[RBSVARCHER]

Has anyone had trip #1 or trip #2 that can give some sound advice on which airline to choose? We are adopting from Russia and understand that our agency has a travel department -
but has anyone found "cheaper fares" at a travel agency or on a .com website?

I am wondering what airline to choose and really wish to avoid the overnight stay in Amsterdam.

Any first hand advise will be greatly appreciated!

Susan
Bham AL

[ncdoppler]

I'm not sure where you live but depending on of course when you travel. W

[ncdoppler]

Sorry i don't know what happened!! Anyways! From North Dakota to Chicago, we can take Luthfansa (spelling) airlines straight to Franfurt and then into Moscow for a decient price. In the winter about $600 on up. I 've heard from our family friend who is married to a St. Peterburg native that Luthfansa airlines is the best airline as far as class!!!

Nichole

[Military Momma]

We used the internet to find our fares. It's your choice....remember that! Just because the agency has a travel agency doesn't mean you have to go with them. (they do get "kickbacks" for your business) Do what is right for you and your budget.

We traveled Areoflot on the first trip and that was alright. we slept the whole way there comfortably. We flew Swiss air and wouldn't do it again. The seats were way too small. Thank god we booked a seat for Will so we had a little room to move in otherwise we really, really would have been cramped. We are not very skinny adults but with that third seat...we were o.k. not comfortable but o.k.

As far as looking for prices....use qixo.com, travelocity.com, or cheaptickets.com. I usually get a quote from them then go to the airline's website directly. (saves the 20-30 dollar booking fees if you go to the airline directly. Hey....every little bit helps!

Hope this helps,
Lisa

[lynda1]

my husband and i went on our first visit 4 weeks ago and used klm (northwest) they were excellent. we had a 2 hour layover in amerstdame. we are hoping to go back soon, but with what is going on over there we're not sure and we would use klm again.
good luck

[Dobby]

We flew Delta; we connected into JFK, and then JFK has an overnight flight direct to Moscow on Delta. It was a blessing on the way home, we didn't have to layover anywhere.

[Maybesomeday]

Hagen travel is no longer according to the Yahoo boards. They have retired and I am not sure if anyone will be taking their place.

[bratgirl]

We just used Hagen this past weekend to book our flights for trip #2. He still beat the prices we could get anywhere on the internet or directly with the airline.

We flew Lufthansa for trip#1 and it was incredible! We are flying them again for trip#2. We were given at least 10 drinks, a full meal and a smaller meal, and a snack also. We had two movies, also. All liquor, as well as pop, water and juice were complimentary. So were the headsets (unlike American domestic flights) We flew economy and it was just fine. (With the adoption of 2 kids - the price of business was just more than we want to pay right now) Just make sure you get an aisle seat for one of you - so you can get up when you want to stretch your legs. They definately gave business class service in the economy class on both the transatlantic and the flight from Frankfurt to Moscow. I would recommend flying them to anyone!

[kfin66]

We used Hagen also, last year. Norm was able to beat any prices that I had found, so we used him for both trips. We flew Delta the first time and were very happy. We flew Aeroflot the second trip and wished we didn't. I definitely would have paid extra for Delta.

[EJsDad]

We also used Hagen for our adoption in 2001 and Norm was courteous and gave us the best deal on a Delta flight LAX-JFK-SVO at the time. We first researched flight information on the common travel sites, to make sure the price was in line, and he beat them. We did not require any change of dates, so we don't know about that.

This time around (using a different agency) we used our local AAA travel agency and she got us the BEST rates on Lufthansa LAX-FRA-SVO that were better than any place on line or through a few of the Russian travel sites online. We're planning on using her again.

I think it really depends on timing as well. I would do some initial research on your own, to get an idea of which airlines and schedules you would be interested in, then contact the airlines to inquire about adoption rates, then call a few travel agencies to see if they can accommodate you!

Hagen Travel works (worked?) very close with EAC and whether or not they have a "deal" with them wasn't our concern. We liked the fact they would have a direct contact with EAC in the States and in Russia and if any changes or problems occurred, they would work with the agency to solve the problem.

[Kimmie010376]

from Trip 2 about 5 weeks ago. We flew Air France for trip 1 and were very pleased except for the layover in Paris. We were there right after the terminal collapse. For trip 2 we flew from Cincinnati to JFK to SVO. I would highly recommend the direct flight if possible. The flight attendants were very accomodating on the Delta flight. We had bulkhead seats which worked out very well with bringing our son home.

Just my experience. Good Luck!

[MellieGrace]

I just talked to Norm Hagen 2 days ago to schedule our 2nd trip, so I'm pretty sure he's still around. He's always courteous and has gotten the best deals for us.

[Maybesomeday]

From: "hagentravel" <hagentravel@y...>
Date: Tue Aug 31, 2004 5:12 pm
Subject: Saying Goodbye!



Hi Everyone!

Well after all these years Norm & I have decided to pack it in and
go back to the easy life of retirement that we had before.

I can't tell you what a pleasure it has been to work with all of you
and we will truly miss talking to you and hearing all of your
stories.

If you ever have any questions or there's anything we can help or
advise you on, please feel free to contact us at hagentravel@a...
or hagentravel@y....

All the best to all of you,
Norm & Diane

[Phallyes]

We flew Delta trip 1 and Luftansa trip 2.
Delta was from NY to Moscow. Luftansa was from Washington to Frankfort to Moscow. I recommend Luftansa, they were wonderful. More beverages and food and I believe more comfortable. Delta was nice, but ten hours was just too long for such little leg room.

Phyllis

[MellieGrace]

I'm very happy for the Hagen's. They have been very nice. I guess they're just finishing up the travel w/people already in the works.
How is Aeroflot? Coach seats? Food? Movies? We used Lufthansa on our 1st trip & it was good. I'm not sure any coach flight is considered great after 8hrs.