PHL-AMS F Award. Route through ORD or IAD?
Jan 19, 2011, 3:34 pm
#1
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PHL-AMS F Award. Route through ORD or IAD?
Planning a trip in August with my GF on an F award and me in C, upgraded from Y. We'll trade so we each get F one way.
All the flights would be on 777s so nothing to compare there, plus I don't mind the greater distance through ORD.
Interested in folks opinions on which gateway to choose outbound and returning.
All the flights would be on 777s so nothing to compare there, plus I don't mind the greater distance through ORD.
Interested in folks opinions on which gateway to choose outbound and returning.
Jan 19, 2011, 4:00 pm
#2
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Returning through ORD is a pain as you will land in T5 and clear customs then have to get on the train to T1 which is where all of the UA flights depart from. At IAD there is a seperate customs area for connecting pax in the midfield area where you will land. If you fly via IAD plan a decent layover on the PHL-IAD leg as those flights can often be delayed.
Also, I thought ORD-AMS was a 767
Also, I thought ORD-AMS was a 767
Jan 19, 2011, 5:26 pm
#3
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Returning through ORD is a pain as you will land in T5 and clear customs then have to get on the train to T1 which is where all of the UA flights depart from. At IAD there is a seperate customs area for connecting pax in the midfield area where you will land. If you fly via IAD plan a decent layover on the PHL-IAD leg as those flights can often be delayed.
Also, I thought ORD-AMS was a 767
Also, I thought ORD-AMS was a 767
Agree that the return might be better through IAD. The timing works better and while the customs situation at IAD is apparently not great it might be beter than the terminal change at ORD.
I'm very (very, very!) familiar with the PHL<>IAD flight issues
and will plan accordingly.
Jan 19, 2011, 5:35 pm
#4
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I prefer ORD-AMS because it's longer and I can get more sleep.
Jan 19, 2011, 5:54 pm
#5
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Jan 19, 2011, 6:12 pm
#6
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The other issue is that if you are in C or F you should be able to get a seat in the F cabin between ORD and PHL which of course is not even an option IAD-PHL.
Even though transiting through ORD certainly has its issues, it doesn't (in my mind) compare to the let down of waiting in the IAD A terminal "ghetto gates" for the UX flight to PHL.
Even though transiting through ORD certainly has its issues, it doesn't (in my mind) compare to the let down of waiting in the IAD A terminal "ghetto gates" for the UX flight to PHL.
Jan 19, 2011, 6:19 pm
#7
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I agree. I also love the architecture of the O'Hare United terminals. And the United First lounge there is better (better views, better daylight, more intimate). So I would favor ORD on the outbound at least.
Jan 20, 2011, 4:56 pm
#9
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It sounds like the OP is not talking about switching during flight, so it shouldn't be an issue. For people who want to switch, some FAs are OK with it as long as you only switch once, and after the meal service.
Jan 21, 2011, 6:52 am
#10
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I'm tall so I'm thinking that the F seat would be best for me on the overnight flight where I can get a little sleep.
Jan 21, 2011, 4:42 pm
#11
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I do this flight from IAD often and always regret it's not an hour or two longer going over so there would be time to both eat and sleep. Any chance of going over via ORD and home by IAD?
Jan 22, 2011, 11:29 am
#12
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I'm starting to think that this would be the best plan. IAD-AMS gets in very early which will complicate checkin at the hotel even more. Plus we'd be operating on less sleep than routing through ORD.