SFO-NRT or LAX-NRT?
 

Greetings,

Never having flown NW before, I am contemplating taking advantage of the cheapo fares to SIN out of SFO or LAX. I noticed that they operate a 772 LAX-NRT and a DC10 SFO-NRT. As a NW newbie and someone who will be stuck travelling in Y, any advice as to which route I should go with? Is comfort marginally better on the 772 or the DC10?

Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

As a clarification, it's a 747-200 flying LAX to NRT.

I'll do both of these routes within the next 2 weeks......

Consider that you can tack on the Alaska Airlines nonstop between SFO and LAX.... southbound SFO to LAX leaves in time to make a 4 hour connection to the NRT flight. The return NRT to LAX to SFO gives an all day connection: 9:45am to 7:41pm.
This is if you choose to begin/end in SFO.

If you begin and end in LAX, you pretty much use the same Alaska flight: LAX-SFO-NRT requires an overnight (9pm to 1:30PM) in SFO. The return NRT-SFO-LAX gives almost a full day: arrive 9:10am and leave 8:33am.

Good luck!!


[This message has been edited by Viajero Joven (edited 06-19-2003).]

NW operates B747-200 (soon to be B747-400) from LAX-NRT and DC-10-30 from SFO. Personally, I'd pick the B747 -- especially if it's the -200, because it'll probably be your last chance to fly on one... both aircraft have plenty of "excellent" seats in Y, so that's not a concern.

FYI: I travel transpac in Y frequently... it's not at all bad.

Woops, sorry about that. Meant to say 742, not 772.

Thanks for the advice too on the Alaska Airlines flight. I'm actually originating out of ORD.

Now, I'm trying to decide how to max miles. Ideally, I'd like to credit all miles to my Onepass account since I have a few miles already banked there (and none on NW). Very few sub 200 fares, though, from ORD-LAX in August.

I am 6'3" and have flown both the 742 (LAX-NRT and return) and the DC10 (AMS-MSP) in the last few months. I know it isn't supposed to be different, but I think there is more leg room on the 742 -- not much, but enough that my knees weren't on the seatback on the 74 while they were on the DC10.
Just my thought.
And, LAX-NRT will get you a few more WP miles.
tom

You might want to check out the package deal from NWA Worldvacations. I got mine, airfare (MSP-NRT-SIN) + 3-night hotels + transfer for about $700/person including all taxes. You can also route through either LAX, SEA, or SFO for a few dollars more.

Why do you say the "last chance"? Will NW move to all 744s once demand picks up? Or do you believe that demand will never pick up? Or for some reason will the A330's replace the 742's instead of the DC-10's? Or some other reason?

B747s all the way! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

- Pat

Over the next few months, NW will remove most (if not all) of the 742s from passenger service. The affected flights will be operated by 744s, D10s, and 333s, as circumstances warrant.


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It's 20 Questions... with your host, IndustrialPatent! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif (just kidding!!!)

The B742 will likely be retired within a year (or sooner). Officially all but two (flying SEA-NRT) will be “parked” for the fall... but “parked” for conversion to freighters may be more like it. A mixture of B744, DC-10, A330 and A320 will replace B742 flying.

[This message has been edited by IndustrialPatent (edited 06-19-2003).]

Heads up: connecting domestic to international on NW at SFO will be a pain. They arrive and depart at totally different terminals and you'll need to re-clear security.

Not sure about LAX.

You'd arrive and depart out of the lovely terminal 2 at LAX. You'll clear Customs/Immigration downstairs and I believe go through security again at the gate level. Caveat: last couple times I've been through, the elite/F line is no more.

LAX-NRT is still a 742 and is on the schedule at least through Aug.

All you did was restate your original opinion. I already heard that.

I want to know your rationale.