Transatlantic - best flight?
Mar 17th, 2004, 02:20 PM
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Transatlantic - best flight?
Realize this is a personal call but appreciate everyone giving advice. Two "mature" people from Arizona to London - hs to be coach and prefer it not be BA (based on comments in this forum!).. Is American still the way to go? Saw AA's post about AA to France.. we definitely qualify but don't want to go to France to get to London!! Wonder if they are doing something equally grand for the folks who helped the RAF and British? Travelling August 23. Thank you.
Mar 17th, 2004, 03:37 PM
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The airline that gets you there in one piece is the best.
In spite of ALL you will read on message boards, the differences are minimal and depend a LOT on your crew of the day. Personally the "##itch" that I had as an AA flight attendant pretty much turned me off for life, but... you pay your money and you take your chances.
In spite of ALL you will read on message boards, the differences are minimal and depend a LOT on your crew of the day. Personally the "##itch" that I had as an AA flight attendant pretty much turned me off for life, but... you pay your money and you take your chances.
Mar 17th, 2004, 04:21 PM
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There's hardly any "service" to speak of in coach of most U.S. Airlines, and therefore I won't even mention that. So is the "meal service", whatever that is... 
On time and stuff like that depends on your luck and weather - out of your control.
Which leaves the seat and the entertainment, which can differentiate one airline from the next. AA's planes have more legroom in all coach, as does United's "Economy Plus" in the front cabin for its elite members. Most U.S. airlines' 777s and A330s have personal video screens in coach while their 747s and 767s dont'. [Except Continental, which does have it on their 767s.]
Finally, some flights go to Gatwick and some Heathrow. Depending on where in London you're going and how, you may have a preference.
On time and stuff like that depends on your luck and weather - out of your control.
Which leaves the seat and the entertainment, which can differentiate one airline from the next. AA's planes have more legroom in all coach, as does United's "Economy Plus" in the front cabin for its elite members. Most U.S. airlines' 777s and A330s have personal video screens in coach while their 747s and 767s dont'. [Except Continental, which does have it on their 767s.]
Finally, some flights go to Gatwick and some Heathrow. Depending on where in London you're going and how, you may have a preference.
Mar 17th, 2004, 05:13 PM
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I believe the OP was asking about the "special" offer for WWII veterans that AA announced few days ago and I posted here:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...AFrequentFlyer
Antway, to answer the OPs question, the deal is only good for France.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...AFrequentFlyer
Antway, to answer the OPs question, the deal is only good for France.
Mar 17th, 2004, 09:59 PM
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Thank you one and all.. AA, the comment about the special for France was a side issue - what's OP?? Old person..? The point about FA's is well made.. we have had fantastic crews on some flights who made up for a lot of not so good points.. and so so crews on otherwise great flights. I think we will go with AA because their schedule is very convenient for us. Thanks for your comments.
Mar 18th, 2004, 02:55 PM
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Presumably, what you are asking is which is the best airline rather than which is the best flight. However, if I were traveling from Arizona to London, I seriously consider using Boston as the gateway city for two reasons: 1. less congestion than NYC area airports and 2. the flight is actually shorter. As a side benefit, I happen to love the approach coming back from Europe into Logan that follows the coast down from Nova Scotia.
Just a thought.
Just a thought.
Mar 19th, 2004, 02:48 AM
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That "more room in coach" is little more than a marketing ploy and American gives their biggie frequent flyers first preference in getting those seats.
Personally, I'd try to route myself on Virgin Atlantic since they have the absolute BEST entertainment system of ANY airline IMO...especially good if you have trouble sleeping...makes the time go by much, much faster...OR you can try to get those 2 extra inches on American and that's about all you'll get.
Personally, I'd try to route myself on Virgin Atlantic since they have the absolute BEST entertainment system of ANY airline IMO...especially good if you have trouble sleeping...makes the time go by much, much faster...OR you can try to get those 2 extra inches on American and that's about all you'll get.
Mar 19th, 2004, 08:04 AM
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I'll take schedule over legroom over entertainment, but that's just me.
Anyways, JonJon, AA's MRTC is throughout the whole cabin on all flights except 757 and A300. Even the last row in coach. It's different from UA's "Economy +" which is only part of the cabin on their planes.
Anyways, JonJon, AA's MRTC is throughout the whole cabin on all flights except 757 and A300. Even the last row in coach. It's different from UA's "Economy +" which is only part of the cabin on their planes.
Mar 19th, 2004, 10:39 AM
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Virgin has 4 different entertainment systems on board their aircraft only one of which (V
ort) has on demand video. If you fly on a route where they operate A340-600's exclusively, then you'll find the Vort system on board. On other routes like LAX-LHR, it's the luck of the draw which entertainment system you end up getting. I personally would base my selection on comfort/legroom over all else.
ort) has on demand video. If you fly on a route where they operate A340-600's exclusively, then you'll find the Vort system on board. On other routes like LAX-LHR, it's the luck of the draw which entertainment system you end up getting. I personally would base my selection on comfort/legroom over all else.
Mar 19th, 2004, 12:06 PM
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Well, I vote for US Airways. They fly A330's to London Gatwick, and those planes are pretty nice. All seats have the on-demand entertainment system, where you can watch movies or listen to all sorts of music at will. Also, they're seat pitch in economy is pretty good throughout the plane.
Mar 19th, 2004, 12:48 PM
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Thank you. We had considered Boston as the gate but the "conventional" wisdom i.e. all the info I can put hands on, routes us through Chicago, Dallas/FW, etc. nothing through Boston. I even looked at Am.West (who I think just started a direct flight there) but couldn't get a connection! Pretty much given up on in-flight entertainment and take my own books, crosswords, etc. Along with sandwiches for domestic!! I'm sitting here laughing at myself.. in my youth I'd throw stuff in a bag and go.. didn't matter where.. and now I have to make lists for everything!! Ah well, as long as we can still travel..
Mar 19th, 2004, 07:44 PM
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The More Room Throughout Coach is true on all trans-Atlantic flights, despite JonJon's lack of knowledge to the contrary.
I've flown AA and flown others and AA has more room in regular coach in your average seat. It has nothing to do with booking "special" seats. American Airline's in-flight service, etc is pretty lacking. But their coach seats definitely have more room than Continental, United, BA, Aer Lingus and at least a few others (trans-Pacific airlines I'm familiar with, so not applicable here).
Mar 20th, 2004, 09:01 AM
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Have to agree with Clifton. Leg room is better, service is worse. If I fly ecomomy, I go AA for leg room. If I am on a business class ticket I usually go for service and select an alternate carrier.
Mar 21st, 2004, 12:14 PM
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I don't fly AA, but within the past few months I have read that they are discontinuing the MRTC (More Room Throughout Coach) plan, and are reconfiguring a large number of their planes to LRTC. So if you are looking for more room in coach on AA, you would have to know the specific plane you will be flying, and whether it has been reconfigured. The Flyertalk forums has a lot of information on this.
Mar 21st, 2004, 02:45 PM
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It's pretty simple with AA's MRTC. Not available on 757 and A300. Available on any other mainline jets. When you go to aa.com to search for a flight, the ones will MRTC will also say "More Room" or something like that.
I believe all the 757 and A300 have been converted, and I haven't heard of any plan to convert any of the other planes. The reason behind A300 is quite simple - they are mainly used on the low-margin Caribbean flights that ferry vacationers. [Same reason why Continental configures its new 767-400 to Hawaii with very few first class seats.] I did wish AA hadn't converted its 757, though, as it's still being used on a lot of longer flights within the US.
I believe all the 757 and A300 have been converted, and I haven't heard of any plan to convert any of the other planes. The reason behind A300 is quite simple - they are mainly used on the low-margin Caribbean flights that ferry vacationers. [Same reason why Continental configures its new 767-400 to Hawaii with very few first class seats.] I did wish AA hadn't converted its 757, though, as it's still being used on a lot of longer flights within the US.
