Flights from the US to Britain
- Thread starter John Picard
- Start date
^For transatlantic, you probably want to really start tracking fare fluctuations 120-90 days in advance.
I've never used Best Fares, but I really suggest setting up some email alerts on several sites. I strongly urge that you do NOT book with one of those sites that doesn't tell you the airline or detailed itinerary until after you pay. You can often get cheap flights, but you end up with a 14-hour layover and flying on US Air or something horrid like that.
I've never used Best Fares, but I really suggest setting up some email alerts on several sites. I strongly urge that you do NOT book with one of those sites that doesn't tell you the airline or detailed itinerary until after you pay. You can often get cheap flights, but you end up with a 14-hour layover and flying on US Air or something horrid like that.
Thank you for the insight. I didn't think about the alerts, and I do agree to avoid anyone who won't supply the itinerary until *after* payment.
Follow-up: Another acquaintance recommended Virgin Atlantic, saying they're like Southwest Airlines -- lots of fun and direct flights only. I priced the fares and they are very cheap (ie Economy = Steerage) but the drawback I see is having to hop a flight to someplace like Chicago on Southwest, get my bags, go through security again, and then get onto a VA flight. I almost think this is more worthwhile and cost effective.
Just check your layover times. If your layover is at least 90 minutes, which is common, you may as well claim, re-check, and re-screen because you won't have much else to do during that time. If the layover is shorter then that I wouldn't plan to do that, though.
In general it's a bad idea to plan for a layover of less than 45 minutes unless it's at a small airport. Small airport layovers that short usually mean you're on the same physical plane going in and out, so that delays on the first flight won't cause you to miss the second.
If for any reason you do miss a connection through no fault of your own, the airline will work with you to find an alternate routing at no additional cost. However, they won't be able to book you on other airlines in most cases.
In general it's a bad idea to plan for a layover of less than 45 minutes unless it's at a small airport. Small airport layovers that short usually mean you're on the same physical plane going in and out, so that delays on the first flight won't cause you to miss the second.
If for any reason you do miss a connection through no fault of your own, the airline will work with you to find an alternate routing at no additional cost. However, they won't be able to book you on other airlines in most cases.
^^ That's what I was thinking. Great way to kill time during a layover provided it's 90 minutes or more.
Unfortunately, Southwest only flies to Chicago/Midway airport and not O'Hare. Might have to look for another airline to pull that off.
Unfortunately, Southwest only flies to Chicago/Midway airport and not O'Hare. Might have to look for another airline to pull that off.
No airline is "fun" these days.
Virgin are fine though, as I said upthread. I still think BA are a slicker service overall though.
Duly noted. I have ~6 months to plan this out, so I have time.
Unless you're buying, I'm not drinking at an airport bar.
Unless you're buying, I'm not drinking at an airport bar.
Any particular reason?
I'll say one thing, that time I got stranded in fucking Milwaukee* for 10 fucking hours, I sure could have used a drink or seventeen. Pity I was on the wagon by then.
*The Milwaukee airport sucks. It really does. It's why I will not fly Midwest anymore. For one reason, which has direct impact on WHY I got stranded there: If the weather in the city you're flying to is in ANY WAY less than absolutely 100% perfect - if there's rain (not necessarily a storm, just rain), wind above about .000000005 miles per hour, or even if a moth passes gas - they will delay the shit out of your outgoing flight. I have personally witnessed this on many occasions. I don't know why they get such a weed up their ass about weather, but it is almost never justified.
It's better than eating at an airport bar.
flighteagles are good for prices, but they're phone only. I think they do have a website though with the phone number.
As an example, London Heathrow to Dallas/Fort Worth International non-stop for £325, which is $528.
As an example, London Heathrow to Dallas/Fort Worth International non-stop for £325, which is $528.
WOW! But right now the dollar is getting slammed although it's getting better.
As to the above, one reason I wouldn't drink at an airport bar is the prices. Plus, they probably serve shit beer.
It's been worse. It was $2.00 a couple of years ago.
They are expensive, but I've been in brew pubs in airports (well, restaurants associated with brew pubs like Brooklyn Brewing etc.) that serve excellent craft beers. Most major airports are basically huge shopping malls and you'll find a wide variety of options. If you're the type who eats in chain restaurants, there's almost always a TGI Fridays or Ruby Tuesdays or something, and their prices are probably the same as anywhere else since they're set by corporate standards. Had a large Blue Moon at the Newark airport TGI Fridays during my last layover and it cost like $6.00.
Anyway, I'd rather pay $10 for a shitty beer than go through security twice.
Nonsense. There's plenty of decent to good food to be had at airports. Maybe not Detroit or something, but BWI for instance has a goddamned Phillips Seafood on the Southwest terminal where you can get a great 8oz crabcake for $12 (or whatever the market price is at the time) that's better than anything similar you've probably ever had (though not the best in Baltimore by any stretch, but that's a whole different scale). You just have to be willing to spend money to get decent food and drink at the airport, and frankly, you're already spending hundreds of dollars, another $30 really shouldn't break the bank.
^^ Back in 1990, I had a flight from SeaTac to Washington DC so I could attend school in Virginia (military). A buddy took me to the airport and we decided to eat breakfast there. WOW! The place we ate had a walk up counter where we gave our order to the cook and he whipped it up right there. I'll never forget that the two of us had (our own) omlette, hash browns, toast with a side of coffee. I'm talking a large plate of food all for $11 that covered the two of us. The food was also delicious.
