We’re heading to Europe for Easter break on United Airlines, SWISS, and SAS thanks to a fabulous opportunity for my son and a perfect occasion to spend time with the German side of my family.
Booked! Spring Break In Europe On United, SWISS, SAS
While I like to be in LA for Holy Week, I’m trying to maximize the kid’s time off from school and so we will spend time in Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland over the next 10 days.
We’ll fly from Los Angles to London on United Airlines in economy class…yes, I’m no longer Premier 1K and without PlusPoints, the path to business class on United Airlines has narrowed. The kids simply don’t care…I mean, of course they love business class, but they’ll sleep just fine in economy class, don’t care about the food, and really don’t care about anything other than in-flight-entertainment since screen time is so limited at home.
It has been several years since I’ve reviewed United’s longhaul economy class product, so it will be good to see how it is holding up on the 10-hour 787-9 flight to London Heathrow.
From London we will continue to Zurich and then to Copenhagen, with both flights operated by SWISS. Then I booked a return flight home in SAS Business Class using miles (boring, I suppose, but hey, those two million points are coming in handy).
My son Augustine will go skiing in the Swiss Alps with my wife’s side of the family while Claire Marie and I will get some father-daughter time…though we hope to take her skiing next year and maybe, just maybe, I’ll put on skis for the very first time myself…there’s fresh snow, so it’s an ideal time to ski.
I’m going to be working each day…it’s that season of life right now…but I’ll take time for bike rides, coffee, ice cream, and long walks…the sort of thing I always do when I’m in Germany (or even Copenhagen). Claire Marie will also be doing a sports camp each day, which should keep her occupied.
The kid’s get German at home from my wife, but not enough…I see these sorts of trips as fundamental to improving their German language ability, which remains my biggest educational regret and one of my biggest regrets in life…oh to learn a language as a young child. My kids are already on the road to fluency and I want them to master German reading, writing, and speaking so they can focus on a third language in middle school and high school.
I’ll keep you updated with posts along the way…I’m looking forward to flying!
Well, at least not all the flying will be in economy.
But did you book Basic Economy on United? 🙂
Off across the pond myself with the family, enjoy the break!
Thinking about doing a family hotel in Austria next spring for the skiing… I’ve heard good things! (And many are German-language focused as well… not a consideration for us, but understandably is for you and others!).
Yes! Details to come.
Enjoy the family. Enjoy your trip together!
The kid’s what get German at home?
What?
you wrote “The kid’s get German at home from my wife,”
The kid’s what gets German at home from your wife?
I think you mean “kids”
Regardless, have a great trip – the skiing was terrible out west last week but I have heard good things about the snow in Europe. Enjoy!
German language he meant. But interesting few people did not get it.
Discipline ! , of course ! … What were you thinking of, beer & Schnitzel ? …LOL
I actually wouldn’t mind so much if the LHR flight was on a 777 and got the 4 seats in the middle section of 3-4-3. Two adults and two small kids seems plush in some ways. But, a 787 and BE? Yichs! Enjoy and safe travels.
Very good. Languages and skiing are best learned at a young age.. When the tush is still low to the ground and there is little fear.
“Languages and skiing are best learned at a young age.. When the tush is still low to the ground and there is little fear.” OK, I get languages, but why is skiing easier to learn young? 🙂
They’re very ” absorbent “” when small. With language and falls. I fear for Matthew. And I hope he will try cross country. Great exercise and very enjoyable with the family.!
Having been on SAS a lot lately….i must say they are pretty affordable compared to the competition and you can buy up to a decent service and elite status is reasonable.
Their flex fares are reasonable with full points/level earning and fully refundable!
Best deal is you can buy a blocked middle seat for only 799SEK for a longhaul segment…..especially helpful for the 359 flights! cheaper than the 300-400USD premium economy upgrades…..
Safe and pleasant travels!
Note that the LX A320neo aircraft in the article photo is 4.1 years old.
Have a wonderful and trouble-free trip with your family!
What a nice recreational & educational opportunity for the kids… I’ve heard the skiing in Europe is more reasonably priced & I’d also wager a better overall experience than in the US which is being increasingly commercialized & dominated by only a couple of corporations, of course. Besides I’m sure the actual skiing conditions will be far superior at least this year as sadly in the Sierra & Front Range it’s been a bust.
And what better way to spend one’s time in Europe than coffee, ice cream, bike rides & long walks…. Well maybe throw in some chocolate, wine, cheese & the Backerei !
“One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.” – Frank Smith –
Skiing, like almost every physical activity, is best learned when young. Almost every very highly accomplished professional athlete and Olympic/World Cup medalist started their sport when they young, often prior to 10 years of age. A 30 year old with 24-26 years of muscle memory has an advantage over another 30 year old with only 10 years of muscle memory.
Same is true for some other endeavors: music for example. For skiing in particular, the fear factor, rational and irrational, is a major impediment to adult learning, children do not have those same fears.
By the way, what do you call someone who speaks multiple languages? Multilingual.
What do you call someone who speaks 2 languages? Bilingual.
What do you call someone who speaks 1 language? American!