Better ua business lax-txl: stop ewr or lhr?
Dec 17, 2018, 3:16 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: Chase, United
Posts: 403
Better ua business lax-txl: stop ewr or lhr?
What’s the better routing lax to txl in United business:
757 to ewr, 764 to txl
vs
787-9 to lhr, Germanwings to txl
would the LHR change require re clearing security? Require customs? Or can I stay airside in, is it, terminal 2?
thanks for any advice
757 to ewr, 764 to txl
vs
787-9 to lhr, Germanwings to txl
would the LHR change require re clearing security? Require customs? Or can I stay airside in, is it, terminal 2?
thanks for any advice
Last edited by zoechow; Dec 17, 2018 at 3:27 pm Reason: typo
Dec 17, 2018, 3:38 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,388
The LHR connection itself is more hassle, but I think the longer overnight on a 787 makes it a clear winner. The EW segment will be pretty painful though.
Dec 17, 2018, 3:49 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 1,394
For me, a good night's sleep is prioritized above all else when going to Europe. For that, 10hrs then 2 hrs is way way way better than 6 daytime hours then only 6 or 7 night hours. LHR will be a bit of a hassle in that I bet you'll have to clear security, but you shouldn't have to clear customs, recheck bags, etc. Agree that Germanwings will suck. But not as much as the long day flight followed by a relatively short red-eye.
Dec 17, 2018, 3:54 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
Another option to consider is flying to Germany's capital, Frankfurt, on LH in J (there's a non-stop from SAN). LH's J product is comparable (if not better) than UA's from my experience. You can then take a quick train ride to Berlin, Germany's population centre, of course after freshening up in the LH lounge on arrival in FRA. You might be able to get UA to even include the train portion since LH can ticket the German train portions!
I personally would not be caught dead in the Berlin airport. It's a real disaster zone in terms of facilities and everything else a real eye sore in the sea of German efficiency and quality. Here's to hoping that the new Berlin airport opens soon so that one day we can seriously call Berlin the capital of Germany!
Safe Travels,
James
I personally would not be caught dead in the Berlin airport. It's a real disaster zone in terms of facilities and everything else a real eye sore in the sea of German efficiency and quality. Here's to hoping that the new Berlin airport opens soon so that one day we can seriously call Berlin the capital of Germany!
Safe Travels,
James
Dec 17, 2018, 4:44 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Silver, UA 1K, DL Platinum
Posts: 696
At Heathrow you will clear security but not customs if your bag is checked through to the final destination.
You won’t need it this time but there is an airside bus transfer between all terminals. Just follow the purple signs for the transfer desks.
Heathrow operates a strict conformance rule so they will scan the onward boarding pass before allowing you to security (you need to arrive 40 minutes I think before the flight).
You won’t need it this time but there is an airside bus transfer between all terminals. Just follow the purple signs for the transfer desks.
Heathrow operates a strict conformance rule so they will scan the onward boarding pass before allowing you to security (you need to arrive 40 minutes I think before the flight).
Dec 17, 2018, 5:24 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: CHI
Programs: UA 1K, MR Titanium, IHG Gold, National Exec
Posts: 3,841
If you eat dinner in the Polaris Lounge at EWR and skip meals on EWR-TXL, I don't think it'd be that bad (I find this to be the best feature of the Polaris Lounge), but I agree with others and would still probably fly through LHR.
Dec 17, 2018, 6:16 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP. Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,129
Do the LHR transfer. LHR is actually easy, you'll just have to do immigrations for transfers (follow the purple signs). There are lots of lounge options at LHR depending on the amount of connection time you have as well.
EDIT: Forgot to add that LAX will have the new Polaris lounge open Jan 12 2019, not sure when you're traveling but keep the LAX Polaris lounge option in mind.
EDIT: Forgot to add that LAX will have the new Polaris lounge open Jan 12 2019, not sure when you're traveling but keep the LAX Polaris lounge option in mind.
Dec 17, 2018, 6:41 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 1,335
Just want to point out the obvious since no one mentioned it: EW doesn't have business class. In fact, they don't even print your FFN on your boarding pass. For that amount of money/miles, I'd never settle for less than what I paid for.
And I presume you meant EW and not 4U. I think they retired 4U after the suicidal pilot... Not great for the brand!
And I presume you meant EW and not 4U. I think they retired 4U after the suicidal pilot... Not great for the brand!
Dec 17, 2018, 8:42 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: Chase, United
Posts: 403
This is really helpful, thanks to all. I had discounted the train because it is a bit over 4 hours, but will rethink. It’s hard to get any of the timings to work with much time in Polaris lounge. Since the time change is against you, you would need to leave really early LA to connect in EWR, and the same makes it hard to get a good layover in EWR. I’ll keep looking and considering. Thanks!!
Dec 17, 2018, 9:09 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: Chase, United
Posts: 403
Just want to point out the obvious since no one mentioned it: EW doesn't have business class. In fact, they don't even print your FFN on your boarding pass. For that amount of money/miles, I'd never settle for less than what I paid for.
And I presume you meant EW and not 4U. I think they retired 4U after the suicidal pilot... Not great for the brand!
And I presume you meant EW and not 4U. I think they retired 4U after the suicidal pilot... Not great for the brand!
Business
(P)
Snack
Dec 17, 2018, 9:11 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: Chase, United
Posts: 403
For me, a good night's sleep is prioritized above all else when going to Europe. For that, 10hrs then 2 hrs is way way way better than 6 daytime hours then only 6 or 7 night hours. LHR will be a bit of a hassle in that I bet you'll have to clear security, but you shouldn't have to clear customs, recheck bags, etc. Agree that Germanwings will suck. But not as much as the long day flight followed by a relatively short red-eye.
Dec 17, 2018, 9:20 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,467
