Best transAtlantic SkyTeam business class?
Mar 29, 2009, 11:47 pm
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 2,262
On Aeroflot you get a reliably hearty meal. The service is very good (no FAs hiding away from pax). The seat is lieflat, but to me it feels comfier than the AF seat (maybe it's a tad wider?). Plus short-haul connections are in a proper cradle seat, with proper meals, not middle seat in Europe Select with a snackbox or the silly excuses about flight length or mealtimes offered by airlines in the USA who don't want to feed you.
SVO-2 isn't the prettiest terminal ever, but it's not THAT bad, and the lounge may be lacking showers but at least it has computers and substantial snacks (unlike the AF lounges).
Generally, SU is consistently above average in terms of the things I value (namely seat comfort, FA service and food), and lacking in areas I don't really care about (e.g. IFE). The wines are also not a strong point of SU, but the vodka is excellent and the crew will happily keep coming 'round and topping you up with ridiculous quantities of it.
SVO-2 isn't the prettiest terminal ever, but it's not THAT bad, and the lounge may be lacking showers but at least it has computers and substantial snacks (unlike the AF lounges).
Generally, SU is consistently above average in terms of the things I value (namely seat comfort, FA service and food), and lacking in areas I don't really care about (e.g. IFE). The wines are also not a strong point of SU, but the vodka is excellent and the crew will happily keep coming 'round and topping you up with ridiculous quantities of it.
Thanks for the long input, but doesn't Russia require transit visa?
The trip will be from CDG/ORY to DCA/IAD and back.
Mar 29, 2009, 11:58 pm
#18
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Metro Detroit
Programs: DL Plat, NW Plat
Posts: 708
Doesn't DL have a non-stop out of JFK that fits your schedule? I am booking the same outbound route around 2 weeks after you and there is Z class availability on the non-stop.
For my money (not MR), I'll take a slightly less comfy seat in J (it's a 767) over a stop anytime.
For my money (not MR), I'll take a slightly less comfy seat in J (it's a 767) over a stop anytime.
I'm about to book a biz award from NYC-BCN and return CDG-NYC ( Oct 27ish - Nov 4thish)
Right now the CO nonstop EWR- BCN is not offered as anaward option.
Most outbound options are AirFrance via CDG or NW/KLM via AMS.
iirc, the A330 is the NW plane of choice but that doesn't fly ex-NYC.
If I go NW, is it worth the hop to DTW to fly the A330 across the pond?
I'd take the detour if that really is worth the time/effort.
what say you?
Right now the CO nonstop EWR- BCN is not offered as anaward option.
Most outbound options are AirFrance via CDG or NW/KLM via AMS.
iirc, the A330 is the NW plane of choice but that doesn't fly ex-NYC.
If I go NW, is it worth the hop to DTW to fly the A330 across the pond?
I'd take the detour if that really is worth the time/effort.
what say you?
Mar 30, 2009, 2:29 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Soon to be LEGT
Posts: 10,928
No, they don't.
In that case (assuming that the cost was similar and/or that I wasn't paying), I would go with the direct AF flights.
In that case (assuming that the cost was similar and/or that I wasn't paying), I would go with the direct AF flights.
Mar 30, 2009, 8:08 am
#20
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
I agree. Even if you really did want to be in DCA at the end of the trip I'd take the non-stop to IAD and deal with the cab ride. It is annoying but better than dealing with clearing immigration/customs in JFK and then getting back through security and on a likely delayed flight from JFK-DCA. A NW routing via DTW with the A330 wouldn't be a bad experience either, but I'm not sure it is worth the few extra hours of travel time.
May 1, 2009, 4:04 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SAN & LHR
Programs: UA-Plat (MM)/BA-Silver/DL-Plat/ICON-Royal Ambassador/Hyatt Gold
Posts: 61
IMO, Continental has a very good product with wider and comfortable seats than AF angled flat beds and CO food is also better than AF or NW. DL has been the biggest disappointment for the seat comfort and the food is inconsistent - but when good, can be top notch. Service for me has been CO/AF/DL/NW for TATL flights
May 10, 2009, 2:24 pm
#24
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Suburban Philadelphia
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,392
I was VERY impressed with my recent AF T/A trip in biz on the A340. AVOD is great, seat was wonderful (slight angle but mostly lie-flat), very good meal/drink service. Overall it would be my choice again unless I had other reasons not to (schedule, 2-3x EQM promo, etc. etc.)
May 12, 2009, 12:42 pm
#25
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 219
Agree with Cargojon. Just returned on AF (CDG-IAD) on 777. Seat was fine, food better than average, and service very good. It surpassed our DL flight to JNB from ATL. Also our AF flight from JNB to CDG on 777 was excellent, though I must admit we slept most of the time.