elcon

I am doing some research for a May 09 trip to Paris. Ideally, I like to fly non-stop and I live in metro New York so that is usually possible. My question is, what airline would you recommend? I have a choice between Delta, American, Air France or Continental for non-stops all around the same price. If I make a stop, I can fly BA via Heathrow, but it isn't much cheaper.Which would you choose and why? Thanks for the help.

jkbritt

Use web search engines to get best prices. Always fly without changing if possible. Less chance luggage gets lost. If your plane is late, you might miss connection, etc. if doing stop or changing planes, etc.

pja1

Hi,
Given your choices, I'd always choose non-stop do the reasons "jkbritt" mentioned.
As far as airlines, we've flown to/from Europe (from Newark and JFK) on Lufthansa, Air France, Swiss Air, Air Canada, Continental , BA and SAS. Since we fly coach, and I'm just happy to get there and back with our luggage, prices being about equal, I'd go with which ever non-stop fit's your plans (departure and arrival times) best.


Paul

plafield

Most of Delta's non-stop flight from NY to Paris are actually operated by Air France and the price is usually the same. I book with Delta because I'm enrolled in Delta Skymiles so get miles, even on AF flights if booked with Delta.

nytraveler

Absolutely do not even CONSIDER going through Heathrow - it can easily double the time of your journey.

I would do Air FRance assuming equal fares and a convenient time - IMHO the european airlines have much better food/service.

Weadles

Another vote for Air France for the same reasons listed above.

opaldog

Third vote for Air France. I have flown it direct to Paris from Boston. I enjoy the food, service, and seat back screens.

Proenza_Preschooler

Air France. I am flying Air France from JFK to CDG in November. If it is good enough for me, it is good enough for the likes of you.

I would NEVER go through Heathrow unless I absolutely had to.

American Airlines is the Taco Bell of the airline industry.

Thingorjus

pjsparlor536

You fodorites are making me nervous, I am flying BA from chicago to paris, connecting flight at heathrow. We have 1 1/2 hours connection time. Wow is it really that bad?

travelgourmet

elcon: Bear in mind that (I think) all of the Delta flights will be on Air France planes, so double-check. Among the choices, I would go with an Air-France-operated, Delta ticket, as you get a good product and full miles. But double-check the seatmaps for these flights. <b>Air France puts 10 across on some 777s flying from New York (so much for European airlines being better). I would try to avoid these planes, and would definitely book on another carrier if it came to it.

Also, I would not spend more than maybe $50 to fly Air France. The difference in quality is not that great. Indeed, I think Continental has decent service and American has a pretty comfortable planes.

<i>You fodorites are making me nervous, I am flying BA from chicago to paris, connecting flight at heathrow. We have 1 1/2 hours connection time. Wow is it really that bad?</i>

No. There is a hysteria about Heathrow that has taken on a life of its own. Certainly, it isn't as nice of an airport as Amsterdam, but it isn't the 7th circle of hell either.

Your connection IS tight, but what are you going to do at this point? I have had good luck getting expedited through lines with tight connections. Just speak up to the agents if you are running short on time. Doing this, I have made 1-1/2 hour connections, including a terminal change, with time to hit duty free.</b>

swandav2000

Hi elcon,

You might even consider using L'Avion, the discount all-business airline between Newark and Orly. When they run specials, you can get round-trip airfare for around $1500-$1700 -- and it's BC!

Good luck!

s

Weadles

I have to disagree with travelgourmet. I think anything less than 2-3 hours for connection time can be a recipe for disaster these days, especially given the frequent and long takeoff delays at so many airports. And yes, Heathrow deserves its wicked witch reputation for poor signage and lack of informed personnel. Avoid it if you can!

djkbooks

Have a look at www.1800flyeurope.com

I've had terrific luck with Boston/Paris tickets the last few years, getting direct non-stop flights with excellent fares. Yes, if you book Delta, you'll be on Air France. I prefer Air France to American for schedule, comfort, service.

For me, it would NOT be worth any savings to connect via Heathrow, which I would not even consider.

RAC

You should be able to tell from the flight information what type of plane each is--that may provide some input.

We've flown AF into Paris and found it very nice--even though it was a red eye.

We've also enjoyed flying Continental into Madrid. Delta has been okay the few times we've flown it.

elcon

Thank you all. I took a look at fly europe and you are right djkbooks, the flights are about $100 less roundtrip. A non-stop round trip fare is currently going for $782. I may search for another day or so, but I am not sure I will get any flihjts cheaper than that.

travelgourmet

<i> I took a look at fly europe and you are right djkbooks, the flights are about $100 less roundtrip.</i>

I believe their prices do not include tax, so be careful and double-check. I would be shocked if you were to consistently find savings by booking away from the airline's own site.

Proenza_Preschooler

Dear Travelgourmet, I grew up in London and my Uncle Terry works at Heathrow.

My family avoids Heathrow at all costs and always tries to fly in and out of Gatwick.

Aunt Pat gets the shivers if she even has to drive Uncle Terry to work.

Thin

djkbooks

&lt;&lt; I would be shocked if you were to consistently find savings by booking away from the airline's own site.&gt;&gt;

I have consistently saved a bundle booking with 1800flyeurope

travelgourmet

<i>Dear Travelgourmet, I grew up in London and my Uncle Terry works at Heathrow.

My family avoids Heathrow at all costs and always tries to fly in and out of Gatwick.

Aunt Pat gets the shivers if she even has to drive Uncle Terry to work.

Thin</i>

Good for your uncle and aunt. And this helps the OP, how? At the end of the day, some 67 million people fly through LHR every year. But hey, those 67 million people must all have an awful experience. Avoid it all you want, but most people don't. If Gatwick was so great, then Heathrow wouldn't enjoy a consistent and enduring fare premium. There is a reason that Heathrow has higher average fares than any other London airport - people prefer it. Never trust what people say. Trust where they spend their money.

I don't think LHR is a great airport, but the constant whining about it is ridiculous. Your average flyer IS OKAY with a 1-1/2 hour to 2 hour connection. It will be stressful. There may be problems. But this is not the same as saying that it will surely go wrong. Too many on this board want to spread the word about how awful Heathrow is, because they know somebody who's best friend's grandmother's bridge partner had a problem there.

Well, I am here to tell people to calm down. It is a busy hub airport. It suffers the same issues that O'Hare or Atlanta or any other major airport suffer from. But, like those airports, if you keep your head about you and go in prepared, then you will usually be okay. If you are an inexperienced traveler, then I would advise you to stay away (but I would also advise you to avoid de Gualle and Frankfurt). But, otherwise, Heathrow is not nearly as bad as its reputation.

nytraveler

pjsparlor

Is that a legal connection? the last time I went through Heathrow the minimum legal connection times was 120 minutes - and you needed every minute of that (jogging - not walking) to get from one terminal to another.

Are you on separate tickets? Or changing planes within the same terminal? If not, I would ask the airline if this is legal - since I think your chances of making it are slim.