Help deciding on flights (DFW-MAD J Mar 2019)
Jul 18, 2018, 10:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 47
Help deciding on flights (DFW-MAD J Mar 2019)
Hello,
I am going to Madrid next March. I usually fly direct from DFW - MAD because it's easiest but the fares for next year are a little higher than usual. However, there are a couple of different options with connections. I have never connected through JFK or Miami so looking for input. I will be booking business so advice on the seating is appreciated too. I'm considering AA68 out of Miami on 3/22/19. The flight from DFW (if on time) would give me almost 2 hours to make the flight. Flight delays, etc always make me nervous though. Thanks!
I am going to Madrid next March. I usually fly direct from DFW - MAD because it's easiest but the fares for next year are a little higher than usual. However, there are a couple of different options with connections. I have never connected through JFK or Miami so looking for input. I will be booking business so advice on the seating is appreciated too. I'm considering AA68 out of Miami on 3/22/19. The flight from DFW (if on time) would give me almost 2 hours to make the flight. Flight delays, etc always make me nervous though. Thanks!
Jul 18, 2018, 10:52 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,816
I;m not too worried about late march - thats not a bad time of year to be flying. The JFK-MAD flight is a 763 which I find to be inferior to the 772. Bonus seems to be that DFW-MIA is currently blocked as a 772 as well. Don't know if that will hold. I like the AA Lounge in E - I don't know if you get access to that lounge.
Jul 18, 2018, 10:54 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 449
Personally I’d choose MIA over JFK for this route if direct isn’t a reasonable option. AA uses the 777 from MIA but I think they fly the 767 from JFK. Both have Flagship lounge access. I’d rather chance rain in MIA than possible march snow in NYC.
Jul 18, 2018, 11:00 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP - Marriott LT Platinum - National Exec Elite
Posts: 1,112
I've taken some connections over direct flights to Europe a few times in the past few years. Always wonder what in the heck I was thinking when first leg has a delay, etc etc.
Pay the slightly higher fare and enjoy the least amount of hassle.
Pay the slightly higher fare and enjoy the least amount of hassle.
Jul 18, 2018, 11:36 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LAX/BUR, RDU
Programs: DL SM, AAdvantage, SPG
Posts: 1,360
I also agree that if you can't get a nonstop flight, go through MIA. The 777 is a nice aircraft in Business, and it's definitely a lot better than the 767. MIA is much less likely to have a delay in March, when NYC could easily get a snowstorm or a day with low clouds/rain/wind.
If JFK-MAD is on IB instead, their A350 (which should take over the route by March) is pretty nice, and I'd give it more consideration . But MIA still looks like a better option.
If JFK-MAD is on IB instead, their A350 (which should take over the route by March) is pretty nice, and I'd give it more consideration . But MIA still looks like a better option.
Jul 18, 2018, 11:48 am
#6
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Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
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Posts: 12,466
March is still over 8 months away so I would be in absolutely no hurry to book anything. Looking at a few random dates in March though, the DFW-MAD nonstop prices out the same as other connecting options, so I would certainly sit on this one for a while in hopes that the nonstop pricing would come back down for a 3/22 departure.
That said, agree with everyone else that DFW-MIA-MAD is better than JFK-MAD
That said, agree with everyone else that DFW-MIA-MAD is better than JFK-MAD
Jul 18, 2018, 1:39 pm
#9
Moderator: American AAdvantage
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Jul 18, 2018, 10:15 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 68
I had a similar issue last year, although ticket prices were much better. Wound up going on a BA ticket in J (actually I or R) using AA for DFW-MIA and IB for MIA-MAD. Can't tell you how that worked out as flight times changed and BA moved me to AA36 direct DFW-MAD. Going through MIA certainly looked better on paper than ORD, JFK, or LHR.
Jul 19, 2018, 7:22 am
#12
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,148
Another vote for connecting in MIA over JFK.
772 >>> 763. (I don't think I put enough > in there)
Also, gets you a little longer of a flight across the pond, as the MIA-MAD is about an hour longer. Better for sleeping, and you arrive in MAD earlier.
772 >>> 763. (I don't think I put enough > in there)
Also, gets you a little longer of a flight across the pond, as the MIA-MAD is about an hour longer. Better for sleeping, and you arrive in MAD earlier.
Jul 19, 2018, 7:41 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
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One time, I was through immigration with nobody in line ahead of me, but after getting my luggage, it took 45 minutes to get out of the Customs exit
I was happy when mobile passport was added.
Has this changed?
Jul 19, 2018, 7:42 am
#14
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,148
For me, JFK used to seem faster for connecting I-D than Miami. I remember being in MIA af few times and seeing the line at Customs being huge.
One time, I was through immigration with nobody in line ahead of me, but after getting my luggage, it took 45 minutes to get out of the Customs exit
I was happy when mobile passport was added.
Has this changed?
One time, I was through immigration with nobody in line ahead of me, but after getting my luggage, it took 45 minutes to get out of the Customs exit
I was happy when mobile passport was added.
Has this changed?
Jul 19, 2018, 7:56 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,107
I don’t believe this can ever be stated enough for an overnight. Being able to get a solid block of sleep helps so much on arrival. Maybe not for travel in Y, but certainly in J, or maybe even in PE now.