My experience on the Las Vegas flight
May 27, 2017, 3:10 pm
#16
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,405
Apart from having to go through immigration at LAX, which can be a pain in the a$$. If you aren't heading to LAX, you might as well enter the US somewhere else.
May 27, 2017, 3:24 pm
#17
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,439
I would never fly to Las Vegas. I much prefer to drive. It's a long drive, true, but through a desert environment you don't get in Europe.
You can take the 15 and the 40, going through Cajon Pass near San Bernardino. For true isolation and the funky desert experience, consider instead going through Riverside, then Yucca Valley and Needles.
Just my 2 cents.
May 28, 2017, 2:10 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,261
On the earlier BA283 I've been through (HBO) and outside within 30 mins on my last 4/5. The kiosks have made it so much faster and even though I've got GE my last visit couple of times I was with friends without and we were all still outside, over to AA and in the Qantas First lounge in an hour. I rarely read horror stories of LAX immigration on here now
May 28, 2017, 6:31 am
#19
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,405
That is if you can use the kiosk. On my last trip with +1, the kiosk wouldn't recognize +1's passport with an slightly altered design. The attendant was baffled as well. YMMV
May 28, 2017, 6:58 am
#20
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: southampton
Programs: BAEC GGL, Virgin Silver, Marriott Platinum, HH diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 257
I go to Vegas a few times a year and never fly direct with BA. I sometimes use LAX but usually use SFO even though it is a longer flight to LAS. I have always found the transfer experience much quicker but of course you can't fly AA if you want to book a through ticket or get tierpoints/avios.
If you fly United (not any more!) or Virgin America to LAS it's a very, very short walk inside to the next terminal and I am normally back through airside again in less than 30 minutes. Of course that is on the later BA flight, being amongst the first off. Love Virgin America, will be really sad to see the brand go.
If you fly United (not any more!) or Virgin America to LAS it's a very, very short walk inside to the next terminal and I am normally back through airside again in less than 30 minutes. Of course that is on the later BA flight, being amongst the first off. Love Virgin America, will be really sad to see the brand go.
May 28, 2017, 10:24 am
#21
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 86
This thread is interesting to me as I was looking to do an F redemption flight to LAS next year, to tour the Utah/Arizona National Parks. The reports on here make me feel that F to LAS is likely to be a disappointing experience.
PHX is another option for this trip. I think the flight has F, but does anyone know what the quality of the planes is like please ?
PHX is another option for this trip. I think the flight has F, but does anyone know what the quality of the planes is like please ?
May 28, 2017, 10:36 am
#22
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 189
This is not to put down BA because I like them, but AA's 77W is an awesome plane. I took it recently from JFK to LHR. The crew was awesome. Can't say enough good things about them. I was in the mini-cabin so I'm sure that helped. You also can't beat the hard product. The amenity kits are nice too.
May 28, 2017, 10:42 am
#24
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,405
Depending on what Utah/Arizona NP you plan on visiting, it may make more sense to fly into DFW/PHX and connect onto a local flight. If you looking at parks in the East of Utah/Arizona, flying into Colorado airports may make more sense than flying into PHX.
May 28, 2017, 10:43 am
#25
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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Posts: 100,413
This thread is interesting to me as I was looking to do an F redemption flight to LAS next year, to tour the Utah/Arizona National Parks. The reports on here make me feel that F to LAS is likely to be a disappointing experience.
PHX is another option for this trip. I think the flight has F, but does anyone know what the quality of the planes is like please ?
PHX is another option for this trip. I think the flight has F, but does anyone know what the quality of the planes is like please ?
You should probably check rental car rates before making a decision as the pick up and return location can make an enormous difference in the prices.
There's a lot of airport construction at PHX, although I'm not sure how much it affects BA/AA operations.
May 28, 2017, 11:40 am
#26
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Nottingham, England
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 968
It's at best 4+ hours and as boring as can be. Hour upon hour of the Mojave, with only a stop at Peggy Sue's and a look at the big thermometer to break it up. And after probably being up for 18 hours and just off an 11 hour flight no thanks.
May 28, 2017, 11:45 am
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,915
This thread is interesting to me as I was looking to do an F redemption flight to LAS next year, to tour the Utah/Arizona National Parks. The reports on here make me feel that F to LAS is likely to be a disappointing experience.
PHX is another option for this trip. I think the flight has F, but does anyone know what the quality of the planes is like please ?
PHX is another option for this trip. I think the flight has F, but does anyone know what the quality of the planes is like please ?
The PHX planes will be the same as the LAS planes ie Mid-J CW with the older IFE.
Regards
TBS
May 28, 2017, 11:45 am
#28
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Nottingham, England
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 968
We now go DUB-PHL-LAS.
Of course the trouble with flying AA is that if you get delayed on one sector you might just miss a flight (we have) and then you are SOL. No EU compo.
We have an F redemption direct in August with BA so I'm not worried about the product. In fact we will be able to use the CX lounge in T3 which is a bonus.
It will probably be the last time we fly BA
Of course the trouble with flying AA is that if you get delayed on one sector you might just miss a flight (we have) and then you are SOL. No EU compo.
We have an F redemption direct in August with BA so I'm not worried about the product. In fact we will be able to use the CX lounge in T3 which is a bonus.
It will probably be the last time we fly BA
May 28, 2017, 11:47 am
#30
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Nottingham, England
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 968