European needing advice on MXP-LAX itinerary
Feb 17, 2018, 1:07 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Italy
Programs: BAEC Gold, TK Gold, Accor Gold
Posts: 310
European needing advice on MXP-LAX itinerary
Hi All,
I'm from Europe so know very little about AA. I'm a BA Silver member (so OW Sapphire).
I'm looking to book flights from Milan to Los Angeles in July. All flights come with a layover in either CLT,MIA or JFK.
I'd like to ask the following questions, if anybody can answer.
1) What's the better airport for connections?
2) Where are the best lounges (sadly I lost my BA Gold this year, so can't use flagship lounges, just business class ones)?
3) What's the better widebody on AA? 777 or 330?
Thanks!
I'm from Europe so know very little about AA. I'm a BA Silver member (so OW Sapphire).
I'm looking to book flights from Milan to Los Angeles in July. All flights come with a layover in either CLT,MIA or JFK.
I'd like to ask the following questions, if anybody can answer.
1) What's the better airport for connections?
2) Where are the best lounges (sadly I lost my BA Gold this year, so can't use flagship lounges, just business class ones)?
3) What's the better widebody on AA? 777 or 330?
Thanks!
Feb 17, 2018, 1:27 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 299
1 - MIA is a PITA in my experience, JFK is usually fine although I've never had experience of INT-DOM connection in CLT
2 - JFK. You can access the Flagship lounge with BA silver. There is also a FL in MIA, CLT has standard Admirals Clubs
3 - No experience of domestic widebodies but if you're in premium classes there are lie flat seats in business and 1st on the JFK-LAX route which uses the A321 (denoted as 321T)
2 - JFK. You can access the Flagship lounge with BA silver. There is also a FL in MIA, CLT has standard Admirals Clubs
3 - No experience of domestic widebodies but if you're in premium classes there are lie flat seats in business and 1st on the JFK-LAX route which uses the A321 (denoted as 321T)
Feb 17, 2018, 1:50 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,263
Don't overlook Milan-LHR-LAX. I know some avoid LHR at all costs, but LHR offers a selection of really good OW lounges in T3, and a possible 777-300 on the LHR-LAX leg. You don't say what class you'll travel in, but 777-300 offers the best business class in the AA fleet, with a fairly snug economy class but good in-flight entertainment.
Feb 17, 2018, 1:50 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,107
For connections, and just picking from those: JFK, CLT, MIA
For lounges: JFK (T8 Flagship Lounge), MIA (Flagship Lounge), CLT (??? AC?)
What cabin are you looking to book? That makes a huge difference in terms of aircraft.
For business class, absolutely the 777 and specifically what AA deems the 77W (777-300ER). Best business seat on AA. Second would be the 772 (777-200).
The A330 isn't bad as well.
For the domestic portion, you get what you get. JFK-LAX, as mentioned above, would be the way to go for business or first. Anything outside of that is a typical domestic seat in coach, but better in first. Won't be lie flat outside of the A321T (JFK-LAX/SFO only), but domestic first beats CE by a good margin.
For lounges: JFK (T8 Flagship Lounge), MIA (Flagship Lounge), CLT (??? AC?)
What cabin are you looking to book? That makes a huge difference in terms of aircraft.
For business class, absolutely the 777 and specifically what AA deems the 77W (777-300ER). Best business seat on AA. Second would be the 772 (777-200).
The A330 isn't bad as well.
For the domestic portion, you get what you get. JFK-LAX, as mentioned above, would be the way to go for business or first. Anything outside of that is a typical domestic seat in coach, but better in first. Won't be lie flat outside of the A321T (JFK-LAX/SFO only), but domestic first beats CE by a good margin.
Feb 17, 2018, 1:51 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,107
Feb 17, 2018, 1:55 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: HAJ
Programs: BA Bronze, AVIS Preferred Plus
Posts: 53
I flew into JFK a couple times from LHR and immigrations is in my opinion one of the worse in the states, only IAD is beating it by a little bit. I also depends on how long your layover will be. I got stucked in immigration for more than an hour every time I flew to JFK. I would always prefer to fly via BOS but as far as I know the lounge there is (still) under construction. But I m not sure about that.
Feb 17, 2018, 2:15 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
Nothing worse than having an already long 8-9 hr flight from MXP to the east coast, then another long 6 hr flight in domestic coach out to LAX.
If the LHR connection isn't an option, then I'd take MXP-JFK-LAX. JFK will have the best connection experience, and the 321T that flies JFK-LAX is about as good as you'll get in domestic coach, personal TVs and a very low density config.
Feb 17, 2018, 6:32 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
I think the 777 is the way to because your Oneworld status allows you to pick "Main Cabin Extra" at booking. On the A330 that's just the exit row and bulkhead but on the 777s they actually have more legroom.
As much as I hate MIA, if it's your only 777 option I'd stay with it. Everyone saying LHR-LAX has convinced me on your behalf!
As much as I hate MIA, if it's your only 777 option I'd stay with it. Everyone saying LHR-LAX has convinced me on your behalf!
Feb 17, 2018, 6:43 pm
#12
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,485
I don't agree at all. I've had at least 2 experiences where TA flights arrived early and we were kept on the aircraft until immigration opened. Then it was a mad scramble, together with passengers from 2-3 other flights, all trying to get through immigration. If checking bags, then that is a whole other story.
Not to mention that most people shy away from the aircraft that service CLT-LAX.
Not to mention that most people shy away from the aircraft that service CLT-LAX.
Feb 17, 2018, 11:20 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,449
Yeah, there's no MXP-CLT nonstop AFAIK. The only hubs with AA service to MXP are JFK and MIA. Between the two I'd pick JFK, largely due to the more direct routing (JFK-LAX and MIA-LAX are both about 6 hours block time, but MXP-JFK is a good 1-1.5 hours shorter than MXP-MIA).
Also, to the poster who suggested the possibility of an ORD-MXP flight, also unaware of any such plans. There is, however, a seasonal ORD-VCE route launching this summer.
Also, to the poster who suggested the possibility of an ORD-MXP flight, also unaware of any such plans. There is, however, a seasonal ORD-VCE route launching this summer.