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View Full Version : Emergency SFO->AMS->SFO flight


BayAreaLondoner
25th Mar 2001, 03:53
I apologise in advance if this is no an appropriate forum for this post. I have also posted it in SLF.

Here's the situation - bit of a complicated one:
I need to get to the Netherlands from San Francisco probably at the end of next week or early the following week in order to accompany someone who is sick back to the US. The sickness involved is not physical and involves severe anxiety/panic attacks.

She has a business class ticket booked on KLM, which should be transferrable to another airline.

I don't really care too much about how I get out there (though ideally a direct flight would be good, since I plan to turnaround immediately). However, for the return portion I do need to be seated next to her for, hopefully, obvious reasons. Given her condition, I do not want her sitting in economy, and a direct non-stop flight is preferred for that segment.

Perhaps this sounds cheap, but does anyone have any thoughts as to how I can get out there and fly back with her in business class without having to pay for a full business class fare? At this late date, even economy round trip is turning out to be $2300 on KLM.

If necessary, I will pay whatever I need to, so if I have to do full fare I'll do it but I'm ever hopeful of another solution.
I've already tried the frequent flyer miles route and that doesn't seem to offer any options. I was wondering about "jumpseat rides" to get myself over there, but not sure how that works. I have no connection with an airline, so I'm pretty sure that rules out US carriers (somehow I don't think my US student pilot certificate would cut it...) I'm not sure whether non-US carriers are less restrictive than US ones in that regard.

I know that the most obvious solution is that she doesn't travel until she's better, but she wants to come home and we also don't know when she will get better.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

David.
[email protected]

MinimumRest
25th Mar 2001, 12:41
You can try www.cheapflights.com (http://www.cheapflights.com) or www.netjets.com (http://www.netjets.com)

Type in discount+airfares at Yahoo and you may get some other sites up, they are usually quite heavily discounted near to departure.

Good Luck, hope this helps.

static
25th Mar 2001, 13:13
It`s simple:
You want to fly AMS-SFO in C-class.
You pay the fare.
There really is no other way. Nor should there be in my opinion. You couldn`t imagine how many people think they have a "special" situation on hand. (no offence intended)
The companies have to be able to make some money and the c-class tickets are the biggest fishes.
Good luck, though.
If she flies KLM, it might be interesting to know that KLM has a programm for pax with fear of flying. You`re travel agent might be able to give you more info.

Deep Cover Gecko
25th Mar 2001, 17:08
A couple of websites that I have used for flights are www.expedia.com (http://www.expedia.com) and www.travelocity.co.uk (http://www.travelocity.co.uk.)
Good luck!

[This message has been edited by Deep Cover Gecko (edited 25 March 2001).]

BayAreaLondoner
25th Mar 2001, 21:14
Appreciate the info, especially the fear of flying one.
Thanks!