Hi,

I've lurked around here over the years, but this is (if I remember correctly) my first post. So, forgive me if I get any of the abbreviations wrong.

I'll be flying from WAS-NRT in April. I'm CO silver elite. I can leave from any airport, fly any airline. What's the best way to go? On CO, I have a chance of getting upgraded, but it's not direct. Would it be worth the chance at an upgrade? I tend to prefer direct flights; if I choose one of those, which airline is the nicest? Or, should I choose, say, Singapore Airlines, which is not direct, I don't believe I am eligible for an upgrade on, but is, I hear, pretty nice.

I'd appreciate any suggestions/advice y'all can give. I apologize if this has been asked and answered; I tried searching for the answer at the forums, but haven't had time to look through all the posts yet.

Thanks!

-J

Welcome to FT, glitterglo!

ANA is awesome, and fly non-stop IAD-NRT, but I've never flown them in biz or steerage, so can't speak to that, but I've heard good things about them in the middle and back of the plane.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9630/4.7.1.40 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

You don't really have a chance for an upgrade on CO; they don't give out elite upgrades on BusinessFirst flights which either IAD or EWR-NRT would be.

If you want the 25% RDM bonus you would get for being elite you would need to fly on UA or CO. If you are willing to forgo that ANA is also an option. I don't think it is worth the connection on CO unless you really want to stay on "home" metal for some reason. And I'd bet that ANA will be more comfortable than UA. Of course, later this year you can get free access to E+ on UA which might skew that comfort benefit.

Not sure when NH will roll out its new Y (not Y+). With seat pitch at 34", it's definitely comparable to E+ on the B747 (or does UA use the B777?). If OP is willing to take a hit on EQM/RDM (most discounted NH Y fares only earn 70%, not to mention the loss of elite bonus), NH is definitely the way to go, IMHO, even in Y (new Y, that is).

LAX