recommended routing CDG-LAX
Mar 21, 2019, 7:13 pm
#16
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#2 hands down for me. International F is always > domestic F, one long flight is easier than two medium flights WRT jet lag (for me), if things go south I'd rather be stuck at LHR than JFK, and I'd rather take care of immigration at LAX than JFK.
Mar 21, 2019, 7:16 pm
#17
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). Like any flight now days a lot of scheduled time is spend driving around taxiways/waiting in a queue on the ground.
Arriving at 20:45 (option 2) is better than arriving at 22:04.
But option 2 has immigration/customs so will take longer to get on the street after landing.
What is the on time performance of all these flights? [both options]
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Mar 21, 2019 at 7:27 pm
Mar 21, 2019, 7:29 pm
#18
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96% / 19m for LHR-LAX and 92% / 31m for JFK-LAX. With the long layovers, I'm not too concerned about the first legs of each itinerary (I know, famous last words).
Mar 21, 2019, 7:32 pm
#19
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Would go with #1 for sure. Deciding factor for me would be that FFD is better than difference between 77W F/J.
But, if you really want to try both F products, why not do CDG-LHR-JFK-LAX? (Provided the schedule works for connecting to/from the LHR-JFK 77W)
CX F@LHR+FFDx2. This is FT, right?
But, if you really want to try both F products, why not do CDG-LHR-JFK-LAX? (Provided the schedule works for connecting to/from the LHR-JFK 77W)
CX F@LHR+FFDx2. This is FT, right?
Mar 21, 2019, 7:41 pm
#20
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Would go with #1 for sure. Deciding factor for me would be that FFD is better than difference between 77W F/J.
But the choice isn't between F and J on the 77W. If anything, it's between F on the 321T and F on the 77W.
Mar 21, 2019, 7:49 pm
#21
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For completeness, I did check on this itinerary. The only reasonable itinerary (for me) has only an 85 minute minute layover at JFK (not enough time for FFD) but more importantly is already full in F on the LHR-JFK segment. There is a later set of flights, but it too has a short connection at JFK (89 minutes) and relies on the 9:29pm flight out of JFK, which gets abbreviated service (and arrives at 1am).
Mar 21, 2019, 8:24 pm
#22
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But the choice isn't between F and J on the 77W. If anything, it's between F on the 321T and F on the 77W.
LOL, yes, it is. I'm not sure I need a gratuitous extra segment, and an itinerary like that would leave to some combination of tighter connections, earlier departure (I'm trying to avoid an early morning flight), or later arrival (a concern only because I do have my onward trip to Asia in the morning).
LOL, yes, it is. I'm not sure I need a gratuitous extra segment, and an itinerary like that would leave to some combination of tighter connections, earlier departure (I'm trying to avoid an early morning flight), or later arrival (a concern only because I do have my onward trip to Asia in the morning).
Also, the 4+ hr layover at JFK is probably longer than you need. I’ve been on TATL into JFK that have arrived 30-60 min early. 2-3 hr would be optimal to provide enough time for FFD as well as get you into LAX earlier. But if the earlier JFK-LAX flight results in a <2 hr connection, I’d avoid that.
Mar 21, 2019, 8:36 pm
#26
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Also, the 4+ hr layover at JFK is probably longer than you need. I’ve been on TATL into JFK that have arrived 30-60 min early. 2-3 hr would be optimal to provide enough time for FFD as well as get you into LAX earlier. But if the earlier JFK-LAX flight results in a <2 hr connection, I’d avoid that.
Mar 21, 2019, 8:38 pm
#27
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Mar 21, 2019, 8:41 pm
#28
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Excellent point. But I’m pretty set on OW, and even if I stray, I need to be Fly America Act compliant. And DL only sells the direct as J.
Mar 21, 2019, 8:58 pm
#29
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Mar 21, 2019, 10:11 pm
#30
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I think both itineraries have benefits and drawbacks, so it's a tough call. I probably would choose #2 if push came to shove, but I see a case for #1 as well. Here are my thoughts in no particular order:
1. #2 gets you into LAX earlier, but you'll be arriving as an international passenger and will need to clear immigration and customs. With #1 , you'll arrive as a domestic passenger and can go straight to your hotel. Moreover, the transcon flights often arrive early, particularly if there are no delays getting out of JFK.
2. First class on the 321T is nice, but it doesn't beat F on the 77W. In my opinion, it's not even as nice as J on the 77W because the angle of reverse herringbone seat on the 321T makes it harder to get in and out of, and I actually find the seat somewhat claustrophobic. And I'm a short, slender person.
3. Of course, the flip side with #2 is that you have to survive BA J (essentially an economy seat with an empty middle) for an hour.
4. FFD at JFK is great and probably beats any option at LHR. That said, the CX F lounge at LHR comes close, I think, and has a nice a la carte option as well. Another consideration for me when it comes to lounges, though, are the showers. Even more than a nice, sit-down meal, I like showering before/after long flights, and I really dislike the showers in the renovated AA lounges (JFK, LAX, DFW A, ORD, etc.). They all lack water pressure. On the other hand, I'm a fan of the showers in the CX LHR lounge.
5. LHR Flight Connections is a huge pain.
6. For me, finding an opportunity in the future to fly the 77W F would be harder than finding a future opportunity to use FFD at JFK or fly F on the 321T. But that might not be true for you.
1. #2 gets you into LAX earlier, but you'll be arriving as an international passenger and will need to clear immigration and customs. With #1 , you'll arrive as a domestic passenger and can go straight to your hotel. Moreover, the transcon flights often arrive early, particularly if there are no delays getting out of JFK.
2. First class on the 321T is nice, but it doesn't beat F on the 77W. In my opinion, it's not even as nice as J on the 77W because the angle of reverse herringbone seat on the 321T makes it harder to get in and out of, and I actually find the seat somewhat claustrophobic. And I'm a short, slender person.
3. Of course, the flip side with #2 is that you have to survive BA J (essentially an economy seat with an empty middle) for an hour.
4. FFD at JFK is great and probably beats any option at LHR. That said, the CX F lounge at LHR comes close, I think, and has a nice a la carte option as well. Another consideration for me when it comes to lounges, though, are the showers. Even more than a nice, sit-down meal, I like showering before/after long flights, and I really dislike the showers in the renovated AA lounges (JFK, LAX, DFW A, ORD, etc.). They all lack water pressure. On the other hand, I'm a fan of the showers in the CX LHR lounge.
5. LHR Flight Connections is a huge pain.
6. For me, finding an opportunity in the future to fly the 77W F would be harder than finding a future opportunity to use FFD at JFK or fly F on the 321T. But that might not be true for you.