Followup - Teen Traveling Seattle to Rome

Are the 1.5-2hr layovers for the trip home as well? If I were going through Heathrow, I would want an absolute minimum of 2 hours between flights and 3 would be better. Outgoing, with the 6 available flights, it's not such a big deal, but airplanes are more and more packed these days and you don't want her missing her flight home and not able to get on the second one because it's full.

Otherwise, I think you've got it covered. I assume you know about carry-on rules, security, and the like and since she will be met by family at the airport, you won't have to worry about getting her into Rome on her own.

Janet,

Where did you find the "deplorable reviews" concerning Air Transat? I've flown with them in the past and found the service was good and would have no hesitation flying with them again. I sometimes pay for their "premium" service, which is a bit more comfortable.

I used Air Canada on my last trip to Rome (one change of planes at Toronto-Pearson), simply because the timing of the flights fit my schedule better at that time.

Cheers!

Ken, I too would like to hear more about the "deplorable" AirTransat reviews. I have flown with them to Rome, Paris, London and Mexico and have no complaints at all. So, come on, Janet, tell us all about it.

To Norma & Ken and all - I have no vested interest in any airline whatsoever. In fact, when I first learned about Air Transat from one poster I was thrilled - nonstop to Rome and a great price too! But being unfamiliar with the airline I googled it for reviews. There are reviews on Epinions.com, Airlinequality.com and Reviewcentre.com. We could overlook the tiny seats and cramped conditions, not getting seats that were reserved, and lousy food. But I cannot take a chance that the "nonstop" flight we booked becomes a stop with a long layover, or even a change of terminals, or because of overbooking my daughter gets bumped. Yes, some reviews are from 2006 - 2008 so maybe they have improved, and some reviewers, like you, had great experiences and no complaints. But I was left with a pervasive feeling that their service and booking policies and flight changes and poor communication leave too much room for error and I cannot take a chance.
Janet

Janet....all the complaints you list can be found about any airline. Making a judgement of "undependable service" from reading a bunch of on-line reviews doesn't hold up. If I was sending a 16 year child of mine alone, I'd do all I could to avoid Heathrow....even risk Air Transat.

While I wouldn't entirely discount online reviews (Altalia anyone?), I do have to agree with Norm that ALL airlines like to screw around with their schedules. When we flew NWA/KLM last year, they changed the flight home so that the flight from London departed 20 minutes BEFORE the flight from Rome was supposed to land. Needless to say, that was a headache to fix!

You aren't going to be able to control schedule changes or overbooked flights. I do think flying BA means you won't have to worry about the terminals, and if that is what makes you feel the most comfortable, then by all means that is what you should do.

Janet,

You might also have a look at Air Canada flights from Vancouver, as they have some good prices at times. However, with that route there's usually one change at Toronto-Pearson.

While I've also heard some complaints about Air Canada, I haven't personally experienced any serious problems with their service.

Good Luck!

Accusing Janet of unfairly evaluating Air Transat is misguided. Some of you may have had wonderful experiences with that airline, but Janet cited several sources for her info. It's not like she's being capricious. Just because you don't agree doesn't mean she's arrived at the wrong conclusion given the information available. It's true that anyone can cite bad experiences and others can cite good experiences about the same product or service. Perhaps what's being suggested is that all reviews are meaningless.

Even though direct flights are always preferable, what's not being considered for THIS Air Transat flight is a journey to Vancouver and two international border crossings each way instead of a hop down to SeaTac. I don't know how many of you regularly cross the US/Canada border in BC these days, but it can be a VERY long wait depending on when you cross. The money savings would need to be considerable before I'd take that route.

re the long border crossing into Canada--that's why, if it were me, I would take the train.

That being said, if Janet feels more comfortable with BA than Air Transat, I think she should certainly go with BA. I just don't want her to be fooled into thinking that BA will be any more reliable in terms of not changing the schedule around, having a delayed flight, etc.

Yes, Neil, she did cite several sources in her second post. My point was that similar complaints can be found about any airline. Ones for BA include " insanely cramped seats, dirty aircraft, bad food, inaudible PA, poor customer service", "Endless delays; unhelpful, arrogant ground staff and cabin crew from London to NY; lousy food", and "Cancelled our reservations, missed flights, lost luggage." As a reference, Air Transat's seat measurements, for example, are between 16.5 and 18 inches, and 31-33 inches in economy....BA's are 17-17.5 inches and 31-33 inches. Again, I would much rather "risk" an Air Transat direct flight than going thru Heathrow with ANY airline.

Neil & Liz,

Could you clarify the "issues" and time delays with border crossings into Canada? Are you referring to crossings by road through Blaine at the Peace Arch (especially) or via air, bus or rail? Depending on time of day and circumstances (ie: holiday weekend), there can certainly be delays at road border crossings. However, I travel by air between Canada and the U.S. on a somewhat regular basis, and haven't found there to be particularly long delays via that route. Most trips are pretty much routine.

Vancouver is only a short flight or drive from Seattle, so it wouldn't be a huge effort to get there. I have family members that often use SeaTac for flights, so it works both ways. Vancouver has one nice feature in that there's a Fairmont Hotel right at the airport so if travellers want to arrive the night before their flight departs, that makes it easy. It's a short walk from the Lobby of the Hotel to the departures area.

I most definitely agree with Norm regarding Heathrow! I much prefer Gatwick and fortunately the airlines that I normally use offer flights that use Gatwick rather than Heathrow. I've also used Manchester in the past, and that would also be preferable over Heathrow.

Cheers!

It seems we've insulted the Canadians. Someone call Obama....perhaps he can invite them and Janet to another beer summit.

Janet decided on BA. It's her choice...no matter her reasoning, it's her choice. Perhaps she doesn't like what she read, or she doesn't want to drive to Vancouve twice roundtrip....who knows...it doesn't matter.

Yet our Canadian friends are ready to complain to the U.N. because she dared say something negative about a Canadian airline. We've said negative things about Alitalia but the Italians don't get all upset. We've knocked Ryanair and not one person of Irish decent has gone bonkers.

Hi all - Thank you so much for all your helpful comments. I have in the past written a scathing letter to the president of an airline because of really bad service. And since that time, I have also experienced many flights with outstanding, on-time service from the same airline. So sometimes poor service happens, and it doesn't bother some people, while others complain about it in a public forum. I did not look for reviews of other airlines so it was unfair of me to single out just one airline. I only looked for reviews of Air Transat because I had never heard of it. One only has to check the news to find out that airlines all over the US have treated the flying public to some pretty bad service in recent years!

As it turns out, some of the family members my daughter wants to visit near Rome will be coming to the Seattle area next summer. So she can fly back with them (they always go through Heathrow on BA) and get familiar with the Heathrow terminal for her return flight solo.

Janet

Frank II,

I think some clarification is needed. I certainly wasn't insulted and I most definitely agree that it's up to Janet to choose whichever airline works best for her.

I simply wanted to point out that I've had great service from Air Transat in the past, which seems to be quite different than the reviews that Janet was reading. AFAIK, they have a good safety record, except of course for the unfortunate "Azores Glider" incident with flight 236 (Toronto to Lisbon) in 2001 (a remarkable bit of flying skill).

I was also very curious about the "delays" in coming to Canada mentioned by a few people here, as I've never found that to be a problem when travelling back and forth across the border. However, I should point out that I NEVER travel via road through the Peach Arch crossing. I live in the interior of B.C. so always travel by air. Horizon has four or five flights a day between Kelowna and SeaTac, so it's VERY convenient. I've used YVR on a few occasions too, but again it always seems very "routine".

Cheers!

For Ken -- the road crossing is what I was referring to. I don't have much first-hand experience with it, since when I go to Vancouver, I take the train. There has occasionally been a slight delay, moreso coming back down into the U.S. on the return trip. The train stopped outside of Bellingham ** (I have no idea why they waited that long) while U.S. officials boarded the train and checked everyone's papers--this is AFTER being checked before boarding the train in Vancouver in the first place??

However, since the stricter passport controls have been implemented, there have been reports of longer backups trying to cross at the Peace Arch, which is what I and Neil were referring to. I also suggested train over air because I find the trains easier to deal with than a flight that could be delayed or moved and screw up one's connecting flight.

**Edit to clarify: We stopped outside of Bellingham after stopping at the Bellingham train station to let off/pick up passengers. Struck me as odd but it was still nicer to sit on the train and read a book than sit in a traffic jam at the border.

Air Transat only started flying non stops to Rome last year. So ,, don't see how there could be any bad reviews on that service dating from 2006 ??
I have never heard of a non stop being diverted, but I suppose anything could happen.

I personally did not see this as a Canadian /American thing,( its about airlines for goodness sake) , but on this board some Americans tend to throw that issue up capriously. Some posters often bring that up in his posts ,,I have no idea why he hates Canadains so much, disagree with anything he says and its a "Canadian " thing.

Careful Frank II, your Stars and Stripes are showing! Obviously you ignore the posts we Canadians contribute that savage Air Canada. Yes, it is Janet's choice....but she WAS asking for opinions and comments...concerning the airlnes, not whether it is a Canadian/American thing. Let's not try to generate something that doesn't exist.

Use the 539/13 crossing into and out of Canada. Rarely more than a 10 minute wait.

Perhaps I should say be careful Norm, or your cumulative "Maple leaves" are showing.

One new poster said she read negative reviews of a Canadian airline, and almost immediately, four of our regular Canadian posters came to the defense of the airline. I thought it was hysterical. Never had I seen anything like it. We've knocked airlines, trains, tours, whatever, and never has a small group, from the same country, responded with such indignity. And then we went to arguments about border crossing times?

This has nothing to do with stars and stripes...in fact..I was making a joke as to how an American seems to have insulted all of Canada for saying she read negative comments about Air Transat and perhaps we needed a "beer summit" to correct it. (How is that waving stars and stripes? I was making fun of our way of doing things. Remember the Beer Summit Obama had with Prof. Gates and the cop that arrested him? )

Yes, you can make negative comments about Air Canada...but what if I did? Would you become defensive then as well?

What I've learned is simple...don't say anything negative about anything having to do with Canada...you guys are just way too sensitive.

And forget trying to make a joke. I would think a country that gave us "Corner Gas" would be able to laugh at themselves.

Frank II...once again, you misread me....not a surprise from you, I guess. I haven't questioned anyone else who's criticised Air Canada, so why would I question any legitimate complaints about the airline you might have? Instead of jumping to the airline's defense, the posters (who have all flown with Air Transat), were wondering where the criticisms were coming from.
Perhaps I could say that, based on your comments, Americans are all quick to criticise others for expressing their views.....but I try not to make such sweeping assumptions about people.

Okay, Norm....let's just look at what you wrote:

"Janet....all the complaints you list can be found about any airline. Making a judgement of "undependable service" from reading a bunch of on-line reviews doesn't hold up. If I was sending a 16 year child of mine alone, I'd do all I could to avoid Heathrow....even risk Air Transat."

That's how you request wanting to know where she read the reviews she mentioned and not seem as if you were being defensive?

Instead of insulting me, perhaps you should go back and look to see what you wrote before you defend what you didn't. Again, I was making a joke about how it seemed some of the Canadians responded...but I realized YOU just don't get it.(I'm not saying all Canadians here, just Norm.) What came out of you was, I believe, your underlying feelings about Americans. And you know what...I don't care.

And that's all I'm going to say about that...it's time to get back to arguing whether or not someone should use a moneybelt while sightseeing in Rome.

My underlying feelings of Americans!!! Frank II...once again you make wild assummptions and generalizations. I know this is not a general trait of Americans in general....so I guess that makes me anti Frank II...not anti American. I don't look at....nor do I care about....any poster's place of origin. I judge their comments based on what they say....unlike you, not where they're from.
If your comment "Yet our Canadian friends are ready to complain to the U.N. because she dared say something negative about a Canadian airline" is your attempt at a joke...well, all I can suggest is that you don't volunteer for amateur night at the local comedy club.
Since I'm sure this is getting tedious to most other posters, we can continue this via PM if you wish.

As long as I know it's just me you don't like and not Americans in general, then I'm fine with that. But I should warn you, there are people ahead of you in line.

Guys, guys!

Do you want me to go get Greg from Jupiter to get us all back on track???

Doug...threats less than that have started World Wars!!!!! :)

Air Transat is not unlike the dozens of other charter airlines that exist in the States. Good days and bad days. The few posters who responded were of course Canadian,, since the flights orignate in Canada,, but they were only commenting on THEIR experiences, not defending our countrys honor( we don't have to defend Canada,, as it is perfect and in fact superior in every way to any other country in the world) .

I personally though AirTransat was a great idea,, its direct,, no connections.I didn't think of the nationality thing at all.. of course some people love to drag nationality into everything.

Op does in fact have a great solution regardless.

Frank II -

As a Canadian - I grew up in La Vancouver - I have led many small groups for 25, no 30, no a few years - in my dear La Canada.

From The Port in La Vancouver I suggest you take the single line Grouse Mountain tram to Granville Island!

My friends Bob and Doug at www.littlegrassshackinthegreatwhitenorth.com will take care of you!

Eh!

Greg,
Vancouver, Fla.

Are those the same tours you gave where you took the bridge over to Victoria Island, had tea at Butchart Gardens and smelled the flowers at The Empress?

Time to get back to answering questions like: Can I use my curling iron in Europe. The answer I really want to give is: Irons are used in golf, brooms are used in curling.

Frank II, your transparent attempt at usurping my rightly share of Great White North-generated enmity is not appreciated. I have invested a great deal of time and effort cultivating posts that draw the ire of our Canadian friends, and my oeuvre speaks for itself.

I realize now that for Ken's benefit I should have been more specific about what I call a "border crossing" as it pertains to flights from Vancouver for passengers from the Seattle area. It does not include an airplane. As Ken points out, though he states he does not have direct experience on this topic, "there can certainly be delays at road border crossings." Yes, there certainly can. Yes indeed. And not only at the "Peach Arch," which remarkably is located in Atlanta.

Kidding.

I didn't know Air Transat was Canadian, I don't even know what Air Transat is and don't care. One entering BC by car going to YVR would be motivated to use either of the two Blaine crossings, as Lynden and Sumas, though usually less busy, are appreciably out of the way. The Blaine crossings can be, and OFTEN ARE, VERY sketchy depending on time of day, alert status, and whether or not the cars in front of you contain terrorists or contraband liquor. My point was, and is, you really have to ask yourself how much the aggravation of flying or driving to Vancouver from the Seattle area is worth.

And before the end of the year you will be able to take the light rail directly to SeaTac Airport from downtown Seattle. Or even jump on the Sounder commuter train from Everett to avoiding driving to downtown Seattle entirely.

I'm just sayin'.

Neil,

I should clarify one point from my previous post. I do have direct experience on the topic of the the border crossing at Blaine / White Rock, as I've been through there numerous times over the years, but not recently. I used to live in the Vancouver area. My last experience at that location was one which I hope to never repeat!

I suppose in my "old age" I'm getting much less tolerant of the traffic conditions in the lower mainland, and driving for one day there is one day too much! However, flying to YVR and taking a Cab to the Hotel is much more preferable.

I've used the Sumas crossing a few times on more recent trips, as it's usually not as busy (depending on time of day and whether it's a holiday weekend, of course). I also have family in the Abbotsford area, so it's a more convenient crossing point. I find the drive from Sumas to Bellingham to be quite pleasant, and I usually connect to I-5 there if I'm heading for Seattle.

I usually proof read my posts but you caught a "typo" that I missed concerning the Peace Arch. I'll correct that shortly.

One other point to mention concerning "light rail" lines, is that the new Canada Line opened in August in Vancouver, which provides a Sky Train link between YVR / Richmond and downtown Vancouver.

Cheers!

WOW, ROUGH CROWD. Have you guys finished swabbing the decks with testosterone? What was the original question anyway?

WOW, ROUGH CROWD. Have you guys finished swabbing the decks with testosterone? What was the original question anyway?

Can you wear shorts in Italy?

"Hey, John, whaddya say? Couldn't hear ya over my swabbing...come closer!" (swings purse)