Flying LAX-LON (LHR or LGW). Can upgrade on either UA or US. Which might I enjoy more?

I am 1K UA and Gold US. Is it even conceivable that the US flight would towards UA status for June travel?

Regarding miles: If the merger goes through, United/US Airways have said that your new status will be determined by the combination of tier miles on both miles (25,000 on US Airways and 75,000 on United will earn you 1K; 125,000 on US Airways and 0 on United will earn you 1K). If the merger is approved by year's end, this will determine your 2002 status. If we still don't know, it's anyone guess how this thing will pan out...

Regarding service/enjoyment: Absolutely no question in my mind that US Airways is the winner, assuming you will fly via Charlotte or Philadelphia to get the A330 (I believe PIT-LGW is still a 767-200). The A330 is superior in every aspect from what I hear. I've flown Envoy Class in the 767, and I can say the service is extremely superior, and that isn't going to change on the A330. The A330's seat will have more recline and pitch than an unrecongfigured United Business plane. The entertainment system is a Sony Passport Interactive system which 100 times better than United. Basically there aren't cycles of movies on channels. Rather there are many, many movies loaded into the system, but no indiviudual tapes for you to deal with. You select one movie, and fast-forward, rewind, pause (to go the lav, etc.), and restart exactly where you left off.

If this flight will bring you over the 1K line for the year, I'd say only under that considerion go United (just in case your miles don't go through -- no merger), but if either this flight won't affect your 1K status OR you would be willing to make a quick mileage run at the end of the year when you see that your US miles won't transfer and you need a little boost to get to 1K, a highly, highly, suggest that you choose US Airways and enjoy Envoy Class while you still can.

Or, a summary:
US, US, US, US!!!!

I agree with BizJet completely. US v. UA - US wins everytime. The UA service in J sucks in comparison. I won't waste time or space here to list why. I've flown both and from the type of seat to the service US wins, even in the 767. A330 is an added bonus. I think the temperment of the US FA's is 10 times superior. Must be that southern hospitality. With UA, the FA's are from mixed crew bases and seems to me they don't always work well as a team compared to US FA's which all INT seem to be based from PA or CLT. I think having a FA crew all from the same base makes a differnce in how well they work together and sever the pax.

Enjoy...James

Actually I think, only the second day's flight from PHL to LGW is on a 767 nowadays. PIT, PHL, and CLT all fly the A330 to LGW.

Anyways, BizJet's response is right on regarding US Envoy Class. The only negative thing is that the FA's aren't too happy to be on the A330 due to it's smaller galleys.

And the United FA's aren't too happy because they have to work!! (just kidding)

[This message has been edited by BizJet (edited 03-31-2001).]

Well, I just booked an interesting itinerary with all this info (thanks!):

LAX-PHL-MAN on US with Envoy Upgrade.

MAN-CPH (arnk) ARN-LHR on SAS

LHR-JFK-LAX on UA with Business Upgrade

total: $1200.

Not bad for June travel! I wanted the eastbound to be in the more comfortable seat. And I truly hope the miles will count towards elite on UA (please!!!!!!).


My only worry is the PHL connection. ITN shows that the LAX-PHL flight is 30% on time. I have a 1 1/2 hour connection. Should be ok, but you can never tell.

Oh man is it a long walk to the A Terminal in PHL.

90 minutes in PHL is never enough. Well, maybe if you're flight is scheduled to make the connection at 2am.

Just to confirm what chexfan says, all three hubs (PIT,CLT,PHL) now have A-330 service to London.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by pitflyer:
[B]90 minutes in PHL is never enough. Well, maybe if you're flight is scheduled to make the connection at 2am.

I know. Now whenever I have to connect from C or D to A, I just ask one of those nice US reps in the gold cart to drive me. I have received some of the strangest responses given that I am able-bodied and not lugging excessive baggage. My reply is tends to be "listen, I'm just asking for a ride. I would think that you would happy to offer someone a ride to avoid that excessively long walk. And besides that, don't you want to do everything you can to keep your Chairman's Preferred clients happy??? Well, I'm a CP and I'd really appreciate your kindness in giving me a life". Usually that does the trick. I might look silly to others but I don't care. I think they should have a shuttle service for all pax from B to A. It's ridiculous how far the walk is.

Good luck making your connex. If your flight leaves LAX on time, you should be fine. I have found the eastbound transcons to arrive early most of the time if departure is on time. Now, I can't speak for landing on time or getting to the gate on time. PHL is not known for these things but the flight will be shorter than you think and the pilots always seem to arrive in the area early. So as long as you don't have to circle waiting for a landing slot and you can get to your gate in a few minutes of landing you will be fine.

Good luck. Enjoy Envoy!!!

James