United (UA) E+ or Lufthansa (LH) Economy?
Jun 22, 2015, 9:56 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 109
United (UA) E+ or Lufthansa (LH) Economy?
Would appreciate any recommendation. Am United *G currently slated to fly with my wife from BCN to IAD via FRA on LH on 14 July. Award ticket in Economy. We're on the 747-4 from FRA to IAD. According to the LH seatmap, they'll be using a plane with the Version 2 (SG) seating arrangement, and I can't tell if it has updated IFE.
Just opened up is a flight on LX and the UA via GVA. That would be on an old 767-3, but we'd both get E+ due to my *G status. I know the IFE on this plane is old, small, and non-interactive. On this route, there is also the VERY small chance of an upgrade to business for one of us, as I'm *G and have the MileagePlus Chase Visa card.
The flight difference is minimal (GVA routing is 25 minutes longer, but the flight leaves BCN at 7:55am vs. 6:55am, for LH).
I have not flown LH in Economy in many years, so I do not know what to expect. Just curious as to folks' thoughts/recommendations if I should stick with my original LH routing or jump on the UA E+ seats.
Just opened up is a flight on LX and the UA via GVA. That would be on an old 767-3, but we'd both get E+ due to my *G status. I know the IFE on this plane is old, small, and non-interactive. On this route, there is also the VERY small chance of an upgrade to business for one of us, as I'm *G and have the MileagePlus Chase Visa card.
The flight difference is minimal (GVA routing is 25 minutes longer, but the flight leaves BCN at 7:55am vs. 6:55am, for LH).
I have not flown LH in Economy in many years, so I do not know what to expect. Just curious as to folks' thoughts/recommendations if I should stick with my original LH routing or jump on the UA E+ seats.
Jun 22, 2015, 10:06 am
#2
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Would appreciate any recommendation. Am United *G currently slated to fly with my wife from BCN to IAD via FRA on LH on 14 July. Award ticket in Economy. We're on the 747-4 from FRA to IAD. According to the LH seatmap, they'll be using a plane with the Version 2 (SG) seating arrangement, and I can't tell if it has updated IFE.
Just opened up is a flight on LX and the UA via GVA. That would be on an old 767-3, but we'd both get E+ due to my *G status. I know the IFE on this plane is old, small, and non-interactive. On this route, there is also the VERY small chance of an upgrade to business for one of us, as I'm *G and have the MileagePlus Chase Visa card.
The flight difference is minimal (GVA routing is 25 minutes longer, but the flight leaves BCN at 7:55am vs. 6:55am, for LH).
I have not flown LH in Economy in many years, so I do not know what to expect. Just curious as to folks' thoughts/recommendations if I should stick with my original LH routing or jump on the UA E+ seats.
Just opened up is a flight on LX and the UA via GVA. That would be on an old 767-3, but we'd both get E+ due to my *G status. I know the IFE on this plane is old, small, and non-interactive. On this route, there is also the VERY small chance of an upgrade to business for one of us, as I'm *G and have the MileagePlus Chase Visa card.
The flight difference is minimal (GVA routing is 25 minutes longer, but the flight leaves BCN at 7:55am vs. 6:55am, for LH).
I have not flown LH in Economy in many years, so I do not know what to expect. Just curious as to folks' thoughts/recommendations if I should stick with my original LH routing or jump on the UA E+ seats.
Personally, I'd take the slightly later departure time and opportunity to avoid FRA connections in the absence of clear information about aircraft type (which is always subject to change anyway). A further consideration is that the 767 should be 2-3-2 seating in coach, so if there are two traveling together, a window-aisle pair of seats by yourselves is rather nice.
Jun 22, 2015, 10:11 am
#3
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I had the same issue when deciding last week.
I ended up taking the UA IAD - FRA option (on a 777-200) over the LH product. I will be flying back to IAH on the LH 380 in a few days.
I enjoyed the extra legroom
I ended up taking the UA IAD - FRA option (on a 777-200) over the LH product. I will be flying back to IAH on the LH 380 in a few days.
I enjoyed the extra legroom
Jun 22, 2015, 10:19 am
#4
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First off, you have no chance of an upgrade taking the UA flight. There are no complementary upgrades on TATL flights - so put that thought out of the equation.
If it were me, I'd take the LX/UA option for the following reasons, in no particular order:
1..The legroom is far better in E+ than LH Y
2..I like the 2 seats together on the side of the 767
3..I don't use the IFE so the poor quality on UA does not bother me.
4..You gain lifetime miles on UA - but that might not be important to you.
5..Changing in ZRH is a breeze, whereas FRA is the opposite.
6..The rather faded and old seats on UA are still reasonably comfortable.
However, the food, drink and service on LH is far better than on UA. If you are not tall, that might be the swing factor.
If it were me, I'd take the LX/UA option for the following reasons, in no particular order:
1..The legroom is far better in E+ than LH Y
2..I like the 2 seats together on the side of the 767
3..I don't use the IFE so the poor quality on UA does not bother me.
4..You gain lifetime miles on UA - but that might not be important to you.
5..Changing in ZRH is a breeze, whereas FRA is the opposite.
6..The rather faded and old seats on UA are still reasonably comfortable.
However, the food, drink and service on LH is far better than on UA. If you are not tall, that might be the swing factor.
Jun 22, 2015, 10:31 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Boston MA
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The seat makes all the difference to me. On LH, I have the front seat just right next to my knees. And I am only 6'.
But then, service-wise, LH is better, usually.
But then, service-wise, LH is better, usually.
Jun 22, 2015, 11:17 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2011
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It depends on how tall you are.
The legroom in E+ will be much better than Y on a LH 747 . If you're over 6', I wouldn't even bother with LH. The legroom is that bad for tall people. And as others have pointed out, the two of you being able to sit next to each other on UA is a big plus.
I don't have any experience with GVA and FRA airports, but it sounds like GVA is much easier to transfer through.
IMHO, I would pick UA for this trip. I think E+ and having two seats to yourselves is nicer than any good food/service you'd get on LH.
The legroom in E+ will be much better than Y on a LH 747 . If you're over 6', I wouldn't even bother with LH. The legroom is that bad for tall people. And as others have pointed out, the two of you being able to sit next to each other on UA is a big plus.
I don't have any experience with GVA and FRA airports, but it sounds like GVA is much easier to transfer through.
IMHO, I would pick UA for this trip. I think E+ and having two seats to yourselves is nicer than any good food/service you'd get on LH.
Jun 22, 2015, 12:01 pm
#9
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Yes! Grab the E+ seats while they're still there!
I find FRA a big, crowded airport which should be avoided if possible. I've never connected in Zurich, but it's got to be better than FRA!
Plus you would get another hour of sleep...
Final advise: make sure that you have at least 90 minutes of connection time (2 hours is better) - just in case!
I find FRA a big, crowded airport which should be avoided if possible. I've never connected in Zurich, but it's got to be better than FRA!
Plus you would get another hour of sleep...
Final advise: make sure that you have at least 90 minutes of connection time (2 hours is better) - just in case!
Jun 22, 2015, 12:12 pm
#10
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Jun 22, 2015, 12:18 pm
#11
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Yes! Grab the E+ seats while they're still there!
I find FRA a big, crowded airport which should be avoided if possible. I've never connected in Zurich, but it's got to be better than FRA!
Plus you would get another hour of sleep...
Final advise: make sure that you have at least 90 minutes of connection time (2 hours is better) - just in case!
I find FRA a big, crowded airport which should be avoided if possible. I've never connected in Zurich, but it's got to be better than FRA!
Plus you would get another hour of sleep...
Final advise: make sure that you have at least 90 minutes of connection time (2 hours is better) - just in case!
Jun 22, 2015, 12:51 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2003
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Yes! Grab the E+ seats while they're still there!
I find FRA a big, crowded airport which should be avoided if possible. I've never connected in Zurich, but it's got to be better than FRA!
Plus you would get another hour of sleep...
Final advise: make sure that you have at least 90 minutes of connection time (2 hours is better) - just in case!
I find FRA a big, crowded airport which should be avoided if possible. I've never connected in Zurich, but it's got to be better than FRA!
Plus you would get another hour of sleep...
Final advise: make sure that you have at least 90 minutes of connection time (2 hours is better) - just in case!
Jun 22, 2015, 1:28 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2009
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Normally, I would agree that UA E+ is better than LH Y but on really has to take the reliability of the UA long haul operation into effect at this point, too.
Jun 22, 2015, 1:33 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2003
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Posts: 3,475
If it were just the seat, UA E+ probably wins hands down. The plane may be delayed due to mechanical, you may need to bring a roll of tape to hold down the side paneling, there may be AVOD but using a screen only slightly larger than a smartphone, but you should have a good seat.