We're flying o/nite JFK-Heathrow, to connect with frequent flyer first class tix to Nairobi (couldn't get JFK-Africa seats direct)

Can anyone comment on which arilines offer the best coach experience (to be honest, usually upgrade, but 340,000 miles for our africa tix 'shot our wad'!

recommendations of web posts comparing also warmly welcomed. We are DL, UA, AA ff members, but will forgo brand loyalty for comfort!

Thanks!

Steve

AA for best legroom, at least until it lasts. UA's fine too, if you are a Mileage Plus Premiere member and can get the "Economy +" seats.

Or, if you don't mind spending a little more, get the premieum economy seats on BA or Virgin Atlantic. Wider seats, more legroom, etc...

My vote goes to Virgin Atlantic or BA in their premium economy cabin if you don't mind splurging just a bit. This gives you an additional 6" of legroom and a wider seat with leg/foot rests. Food and service are the same a regular economy.

My first choice would be VS as they also have a separate check-in line for PE passengers, priority boarding, and priority luggage handling. If you take the earlier JFK-LHR-JFK flights (004/003) you'll be on their 747 which has a section of PE seats upstairs. This upstairs section is quieter, has it's own lavatory so no waiting, and since the attendants upstairs serve both the UC and PE cabins you get a standard of service that's generally better. If you can snag the exit row (70) upstairs, you'll have tons of legroom!

The later JFK-LHR-JFK flights are on the Airbus and this doesn't get as good reviews as the upstairs PE cabin on the 747 (I've only been on the 747). I have not flown BA's premium economy product (World Traveller Plus) but from what I understand it has slightly fewer perks than VS (like no dedicated check-in line). There are several threads on flyertalk.com comparing both products.

Have a great trip! I'm headed to Kenya in January so looking forward to your report

In addition to the flyertalk threads, have a look at seatguru.com.

Don't forget that while bulkhead seats often give you a little more legroom, you might have to share it with an anklebiter (they often use those seats for people travelling with bassinets).

Also, for obvious reasons, try to avoid seats immediately behind the toilets (not pleasant, after a long flight). Immediately in front of toilets and beside the galley aren't so great either (noise).

Does American fly that route? If you have to fly Economy, at least you'd get a little more space because of their "More Room in Coach" layout.

For overnight flights, I like the bulkhead window seat. It gets the least disturbance from the attendents and other passengers.

Keith