Budapest and presumably other airports

It's a shame that you're going out so early from BUD, and that you've got to fly through one of the other European gateway airports to get to Dulles Airport. I just remember 2 months ago how United Airlines in Frankfurt wasn't capable of getting passengers promptly boarded, and our connecting flights in Dulles had left--stranding us. The next 2 days' flights to our home town were all full (medium size jets) which meant we had to spend the night, fly to an alternative city and drive 200 mi. in a rental car.

We no longer take those 6:00 a.m. flights in Europe if at all possible. They take you to a larger airport where you'll sit around for 3-4 hours until mid day or slightly later. We try to take the 8:00-10:00 a.m. flights instead to make our connections.

Good luck on your trip home, and I hope it doesn't turn into a 40 hour odyssey like we had. U.S. airports this weekend are wild and crazy.

I still go cheap. And cheap is 6am with 3.5 hours in AMS. And yes, I dread D.C. But I am having a grand baby and have to go. Otherwise I would be home in Budapest.

Boarding was interesting for KLM. First 1,2,3 together, then 4,5,6 together. A cattle call. But because less than half the plane is sold it worked. Budapest was very dead .... I loved it. Reminded me of 15 years ago.

Of course, the American woman who stood in the aisle and complained that she had been promised a widow seat, so everyone behind her had to wait didn't help.

20 minute delay because of air traffic control (too many planes in the air)...it begins.

Oh, hit only once in face by back pack once seated. Pretty good. 737, Basic Economy, Row 11, more than 2" from my knees to seat in front and the entire 3 seat row to myself.

Of course, the American woman who stood in the aisle and complained that she had been promised a widow seat, so everyone behind her had to wait didn't help.

They could have been a little more patient considering her loss. I actually didn't know planes had them. :)

Seriously, I try to get as much done before getting to the airport. Carry on bags only, downloading boarding pass. I head straight to security.

I have an empty pocket in my personal item for pocket items, watch, money belt. These items get stuffed in there. Belt comes off easily on the line. Electronic items and toiletries that have to come out are easily removable.

Pre-planning speeds things up. I wish everyone would do it. I have a system and a few times the security person has looked at me and said "You've done this before."

But I'm always looking for ways to improve. And I wish securrity lines would be split into two lines: "People who know what they are doing" and "People who don't have a clue."

I fly out of Heathrow tomorrow and into JFK.. Should be fun.

Mister E....I forgot if you mentioned this.....but what bag are you now using for your main carry on?

Frank II this one: https://www.amazon.com/Brics-ULISSE-inch-EXPANDABLE-SPINNER/dp/B07PFLTRYB/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=2IKSX4YDLOPQ8&keywords=brics+ulisse&qid=1688456264&sprefix=brics+u%2Caps%2C390&sr=8-4. But was considerably cheaper 2 years ago.

Flight food sucked. Premium Economy got same sucky food that I did. No booze!

Flight about 15 min late.

Late last year when I went through AMS Americans could use the self serve passport control. Then in March, not. Today, yes. So, took 10 min to clear passport control. But then I get pulled out just before the exit for a spot check. Small room with luggage x-ray and body scan, which I failed. The machine showed something suspicious in a very private location and they were determined to find it. Had to unbutton the trousers. Another 5 minutes.

I just paid the same for a beer that breakfast cost at BUD.

Thanks.

But was considerably cheaper 2 years ago.

Isn't everything.

I wouldn't spend that kind of money on a bag.

Congratulations on the grandbaby on his / her way !!!

What is the new name portion of “Basic Economy L.L.”??? Have I missed something somewhere ?

I wouldn't spend that kind of money on a bag.

Unfortunately, I can't find a hardsided bag that fits US dimensions as well as many international and is lighter weight. Most are 40 cm wide (too wide for US) or weigh at least a pound more than the Brics.

And considering the amount of travel I do......I need something that has decent wheels and won't fall apart. I also like the two sided design of the Brics.

I like my current softsided bag. It's very lightweight and is easily managed. But, it does seem to bulge at times and I do little shopping if any.

This bag has held up well so far. Maybe 40 flights. At 14 x 9 x 21 it will fit almost every airline. I think Ryan is the European exception, ot might be Wizz. But I paid $134 for it and cried to be spending that much.

Few of the soft bags are legal when packed. Those outside pockets, put anything in them and you are too thick. Have trouble with thr zipper? You are too thick.

I watched someone trying to cram an overpacked, otherwise legal, bag into Lufthansa's sizer a few weeks ago.

No Booze?! That's the tipping point! At home, I don't even drink that often, but there is something about a G & T on the way to or from Europe. Last few times, I was given two cute little Bombay Sapphire bottles. I think for my next flight, I will bring some lime wedges.

Re. 6am flights, hate them. But, recently, there haven't been other options. (Warsaw and Catania)

The travel is an ordeal to be survived.

I'm in the KLM cheap seats AMS to IAD and plenty of knee room on the 777. Boarded towards the end and place is nearly sold out but plenty of overhead bin room. Premium Economy is a few rows forward. I don't see much difference and they ate the same crap food I did.

We no longer take those 6:00 a.m. flights in Europe if at all possible. They take you to a larger airport where you'll sit around for 3-4 hours until mid day or slightly later.

I am with you on this.

I have been to Budapest twice, both times on multi country itineraries. First time, Budapest was the last stop, so I had the hellish 6am flight and a very long day in the saddle. Second trip to Budapest, I positioned it in the middle of the itinerary, made my way back to London for a few days before the much easier flight schedule home.

I now end every trip to Europe either in Paris or London for a few days before catching a nonstop mid afternoon flight to DFW, leaving a very short puddle jump flight to my home airport. It is still a tough enough day, but those early start, multi leg days, particularly the ones with a connecting flight within Europe, are pure hell and I avoid them.

Mister E, you fly basic economy but you do get to select your seat? I’m a tad under 5’10” and my knees are definitely closer than 2” to back of the seat. And for 10-11 hours that and the smaller width was the reason I started to pay for premium economy level seating. But it seems the $ difference between that and main cabin is $1000+/or double the cost and I just hate to devote that much of my travel budget to the airfare. Plus I haven’t had a row to myself since 2005, what’s your secret?

Congrats on the grandchild, they are the best ❤️.

Yes, i got to selrct my seat. I dont remember if anybofvthr seats were free. Seens to ne i paid $14 to sit further forward, or that was the cheapest. Really dont remember. And a $250 rebooking fee if i had changed the flight. But maybectwice in the last 20 have i changed.

On this KLM flight, the seats are the same width in basic and the upgrade. I am 6 foot and my knees are fine in the cheap seat ... no way they will touch the seat in front.

It's an 8 hour flight. I sit on the aisle and get up and walk between booze and movies. This is a full flight, but what usually works is getting an aisle seat in a row where the opposite aisle seat is sold. The middle seat will be the last to sell and 75% of the time remains empty.

I don't enjoy these flights, but I refuse to suffer them. It's 1 day out of many good days.

When I've flown alone which is typically to Seattle or Honolulu to see my kids, I have flown basic economy. I've never had to rebook. Delta typically assigns my seat 24-48 hours in advance and its typically window as that is what is in my profile. I also at that point able to change to a different seat if available. When its just one person, its pretty likely that a person will get their seat type preference. Even likelier, if the person prefers an aisle seat. Its a decent option when there is a bid price differential.