Air France Frequence Plus - AF A380 connection vs DL 763 nonstop

All - currently booked ISTCDG/CDGJFK. CDGJFK booked in J on the A380. 0615 departure from IST, and about a 4 hr layover in CDG. Family of four, kids are good long-haul flyers, and they are somewhat excited about the prospects of a new airplane type.

DL flies ISTJFK nonstop, I believe flight time is around 12 hrs. 763 with recliner seats. Departs around noon.

So the question: is it worth getting up at an ugly hour in Istanbul and having perhaps too much CDG lounge time just for the novelty of the A380? Or is one more breakfast along the Bosphorous followed by Delta recliners a better way to go?

All - currently booked ISTCDG/CDGJFK. CDGJFK booked in J on the A380. 0615 departure from IST, and about a 4 hr layover in CDG. Family of four, kids are good long-haul flyers, and they are somewhat excited about the prospects of a new airplane type.

DL flies ISTJFK nonstop, I believe flight time is around 12 hrs. 763 with recliner seats. Departs around noon.

So the question: is it worth getting up at an ugly hour in Istanbul and having perhaps too much CDG lounge time just for the novelty of the A380? Or is one more breakfast along the Bosphorous followed by Delta recliners a better way to go?

I'd personally go direct, especially in that direction where you are less likely to want to sleep. This being said, the A380 is a nicer plane to fly, remarkably quiet, quite airy and pleasant!

I agree that the A380 is nicer than a 767, but given your choices, I'd opt for the direct DL flight (no early morning departure, less danger of strikes, IST-CDG is not on a nice A380 and is quite a distance)

It also all depends when you fly, because DL just announced that this route will become seasonal (no flights between mid nov to end march)
http://airlineroute.net/2012/07/25/dl-ist-w12cxld/

It also all depends when you fly, because DL just announced that this route will become seasonal (no flights between mid nov to end march)
http://airlineroute.net/2012/07/25/dl-ist-w12cxld/

Good point. It is summer travel.

Good point. It is summer travel.

If you have Summer 2013 travel, there's a fair chance that 767-300ER will have lie-flat seats.

Take the non-stop. I just flew TATL on the AF A380 JFK-CDG in J and a DL non-stop 763 DUS-ATL in J on the recliners. Although I liked the experience of being on the 380, I'd opt for the non-stop in your situation. Especially with a lot of youngsters in tow. The times of departure for your non-stop option is a significant bonus. This is said with one caveat though: I actually like the recliners especially when travelling during the daytime going westbound.

You're not even noting the misery of a miserable four hour flight in coach.

Definitely non-stop.

You're not even noting the misery of a miserable four hour flight in coach.

Definitely non-stop.

True. Premium Economy actually, but I suspect that doesn't mean anything on an AF A320.

If you have Summer 2013 travel, there's a fair chance that 767-300ER will have lie-flat seats.

2012 travel. If it was the 764 or reasonably guaranteed to be a 763 that has already gotten the lie-flats, it would be no contest.

True. Premium Economy actually, but I suspect that doesn't mean anything on an AF A320.

All seats are typical awful coach seats on shorthaul flights. In PE you only get a slightly better meal. DL J seats on 763 are antique, but J seats on AF 388 are angled and not great. Makes little sense to transit via CDG, especially with a family.

All seats are typical awful coach seats on shorthaul flights. In PE you only get a slightly better meal. DL J seats on 763 are antique, but J seats on AF 388 are angled and not great. Makes little sense to transit via CDG, especially with a family.

Thanks all. We chose Delta. Safe travels - Jamie