Choice #1:

Delta JFK-IST n/s on a 767-300ER
KLM IST-AMS n/s
KLM AMS-SFO n/s on 747-400

Choice #2

United EWR-IST n/s on a 767-300
Lufthansa IST-AMS with a stop in Frankfurt
United AMS-SFO with a stop somewhere in the US

Obviously, going non-stop on all legs would be better, but it seems like that Delta plane from JFK to Istanbul might be an older model - shared video screens and the like. We'll be flying coach or economy plus if the price is right.

Your advice?

Assuming that the E+ price is not right, I would choose #1 for the nonstops, especally for the return itin. The choice there is: go through I&C and then making/missing a connection OR no sweat going thru I&C at my destination as it can take as long as it takes whether the flight was on time or not.

I'd pick the non-stop flights, but I try to sleep as much as I can when flying, so don't really care about the TV.

I think we're going to go for the non-stops, and try to get E+ for the overnight flight at least. Thanks.

Oh, you mean Economy Comfort on Delta.

Yes I do. Anyone know if that's worth it - $119 JFK to IST. Not a lot, if the recline is decidedly better than an economy seat (leg room itself isn't much of an issue, we're both short, but ability to sleep some is).

Even if you don't use it, having some extra space in front of you does have value.

We decided to do it on the outbound flight. Return flight "upgrades" are on a different airline and can't be booked until 90 days before the flight.

We paid for economy plus on British air 747 from PHX to LHR last month. It was $300 a person not sure if it was worth it, still not very comfortable. Food was supposedly business class food, but I doubt it. We upgraded at airport checkin. We did it to get some sleep but doubt if we will do it on our return next month.

DL's Economy Comfort for longhaul is 1) More Legroom AND 2) More Recline. It is not wider/different seats like BA's World Traveler Plus, which is a real Premium Economy product.

Fortunately for us, extra width is not a requirement!