Need Some Trans-Atlantic Travel Advice

**cessna152towser** · 16th December 06, 02:04 PM

Ah, so it's the UK you are coming too. So rather than going via Dublin, Amsterdam, or London, why not fly direct to Glasgow or Edinburgh, both of which have direct trans-atlantic flights. The only reason I went via Amsterdam was that there was no direct flight from Glasgow Airport when I crossed the pond twenty years ago.

**starbkjrus** · 16th December 06, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by cessna152towser

Ah, so it's the UK you are coming too. So rather than going via Dublin, Amsterdam, or London, why not fly direct to Glasgow or Edinburgh, both of which have direct trans-atlantic flights. The only reason I went via Amsterdam was that there was no direct flight from Glasgow Airport when I crossed the pond twenty years ago.

Unfortunately, no direct flights from the Washington DC area to Glasgow or Edinburgh. It's a choice of Dublin, London, Amsterdam or Paris to change planes to get to Glasgow or Edinburgh. I COULD take IcelandAir and go from DC to Boston to Reykiavik (Ok, give me a break on spelling of that one) to Amsterdam to London to Glasgow. But that's just TOO cruel.

I need to leave here on the evening of January 24th to arrive in Glasgow on the morning of the 25th. Head out for Dumfries immediately by train. Stay in Dumfries until Monday the 29th and grab a train back to Glasgow so I can catch a flight (in the really early hours) on the 30th back to the states.

Anyone have a clue where I'm going or what the occasion is?

It's been a secret up until now as I'm superstitious about such things.

Anyone want to contribute to my travel fund?? :rolleyes:

**MacWage** · 16th December 06, 10:30 PM

As for the cost factor, a lot depends on your budget and what you are willing to spend. The prices listed (unless I misread) are $500 and $1000. OR, twice as much for a higher class.
IF you are on a tight budget, then I'd say it isn't worth the difference for a 10-12 hour flight. The money would be better spent DURING the trip rather than the getting there and home.
BUT, if the budget is looser and $500 is NOT a large sum, then go for it, as it makes the overall plane trip more enjoyable.
RIGHT NOW, my own budget is tight enough that I wouldn't do it. Yet, my uncle travels a lot for work (he is a film director of photography) and has the production company fly him first class as part of his contract, wouldn't have it any other way.

**porrick** · 18th December 06, 02:02 AM

Originally Posted by starbkjrus

Anyone have a clue where I'm going or what the occasion is?

Anyone want to contribute to my travel fund?? :rolleyes:

Looking forward to meeting you and having a few wee drams at the Ferrintosh!

Interesting to follow the discussion on travel. Remember there will be an excursion to Anderson's on the Saturday...

For comparison:

a) Freelander lives in southern Norway, and pays something like $46 return flight to Glasgow.
b) I live in northern Norway, and pay $615 for a return flight to Newcastle.

Who cares that it is unfair? We are all just as broke the day before pay-day - and we are all heading for a great week-end in Dumfries!!!

**Hamish** · 18th December 06, 04:51 AM

Dee,

Also looking forward to meeting you at The Ferintosh, and I have to wish you all good luck with 'Tam' - now that IS a marathon! I am having enough trouble getting my teeth around The Address to The Haggis!!!

With belated regard to the matter of the flight: having taken return flights across the pond on four occasions now, I have made up my mind that the fifth, and any subsequent ones, will certainly be at the Premium Economy level or higher, or I will not travel at all! The first time (to Toronto from London by British Airways), I was upgraded to First Class without even asking for anything more than a window seat and, like Rex, received amazing attention with a gift of two bottles of Champagne on leaving the plane in Toronto. I was later told that I'd been upgraded because I was smartly dressed in a business suit with collar and tie!! On the return, I asked if there was any chance of an upgrade, but my request was refused as First Class was fully booked! That was eleven years ago.

Subsequent flights have been with a mixture of airlines: Air India in Economy Bulkhead seats (never again - I like the smell of curry, but not for eight hours!), Zoom Airlines in their Premium Economy seats (excellent value with additional leg-room and increased baggage allowance) and Virgin Atlantic in Economy (good accommodation and service with individual TV monitor, but the leg-room was crippling, especially when the guy in front put his seat back!!!!!!!!!!).

I stand (and sit, actually!) at just 6'0" and that last trip on Virgin Atlantic was the 11 hour hop from London to Los Angeles. When I got off the plane it felt like my knees had been crushed! That, combined with the fact that I also cannot, just cannot, sleep on 'planes has decided me that next time I will definitely opt for Premium or First (depending upon what I can afford at the time), or not go at all.

Travel safely.........