Advice needed: trans-Atlantic flight choice
Jun 11, 2008 | 1:03 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: A lovely little town filled with cows
Programs: US2, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,284
Horrible is an appropriate adjective for all US flights, but particularly TATL coach service.
I think it is a tossup between BA and VS in coach - go with the one that fits best into your mileage accumulation strategy
Though the advance seat assignment might be the deal clincher for me on such a long flight.
I think it is a tossup between BA and VS in coach - go with the one that fits best into your mileage accumulation strategy
Though the advance seat assignment might be the deal clincher for me on such a long flight.I've had bad experiences with many of the businesses I deal with. They are individual experiences, and I know in most cases not representative of the company as a whole. Stating that all US flights are horrible is perhaps your opinion, but not in my experience anywhere close to representative of the operation as a whole (unless you were to specify that you were referring to flights between June and October of 2007
).To the OP - I would go with VS since those miles will count towards your elite status with US, assuming you are trying to maintain it. And as others have correctly pointed out, no free upgrades on TATL travel on US flights for US elites, though you would be high in the pecking order for a op-up, were the flight oversold in coach.
Jun 12, 2008 | 5:46 am
#17
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: IAD, DCA
Programs: UA-Plat, Marriott-Plat, AAI, AAII
Posts: 3,758
I tried VS to LHR a few years ago before I had UA status and it was better than some of the other carriers I've tried (AF and EI come to mind). I've never been in a BA WT seat but I like the WT+ product. As for US, enough folks have already commented on what they sell.
I did like the opportunity to buy exit row seats for an extra $75 at check in. If this option is still available I'd choose VS.
I did like the opportunity to buy exit row seats for an extra $75 at check in. If this option is still available I'd choose VS.
Jun 12, 2008 | 12:05 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 18,080
Broad generalizations make it easy to dismiss any specific value a post might have had.
I've had bad experiences with many of the businesses I deal with. They are individual experiences, and I know in most cases not representative of the company as a whole. Stating that all US flights are horrible is perhaps your opinion, but not in my experience anywhere close to representative of the operation as a whole (unless you were to specify that you were referring to flights between June and October of 2007).
I've had bad experiences with many of the businesses I deal with. They are individual experiences, and I know in most cases not representative of the company as a whole. Stating that all US flights are horrible is perhaps your opinion, but not in my experience anywhere close to representative of the operation as a whole (unless you were to specify that you were referring to flights between June and October of 2007
).However, since you ask for specifics I can say that my experience on a US flight SFO-PHL-MAD and MAD-PHL-SFO was miserable in Y - certainly much worse than comparable flights on UA and AC (which in turn I suspect are worse than VS and BA). Was it representative of the operation as a whole? I have no reason to believe that it wasn't based upon the records mentioned above. But if you can provide a review to the contrary I'm sure the OP would benefit from your input.
Jun 13, 2008 | 9:40 pm
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: ITH
Programs: US platinum, SPG platinum
Posts: 38
So, I took the plunge and bought the VS econo seat to LHR. I'm trying to keep USAir status as it is the primary carrier for my hometown. The Premium upgrade is a bit out of the budget but as the travel isn't for a month, fortunes may change.
Thanks, all, for the advice.
Thanks, all, for the advice.