TWA Fan 1

Everyone has their own opinion, but I think US through PHL, especially with a 4-hour layover, is the not the right choice.

First, in my opinion, the flatbed seats on CO and US are quite comparable, although, again, it's clearly a matter of opinion.

But what no one would dispute is that AC has far better soft product, better catering, etc.

Secondly, in addition to the inconvenience of the 4-hour layover, you have to consider the North American domestic leg of the trip, where on US you will be flying on what is surely the lowest quality FC in North America, while AC's North American FC is excellent.

I would definitely go with the connection through YYZ (one of the best airports in North America, while PHL is a notorious dump). Not only will you have no Canadian customs there, but you should be able to go through U.S. customs pre-clearance very quickly.

hyderago

TITCR = This Is The Credited Response
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PVDtoDEL

Enjoy the PHL US Airways Club during your layover - decent tarmac views and they serve hot soup during the TATL (trans-atlantic) departure bank which is apparently fantastic.

colpuck

You're welcome

I respectfully disagree. I have transited international -> US, through YUL, YYZ, and YVR three times and I have ended up in US secondary inspection three times. The agents are bored and constantly looking the big score.

kiam

Dear experts,

I did come to light the 4.5 hrs stopover at PHL is indeed a big inconvenience as rightly pointed out by many of you, at the end I have decided to go with AC option as follows ($4,140 vs. $4,091 with US) so that I don't arrive Houston so late.

Inbound: CDG-YYZ-IAH
Outbound: IAH-YUL-CDG

Based on your prior input, flying in via YYZ will only go through one custom/immigration clearance (US), but I am wondering if flying back out via YUL will have any expected delay I need to be aware of. Do I need to go through Canadian immigration or I can just easliy make my transit connection at YUL without worring about Canadian immigration?

Thank you again for your help.

Regards,
Kiam

rkkwan

You need to go through Canadian immigration at YUL on your outbound. But small plane and small airport, so it shouldn't take long. No need to claim bags.

http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...l_us_intl.html

TWA Fan 1

Wow, that sounds like terrible luck. I have traveled to and from Canada an average of 5 times a year since the early 90's. In 2009 and 2010 I flew NYC-YVR 16 times.

I have never once been asked to go through secondary screening at any pre-clearance in Canada.

TWA Fan 1

I agree that clearing Canadian customs at YUL shouldn't be a problem, but I wouldn't exactly call it a small airport, though.

After all, it's the second largest airport in Eastern Canada, the third largest in the country, with only a little less annual passenger traffic than EWR and more than IAD.

It's also a major international hub served by quite a few carriers. It's one of the cities AF operates its A380 to.

exupery

FWIW, if I have the option of AC and other carriers, i'll always chose AC - I frequently mix UA outbound and AC homebound when flying LAX-LHR-yxx-LAX.

I find Canada formalities very easy and pre-clearance super-swift (especially with Global Entry...)

For some reason I find the CBP agents at Canadian pre-clearance to be more relaxed (in YUL even allowing me to take a Canadian raw-milk Camembert on board the LAX-bound flight after I promised to finish it before landing because, 'it'd be a pity to waste such a good-looking Camembert, Sir'

OSUAAC

As somebody having done IAH-CDG in Business-Class five times in the last 12 months, I'd go for the AC option.
I've done UA 33, AC via YYZ and UA via IAD (taking the 757 with lie flat seats from IAD to CDG).

AC has a very fine business class product (much better than the worn out UA/CO 767-200, that has recliner seats and old non AVOD IFE that has a tendency to fail).

I cannot tell you the details about YUL, but as mentioned above, when coming from Europe you don't have to enter Canada.
And when going from NA to Europe entry into Canada is just a formality (without claiming luggage), which in YYZ even has a separate area.
I've always thoroughly enjoyed AC business class.

kiam

Thank you very much OSUAAC for your kind input. I am looking forward to my first business class experience with AC.

N1120A

I'm really trying to see where you get the "seat is just ok" bit. AC has a great seat and in herringbone.

Doesn't YUL have the transit immigration they used to have in YYZ?

I believe the transfer clearance isn't bad. Just immigration, no customs.

I believe you go through just immigration and avoid customs, with your bags going straight through.

uthornsgo

The old CO website said the old 767 birds would all be upgraded to the lie flights by the end of June. Is this still the case? Seeing that on their website in December, I booked a flight in July nonstop from IAH-CDG in BF. Anyone know what I should expect?

colpuck

That's a negative on IAH-CDG. The 762s which are on that route will not be getting the lie flats.

Vulcan

IAH-CDG operates with 764s