Trying to get to Philadelphia via non-stop to JFK
Dec 30th, 2006, 10:06 AM
#1
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Trying to get to Philadelphia via non-stop to JFK
I have been working on trying to solve this problem for many hours now, and hope the travel experts on this site may have some ideas for me to try.
I want to visit friends in Philadelphia this spring. I have many frequent flier miles on American, and use them for upgrades for long flights, ideally on their luxe 763, with its legrests to soothe my arthritic knees.
I found two flights on this aircraft, one arriving at 4:30 PM, the other at 10 PM.
The only airline with non-stop service to Phila is Delta, and none of their flights work with these times. I could book a hotel at the airport, or do the one arriving at 4:30, stay in a hotel in the city, see a play, and take Amtrak the next day. Thanks to family connections, I can book at the Westin for $50 dollars. I called them to ask about pickup at JFK, and was surprised they referred me to Super Shuttle. If it wasn't rush hour I'd consider a cab...
It must seem like a lot of wrangling to take this plane, but I just turned 66, and find the pretzel posture very hard to take for very long.
I can do the return flight using Delta without a problem.
By the way, Happy New Year!
I want to visit friends in Philadelphia this spring. I have many frequent flier miles on American, and use them for upgrades for long flights, ideally on their luxe 763, with its legrests to soothe my arthritic knees.
I found two flights on this aircraft, one arriving at 4:30 PM, the other at 10 PM.
The only airline with non-stop service to Phila is Delta, and none of their flights work with these times. I could book a hotel at the airport, or do the one arriving at 4:30, stay in a hotel in the city, see a play, and take Amtrak the next day. Thanks to family connections, I can book at the Westin for $50 dollars. I called them to ask about pickup at JFK, and was surprised they referred me to Super Shuttle. If it wasn't rush hour I'd consider a cab...
It must seem like a lot of wrangling to take this plane, but I just turned 66, and find the pretzel posture very hard to take for very long.
I can do the return flight using Delta without a problem.
By the way, Happy New Year!
Dec 30th, 2006, 10:31 AM
#2
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By your nom de plume I assume you are from SF bay area, and intend to take the non-stop from SFO to JFK. The first thing you should know that these flights tend to be chock a block full with mega frequent fliers. I take this route 4-5 times per year and in about 20 flights haven't been able to upgrade one single time, either using stickers or miles. I came close a couple of times as AA Platinum, but have now slipped to AA Gold and don't ever make it on the 'maybe you'll get an upgrade list'.
I always prefer non-stops across the continent, even though there are several airports closer to my home than JFK, all require a connection in Chicago which I avoid like the plague.
If you can get an upgrade on the early AA flight, arriving at 4:30 that's what I would do, then take a cab into Manhattan. Yes it will be rush hour so it'll take you longer than if you'd arrive at 10pm, but you'll be going somewhat counter the flow, although in the outer boroughs of NY traffic can be busy in all directions at rush hour.
A 4:30 arrival will give you plenty of time to get to the Westin, relax, grab a quick bite if you wish and take in a show.
The alternative, of course, is to take a 1 stop, either through DFW or Chicago right into PHL. If you can't get an upgrade on the SFO - JFK flight that might be a better option.
AA also flies 763 SFO to ORD and SFO to DFW. Flights from OAK are on smaller MD80s.
Thinking about it as I type I guess the biggest question is do you want to spend a night in NY, and add on the JFK to Westin and Amtrak to PHL time, or would you rather just get to PHL?
If I could upgrade 763 SFO to ORD I'd fly directly into PHL myself.
Maybe AAFF will chime in with more options.
I always prefer non-stops across the continent, even though there are several airports closer to my home than JFK, all require a connection in Chicago which I avoid like the plague.
If you can get an upgrade on the early AA flight, arriving at 4:30 that's what I would do, then take a cab into Manhattan. Yes it will be rush hour so it'll take you longer than if you'd arrive at 10pm, but you'll be going somewhat counter the flow, although in the outer boroughs of NY traffic can be busy in all directions at rush hour.
A 4:30 arrival will give you plenty of time to get to the Westin, relax, grab a quick bite if you wish and take in a show.
The alternative, of course, is to take a 1 stop, either through DFW or Chicago right into PHL. If you can't get an upgrade on the SFO - JFK flight that might be a better option.
AA also flies 763 SFO to ORD and SFO to DFW. Flights from OAK are on smaller MD80s.
Thinking about it as I type I guess the biggest question is do you want to spend a night in NY, and add on the JFK to Westin and Amtrak to PHL time, or would you rather just get to PHL?
If I could upgrade 763 SFO to ORD I'd fly directly into PHL myself.
Maybe AAFF will chime in with more options.
Dec 30th, 2006, 10:37 AM
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How about JetBlue nonstop OAK-JFK? I haven't looked at schedules, however.
www.jetblue.com
They have good legroom in their Airbuses, and the service is wonderful for a low cost carrier.
www.jetblue.com
They have good legroom in their Airbuses, and the service is wonderful for a low cost carrier.
Dec 30th, 2006, 11:10 AM
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Thank you both for your excellent advice!
I'll consider the Jet Blue option. I've used them, and the travel plans would certainly be less convoluted.
As for the upgrade issue, of course there must be a lot of competition for this aircraft and its amenities. I booked on AA about a month ago from SFO to CDG in September/October, and was really lucky in being able to secure upgrades for all legs of our flights.
J62, 'tis true I'm in the Bay Area. We've had some fun in the past week or so with a couple of jolts, plus the wild winds. There's always something...
I'll consider the Jet Blue option. I've used them, and the travel plans would certainly be less convoluted.
As for the upgrade issue, of course there must be a lot of competition for this aircraft and its amenities. I booked on AA about a month ago from SFO to CDG in September/October, and was really lucky in being able to secure upgrades for all legs of our flights.
J62, 'tis true I'm in the Bay Area. We've had some fun in the past week or so with a couple of jolts, plus the wild winds. There's always something...
Dec 30th, 2006, 11:51 AM
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If you are using AAdvantage miles, how about trying to get an open jaw, into PHL out of JFK (or vice-versa?). Then you could find a way to get only one way between airports. Also, where in the Philadelphia area? There are lots of options to get you up to JFK or back. One is Transbridge Bus, which has bus service between JFK and Bucks County, PA (an hour north of Philly). From Philly center city one other obvious option is Amtrak from PHL to New York and to JFK from there (isn't there a train to JFK now?.
Dec 30th, 2006, 01:30 PM
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Andrew, my friends live in the University City area, thus close to 30th Street Station. When thinking of the stayover at the Westin, which is in Times Square, I'd planned on taking the Acela the next morning.
It would be best of all if there is now an Amtrak station at JFK! Then I would solve all my problems, and save my friends the hassle of any airport transport for me.
As for the open jaw, I really hope to book onto the nonstop 763. Of course, all that also depends on the upgrade issue.
Thanks for your suggestions.
It would be best of all if there is now an Amtrak station at JFK! Then I would solve all my problems, and save my friends the hassle of any airport transport for me.
As for the open jaw, I really hope to book onto the nonstop 763. Of course, all that also depends on the upgrade issue.
Thanks for your suggestions.
Dec 30th, 2006, 06:47 PM
#8
I admit that I am not following your post exactly but we have flown nonstop SFO to PHL on US Air many times. Is it that they do not fly the type of aircraft that you want? It does seem ashame to fly somewhere other than PHL since your friends live so close to the airport.
