Need Advice: transatlantic Flight LAX-ATH
Jan 6, 2019, 3:03 pm
#16
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Jan 6, 2019, 3:58 pm
#17
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What is BA flying to ATH these days? If it’s typical Club Europe Coach, then I’d probably rather do LAX-ORD in AA F than BA J on LHR-ATH, which is nearly as long.
But I also wouldn’t shy away from a BA 747 on the upper deck, even if you have to pay for the seat assignment.
But I also wouldn’t shy away from a BA 747 on the upper deck, even if you have to pay for the seat assignment.
Jan 6, 2019, 4:43 pm
#18
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I’m a bit of an avgeek, having flown seven decades and experiencing an amazing diversity of aircraft. Thank
I think the LAX-LHR 747 SUD (stretched upper deck) - 62AB or JK (OP is Emerald, no booking fee) is hard to beat, and 64 ditto (AB preferred over JK because of the lav, but I use sound blocking ear buds or plugs - and those rear facing seats at an aft bulkhead allow aisle access without climbing over a seatmate) are nice for a couple (62A or K for a solo flyer). Cozy, quiet cabin with better service, and going, going, gone with the “dump the bump” course the airlines are taking. In a few years, it will be legendary.
The Club Europe seating in the A320 family isn’t a joy, but we generally secure bulkhead seats (I’m 6’4” / 193 cm, so the 30” pitch is g‘awful for me) is bearable LON-ATH or LON-IST (we’ve done these a number of times).
If not, the A330 or stable seat in a 788 nonstop would be my choice. AA domestic F is shrinking the pitch etc. but it beats the slats off of narrowbody CE with a middle seat blocked.
I think the LAX-LHR 747 SUD (stretched upper deck) - 62AB or JK (OP is Emerald, no booking fee) is hard to beat, and 64 ditto (AB preferred over JK because of the lav, but I use sound blocking ear buds or plugs - and those rear facing seats at an aft bulkhead allow aisle access without climbing over a seatmate) are nice for a couple (62A or K for a solo flyer). Cozy, quiet cabin with better service, and going, going, gone with the “dump the bump” course the airlines are taking. In a few years, it will be legendary.
The Club Europe seating in the A320 family isn’t a joy, but we generally secure bulkhead seats (I’m 6’4” / 193 cm, so the 30” pitch is g‘awful for me) is bearable LON-ATH or LON-IST (we’ve done these a number of times).
If not, the A330 or stable seat in a 788 nonstop would be my choice. AA domestic F is shrinking the pitch etc. but it beats the slats off of narrowbody CE with a middle seat blocked.
Jan 6, 2019, 6:17 pm
#19
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I’m a bit of an avgeek, having flown seven decades and experiencing an amazing diversity of aircraft. Thank
I think the LAX-LHR 747 SUD (stretched upper deck) - 62AB or JK (OP is Emerald, no booking fee) is hard to beat, and 64 ditto (AB preferred over JK because of the lav, but I use sound blocking ear buds or plugs - and those rear facing seats at an aft bulkhead allow aisle access without climbing over a seatmate) are nice for a couple (62A or K for a solo flyer). Cozy, quiet cabin with better service, and going, going, gone with the “dump the bump” course the airlines are taking. In a few years, it will be legendary.
The Club Europe seating in the A320 family isn’t a joy, but we generally secure bulkhead seats (I’m 6’4” / 193 cm, so the 30” pitch is g‘awful for me) is bearable LON-ATH or LON-IST (we’ve done these a number of times).
If not, the A330 or stable seat in a 788 nonstop would be my choice. AA domestic F is shrinking the pitch etc. but it beats the slats off of narrowbody CE with a middle seat blocked.
I think the LAX-LHR 747 SUD (stretched upper deck) - 62AB or JK (OP is Emerald, no booking fee) is hard to beat, and 64 ditto (AB preferred over JK because of the lav, but I use sound blocking ear buds or plugs - and those rear facing seats at an aft bulkhead allow aisle access without climbing over a seatmate) are nice for a couple (62A or K for a solo flyer). Cozy, quiet cabin with better service, and going, going, gone with the “dump the bump” course the airlines are taking. In a few years, it will be legendary.
The Club Europe seating in the A320 family isn’t a joy, but we generally secure bulkhead seats (I’m 6’4” / 193 cm, so the 30” pitch is g‘awful for me) is bearable LON-ATH or LON-IST (we’ve done these a number of times).
If not, the A330 or stable seat in a 788 nonstop would be my choice. AA domestic F is shrinking the pitch etc. but it beats the slats off of narrowbody CE with a middle seat blocked.
For row 62 A/B, would the person in 61A have to step over the person in 62B to get out?
Jan 6, 2019, 6:34 pm
#20
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No, 61A would hop over 61B to get out. 62A is a great seat--you have your own private entry, via the exit row. That's where I sat and really liked it. We had 2 FA's just for the upstairs cabin. There were 3 lavs, and I don't ever remember having to wait to use one. It was rear-facing (backwards). The only time I really noticed was just as we were landing. I was looking out the window and thought to myself, "why is that cloud moving backwards?"
The IFE wasn't as nice as AY's A350, but it was fine. I ended up sleeping much of the time. I thought BA's food was pretty good, and the service was great.
My roller bag seemed a bit big for the overhead, but the FA's seemed ready for me, and stored it in a closet.
Jan 6, 2019, 8:48 pm
#21
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Jan 6, 2019, 10:35 pm
#23
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If there was more than the current 7 minutes scheduled connecting time, you could take the 8:05AM LAX-PHL A330, then the A330 to ATH. If interested in this routing, I'd ask reservations to check if either of these times change closer to your departure date.
Jan 6, 2019, 11:49 pm
#24
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I would take option 3 or option 4
For LHR-ATH , you will have a 4 hour flight in economy class sold as business - just that the middle seat will be empty - with a 31" pitch
take ORD/PHL-ATH and you will have a decent seat for the entre journey
Definitely would bypass BA Club Europe
For LHR-ATH , you will have a 4 hour flight in economy class sold as business - just that the middle seat will be empty - with a 31" pitch
take ORD/PHL-ATH and you will have a decent seat for the entre journey
Definitely would bypass BA Club Europe
Jan 7, 2019, 2:14 am
#25
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Jan 7, 2019, 2:36 am
#26
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so it seems like yes, 61a has to step over 62b if I’m reading the chart correctly.
Thanks to the contributors on this thread, in my recommendation I forgot how long LHR-ATH is.
Thanks to the contributors on this thread, in my recommendation I forgot how long LHR-ATH is.
Jan 7, 2019, 9:05 am
#28
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The X95 express bus from the airport to the city runs all night (and so do some of the other express buses from the airport). https://www.athensairportbus.com/en/...sdowntown.html
Jan 7, 2019, 10:38 am
#29
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X96 AEROL. ATHENS EXPRESS - PIRAEUS
Jan 7, 2019, 10:47 am
#30
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I'm looking at options for LAX-ATH in J for late August 2019. Here's the options I've found for the TATL leg:
1) LAX-LHR BA 747 - Good connection options and can fly the 747 for the first time, but Club World isn't great.
2) LAX-LHR AA 77W - Best seat but only one connection option that would arrive in ATH at 2:25am.
3) ORD-ATH AA 788 - Typically try to avoid due to the seat rocking issues.
4) PHL-ATH AA 330 - Decent seat but lengthy domestic leg on a LUS 321 and early departure time would make it difficult to sleep.
Assuming the price is equal, which would you choose? We will be coming back CHQ-HEL-LAX on AY and get to try their new A350.
1) LAX-LHR BA 747 - Good connection options and can fly the 747 for the first time, but Club World isn't great.
2) LAX-LHR AA 77W - Best seat but only one connection option that would arrive in ATH at 2:25am.
3) ORD-ATH AA 788 - Typically try to avoid due to the seat rocking issues.
4) PHL-ATH AA 330 - Decent seat but lengthy domestic leg on a LUS 321 and early departure time would make it difficult to sleep.
Assuming the price is equal, which would you choose? We will be coming back CHQ-HEL-LAX on AY and get to try their new A350.