Trip for 4 to LHR from LAX
 

Im traveling with my 3 daughters to Europe in June. Looking for best rates and comfort, which airline would you recomend. We are staying 13 days in london,paris and florence and day trip to venice and siena.This is our trip of a lifetime for us.

5 airlines fly non-stop on this route: Virgin (VS), British Airways (BA), Air New Zealand (NZ), UA and AA.

BA and VS have premium economy class on their flights. Cost a few hundred more, but if you want comfort, consider them. Otherwise, I'd just check the fares and get whatever's cheapest. Often they're comparable, sometimes one may be cheaper than others. There's no set rule.

[NZ is also introducing a premium economy class, but not sure if the LAX-LHR flight will have it by next June or not.]

NZ's regular economy is the best of the bunch, by far (legroom, service). However it typically costs a little more than the others' ordinary economy.

"Best rates" and "comfort" tend to be mutually exclusive when speaking of airlines.

Coach seating on all of the airlines are tigh and nothing to look forward to. A non-stop on Virgin Atlantic will be my priority even if it is a few more dollars. Also international airlines do offer more amenities than US carriers.

I'd also pick Air New Zealand if prices are similar and if mileage is not a concern (you may earn UA/US miles on them, as it's a Star Alliance carrier).

Their regular economy has 34" pitch, which is basically as good as UA's Economy+ and better than anything else. There's lots of complain about VS' seat pitch in coach on some of their planes.

Also, when their 747-400s on this route is retrofitted, it will have premium economy on the top deck, in a 3-2 seating. I think that'd be very comfortable, and will be an awesome experience.

AKL-LAX-LHR is their flagship route (NZ1/2), so I think it will receive the new refurbished planes before other routes. Unfortunately, I don't see that as an option to book premium economy on their website right now.

The only thing that puts me off using Air New Zealand for this route is their flight times.

For the dates I am looking at, the LAX-LHR flight leaves at 4.40pm and the LHR-LAX flight leaves at 4.15pm.

Hoewever the downside for me is that I am in the UK and so I am doing this trip the other way round. I like to maximise holiday time so prefer an earlier flight out of LHR and a later flight home from LAX.

However, my disadvantage may be your advantage as you're doing it the other way round.

I've flown SFO-LHR on Virgin premium economy and found the service excellent, the seating very comfortable and well worth the additional cost