Well, with the new anti-trust deal with United and LH, maybe we can find a widebody or two for CLE-EU flights.

That's the other thing I was hoping for: something similar to the AF-DL-KL ATI where you have DL starting oddball routes like PIT-CDG because it does not matter who operates it because the costs and profits are split equally. LH could put a 330 on FRA-CLE since CO has no widebodies to spare right now and the costs and profits would be split equally-and make us all happy!

That gives me a chubby

I think this is most likely our best chance of getting a scheduled PAX widebody here in CLE. Plus, lest we forget, LH was considering CLE as a cargo port in the 90s so it shouldn't be too novel of an idea for them.

That is making the assumption that LH has "spare widebodies" to commit to the route.

FWIW, I tried to book CLE-LHR on either June 12 or 13 and it appears to be sold out on both days.

That is a REALLY good sign.

I'm flying LHR-CLE on friday the 14th of august.
I've never done a TATL in a narrowbody. I'll be in Economy...

any reports on what the flight is like?
does it really clock in @ 8h50m?

I've flown it recently, and due to weather diversions over Canada, the block time was 9hrs 10 minutes. Still, the CLE-based flight attendants are fantastic. They really do a great job. They're almost like 'hybrid' F/A's - very professional, like an international Houston crew, but fun too, like an international Newark crew. I really enjoyed their hospitality.

The meals out of LHR in Y are decent enough, with 3 choices - beef, chicken and a veggie option. Also, the IFE on the 757, whilst not of the 777 calibre, is decent enough with enough choice to keep you occupied for several hours.

The arrivals process in Cleveland is awesome - you arrive at Gate A14, go downstairs, you're immediately at immigration, the pleasant agents are very quick, then you pick up your bags, breeze through customs and if you're connecting, you drop your bag on a belt, then go upstairs and through security again. I did it from plane to connecting gate in 12 minutes, with my wife and two checked bags in tow, including one that needed to be re-tagged.

Finally, if the flight is completely full and you're not in a hurry, it's also worth volunteering to voluntarily give-up your seat. CLE has a high show factor, so it's worth remembering.....

I am flying my aunt into Cleveland from London via Continental (it must be Continental) on 9/10/09 with a return flight on 9/17/09 and really need help trying to get the airfare costs down. Continental has $100 coupons for airfares above $400 but the coupon is only worth $20 flying in/out Cleveland and I really don't want to drive to Pittsburgh, Detroit, or Columbus to save the extra $80. Does anyone know of any promotions, coupons etc that can help?

First, is CO still flying the LHR-CLE segment on 9/17? For some reason, I thought that they had ended this flight early (like around the 10th) so you may want to check on that nonstop flight.

Second, if you are coming in nonstop from LHR, take the $20 and run. Your aunt got a hassle discount by avoiding EWR and an extra $20 to boot. If you have to connect through EWR, then check all airports near here such as PIT, CMH, DTW, ERI, CAK since flights from EWR to these cities sometimes are vastly less expensive than flying to CLE. If that is the case, then plan to take a relatively short (2-3) hour drive to pick up your aunt and collect not only a cheaper fare but the $400 discount coupon (which by the way must be something only available in GB).

The process is not so awesome for those passengers ending their journey in CLE because they too must put their bags on the belt and re-clear security even if they are not connecting to another flight. The bags are then delivered to a carousel in the regular baggage claim area.

Compared to connecting in Newark, I would take that small hassle any day! It only takes about 10 minutes.

I agree, but CO/CLE should formulate a solution for non-connecting passengers that does not require them to reclear security and part with their bags after customs.

Actually, this is no longer the case. If your final destination is CLE, you can take your bags and go straight to a bus that takes you to baggage claim, thereby eliminating the need to re-clear security. We did this in May, and it was fast and easy.