Need routes recommendation for travel to India
#16
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,491
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I agree EK A380 > QR > EY.
I have enjoyed the QR experience as a OWE (operational upgrades). EY's pricing as AA codeshares has been favorable in my opinion.
Remember AA and EY are closer friends than AA and QR. Not sure why.
Maybe 10 years ago going to ISC made sense via Europe. Today, such a waste of time.
Rasheed
I have enjoyed the QR experience as a OWE (operational upgrades). EY's pricing as AA codeshares has been favorable in my opinion.
Remember AA and EY are closer friends than AA and QR. Not sure why.
Maybe 10 years ago going to ISC made sense via Europe. Today, such a waste of time.
Rasheed
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 30,959
As I noted, when it comes to flights this long, comfort trumps an loyalty programs for me.
What's wrong with Emirates 380 through JFK? Near lowest price, near the shortest time, etc.
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston
Programs: AA Plat Exec
Posts: 445
Alright, i finally got approval for purchasing my flights.... and i want a OneWorld ticket (as I wont fly much this year but will later this year / next year so I want to keep my status).
I was looking at ATL-LHR-DEL for 3/31. It looks like AA availability is 0 for Business while BA still has a lot of availability. Based on your experience, will BA usually open up more availability in business to AA or that never happens? If i purchase a Y fare with AA, will that guarantee me an upgrade to business when/if BA opens up more business class seats to AA?
Thanks!
FYI - I am trying to do (XXX)-DEL then BLR-CDG (likely via LHR) on 4/14 and then CDG-CLT on 4/16.
I checked XXX as ATL, PHL, MIA, DFW and they usually all route me thru LHR (and LHR-DEL is the one where i can only book coach)
I was looking at ATL-LHR-DEL for 3/31. It looks like AA availability is 0 for Business while BA still has a lot of availability. Based on your experience, will BA usually open up more availability in business to AA or that never happens? If i purchase a Y fare with AA, will that guarantee me an upgrade to business when/if BA opens up more business class seats to AA?
Thanks!
FYI - I am trying to do (XXX)-DEL then BLR-CDG (likely via LHR) on 4/14 and then CDG-CLT on 4/16.
I checked XXX as ATL, PHL, MIA, DFW and they usually all route me thru LHR (and LHR-DEL is the one where i can only book coach)
#19
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Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
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Posts: 12,361
Alright, i finally got approval for purchasing my flights.... and i want a OneWorld ticket (as I wont fly much this year but will later this year / next year so I want to keep my status).
I was looking at ATL-LHR-DEL for 3/31. It looks like AA availability is 0 for Business while BA still has a lot of availability. Based on your experience, will BA usually open up more availability in business to AA or that never happens? If i purchase a Y fare with AA, will that guarantee me an upgrade to business when/if BA opens up more business class seats to AA?
Thanks!
FYI - I am trying to do (XXX)-DEL then BLR-CDG (likely via LHR) on 4/14 and then CDG-CLT on 4/16.
I checked XXX as ATL, PHL, MIA, DFW and they usually all route me thru LHR (and LHR-DEL is the one where i can only book coach)
I was looking at ATL-LHR-DEL for 3/31. It looks like AA availability is 0 for Business while BA still has a lot of availability. Based on your experience, will BA usually open up more availability in business to AA or that never happens? If i purchase a Y fare with AA, will that guarantee me an upgrade to business when/if BA opens up more business class seats to AA?
Thanks!
FYI - I am trying to do (XXX)-DEL then BLR-CDG (likely via LHR) on 4/14 and then CDG-CLT on 4/16.
I checked XXX as ATL, PHL, MIA, DFW and they usually all route me thru LHR (and LHR-DEL is the one where i can only book coach)
BA operates ATL-LHR-DEL. Again it's not clear what you mean by "AA availability is 0 for business" and so on. If you purchase a Y fare on AA then you can expect to fly in coach.
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston
Programs: AA Plat Exec
Posts: 445
I am trying to purchase a business class ticket. If trying to buy on AA, it says business class is sold out. I'but looking at BA there is availability in business class
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,361
For example, aa.com prices your flights at $6,242 with everything in business except the LHR-DEL segment. If you try to buy the same flights at ba.com, that jumps to $9,472, with LHR-DEL in business though (it prices ATL-LHR-DEL in full J).
Do you have to stop in Paris on the way back? As mentioned upthread, you can buy QR ATL-DOH-DEL then BLR-DOH-DFW-CLT for around $6,400 all in business. QR will be a much better business class experience than BA.
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston
Programs: AA Plat Exec
Posts: 445
Looking at ExpertFlyer, right now business class is sold out on both BA LHR-DEL flights on 4/1. If you buy it through BA, they are probably willing to overbook it at full J fares, where as if you buy it through AA there's no such option. I would call AA first to see if an AAgent can book it.
For example, aa.com prices your flights at $6,242 with everything in business except the LHR-DEL segment. If you try to buy the same flights at ba.com, that jumps to $9,472, with LHR-DEL in business though (it prices ATL-LHR-DEL in full J).
Do you have to stop in Paris on the way back? As mentioned upthread, you can buy QR ATL-DOH-DEL then BLR-DOH-DFW-CLT for around $6,400 all in business. QR will be a much better business class experience than BA.
For example, aa.com prices your flights at $6,242 with everything in business except the LHR-DEL segment. If you try to buy the same flights at ba.com, that jumps to $9,472, with LHR-DEL in business though (it prices ATL-LHR-DEL in full J).
Do you have to stop in Paris on the way back? As mentioned upthread, you can buy QR ATL-DOH-DEL then BLR-DOH-DFW-CLT for around $6,400 all in business. QR will be a much better business class experience than BA.
#23
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
IME Qatar Airways (in the BE Super Diamond Parallel 777 seats, a seat in the center row is best - in the Super Diamond Solo, its all aisle access) is a much more comfortable option with far better service than AA - BA or all BA.
#24
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: PDX
Programs: AS DL
Posts: 9,038
I have flown to India and stopped in Singapore for a day or two to recover.
I don't like arriving in India at 2 am. I see there's a Cathay Pacific Hong Kong to Dehli flight that arrives at about 8 pm, which is nice. CLT to HKG isn't easy to do in one stop, though. Cathay Pacific doesn't fly from BLR but you can always fly another carrier back. You might even look at round the world fares if you come back via Europe.
I don't like arriving in India at 2 am. I see there's a Cathay Pacific Hong Kong to Dehli flight that arrives at about 8 pm, which is nice. CLT to HKG isn't easy to do in one stop, though. Cathay Pacific doesn't fly from BLR but you can always fly another carrier back. You might even look at round the world fares if you come back via Europe.
#25
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Gold (prev. Ex Plat for 10 years); DL Plat; UA Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,337
Atlanta-Delhi, return BLR-Atlanta on Qatar is approx. $4500 roundtrip with ~3 hour stops in both directions in Doha. Add on a CLT-ATL-CLT ticket and that'd be my choice. You could also route through Miami on Qatar.
I know many here love the EK A380, but for my money I'd take QR - I find it more spacious and comfortable, and the food is more reliable. Service can be hit or miss on EK and QR both so that's sort of a wash for me. I've had great crews on EK and I've also had completely mediocre crews on EK.
QR will give you a comfortable ride roundtrip, wonderful lounge in Doha. I'd actually encourage you to avoid LHR and BA/AA, as that second flight (LHR-DEL, then LHR-ATL or elsewhere) will feel BRUTAL. That's always been my experience.
Take the longest possible nonstop flight you can.
From CLT your best QR gateways are probably ATL and MIA, then IAD and NYC.
I know many here love the EK A380, but for my money I'd take QR - I find it more spacious and comfortable, and the food is more reliable. Service can be hit or miss on EK and QR both so that's sort of a wash for me. I've had great crews on EK and I've also had completely mediocre crews on EK.
QR will give you a comfortable ride roundtrip, wonderful lounge in Doha. I'd actually encourage you to avoid LHR and BA/AA, as that second flight (LHR-DEL, then LHR-ATL or elsewhere) will feel BRUTAL. That's always been my experience.
Take the longest possible nonstop flight you can.
From CLT your best QR gateways are probably ATL and MIA, then IAD and NYC.
#26
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Roswell, GA
Programs: AA EXP 2.8m,Lifetime PLT, Hilton Diamond, IHG PlLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 3,191
I have already made 2 trips to India this year (BOM) both on Qatar business,
I like the idea of getting a lot of sleep on the ATL-Doh leg, lounge is wonderful at DOH, nice showers etc, and then the remaing journey to BOM seems quite short.
The only draws backs are arriving at 2am to BOM and leaving at 4am back to DOH
but overall I like it better than the BA connection out of LHR
I like the idea of getting a lot of sleep on the ATL-Doh leg, lounge is wonderful at DOH, nice showers etc, and then the remaing journey to BOM seems quite short.
The only draws backs are arriving at 2am to BOM and leaving at 4am back to DOH
but overall I like it better than the BA connection out of LHR
#27
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: DCA/IAD/WAS
Programs: MAR AMB, WOH Explorist, AA EXP, UA 2P
Posts: 2,133
If you are purchasing business why don't you just purchase what you want on a OW carrier? You don't need someone on an anonymous internet forum to tell you what Google flights can do in a fraction of the time.
#29
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Cupertino, CA - AA:PLT 2MM; Marriott:Plt; Hilton:Slv
Posts: 561