CO or DL?
 

I am considering a trip to the UK soon, and have narrowed my options down to two airlines: CO and DL. The price is almost the same.

I have the choice of going MCO-EWR-LGW or MCO-ATL-LGW.

I am of the opinion that I should make my decision based on ease of connection, and whether I want to go on the 777 CO or 767 DL. I am divided as to what to do.

What has been your experience with connecting via EWR or ATL internationally and then the flight experience of CO vs. DL. It's been a while since I've flown with either carrier.

CO has better entertainment on their 772 with personal video screen in each seat. 3 of the 20 aircrafts have AVOD with a large widescreen.

DL gives you a free alcoholic drink during dinner.

EWR is more prone to delay than ATL, in my opinion, though DL gates at ATL can be very far apart.

Why not go Virgin straight from MCO to LGW? You will get miles with Continental and Delta. Free drinks and better video systems, too.

I would rather connect in Atlanta then in New York--especially during the winter.

Virgin does not have the hotel packages that I am looking for. You have to buy the hotel extra and pay through the nose, rather than choose from either CO or DL Vacations.

Furthermore, at 6'6" I don't like the idea of having to fly a 747 and the possibility of being stuck in the middle of a 3-5-5 config. At the very most, I prefer the 3-3-3 seating.

The configuration on a 747 is 3x4x3 in economy.

Beware, Continental is flying 757's to Europe. Seating is 3x3.

The early flight, CO18 is a 772, with 3-3-3 seating. Later flights are 752.

I already know that CO does fly 757s to Europe. As much as I have enjoyed 757s on transcons across the States, across the pond is another thing!

Ultimately, my group's decision to go with CO or DL will be based on price, and the package we get with a hotel.

What would you consider the big difference between the service? Or, the int'l connections at EWR versus ATL? Three years ago I went through EWR customs via a LY flight from TLV, but that was not in the CO terminal.

I've flown both, and through both airports. They're both fine. I would look for the itinerary that gave me the most layover time in either Newark or Atlanta. I've had to run to gates before - and I hate that. I like the Delta service better (personal preference), but I would go with either one for the right price.

Connection at EWR will be simple. Both flights will be using Terminal C, so no buses and no trains. It's large, but not OVERLY large. The furthest gates are about 1/2 mile apart.

DL uses almost every concourse at ATL, the world's most busy airport. Your LGW flight will depart from Concourse E, while your MCO flight may arrive anywhere. The concourses are connected by an underground train. The furthest gates are about 1/4 mi from the train at each concourse. It can be quite time consuming, depending on what gates they use.

CO has okay dinner and an extremely light breakfast. Alcoholic drinks are $5. I don't think food is significantly different on DL, except they give you ONE free drink.

I just realize that ATL-LGW is on the 767-400. Those newly reconfigured for international service will have AVOD. Those not yet reconfigured with not have personal video screen, but if you're elite on any DL or other Skyteam airlines, you may be able to grab the domestic first class seats in the front 7 rows with no extra cost.

Even though I"m a big fan of CO, I'd choose DL. They have lots of flights MCO-ATL, and ATL is less likely to have delays than EWR. 767-400s are new, and in general more comfortable than the 777, because of the 2-3-2 seating.

If you're a DL Medallion or Skyteam elite, see if you can grab the front 7 rows on a non-reconfigured 767-400. If you're not, then pick the flight on a reconfigured one - on DL's website, it's labeled 767-400ER.

Continental will announce at the beginning of the flight that they are expecting turbulence and will leave the fasten seat belt sign on for the entire flight to Europe. Can you go 9 hours without using the toilet? Delta does give a free alcohol drink. With Continental, you pay $5.

That really helps. There are more connecting flights between MCO and ATL to choose than MCO and EWR.

Any experience with Delta Vacations? This is the primary reason why we're not going direct on VS or BA--the hotel selections are out of our budget.

I really want to thank everyone for your help on choosing between CO and DL.

A strong possibility now...after looking over BA's selection of hotels is going nonstop on BA on a 777. Its only $1300 per person, airfare and hotel for 11 days.

I'm a big fan of BA. I flew them back in June and July. One thing that really impressed me was that all of the announcements were done during the first 45 minutes and last 45 minutes of the flight.

On the flight home, I saw the fasten seat belt sign go on and off several times but no announcements. This makes for great sleeping. Also, free alcohol in economy with BA and the food is actually pretty good. The negative; you only get 25% of the miles when flying economy and you can't join their frequent flyer club (Executive Club) unless you fly Economy Plus or higher.

How would BA apply miles to my AA account?

If I can't get full(er) miles on BA, and can get full(er) miles on DL or CO--perhaps my decision to go BA (I haven't paid yet) is premature?

You cannot earn aany AA miles on BA's US-London routes.

The only way you can get AA miles with BA is if you fly AA to Europe and transfer to BA once in Europe.

That answers a lot! No AA miles except when one connects to BA.

So what is the DL or CO policy about miles earned with their vacation programs? Anybody know?

I'm in this trip for miles as much as cost. If I can't get AA miles with BA, then I'll fly someone else.

You can get miles if you fly Virgin with Continental, Delta and I believe Northwest. Virgin just started a big sale. Miles with Air France, too.

Northworst is not even on my radar.
Virgin we don't want to be stuck on a 747, and we can't get a hotel package with it.

We want a tour package to London with a major carrier we can earn miles with, as well as have an easy connection and good service. The contenders are CO and DL.

Via their Vacations, does anyone know what their mileage earning policies are?

That's all I want to know.

as posted by <b>Wally</b>,

<i>The only way you can get AA miles with BA is if you fly AA to Europe and transfer to BA once in Europe.</i>

not true.......

You earn some bonus miles for booking through the &quot;vacations&quot;, but the flight themselves usually just earn the same.

Explain AA. Did AA start giving miles when you cross the pond on BA, I don't think so.

Thanks about the bonus miles. I realize that the hotel bookings may or may not earn miles. I know that some of them may get bonus miles.

You can fly BA from Canada or the Caribbean to the UK and earn AA miles. Just not from the US.

1. 1 exception - JFK-MAN, BA metal, but ust be booked as AA flight. Yu get AA miles per AA rules.

2. As <b>rkkwa</b> already posted, any fligths from Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, Barbados will also earn AA miles but a 25% for most cheaper fars I don't think it's worth the trouble of extra connection.

Also, with the new Open Sky agreement, this may all change come April 08. The 2 airlines may actually be allowed to have a full alliance agreements like all the other alliances had for years. We will have to wait and see.

Here's another question I didn't think to ask.

Right now I'm leaning toward DL. But, is there any major difference between connecting with DL in ATL or JFK? I have a feeling ATL would be preferred, but is it easier/more reliable to connect with DL in JFK or CO in EWR?

I have never connected internationally at JFK.

The connection itself will be easier at EWR or JFK because the terminals are smaller and gates closer together. ATL is just huge.

The issue is with delays. ATL, while busy, is less prone to delays than EWR or JFK. And a delayed inbound can easily mean missing your connection and being stuck at the NYC area for a day.

Are you certain that you are getting a better overall cost with a vacation package? If so, have you really checked out the hotel?

I've looked at the different hotels offered by both CO and DL, and then what it would cost with airfare and hotel separate (at some different hotels).

The savings are usually in the range of $200-300 in favor of the package deal.

I know that with some other European cities, you can actually save money the other way.

However, if anyone knows a good 3 star in London--preferably in the Kensington area--that is reasonably priced, I'm open to hearing.

We can earn AA miles flying on BA Bermuda-London.

Why don't you go on AA via Miami if you want to earn AA miles. Have you flown across the pond on AA? We have - plenty of times and we prefer AA to BA. More leg and FACE room on AA.

I don't know when you are travelling but I found a fare $718 (all incl.) between MCO and LHR flight dates 22 Sept - 16 Oct .... via Iceland on Icelandair.

6 hours to Iceland and 2 1/2 hours to London and the transfers at Keflavik are simple and a breeze and the airline is lovely - it serves excellent coffee!!

Do you find AA via MIA easier to do than DL via ATL?

I suppose MIA vs ATL is not really the issue for my tour group...it is LHR vs LGW. All of the people we know going to the UK say to fly into LGW. Much easier, not a disorganized mess, and not as many threats.

I actually have AA, CO, and DL miles. As long as one of them gets credited, I&quot;m happy.

I did go to the AA Vacations website and find a package for $1245 per person for 11 nights of hotel. It connects from MCO to ORD to LHR.

What would be the advantage of this, given that it is LHR?

How does AA's trans-Atlantic service fair when compared to CO or DL?

I have not flown transatlantic on CO or DL so I don't know.

Another thing to consider - immigration and customs at the point of entry back in USA from UK. I hear MIA is pretty bad and lengthy. We have been to JFK (AA International Arrivals from LHR - several times)and BOS (Terminal E from KEF on Icelandair) and they were good. I don't know about ATL or ORD. What is MCO's international arrivals like?

As for LHR vs LGW ... LGW's North Terminal (BA) is okay - never been to LGW's South Terminal but I hear it's busy. BA go to LHR's T4 but I don't know about it as we haven't been there in a decade. AA uses LHR's T3 - it's good but the departure is very very busy: expect long queues for AA morning checkins (there are about 6-8 AA morning flights out of LHR to various points in USA!) and security. Also T3 has large planes, hence more people. Icelandair uses LHR's T1 and it's good too - T1 uses smaller planes, less people.

Mind you, we travel a lot and are used to lengthier waits - check-ins and security - and we do not get frazzled out. We get to either LGW or LHR more than 3 hours before departure. What we really like about LHR T3 arrivals is that after a lengthy walk from AA gates (10-15 mins), through passport controls (we hold UK passports), the bags are already out on carousal, and we are out within 30 mins of landing!

The $1245 package deal sounds very good for 11 nights (are they all in London?) - hotels in UK cost a bomb now because of the exchange rates. Now you can decide whether to use LHR. I must add that we find AA transatlantic (on 777) comfortable - better than BA. Icelandair uses 757 but they are good. Your group might get the kick out of landing in Iceland twice! Layover is 1:15 outbound and about 2:00 inbound but all you do is to walk to the other gate.

rkkwan: your turn! Have you been on CO transatlantic and which UK airport/terminal?

I've just been talking to my friends, and we found out that we'll have to postpone our trip until this coming July. Too many schedule conflicts.

I guess this means the price is going up and that we should put away another $500 or so?

I suppose when it comes to connecting airports, ATL, EWR, and then ORD are the choices that we are looking at. Likewise, it seems that LGW is preferred over LHR, but if LHR is cheaper...well...

We are all US passport holders, but I like the part about our bags waiting at the carosel should we choose LHR. I also saw that on the AA schedule there is a 2:00 PM flight to ORD, which means we wouldn't have to wake up super early on the return voyage.

What would really be nice is if AA opened a new flight between MCO and RDU. I would connect there in a heartbeat.

What about Icelandair?

I have flown CO in and out of LGW, but that was when they used the South Terminal. They've recently moved to North, so I can't comment. [For those who fly business class, they can now use the super-lush Emirates Lounge for departure.]

I've also flown their EWR-BRS route. Nice little airport in Bristol. Other trans-Atlantic routes I've used CO for are IAH-CDG, IAH-AMS, EWR-MXP.

Icelandair is off the radar, as no FF miles can be earned. Plus, none of us like the idea of taking a narrowbody across the Atlantic.

I didn't see the flexibility with Icelandair that we saw with AA, DL, or CO.

My wife and I feel differently about waiting for luggage. Years ago, there was security in the area, and I can remember having to prove that the bag I was carrying away was mine. But today, I can't think of a single airport that has good security, and most of them have none, so we worry that someone will walk off with our bag of trophies, or our bag of dirty laundry. So we prefer to be there before our bags arrive, so all we have to worry about is some ramp thief.