PHX to ZRH via PHL or LHR - guidance please

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Feb 19, 2023, 8:56 am

MitzEclipse

Original Poster

Join Date: Jan 2004

Location: LHR, SEA, ZRH

Posts: 707

PHX to ZRH via PHL or LHR - guidance please

Hi all
Need to get from PHX to ZRH and looks like best price/date combo is AA or BA. Economy award ticket. Timings are about similar with a couple hour layover. Which is the better option to take?

Which one less chance of cancellation?
which one has less walking/transit time in the terminal? I think LHR all in one terminal now?
is AA better as I wouldn’t have to go through security again?
not sure which one has better inflight service / etc?
might check in one bag - does LHR still have baggage chaos?

thank you

Feb 19, 2023, 9:53 am

LCY8737

Join Date: Nov 2004

Programs: BA GGL, LH FTL

Posts: 3,578

PHL.

LHR requires one extra round of security screening that you can avoid if going via PHL.

Feb 19, 2023, 10:07 am

Tafflyer

Join Date: May 2012

Location: Munich, Algarve, Sussex or S.F Bay Area

Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, A3*Gold, AA Plat, HH Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Marriott Plat

Posts: 4,163

Avoid the zoo which is LHR T5 flight connections if you possibly can.

Feb 19, 2023, 10:30 am

guv1976

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Dec 2003

Location: Not here; there!

Programs: AA Lifetime Gold

Posts: 29,584

Quote:

Originally Posted by MitzEclipse

Although Economy seating will be tight with either carrier, you should at least get a minimum of 31" seat pitch on the AA flights, and on the BA trans-Atlantic flight. But the BA LHR-ZRH flight -- though only about 1¾ hours long -- will be in a miserable 29"-pitch seat.

Do you have status in any oneworld frequent-flyer program?

If you are using Avios for this trip, what is the cash component?

Feb 19, 2023, 11:44 am

Time traveller

Join Date: Jul 2009

Location: USA

Programs: AA EXP, UA GLD, Bonvoy Titan, HH Dia, WoH Exp

Posts: 2,673

Depending on whether you are flying on AA or BA metal over the ocean and also on whether you are using Avios points or AAdvantage miles, there can be a difference in the amount of fuel surcharge you pay.

Feb 19, 2023, 12:35 pm

MitzEclipse

Original Poster

Join Date: Jan 2004

Location: LHR, SEA, ZRH

Posts: 707

Thanks all for the suggestions - looks like it's AA via PHL - also keen to avoid the T5 zoo but wasn't sure how it was in PHL. But not having to go through security again in PHL makes sense - just thought US flights were 'clean' and didn't have to go through - thought wrong.
I'm actually going to use AAvantage miles (burned Avios already) and top up 10k as I don't have enough to cover but total cash out makes sense instead of buying a regular ticket

Feb 19, 2023, 12:54 pm

guv1976

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Dec 2003

Location: Not here; there!

Programs: AA Lifetime Gold

Posts: 29,584

Quote:

Originally Posted by MitzEclipse

Using AA miles for this trip makes sense -- at least if you can find MileSAAver availability for PHX-PHL-ZRH. Your cash component on the outbound should be just $5.60. And the AA miles required for a MileSAAver redemption one way in Economy should be either 22.5K off-peak, or 30K miles peak.

MitzEclipse likes this.

Feb 19, 2023, 1:41 pm

Gig103

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by MitzEclipse

Philly isn't a great airport, but I'd rather break up a long haul when flying economy, plus as the first reply said, one less security screening. Find a Chickie and Pete's for cheese fries and Yuengling!

MitzEclipse likes this.