Boats?!? *Shudder* Sigh... well it is Flyertalk.

The only ship in recent years that made regularly scheduled transatlantic crossings was the QE2. Now there are NONE, zip, unless you can catch a repositioning cruise - does happen. And I'd love for someone to tell me I'm wrong, but I fear not.

Believe me, the fat lady could outright buy an F seat on most airlines for less than the QE2 would have cost even in cheapest class on most sailings. Comparatively, the cost of two coach seats is trivial.

But why on earth did someone assume that she has to fly from Heathrow? Personally, I avoid it like the plague.

Also, if all she wants to do is visit, it's extremely likely that she can find a sale (LOOK!! - a SALE on airline tickets!! shock!!!) where two seats are about as cheap as one.

M.Schiffrin, if you are travelling with your friend, it gets a bit easier - the two of you would probably do fine in a regular 3 across row.

I might also suggest checking the airline websites for descriptions of potential planes - sometimes these include width of seats. For info on some US airlines, http://www.seatguru.com is very useful.

It does seem pretty clear that Airbus coach seats are notably wider than Boeing a/c coach.

FWAAA, the best thing in the world for a seriously fat person might be to get out and DO something. If they're willing to put themselves through the hassle (and have enough sense to worry in advance), give them a break. Of course the problem may be that in New York she'll decide she isn't that fat after all.

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email on profile

Well, although you do make a great attempt at sounding most convincing, you are indeed wrong. 2003 is the farewell season of the transatlantic voyages for the QE2, however the Southampton-New York still operates till December 2003.
Where you are completely wrong is the price, i.e. there are plenty of special offers around such as a one way sea/one way air journey starting at approx. $1600. ...for further price reference a 20 day journey such as Cape Town - Southampton - New York
With Walvis Bay, St Helena, Canary Islands, Madeira would set you back about $3500.

Still only approximately half of what a full fare first class airline ticket would cost you.

John: I'm glad there is a window of opportunity left! But I guess that still means this year is "It"? Know of any scheduled ship that's going to fill the void?

Where I don't think I'm completely wrong is about the price. The offers you cite, and many more I've seen, involve taking an airplane at some point in the journey. The last time I looked, rt on the QE2 was considerably more expensive than a package Concorde/QE2, never mind flying in "mere" First Class. The cheapest option that didn't involve flying actually involved a cruise around Britain. Really.

That might satisfy my urge to sail the Atlantic again, but it won't help someone who can't or won't fly.

[This message has been edited by GG (edited 03-21-2003).]

Look out lifeboats!

I just priced a "Spring Getaway" fare on UA

New York (JFK) to London (LHR) Thursday, Apr 10



Flight info Dates Misc Fares
United Airlines956
Boeing 777 Apr 10 6:50 pm depart JFK
Apr 11 6:50 am arrive LHR stops: Non-stop
Class: Coach
Fare Basis Code:
SECATAZ
Booking Class: S
Fare Rules
Web-only fares Delete
London (LHR) to New York (JFK) Thursday, Apr 17



Flight info Dates Misc Fares
United Airlines905
Boeing 777 Apr 17 1:20 pm depart LHR
Apr 17 3:55 pm arrive JFK stops: Non-stop
Class: Coach
Fare Basis Code:
SECATAZ
Booking Class: S
Fare Rules
Web-only fares Delete

USD 431.02

This was just a random date I picked. Two coach seats wouldn't be too bad at this price.


[This message has been edited by wingless (edited 03-21-2003).]

Hi GG,

not to go turn this into a thread about cruises, but the cruise industry is really struggling at the moment, just like all travel related industries,hence even the QE2 has had to reduce its fares heavily. I went to a tennis tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London last December (sponsored by Cunard) and since receive all kinds off marketing material/advertising from them. They really have some super cheap deals. Try the below (click on "Cunard specials" logo in the right hand corner)

http://www.cruiseshopping.com/Cunard...ource=overture

If she were to buy two seats, what about the problem of seatbelts? Can she get into one? If not, you might want to make sure that the airline not remove her from the flight causing her undo embarassment.

There are extention pieces that can be added to the original seatbelt.

http://www.extend-it.com/
(Listed on my web site, BTW)



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Michael Steinberg
Editor
BizTrip
www.biztrip.com

What is this? In this less PC corner of London, the answer is simple. Get slimmer. Buy Y ticket @ £300 or £400 or whatever. Problem solved.

[This message has been edited by COMPTON SID (edited 03-22-2003).]

In most cases, that is like telling a short person to get taller, or a not-terribly-astute person (perhaps, for example, someone who tells a fat person to simply grow slim) to get smarter.

I fly for a major US carrier and would definately recommend that she buy two economy seats on a plane like a 777 or 767 against the window, as another poster suggested. I have seen large passengers stuffed into first (unless you are in the sleeper suite--which is very pricey) and business class who are extremely uncomfortable, as are those around them. The aircraft that I listed above also have several restrooms that will accomodate a large passenger much better than will a normal aircraft lav. As far as a seat belt extension, every aircraft is required by law to have them--they are what we use for our safety demo. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif The loads have been down on the flights that I have worked to Europe lately, although I know that we will be cutting flight soon, maybe she will luck out. Also have her get to the airport early, maybe an agent can get her better seats up towards the front of economy (i.e. economy plus, etc) with more room between seats. Good luck!!