Originally Posted by
arlflyer
I usually fly on or about Christmas Eve or day and find it pretty quiet. This week it might be more busy because the holiday is midweek and business travelers could try to rush it till the last minute, but I'd think that it should be fairly calm. Most of the int'l traffic to LatAm will likely have cleared out days ago.
Originally Posted by
arlflyer
No way to know, other than to keep checking loads on ExpertFlyer or such. My gut tells me it would either be completely full or totally empty, and not anywhere in between - just don't know which.
Certainly aren't many seat occupied just yet, not that that necessarily means anything. I guess the likelihood of a schedule change allowing me to switch if needed is reasonably high - though if loads are really low I wouldn't be surprised to see the late option disappear...!
Originally Posted by
arlflyer
Of course, GE definitely helps things - no doubt. Personally, my specific impetus for getting GE was one wait (as U.S. citizen) in the MIA passport control line...never again...
Just started that ball rolling - just need to get the Other Half to do so now.
Originally Posted by
arlflyer
Overall, your connection time is tight but doable (or they wouldn't sell it), especially with GE and hand baggage. But plenty that can go wrong, of course. MIA isn't the most well-oiled of machines.
Have you thought about flying the LHR-MIA leg on BA metal? Looks like it gets in at 1410 so you would have an extra 90 min for your connection. Pricing doesn't look materially different and your profile notes you have BAEC membership...do you want to stick with AA metal for a specific reason (you noted MCE)?
I'd be heading to the airport from Birmingham, so the extra 90 minutes on departure would make for a rather more comfortable trip to the airport. MCE is a draw - as is T3 [though it's too early to really appreciate it!], though maybe BA raises the upgrade chances some. Just spotted another option from MAN [through PHL], but always good to have info. Many thanks.