Air France and KLM to merge.

[Richard]

Here's the link to the article. (NY Times - you may need to register to read it.)

The gist of the article is that Air France and KLM are merging with Air France being the dominant partner by far.  (I believe that Air France will own 85% of the combined company.)

I hope that this does not have a negative impact on the NW / KLM connections through Amsterdam.)  I have found them the most convenient connections into Kiev: not overnights required whereas the Air France / Delta connection requires an overnight stay in Paris. (I've been told that there are a convenient Delta / Ukraine International connection through Paris on the way in and Frankfurt on the way out, but niether myself or my travel agent have been able to find it.)

[John K]

... in response to Air France and KLM to merge., posted by Richard on Sep 30, 2003

I have booked flights on Lufthansa and LOT (Polish airline) that do not require overnight stays.  LOT flies through Warsaw, which is a small (12 gates?) airport.  Also, AeroSvit has a flight nonstop from LaGuardia(?) to Kiev...

[Richard]

... in response to A couple of alternatives, posted by John K on Oct 6, 2003

I have gotten good price quotes on Lot only to find the connections unworkable: 45 minutes in Warsaw.  On my last trip to Kiev the 1.5 hours in Amsterdam was barely enough time as the plane from Kiev was late.

[WmGo]

... in response to Air France and KLM to merge., posted by Richard on Sep 30, 2003

The scuttlebutt is that Alitalia will also merge
with the new Air France-KLM as soon as the Italian
govt. divests its majority interests.

Yes, it is all one big world wide global merger

Hopefully I can get
in on some East-West
merging while the
gettin's still good

[cherokee]

... in response to Air France and KLM to merge., posted by Richard on Sep 30, 2003

I agree, but i doubt they'll change their flights at least I hope not.

[Richard]

... in response to Re: Air France and KLM to merge., posted by cherokee on Sep 30, 2003

THere are two roundtrips each day between Amsterdam and Kiev.  One is Ukraine Interanational - leave Kiev at 7:00 and return 10 am the other KLM - leave Amsterdam 11:00 return mid afternoon.  KLM Codeshares on teh Ukraine International flight.  If Air France wants to bolter it's share of the flights, this is a good place to cut.

Those flights work well leaving from MIami - a two hour plus or minus wait going and an hour and a half returning.