Air Canada or Lufthansa to Paris?
 

Hi Flyertalkers-
I'm a frequent Delta flier, with occasional domestic flights on United. I'm looking to redeem some United miles for a flight in coach from BOS-PAR in April, and United has no room on its own flights. UA is offering me my choice of routings on Air Canada or Lufthansa. Since most of my international travel has been on Delta or Skyteam partners, I'm have no idea whether there is any difference in comfort level/service between these two carriers in economy. The Air Canada flight routes through Toronto, and the Luftansa through Frankfurt. Overall flight times are fairly similar. Does anyone have any advice on which carrier I should choose or whether they are basically the same?
Thanks

I've found AC's econ cabin to be more comfortable (more space) than that of LH.

If you can get a decent connection through Montreal, that could be the shortest routing in terms of overall time (and certainly in terms of time spent on the planes).

The only down-side to the AC connection is the extra customs/immigration dance (one in each direction).

As far as seat confort and space goes, there is not really much difference between the two.

In general I think that LH seats are perhaps 1/2 inch narrower but just as (un) comfortable. From memory AC flies A330-300 from YUL to CDG, whereas LH flies A340-300 BOS-FRA.

Legroom is pretty much the same (depending on the aircraft there are always 'better' seats).

LH has headrest 'wings' which AC does not have, which make sleeping much more comfortable.

Neither carrier has personal IFE, so forget that.

Food is better on LH (by miles).

On balance, I would probably marginally favour LH for comfort. Probably the biggest reason to go LH is you can have your luggage checked straight through to CDG without any immigration formalities at FRA. Also, if you miss your BOS-YUL flight for any reason you'll be stuck there for the night. FRA-CDG is served almost every hour.

Good luck

whimsey, my first choice would be BOS via MUC to CDG on LH, because MUC is much more convenient for connecting flights than FRA (it´s a long way to go…). As I do not like to clear immigrations & customs more than necessary, AC is the third option:

Option 1 (9h 55 min)
LH 425 (340) BOS-MUC 17.45-0810+
LH 5734 (CR7) MUC-CDG 09.05-10.40

Option 2 (9h 25 min)
LH 421 (340) BOS-FRA 20.40-10.45+
LH 4088 (32S) FRA-CDG 11.55-13.05

Option 3 (9h 50 min)
AC 387 (CRJ) BOS-YUL 16.30-17.40
AC 870 (333) YUL-CDG 19.30-09:20+

Hi Everyone-
Thanks for the replies. I hadn't thought about the customs/immigration issues, but that makes a convincing case for Lufthansa. I have booked my tickets on LH through Munich, as Patron suggested.
I appreciate all your comments!
-whimsey