Other North & South America Frequent Flyer Programs - AM, AF, KL or CO?

Please help me choose the right airline for my upcoming trip from MAD to IAH and return.

I want to stick with Sky Team, to earn CO miles.

No matter who I fly, I will have to change once (no non-stop flights MAD – IAH).

I want to fly business class.

Options:

KL via AMS, but on the 747, since the Privat Air flights do not earn CO points.

AF via CDG.

CO via EWR

AM via MTY.

I’ve got some flexibility on schedule, so seat comfort and meals are the most important considerations.

Would do carry-on only, so lost luggage should not be an issue. I would guess connecting airports in order of ease would be:

MTY
EWR
AMS
CDG

Any comments, suggestions, or caveats would be appreciated!

Hoping to get the best response, I am posting this on the One Pass, Flying Blue and North and South America Other boards. Moderators, please feel free to remove one or more if this is inappropriate.

Thanks!

If you want to fly AM, don't go via MTY. You better fly MAD-MEX-IAH and make sure you get the new B777. J cabin in the B777 has been getting good ratings. I have flown J on the B767 (which operates the MAD-MTY) and don't like it very much.

I agree with Rojo. However I am not sure if you could get a flight out of MEX to IAH at or after 8 PM with AM, maybe continental has one, since the MAD-MEX flight arrives at MEX at 7:30 PM. Since you would be making an international connection I think 40-45 minutes for the connection should be enough. On the IAH-MEX-MAD segments there shouldn't be a problem connecting, since the flight from IAH arrives at MEX around 1:30 PM and the MEX-MAD flight leaves at 6 PM.

I can't wait to try the 777 J cabin. I've heard it's pretty nice.

Don't forget Delta via ATL.

AM
MAD-MTY on AM is only twice weekly on 767, the schedul is excellent midnight departure with 6am arrival. But MTY-IAH is only CO.
MTY connections are speedy in smallish airport.

KL
non biz jet flight entails 05h50 departure from MAD.

AF
is the best option with twice daily NEV equipped, but get the late departure, the early connection at CDG is next to impossible from MAD.

also US via PHL or AA via MIA.