Hey there guys,

As usual for my transAtlantic trips, I ask you for your opinion.
You've never failed me in my past trips (BA to SFO, and US to PHX, and AF to PHL).

Anyway -- I'm flying out this coming Thursday if all goes to plan, from AGP. Booking in Y, returning in approx. a month. Only interested in the outbound sector.

Option 1:
JK A320, AGP-MAD, 0730/0835 (1hr 05)
<4 hour layover>
US A330, MAD-PHL, 1235/1500 (8hr 25)
Total: 410EUR

Option 2:
DL B752, AGP-JFK, 1240/1525 (8hr 45)
<1 hour, 20 minute layover>
DL CRJ100, JFK-PHL, 1645/1830 (1hr 45)
Total: 400EUR

Option 3:
UX B738, AGP-CDG, 0955/1225 (2hr 30)
<1 hour, 05 minute layover>
AF A340, CDG-PHL, 1330/1550 (8hr 20)
Total: 425EUR

Option 4:
JK A320, AGP-BCN, 0925/1055 (1hr 30)
<1 hour, 05 minute layover>
US B762, BCN-PHL, 1200/1505 (9hr 05)
Total: 410EUR



What would be your guys choices?

My initial choice was Option 2, although I don't know how comfortable DL 752's are for TA service (I've survived a US 752 TA, so I guess it's possible), and also is 1hr 20 minutes enough for a connection at JFK?

Anyway, let me know.

Thanks guys.

Michael:
My choice would be DL. A nonstop flight to JFK, good seats remain available to select (you may get a row to yourself), good AVOD and food. The connection to PHL is their last flight so if you do misconnect you'll be re-routed on OA or provided surface transport to PHL.
JFK can be iffy this time of year with potential weather delays plus traffic volume. Note the flight times on JFK-PHL. About one hour of that schedule is to pad for taxi and takeoff clearance. A recent flight to LHR I took from JFK departed the gate on-time, but we taxiied for 95 minutes before takeoff due to low visibility. Weather forecast does show improving weather for Thursday afternoon and evening (morning showers) so you should be OK.
The key will be to get that AGP-JFK plane on the gate and you through immigration and bag re-check (if any) in an hour.
I would be very cautious about that conx between UX and AF at CDG. 65 minutes in CDG is tight if you have to transfer terminals.
The US service is fine. Not up to par with DL, but money-wise is a good choice. Seat pitch on the A330 is a bit tight, so I would opt for the BCN flight as I understand the newly renovated 767 has a more comfortable and nicer looking interior than the A330.
So again, back to square one. I still say good ole DL. Good luck with your choice and have a great trip and stay in the US.
Thomas

Quoting Mds (Thread starter): Option 1: JK A320, AGP-MAD, 0730/0835 (1hr 05) <4 hour layover> US A330, MAD-PHL, 1235/1500 (8hr 25) Total: 410EUR

Good and safe.

Quoting Mds (Thread starter): Option 2: DL B752, AGP-JFK, 1240/1525 (8hr 45) <1 hour, 20 minute layover> DL CRJ100, JFK-PHL, 1645/1830 (1hr 45) Total: 400EUR

Too short layover / too risky to miss.

Quoting Mds (Thread starter): Option 3: UX B738, AGP-CDG, 0955/1225 (2hr 30) <1 hour, 05 minute layover> AF A340, CDG-PHL, 1330/1550 (8hr 20) Total: 425EUR

Layover too short to make a convenient connection.

Quoting Mds (Thread starter): Option 4: JK A320, AGP-BCN, 0925/1055 (1hr 30) <1 hour, 05 minute layover> US B762, BCN-PHL, 1200/1505 (9hr 05) Total: 410EUR

Okay. But I would prefer to fly the A330 via MAD.
OTOH, this connection allows to depart AGP 2 hours later than the connection via MAD, so it is a coin toss.

-HT

I'd go with Delta. That way, you avoid US Airways across the pond, which is a pretty poor product across the pond.

The JFK connection might be short, but it's doable. That way too, you're already on this side of the pond and if something were to happen, it's incredibly easy to get from New York to Philadelphia that day. If something goes wrong in Europe, it could be more difficult to get back to the States that day.

Hey there,

Thanks for your responses, keep em' coming.
Just a quick question -- are all of Delta's TA 757's equipped with AVOD?

I think it would be easier to make the connection still in Europe. If not Europe, than an airport that's not as busy as JFK. I would probably feel more comfortable with a longer transit time there, but if that is what DL sells then I would assume it's doable. Regardless of the transit time, I would be a bit concerned with delays at JFK that time of the day. I don't think I've ever seen the block time of any NYC-PHL flight that high. I usually see somewhere between 55 minutes and 1 hour 5 minutes. Without traffic, you could drive to PHL in less than two hours.  

IIRC, it's a bit of a walk between national and international flights in MAD. Four hours seems like more than enough time for a smooth transition, if not a bit much. I've seen a lot of booked US-JK codeshare connections so I'm sure it's smooth. I don't know their locations in BCN relative to one another.

US 762's are a bit tired, with no AVOD in coach. The seats are pretty comfortable though. Transatlantic in the 762, I've always sat in C. I did sit in Y for 4 1/2 - 5 hours and didn't find it uncomfortable. I sat in the middle without someone next to me and just slumped over.   The A333 is not bad in Y, and it has AVOD to keep you entertained. I am more of a reader if I am not drinking while flying (ie if I am not flying in a premium cabin!) so AVOD doesn't matter too much to me. I find both of these aircraft to be preferable to any 752 in Y for 8.5 hours!

The last time I flew transatlantic on DL was in '05, and it was on the 767 in Y. I found it comparable to US transatlantic. I have never been on a DL 752 across the pond, nor have I taken a flight more recently to be able to comment on their transatlantic service. I hope to take one this summer so I can update my opinion!

I would say that AF's transatlantic product is superior to both DL and US, although I haven't taken AF since around the time of my last DL flight. I would definitely check and see if the UX flight and AF flights are close in proximity. CDG can be a bit of a maze! I do enjoy the airport, though, even if some others don't.

There are pro's and con's to all of your possible itineraries! Hope I helped at least give you some more information that will make it a bit easier to make your decision.