I'd really appreciate any help or opinions, I'm trying to choose a flight from Florida to CDG.

Choice #1- I have to make a connection at EWR in an hour and 15 mins for a flight on a CO 777-200 which also leaves me a 3 & 1/2 hour wait at CDG for my boyfriend flying in from London. He's taking the earliest flight he can and we've agreed to meet at the airport and take a shuttle together.

Choice #2- A connection time of 3& 1/2 hours, but for a flight on a CO 757-200 (have heard mostly bad things about them on this site) and only an hour wait for my boyfriend.

Meeting point suggestions would be helpful too. Thank you so much, I love all the smart, helpful advice on this site!

What time of year? Some seasons I can tolerate a shorter connection than other times. Less/more weather related delays - etc.

One thing for sure - no matter what, I wouldn't wait 3.5 hours at CDG. (well, not no matter ANYTHING, but 3.5 hours at CDG is as much fun as a sharp stick in the eye)

If there is that long between arrivals, it would be much better to go into Paris and check into the hotel - or at least leave your bags. Sure - a romantic reunion at CDG may <i>seem</i> like the way to go - but getting to the hotel, wandering around the neighborhood, maybe picking up a bottle of wine/some cheese for a picnic. All better than haning around the pit that is CDG.

I would take the later 752 for these reasons:

- EWR and the whole NE has been a mess all summer. I don't know when you're flying, but 75 minutes for a Florida-to-Europe connection now seems tight.

- Your actual seat is similar on the 777 or the 752. Main differences include IFE, cabin width, number of aisles, overhead luggage bin sizes. But the eastbound is a relatively short 6:30 flight, and <b>when you have your eyes closed</b>, they're basically the same.

- The later flight has better timing. The 772 departs 6:15p. Even after dinner, it's still too early to go to sleep. By 1am East Coast time, they wake you up for breakfast, and 2am, you're already on the ground in Paris, with basically no rest. If you fly the 8:30p, you can at least get some sleep right after dinner.

Now, if you just can't sleep at all on planes, then maybe you want the 772 - as it is more comfortable when your eyes are open, and it has personal video screens. For the westbound flight back from Paris, that's much preferred.

I knew I'd forget something... I'm flying at the end of the month. So I guess the short connection isn't a good idea. I wish I could sleep on the plane but I can't. I love the personal video screens, it's great entertainment for the whole trip. The 757's don't have those? Hmmm decisions decisions...

izzie - CO is just starting to install new seats and personal video screens in coach for its 752s. First one of 41 is now in the shop. But since you're going so soon, all you'll get is a drop down screen every few rows and 9 channels of audio.

On the 772s, 3 of the 20 aircrafts now have AVOD. Widescreen 250 movies, 350 TV shows and 150 CDs. And on the other 17, 10 video channels and 20 music channels that run on a loop.

So, there's a huge difference in what you get on the 752 and 772 when it comes to entertainment.

You're right rkkwan. I suppose I could always get a portable dvd player but I don't want to be bringing more stuff with me, I really need to downsize! I think I might go for the 1st flight. My boyfriend might be able to catch a flight that comes in at 0900 so I wont have that long of a wait to meet him. And I'm used to flying to LHR on BA so I'd hate to switch to something like the 757 but I can try it next time after they upgrade. Thanks for your help! Any ideas on meeting points... or should I just go to his terminal?

Hi izz,

I would arrange to meet BF at your hotel.

Re the aircraft, see www.seatguru.com

I'd do the longer connection at Newark. The internatonal flight area for CO is good--there is even a decent restaurant/bar and you can duty free shop if your flight from Florida is actually on time.

Sitting at CDG is not the most fun.

CO 757s are not that bad, in my opinion. But I rarely use any of the provided entertainment options no matter what plane I take, preferring to read. I have also taken the CO 777-200 and it is a nicer plane, but I can't see getting too excited about it.

I agree with those who say not to wait around CDG. In addition to the scheduled time apart, either of you could end up with delayed flights, making the whole waiting thing quite unenjoyable.

Air France has a flight to CDG around 8:30 out of EWR. It's a more modern Airbus. Would it be the same cost if you took this flight instead of the CO? You have to change terminals in Newark, but you would have the extra connecting time.

Earlier this year I made the mistake of not redeeming my FF ticket with the AF rather than the CO flight ( I'm booked in CO 8:50 PM , 757-200 flight). When I called to change , there were no FF in AF available, so I have no other choice. I think the AF flight is better.