Originally Posted by
Concerto
I too think Aeroflot is a very good and underestimated airline, with the slight exception of some of their ground staff in SVO. I have enjoyed my flights with them, and a musical group of mine were delighted with them when they flew to Hong Kong. The only thing is, it is very hard to climb the tree in their program, you really have to fly a huge amount. With Flying Blue it's much easier, with UX SUMA even more easy.
The ground staff at JFK are also somewhat unhelpful for anything that is not routine. These are some of the most senior people employed by SU. The two old ladies at the ticket counter, next to the Business class check in desk are basically Madam Nyet. Nyet!
Try to ask them to do anything out of the ordinary, like check bags through to your final destination, on the same carrier ( within SU group) with two separate tickets and they will balk. This is a standard request on LH Group/AF-KLM or any big European carrier.
Space plus seats? ( not available, then I get on the plane and fine them to be empty)
Very often I find people say no because they don't know how to do the request ( I blame poor sabre training)
I basically try to solve any problem I may have before I get to the airport, by the time you get to the airport its basically a lost cause. In this regard, the SU ticket offices are extraordinarily helpful ( of which in RU there are plenty)