Grrrr Moscow
Oct 22, 2005, 1:04 pm
#106
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,924
Originally Posted by JuPe
AY agreed to code-share with SU after they promissed to use either Boeing or Airbus aircrafts on the HEL-SVO-HEL route. AY will also codeshare with FV (Pulkovo) on the HEL-LED-HEL route as soon as FV gets some Boeing aircrafts.
Oct 24, 2005, 1:50 am
#107
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Surrey, UK
Programs: BA Gold....er now Silver...er now Bronze....er now Blue
Posts: 3,507
I just returned from my first LHR-SVO on SU J class. A321 both ways, on-time, decent seats in a 2-2 config and reasonable food - plus no problems at SVO.
Considering the large difference in price and the J cattle class on the BA A320s, it's not a bad option. Also, for an extra $95 you can be met off the plane and whisked through immigration if you don't want to take a chance on queues at SVO. (One caveat - certain LHR flights are operated by IL96's, so need to try and avoid those - the J seats are dreadful and the F seats aren't much better).
Considering the large difference in price and the J cattle class on the BA A320s, it's not a bad option. Also, for an extra $95 you can be met off the plane and whisked through immigration if you don't want to take a chance on queues at SVO. (One caveat - certain LHR flights are operated by IL96's, so need to try and avoid those - the J seats are dreadful and the F seats aren't much better).
Oct 24, 2005, 3:53 am
#108
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: The Baltic Sea
Programs: AY, BT, DY and SK. Scandic, Radisson, Marriott and HHonors. ClubONE
Posts: 5,890
Originally Posted by simon_n10
AY flight leaves HEL at 09.25. Perfect for flying in the night before at 23.00 (leaving LHR at 18.00) and staying at the Scandic, within the terminal building.
Oct 24, 2005, 6:26 am
#109
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: London, England.
Programs: BA
Posts: 8,476
Just a note about the squashed conditions in C in the A320.
Now the A320 fuselage is actually 6" wider than the 737/757 we have used for years. I don't know how the convertible C seats compare (ie where the extra 6" has gone) but in the Y seats it goes in to 1" extra width per seat. Which is noticeable.
On the 767 the 7-across Y seating converts to 6-across, which is an even more marginal improvement than on the 737/757.
So why the complaints about the A320 when, all other things being equal, it shouldhave the most spacious seats in the Euro fleet.
On a related matter, what is the current state of catering in both C and Y on the DME/LED flights ? I know some special effort was put into restoring things on the Moscow flights ahead of other Euro routes. Just about to book to St Pete (in Y) and am curious. Am tempted to go with Pulkovo just for the experience (despite the problems in booking them from the UK), as they have started taking some secondhand 737s and it could be one of my last chances to get a ride in the Tu154. Some of you will think I'm mad.
Now the A320 fuselage is actually 6" wider than the 737/757 we have used for years. I don't know how the convertible C seats compare (ie where the extra 6" has gone) but in the Y seats it goes in to 1" extra width per seat. Which is noticeable.
On the 767 the 7-across Y seating converts to 6-across, which is an even more marginal improvement than on the 737/757.
So why the complaints about the A320 when, all other things being equal, it shouldhave the most spacious seats in the Euro fleet.
On a related matter, what is the current state of catering in both C and Y on the DME/LED flights ? I know some special effort was put into restoring things on the Moscow flights ahead of other Euro routes. Just about to book to St Pete (in Y) and am curious. Am tempted to go with Pulkovo just for the experience (despite the problems in booking them from the UK), as they have started taking some secondhand 737s and it could be one of my last chances to get a ride in the Tu154. Some of you will think I'm mad.
Oct 24, 2005, 6:35 am
#110
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,924
Originally Posted by WHBM
Just a note about the squashed conditions in C in the A320.
Now the A320 fuselage is actually 6" wider than the 737/757 we have used for years. I don't know how the convertible C seats compare (ie where the extra 6" has gone) but in the Y seats it goes in to 1" extra width per seat. Which is noticeable.
On the 767 the 7-across Y seating converts to 6-across, which is an even more marginal improvement than on the 737/757.
So why the complaints about the A320 when, all other things being equal, it shouldhave the most spacious seats in the Euro fleet.
On a related matter, what is the current state of catering in both C and Y on the DME/LED flights ? I know some special effort was put into restoring things on the Moscow flights ahead of other Euro routes. Just about to book to St Pete (in Y) and am curious. Am tempted to go with Pulkovo just for the experience (despite the problems in booking them from the UK), as they have started taking some secondhand 737s and it could be one of my last chances to get a ride in the Tu154. Some of you will think I'm mad.
Now the A320 fuselage is actually 6" wider than the 737/757 we have used for years. I don't know how the convertible C seats compare (ie where the extra 6" has gone) but in the Y seats it goes in to 1" extra width per seat. Which is noticeable.
On the 767 the 7-across Y seating converts to 6-across, which is an even more marginal improvement than on the 737/757.
So why the complaints about the A320 when, all other things being equal, it shouldhave the most spacious seats in the Euro fleet.
On a related matter, what is the current state of catering in both C and Y on the DME/LED flights ? I know some special effort was put into restoring things on the Moscow flights ahead of other Euro routes. Just about to book to St Pete (in Y) and am curious. Am tempted to go with Pulkovo just for the experience (despite the problems in booking them from the UK), as they have started taking some secondhand 737s and it could be one of my last chances to get a ride in the Tu154. Some of you will think I'm mad.
The 320 is horrid for DME, not only the seat size, but space around and above the seat is terrible. Nowhere to store the average 2-3 pieces brought on by everyone. Nowhere to hang jackets. Takes ages to board. Terrible.
Oct 24, 2005, 6:37 am
#111
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
Originally Posted by tsastor
Just a word of warning: the Scandic in the terminal building is in the basement, has very few rooms (so is usually fully booked) and since there are no windows it feels like you were sleeping in a ship under sea level. I've read there is a new Hilton in the planning stage that would be connected to the terminal, but that will be some years away.
Oct 24, 2005, 7:07 am
#113
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: HEL, Finland
Programs: AY Plat, SK Silver, FB Gold
Posts: 604
The Scandic is called Scandic Gateway Helsinki-Vantaa Airport: http://www.scandic-hotels.com/dispat...tyHomePageForm
The Hilton just got the new airport hotel deal a couple of months ago, so it might take time before it shows on their web page. Here's the press release: http://www.ilmailulaitos.fi/fcaarelease?id=33635
The Hilton just got the new airport hotel deal a couple of months ago, so it might take time before it shows on their web page. Here's the press release: http://www.ilmailulaitos.fi/fcaarelease?id=33635
Oct 24, 2005, 8:02 am
#114
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,924
Originally Posted by Jaimito Cartero
I can't find this listed on the Hilton site. Does anyone have a link to this Scandic? Reward stays as well?
http://www.scandic-hotels.com/dispat...tyHomePageForm
I don't think you can find Scandic's from the Hilton website, even though it is part of Hilton.
Oct 24, 2005, 8:04 am
#115
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,924
Originally Posted by WHBM
Memo to new employees at Gate Gourmet.
Do NOT spread cheese over the tablecloths
Do NOT spread cheese over the tablecloths
Can someone explain the logic of throwing a rag over the tray tables,which (when 60 or so in club) slows the meal down by another half an hour. It's bad enough leaving DME at 2105, without having to wait until 2230 to get a tray of food put in front of you... on the cheesy tablecloth
Oct 24, 2005, 8:07 am
#116
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Cardiff, UK
Programs: BA GGL, Concorde Room card, KLM Silver, PC Platinum Ambassador, Marriott Platinum, UA Premier Silver
Posts: 5,278
Originally Posted by simon_n10
Can someone explain the logic of throwing a rag over the tray tables,which (when 60 or so in club) slows the meal down by another half an hour. It's bad enough leaving DME at 2105, without having to wait until 2230 to get a tray of food put in front of you... on the cheesy tablecloth
Oct 24, 2005, 8:20 am
#117
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,924
Originally Posted by flyclub
It's all about presentation. You should count yourself lucky! I haven't seen them do that in Club Europe before.
Oct 24, 2005, 10:06 am
#118
Guest
Posts: n/a
In case anyone is interested. In CE last Tuesday on the orrible 874 A320, we had a most errrr interesting meal.
Starters was a kippered terrine of Salmon. Which is basically Salmon Mouse (not tinned I hope) surrounded by Salmon (very creative)
After that was pasta with blue crab and cray fish tails. whoever thought that one up must have had one too many vodka's. I had the other "choice" which was beef chunks in a very watery gravy with a few veg. Not tasty at all.
Coming back in Y was MUCH better. My favourite Chicken and Spinach sort of curry!!!! The celery is crunchy in the salad but then.....the dessert!!!!, some sort of cross bred cheesecake with bread pudding.
What a bargain for £800
Still, with triple miles, I got 40 TP's and around 10K miles.
Starters was a kippered terrine of Salmon. Which is basically Salmon Mouse (not tinned I hope) surrounded by Salmon (very creative)
After that was pasta with blue crab and cray fish tails. whoever thought that one up must have had one too many vodka's. I had the other "choice" which was beef chunks in a very watery gravy with a few veg. Not tasty at all.
Coming back in Y was MUCH better. My favourite Chicken and Spinach sort of curry!!!! The celery is crunchy in the salad but then.....the dessert!!!!, some sort of cross bred cheesecake with bread pudding.
What a bargain for £800
Still, with triple miles, I got 40 TP's and around 10K miles.
Oct 27, 2005, 5:16 am
#119
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: MEL
Programs: BA Gold; VA Velocity Gold; LH FTL; Marriott Gold; ICHG Platinum AMB; Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,393
Seems like airlines in MOW and LED may be running out of paper tickets - eticketing appears to have at least some advantages! The reasons behind the shortage seem all too typically Russian:
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/storie...10/27/001.html
Go to the link above for the full story.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/storie...10/27/001.html
Originally Posted by Moscow Times
Airline Tickets Held Up at Border
Travelers may soon be unable to book flights out of Russia because of a bureaucratic provision holding up blank airline tickets at the border.
Some airlines have enough tickets to last them only two weeks, as customs holds up new stocks under a regulation, that requires airlines to receive government certification before importing tickets.
The new regulation -- which is intended to help monitor the import of valuable documents with security features such as water marks -- includes airline tickets. Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov signed off on the decree in July, and it went into force on Oct. 1.
"Airlines are running dry on tickets, and without them they cannot provide their service," said Marek Pedersen, Russia and CIS manager for SAS Scandinavian airlines.
Qatar Airways said it had enough tickets left to last two weeks, while Delta Air Lines reported having stocks for another two to three months. The regulation affects not only foreign carriers, but domestic airlines as well.
"We have a considerable amount of tickets stranded at customs and can last only a few weeks," said Aeroflot deputy general director Lev Koshlyakov.
Irina Skibinskaya, a spokeswoman for the Federal Customs Service, said she was unaware of the problem...
Travelers may soon be unable to book flights out of Russia because of a bureaucratic provision holding up blank airline tickets at the border.
Some airlines have enough tickets to last them only two weeks, as customs holds up new stocks under a regulation, that requires airlines to receive government certification before importing tickets.
The new regulation -- which is intended to help monitor the import of valuable documents with security features such as water marks -- includes airline tickets. Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov signed off on the decree in July, and it went into force on Oct. 1.
"Airlines are running dry on tickets, and without them they cannot provide their service," said Marek Pedersen, Russia and CIS manager for SAS Scandinavian airlines.
Qatar Airways said it had enough tickets left to last two weeks, while Delta Air Lines reported having stocks for another two to three months. The regulation affects not only foreign carriers, but domestic airlines as well.
"We have a considerable amount of tickets stranded at customs and can last only a few weeks," said Aeroflot deputy general director Lev Koshlyakov.
Irina Skibinskaya, a spokeswoman for the Federal Customs Service, said she was unaware of the problem...
Oct 27, 2005, 6:20 am
#120
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,762
Originally Posted by House
Seems like airlines in MOW and LED may be running out of paper tickets - eticketing appears to have at least some advantages! The reasons behind the shortage seem all too typically Russian:
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/storie...10/27/001.html
Go to the link above for the full story.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/storie...10/27/001.html
Go to the link above for the full story.
On the topic of Russian business practice I had to laugh last week when I read about some banker who had been shot. He had been working in a market selling flowers, next step was starting a bank - with the inevitable Merc (resplendant darkened windows). You just don't get it the UK:
phillipas, on seeing an old school friend working on the market selling flowers: 'so have long have you been doing this then?'.
friend: 'Oh, just a few months. I'm quitting next month though - thought I'd start a bank'.