Programs: AA PLT, UA PremEx. Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 648
DCA-SFO-DCA Flight Experiences?
Has anyone tried the new DCA-SFO-DCA nonstop? Looks like it is operated by legacy CO 73G aircraft with 12F seats. Am tempted to try it versus hauling out to IAD. IAD-SFO-IAD is a tough upgrade even for 1Ks. Curious if DCA is as hard or easier. Seems like the 8am departure is timed well to connect with Asian departures out of SFO and the same on the return. Suspect the F meal either way is the same as IAD-SFO-IAD. Any real time experiences on this route appreciated!
Programs: UA 1K, Starwood Plat, Marriott Plat, Amtrak S+
Posts: 372
Yes! It's great! I've always applied RPUs, but have been upgraded all 3 times (2 of which were on 1K heavy Monday and Thursday). The upgrade list was never more than 20 people, and you miss all the paid F pax connecting from Europe at IAD.
Flew it for the first time a few weeks ago and will be on it Thursday in F on the way to OGG. It has E+, DTV, and power. I think it's great!
The merger has caused its share of issues, but having more hubs to connect through has turned me into a DCA convert over IAD, even if IAD has direct routes. DCA is just a much more pleasant experience, although the UA gates in Terminal B leave something to be desired. But still better than IAD.
I've flown a few of the SFO-DCA legs. Like Palmetto above, I've always applied RPUs. Was successful every time until this past week; was #3 at boarding as a 1K on a W fare.
Catering is the transcon fare, including ice cream sundaes on the eastbound afternoon/evening flight.
Agreed that DCA is much nicer and more convenient than IAD, especially for those close to the city. Step off metro, breeze through pre-check, and be on my way to the west coast - beautiful.
i've done SFO -> IAD, applied an RPU about 1.5 months out at purchase and cleared three days prior. 1K on a W fare. i think there was only one seat left unreserved on the seat map after me with flight status showing F as available once that became viewable. 4/5 showed as upgraded when i could check the cleared list, with a total of 6 at take off. i think the pax next to me also burned miles or RPU (showing as ug'd and was plat per luggage tags). given than this is only 12 seats, i do imagine this is a hard route to CPU on, but that's better than a hard RPU/CR1 route!
apart from the sundae, meal service seemed on par with regular PMCO domestic F catering, but this route N=1 for me.
good point up thread about no connecting F traffic at IAD for the flights ex-WAS.
* i know this isn't an equipment thread - 1 A&B have cut outs at the bulkhead, 1 E&F seem on par with PMUA regular 752s, so no bueno there (e.g. no cutout). i was happily in 1A.
Has anyone tried the new DCA-SFO-DCA nonstop? Looks like it is operated by legacy CO 73G aircraft with 12F seats. Am tempted to try it versus hauling out to IAD. IAD-SFO-IAD is a tough upgrade even for 1Ks. Curious if DCA is as hard or easier. Seems like the 8am departure is timed well to connect with Asian departures out of SFO and the same on the return. Suspect the F meal either way is the same as IAD-SFO-IAD. Any real time experiences on this route appreciated!
I agree with all the positive comments. Just note that the security line at Terminal B is pretty long, especially during the morning hours. Give yourself plenty of time.
I agree with all the positive comments. Just note that the security line at Terminal B is pretty long, especially during the morning hours. Give yourself plenty of time.
Isn't there a PreCheck line for B now? (I thought I saw signage for it when I was there back in September or so.)
How's the price on this route been as compared to SFO-IAD?
Haven't flown out of IAD in awhile, but I took a trip to Napa a few weeks ago. Had it planned for about six months and kept an eye on fares the whole time. Left Sat and came back on red-eye through ORD Tues night.
The fare never went below $550 so I used miles for the trip instead.
Haven't flown out of IAD in awhile, but I took a trip to Napa a few weeks ago. Had it planned for about six months and kept an eye on fares the whole time. Left Sat and came back on red-eye through ORD Tues night.
The fare never went below $550 so I used miles for the trip instead.
Ouch! At $550, it sounds like I'll never see this route unless I'm on an award. Thanks!
Location: San Francisco, CA USA // UA 1K 2 Million Miler, AA EXP 2MM, HH Diamond, SPG Plat // Easily found on SFO-ORDs
Posts: 2,394
I flew DCA-SFO in August and am booked again on DCA-SFO in December. (One-way fare in December is $286, but some corporate discount may have been applied.)
Both times R space available at ticketing (3-4 weeks out) and RPU confirmed immediately.
PreCheck at DCA awesome. The UA gate area and old PC United Club aren't all that great -- few food options down there -- but serviceable and nicer than IAD.
Programs: CO Plat and too many hotel and rental car programs to bother listing...
Posts: 2,355
I flew this route RT 6 times earlier this year until I switched jobs and started commuting to LAX. I usually flew on Mon and Thurs and ran 11/12 for EUAs. Conversely, I was 1/6 flying IAD-SFO before this route opened up.
Compared with the hell of IAD, this flight was fantastic, although I disliked the timings (Prefer very early DCA and SFO departures). Precheck meant that I never spent more than 5 minutes from cab to RCC.
