Jawed From United States of America, joined Sep 2006, 482 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 4785 times:
I will be booking a flight from SFO to DXB, but unfortunately I can't get business or first class. Given that I will be sitting in cattle class, what is the least painful way to travel from SFO to DXB? Any particular connecting airports that are known to be smooth? Any specific airlines and aircraft I should look for? For example, is a 747-400 coach seat far more comfortable or provides more legroom than a 777? I really don't know. Or are some common connections (like Frankfurt or London) plagued by more delays and more difficult plane transfers than other airports? Available connections range anywhere from Paris and London to New York and Frankfurt. On the return flight from DXB to SFO there are also options to fly east (connect in Hong Kong) or west, with comparable flight times but probably under different circumstances overall. Thank you for any tips!
Longhornmaniac From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 3102 posts, RR: 47 Reply 1, posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 4771 times:
Might try IAH...
IAH isn't bad. Connecting CO to EK won't be too much trouble.
RwSEA From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 3024 posts, RR: 2 Reply 2, posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 4731 times:
Quoting Jawed (Thread starter): Any particular connecting airports that are known to be smooth?
I'd connect through AMS given the choice of European hubs. MUC would also be a good choice. Avoid LHR, CDG, and FRA (in that order) at all costs. I'd also opt to connect in Europe rather than the US, just to break up the trip a bit more, and so that you can clear customs in SFO rather than in a hub somewhere in the Eastern US.
I guess that leaves KL as your choice. Their service is alright, nothing special. If you could somehow get to AMS on NW, they have 32" pitch in their A330s.
IAD787 From United States of America, joined exactly 8 years ago today! , 501 posts, RR: 44 Reply 3, posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 4725 times:
I did BOS to DXB and that wasn't that fun on BA. I flew a 777 which went well, but I'll tell ya, four 7 hr legs is rough. I would advise a short leg then a long one. IAH is a really good bet actually. Is EK codesharing with CO on that route or are you going to have to get your baggage at IAH then recheck it to DXB? If so, stick with a single carrier. BA is a good bet on that route and it's better than any of the US majors. Delta would be your only option through ATL. The good news is that you do have plenty options.
Good luck! I also recommend Kayak.com to give you the most choices.
Former FlightBlogger turned Wall Street Journal Aerospace Beat Reporter
BlueElephant From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2006, 1809 posts, RR: 6 Reply 4, posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 4729 times:
Zippyjet From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 4743 posts, RR: 13 Reply 6, posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 4721 times:
You've probably heard this before but, avoid the New York and Boston areas! If you can do that, then, you can cut down on the pain factor.
Flighty From United States of America, joined Apr 2007, 7507 posts, RR: 2 Reply 7, posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 4700 times:
What about Virgin America to JFK, then EK to DXB. Both nice airlines with PTV, even in economy. EK's economy product is very good.
Or, one of the Euro carriers would give you 1-carrier reliability. AF, KLM or LH. BA uses LHR which most people do not like (plus aren't taxes higher...)
AirxLiban From Lebanon, joined Oct 2003, 4492 posts, RR: 55 Reply 9, posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 4700 times:
Forget flying through Asia. I would also advocate connecting through MUC or AMS if you want to go through Europe. Otherwise go for EK through IAH or JFK, the entertainment on Emirates will keep you occupied for hours.
HT From Germany, joined May 2005, 6475 posts, RR: 26 Reply 10, posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 4664 times:
Quoting Jawed (Thread starter): Given that I will be sitting in cattle class, what is the least painful way to travel from SFO to DXB?
Have you considered to make a stop-over enroute ?
Quoting Jawed (Thread starter): On the return flight from DXB to SFO there are also options to fly east (connect in Hong Kong) or west, with comparable flight times but probably under different circumstances overall.
Overall, flying west (= follwing the sun) is less stressful on the body.
Combine that with one short stopover and you might get a itinerary that makes the most out of the necessary travel, as you can try to follow the rule:
Depart in the morning, follow the sun throughout your flight, arrive in the early afternoon (depending on sector length, especially when flying trans-pacific this might be a problem) and sleep in a hotel during the night.
A basic itinerary could be like:
ZBBYLW From Canada, joined Nov 2006, 1927 posts, RR: 7 Reply 12, posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 4575 times:
Well as far as airplanes to look out for I would say the 763's offer the most comfortable seating arrangement at 2-3-2. The only issue being is if you can find a 763 (or 762 for that matter) with AVOD in Y. AC offers it on some of their planes, though its getting better. I would personally avoid EK 777s as they have a 3-4-3 layout which to me would be REALLY cramped, especially on a longer flight.
RwSEA From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 3024 posts, RR: 2 Reply 14, posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 4557 times:
I would avoid EK in coach, especially if the equipment is a 777 - EK has 10-abreast seating while most carriers are only 9-abreast. However, they do make up for it with more legroom. So if you're tall and slender, maybe EK is a decent choice (by all means through IAH rather than JFK).
Robertmalpass From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2006, 44 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 4347 times:
My suggestion, based on personal preference alone would be VS straight through SFO - LHR - DXB. I know it's going through LHR which is a hell hole sometimes but I really like VS's Y product especially their new Y seats which are loads more comfortable than the old ones. Choosing VS would also mean two types of aircraft (B744 from SFO and A346 from LHR), both of which have VS's fab AVOD system, V-Port. The timings mean a good few hours at LHR
JoeCanuck From Canada, joined Dec 2005, 5130 posts, RR: 29 Reply 18, posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 4331 times:
Try Etihad for your long leg. Flights 100/101 are direct NYC-AUH. Then it's a short hop/drive to Dubai, (though I prefer Abu Dhabi as a city). Etihad Y is much, much better in goat class than EK...no comparison.
VV701 From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 6679 posts, RR: 17 Reply 20, posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 4143 times:
How about:
BA284 (SFO-LHR) d. 04.15 pm a. 10.30 am (744)
BA107 (LHR-DXB) d. 12.35 pm a. 11.20 pm (772)
I do not think there will be a change of terminal at LHR. There is the security of using a single airline. And the connecting times are virtually ideal.
Until the end of March both flights will operate through T4 at LHR. I think that from 27 March both flights will operate through T5 that opens for business that day. So that in itself could be an experience and a reason for routing this way.
MSYtristar From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 6251 posts, RR: 51 Reply 21, posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 4122 times:
I would look for, as others have suggested, a routing through Europe to break up the trip a bit more. However, if that's not an option, I'd go with DL via an easy connection in ATL. They offer a pretty nice Coach product on their 777's...probably more comfortable than EK's Coach layout, since it's 3x3x3 seating. Also, DL has really improved its intercontinental service as of late...PTV's, amenity kits, free adult beverage with the main meal, etc.
AA757200 From United States of America, joined Dec 2006, 156 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 4054 times:
Quoting BlueElephant (Reply 4): EK has a GREAT product, and is quite comfortable (personal experience).
Couldn't be further from the truth, in coach. One of the worst longhaul coach products. Way too tight. But frankly, all your options will lack loads of space and comfort, if you are going in the back. Either way, avoid EK.
Drerx7 From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 4916 posts, RR: 8 Reply 23, posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 4044 times:
MSYtristar From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 6251 posts, RR: 51 Reply 24, posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 4031 times:
Quoting Drerx7 (Reply 23): thats almost oxymoronic in my book...lol
Well it is...as long as your original flight is on time.
I love connecting through ATL terminal E. Nice place...good food selection...very spacious.
25 Jacobin777: ..flying over the Pacific would add quite a number of extra miles (and time) to the trip... Since I've flown this route a number of times (Bay Area-D
26 SailorOrion: Considering that you should avoid (as mentioned above) LHR and CDG as transfer points, and assuming that you don't want excessive travel time, there a
28 JoeCanuck: You really must consider Etihad. Their y product is as almost as good as Singapore, and that's saying a lot. SFO-NYC-AUH. AUH is almost half way betwe
29 BoeingFever777: He is trying to avoid pain! IE: JFK, LHR, CDG, FRA... I like how the poster clearly states "what is the least painful way to travel from SFO to DXB?"
30 Jawed: Thanks for the tips! A lot of people are suggesting IAH as the transfer point. What is so unique about that airport? Thanks.
31 UN_B732: Nothing really, just an efficient, uncongested hub. IAH is a bit out of the way compared to say, LHR, but you'd spend more time on EK with excellent e
32 HT: Is this for "connecting" or also for flying out of IAH ? Having read some other threads I got the impression that check-in with CO in Eco can be a le
33 Ag92: Or you could do SFO - LAX - SIN - DXB with the LAX - SIN in the Airbus 345 and the Y+ seats if you are allowed to travel in that class. The SIN - DXB
34 BA319-131: - Really? If so EK really suck as EY is not that great. - You jest, you cannot compare the two carriers, SQ are miles ahead. I've had 4 EY flights, L
35 AirTranTUS: If it were me, I would go with either: SFO-IAH-DXB on CO/EK SFO-ATL-DXB all on DL SFO-AMS-DXB on KL I would avoid connecting in any other European air
36 Longhornmaniac: IAH rarely succumbs to the massive delays that plague other transfer points like JFK/ATL/LHR etc... About the worst thing you'll find at IAH is a spo
37 Viscount724: Sorry, that's not correct. BA flights SFO-LHR (and LAX-LHR) currently use T1 at LHR, not T4, so if you're travelling before they move to T5 on March
38 VV701: Thanks for the correction. Having read the other replies I would not touch BA with a change at LHR from T1 to T4. But if travelling after 27 March th
39 BoeingFever777: Intl. Terminal is clean and nice, lots of shops and places to eat. Not congested or to many delays. Cam... Come on man... Central Texas Weather is li
40 JoeCanuck: That's the wacky thing about opinions; we're all allowed to have them and they're allowed to be different. I've had 4 flights on EY and they've been
42 Baguy: If you end up there, I would fly to KIX instead, It is really spacious and should be a bit quieter than NRT. (I think UA fly to SFO from there, the o
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