Is a T5 departure just for CCR worth it?
#31
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,926
In January I decided that I would never do the T5-T3-T5 connection again after it went a long way to ruining an F trip. I've stuck it out for 4ish months and have relented and doing the connection again this Saturday. I've decided to try it again over connecting in the US.
#32
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: TLV/ATH/LON/EZE/NYC/UIP
Programs: BA*GGL, A3*G, AF*P, VS*S
Posts: 1,011
Surprised nobody has mentioned this but as a BA Gold, the benefit of flying through LAX with a reasonable connection time to enjoy it, is that you get to use the superb Qantas F lounge, which definitely beats the CCR for food. It has a kitchen and menu overseen by the guys from Australia's Rockpool restaurants. Also the airside connector from TBIT (where you land and the lounge is) to T4 is only a 10 minute walk, quite easy.
So if you add CCR, A380 and QFlounge, that might well be tempting.
So if you add CCR, A380 and QFlounge, that might well be tempting.
#33
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Somewhere around Europe...
Programs: BA Gold; MB Ti; HH Diamond; IHG Plat; RR Gold
Posts: 530
Surprised nobody has mentioned this but as a BA Gold, the benefit of flying through LAX with a reasonable connection time to enjoy it, is that you get to use the superb Qantas F lounge, which definitely beats the CCR for food. It has a kitchen and menu overseen by the guys from Australia's Rockpool restaurants. Also the airside connector from TBIT (where you land and the lounge is) to T4 is only a 10 minute walk, quite easy.
So if you add CCR, A380 and QFlounge, that might well be tempting.
So if you add CCR, A380 and QFlounge, that might well be tempting.
Not saying this should be discounted only that access shouldn't be assumed.
#34
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador
Posts: 7,884
No oneWorld carrier flying on the SFO-LAS route.
If you take WN at least you will get a free piece of baggage. If you take UA or B6 or VX you will have to pay for baggage...
SFO is congested and famous for delays - make sure you have enough time to connect in SFO (I assume you will fly on 2 separate tickets).
If you take WN at least you will get a free piece of baggage. If you take UA or B6 or VX you will have to pay for baggage...
SFO is congested and famous for delays - make sure you have enough time to connect in SFO (I assume you will fly on 2 separate tickets).
#35
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: living near Malaga
Programs: BA Gold , Mucci recipient. Coffee Drinker, Blue Sky Thinker
Posts: 2,111
We just did a couple of week in California followed by a drive into Las Vegas and home from there four nights later.. Did F out into LAX on the 380 and club upstairs on the 747 home. Had an amazing trip but managed to skip the CCR on the way out !!
#36
Join Date: Jun 2010
Programs: IC Amb :-(, UA silver, BA Gold, SPG Plat, A-Club Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 913
On a closely-related topic if the OP is planning to route via SFO.
Is the new CX Lounge in SFO comparable to that in T3? Is it accessible available to people flying ex-SFO on BA flight? - is it available to people connecting to AA domestic flights?
I've never been a fan of the F "Room" in SFO and actually choose to sit in the main lounge. WHile it does the job it's certainly not the greatest BA lounge i the system, feeling more 'domestic' than a premium international lounge to me.
Is the new CX Lounge in SFO comparable to that in T3? Is it accessible available to people flying ex-SFO on BA flight? - is it available to people connecting to AA domestic flights?
I've never been a fan of the F "Room" in SFO and actually choose to sit in the main lounge. WHile it does the job it's certainly not the greatest BA lounge i the system, feeling more 'domestic' than a premium international lounge to me.
#37
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 2,447
Aim for the A380 for sure. The LAS route First won't feel as "First" due to dated plane.
Wouldn't worry about CCR too much. If you depart T3 then CX lounge is great. If you depart T5 then you get CCR.
Here's some F A380 routes - https://www.iflya380.com/a380-airlin...tml?origin=LBA - so you could get to LAS via Vancouver (you'll need an ETA doc to pass through airport), San Fran or LA (if you can get it - which I doubt, as its First is very popular).
Wouldn't worry about CCR too much. If you depart T3 then CX lounge is great. If you depart T5 then you get CCR.
Here's some F A380 routes - https://www.iflya380.com/a380-airlin...tml?origin=LBA - so you could get to LAS via Vancouver (you'll need an ETA doc to pass through airport), San Fran or LA (if you can get it - which I doubt, as its First is very popular).
#38
In memoriam
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: BA GGL/CCR/GfL
Posts: 405
Regardless it is not available for domestic AA departures as AA departs out of T2 which does not have an air-side connection to the international terminal.
You'll have access to the Admirals Club in T2 however.
As for oneworld lounges in the international terminal the BA one is by far my favorite. It's a bit on the small side but the staff is fantastic and the beverage options are great. No food to speak of.
The JAL one is dark and dated but tends to be less crowded and quieter than the CX one.
#39
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 greatly enjoyed flying on the 747 upper deck (LHR-PHX so I think also the same older plane as the LAS route). My experience was that the 747 upstairs, even though I wasn't in 62A/K, was fantastic. Being 4-across instead of 8 made it significantly quieter and tranquil. And we had two attendants for 20 of us so service was always quick! And right at the bottom of the stairs was the little 'between meals snacks' galley. It did get very warm up there though, so bring a pair of light pajamas (shorts & light T-shirt is my recommendation).
#41
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,144
64K is a Fantastic UD seat whichever 747 you get. Most normal people would be over the moon with the upper deck and only 20 people; but this is FT and they are a tough bunch to please 😁😉
#42
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Programs: United 1k, BA Gold, LX Senator, Flying Blue Plat, IHG Plat. Ambassador, Marriott Gold, Starwood Gold
Posts: 136
No oneWorld carrier flying on the SFO-LAS route.
If you take WN at least you will get a free piece of baggage. If you take UA or B6 or VX you will have to pay for baggage...
SFO is congested and famous for delays - make sure you have enough time to connect in SFO (I assume you will fly on 2 separate tickets).
If you take WN at least you will get a free piece of baggage. If you take UA or B6 or VX you will have to pay for baggage...
SFO is congested and famous for delays - make sure you have enough time to connect in SFO (I assume you will fly on 2 separate tickets).
I usually book 2-2.5 hours time between connections and a few times if that was too much time I've been able to change to an earlier flight without fee (or with minimal fee).
#43
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL / GfL
Posts: 3,260
Pilot37
#44
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: TLV/ATH/LON/EZE/NYC/UIP
Programs: BA*GGL, A3*G, AF*P, VS*S
Posts: 1,011
Though this does assume that the Qantas lounge will let you in when connecting to an AA domestic service. There have been multiple reports whereby they have denied this, despite the OW policies to the contrary.
Not saying this should be discounted only that access shouldn't be assumed.
Not saying this should be discounted only that access shouldn't be assumed.