Seattle To New York: Which Airline?
 

I'm considering flying to New York next year instead of my usual modus operandi Amtrak. I'll be flying to Europe in '06, but I think that I should try a shorter flight first in order to get familiar with the process. This would be my first time ever on a plane, so I have a couple of questions. The only thing that I'm sure of is that I want a nonstop flight.

Tooling around the internet today, I've found that Delta, Northwest, and American all offer nonstop flights between Seattle and JFK (which I think offers the most convenient transport options to the Sheraton Towers). Is it just those three, or did I miss any other carriers?

First and Business class are way too expensive for my taste, so I'll be flying coach. I'm not worried about amenities or perks on a 5 hour flight, but being tall (5'11"), I *am* worried about legroom. Of the ones mentioned above, which coach class offers the most legroom? If I book early enough to get prime choice of seats, should I select one in a particular area (front, exit row, etc.)?

Try JetBlue. It's the best airline I have ever flown and I have been traveling for many a year now, lol.

The seats are comfortable and you have a TV with something like 35 channels.

JetBlue also flies into JFK.

From JFK take the airtran to the A train into the city and get off at 59th St and walk the few blocks to the hotel.

Have a great time while you are here.

American's service is on 757s, aka the "Triremes" that offer Less Room Throughout Coach, i.e., the same 32" pitch as everyone else, unlike other planes in their fleet that offer more legroom than the other carriers.

You left out Alaska Airlines, which flies nonstop into Newark.

Most airlines won't pre-assign exit rows or other roomy seats to anyone but their "elite" frequent flyers.

If it's an issue for you, I'd recommend you look at both Jetblue, which has overnight service (so if you're able, you can snooze) or look at American's service via Dallas or Chicago. You'd have to change planes in either place, but the advantages would be (a) you could ride in AA's More Room Throughout Coach aircraft (MD-80s and 737s) plus you'd get some leg-stretching time in Chacago or Dallas, and (b) you could fly into LaGuardia, which IMO is the most convenient NYC airport of the bunch.

I just looked at Jet Blue and I like what I see. I like that the flight arrives in NY in the morning instead of late afternoon or evening as that would give me an extra full day.

How do they keep their fares so low? It has to be more than serving snacks instead of meals.

Actually, JFK might be the least convenient of the 3 NY area airports. That said, it isn't like it is significantly worse then LaGuardia or Newark.

If you expand your options to Newark, Continental will likely offer non-stop service, as well.

If you are worried about legroom, then certainly try and get a seat in one of the emergency rows as they have more legroom then the standard seat. The airlines have different rules about how far ahead of time you can book those seats.

Now, as it is your first time on a plane, you need not worry about your role in an emergency as it is quite simple, get the door off, shove anyone trying to get past you out of the way - and then get off the plane making sure that women and children stay out of your way. (I'm kidding about that last part. No really, I am.)

If you fly often enough, you'll discover that most airlines are pretty similar. Although, Continental has been getting better marks then many because they still do things like serve food. However, they are have the smallest width between seats.

The JetBlue option might be a good choice. In terms of their cost, they are non-union and still have a relatively new company. Unlike the older airlines, they don't have a boatload (or planeload)of very expensive, older employees.

New airline so no employees with senior employment pay, newer planes which mean less maintenance, fly direct routes instead of hub which is more efficent, only have profitable routes, etc.

JetBlue keeps prices low in many of the same ways Southwest does: mainline fleet of ONE airplane model (and cushy deals from the manufacturer), relatively low payroll (low-seniority positions at below-industry-average pay), less amenities but more commitment to customer service on high-volume routes.

I like JetBlue a lot, but I'm not keen on redeyes if I'll be staying at a hotel at my destination. Since my room isn't always ready for me if my check-in is before 3 PM, I have to check the bags with the bell captain. I fly from the West Coast as well, so I time my arrivals for after 3 PM. It works quite well, actually.

I'm a bit taller than you, and JetBlue seats weren't too punishing. For that matter, American's 757s with Less Room Throughout Coach aren't too bad. Still, the extra inches on the MD-80s is noticeable and much appreciated. To ameliorate the situation, at reservation ALWAYS ask for an aisle seat if you can't get exit row. And when you check in, innocently ask if an exit row seat has become free. It never hurts to ask.

American has announced the end of the More Room... program. Drats!

I have flown Alaska Air to New York (Newark) 3 times in the last 2 years and loved it compared to American and Delta in the past.

Alaska planes are newer and I always have more room. My husband is 6'6" and they always get us aisle, bulkhead or exit rows.

They also have personal movie players now that you can use.

And the food on Alaska is always better.

Newark to the city takes 30 mins, 1 hour in traffic. I've taken cabs and also hired cars, both are easy.

I would always book Alaska Air if I had the chance.

As a summary, here are your non-stop options:

<b>Alaska</b>: Two daily SEA-EWR. 737.
<b>American</b>: One daily SEA-JFK. 757 (no extra legroom).
<b>Continental</b>: Three daily SEA-EWR. Two of them 737 during the day. One 757 redeye.
<b>Delta</b>: Two daily SEA-JFK. One 737, one 757.
<b>Jetblue</b>: One daily SEA-JFK. 320 redeye.

Taiwan's EVA also fly daily SEA-EWR with a 747-400. While it's listed as a codeshare on CO's timetable, I don't think you can actually book that.

American and Alaska codeshare on each other flights, so if it's JFK it's AA, if it's EWR it's AS. Or look at the flight numbers closely.

Northwest doesn't fly this route. It codeshares on DL for JFK, and CO for EWR.

Thanks for the input everyone. As of now, I'm leaning toward Jet Blue with Continental and Alaska being my 2nd and 3rd choices.

Looking at the nonstop schedules, unless I get up with the chickens here in Seattle, I have the choice of either arriving in NY in the morning or after 8 PM. Since it takes me a while to get unwired and I'll need to be up relatively early the morning after I arrive, the overnight flight looks to be the best option. I'm going to e-mail my hotel and ask them if I can check my bag in if my room isn't ready upon arrival.