JFK or BOS (or EWR?) for Anchorage and Vancouver
Sep 5, 19, 9:39 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 3
JFK or BOS (or EWR?) for Anchorage and Vancouver
Hello FlyerTalk!
I need advice, please. I live in Albany, NY and always use the Albany airport for ease but I'm flying to Alaska next summer and the cruise line is offering free first class flights out of major hubs.
Thanks!!!
I need advice, please. I live in Albany, NY and always use the Albany airport for ease but I'm flying to Alaska next summer and the cruise line is offering free first class flights out of major hubs.
- Time-wise, it's not so different for us to get to Boston, JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark. I think I'm crossing LGA off my list immediately.
- We'd probably hire a car service to drive us there and back, so parking won't be an issue, most likely.
- On the way out, we are flying to ANCHORAGE.
- On the way back, we are flying from VANCOUVER.
- However, we have to pick ONE base airport to leave from and return to. I don't know which -- JFK, BOS, EWR -- has better connection options. Probably connecting in Seattle or LAX?
- Again, the exciting part is the first-class option... I have zero experience with this so I have no knowledge of which airport has better lounges. Tying that with the above bullet has me totally overwhelmed.
Thanks!!!
Sep 5, 19, 9:44 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
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I would count out having lounge access when determining what airport to use. For the flight to ANC, most carriers don’t offer lounge access for domestic first. For the return, some carriers consider Canada domestic in terms of lounge access. As you don’t know the airlines involved, it is very likely you won’t get Lounge access in either direction.
Sep 5, 19, 9:45 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
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If you can actually get put on the nonstop CX flight in J or F for YVR-JFK jump on that option. It's a redeye but still an amazing experience.
As for routings, just do a search on Kayak, Google.com/flights or an OTA to see which gives you better connections. JFK will probably give the most options while BOS can be an easier airport to travel through.
AS grants transcon F passengers lounge access at their starting point.
As for routings, just do a search on Kayak, Google.com/flights or an OTA to see which gives you better connections. JFK will probably give the most options while BOS can be an easier airport to travel through.
AS grants transcon F passengers lounge access at their starting point.
Sep 5, 19, 9:49 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2008
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Posts: 4,600
I'm afraid that Canada is not considered "International" hence, no lounge access even if flying first class. I would pick the airport based on the convenience of getting in/out, arrival time at destination, and frequency of flights.
Good luck and enjoy the cruise.
Good luck and enjoy the cruise.
Sep 5, 19, 11:58 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 3
Thanks, everyone. I took a look at Kayak and some others, as suggested, to get a better feel for options. I DO want to take travel ease/stress to and from the airport into account, too. In that sense Boston makes the most sense for us.
I'm wondering if I'm being stupid and we should just pay an extra fee to leave right out of Albany. But Albany flights don't offer, like, "real" first class like the larger planes out of larger hubs do. Gah!
I'm wondering if I'm being stupid and we should just pay an extra fee to leave right out of Albany. But Albany flights don't offer, like, "real" first class like the larger planes out of larger hubs do. Gah!
Sep 5, 19, 12:19 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 3
Thanks, everyone.
Looks like Boston might be the winner if I want to combine a healthy number options plus ease of travel to and from the airport.
I'm wondering if I'm being dumb by not just going out of Albany... but there's definitely fewer options that way and also Albany flights don't really offer a "real" first-class experience because they're smaller planes, in general, than what you find in the major hubs.
Looks like Boston might be the winner if I want to combine a healthy number options plus ease of travel to and from the airport.
I'm wondering if I'm being dumb by not just going out of Albany... but there's definitely fewer options that way and also Albany flights don't really offer a "real" first-class experience because they're smaller planes, in general, than what you find in the major hubs.
Sep 6, 19, 6:16 am
#7
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Sep 6, 19, 9:31 am
#8
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Join Date: Mar 2013
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DL used to give access to SC if your ticket included transborder F flights — reports on the DL forum are mixed.
That said when I flew to YYZ earlier this year I was able to get my full PM benefits (aka got a free +1 for my colleague into the SC where my usual access via AMEX Plat doesn’t permit that)
That said when I flew to YYZ earlier this year I was able to get my full PM benefits (aka got a free +1 for my colleague into the SC where my usual access via AMEX Plat doesn’t permit that)
Sep 6, 19, 9:37 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Japan
Programs: AS, UA
Posts: 1,181
I'm wondering if I'm being dumb by not just going out of Albany... but there's definitely fewer options that way and also Albany flights don't really offer a "real" first-class experience because they're smaller planes, in general, than what you find in the major hubs.
If Albany is significantly easier to get to and they are paying for it, see what options and schedules are available and decide if they are more convenient.
Sep 6, 19, 9:45 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
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One thing to add — if they are really paying for F and you can choose DL / AA / UA, your best bet is JFK/EWR with a connection in LAX/SFO since you’ll get lie-flats and you’ll get premium service (and lounge access) — that won’t happen with any other combination (BOS you may get the lie-flats but seems to change and the service won’t be the premium domestic service)
