The problem with the directs is that they're 1) expensive and 2) few and far between. The Delta evening flight is often $400 on a Thursday. Compare that to about $120-$150 I usually find on UA or US to connect.

The main problem though is that it leaves too damn early, like at 5pm. I need to get later, like 7 or 7:30. No directs at that hour.

No one is faulting B6. This is a thread about views of New York . You asked why I fly into LGA instead of JFK and the answer is simple: I've had much better luck with delays through LGA than JFK. I think it has to do with the number of enplanements out of JFK and the fact that US has a shuttle out of LGA, minimizing effects of delays since there are so many flights to choose from.

Oh, and also, we're going to Greece this summer on my miles.

If you're connecting to save money and earn the miles then more power to you.

I've always wanted to go to Greece. Colleagues of mine who had Greece on a recent business itinerary loved it, friends that went on vacation loved it. Are you flying BOS-PHL-ATH or BOS-FRA-ATH?

BOS-FRA-ATH (LH) business class and then we go to Santorini from there on Aegean Airlines, ATH-JTR. Can you believe that the Aegean flights were $300/per. This is like a 20 minute flight! Talk about supply and demand w/r/t Greek islands and the summer.

Oh well, it should be a fun trip regardless.

Sounds like it should be an amazing trip, wow. Good for you. Lufthansa is really wonderful. I love flying Lufthansa. I was hoping you weren't planning to go BOS-PHL-ATH on US Airways. I don't think Envoy Class could ever hold a candle to Lufthansa's Business Class, its not even like comparing apples to apples. Plus, it'll be so much easier to go from Boston directly across the Ocean rather than flying down to Philadelphia and going through that awful experience. Very exciting for you. I live vicariously through others vacations these days.

I'm not surprised the short hop flights within Greece are so expensive, take the visitors for everything they're worth. Have you ever looked at prices for travel within Argentina? There is the Argentine citizen price, the non Argentine citizen flying an Argentine airline into Argentina price, and then there is the non-Argentine citizen flying a non-Argentine airline into Argentina price. Big difference there. Imagine if the U.S. flags could find a way to charge all European passport holders flying within the U.S. on domestic tickets double the price.

I agree with you, US is a pitiful trans-atlantic product, particularly in "Envoy." Their business class has to be one of the worst in the sky. Definitely not worth the extra miles to upgrade. We made the mistake of doing BOS-PHL-DUB once because of a good fare, and it was miserable.

I don't know about different airline prices for Greeks and non-Greeks, but I will tell you that hotels have different rates. We found a hotel in Santorini that we wanted and the price was one rate on the Internet. My Greek friend said let me give them a call and she was able to get a rate that was 20% cheaper (and a better room to boot!).

At some level this is annoying, but on another level I guess I don't mind up and coming countries taking full advantage of their natural resources. Greece has beautiful islands, the country could use as much money as it can get its hands on for infrastructure improvements and the like, so I don't necessarily mind paying a premium for that kind of thing.

Now, if only the dollar was doing a bit better vs. the Euro....

FT is not the appropriate forum for me to launch into my tirade about the weak US Dollar so I won't.

I have always spoken very favorably about jetBlue but I've also always tempered my enthusiasm for jetBlue with my disappointment in the rewards program. Alaska Airlines has a great program with global reach. Its going to be difficult to lure a broad range of business travelers without any option of redeeming awards for something a little more exciting than domestic destinations. I want to go to Greece, I'd be happy flying Continental BusinessFirst nonstop from Newark, as you don't have a nonstop from Boston I think you picked the best option, Lufthansa is excellent.

Sure it is, just not this forum. That is what OMNI is for.

Its much less fun to talk about than jetBlue, Continental, and the delays at JFK and Newark anyway.

Thanks for the replies (even though the discussion got a bit off-topic ), especially Dietcoke's reply was very helpful. So based on his thorough analysis I'll go for the left side.

On a side note: I'll fly from Newark to Detroit (on nwa) and from Las Vegas to Newark. Any advice for a good view of Manhatten, Las Vegas and Detroit?

It all depends on the runway that is being used for both arrivals and departures. If you are departing 22R you definitely won't get a view as it will be far behind you. OTOH if you are landing 22L then again sit on the left side as you will make your final approach turn over TEB airport and Manhatten will be off to your left. If they are using the 4's then departing 4L sit right as you will initially make an immediate right turn (towards Manhatten) followed rapidly by a climbing left turn. If landing 4R you won't see anything, likewise if you are on an EJet from DTW they may land RWY 11 and you won't see anything.