Programs: Delta Silver Medallion, BA Executive Club, The Southwest Thing-a-Majigger
Posts: 345
BOS-DCA...Train or DL? What would you do?
They both cost about $140 for the day I'm looking at (a Sunday). The flight time (through LGA) clocks in at 3:14, whereas the train is closer to 7 hours. Of course, there's airport security to contend with... And in Amtrak's favor, I live quite close to Union Station in DC so that's a consideration.
The main thing holding me back at this point is the equipment: Do the Embraer 175 (BOS-LGA) and the Embraer 170 (LGA-DCA) even have FC? I hate flying domestic on DL if there isn't even a chance for an upgrade...
Amtrak is great between WAS & NYP. NYP-BOS is a longer and more tedious ride and there's the 30-40 minute layover at NYP if you go all the way through.
Checkpoint at DCA & BOS is a breeze on weekends (until late Sunday, but even then that's a business crowd so not kettle-heavy).
I prefer the USS which has hourly non-stop service for a flight which amounts to 55-1:20 depending on departure/arrival vectoring.
I love that route on the train. Are you doing the Acela? I think FC on NE Corridor is better than the standard (business) on Acela, personally. More space and more comfortable seats. A bit slower but not much. Unless you need the miles for status, take the train!
Do the Embraer 175 (BOS-LGA) and the Embraer 170 (LGA-DCA) even have FC?
Yes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RenHoek
Here's what to do: Buy your own soda and get a JetBlue non-stop DCA>BOS and get there in an hour.
I would vote for B6 over connecting in LGA easily. B6 has free soft drinks and snacks, and live tv throughout the entire flight. Think about spending the $30 or so to get the EMS seats (extra legroom and priority boarding/security). B6 with EMS vs. DL FC is a worthy debate to have, in my opinion (when talking about DL F on a short flight).
My thoughts for this route:
B6w/EMSnonstop > B6nonstop > DL FC > DL Y > Amtrak
Programs: MR GE, DL LYM :rollseyes: RW2 ABP, HTZ 5*, SPG GPG, HY PGP, 2V Fanboi, Toyoko Inn Club, HH, CBP GE
Posts: 1,641
If you like trains and have the day to kill, take the Acela. It's a pleasant ride, scenic at points, has wifi and power the whole way, and you can always get up and stroll to the cafe car. IMO, FC is a waste of money on the Acela, and the 7+ hours on the Regional doesn't seem like fun.
If you need the MQM or MQS, take DL (2 @ 500).
If you value your time, take B6 or US. Even counting TSA, it's 4+ hours faster than the train.
Yes those E175/E170 are very nice planes with a FC cabin and full size overheads for bags. Its crappy they killed the BOS-DCA route with the slot swap, but connecting through LGA is annoying also for that short of a trip.
Personally, I prefer the JetBlue flights, especially since they also offer non-stops BOS-BWI and BOS-IAD. You can check availability and prices for all three WAS airports at once on their website. The miles (only about 400) can be credited to the AA frequent flier program.
I would always do acela on this route. Its so much nicer than flying, room to walk around, no TSA security, and city center to city center and most important no risk of huge tarmac delays or delays landing
