ATL to MXP in Oct.
 

I am trying to book a ticket from ATL to MXP on the website - I am given NO options of doing the TA leg first, then connect to MXP (like CDG to MXP) - almost options are going first to JFK. Does DL have designated / set flight paths for certain European destinations? The options are totally different for ATL to VCE however the cheapest on these use Air France - the Delta flights are hundreds more?! Will I have more options as it gets closer to travel time?

On delta.dumb, go to advanced search then search by schedule. This should show all options, although you must click through to see prices.

maybe it's me
 

I assume you meant the official Delta website? but even when I search by schedule, the ONLY overseas connection is thru FCO. Surely Delta / AF have connecting flights CDG to MXP?! I even went to the MATRIX website and found similar, limited options. I'm surprised or there is some trick I am missing!

Italian regulation.

More seriously most EU based carriers do not fly to (or have very few flights to) Malpensa but fly instead to the domestic airport Linate (LIN).

Agree that if you want to 2-hop, you need to go to LIN, or go thru FCO. Also note that ATL - LIN search on ITA shows alot of different options. Good Luck!

You've got some problems with your plans. No non-stop flights on AF CDG>MXP. You can do CDG>MXP nonstop on EasyJet, or CDG to Linate (code:LIN) non-stop on AF or codeshare partner Alitialia AZ.

Even if you go to the delta.com site and try to build such a flight JFK>CDG> LIN and return, Delta will still put you on a KLM segment from CDG>AMS>LIN instead of putting you on the AF or AZ non-stop from CDG>LIN. And for all of this Delta.com will charge you almost $2k for coach. If you want to do the internal Euro routing using AF or Alitalia AZ then you will have to contact a DL rep by phone (and be charged $25 for them making this booking for you--if they can/will do it. [If you are using SkyMiles that's a whole 'nother post]

However, you can do it cheaper.

You have to go either to Flying Blue or AF site, or a site like Expedia/Orbitz, and build your itinerary from the inside out, meaning, internal flights within Europe availability, first. Then correlate that with the international DL flights, and buy the tix in segments, i.e. make your JFK>CDG reservations on DL.com, then buy the CDG>LIN tix on some site like Expedia.

Before you buy the DL tix double/triple check the flights on the internal flights, within Europe, giving yourself time to transit through CDG.


By the way, if you have time you may want to consider landing in CDG and taking the TGV fast train to MXP. I've done this. It's a lot more fun and the scenery is great, especially passing through the Alps (if you're lucky you can see the Matterhorn). It's about a 7 hour trip to Milan Centrale.

many thanks
 

Thank you for all the help - it makes sense now and I can move along from here. I am actually thinking about going into Zurich, I can fly direct, then take a train down to the Lakes which is my ultimate destination.

This works on delta.com too. I tried asking for ATL to LIN and it offered connections via either AMS, CDG or FCO.

I don't know how you're searching, but I put in JFK-LIN on DL.dumb and it offered me up a ton of one-stop options, connecting in AMS, CDG, FCO, and LHR. Prices essentially the same (minor differences due to passenger facility fees) across all four connecting points.

I'm good now
 

My flight was for ATL to MXP - I did not want to go up to JFK and then TA. I did not realize if I went Atl to a European city, that I needed to use LIN. I see now, said the blindman, and am finding a variety of itineraries. But this forum was great for helping me understand and find these options.

Although there's a direct train from MXP into the city, I find using LIN is much easier as it's about a 15 minute bus ride to Centrale as opposed an hour-plus on the MXP train which is frequently subject to annoying delays.