acho From Mexico, joined Jan 2004, 339 posts, RR: 2 Posted (2 years 6 months 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 2763 times:
I will be moving to Madrid in January, hence I need to buy a ticket from Mexico City in the coming days. The most viable options in terms of price are Lufthansa, British Airways and Delta all going around 1,400 roundtrip. Aeromexico and Iberia fly direct buy they are both well above 3,000 usd for some absurd reason.
Having these three options what would you consider the best in terms of service and connections? I personally fear having to connect flights in ATL, but I'm aware it isn't a simple task in LHR or FRA either. I think in terms of service BA is the best as they have PTVs. How is the 767 International service? These are the three possible itineraries:
Lufthansa:
Mexico City (MEX) Depart 9:20 pm
Terminal 1
Frankfurt am Main (FRA) Arrive 2:55 pm +1 day
Terminal 1
Duration: 10hr 35mn Flight: 499 Economy/Coach Class , Boeing 747-400
Thu 13-Jan-11
Frankfurt am Main (FRA) Depart 9:10 pm
Terminal 1
Madrid (MAD) Arrive 11:40 pm
Terminal T2
Duration: 2hr 30mn Flight: 1120 Economy/Coach Class , Airbus A321
British Airways:
Mexico City (MEX) Depart 8:55 pm
Terminal 1
London (LHR) Arrive 1:00 pm +1 day
Terminal 5
Duration: 10hr 5mn Flight: 242 Economy/Coach Class , Boeing 747-400
London (LHR) Depart 2:30 pm
Terminal 3
Madrid (MAD) Arrive 5:50 pm
Terminal T4S
Duration: 2hr 20mn Flight: 460 Economy/Coach Class , Airbus A320
Delta:
Mexico City (MEX) Depart 10:00 am
Terminal 2
Atlanta (ATL)Arrive 2:15 pm
Terminal SOUTH
Duration: 3hr 15mn Flight: 350 Economy/Coach Class , Boeing 737-800
Atlanta (ATL) Depart 6:55 pm
Terminal SOUTH
Madrid (MAD) Arrive 9:15 am +1 day
Terminal T1
Duration: 8hr 20mn Flight: 3627 Economy/Coach Class , Boeing 767
AR385 From Mexico, joined Nov 2003, 4846 posts, RR: 27 Reply 1, posted (2 years 6 months 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 2756 times:
Service wise I would go for BA or LH and forget DL. Since your connection in FRA is until 9pm, that´s 7 hrs. Being in an airport is nice, at least to us a.netters, but after an 11 hr TATL, it can get old quickly. Thus, I would go with BA.
LDIkaros From United States of America, joined Apr 2007, 175 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (2 years 6 months 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 2712 times:
I would avoid DL, too, because of the subpar service plus the hassle of US immigration. I would also avoid LH because of their equipment on the TATL sector (cramped B747 w/o IFE) and the long connection in FRA.
BA seems to be the way to go.
Is a 90-minute connection from T5 to T3 a viable option at LHR ?
I agree, that that 7hr-connection via FRA is waaaay to long, but still connecting at FRA is easy, despite many people claiming contrary.
I would not mind connecting at ATL. With those 4+ hours you will be able to get a descent meal during your layover and do some spotting from the far end of concourse E for relaxation.
330lover From Belgium, joined Jul 2008, 504 posts, RR: 1 Reply 6, posted (2 years 6 months 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 2661 times:
Avoid DL. Don't know about inflight service, but just avoiding all the insane and paranoia immigration formalities (unless this does not apply to Mexicans, don't know).
Next to BA and LH, have you checked AF? Or even AV?
Don't know if its better connection or fare wise, but worth checking...
Britten Norman Islander VP-FBR on Falkland Islands. THAT'S FLYING!
B747forever From United States of America, joined May 2007, 16575 posts, RR: 11 Reply 8, posted (2 years 6 months 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 2643 times:
As many already have said, go with BA. Their 744s are equipped with PTVs while LH doesnt have any on their 744s. Also the 7hour connection will be terrible after a long haul flight. You wont feel well after that very long connection.
Havent flown on DL so cant really comment on their product but I believe it is just easier if you connect in LHR and European carriers tend to have a better level of service.
lhr380 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 9, posted (2 years 6 months 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 2633 times:
Quoting HT (Reply 4): Is a 90-minute connection from T5 to T3 a viable option at LHR ?
Its tight, but it is doable. If for any reason the inbound Long haul flight is late, BA will rebook you onto the next flight, either operated by BA or operated by fellow Oneworld airline IB. There are plenty left in the day.
Severnaya From Russia, joined Jan 2009, 1390 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (2 years 6 months 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 2623 times:
Quoting acho (Thread starter): Having these three options what would you consider the best in terms of service and connections?
I'd go for the BA because of the schedule, arriving at 6pm is MUCH better than the LH one arriving only around midnight at MAD. Arriving at mid-night means you won't be in your bed before at least 2am.
And 7 hours at FRA (i love the airport) is definitely too long after a boring TATL 747 no-IFE flight.
Speedbird741 From Portugal, joined Aug 2008, 654 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (2 years 6 months 22 hours ago) and read 2574 times:
Quoting B747forever (Reply 8): Their 744s are equipped with PTVs while LH doesnt have any on their 744s.
He may be lucky enough to catch D-ABVK which is the only 744 in the fleet with PTV if I recall correctly. However lucky you may be to catch that one aircraft, you still have the torturous seven hour connection time. I would definitly go with BA. Rapid, predictable, and smooth journey. As for comparaing DL with LH or BA. It is the same as placing a Hyundai in front of a Rolls Royce if you ask me.
Speedbird741
Boa noite Faro, Air Portugal 257 climbing flight level 340
acho From Mexico, joined Jan 2004, 339 posts, RR: 2 Reply 12, posted (2 years 6 months 21 hours ago) and read 2565 times:
Thank you all for your replies! It seems BA is the way to go. I am worried about the short connection time? i imagine I'm going to have to go through British inmigration and customs, how much of a hassle is this considering the short connection time?
Speedbird741 From Portugal, joined Aug 2008, 654 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (2 years 6 months 21 hours ago) and read 2552 times:
Quoting acho (Reply 12): I am worried about the short connection time? i imagine I'm going to have to go through British inmigration and customs, how much of a hassle is this considering the short connection time?
Rest assured, it is enough time to transit. Bear in mind you will not have to go through customs or immigration, unless of course you leave the airport which you will not. You will only have to go through regular security checks.
Speedbird741
Boa noite Faro, Air Portugal 257 climbing flight level 340
AR385 From Mexico, joined Nov 2003, 4846 posts, RR: 27 Reply 15, posted (2 years 6 months 19 hours ago) and read 2536 times:
Quoting acho (Reply 14): Any form I can buy a cheap one way ticket?
You can try this:
Go to a Travel Agency. Sometimes they have special promotions that are even cheaper than what shows up on internet.
Go to a Travel Agency that uses AMADEUS and then go to one that uses SABRE. I found fares to be different on the different systems, in certain flights, significantly so. The above was the case on my AM flights for December. Maybe you´ll get lucky.
Phone the airline directly. Sometimes if you ask for something different than what´s published, you may get lucky. And, phone at least two or three times, if you are polite, you are bound to get an agent that will at least attempt something.
aviationnut12 From United States of America, joined Feb 2007, 171 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (2 years 6 months 13 hours ago) and read 2514 times:
I flew ATL-MAD over the summer, albeit on a 767-400 with PTV's. I guess they switch it back to a 763ER during the off season. I am a little biased towards DL though. Service was fine, and Atlanta is pretty stupid simple to connect in. Even coming from MEX you should be fine.
Every choice is a step, steps become direction, direction determines destination
KGRB From United States of America, joined Sep 2010, 614 posts, RR: 1 Reply 17, posted (2 years 6 months 12 hours ago) and read 2512 times:
Quoting MSPNWA (Reply 2): I'd avoid DL because of the sub-par 767
Sub par? Whatever...
Quoting 330lover (Reply 6): Avoid DL. Don't know about inflight service, but just avoiding all the insane and paranoia immigration formalities (unless this does not apply to Mexicans, don't know).
Please do tell me about these "insane and paranoia (sic) immigration formalities"... I'd really like to know.
Quoting B747forever (Reply 8): European carriers tend to have a better level of service.
Ah, that old myth again... Times have changed. US carriers have improved their transatlantic product and it is now on par and sometimes even surpassing that of European carriers.
Besides, he's flying in coach. Is being crammed in with fellow pax really that different on DL than LH or BA?
HT From Germany, joined May 2005, 6473 posts, RR: 27 Reply 18, posted (2 years 6 months 10 hours ago) and read 2501 times:
Quoting KGRB (Reply 17): Besides, he's flying in coach. Is being crammed in with fellow pax really that different on DL than LH or BA?
Good point.
Given the choice between the a/c-types in concern here, I think I would prefer the 2-3-2-layout found on the 767 over the 10-abreast on the B744 - but then I hardly do care about PTV and other IFE keeping me entertained
In the end it is only an 8-hr flight ATL to MAD ...
Quoting acho (Reply 14): A cheap one way ticket would be best but they all seem to cost the same oneway as roundtrip. Any form I can buy a cheap one way ticket?
I was thinking of those carriers that in Europe are called "Charter"-carriers catering for holiday makers. Many of them have a fare structure based on oneway flights.
For example, Air Europe (UX) could be one option, but this would be a 2-ticket travel for example via CUN.
For random dates in January, I get a quote of 814 USD for UX64 CUN to MAD.2010-1240h+1 on a A330.
Add about 180 USD for a ticket MEX to CUN and you get away with a total of around 1000 USD w/o the immigration hassle at ATL or a 90-minute transfer at LHR, let alone that 7-hr öayover at FRA.
More airports for connections as outlined above in the region could be considered (Dom.Rep., Cuba, ...), but each with immigration requirements to be kept in mind.
-HT
Carpe diem ! Life is too short to waste your time ! Keep in mind, that today is the first day of the rest of your life !
Until they are refurbished, Delta's standard international 763s (non-76T) own arguably the worst long-haul hard product among any legacy or flag carrier flying across the Atlantic. In this comparison, aside from being 2-3-2, Delta's overall hard product is well behind BA. Find a good seat in a 747, and Delta's aircraft owns literally no advantages in this comparison.
flymia From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 6297 posts, RR: 6 Reply 20, posted (2 years 6 months 7 hours ago) and read 2492 times:
I would go with BA. PTVS, shorter lay over. It is annoying how all the Spain flights leave out of T3 but I did that exact connection twice. BOS-LHR-BCN and BCN-LHR-MIA. It can be done in less then 90mins thats for sure. I had a tight connection when I did the BOS-LHR-BCN and thought I would not make it but probably did the connection in about 25-30mins. Of course there was no need to rush as my flight was delayed another 10 hours.
Also it is not a bad idea to start racking up BA/IB miles now. Im sure you will fly them often livng in MAD.
"It was just four of us on the flight deck, trying to do our job" (Captain Al Haynes)
LAX888 From Switzerland, joined Oct 2010, 256 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (2 years 6 months 7 hours ago) and read 2489 times:
Quoting KGRB (Reply 17): Please do tell me about these "insane and paranoia (sic) immigration formalities"... I'd really like to know.
Well for NON US citizens the immigration can be annoying and tedious. ESTA form needs to be filled out if you are eligible to enter without a visa and if not you need to go to the US embassy etc. and also fill out customs form even if you transit and endure TSA security etc. etc. Also it's annoying to have to enter the US first just to connect to your onward connecting flight. Whereas in LHR this is not the case.
Quoting KGRB (Reply 17):
Ah, that old myth again... Times have changed. US carriers have improved their transatlantic product and it is now on par and sometimes even surpassing that of European carriers.
Besides, he's flying in coach. Is being crammed in with fellow pax really that different on DL than LH or BA?
I don't think this is true for most US airlines. Usually US airlines charge for alcoholic beverages (except DL which serves beer and wine (in carton not bottles) for free, they don't have IFE/AVOD on all their long-haul flights unlike (BA, LX, VS, SK, AY etc.), staff is in general not very friendly and based on my own personal experience (AA flight LHR-LAX-LHR) I would always choose an European airline (except IB) over any US carrier if the price is similar. Also if you read reviews on www.airlinequality.com the European carriers tend to have better reviews than the US ones.
Superfly From Thailand, joined May 2000, 38505 posts, RR: 80 Reply 22, posted (2 years 6 months 7 hours ago) and read 2488 times:
Lufthansa or British Airways is the way to go.
Delta should not even be considered. Average service and they'll nickel & dime you for meals, drinks and checked bags.
Lufthansa and British Airways are fantastic world class airlines that offers world class service.
Quoting acho (Thread starter): Aeromexico and Iberia fly direct buy they are both well above 3,000 usd for some absurd reason.
I'd try to find a way to get the non-stop on Iberia at a good price. Iberia would be my first choice. They are a wonderful airline and I am sure you can get a ticket at a reasonable price if you look around a bit more.
rwSEA From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 3016 posts, RR: 2 Reply 24, posted (2 years 5 months 4 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 2449 times:
Agree with all the others - BA is the clear choice. Even if you miss your connection, there's plenty of flights to MAD, and your wait will likely be less than the 7 hours you'd have at FRA. DL has ratty old planes, crappy food and entertainment, and you'll have to deal with security lines and customs/baggage claim/recheck in ATL.
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From Mexico, joined Jan 2004, 339 posts, 
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Please do tell me about these "insane and paranoia (sic) immigration formalities"... I'd really like to know. 
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