Boeing 747-311 From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 795 posts, RR: 0 Posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 3220 times:
What is the airport experience like at PHL for US airways? are there seperate check in counters? i would assume so. also what is the envoy lounge like? also are there two jet bridges to board flights?
Molykote From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 1335 posts, RR: 30 Reply 1, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 6 days ago) and read 3187 times:
The new international terminal at PHL is quite nice.
Operationally, PHL is somewhat crippled by its infrastructure. A pilot I spoke with said that weather plays hell on PHL operations. Many people I know complain about the PHL airport (luggage specifically).
I flew Envoy from PHL-FCO this January and was very happy with the experience on board (I flew with my girlfriend using a bunch of miles that were given to us!). Our flight was on an A330 and we sat in 1A/1B. According to seatguru.com these were hangover lie flat seats from the first class service that US no longer offers. The food and drink selections were quite good - I wouldn't call myself a wine snob but I'm not wine-ignorant either and was satisfied with the on board selections. The cabin crew was absolutely first rate.
I did not partake in the Envoy lounge as I like to minimize my time in airports!
From what I've been told (and read on these boards) the 767 interior is lacking substantially compared to the A330 interior. I don't know what aircraft or route you will be flying.
Supa7E7 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 3008 times:
Quoting Molykote (Reply 1): I did not partake in the Envoy lounge as I like to minimize my time in airports!
From what I've been told (and read on these boards) the 767 interior is lacking substantially compared to the A330 interior. I don't know what aircraft or route you will be flying.
The Envoy lounge in PHL is big, sleek and luxurious, more so than US public image would suggest. Definitely worth a stop.
The 767s will be refurbished (this winter?) according to an a.net thread. So all US Atlantic flights will have modern business class next year, one would think... but for now, the A330 is best. It flies to MAN, LGW, FRA (2 of 3), FCO, CDG and MAD.
US has announced large investments to thoroughly modernize PHL baggage systems. Maybe this will bring an end to the reputation for lost baggage at PHL. The baggage systems are to come online later in 2006.
Steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8802 posts, RR: 19 Reply 3, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 2948 times:
Quoting Supa7E7 (Reply 2): US has announced large investments to thoroughly modernize PHL baggage systems. Maybe this will bring an end to the reputation for lost baggage at PHL. The baggage systems are to come online later in 2006.
This should be great news to any of us travelers who are or will be flying in and out of PHL in the future on US.
IIRC, US is no longer in charge of PIT's baggage handeling system. Some other agency whose name I cannot remember took over that. I am sure I will kick myself for forgeting the name of that agency now
Do not bring stranger girt into your room. The stranger girt is dangerous, it will hurt your life.
Cha747 From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 763 posts, RR: 7 Reply 4, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 2940 times:
I used the Envoy Check-in at terminal A mid-2nd-Bankruptcy (though I was not actually flying Envoy...as a BOA Signature Card holder I had that priviledge even though it was only for a domestic PHL-CLT flight). I found the check-in staff (3 people had to figure out how to print the boarding passes for my flight???!!) rude and snooty and the check-in experience was less than desirable. There was nobody else in line. I've checked-in at B/C post-bankruptcy at PHL and found the staff to be wonderful. Probably just caught the staff on a bad day.
You land a million planes safely, then you have one little mid-air and you never hear the end of it - Pushing Tin
DTWAGENT From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 1283 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 2911 times:
And keep in mind that their B757's they are useing to go over the pond DO NOT have First or Envoy class. They are all in coach seating. I know this on at least two flights PHL-GLA and PHL-SNN. These are the ones they purchased/leased from ATA this year.
Vega From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 2843 times:
Quoting DTWAGENT (Reply 5): And keep in mind that their B757's they are useing to go over the pond DO NOT have First or Envoy class. They are all in coach seating. I know this on at least two flights PHL-GLA and PHL-SNN. These are the ones they purchased/leased from ATA this year.
Give it a rest. You've been complaining about your tour group being stuck in an all coach configuration for at least 6 months now and we get your point. US JUST acquired the 757 aircraft for trans-Atlantic service and will be reconfiguring each one this Winter to incorporate a new Envoy section.
PSA727 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 972 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 2730 times:
The US Envoy Lounge at PHL is incredible.
It has a great view of the airport to watch the planes come
and go, and it is very spacious.
The food/light snacks/beverage/alcohol selection is excellent!
I believe it opens up at 2pm until 8 or 9pm? (for the Envoy product).
I think in the morning hours it's just part of the US Airways club that
it sits adjacent to.
Sometimes when I have the time in my schedule, I will take an earlier
flight to PHL when I fly PHL-Europe with US/LH because it's a great
place to plane watch and relax.
Usairways85 From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 3096 posts, RR: 8 Reply 8, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 2706 times:
Sounds nice, I may be flying US PHL-FCO this August as i will be studying abroad in Rome for a semester.
I am hoping i can buy a coach ticket and use my dad's miles to upgrade. Or i may be flying JFK-FCO because my dad has AA miles that will probably be expiring soon. Anyone know if i will have any problems doing this? Which international product do people prefer?
PSA727 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 972 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 2675 times:
Quoting Usairways85 (Reply 8): Anyone know if i will have any problems doing this?
I think now with AA you have to use miles and also pay a fee ( a la
Continental) to upgrade discount economy to Business Class.
With US it's just the mileage upgrade, but W and V (maybe Q too) are
not upgradeable fare classes.
But also note that the coach product on US's 330s is pretty good.
Boeing 747-311 From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 795 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 2507 times:
I am flying in early july to London on ther A330, and to DUB on the 767 in late july, so i guess i shall find out what the situation is like!
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