Hi guys,

I am trying to figure out if I can do a redeye flight from the East Coast to the West Coast on UA flight.. does anyone know what the latest flight I can catch on UA from the East Coast that will take me to California early in the morning the day after? (not midnight arrival)

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks,
-jasp

Coastal redeye flights run eastbound - west to east. Not the other way around. When you fly west you're flying into earlier time zones - it works against you.

Most East-West flights (i.e. JFK-LAX) are scheduled at about 6:15 block time. Since the west coast is three hours behind the east, your clock time on arrival is about 3:15 after you left. Therefore, if you left at midnight, you'd arrive at LAX at 3:15am. For a 7am arrival, you'd have to leave at about 3:45am, and I don't know anyone who schedules flights at that time of the night, except maybe FedEx or UPS.  

HAL

Thanks for the replies guys.. I was hoping I could get a later flight than UA009 BOS-SFO that departs at 9PM and arrives at 1241am.

Moderator: my inquiry had been answered. Please lock and delete thread. Thanks

-jasp

Quoting Jasp25 (Reply 3): Thanks for the replies guys.. I was hoping I could get a later flight than UA009 BOS-SFO that departs at 9PM and arrives at 1241am.

Or try UA 171 it leaves at 0600 and arives at 0923 if you want to get there in the morning

Quoting Jasp25 (Reply 3): Thanks for the replies guys.. I was hoping I could get a later flight than UA009 BOS-SFO that departs at 9PM and arrives at 1241am.

Your best bet would probably be US through LAS - they have a departure out of BOS after 2000 that connects to a 2359 LAS-SFO flight, getting you there at 0140.

Cathay has a JFK-YVR flight that leaves at 11pm and arrives at 1:40am.

Wait, but you asked about UA! Didn't read carefully enough!

[Edited 2008-04-26 08:02:09]

Quoting HAL (Reply 2): Most East-West flights (i.e. JFK-LAX) are scheduled at about 6:15 block time. Since the west coast is three hours behind the east, your clock time on arrival is about 3:15 after you left. Therefore, if you left at midnight, you'd arrive at LAX at 3:15am.

In propeller days east coast to west coast redeyes were common as the longer flight time offset the time zone issue. Even in the early jet years some carriers had a few late departures from the east coast, often with intermediate stops, that arrived at LAX/SFO in the middle of the night.

For example, in 1962 TWA had a daily 707 JFK-ORD-LAX-SFO that departed JFK (then IDL) 2300, arrived ORD 0005, LAX 0230, SFO 0418.

In 1955, TW had a daily nonstop L1049G Super Connie IDL-SFO departing IDL 2330, arriving SFO 0505. Another L1049G operated IDL-MDW-LAX departing IDL at 0030, arriving MDW 0235 and LAX 0620. Both of those flights had sleeping berths available in first class at a surcharge. In the same timetable TW had about 5 other daily overnight east coast to west coast flights with various intermediate stops. UA and AA schedules were probably fairly similar.

[Edited 2008-04-26 15:31:33]

Quoting Viscount724 (Reply 7): n 1955, TW had a daily nonstop L1049G Super Connie IDL-SFO departing IDL 2330, arriving SFO 0505. Another L1049G operated IDL-MDW-LAX departing IDL at 0030, arriving MDW 0235 and LAX 0620. Both of those flights had sleeping berths available in first class at a surcharge. In the same timetable TW had about 5 other daily overnight east coast to west coast flights with various intermediate stops. UA and AA schedules were probably fairly similar.

That's a long flight! During those days I supposed they cruised at flight level < 30,000, noh? But with meals and friendlier crew I don't think I would mind taking these flights.. How much did it cost them to fly from DC to LAX in the late 50's?

I tried looking up the photo of Super Connie but I can't seem to find one. Do you have a link to it's photo? or is it called something else?

-jasp

Quoting Jasp25 (Reply 8): Quoting Viscount724 (Reply 7): n 1955, TW had a daily nonstop L1049G Super Connie IDL-SFO departing IDL 2330, arriving SFO 0505. Another L1049G operated IDL-MDW-LAX departing IDL at 0030, arriving MDW 0235 and LAX 0620. Both of those flights had sleeping berths available in first class at a surcharge. In the same timetable TW had about 5 other daily overnight east coast to west coast flights with various intermediate stops. UA and AA schedules were probably fairly similar. That's a long flight! During those days I supposed they cruised at flight level < 30,000, noh?

20,000 ft. was a more typical maximum crusing altitude for propeller aircraft, possibly slightly higher but not much.

Quoting Jasp25 (Reply 8): How much did it cost them to fly from DC to LAX in the late 50's?

TWA includes their fares in the 1955 timetable mentioned above. DCA-LAX (and SFO) one way then was $98 coach (then called "Tourist" class) and $149 first class, plus 10% federal tax. (Fares from NYC were $99 and $158.) There were no other taxes/fees/fuel surcharges then. Round trip was twice one way except there was a 5% discount in first class only. There was also a special coach excursion fare for $160 round trip (plus 10% tax) valid Monday-Thursday only (maximum stay 30 days). That fare was the same from NYC/PHL/BAL/DCA to both LAX/SFO.

Quoting Jasp25 (Reply 8): I tried looking up the photo of Super Connie but I can't seem to find one.

There are many photos in the database. Just look for Lockheed in the Aircraft Type box on the search screen and then scroll to "Constellation/Starliner". All the Connie models are in the same section. Here are a few Super Connies, including the final and longest-range model, the L1649A Starliner (last photo).

View Large View Medium Photo © Mel Lawrence

View Large View Medium Photo © Mel Lawrence

View Large View Medium Photo © Mel Lawrence

View Large View Medium Photo © Ian MacFarlane

View Large View Medium Photo © Mel Lawrence

View Large View Medium Photo © Mel Lawrence

[Edited 2008-04-26 16:23:30]

[Edited 2008-04-26 16:26:23]

Thanks for the pics! It's nice to see the classics.... you can somehow say the grandma of the skies...

What is that spherical thing that is attached at Qantas' wingtip? (the pic on the most bottom-left)

-jasp

Quoting Jasp25 (Reply 10): What is that spherical thing that is attached at Qantas' wingtip?

Looks like an extra fuel tank.

Quoting Viscount724 (Reply 7): For example, in 1962 TWA had a daily 707 JFK-ORD-LAX-SFO that departed JFK (then IDL) 2300, arrived ORD 0005, LAX 0230, SFO 0418. In 1955, TW had a daily nonstop L1049G Super Connie IDL-SFO departing IDL 2330, arriving SFO 0505. Another L1049G operated IDL-MDW-LAX departing IDL at 0030, arriving MDW 0235 and LAX 0620. Both of those flights had sleeping berths available in first class at a surcharge. In the same timetable TW had about 5 other daily overnight east coast to west coast flights with various intermediate stops. UA and AA schedules were probably fairly similar.

W-O-W! Fascinating! Thanks for providing this info.

Quoting Phelpsie87 (Reply 11): Quoting Jasp25 (Reply 10): What is that spherical thing that is attached at Qantas' wingtip? Looks like an extra fuel tank.

I woulda said it looks more teardrop-shaped, but Jasp25 is right--it was a "tip tank." Rather attractive piece of kit on the Constellations, I've always thought.

Quoting VC10DC10 (Reply 12): I woulda said it looks more teardrop-shaped, but Jasp25 is right--it was a "tip tank." Rather attractive piece of kit on the Constellations, I've always thought.

Quoting Phelpsie87 (Reply 11): Looks like an extra fuel tank.

Ahh thanks guys

-jasp

Quoting Viscount724 (Reply 9): TWA includes their fares in the 1955 timetable mentioned above. DCA-LAX (and SFO) one way then was $98 coach (then called "Tourist" class) and $149 first class, plus 10% federal tax.

That's only $1650 RT in coach and $2375 RT for F adjusted for inflation.

Today, unrestricted Y on the same route is $1880 on UA, and F is $3000 on some flights, $2100 on others (not sure why...)

But you do get there a lot faster.

Quoting VC10DC10 (Reply 12): Quoting Jasp25 (Reply 10): What is that spherical thing that is attached at Qantas' wingtip? Looks like an extra fuel tank. I woulda said it looks more teardrop-shaped, but Jasp25 is right--it was a "tip tank." Rather attractive piece of kit on the Constellations, I've always thought.

The wingtip tanks were a distinctive feature of the L1049G, although they frequently operated without them (they could be removed fairly easily). On most routes that weren't at the limits of the 1049G's range the tip tanks just added unnecessary weight. Note the AF and AI 1049Gs in the photos don't have them installed.

The final L1649A Starliner was designed to be able operate nonstop between the U.S. west coast and Europe. It didn't have tip tanks but had a completely new wing with much greater span (150 ft. vs. 123 ft.on earlier Connies/Super Connies). The new wing also carried almost 50% more fuel (9600 gal.) than the 1049G without tip tanks (6545 gal.). With tip tanks the 1049G held 7750 gal.

When I read the title I thought this was about UA stopping transcontinental flights and I was wondering what was going on. I guess not. So where are you leaving and where are you going to? I doubt there would be any red-eye flights going east to west though. You probably have to get up earlier to catch an early morning flight.

Or you could fly WN. Some of their routes, by the time you make 5 - 7 stops you may be able to arrive in the early morning..    

Quoting Msypi7185 (Reply 17): Or you could fly WN. Some of their routes, by the time you make 5 - 7 stops you may be able to arrive in the early morning..

WN doesn't do scheduled overnight flights.

I ended up confirming AOO-IAD-JFK-LAX (ps service) - fat.. departs AOO @ 2p, landing in FAT at 1159P.

Outbound I have FAT-LAX-SFO-JFK-IAD-AOO.

Just like every other person here, I love flying too!
-jasp

Quoting Jasp25 (Reply 3): Thanks for the replies guys.. I was hoping I could get a later flight than UA009 BOS-SFO that departs at 9PM and arrives at 1241am.

Just to be a nit pick, that is the JFK-SFO flight. The latest BOS-SFO flight is I think at 18:10 .

Quoting Jawake (Reply 20): Just to be a nit pick, that is the JFK-SFO flight. The latest BOS-SFO flight is I think at 18:10 .

You're right!  

-jasp

So are you leaving BOS? Why not check out AA, DL, or (your best bet) B6? They will have plenty of flights for you to take.

Quoting Msypi7185 (Reply 17): Or you could fly WN. Some of their routes, by the time you make 5 - 7 stops you may be able to arrive in the early morning.

Ummmm....those days are long gone. Most coast-to-coast flights require just two legs on WN these days. Or maybe you already knew that.....

Quoting BOStonsox (Reply 22): So are you leaving BOS? Why not check out AA, DL, or (your best bet) B6? They will have plenty of flights for you to take

I am taking JFK-LAX at 7P. I tried to find the latest flight as much as possible from AOO-FAT with the most miles I could get. I will consider AA, DL, and B6 on my next flight but right now I am a few segments short from being an elite member of UA miles so that's why I am taking their flights.

-jasp