Genoa, Italy - What flight options from UK?

Just wondered if anyone had any useful suggestions for getting to Genoa, Italy? We're sailing from there on 24th December and so far, the only direct flight from the UK is from Gatwick but we live in the Midlands.

 

Would you trust a connecting flight with Air France?

 

Or are there any other good nearby Airports with transfers?:confused:

Try searching on http://matrix.itasoftware.com/ and see what works for you.

 

Unclear what you mean by "trust."

KLM have connecting flights (at Amsterdam, an easy airport for connections) from Birmingham.

Would you trust a connecting flight with Air France?

 

Thousands of people do so every day.

 

I've even been know to do that.

With Air France's reputation for strikes, and the fact it's 2 days before Christmas, I don't want to end up stranded at Charles de Gaulle airport for Christmas. I will try KLM though, thanks.

Personally I'd drive down to LGW and fly direct from there. Much less risk of missed connections, luggage going awol etc.

 

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Just wondered if anyone had any useful suggestions for getting to Genoa, Italy? We're sailing from there on 24th December and so far, the only direct flight from the UK is from Gatwick but we live in the Midlands.

Which day were you planning to fly? The non-stops from Gatwick on BA operate on 22 December and 24 December, but if you're sailing on 24 December then flying the same day might be more risk than you'd want to take, particularly at that time of the year.

 

On 23 December there's a non-stop from Stansted on Ryanair. Stansted must be easier for you to get to than Gatwick?

 

One issue with KLM via Amsterdam is that it looks like there is no non-stop from Amsterdam to Genoa on 23 December. So again you might be looking at spending two nights in Genoa pre-cruise.

Personally I'd drive down to LGW and fly direct from there. Much less risk of missed connections, luggage going awol etc.

 

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Agree. Or take National Express coach down.

 

Air France is notorious for losing luggage.

Air France is notorious for losing luggage.

 

Any data to back that up? Or did you just happen to have AF "lose" your luggage?

 

Many of the "XYZ Airline always loses your luggage" posts are a singular data point of an unhappy traveller.

Any data to back that up? Or did you just happen to have AF "lose" your luggage?

 

Many of the "XYZ Airline always loses your luggage" posts are a singular data point of an unhappy traveller.

Not personally.

However have been on several transatlantic cruises where people had connections through Paris and their luggage was delayed. You are right there were many unhappy travellers.

However have been on several transatlantic cruises where people had connections through Paris and their luggage was delayed. You are right there were many unhappy travellers.

 

In general, delayed luggage is a result of these factors:

 

1) Late check-in of bags means that they don't have enough time to go through screening and thus miss the originating flight.

 

2) Short connection, especially when combined with an inbound flight delay means that the bags physically can't get between flights in the time available.

 

3) Small aircraft have more limited cargo areas. If there are operational restraints, some baggage may be delayed for a later flight. Same if there are restrictions due to hot & heavy operations. Larger bags will be the first held so that a larger number of small can go forward.

 

4) Mislabeled baggage tags. Far less common today with computer tagging based on flight routings. Still possible when check-in is at a "bag drop" where multiple people are being processed at the same times. You just get someone else's tag on your bag.

 

5) Poor ground handling. This is often a systems issue, such as the original baggage system at new DEN or BA at LHR.

 

When a group of people all have missing luggage, look to reason #2. So I would wager that cruise group all had the same connect, there was some delay, and all the bags misconnected.