I booked a trip to Dubai, with 2 stops each way. Not ideal, but the fare I found makes it less of an issue. The outbound was a no brainer; I had a connection choice of JFK-AMS or JFK-CDG, so I went for AMS hands down. The return is where I had a bit of a dilemma. The only routing available at the fare I wanted was DXB-CDG-JFK-DCA, with two options for the CDG-JFK leg, both of which still have me departing DXB and arriving home at the same time. So I'd like to take a poll because I'm curious to find out what other FTers would have done in this scenario. Would you rather:
A) Take the earlier CDG-JFK flight, with a 2 hr layover in CDG/4-5 hr layover in JFK, or
B) Take the later CDG-JFK, with a 5 hr layover in CDG/2 hr layover at JFK

I would take B. I think CDG is nicer than JFK....if you get the AF Club on pier M, it is a great place to spend the time. You might have to rush a bit at JFK.

I would take the longer layover in CDG; if anything goes wrong you would rather misconnect in JFK.

Did you consider IAD-AUH nonstop on Etihad's 787?

I would also look at the longer CDG layover...if there is a delay always a possibility to put you on the CDG IAD flight... aslo can you get the same fare if you look at IAD as an O or D?

I agree with the others. Take the long break in CDG.

Can I ask how much of a cost difference there was between this routing and the direct ATL-DXB option for the int'l legs?

I disagree with everyone and would take the earlier flight out of CDG. This way if theres an issue with your DXB->CDG or CDG->JFK flight and you miss your CDG->JFK flight you can try and get on the second flight.

If you opt for the 2nd CDG-JFK flight and it has problems you'll then run the risk of missing your flight to DCA (or even getting stuck in Paris overnight.)

Unfortunately it wasn't even on my radar, since I wasn't sure if Etihad was part of Skyteam. Also, I'll be with an anti-IAD travel companion.

About $800.

Thanks.

Etihad is not part of Skyteam. And +1 to your travel companion for being anti-IAD.

Guess you haven't transited CDG in a while. Both DXB and JFK operate out of 2E, meaning best case there's no terminal (pier) change, and worst case there's a short train ride (to an adjacent pier). Under most circumstances, this is less than a 15 minute transfer, plus a few minutes to reclear security.

I agree with your disagreement. CDG-JFK operates around 5 times a day, so we're not talking about a single flight. As long as you don't book a connection to the last flight of the day, you'll have plenty of rerouting options out of CDG (including not via JFK).

If you arrive in JFK early enough, there's even the possibility of SDC/SDS to an earlier flight home (since the itinerary is no longer international at that point).

IMO the only argument for a longer break in CDG is the lounges there are nicer, especially if the JFK flight departs from 2E-M.