Need Paris Flight Advice
Oct 20th, 2016, 11:02 AM
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Need Paris Flight Advice
I had to cancel my October Paris trip for various reasons and am now trying to reschedule for May.
I have enough AA MILES to fly business class one way, direct flight MIA/CDG (very convenient for me), but economy returning, also direct, great flight. OR I can go MIA/London/Paris on BA instead, using same miles (plus some $$) Business both ways.
On many past Paris trips this particular AA direct flight has been OK in economy for me but now being in "steerage" can be miserable, as I found out on my last flight. Especially when the person in front of me reclined her seat for the whole 9 hours! The seat configurations are awfully cramped these days, and I'm just a normal sized woman. I honestly don't know how 6 foot plus men can stand it.
Anyway, can any of you give me your opinion as to whether the hassle of changing planes, waiting 3 hours at Heathrow, etc. is worth it for a more comfortable flight?? Yes, I know I'm the only one who can decide for myself, but I'm in need of help! The extra few hundred dollars spent probably would be worth it for the comfort, but I'm not sure about the rest. As a reference, I'm NOT young - in fact, rather old.
Another question in case I do decide to go the Heathrow route - one possible connection allows 1 1/2 hours, the other flight 3 hours connection time, both are same airline (BA). Is 1 1/2 hours enough time?
Planes are late, I know!
I just thought of another option to consider on the returning, daytime flight : Paris/Helsinki/Miami, 4 1/2
hours each leg, without long connection time. Would be less money to pay, but same amount of miles used. It would be on Finnair, which also partners with AA.
Any ideas are appreciated!
I have enough AA MILES to fly business class one way, direct flight MIA/CDG (very convenient for me), but economy returning, also direct, great flight. OR I can go MIA/London/Paris on BA instead, using same miles (plus some $$) Business both ways.
On many past Paris trips this particular AA direct flight has been OK in economy for me but now being in "steerage" can be miserable, as I found out on my last flight. Especially when the person in front of me reclined her seat for the whole 9 hours! The seat configurations are awfully cramped these days, and I'm just a normal sized woman. I honestly don't know how 6 foot plus men can stand it.
Anyway, can any of you give me your opinion as to whether the hassle of changing planes, waiting 3 hours at Heathrow, etc. is worth it for a more comfortable flight?? Yes, I know I'm the only one who can decide for myself, but I'm in need of help! The extra few hundred dollars spent probably would be worth it for the comfort, but I'm not sure about the rest. As a reference, I'm NOT young - in fact, rather old.
Another question in case I do decide to go the Heathrow route - one possible connection allows 1 1/2 hours, the other flight 3 hours connection time, both are same airline (BA). Is 1 1/2 hours enough time?
Planes are late, I know!
I just thought of another option to consider on the returning, daytime flight : Paris/Helsinki/Miami, 4 1/2
hours each leg, without long connection time. Would be less money to pay, but same amount of miles used. It would be on Finnair, which also partners with AA.
Any ideas are appreciated!
Oct 20th, 2016, 11:19 AM
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Changing planes at Heathrow is always a hassle, as you have to go through security again at Heathrow.
1 1/2 hours connecting time at Heathrow can be tight if security lines are really tight and you have a long walk to get from and to the gates. Bottom line: avoid connecting in Heathrow.
1 1/2 hours connecting time at Heathrow can be tight if security lines are really tight and you have a long walk to get from and to the gates. Bottom line: avoid connecting in Heathrow.
Oct 20th, 2016, 11:22 AM
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It would definitely not be worth it to me FWIW. Because discomfort for several hours on a flight (maybe half of them, the other half I can deal with, it's only after at least 4-5 hours I start getting claustrophobic) would never be worth extra hours in Heathrow, possibility of a delay and more possibility of losing luggage. Those extra hours are just as bad to me as being cramped on a plane because I absolutely detest waiting around airports.
Your last option doesn't seem much different from the one going through Heathrow in terms of time spent and other issues.
I really hate it when people recline for 9 hours, it is so inconsiderate. I wonder what is wrong with so many people that they can't sit upright or close to it, what on earth are they doing (nothing it seems to me). I don't even like to recline if I'm reading or watching the video screen, more than an inch or two at most. I understand it when it is nighttime and people want to sleep, of course, but I've been behind jerks that recline their seat fully as soon as we take off and it's only 6-7 pm and we haven't even eaten yet or had pre-dinner drinks. But in your regard, people shouldn't be reclining as much going back as it will be daytime, most likely.
Last time I flew Air France back from CDG and couldn't book premium economy as no decent seats were available, and I hadn't flown regular coach to or from Europe in a few years. AS it turned out, it was okay as I always get a window seat if possible which gives you a little more leeway and the person next to me was nice enough and I got a seat towards the front. So it all worked out, I would have really kicked myself if I had booked a flight with a connection and spent 4 or more hours travel time total just because of that. And you'll even be spending more do to that.
just my opinion, I know people who actually prefer a stopover and to get out and walk around and spend time en route.
Your last option doesn't seem much different from the one going through Heathrow in terms of time spent and other issues.
I really hate it when people recline for 9 hours, it is so inconsiderate. I wonder what is wrong with so many people that they can't sit upright or close to it, what on earth are they doing (nothing it seems to me). I don't even like to recline if I'm reading or watching the video screen, more than an inch or two at most. I understand it when it is nighttime and people want to sleep, of course, but I've been behind jerks that recline their seat fully as soon as we take off and it's only 6-7 pm and we haven't even eaten yet or had pre-dinner drinks. But in your regard, people shouldn't be reclining as much going back as it will be daytime, most likely.
Last time I flew Air France back from CDG and couldn't book premium economy as no decent seats were available, and I hadn't flown regular coach to or from Europe in a few years. AS it turned out, it was okay as I always get a window seat if possible which gives you a little more leeway and the person next to me was nice enough and I got a seat towards the front. So it all worked out, I would have really kicked myself if I had booked a flight with a connection and spent 4 or more hours travel time total just because of that. And you'll even be spending more do to that.
just my opinion, I know people who actually prefer a stopover and to get out and walk around and spend time en route.
Oct 20th, 2016, 12:04 PM
#4
Is "the hassle of changing planes, waiting 3 hours at Heathrow,...worth it for a more comfortable flight??"
An unequivocal, no. If the flight was longer, to the west coast for instance, I'd consider the Heathrow option. But a direct flight from CDG to the east coast, even in coach, sounds good to me.
An unequivocal, no. If the flight was longer, to the west coast for instance, I'd consider the Heathrow option. But a direct flight from CDG to the east coast, even in coach, sounds good to me.
Oct 20th, 2016, 12:14 PM
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Thanks Christina and Travel Horizons, for the input! The Heathrow hassle would probably not be worth it. Security twice, more chance of lost luggage, time spent. And less convenient departure times. You've helped me decide!
In fact, maybe I'll just forego the business class seat on the direct AA flight over, too - and save my miles for more free trips. I never can sleep on planes anyway. Maybe by booking this far ahead I can get a premium economy seat. Honestly, I'd never had a problem with regular coach until that last flight. That woman was so inconsiderate, and for the WHOLE flight. I couldn't change seats as the plane was packed. If you ever go into seatguru.com and read reviews on different seats, most people complain about ALL classes of seats!
Thanks again.
In fact, maybe I'll just forego the business class seat on the direct AA flight over, too - and save my miles for more free trips. I never can sleep on planes anyway. Maybe by booking this far ahead I can get a premium economy seat. Honestly, I'd never had a problem with regular coach until that last flight. That woman was so inconsiderate, and for the WHOLE flight. I couldn't change seats as the plane was packed. If you ever go into seatguru.com and read reviews on different seats, most people complain about ALL classes of seats!
Thanks again.
Oct 20th, 2016, 03:23 PM
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IMO - not worth it to trade in AA miles for anything on BA due to the gouging charge they like to call "fuel costs". I did it once traveling on AA to Paris with connection at Heathrow with the short BA segment on to Paris. On return I was booked BA CDG/HTW/ORD. I paid $699 for those two segments, used only the short segment, when the flight from CDG/HTW was cancelled due to weather. I scrambled when BA only offered a return flight requiring overnight in London, called AA for help and ended up on an AA direct flight home from CDG bypassing HTW altogether using those same miles. Lessons learned - never again BA and never again the travel agent who booked me! I'm better off calling and making my own flights for the $25 charge to do this.
To say Heathrow is a nightmare is a vast understatement. The three hours between flights is necessary to ensure making your connection. I'm pretty sure you would be able to find round trip direct flights AA if you research and persist.
BTW - the US bag size for liquids in carry on luggage is at least double the UK size. Beware! Half my liquids were confiscated going through security as their allowance is the size of a slightly larger sandwich Baggie.
AA will take the same number of miles to fly one way BC as round trip. Economy Class fare plus additional paid upgrade to Comfort Class would almost but not quite, equal the charge of base EC round trip fare+$550+20,000 miles each way to purchase a round trip direct flight, roughly about $2,000 total.
That's what I'm doing for my my direct Chgo/Zurich Amsterdam/Chgo trip next summer. And it's worth every penny because flight comfort is tantamount. Traveling EC with the clueless recliners out there is not for me at this point in my senior life. I am willing to use miles+charges to upgrade to BC because it immeasurably enhances my adventures abroad.
Good luck finding the right combo that works for you and happy travels��
To say Heathrow is a nightmare is a vast understatement. The three hours between flights is necessary to ensure making your connection. I'm pretty sure you would be able to find round trip direct flights AA if you research and persist.
BTW - the US bag size for liquids in carry on luggage is at least double the UK size. Beware! Half my liquids were confiscated going through security as their allowance is the size of a slightly larger sandwich Baggie.
AA will take the same number of miles to fly one way BC as round trip. Economy Class fare plus additional paid upgrade to Comfort Class would almost but not quite, equal the charge of base EC round trip fare+$550+20,000 miles each way to purchase a round trip direct flight, roughly about $2,000 total.
That's what I'm doing for my my direct Chgo/Zurich Amsterdam/Chgo trip next summer. And it's worth every penny because flight comfort is tantamount. Traveling EC with the clueless recliners out there is not for me at this point in my senior life. I am willing to use miles+charges to upgrade to BC because it immeasurably enhances my adventures abroad.
Good luck finding the right combo that works for you and happy travels��
Oct 20th, 2016, 04:44 PM
#12
"BTW - the US bag size for liquids in carry on luggage is at least double the UK size. Beware!"
Incorrect. A liter-sized bag is slightly larger than a quart, not smaller.
1 liters = 1.0566882 US quarts
http://www.answers.com/Q/How_does_a_...are_to_a_quart
Incorrect. A liter-sized bag is slightly larger than a quart, not smaller.
1 liters = 1.0566882 US quarts
http://www.answers.com/Q/How_does_a_...are_to_a_quart
Oct 20th, 2016, 05:33 PM
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Travelchat, nice to see someone else values comfort as I do - it's worth all this searching and combinations! Yes, now I understand why BA costs more for flight -- "fuel charges". Well, I am definitely skipping Heathrow. I have narrowed down to the direct MIA/CDG AA flight that I like. I can go over on the night flight on Business Class, come home AA direct flight with a comfort class economy seat, using my miles plus about $600. The all night flight is the most important, and at least the return flight seat looks pretty good. Now I just need to push the button and do it!
American Airlines has very few good comfort class seats, so they go fast.
I just hope they won't change planes on me, after all my research of seats, etc.
But, the $600 spent will be worth it!
American Airlines has very few good comfort class seats, so they go fast.
I just hope they won't change planes on me, after all my research of seats, etc.
But, the $600 spent will be worth it!
Oct 20th, 2016, 05:36 PM
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MmePerdu
I can only relate my personal experience which was the loss of a good half of my liquids from the US quart zip top bag to the UK bag offered by Security at Heathrow of the type with cut out handle opening. Measurements vs. hands on, this was my experience. Perhaps the zip closure allowed for expansion whereas the open top did not? But I had fun in Paris on arrival shopping for French brands of shampoo, hair mousse facial cleanser, etc., which were given up to ensure space in the less generous bag for my not so easily replaced medications.
I can only relate my personal experience which was the loss of a good half of my liquids from the US quart zip top bag to the UK bag offered by Security at Heathrow of the type with cut out handle opening. Measurements vs. hands on, this was my experience. Perhaps the zip closure allowed for expansion whereas the open top did not? But I had fun in Paris on arrival shopping for French brands of shampoo, hair mousse facial cleanser, etc., which were given up to ensure space in the less generous bag for my not so easily replaced medications.
Oct 20th, 2016, 08:49 PM
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" I honestly don't know how 6 foot plus men can stand it."
I'm over 6ft and I have no trouble in economy, going to Australia often - Europe is just a short flight to me. Honestly, if you recline your seat a notch or two, wriggle yourself into a position you can hold for 15 or 20 minutes at a time, slightly re-adjust when your body commands it - and sleep in those increments, you add up enough sleep to avoid jetlag.
But don't watch TV - those flickering images stay on your optical nerve and brain for too long. Relax your thoughts, drift off, use ear plugs of a kind that you have used enough before the flight so they don't feel new and startling - you'll be fine, like the other few hundred passengers in the cabin.
I'm over 6ft and I have no trouble in economy, going to Australia often - Europe is just a short flight to me. Honestly, if you recline your seat a notch or two, wriggle yourself into a position you can hold for 15 or 20 minutes at a time, slightly re-adjust when your body commands it - and sleep in those increments, you add up enough sleep to avoid jetlag.
But don't watch TV - those flickering images stay on your optical nerve and brain for too long. Relax your thoughts, drift off, use ear plugs of a kind that you have used enough before the flight so they don't feel new and startling - you'll be fine, like the other few hundred passengers in the cabin.
