Which Oneworld (or swiss) to Russia?
Jul 21, 2002 | 1:02 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: AA EXP/mm, Travelholics Anonymous
Posts: 2,962
Which Oneworld (or swiss) to Russia?
Hi, please help me choose an AAdvantage award to Moscow via British, Swiss, or Finnair.
Coach only.
1) SJC-LAX-LHR on AA, LHR to MOW on BA
2) SJC-JFK on AA, JFK-HEL-MOW on Finnair
3) SJC-LAX on AA, LAX-ZRH-MOW on swissair
Is any choice markedly better than any other?
I notice the finnair connection time in Helsinki is absolutely minimal (half hour?).
Coach only.
1) SJC-LAX-LHR on AA, LHR to MOW on BA
2) SJC-JFK on AA, JFK-HEL-MOW on Finnair
3) SJC-LAX on AA, LAX-ZRH-MOW on swissair
Is any choice markedly better than any other?
I notice the finnair connection time in Helsinki is absolutely minimal (half hour?).
Jul 21, 2002 | 7:01 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: 1000 Oaks, California - AA PLT, HH GLD
Posts: 66
Based on connection times and number of flights Finnair should be your best bet. Also, if you're planning to earn AA miles, you get them from all the Finnair flights. BA transatlantic flights don't earn AA miles and not sure Swiss ZRH-MOW mile earning option. However, if you are planning to travel in F class, Finnair doesn't have one. HEL as a connection airport is definitely the best choice. Hope this helps!
Jul 21, 2002 | 9:54 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: AA EXP/mm, Travelholics Anonymous
Posts: 2,962
Thank you very much LA guy.
Could someone please comment on the relative quality of coach on these airlines.
I have flown on British often, but never Swiss or Finnair. Thank you!
Could someone please comment on the relative quality of coach on these airlines.
I have flown on British often, but never Swiss or Finnair. Thank you!
Jul 21, 2002 | 12:32 pm
#4
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 6,084
I've flown in coach on all three of them (AY and SR to Moscow, as well, albeit my SR experiences date back to the "old" Swissair rather than the new Swiss).
My personal favorite is Finnair, due to very convenient connection in Helsinki (except on Sundays, when there is only one afternoon flight from Helsinki to Moscow) and consistent quality of in-flight service. The downside here is that your JFK-HEL flight is on AY metal, MD-11 without MRTC or power ports in coach. Usually, I'm able to secure an exit row seat, which has huge amount of legroom, especially in aisle. Last time coming back I've been semi-upgraded to business (business class seat with coach service). Food on that flight was terrible though (awful barbecue chicken).
Your AA/BA option should be OK going to Moscow, but on the way back you'll have to overnight in London, as the earliest BA flight from Moscow to Heathrow leaves Moscow in late afternoon.
Your AA/SR(LX) option will require more than 7 hours connection time in ZRH on the way to Moscow, and you will arrive in Moscow after midnight (at the Domodedovo airport, not Sheremetyevo, as AY or BA). You should be OK on the way back, with only about an hour connection in ZRH.
My personal favorite is Finnair, due to very convenient connection in Helsinki (except on Sundays, when there is only one afternoon flight from Helsinki to Moscow) and consistent quality of in-flight service. The downside here is that your JFK-HEL flight is on AY metal, MD-11 without MRTC or power ports in coach. Usually, I'm able to secure an exit row seat, which has huge amount of legroom, especially in aisle. Last time coming back I've been semi-upgraded to business (business class seat with coach service). Food on that flight was terrible though (awful barbecue chicken).
Your AA/BA option should be OK going to Moscow, but on the way back you'll have to overnight in London, as the earliest BA flight from Moscow to Heathrow leaves Moscow in late afternoon.
Your AA/SR(LX) option will require more than 7 hours connection time in ZRH on the way to Moscow, and you will arrive in Moscow after midnight (at the Domodedovo airport, not Sheremetyevo, as AY or BA). You should be OK on the way back, with only about an hour connection in ZRH.