from. And English is practically second language there @:-)
Originally Posted by
Kensterfly
Austrian iis a possibility and they are currently showing Biz Saver Awards via Toronto. TATL is 767-300.
That's what I flew, and loved it.
I will sheepishly admit to switching to UA's inferior plane and service on the way back in coach as I wanted E+
Little did I realize just how poor the sUA 767-300 is until I got on board. I will defend UA a little here, as I believe they were planning on retiring these in favor of 787, but now with cheap gas will keep them and fly them on some soon to be former 757 TATL routes, albeit sans Global First after (VERY necessary) refurbishing (of 767-300 three class).
Brought back sad memories of sUA domestic config "gh**to bird"
But I did get the extra legroom in E+