Continental or American to Paris?
Jul 16th, 2006, 07:24 AM
#22
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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!)
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!)
Jul 16th, 2006, 07:37 AM
#23
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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.
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.
Jul 16th, 2006, 07:50 AM
#24
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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
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
Jul 16th, 2006, 05:02 PM
#26
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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!!!
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!!!
Jul 16th, 2006, 07:36 PM
#27
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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)
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)
Jul 16th, 2006, 08:09 PM
#28
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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.
- 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.
Jul 17th, 2006, 04:03 PM
#29
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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
Jul 17th, 2006, 06:29 PM
#30
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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!
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!
Jul 17th, 2006, 07:14 PM
#31
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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.]
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.]
