Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Late summer U.S. to Finland


  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Posts
    3

    Default Late summer U.S. to Finland

    I'd like to attend an event in Helsinki the last day of August. Is peak tourist season still in full swing the last week of August, or has it started to decline with some tourists or their children going back to school?

    I live in the western U.S. and my employer was recently acquired by a cargo airline, and we now have access to Interline travel through MyIDtravel and BCD, but none of my co-workers has any experience with it. The company has training on how to use the website, how to dress and behave at the airport, but nothing on the strategy of choosing an airline, when to fly, etc., so I'd greatly appreciate any tips someone might have for this trip.

    Thanks!


  • #2
    NonRev Correspondent
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    ATL
    Posts
    4,597
    Thanks for asking. We are the Nonrev kings. #1 Be early. #2 When in doubt, 1st flight out. #3 Never argue with a gate agent. #4 Never check a bag(I FedEx a bag to CUN).
    ddagencylv - Senior NonRev Correspondent - Global Aviation News

  • #3
    Super Moderator MRSDS1DONNA's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    Phoenix, AZ
    Posts
    1,012
    Google flights is a great way to find out who goes where you want to fly. Nonstop if you can get it. I second ddagencylv's rules 1-3 (though I often check a bag) and will add: have a plan A, plan B, plan C and plan D. Always. The one rule of non revving that never changes is that things will rarely go according to plan A. Be flexible! Another important rule is to a)never nonrev on any trip you are not willing to scrap. Basically if you must be there, buy a ticket. An addendum to rule number 3 is don't crowd the gate agent. They have a lot to do and will do their best to clear you as quickly as possible. Have your stuff ready so when they do clear you, you are able to grab and board asap. Airlines will not take a delay for a nonrev.
    Peak tourist season means you must be extra flexible. You may make it on your first try or it may take several days to get there. Be prepared for that. Traveling on Sunday is harder than traveling on a Tuesday afternoon. Research the market and know if it is a business heavy market (meaning Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday are tougher) or a leisure market (meaning Thursday, Friday and Sunday are tougher).
    Last edited by MRSDS1DONNA; 03-May-2019 at 12:20 AM.
    MRSDS1DONNA - Senior NonRev Correspondent - Arizona

  • #4
    Moderator
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Posts
    797
    As an addendum to D2's rule 4, if asked to gate check a bag, do not argue and do so quickly. I once nonrevved on Alaska and was asked to check a bag just prior to door closing. (Didn't think I'd make it on). A revenue pax was arguing with the agent about not wanting to check a bag and was almost refused boarding.

    Finnair would be the obvious choice but sometimes it pays to get within train ride distance or a connecting city that has several options i.e. if you can get to London, your options would be British Airways and Finnair. Another helpful site I found out about on this website is flightconnections.com. Good luck and safe travels!
    isppilot - Senior NonRev Correspondent - New York City

  • #5
    Administrator Migflanker's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Location
    LA, the city of angels & freeways
    Posts
    5,300
    Welcome aboard Western Rover and welcome to the topsy-turvy world of non-revving. You’ve gotten some great advice I’ll only stress isppilot's point, summer travel overseas can be tricky, don’t be afraid to be creative with routing. BTW, ORD is always a good airport to have in your plan B/C/D alternate airport/flights/carrier pocket. And speaking of pockets, it doesn’t hurt to carry earplugs/eye mask and socks in your pocket- just in case *laughing*
    Last edited by Migflanker; 03-May-2019 at 10:29 AM.
    Keep'em Flying

    Migflanker - Senior NonRev Correspondent - Los Angeles

  • #6
    NonRev Correspondent zedman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    469
    A rule of thumb, knowledge of the routing and the weather forecast.
    Last edited by Migflanker; 19-May-2019 at 11:57 PM. Reason: wobbly letters *wink*
    zedman - NonRev Correspondent - ZED Travel

  • #7
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Posts
    3
    Thanks for all the great tips! I was able to try some of them out with an emergency trip I had to make domestically, just one hop to Atlanta on Delta and then back home. While the outbound flight we got on the first try, our return flight we were initially listed as #22 and 23, and didn't get on until the third flight that day. So we're looking forward with a mixture of excitement and trepidation to our Helsinki trip.

  • >

    Thread Information

    Users Browsing this Thread

    There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

    Similar Threads

    1. It's too late
      By 29palms in forum Community Support
      Replies: 1
      Last Post: 28-Dec-2013, 10:05 AM
    2. Jumpseating to Finland
      By sisu in forum Europe
      Replies: 4
      Last Post: 16-Feb-2006, 06:34 AM

    Bookmarks

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •