New York under £200 return from Gatwick

terf

g_attrill wrote: »

Yes, as I said the baggage weight limit is 20kg in TOTAL, for most airlines the limit is 46kg in total. One large well loaded suitcase is usually 20kg, so weigh it if you want to avoid surcharges.

Please don't be mistaken that it's 46kg in total for most airlines - I've just come back from a 6 week trip where I flew both Singapore airlines and virgin on a few legs and they both made a massive deal since my luggage was 27kgs - Virgin mention on their website that they allow 23kgs of weight in total - Singapore is similar - I talked my way out of it but did get hassle. My uncle who works for an airline has mentioned quite a few airlines are becoming very strict with checked in luggage so they can earn extra income from excess baggage... Just to warn you.

Ruble_Stretcher

About to fly to NY with Zoom. Girlfriend has just flown there with them. Says they are fine. Only problem is that you don't get that much food (subjective) and that the check-in was crazy busy...very few desks.

I will report back with my experiences in a couple of weeks.

As previously mentioned in other posts, they are not a new airline, they are Canadian and have been going for a good few years. They have only just (June I think) launched their NY flights.

NB just discovered that the Gatwick "Express" is a complete farce. It is very handy, but sometimes takes longer than the "regular" service from Gatwick to London Bridge. The latter being about £5 cheaper too.

A case of form over substance. Worth checking at the times you plan to use them. I say this as Zoom only fly from/to Gatwick in London.

mizrudey

:T Yay, booked mine for October.... it will be my first time to New York..... ....... now i just need help with accomm. any recommendations please.... i dont have a clue....

moneywasternomore!

Zoom is indeed a Canadian airline of some years, though started by a Scot. I have a number of friends who are captains on the 767 and I rate them highly enough (well, they never scared me!!). This may or may not be operated by Zoom Canada, or perhaps by Zoom UK which is esentially the same company but with UK flight deck crew, not Canadians.

As it happens, I also got this offer from TravelZoo and am seriously contemplating it. I think my 3 year old would love NY just before Xmas with the lights etc and - hopefully - some snow. Been there 3 times - Virgin, BA and Subaru Outback!! I love it there.

Right, now to look for that discount code!

hammy_the_hammer

terf wrote: »

Please don't be mistaken that it's 46kg in total for most airlines - I've just come back from a 6 week trip where I flew both Singapore airlines and virgin on a few legs and they both made a massive deal since my luggage was 27kgs - Virgin mention on their website that they allow 23kgs of weight in total - Singapore is similar - I talked my way out of it but did get hassle. My uncle who works for an airline has mentioned quite a few airlines are becoming very strict with checked in luggage so they can earn extra income from excess baggage... Just to warn you.

the original post concerns the norm. for economy seats to north america. ie 2 bags at approx. 23kgs ...the allowance up until about 18 months ago was even more generous...effectively travelling as a couple it was pretty difficult to go overweight on a holiday to the US with BA , continental etc

EdCov

There is a stop in Bermuda.

Depart 11 arr 16:15 (I make that 10 and a quarter hours)
Return Dep 15:30 arrive 06:00 next day (I make that a 9 and a half hour flight)

Now it appears it is one flight so you do not have to worry about missing a connection or changing planes, but still it adds on some extra time and hassle.

Now what did they use to say about the Bermuda triangle???:rotfl:

But I did manage to get four for £795 so it is a good spot, but I'm not sure how much cheaper it would be that other choices that might be easier for us to get to than Gatwick and direct.

moneywasternomore!

You only go via Bermuda on a couple of days a week - out on a Monday I think. http://www.flyzoom.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=pubDsp.dspFramesForFltSched is the flight schedule to JFK

bigvince76

mizrudey wrote: »

:T Yay, booked mine for October.... it will be my first time to New York..... ....... now i just need help with accomm. any recommendations please.... i dont have a clue....

Travelling alone or as a couple? If you are on your own there are loads of hostels that are good value. If you are a couple (or want to spend a bit more on yourself) try the YMCAs (cue the music). Seriously they are the best value accommodation in NY.


I can personally recommend the Greenpoint YMCA in Brooklyn. It is spotlessly clean, in a nice clean neighbourhood right opposite a police station. They have a pool and gym and the subway station is only 5 mins walk away. Double rooms with TV and shared bathrooms (also clean) is about £30 a night, including a small breakfast at a local diner. This is VERY cheap for NY, one of the most expensive places for hotels in the world. http://www.ymcanyc.org


If you are on your own and feeling brave you could try the Glenwood Hotel, also in Brooklyn.http://www.glenwoodhotelnyc.com First off I must point out that it is a dump, but with some redeeming features. You get your own room, sort of. It is about 3 foot wide with a narrow bed and small locker. There is only a mesh ceiling as all of these 'cells' are one big room. The upside is privacy and your can lock your cell, the downside is you will meet some real New Yorkers. It is in affect one step up from a homeless shelter.


The neighbourhood is scruffy but the subway station is just outside and trains take you to Manhattan in less than 10 minutes. It is also just a few blocks away from the world famous Peter Luger's, the best steak restaurant in the world (no really).http://www.peterluger.com


It is not for everyone but it is only $18 a night. (They will try and charge tourists $30 so make sure you tell them you want the $18 rate.) Also make sure you ask for a room upstairs, the noise from the front desk can be a pain. Worth a try if you want something different and if it is all too much for you the G train five minutes walk away will take you up to Greenpoint! Personally I love it, and the amazing Mexican bakery a few doors up, Yum.


Hope this helps, I am quite an expert at slumming it in NY so if you want any more advice just ask, Have fun!

bobandsueinnewengland

We have been to New York a couple of times. We rented an apartment on West 46th. Can't get much more convenient for everything in Manhatten. It is slap bang in the middle of everything. The link is http://www.oxbridgeny.com/type_w46.html
We did it by phone and found it much much cheaper than hotel and it had loads of room. Large lounge, bedroom and kitchen area and bath. It was a real find. They also have an apartment near Carnegie Hall. He can sound a bit brusque on the phone but everything went really well and we would stay there again. Radio City Apartments are also well priced and excellent location - gets booked up very quickly though http://www.radiocityapts.com/ They can do two bed apartments and one bed, depending on the size of your party.

g_attrill

terf wrote: »

Please don't be mistaken that it's 46kg in total for most airlines - I've just come back from a 6 week trip where I flew both Singapore airlines and virgin on a few legs and they both made a massive deal since my luggage was 27kgs - Virgin mention on their website that they allow 23kgs of weight in total - Singapore is similar - I talked my way out of it but did get hassle. My uncle who works for an airline has mentioned quite a few airlines are becoming very strict with checked in luggage so they can earn extra income from excess baggage... Just to warn you.

Ah yes, it seems travelling East the allowances are much lower, I am going that way next year so I will bear that in mind! I assume the aircraft carry more cargo on those routes.