Originally Posted by
BOStonTravels
Any experiences with having UA switch flights ahead of time with such a short connection (e.g. an earlier DCA-EWR flight)? Also, if I missed the connection would they try and put me on whatever is available including connecting flights with the recliner seats vs the premium nonstop transcon product or would I be able to hold out and ask for the premium product?
Many thanks!
In addition to everything others have said, worth noting that the ~10:15pm IAD-SFO (UA225) has consistently been a 752 with lieflats since the start of 2018, in a surprising (and pleasant) change. I presume it'll be apparent by about 7:45pm from DCA whether you can or can't make the connection at EWR, at which point requesting IAD-SFO-(overnight)-LAX seems easy to me. (Obviously you have to deal with 1:30-6am at SFO, but presuming you get stuck at EWR because of weather you'd be in the same boat there too.)
I *think* I've also seen a 752 service the similarly late IAD-LAX recently but I believe that's less consistent. Obviously that would be optimal if it exists. What date are you flying?
Finally, I have never had serious problems connecting on the east coast flying tcon in the late evening. Schedules by 8pm are lighter ex-WAS, and because aircraft are all flying inbound from other places (rather than waiting on the ground overnight, like in the morning) it's easy to see when planes will inevitably be late and then call in to fix your reservation preemptively.