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My mother works for delta and I'll be flying a S2 with a friend on a buddy pass, we're not as worried about getting to Europe, but flying back. We're extremely flexible and can make it to most any airport, but have heard a lot of bad things about nonreving out of paris and amsterdam, and are concerned about getting back to the states, anywhere will work, but preferably down by Italy.
do you have any ideas of which European city would be best for flying standby out of europe? thanks!
depends a lot on when. If you're talking summer, be careful. Anecdotal summer evidence:We are Delta Connection parents. We have made it back from AMS twice early July(three and 4 years ago, and to a minor market, Hartford, now discontinued, so maybe not of much use). And last year, my son (the pilot) near the end of June couldn't get back from BCN, via any reasonable route, and ended up buying full fare on Air Berlin (va DUS). So this June, WE didn't even try to return non-rev and bought confirmed on Air Transat MRS-YUL. Maybe we are overly cautious, others on this forum have managed to get around in summer. So..I'm not of much use. But it sounds like you may not be interested in summer. Our non-summer experiences have been much better: last November from FRA I had the list of all the flights to the East Coast in my pocket and easily ended up on the first one, Air India to Newark. And 'have returned from NCE (which I recommend) on DL several times, in March and October in the last 3 years. Because of my (admittedly now very old) very bad experience in Mar 2004 returning from Paris CDG (you can probably search for it w. my username & CDG), I haver never since tried to return from CDG, although there are plenty of other members whoi would say we are too paranoid and should go for it once. Good luck!
CDG has its pros and cons. One BIG pro is mutliple flights/gateways (gee, we still have CVG!!) another is the TGV to connect to AMS, BRU for next day travel (as in, the famous French strike for a day scenario)
Also--reasonable hotels near Roissy w/free shuttle
BIG con is famous French strike for a day. $12 beers, long security lines (except when you can prove you have tight connection--there is an express line)
Big con is that it's CDG and a "general [de gaulle]" pain the derriere
Other BIG con is the number of nonrevs at any given time frame
All that said, when you work with the staff there, you'll find them quite nice and accommodating to nonrevs
I vote CDG. Delta has daily flights to MSP, PHL, CVG, and SLC. 2 a day to ATL. 4 days a week to PIT. With a AF joint venture fare in your pocket for CDG-JFK you have 4 daily AF flights, one an A380 and an extra AF A380 on Mo,Sa, Su. Thats a lot of seats to get across the ocean.
The S4 buddy pass rider can't use partners, tho, so CDG/JFK is out.Quote:
Originally Posted by foultier