To those about to fly to R/U/B

[Casper&Diana 0]

The airlines seem to be like pretty much everything else in the country. As long as nothing unexpected happens, and as long as everything and everybody is running on time, the system works. But introduce one tiny little variable and not only does the whole thing fall apart, but nobody seems to know how to fix it, or really care about fixing it. And it doesn't matter who you talk with, nobody is empowered to do anything to help you. For some of the world's busiest airports, they sure don't seem very eager to make it worth your business.

Hm, sounds a bit like Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged!"

[slim 1,533]

She definately understands the difference between service there and service here. Needless to say, our new nickname for the airline is Aero$hit!

My wife didn't like the way things worked when she first got here. Now, she's come to expect things to be taken care of for her. "I pay money, they must make service." Can't wait til she tries that in Russia!

it may trigger an even bigger volcano located nearby that dwarfs this one.

Last time the bigger one went off (1783?) it caused global famine and the temperature actually dropped something like 2 degrees. I'm sure it'll happen this time because of global warming.

For some of the world's busiest airports, they sure don't seem very eager to make it worth your business.

Why should they? It's not like you're going to route through Dubai to get there.

[visaveteran 0]

I've been to Russia 5 times and never had any travel problems except one time. On my last trip, on the return leg, the local puddle-jumper plane that was to take me from Siberia to Moscow had mechanical problems. At first, as we passengers sat in the plane, they tried to repair the plane but after several hours we had to get off. At first I freaked out because nobody at he local Siberian airport spoke English; I knew I would miss my flight out of Moscow; and my wife had already gone home which was 45 minutes away. Fortunately for me, I found myself near an Englishman who had a cell phone. I borrowed the phone and called my wife and she returned to the airport.

After she spoke with airport staff, she told me what the deal was. I'd be on the next flight to Moscow in about 4 hours. Then I had to go to the Aeroflot customer service desk at SVO and they'd help me get home. Of course, I was very nervous an skeptical about how this change of plans would work out, especially in Russia. But to my great surprise, everything worked out quite well. When I got to SVO, I found the Aeroflot desk and a very nice woman, who spoke excellent English, took care of my problems. She gave me a voucher to stay at a nice nearby hotel and two food coupons to allow me to eat a free dinner and breakfast. And I got booked on an Aeroflot flight leaving the next day to get me to Heathrow Airport where I'd have to get British Airways to get me the rest of the way home to the USA.

The hotel was very nice. The food good. And I got to ride from and back to the airport free on Aeroflot's terminal bus. My big remaining worry was my luggage. Would it be waiting at Heathrow or did it go on to the USA? When I got to England, I had to go through customs/passport control to get to the British Airways ticket desk and luggage claim. I have to say, the British know how to do things right and in an orderly fashion. The custom passport control went quickly...no mob scene. And, to my utter amazement, when I got to the baggage claim area, there neatly organized and easy to see was my luggage! I was elated. And British Airways got me out quickly and gave me an upgrade to business class for my trouble. Jolly good show!

So, not all travel mishaps going to and from Russia are nightmares. I'm living proof.

Edited May 11, 2010 by visaveteran

[slim 1,533]

When I flew to Moscow we got delayed at JFK for a few hours. We had to sit there at the tail end of a very long line until Aeroflot finally started herding us through the gates. My buddy and I knew there were far too many people in line and as we approached the gate a nice young lady came, told us coach was overbooked, grabbed our tickets, then escorted us to our seats in business class. Upgrade!

Of course they lost our luggage though.

[Rwlaird 18]

In addition to delays because of the volcanic ash cloud are other people seeing ridiculous prices on flights? I'm trying to schedule a trip to Ukraine and just started looking at flights and they are the highest I have ever seen!!

[Brad and Vika 129]

In addition to delays because of the volcanic ash cloud are other people seeing ridiculous prices on flights? I'm trying to schedule a trip to Ukraine and just started looking at flights and they are the highest I have ever seen!!

I just checked on expedia. Vika's ticket in September would be about $150 more than when we bought it three months ago. Seems pretty typical to me. When are you going?

[sanuginz 0]

I leave in 12 days through Orlando - JFK - SVO airport transfer to Minsk. I'm not happy about the double visa situation and now I checked we only have 3 hours 10 minute in Moscow. Is this long enough?

[payxibka 10,048]

In addition to delays because of the volcanic ash cloud are other people seeing ridiculous prices on flights? I'm trying to schedule a trip to Ukraine and just started looking at flights and they are the highest I have ever seen!!

Is exactly why I booked summer travel back in November

[Brad and Vika 129]

Is exactly why I booked summer travel back in November

We typically do that too, six or eight months out. I have found that tickets to Europe really rocket up in the summertime. WHen tourist season starts, the market can really drive the price into the stratosphere.

[payxibka 10,048]

We typically do that too, six or eight months out. I have found that tickets to Europe really rocket up in the summertime. WHen tourist season starts, the market can really drive the price into the stratosphere.

Even back in November:

MSP-ODS for May departure and August return was $1050

MSP-ODS for August departure and return two weeks later was $1500

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

We typically do that too, six or eight months out. I have found that tickets to Europe really rocket up in the summertime. WHen tourist season starts, the market can really drive the price into the stratosphere.

Yes, if you can it is a good idea. We bought Alla's tickets months ago...Burlington to Donetsk for under $1000. I bought mine and the boys tickets yesterday, JFK - KPB only, just under $900 each. The same ticket Alla has is now $1500 + We will ride the train for the rest of the trip and drive to JFK. Driving to JFK for us is a losing proposition if only one person is traveling, JetBlue will fly you there for less than gas and tolls (NY tolls!!!!!! ) and parking. But if two or more share the ride it is cheaper to drive. I have a friend in Queens that lets me park in his backyard.

She is leaving tomorrow and I can give you the latest "ash update" after that.

[sanuginz 0]

Assuming you're flying through SVO, my experience is that it wasn't enough time. But if customs isn't overloaded, the baggage system isn't broken, traffic isn't snarled, and about a thousand other factors align in your favor, you should be alright.

Well after some research we found out that there are taxi's that will take us between terminal 1 and terminal 2 if you need to get there faster. The free bus bus schedule is only once per hour. The taxi charges $60 but you may be able to negotiate down to $20. And you will need to carry luggage all the way between so we will be dropping from 4 checked bags to 3. We alerted the party picking us up in Minsk we may miss the flight. And my wife will sleep overnight at the airport while I stay up and "keep watch" if we miss the flight.

Will getting a taxi improve chances of making the flight?

Edited May 14, 2010 by sanuginz

[payxibka 10,048]

Sure. But it's just one factor. If immigration is held up for 2 hours, you're going to have a tough time of it even if you have a taxi. Traffic between the two terminals can be absolutely insane. It's not unusual for it to take an hour to make what would otherwise be a 15 minute drive. I always managed to get the only honest taxi driver in the city who won't drive on the shoulders.

If you do find yourself held up in customs, try this: go to the front of the line and start asking people if you can give them $20 to cut in front of them. Somebody will take it. Others will throw an absolute sh!t fit, but there's not going to be anything they can do. Your wife will be handy in the "stfu" department.

From there you just need to get through customs, and then on the other side of the glass wall you'll be mobbed by taxi drivers wanting your business. You're not going to negotiate a taxi down to $20 at SVO, even if you have your Russian wife with you. $40 maybe. Plan on $60. Don't wait around for the shuttle even if you are faced with an abundance of time. The shuttles often break down, and you're screwed if it does.

Does Moscow offer VIP service?

[sanuginz 0]

Sure. But it's just one factor. If immigration is held up for 2 hours, you're going to have a tough time of it even if you have a taxi. Traffic between the two terminals can be absolutely insane. It's not unusual for it to take an hour to make what would otherwise be a 15 minute drive. I always managed to get the only honest taxi driver in the city who won't drive on the shoulders.

If you do find yourself held up in customs, try this: go to the front of the line and start asking people if you can give them $20 to cut in front of them. Somebody will take it. Others will throw an absolute sh!t fit, but there's not going to be anything they can do. Your wife will be handy in the "stfu" department.

Thanks for the tip. We'll have to try that cut in line for $20 bribe then StFU trick. LOL

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

OK...latest update.

Alla's flight out was delayed from 7pm until midnight before it left. They DID tell her early enough that she got to enjoy a day in NYC. The plane was late arriving at JFK so she did not get stuck waiting in the airplane. Due to volcanic ash, the flight was delayed leaving Kiev to NYC.

Alla was re-booked on the late flight to Donetsk tomorrow night for no additional fee. seems that way anyway. She did get a seat assignment and boarding pass for the next leg of the trip on the late flight to Donetsk. I think the difference is that she is flying Aerosvit all the way. she is not taking the Delta flight to Kiev. The Aerosvit plane to NYC was delayed and the reason she was late leaving is bercause Aerosvit did not have a plane there.

At any rate, we will see what happens tomorrow, she is in the air now.