Thread: Italy in May?

Don't count on any zeds on DL from any gateway. All ours are almost always overbooked from much of April thru October. I'd be planning to get to another city and buy pos space air or train tkts to get to those ports.

AA, DL & Emirates have been having fare sales between JFK-MXP. UA might have deals as well out of EWR. Not sure that I would chance it and risk missing a cruise unless you give yourself at least a week to get there and plan on several backups.

That said, a few years ago, I once got to FCO on AA in J only because a thunderstorm passing thru the area caused a number of diversions and opened up a bunch of seats. I was resigned to settling in a middle seat in the back for 8 hours. The FCO flight left on time. For the return, MXP & FCO were both oversold so we ended up taking the train from MXP to ZRH to fly back. This was in October.

Originally Posted by hopeful wanderer

We checked 2 flights--170 and 41. 170 had 30 first class, 30 business, and 124 coach. 41 had 8 first, 23 business and 123 coach. So do you think they will fill up by May?

I'll put it this way--with 29 yrs seniority as emp spouse, I've only been to Rome 3-4 times in 15 yrs and once to Venice was enough (don't like it--filthy, crowded and food sux). It's hardly ever available to high priority nonrevs, much less 4 zed riders. Just my opinion...

On DL, we can't do that but I would think same for most majors. We do have PS tkts that can be upgraded w/miles (if avail) and some PS lower $ tkts that cannot (makes sense).

Yes. They will fill up.

Summer + Europe = trouble. Don't even bother looking up loads now, because yes, they WILL fill up between now and then. And on UA, it is a huge no-no to be listed for the same flight you hold confirmed space on, I believe even a different flight on the same route/same day is a problem. Also, if you don't show up for the flight you hold confirmed space on (keeping in mind that your nonrev listing is separate from your confirmed listing, so you'd still no-show as far as the confirmed booking is concerned) the rest of your itinerary (that is, your return flight) will be cancelled.

The one thing I can suggest is that if any city in Europe has seats available on UA, it's LHR. Not really where you're looking to go, but something to consider. Of course, that's not a guarantee, and those numbers you see now will be just as useless so far in advance. But if LHR is full, you're going to have a hell of a time getting out of anywhere in Europe.