Newbie question USA to UK

"C. Nicholson" <noshohcin1 RemoveThis @verizon.net> wrote in message
news:8z3nj.1423$w66.1243@trndny06...
> Not sure if this would be the right group or not, <G> seem to be.
>
> I'm planning on traveling for the first time over to the UK. Leaving
> Michigan end of May, flying back first week in June. There is such a large
> gap in prices with Northwest Airlines running a few hundred less than
> other airlines. I read that Delta and NWA might merge at the end of the
> month. In your opinion, will air fair go up or down if the merge is
> completed. Right now I'm finding about 700.00 round trip. I can leave just
> about any airport in Michigan, but need to arrive at Gatwick or Heathrow.
>
> Thanks for help or suggestions.
>
> Cheryl
>
First of all, even if Delta and Northwest were to announce a merger, it
would take a couple of years to get through the government red tape.
Secondly, you have enough other alternatives (nonstop, one-stop, etc.) so
you'd always have choices. And $700 for a round trip between Detroit and
London seems pretty low for 4,000 plus miles. . ..
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie question USA to UK 

"Roland Perry" >

> Why only Gatwick or Heathrow? Where is your ultimate destination?
> Birmingham could be just as good an airport, or possibly Stansted (fewer
> flights but you might get a "deal" from Delta).
> --
> Roland Perry

Thanks for the input Roland. The reason for Gatwick or Heathrow is that
friends living in
Stokeinteignhead,
Newton Abbot,
Devon,
are picking us up. They were the two airports they suggested.

This will be our first trip over to that side of the big 'pond' (ocean) so
I'm looking over what options are out there and how to proceed. Northworst?
huh? Does not sound promising. I'll look into the other airports you
mentioned and see what the possibilities are.


Thanks for your quick response.
Cheryl
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie question USA to UK 

"Jeff" <> wrote in message

> Secondly, you have enough other alternatives (nonstop, one-stop, etc.) so
> you'd always have choices. And $700 for a round trip between Detroit and
> London seems pretty low for 4,000 plus miles. . ..

Funny thing about the Detroit route. They have the non-stop but it cost more
to leave out of DTW. I can save 40 to 50 dollars by flying from Grand Rapids
or even Muskegon (small town) that flies TO Detroit first, then transfer. I
will end up the same plane going to the UK but it cost more to leave out of
Detroit. Go figure?

Cheryl

Thanks on the head up on the merger stuff. I should have realized that even
after the merger completes (if it does) it will take time to settle all the
details.
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie question USA to UK 

In message <P6anj.262$Tb6.11@trndny07>, at 01:21:51 on Mon, 28 Jan 2008,
C. Nicholson <noshohcin1.DeleteThis@verizon.net> remarked:
>
>"Roland Perry" >
>
>> Why only Gatwick or Heathrow? Where is your ultimate destination?
>> Birmingham could be just as good an airport, or possibly Stansted (fewer
>> flights but you might get a "deal" from Delta).
>
>Thanks for the input Roland. The reason for Gatwick or Heathrow is that
>friends living in Stokeinteignhead, Newton Abbot, Devon, are picking us
>up. They were the two airports they suggested.

Birmingham would be just as good for them. They probably expect you to
be flying direct, although there are also a few direct flights into
Birmingham (but probably more expensive).
--
Roland Perry
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie question USA to UK 

In message <Rcanj.1691$k1.405@trndny02>, at 01:28:17 on Mon, 28 Jan
2008, C. Nicholson <noshohcin1 RemoveThis @verizon.net> remarked:
>Funny thing about the Detroit route. They have the non-stop but it cost more
>to leave out of DTW. I can save 40 to 50 dollars by flying from Grand Rapids
>or even Muskegon (small town) that flies TO Detroit first, then transfer. I
>will end up the same plane going to the UK but it cost more to leave out of
>Detroit. Go figure?

It's exactly the same at the Europe end, which is why I suggested flying
via Amsterdam into Birmingham. (In the USA you might be routed via
Memphis, rather than Detroit).
--
Roland Perry
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie question USA to UK 

"Roland Perry" <roland RemoveThis @perry.co.uk> wrote in message
news:5ie$$XycKYnHFArr@perry.co.uk...
> In message <P6anj.262$Tb6.11@trndny07>, at 01:21:51 on Mon, 28 Jan 2008,
> C. Nicholson <noshohcin1 RemoveThis @verizon.net> remarked:
>>
>>"Roland Perry" >
>>
>>> Why only Gatwick or Heathrow? Where is your ultimate destination?
>>> Birmingham could be just as good an airport, or possibly Stansted (fewer
>>> flights but you might get a "deal" from Delta).
>>
>>Thanks for the input Roland. The reason for Gatwick or Heathrow is that
>>friends living in Stokeinteignhead, Newton Abbot, Devon, are picking us
>>up. They were the two airports they suggested.
>
> Birmingham would be just as good for them. They probably expect you to be
> flying direct, although there are also a few direct flights into
> Birmingham (but probably more expensive).
> --
> Roland Perry

Bristol would be even nearer (and the airport is on the Devon side of
Bristol). You could go Continental via Newark or KLM/Northwest via
Amsterdam.

The nearest airport is probably Exeter and (without looking) you should be
able to get there via Amsterdam.
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie question USA to UK 

In message <rJ6dnTeUsqQgPgDanZ2dneKdnZydnZ2d.RemoveThis@bt.com>, at 09:43:21 on
Mon, 28 Jan 2008, Graham Harrison
<edward.obvious.harrison1.RemoveThis@btinternet.obvious.com> remarked:
>The nearest airport is probably Exeter and (without looking) you should be
>able to get there via Amsterdam.

But probably not on a through ticket from the USA, which is where the
potential saving arises.
--
Roland Perry
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie question USA to UK 

"Roland Perry" <roland.DeleteThis@perry.co.uk> wrote in message
news:CukxcZL0ianHFANl@perry.co.uk...
> In message <rJ6dnTeUsqQgPgDanZ2dneKdnZydnZ2d.DeleteThis@bt.com>, at 09:43:21 on Mon,
> 28 Jan 2008, Graham Harrison
> <edward.obvious.harrison1.DeleteThis@btinternet.obvious.com> remarked:
>>The nearest airport is probably Exeter and (without looking) you should be
>>able to get there via Amsterdam.
>
> But probably not on a through ticket from the USA, which is where the
> potential saving arises.
> --
> Roland Perry

I take it you're saying that because Amsterdam/Exeter would have to be on
Flybe and, because they are a low cost airline, they don't interline with
other airlines such as KLM and Northwest.
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie question USA to UK 

In message <3rqdnQFLN7IPQwDanZ2dnUVZ8sKlnZ2d DeleteThis @bt.com>, at 13:54:22 on
Mon, 28 Jan 2008, Graham Harrison
<edward.obvious.harrison1 DeleteThis @btinternet.obvious.com> remarked:
>I take it you're saying that because Amsterdam/Exeter would have to be on
>Flybe and, because they are a low cost airline, they don't interline with
>other airlines such as KLM and Northwest.

Yes. So you might want to fly with them if you have an urgent reason to
want to be in Exeter rather than Birmingham, but it's not going to
result in a cheaper transatlantic segment. (The OP seems to be more
price sensitive than time sensitive).
--
Roland Perry
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie question USA to UK 

On Jan 28, 10:16 pm, "C. Nicholson" <noshohc... DeleteThis @verizon.net> wrote:
> "Roland Perry" <> wrote in message
> > OP seemed to be worrying over the last $50, so my contributions have
> > reflected that.
>
> Hi Roland,, nah on the last 50.00 but yes on price matters more than time
> when the savings is 200 or more. <G> The 50 I mentioned was because it
> actually saves me not to fly direct but to have the airlines fly me into the
> airport that will end up taking me over the big ocean direct. <G> Go figure!
>
> Ok, I'm now taking yours and others advice and checking out other airports.
> That opens up a few airlines that don't seem to have Northwest's reputation.
> I would not care to get bumped only because it would be inconvenient to my
> friends. Is Northwest one that tends to bump? Or toss the luggage in the
> wrong underbelly? (a gals worst nightmare)
>
> By the way, thanks everyone for the input, I"m learning a great deal from
> all the suggestions and advice. I found vayama helpful along with kayak for
> searching different airlines and routes. I"m now wondering how much longer I
> dare wait to book. I'm assuming prices go up closer to the dates but I also
> see that most sales are ending in June with travel by April, so perhaps they
> will realease some new dates. Any thoughts on that? As my dates are leaving
> Michigan around May 23 or 24th with return from the UK on or near June 3rd-
> 4th. I picked those dates as it appears High season starts the following
> weeks. But I am flexible. (but can't leave before May 21st)
>
> Cheryl
> ps...

Some thoughts:

Seven hundred dollars is a pretty good price. If you wait, it is more
likely that prices will go up than that an even better bargain will
appear;

I live in Exeter, near to Newton Abbot. Heathrow is a long way from
here; Gatwick is even further. See if you can get a single ticket
(probably involving a change of 'planes in New York) that will take
you to Bristol. Or, remember that NorthWest are linked to KLM
(Holland), which is generally a better airline. You could try to
cross the Atlantic on a flight operated by KLM, change 'planes in
Amsterdam, and from there KLM flies to a number of airports in
different parts of England. Unless they service Plymouth, Bristol is
still your best bet, but check out Cardiff and Southampton as well.
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie question USA to UK 

"Roland Perry" <roland DeleteThis @perry.co.uk> wrote in message
news:RSR1DIojFenHFAt6@perry.co.uk...
>>
> Yes. So you might want to fly with them if you have an urgent reason to
> want to be in Exeter rather than Birmingham, but it's not going to result
> in a cheaper transatlantic segment. (The OP seems to be more price
> sensitive than time sensitive).
> --
> Roland Perry
>

The other thing that you might care to factor in is that any routing which
involves changining airplanes is one more opportunity for something to go
wrong (miss the connection or whatever). If the prices are similar that
would push me in the direction of a direct flight.
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie question USA to UK 

In message <606p43F1ok5mdU1 RemoveThis @mid.individual.net>, at 19:35:32 on Mon, 28
Jan 2008, Michael <nospan RemoveThis @nospam.com> remarked:
>The other thing that you might care to factor in is that any routing which
>involves changining airplanes is one more opportunity for something to go
>wrong (miss the connection or whatever).

Agreed. How much that matters depends on your time budget. It's not
unusual these days for the cheaper transatlantic flights to be very full
and people to be bumped a day when things get messed up.

>If the prices are similar that would push me in the direction of a
>direct flight.

Yes, check the cost saving and see if it's worth the extra bother. The
OP seemed to be worrying over the last $50, so my contributions have
reflected that.
--
Roland Perry
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie question USA to UK 

"Roland Perry" <> wrote in message

> OP seemed to be worrying over the last $50, so my contributions have
> reflected that.

Hi Roland,, nah on the last 50.00 but yes on price matters more than time
when the savings is 200 or more. <G> The 50 I mentioned was because it
actually saves me not to fly direct but to have the airlines fly me into the
airport that will end up taking me over the big ocean direct. <G> Go figure!

Ok, I'm now taking yours and others advice and checking out other airports.
That opens up a few airlines that don't seem to have Northwest's reputation.
I would not care to get bumped only because it would be inconvenient to my
friends. Is Northwest one that tends to bump? Or toss the luggage in the
wrong underbelly? (a gals worst nightmare)

By the way, thanks everyone for the input, I"m learning a great deal from
all the suggestions and advice. I found vayama helpful along with kayak for
searching different airlines and routes. I"m now wondering how much longer I
dare wait to book. I'm assuming prices go up closer to the dates but I also
see that most sales are ending in June with travel by April, so perhaps they
will realease some new dates. Any thoughts on that? As my dates are leaving
Michigan around May 23 or 24th with return from the UK on or near June 3rd-
4th. I picked those dates as it appears High season starts the following
weeks. But I am flexible. (but can't leave before May 21st)

Cheryl
ps...
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie question USA to UK