Biz class: 2-class & 3-class 777-200s vs. 767-400 intl.

UA left a voicemail for me asking me to contact them about my July Flight from LA to Rome in Business/First “P”. LAX-EWR-FCO (737-800, 767-400ER)

I looked at the flight and it appears that their latest schedule change has left me with <30 minutes connect time in EWR. My guess is they will want me to change the flight. I’d like to change it too, since I think it is too little time to make the connection.

I want to call them back with a new flight in mind, instead of them telling me where/when they want me to fly. There are a ton of alternatives. I found a UA flight on a 777-200 LAX-LHR and then on BA to FCO on a A319.

Assuming that’s why UA is calling, do you think I will have options on which flight to change to? Will they charge me a fare difference even if the change is “initiated” by them?

Which would you rather fly international business class on? A 777-200 or a 767-400ER? I definitely want a lie-flat seat.

Thanks for your help.

Definitely your suggestion - looooong flatbed leg and a short Y one. Better trip spacing, avoids domestic F and EWR.

But the short BA leg could be difficult for you, since it's both OAL and outside *A.

Thanks, UA-NYC. That's a good point. I didn't even consider BA being outside of *A, as I saw the flight combination available for purchase on United.com. Actually, looking at it again, I see there are no award miles for that leg.

What is OAL?

Agree. Why not try LAX-SFO-FRA-FCO? (The last leg on LH).

OAL = other airline

Staying within Star is probably your best bet for an optimal reroute plus it's doubtful you'd get any PQM for the BA leg.

I can't see any way that UA is going to put you onto BA for a leg.

Why not try to go LAX-FRA direct in LH C?

Unless the fare allows it - which is possible, and is the reason segments like that show up on UA.com.

If the fare doesn't allow it, basically zero chance of them booking this separately for you.

I had CO offer to put me on another carrier's direct flight or accept a food and hotel voucher and fly the next day when contacted 5 days before the flight because of scheduling problems. I took the extra day of vacation with a comp hotel and meals and just told work that it was out of my hands.

The LAX SFO FCO route looks interesting. Is the LH A380-800 nice?

Not sure I can talk my husband into another stop, though. His partner had intially suggested direct LAX-FCO on AZ and I had to nudge him over to *A with one stop.

I know UA is selling the LAX-LHR-FCO BA flight--they have three variations of UA/BA combo on United.com. But they have NO award miles associated with that leg.

The routing aside, is the 767-400ER undesirable by comparison to the LH A380-800 or the UA777-200?

BTW, LAX-FRA is on the new 747-800i...

Interestingly enough, that flight does not appear on UA.com when I plug in LAX-FCO. But that (and the flight on the 747-400) are available on LH's site.

I just searched LAX-FRA-LAX on UA.com and even then, the LH flight did not appear.

I guess I could still say that I want it, but that seems very strange to me the flight does not appear on UA.com. Wonder why they would have a BA flight but not LH.

No, it still has a angled business product. The LH B748 LAX-FRA has lie-flats, although you may play footsie with your neighbor.

Personally I'd ask for LX and connect via ZRH. Better J product and connecting in ZRH is easy.

I'm headed to Brazil (GIG or GRU, schedule hasn't firmed up yet), which is an overnight flight ex ORD or IAH (~10 hours). I can fly on the 777-200 in the 2-4-2 arrangement, or on the 767-300 in the 2-1-2 arrangement. I'm 6'2", and hoping to sleep. Traveling alone for business.

Which config is better for one of my height, all things considered? Note that the single seats on the 763 are all taken already per the seat maps, so I'd be in one of the outboard pairs.

I'm sure this is answered elsewhere, but I'm in a bit of a hurry to book the tix on short notice, and am hoping someone might be kind enough to give me a quick answer.

Thanks,
Jeff J