First Class airline comparison from Mccarran ?
 

I'm booking a flight from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, I'm coming from UK before so have opted for First class to allow for baggage.

The price of each airline varies by around $20 leaving me open to suggestions as to the best airline to go with.

American, Delta or United ?

The key things I'm looking for comparables on are:

Priority Checkin
Fast Lane Security
Priority Boarding
Lounge Access
Comfort

I thought this would be better suited in the Las Vegas thread, hopefully those with knowledge of the airport could give some insight to use of priority lanes and their usefulness or not :)

Thanks in Advance

I can't help much with this question since I've never seen the check-in areas at T3 (despite being a UA flier), but one consideration could be that UA bag check/check-in will be at the new T3 whereas I believe American and Delta are still using T1. Someone else will have to comment on the relative proximity of check-in counters to security/tram as well as use of the first class lines in T3.

Hi,

On United ( there is a United Club in T1) you will not get access based on First class alone ( unless you have a Star alliance Gold Card).

AA and Delta do not have lounges in LAS ( you can buy lounge access at " The Club at LAS in T1 IIRC).

If you have a Priority Pass Card ( ie with UK Amex Plat) you can gain access to the United Club.

Do you have status with any airline ( ie DL, BA,AA etc?)

Regards

TBS

Thank You,

Only status I have so far is BA Bronze.

Are any of the above airlines preferred over the other ?

Comfort is going to be about the same on all of those choices.

American Airlines is a Oneworld partner with BA, so you will at least earn miles with BA. American has a good priority boarding arrangement (separate lanes, so the gate lice don't crowd you out). They also have Fast Lane security at LAS.

On the down side, they have no lounge at LAS, and BA Bronze won't get you anything extra. I find at LAS lounge access is not really necessary because they have decent, free WiFi internet access throughout the airport anyway. There are outlets and charging stations around, so the only thing you are missing is a free drink and some snack mix.

AA is also based in the old D gates, not in the shiny new Terminal 3 (but who cares, the D gates work fine).

Because you specifically mentioned luggage as an issue I should point out I fly this route quite a bit with heavy luggage. My experience has been that the AA check in counter at LAS is very forgiving with overweight luggage. In AA domestic F you would normally get three bags at 50lbs each. I just flew that route with two 50lb bags and one 65lb bag, and they didn't care. Just put a heavy tag on it and checked me in. They checked my bags to my final destination (CEB, on CX) as well, so I didn't have to pay overweight charges for the international leg either. Obviously YMMV.

So I would recommend AA if you are carrying a lot of weight.

Just to note that UA AA and DL all use D gates still, it's just that UA check-in counter is at T3 (relevant to this thread since OP needs to check bags).

Thank You, I'm leaning towards AA it probably makes more sense especially since I can earn BA miles with them.

:)

If your biggest concern is baggage, I would throw Southwest into this mix for consideration. Since it is a short 236 mile flight, a seat up front isn't really a big deal in my opinion. I'm an AA elite and often find myself on WN when flying between LAX (or Burbank) and LAS.

The difference amongst the 3 is marginal at best when you consider the flight lasts 40 minutes. Mainline flights for the three are on narrow bodies; UA mostly runs A319, DL runs A319, and AA has 737 on this route. Be sure to avoid the regional carriers.

If you are flying after 4/22/13 then I recommend booking with Virgin America which starts this route on that date.

Block time is about 40 minutes, wheels up to wheels down can be as little as 20 of which level flying may be as little as 5-8 minutes. I wouldn't give a second's thought to anything and would simply book the most convenient.

I also wouldn't be concerned about clubs and things like that. There's zero reason to arrive early for a US domestic flight, so you should time yourself to head for the gate, board and head to LAX.

Since you mentioned bags (and Delta as an option).

Delta First Class domestic gets 3 bags at 70lbs per bag (per person).

Also, if you can still use the bag check at Venetian (a few airlines, including Delta, used to participate); this could be another advantage (though, there is a minor fee for this service). [haven't used this service in years, so perhaps, it's no longer available]

Have you considered Virgin America -- I think their FC is very nice.

I had looked into Southwest more so because of their later flight times however I have flown with them previously and whilst it's a short flight after a long leg from London I don't fancy being on there not even for 40 minutes [I am however leaving it as an option still for now just not first choice :)].

VA would have been my first choice but unfortunately I have to get to LA before they start this route again, will definitely be using them from April though if needs be.

I agree re lounges, normally my no.1 thing would be fast track security and a nice seat on the plane... the lounge is just a nice bonus. However as I'm arriving from a long haul flight and changing at Las Vegas the lounge would have just been a little bit of rest bite away from the main gate areas in between flights :).


Thanks for all your help x

just one data point
 

UA does have elite access security line - if you leave at a relatively quiet time it's a breeze.
If you happen to have Amex Plat or Centurion there's a new Lounge at D gates that is awesome. It's in between the delta and UA gates there.
UA only flies the regional jets and occas 737 so on a regional jet there may be weight issues. I'd fly whoever flies mainline service.

Thanks, I've gone with Delta now as the times seemed a little more suited :)