Hello,

My husband and i are planning a trip to the Riveria for May 2005. We are all set for our hotels but my dilema is the flights. We can can fly out of Boston to Nice with a connection in Paris or fly from Boston to JFK and direct into Nice. What should we do and what would be easier. I hate travelling when there are connections involved. I appreciate any impute. Thankyou

I would do the Boston to Nice with the connection at JFK. Why? You will still be in your same time zone when you get to JFK so you'll be awake and alert. Get on the plane at JFK and arrive at your destination and hopefully check-in at your hotel and get some well-needed sleep!

The other way puts you in Paris, jet-lagged, having to make a connection and you are still hours from your hotel in the Riviera by the time you figure collecting your luggage, waiting for the next plane, etc. I'd sooner deal with connections, if possible, <i>before</i> trans-Atlantic flights.

This is an interesting question because at first I thought what's the difference--it's six of one and half a dozen of the other. But I don't think it is.

I'd solve for minimum time enroute.

Wow. Change at JFK or change at CDG? How about tossing a coin, as they can be equally bad for transfers.
Depending on the date, my guess is that May flight from NYC to Nice could be filled with the rowdy movie types for the Cannes festival. I'd probably go with the Boston to Paris flight.

JFK. DL's only uses two interconnected terminals at JFK, while AF use many at CDG, and is harder to connect.

However, BOS-JFK is on a regional jet, and you really hate small planes, then you may want to avoid that.

Also, you won't need to collect bags at CDG if you fly through there. Just immigration.

I'd change in JFK to avoid going through customs in CDG. We flew Air France into CDG and changed planes for our Athens flight last summer. We had to go through customs in CDG, which turned out to be fine but it was a little stressful b/c we worried about how long it would take and missing our connection. I'd avoid the stress and wait until you get to your final destination to go through customs.