Originally Posted by ezefllying

I'll be traveling from Washington to Geneva this summer, and I've decide to spend my AA miles in First. Specifically, I'm considering two circuitous routes—one a lot more so than the other—and I'm hoping for advice.

Option 1: DCA-JFK-LHR, with a separate BA ticket from London to Geneva.

• JFK layover: 3.5 hours
• LHR layover 3.25 hours
• Timing: Depart DCA around 5 PM, arrive GVA around 4:30 PM the next day
• Perks:
  • Long, comfortable layovers allowing for time in BA's Chelsea Lounge at JFK and either the Concorde Room at T5 or, if denied there, BA's T5 First Class Lounge.
  • Short domestic segment (DCA-JFK)
• Drawback: Only about 6 hours in the air in AA F on the 77W. Also, seat 2J is taken.

Option 2: IAD-DFW-LHR, with a separate BA ticket for LHR-GVA

• DFW layover: 1:50
• LHR layover: 1:20 (unless I take a later LHR-GVA flight)
• Timing: Leave IAD around 5 PM; same arrival into GVA as above
• Perks:
  • Access to BA First dining at IAD
  • Access to Flagship First dining at DFW
  • A longer F flight on the 77W (about 9 hours), allowing for a decent sleep
• Drawbacks:
  • A relatively short connection in DFW and a potentially tight connection in London, which could rush dinner in Dallas and would make using the BA lounges impractical.
  • A longer domestic leg (about 3.5 hours flying IAD-DFW).

Considering the award prices for each route are identical, which would you choose?