I need to go BOS-DCA but all the Delta flights are over JFK or someplace else. Is there a Skyteam direct flight or if not, what of the others, Jetblue, Southwest are the best? This may be off topic but any help appreciated.
Joe
Though based in NY, I sometimes have to go from NY to Boston to DCA (or NY to DCA to Boston), and on those occasions that I have to fly between DCA and Boston (or vice versa), I usually take US Air's Shuttle for that segment (and DL to/from NY).
DL dropped BOS-DCA as part of the DCA/LGA slot swap with US. As said above, JetBlue & US are the two airlines that fly the route nonstop; US has hourly frequency and the miles (all 800 of them, assuming you're doing a round trip) are good on Star Alliance, while JetBlue has more legroom in coach and TVs at every seat.
Delta no longer flies non-stop between BOS and DCA. US Airways offers more flights and a better program for mileage usage but JetBlue is a far more enjoyable flight
I've used both carriers (US and B6) on the BOS-DCA route quite a bit and don't hate either. I guess it's where you want to deposit miles. Agreed as above, B6 is nicer.
US Shuttle is hourly, easy and generally more flexible. Also has F. Flight time is about 55 mins up to BOS and about 1:10 back down (typical landing to the North).
Take the Acela. It'll add a few hours to your trip but shave a ton of stress off of it.
Beat me to the punch.
Boston to DC is a great ride in Acela First Class.
If you are the hungry type, I believe you get served two meals, one before and one after NYC.
And Acela First Class gives you access to the lounges in Boston and DC.
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Depends on your time requirements. If your times are fixed and unlikely to change, B6 offers a nicer in-flight experience. If you're going soon, though, beware the thanksgiving and end of semester security lines in BOS, which can be decidedly less than efficient those times of year.
If your times may require some flexibility (for instance if you want to come directly home after a meeting or other event) or if you want more options in event of IRROPS, the US Airways shuttle is the better choice, as it runs every hour. One thing of note: the US shuttle boards strictly by row number not zone, so you'll see a zone number on your boarding pass which, for this particular flight, is totally meaningless.
If, of course, time is no object at all, the Acela does offer a very nice ride, particularly in first class.
I need to go BOS-DCA but all the Delta flights are over JFK or someplace else. Is there a Skyteam direct flight or if not, what of the others, Jetblue, Southwest are the best? This may be off topic but any help appreciated.
Joe
Joe, as someone who does 20+ round trips DCA-BOS, I now either take US/UA/B6, more so US lately, good frequencies and price. Jetblue FFP sucks. And I hate IAD (when flying UA), so I try to avoid UA.
I do admit, I have booked DCA-LGA/JFK-BOS a few times, but the layover is so annoying.
And I don't fly Airtran/Southwest, which also requires me driving to BWI.
Like others have echoed, take Jetblue for the snacks, coffee, and TV for the 1hour trip, if you don't care about miles in this case. Otherwise suck it up and take the long route through NYC.
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I fly this route several times a year, and have used both JetBlue and US. I'm flying one way on each airline over Thanksgiving. On the whole, I prefer JetBlue (crediting miles to AA), though US has more flights. But JetBlue also flies from BOS to BWI and IAD, and the flights to BWI (where I don't mind going) are sometimes notably less expensive.
