Where can I find information on hotels recommended by airline crews?

August 20, 2008 1:13 PM

Where can I find information on hotels recommended by airline crews? We're looking for info on things like shuttles, breakfast options, location relative to terminal, and price.

We are flying into and out of New Orleans and need a hotel for the night before our (very early AM) outgoing flight. Previous trips where we've done this, I've just looked at location, but I figure airline crews might have recommendations for which hotels are best for making early morning flights easy! We're looking for info on things like shuttles, breakfast options, location relative to terminal, and price.

posted by ladynicole7 to travel & transportation (5 comments total)

In my experience, airline crews do not like discussing where they are staying as it is seen as a security risk. They also do not necessarily pick the hotel themselves.

You might try the U.S. South forum on FlyerTalk, for the views of frequent travelers instead.
posted by grouse at 1:26 PM on August 20, 2008

Since the flight crew don't pay (it is billed to the airline directly, the crew don't see the rate on their folio) it wouldn't help. They don't really have a choice in the matter. In additional to "national security" interests grouse speaks of, the hotels and the airlines may consider the pricing information proprietary. If United found out the Marriott charge Delta only $43 a night and they were paying more, United would want the better rate.

Also, many hotels will run shuttles especially for the flight crews. Same goes for breakfast. They might not start serving breakfast until 6am but the hotel has a contract with the airline to serve the crewmembers at 5am.

Although proximity to the airport is important, but who offers the best price is more important to the selecting airline. The bean counter at the home office isn't going to care much if the crew has to spend a few more minutes on the smelly airport shuttle.
posted by birdherder at 1:55 PM on August 20, 2008

I'm not a pilot, but...what birdherder said. I work for the feds and travel some on business. We usually stay at a hotel in Columbus that is vey close to the airport. Airline crews are always checking in when we are. I happened to see the rate (upside down on a clipboard) and it was way better than the DoD rate. I don't think they have any choice in where they stay, it's the money.
posted by fixedgear at 2:56 PM on August 20, 2008

I always thought, but don't know for a fact, that the airlines just always had reserved blocks of floors in nearby low mid hotels for both their over night crew and for when they get stuck putting up passengers for the night.

Half our flight missed a connecting flight, so they put us up in what would be like a two star hotel very near the airport.

I think your original plan of location is sound and anything too close to the airport is not inteneded to be anything more than functional.
posted by monkeydluffy at 4:39 PM on August 20, 2008

The pilots and crew of SAS airlines have a travel guide. Probably doesn't cover NO, but might be of interest to others that find this topic later.

http://www.crewguide.net/
posted by Iteki at 9:05 AM on August 21, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]