tnnonline

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.

rkkwan

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.

wally34949

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.

tnnonline

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.

wally34949

The configuration on a 747 is 3x4x3 in economy.

wally34949

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

rkkwan

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

tnnonline

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.

Debi

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.

rkkwan

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.

wally34949

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.

tnnonline

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.

tnnonline

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.

wally34949

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.

tnnonline

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?

rkkwan

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

wally34949

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

tnnonline

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.

wally34949

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.

tnnonline

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.