Steve Weagant

I have approximate 165 k miles from my fathers mileage plus account that he is allocating to me for a trip to Paris with my gf. This is enough for a 2 saver awards in bc from ord to cdg. And then to saver award tickets back to ord I'm coach. Which routings would give the best in flight experience in bc? Would it be better to just stick with UA no stops?

Thank you

UAPremExecflyer

ORD-CDG on UA = lie flat. Average inflight service
ORD-ZRH-CDG on LX = lie flat. Very good inflight service
ORD-FRA/MUC-CDG on LH = slanted seat. Good inflight service
ORD-CPH-CDG on SK = slanted seat. Good inflight service
ORD-VIE-CDG on OS = slanted seat. Very good inflight service
ORD-WAW-CDG on LO = slanted seat (unless 787). Average inflight service

Steve Weagant

Thanks. Didn't know about Zurich option. Since we are also thinking about visiting Milan that might be an option as an entry point into Europe.

UAPremExecflyer

LX uses the A330 from ORD. I found the seat very comfortable. I've seen others complain it's a bit hard. But the food is very good. And you can get espresso after dinner or better still when you wake up , along with a fresh smoothie.

rankourabu

sorry, but the 787 will have a team of 'elite' FAs, as well as DO&CO catering.

Also
AC
ORD-YYZ/YUL-CDG - flat beds on AC, but average service as well.

My personal rankings would be
LX>LO>UA>AC>OS>LH

Have not flown SK.

Steve Weagant

I am doing test bookings for March 2014 with plans to fly in April of 2014. Just getting a sense of the patterns of what is available for when I book. I plan to depart ORD on a Saturday, and fly BC to either Paris or Milan, which ever has the best connection. Then we will fly back from Paris on a Saturday or Sunday whichever has best coach availability. Right now I am seeing a lot of air canada and SAS. I have only been upgraded to BC class on op ups twice on dozen or so flights, and was simply delighted with United's reclining BC seats that were available circa 2003 to 2005.

My GF has only walked through BC on the way to economy, so we would probably enjoy almost any Business class product as long as are buts are not numb like they are flying economy, LOL.

Thanks for the information, because now I know for the best case scenarios to look for. I don't think I will be able to scope out the A380 in any scenario on this trip using miles.

Steve Weagant

I just did some research over on AC flyertalk forum. AC is changing there 777s to increase the number of passengers and make these 3 class planes.

Steve Weagant

Those connections popped up in a test booking for late march.

Does calling mileage plus give better results?

hyderago

You could do ORD-JFK (UA), JFK-FRA (SQ A380), FRA-CDG (LH).

ORDnHKG

You can but you have to "back track" your trip to SFO.

UA ORD-SFO
LH SFO-FRA 380
LH FRA-CDG


SQ 380 in R or J is forbidden to use miles unless you have SQ miles.

Oh btw, UA doesn't fly ORD-JFK, in order to fly to JFK from ORD on UA, one must connect thru IAD or unless someone want to take the bus from EWR/LGA to JFK.

Steve Weagant

IIRC this might have been a Lufthansa flight. But I may have been imagining that too.

I think I will come to to LH or AC based on the test bookings. Of course, a non-stop on UA would probably trump all of them for ease of travel. I've done some more research over on the AC forum, and it seems that they will have these execufirst suites with lie flat seats. That should at least ensure a decent night's sleep.