Continental or American to Paris?
 

Hi, I'm looking at flights from KC to Paris in September, price about the same. Continental and American seem to be offering the lowest prices. Any preference to one of these airlines? We'll be flying coach. Either airline more comfortable? Thanks, annieladd

Depends on the aircraft. For long trips I avoid 757's like the plague, whether across the continent or across the pond. CO uses some 757s from Newark to Europe, while I think AA only uses 767 & 777s.

If the CO flight is on a larger plane then I'd say it's a wash and pick whichever has the best connection or price.

We are also going from KC to Paris in September. We asked a similar question about the airline choices several months ago and Continental came highly recommended for international travel. You'll have to take a small plane to Houston or New Jersey to connect to Paris but that was the only real negative comment from what I can recall.

CO has three flights into CDG. CO10 from IAH is a 777-200. CO56 from EWR is also a 777-200, while the late flight CO54 can be either a 767-200 or a 757-200.

The 777s are okay, with individual screens (when they work), and pretty tight 31" pitch. The 757 is pretty uncomfortable and no individual screens. However, the CO's 767-200 is one of the nicest aircrafts in coach on any airline you can use across the Atlantic.

In short, 767-200 is best. 777 is okay. Avoid the 757. From MCI to EWR, there are three ERJ flights and one 737. I think with a flight time of about 2.5 hours, even the ERJ is tolerable. MCI-IAH is 7 ERJs and 2 737s for the 1.5 hour flight.

I seriously don't think either airline is significantly better than the other one. If price is the same, then I'd look at the schedule. And FF miles if you do fly a bit.

I would avoid them both as they both charge for alcohol and even wine with dinner. However, American is the leader in cutbacks in coach. I would go with Continental. However, if Continental is using a 757 aircraft, avoid it. Try to fly on a 777 aircraft.

Virgin and British Airways have the best entertainment packages on Atlantic ocean flights. And free alcohol.

The above posts summarize the situation well. CO usually uses their 757s on secondary/smaller markets to Europe from EWR but will sometimes put one on "major" route - avoid them on any route. In coach I'd also put 767s first, then 777s. Everything else being equal or close, I'd opt for CO.

Agree on the British Air comment, however, I will only fly into CDG on an airline that will dock at the Air France terminals. I have experienced my last incredible delay with baggage and lines, funky ripped up seats and lousy food service at the old terminal that serves most American airlines.

Not sure if I'll need to send a new post, but I'll see if anyone responds to this one. I have another airline/plane I'm looking at. How about Northwest Airbus Industrie A330-300. Is that any better/worse than the CO 777?

American and Continental both arrive at CDG, Terminal 2 (the 'good' one).

US Air and United land at CDG, Terminal 1 (the 'bad'/ugly one).

I don't remember about Delta, but I think it's also at T-2.

what about a 747-400 from Newark to heathrow?
melissa

NW's A330 are really nice. Better audio/video system, and usually slightly better legroom than CO's. And most people like 2-4-2 seating on Airbuses more than CO's 3-3-3 on their 777.

As for EWR-LHR, are you talking about Virgin Atlantic (which flies both 340 and 747 on this route)? In general, I find most airline's 747 less comfortable than an Airbus or a 777, as the seats are slightly narrower, more chances of a middle seat (3-4-3 seating), and often the seats are older.

Per jbjayhawk...there are direct flights from Houston to Paris? We're in Louisiana and going in June 2007 and I assumed we would more than likely have to fly from new Orleans to NY to Paris, but I really haven't studied up on it. If we could drive to Houston and go straight across to Paris, that might be worth a look-see.

2 daily AFs and one daily CO non-stops IAH-CDG.

Wow, OK. Thanks.

Just fyi, I have posted another question, titled "help me choose most comfortable flight to Paris", maybe not the best title.

At any rate, I wanted to start a new thread, that didn't just limit the question to CO or AA.

If you have any thoughts, let me know. Thanks, and sorry in advance for too many threads. annieladd

I have flown with Continental various times and was always pleased with it despite that I was in cattle class.

The Houston/Paris route is very convenient for me because I lives in SAT.

For my trip to Rome next month I will be flying with AA and I will be able to use my FFMiles for a nice comfortable Business Class seat.
I have an open jaw ticket and I will return to the US via Paris.

By the way, is there any particular days fo the week for flying to/from Europe that are preferable in terms of cost, scheduling, etc when booking flights back and forth?

SBrown8243 - Depends on routes and season, but usually Tue-Thursday is cheapest. Fri-Sat is most expensive. For coach seats, that is. The return date usually does not matter as much.

Just in case it is still on the table . . . a word about AA's non-stop from DFW to CDG on a 767 . . . One of the most uncomfortable planes in the industry. Hard seats, too close together, no individual screens, terrible entertainment. (On my last flight, they showed the same stupid movie both ways, two times!) Even Business Class is uncomfortable. To be avoided.

Yes, I'm still trying to decide.

CO- I don't think so, I'd rather have 2 seats across rather than 3.

AA- No individual video, not important to me, but DH likes them.

NW- I like this one best, for 2 across, video, and times, but what about their precarious financial condition???

(I did start another thread because of the original title, and the fact that I was adding additional airlines for consideration, sorry, didn't mean to add to the confusion).

Take the NW???

If you book early enough, you can get 44AB or 44KL on CO's 777 in the rear of the plane. My favorite seats. They are 2 seats together.

I didn't read each response thoroughly however I have fairly strong opinions on this.

IF you find out you will be on a 777... American Airlines 777 has 2 seats on the side and much better, to my liking, if there are two in a family.
All the other 777's have 3 on the side and that can be a hassle.......
We have a choice of Continental OR American(or a foreign airlines of course) and in the past few years we have chosen American for this reason.
Yes 767;s are fine (but NOT 757's, avoid them)(Continental often flies the 757 from Newark to cities in Europe).The 767 has three on the sides and my husband and I sometimes take "aisle-aisle" seats across from each other. Some people like window seats and that's a personal choice (one can lean against the window, however it it sometimes difficult getting out to stretch,).
You have lots of choices....but once you get to Paris the flight will be put "on the back burner" and you will enjoy France.
A few times we have flown Austin non stop to CHicago and then Chicago to Europe and that breaks up the flight and long hours of sitting. You might do the same from Kansas City. (American has a Chicago hub,,,,Continentals is in Newark, and we've done that...Newark is a good airport!)

Until this year when airlines are filling 85% of their flights, it's actually nice to have 3-3-3 seating for two people, as you can get 3 seats for yourselves.

Nowadays, it takes some luck to do so. But on my parents' recent CO 757 flights across the Atlantic, they get the middle seat open for both legs. [It helps they are "Elites".]

When you pick 2 seats side-by-side on a AA 777 or 767, then you have no chance of having a middle seat open.

Of course, it's also a matter of personal preference. My parents love each other, but after close to 40 years of marriage, then don't need to sit side-by-side for long plane trips. It may be different for you. And some people just do not like strangers sitting with them.

Yikes, I did it (yes I'm notorious for having difficulty w/ making decisions when there's so many choices, just ask DH). My stomach hurts.

CO wins the day w/ the video and the 44ABs (thanks rkkwan), price, and shortest duration. (777)

Thanks everyone. Jayhawk, maybe we'll be on the same flight! annieladd (sundevil)

annieladd

Rkkwan, if you're still there, those 44ab's will recline won't they?

annieladd: Good luck. YOu might look at : www.seatguru.com and click Continental, then 777, then look at those seats at the back, and see what they have to say about them. There is video equipment on the floor of the A seat,,,but yes, there is little more legroom. Don't know why anyone would want to be in the last seat with your head up next to the lavatory (and the noisy galley) and people standing in the aisles,,but to each his own. Hope you get them. If not, good luck on getting 3 seats between the two of you closer up on the plane. We travel off season and still there is always a full plane, so the chances of the two of you having three seats on the side are almost nil. IT IS a gamble, but nice if you can do it. If not, then one of you is squeezed in the middle seat , or if you ask for the A and C seats then there is a stranger between you. (unless you switch with him)
Most planes to Europe are full lately, and Sept. is really the most traveled month I understand.
WEll, whatever...have fun! and it's only a few hours on the plane, compared to the rest of your trip! (:>)
(WE still like American 777, or Continental 767, both of which have 2 on each side.) to each his own!!!

annieladd: (name sounds Scottish!)Yea'
I'm pretty sure ALL 777's have TV on the back of the seats...American certainly does.

Hope you get the seats at the back with Continental if that's what you want (I wouldn't).IF they are good and have additional room, sometimes they are held for the high frequent flyer point people..(as experienced when my and son and wife flew to New Zealand on Quantas, a similar seating situation but better))

Continental is fine, don't get me wrong,.We've taken it quite a few times,, just not the 777. Why don't you just call Continental and ask if those seats at the back recline. They probably do....but you'd want to make sure before reserving them.
And their 767 DOES have 2 on the side. (sorry)

annieladd - I answered in your other post, but, here are the <b>advantages</b> of 44A/B/K/L:

- Only 2-across seats in coach for this plane
- <b>Full recline</b>
- Nobody behind you, so you can recline the whole way and no one will bother you or kick your seat back
- The aisle is very wide there. Carts and people won't bump into the B/K seats.
- You get to board first and find room for your carry-on. <b>Note:</b> the FA often has stuff in the overhead above rows 44-45. You may need to put your stuff a row or two in front.
- The FA often leave water and snacks behind row 45. Very easy to get to them from your seat.

Here are stuff that people worry about, but <b>shouldn't</b>:

- The lavatories are behind your seat, but the doors open to the rear of the plane, not side. You will not hear or smell anything.
- You will not find a lavatory line next to you. People always stand far behind when waiting. There's lots of standing room in the rear area.

Now, here are the true <b>disadvantages</b>:

- You get off last
- Usually, you get your food late; but I seldom have problem with entree choice on CO.
- It's more bumpy in the rear when the plane hits turbulence
- Engine noise is slightly louder towards the rear of the plane. [There's noticeable difference between Row 16 and 44, for example.]
- And this is a weird one that one of my cousin complained to me - since it's close to the galley, she can smell food preparation; and she doesn't like it.

Anyways, for those who are Platinum Elite and are really tall, they may want to get 32ABCJKL. For those who are just regular elite, they may want to get 17-19DEF (2 extra inches of legroom). For non-elites, 44ABKL are the best.

Mr. Kwan, I want to thank you for all this good info. I was having some major buyer's remorse about 3 this morning, and having your pros and cons laid out made all this difference. I've made too much out of this air travel(it's a few hours out of my life for heaven's sake), and need to just enjoy the anticipation of the trip. I'm planning this 2 week trip for 10 family members (except the air which they have to figure out on their own) and all these decisions have made me just about crazy... I'll let all of you know when I get back about the plane ride, and hopefully all sorts of great things about Chartres, the Loire, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, and the Dordogne. Oh, and one night in Paris! annieladd

Yes, let us know how your trip went,,you have a nice itinery. A couple of places on your list we have not been to, Dordogne especially, and am anxious to hear your report.
AND I'd like to know if you were able to get those seats at the back of the plane. I couldn't disagree with rkkwan more, but to each his own.
He does have some good ideas occasionally, but posting on Fodors seems to be his main occupation. I note that he has posted 30, thirty, times in the past two days. That is fine, I guess .
Flying, as well as seating on planes is a very personal things...and I'm hoping you are comfortable. If they won't give you the last seat (and I hope they do) then you will be squeezed in three on a side. I notice on seat guru that the last seat, 44, or whatever, the window seats have some equipment under then, lessening the foot space a little.
But Continental is a good airline, and I think you will like your flight!

mari5 - Just what can't you disagree with me more? I'm kind of lost.

And finding the best seat on CO's 777 is very important for me. Many of my extended family members fly CO IAH-EWR-HKG, some 2-3 times a year, and its of utmost importance for me to give them the best advice to what seats to get. I've sat in 44A, I've sat in 17D, I've sat in some outside seats, I've sat in some in the middle. And everytime some of my relatives come back from HKG, I ask them about their seat experience.

I am not going to post about AA's 777 or most of other airline's planes, but since the OP has bought tickets on CO's 777 IAH-CDG, I think I'll give my best advice.

[And just to set the record straight, in the other thread by the same OP, you'll find that I suggest NW and US's 330 over CO's 777 when it comes to comfort.]

Hey Wally-Delta is giving an ice cream service along with free cocktails at dinner in economy these days to/from Europe.