What international carriers best for flying in economy U.S./Europe
Mar 26th, 2014, 07:40 AM
#1
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What international carriers best for flying in economy U.S./Europe
I've been using AA and UA miles to upgrade to Business Class for travel from Chicago to European destinations for thirty odd years, which has gone from easy-peasy to a costly crap shoot over the duration. On my most recent flight to France my upgrade didn't come through on departure and I ended up flying Economy Plus on AA. On the return flight the upgrade came through. Of the two flights, the EP was the more comfortable, due to the excruciating "dental chair" in AA's Business Class, which I understand are being phased out - and not a moment too soon.
As a result of the current high fees involved and not particularly enjoying the hit or miss upgrade availability, I am wondering if I should just bite the bullet, forget about the craziness of the upgrade fiasco and just fly economy on one of the international carriers, such as Singapore Airlines, or other. Any suggestions? I know some of you Fodorites must have figured this out already!
As a result of the current high fees involved and not particularly enjoying the hit or miss upgrade availability, I am wondering if I should just bite the bullet, forget about the craziness of the upgrade fiasco and just fly economy on one of the international carriers, such as Singapore Airlines, or other. Any suggestions? I know some of you Fodorites must have figured this out already!
Mar 26th, 2014, 09:14 AM
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I would look into using your AA points on a OneWorld partner or UA points on a Star partner (like Lufthansa), that way you use your points and fly on an international carrier.
I would look at Lufthansa, I've flown them a lot and business class is very nice (sorry, I have not flown them Economy) but have heard it's lovely as well.
Non- US or European airlines (like Singapore) aren't going to offer many, if any, flights for you US-Europe.
I would look at Lufthansa, I've flown them a lot and business class is very nice (sorry, I have not flown them Economy) but have heard it's lovely as well.
Non- US or European airlines (like Singapore) aren't going to offer many, if any, flights for you US-Europe.
Mar 26th, 2014, 10:32 AM
#3
"Europe" is a big destination so it's tough to generalize. Most of the foreign carriers have seating pretty similar to US-based airlines in economy; of course some have a true "premium economy" product (like BA World Traveller Plus) which is NOT the same as the "Economy Extra" type seats on the likes of UA, AA or DL - you pay lots more for it.
If you tolerated the Main Cabin Extra seats on AA, they're probably as good as you're going to find, short of booking in a true premium economy or business cabin - same goes for E+ on UA or whatever Delta calls its similar seating.
One thing you might consider if you go that route is to look at the morning departures from ORD to Heathrow. I personally find that coach is far more tolerable in daylight than when you're trying to "sleep" on an overnight. Leave in the morning, arrive at LHR in the evening, with time enough to get to a Heathrow hotel (we always use Priceline and have never paid more than US$100 for a 4-star at LHR) before crashing. Sleep in a real bed, and (for us at least) it really reduces jetlag.
Even if you just change planes at Heathrow (flying out the next morning) it usually isn't any more expensive than the nonstops, but it can make a big difference in comfort and fatigue.
BTW Singapore flies nonstop from JFK to Frankfurt.
If you tolerated the Main Cabin Extra seats on AA, they're probably as good as you're going to find, short of booking in a true premium economy or business cabin - same goes for E+ on UA or whatever Delta calls its similar seating.
One thing you might consider if you go that route is to look at the morning departures from ORD to Heathrow. I personally find that coach is far more tolerable in daylight than when you're trying to "sleep" on an overnight. Leave in the morning, arrive at LHR in the evening, with time enough to get to a Heathrow hotel (we always use Priceline and have never paid more than US$100 for a 4-star at LHR) before crashing. Sleep in a real bed, and (for us at least) it really reduces jetlag.
Even if you just change planes at Heathrow (flying out the next morning) it usually isn't any more expensive than the nonstops, but it can make a big difference in comfort and fatigue.
BTW Singapore flies nonstop from JFK to Frankfurt.
Mar 26th, 2014, 03:06 PM
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Thank you Gardyloo and Foggybridges for your very pertinent and helpful info. If I were to go the Oneworld, Star partner route would I call AA and/or UA or one of the international partner carriers for initial reservation info?
I have a friend who flew to Germany to meet a river cruise on UA in economy using miles and ended up on Singapore, wasn't sure how this came about. She raved about it and so my query.
I have a friend who flew to Germany to meet a river cruise on UA in economy using miles and ended up on Singapore, wasn't sure how this came about. She raved about it and so my query.
Mar 27th, 2014, 06:04 AM
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For AA FF tickets partners British Air and Air Berlin turn up when you search on AA website but not other partners like Iberia. For that reason when I am initially planning for AA FF tickets I like to use www.kayak.com which has a box to check on the results page if you want to see just AA and partners ("One World"). There is a similar button for the United Airlines partners (whatever its called).
If you do fly AA in economy I second the recommendation for the daytime flight to London. It might seem like you lose a day since you have to leave in the morning rather than the evening, but having done it 8 or so different times (sometimes connecting onward and sometimes not) what you save in jet lag there is a lot of benefit it is worth it (and I am someone who actually sleeps well on a plane). And whether daytime flight or not I would also suggest you get a seat on the "second" aisle. I don't know why but that aisle seems much less trafficked and seems more restful.
If you do fly AA in economy I second the recommendation for the daytime flight to London. It might seem like you lose a day since you have to leave in the morning rather than the evening, but having done it 8 or so different times (sometimes connecting onward and sometimes not) what you save in jet lag there is a lot of benefit it is worth it (and I am someone who actually sleeps well on a plane). And whether daytime flight or not I would also suggest you get a seat on the "second" aisle. I don't know why but that aisle seems much less trafficked and seems more restful.
Mar 27th, 2014, 03:05 PM
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Thank you Southam, Laurie_Ann and Sparkchaser
Lots of food for thought. Combined with other input herewith, maybe I'll have a fighting chance in the ever widening wilderness of FF mile usage. All comments are greatly appreciated!
Lots of food for thought. Combined with other input herewith, maybe I'll have a fighting chance in the ever widening wilderness of FF mile usage. All comments are greatly appreciated!
