United or EL Al to NYC?
Oct 31, 2017, 10:35 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 12
United or EL Al to NYC?
Hi,
Need some advise please. I have the option of flying to NYC from Tel Aviv either on one of the following airlines:
EL AL 787-9 to EWR
EL AL 747-400 JFK
UA 777-200 EWR
UA 777-300er
Which one is recommended? I flew to South Africa with El AL. Can't remember which plane but it was uncomfortable and there was no seat back screens on the flight..needed to download their entertainment app onto our personal devices but they had no place to even charge our devices. So, seat back screens is a must.
Which plane is recommended?
Thanks
Need some advise please. I have the option of flying to NYC from Tel Aviv either on one of the following airlines:
EL AL 787-9 to EWR
EL AL 747-400 JFK
UA 777-200 EWR
UA 777-300er
Which one is recommended? I flew to South Africa with El AL. Can't remember which plane but it was uncomfortable and there was no seat back screens on the flight..needed to download their entertainment app onto our personal devices but they had no place to even charge our devices. So, seat back screens is a must.
Which plane is recommended?
Thanks
Oct 31, 2017, 10:42 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TLV
Programs: UA Platinum, Avis Chairman, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, GA Pilot
Posts: 3,225
Coach or business? Do you care about earning miles? Are you a member of any FF program now? Elite status? Not enough info here. Overall 787 will certainly be the newest aircraft with all the latest IFE. 777-300 also, but may have 10 abreast vs. 9 abreast seating in the 200.
Oct 31, 2017, 11:27 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 1,386
Well, the 787 is brand new, with great IFE and 31" of legroom. The 747 will be old with very poor IFE, but offers 32".
On the 747, you can pay $150 or so each way to sit in an "Economy Plus" seat, which offers 36", a footrest, and a larger recline. The 787 only offers Premium Economy, which is a seperate class altogether and, unlike Econony Plus, more than a marginal price increase.
I've been told that United flights in coach are best done on the 777-200, as the -300 is 10 abreast and possibly less legroom. Pretty sure both United planes offer an Economy Plus, but don't know the upsell cost.
On the 747, you can pay $150 or so each way to sit in an "Economy Plus" seat, which offers 36", a footrest, and a larger recline. The 787 only offers Premium Economy, which is a seperate class altogether and, unlike Econony Plus, more than a marginal price increase.
I've been told that United flights in coach are best done on the 777-200, as the -300 is 10 abreast and possibly less legroom. Pretty sure both United planes offer an Economy Plus, but don't know the upsell cost.
Nov 1, 2017, 4:31 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 12
Also, is it better to arrive at JFK or EWR with ESTA? From my recollection at EWR they have a line for ESTA and at JFK they don't and the lines there are very long.
Thanks
Nov 1, 2017, 5:54 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 9
That will be a problem. Don't like LY planes. Maybe I should just go with UA. What is Delta Airbus A330-300 like?
Also, is it better to arrive at JFK or EWR with ESTA? From my recollection at EWR they have a line for ESTA and at JFK they don't and the lines there are very long.
Thanks
Also, is it better to arrive at JFK or EWR with ESTA? From my recollection at EWR they have a line for ESTA and at JFK they don't and the lines there are very long.
Thanks
El Al's 787 can be a nice option, as it lands at EWR and the airplane, well, it's a 787.
United 772 is a better option then the brand new 773 when flying coach, but please note that the 772 is flying the 85/84 (which is a day flight from TLV and I would prefer to avoid it).
Delta's A333 is also a pretty good option, as the coach is comparable to United's 772 but it arrives in JFK - ok if JFK is your final destination but terrible for connections. EWR is the better option for airport in NYC , not perfect but much more pleasant then JFK.
Nov 2, 2017, 12:21 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
Don't even think of the 747 as an option.
El Al's 787 can be a nice option, as it lands at EWR and the airplane, well, it's a 787.
United 772 is a better option then the brand new 773 when flying coach, but please note that the 772 is flying the 85/84 (which is a day flight from TLV and I would prefer to avoid it).
Delta's A333 is also a pretty good option, as the coach is comparable to United's 772 but it arrives in JFK - ok if JFK is your final destination but terrible for connections. EWR is the better option for airport in NYC , not perfect but much more pleasant then JFK.
El Al's 787 can be a nice option, as it lands at EWR and the airplane, well, it's a 787.
United 772 is a better option then the brand new 773 when flying coach, but please note that the 772 is flying the 85/84 (which is a day flight from TLV and I would prefer to avoid it).
Delta's A333 is also a pretty good option, as the coach is comparable to United's 772 but it arrives in JFK - ok if JFK is your final destination but terrible for connections. EWR is the better option for airport in NYC , not perfect but much more pleasant then JFK.
Regrading connections, also depends. UA and DL both fly to TLV and each have NYC area hubs, EWR and JFK respectively. UA may have a larger presence, but you're splitting hairs at that point. And then LY code-shares with B6, also at JFK (and I believe still with AA on some level). So connections can be fine from either.
Nov 2, 2017, 2:54 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Israel/United States
Posts: 1,234
JFK also has a line for those who are making a return trip with an ESTA. Transportation is generally easier from JFK to NYC, Definitely easier for the return since JFK is IN NYC and EWR is in a neighboring state. Where in NYC are you staying.
Nov 2, 2017, 3:35 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
Transportation to Penn Station is easier from JFK than EWR? Port Authority?
Nov 3, 2017, 10:08 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Israel/United States
Posts: 1,234
The difference is that the tolls to NJ are more expensive than tolls ( if you go on a toll bridge) to JFK. The difference is NYC taxis can NOT pick up in NJ and charge double to drop in NJ. It is also a more complicated commute by public transportation. It is NOT impossible, and not rocket science but depending upon where you are ending up, JFK is more convenient.