First international flight alone...questions!
Oct 6, 11, 9:51 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 25
First international flight alone...questions!
Hi all. I am new to this forum. I am traveling to Germany in November for a month for a language program. I will first fly from IAD to LHR (BA0264). I purposely did a layover in London for a day so I can have a day to see London. The next morning I will fly to Frankfurt. I have not traveled overseas since I was 13, and that was with my family because my dad was in the air force. 20 years later, I am embarking on this european journey alone. I have been reading over the posts in the forums because as an inexperienced traveler, I don't know what to expect. My first question is has anyone flown BA0264 and what are your experiences? I booked my flight in economy, and round trip, it was less than a thousand dollars; however, after reading some posts in this forum, I don't know if I want to be quished in economy for 7 hours. I just for fun looked up my flight and selected that I wanted econonmy+. When I do that, I get the message, " world travler plus is not operated on this route. As an alternative, the displayed flight has availability in the Traveler (main economy) cabin." When I get the prices though, it is world traveler plus prices. Does anyone know what this mean? I would gladly pay the extra money, but only if the cabin truly exists on this flight. Can anyone provide any useful information? I am sorry this post is so long winded, but I know a lot of you are travel experts so any tips from you would be greatly appreciated!
Oct 6, 11, 10:20 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Scotland
Programs: BA Gold, IHG Platinum Ambassador
Posts: 222
I have flown this flight once, and am pretty sure it is a Boeing 777 I travelled on. You can check this using your booking number on ba.com. If it is, they should have WT+ seats. It is certainly worth the upgrade! I will never fly longhaul economy again after a recent experience
Oct 6, 11, 10:27 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Quite close to NQY
Programs: BAEC Silver,clubcard,clubcard plus, BA Amex................ And Mucci x3 ;)
Posts: 9,433
welcome to flyertalk.
wt+ operates on all aircraft/routes serving LHR & LGW from the USA, however part of the route only has Y & J and thats your shorthaul connection into Germany
if you go to the manage my booking section on ba.com you should have an option to upgrade your class of service?
cs
wt+ operates on all aircraft/routes serving LHR & LGW from the USA, however part of the route only has Y & J and thats your shorthaul connection into Germany
if you go to the manage my booking section on ba.com you should have an option to upgrade your class of service?
cs
Oct 6, 11, 10:34 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2001
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Welcome Pianogirl.
I think you will be fine anywhere you are. It is your attitude that counts. You should be very excited to embark on this journey.
Most of the people on this forum travel quite a bit and are older than you, therefor they need the comfort. You on the other hand, are young and looking forward to new things. So don't fret it and go and enjoy your flight. You might meet someone real nice sitting next to you, who knows.
The moral is: DO NOT WORRY, you will be just fine.
I think you will be fine anywhere you are. It is your attitude that counts. You should be very excited to embark on this journey.
Most of the people on this forum travel quite a bit and are older than you, therefor they need the comfort. You on the other hand, are young and looking forward to new things. So don't fret it and go and enjoy your flight. You might meet someone real nice sitting next to you, who knows.
The moral is: DO NOT WORRY, you will be just fine.
Oct 6, 11, 10:41 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 36,921
Originally Posted by pianogirl78
I just for fun looked up my flight and selected that I wanted econonmy+. When I do that, I get the message, " world travler plus is not operated on this route. As an alternative, the displayed flight has availability in the Traveler (main economy) cabin." When I get the prices though, it is world traveler plus prices. Does anyone know what this mean? I would gladly pay the extra money, but only if the cabin truly exists on this flight.
It may be clearer if you compare these to the same messages for the return half of the trip.
Please don't worry about economy. It's not luxurious, but it's perfectly survivable. There's lots of people here who've become spoiled by being able to travel in first and business class all the time, and others (like me) who've also become spoiled by World Traveller Plus. Obviously, it's nicer if you get more space or a more comfortable seat. But the majority of BA's passengers fly in economy, and it's perfectly fine.
Oct 6, 11, 11:23 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 25
thanks
Thank you all for the welcome and the valuable advice. And yep, I double checked and wt+ is available on my flight, just not the short hauls. Also, thanks to Globaliser and Yahillwe. Both of your advice has convinced me to just stick with my economy ticket. The flight will be only temporary. This long trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me, so I am going to enjoy every moment of it. I really do hope to have someone nice to sit next to on the plane. I love meeting new people and it would be nice to have someone to talk to.
Oct 6, 11, 12:05 pm
#8
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^, good choice. You will definitely find someone who will lend you an ear if not be very happy for you. As you grow and make money and can afford the other classes, you'll find that those pax usually tend to themselves and are very jaded. Happy flying and nothing to fear, put this experience into your life experiences notebook...
Have a wonderful year with lots of explorations and new experiences. And if you need advise on inter-europe flying, then come on back and I am sure everyone will help you out.
I remember a poster by the screen name olyboy or something of that sort who wanted to do a fly around the world in Y, almost everyone told him not to in Y. Guess what, he went ahead and it was an incredible experience for him....
Have a wonderful year with lots of explorations and new experiences. And if you need advise on inter-europe flying, then come on back and I am sure everyone will help you out.
I remember a poster by the screen name olyboy or something of that sort who wanted to do a fly around the world in Y, almost everyone told him not to in Y. Guess what, he went ahead and it was an incredible experience for him....
Oct 6, 11, 12:28 pm
#9
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
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Originally Posted by pianogirl78
I really do hope to have someone nice to sit next to on the plane. I love meeting new people and it would be nice to have someone to talk to.
I've found that people are more chatty in economy.
Oct 6, 11, 1:00 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London
Programs: Mucci Petit Four de Pucci, RedVee's Navigator Badge, BA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,088
Originally Posted by HIDDY
You'll enjoy it.
I've found that people are more chatty in economy.
I've found that people are more chatty in economy.
But BA World Traveller is very good and there is no reason not to look forward to the flight. Maybe look forward to a higher class on a future occasion - then you will probably enjoy it more.
Have a great trip!
Oct 6, 11, 1:05 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,818
I'm tall and not necessarily squashed in economy. Just go for an aisle seat and put all your bags up top (with zippers locked) to leave your feet clear. You will want to get up and move around a bit on the long flight. Have a great trip!
Originally Posted by Fruitcake
... and more squashed!
Oct 6, 11, 1:19 pm
#13
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 15,698
Originally Posted by HIDDY
You'll enjoy it.
I've found that people are more chatty in economy.
I've found that people are more chatty in economy.
I'm a right grumpy git. Although some scouser wore me down once on an EK flight so I just gave up and got drunk with him.
Oct 6, 11, 1:24 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Comunidad Valencia, Spain
Programs: BAEC, QF.
Posts: 352
Originally Posted by Yahillwe
^, good choice. You will definitely find someone who will lend you an ear if not be very happy for you. As you grow and make money and can afford the other classes, you'll find that those pax usually tend to themselves and are very jaded. Happy flying and nothing to fear, put this experience into your life experiences notebook...
Have a wonderful year with lots of explorations and new experiences. And if you need advise on inter-europe flying, then come on back and I am sure everyone will help you out.
Have a wonderful year with lots of explorations and new experiences. And if you need advise on inter-europe flying, then come on back and I am sure everyone will help you out.
If I may add a few tips for long flights . . . a packet of moist hand wipes/face wipes can be really handy. And set your watch to the time of your destination as soon as you get on board. Helps you adjust to new time zones. (slightly).
Have a great time!
Oct 6, 11, 1:32 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA
Programs: WN Companion Pass, HH Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 258
Hi, pianogirl78! Welcome to FT!
I think you'll be fine in Y, it's really not that long of a flight to LHR. I wanted to add how great I think it is you're doing this trip alone! Your first international solo trip is an amazing experience! Keep your wits about you, but don't be afraid to try new things! Go to that restaurant even though you're by yourself, ride the metro, venture out, push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Safe travels! I'm excited for you!!
I think you'll be fine in Y, it's really not that long of a flight to LHR. I wanted to add how great I think it is you're doing this trip alone! Your first international solo trip is an amazing experience! Keep your wits about you, but don't be afraid to try new things! Go to that restaurant even though you're by yourself, ride the metro, venture out, push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Safe travels! I'm excited for you!!
