zrs70

Dear UA sages,

I'm using my miles to fly WAW-LAX in business. I have 2 available choices:

1) WAW-LAX nonstop on LOT
2) WAW-DUB-LAX on Aer Lingus.

While the NS seems nice, I am not convinced by LOT service. Further, their planes are not equipped with WIFI. I'm not quite a zen enough person to be able to go that long without being connected!

Certainly, if LX or OS space opens, I'll chose them. So rather than reply with "why not fly XXX"? - yes, I've considered them all. And for now, these are my choices!

Thanks in advance!

garykung

My only question is how much time will you have at DUB.

Given DUB is a U.S. preclearance POE, even you are not required to clear CTA's immigration and customs, you will be required to go through CBP and TSA-styled security at DUB.

So your timing at DUB is everything.

NoLaGent

LOT, no question.

http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...sh-warsaw-lax/


(wifi is not worth going thru DUB - load up movies, take a break from connectivity, etc., you'll be fine)

zrs70

Good clarifying question. I've got 2.5 hours in DUB. And I have TSE pre-check.

zrs70

Thanks for the link. But other than showcasing that it's new service, why no question? Not clear what LOT offers (other than a nonstop).

NoLaGent

You're welcome. What does EI offer you that's better than a nonstop? They're not exactly CX or SQ...

(ps: Your TSA Pre-check status is irrelevant in either scenario given CBP at your points of clearance)

garykung

You should choose LOT instead.

1. Aer Lingus is not a TSA Pre-Check participating airline. Even TSA runs the security at DUB (which is not the case at all), you will still be subject to full search.

2. You can't pass through CBP until your baggage has been properly transferred to U.S. Preclearance, as you have to identify your baggage for immigration and customs (After you pass through DUB U.S. Preclearance, you are presumed completed the entire process and everything afterward is practically similar to U.S. domestic flights).

Given that you have to be at the gate 30 minute before departure (U.S. Preclearance flights ex-DUB usually departs on time), 2 hours for everything may be tough and it can get messy.

You should only choose Aer Lingus if:

1. You have no checked baggage;

2. You are a U.S. citizen or LPR (if LPR, make sure you did not leave the U.S. for more than 6 months).

nikolastojsin

IME (somewhat limited - four TATLs on LO and two on EI), LO service is quite good, and actually better than EI's. Plus, it is a direct flight, on a 787 - so LO would be my choice hands down here.

Lack of wifi is a big minus, though - though I am not sure that EI's DUB-WAW leg would have it either.

Finally, I am not sure how much you value a 2.5-hour DUB layover (for me, 8 hours would be nicer).

l etoile

Please follow this in the Star Alliance forum.

l'etoile
UA moderator

Madone59

+1 Go non-stop!

rankourabu

Why/how is this even a question

LOT J is one of the best in Star Alliance, certainly better than the likes of UA or AC and even LH.
On top of that its a nonstop with flat beds.

Your other alternative is on a budgetish J, and only for part of the journey, while WAW-DUB will be almost 3 hours in a Y seat with the middle blocked out.