Originally Posted by
frankvb
I'm a bit puzzled here - I assume your original suggestion was against flying long-haul to some airport in the US, and then taking a domestic flight to your final destination? I stated the advantage of doing that would be that you already clear customs in your first point of entry (while waiting for the connecting flight), so when arriving on your final destination you don't have to. That is the advantage.
Of course flying with a connection will normally take more time than a direct flight, so if a connection can be avoided it is better. However if you can choose e.g. between flying LHR-ORD-SEA and LHR-FRA-SEA (assuming that both take about the same time) I would prefer LHR-ORD-SEA.
I have to disagree. Travelling LHR-FRA-SEA would mean only having to pick up your bags at the very end of your journey and NOT at first entry point of the US (as would be the case for LHR-ORD-SEA). Therefore it is less hassle as to only pick up your bags at the end of your flight. Very often this can mean having to change terminals too. This can be a BIG hassle.