American or JetBlue to Boston?

[Birdie dog]

I'm flying to London out of BOS this summer. I live in Charleston, SC, so I bought my direct flight out of BOS first and figured getting to Boston would be easy...

I'd originally planned on a nonstop flight CHS to BOS on JetBlue. It was an early flight and I knew I'd spend the whole day waiting on my flight (I was going to get a day room at a shuttle hotel) but it was comfortable for two reasons. Early nonstop, minimal issues getting to my 9 PM London flight at some point and nonstop, no lost bags. (I've had my bags disappear for 4 days on a trip to Copenhagen and it was a disaster so I'm a bit gun shy about lost bags now).

Anyway, of course, no more early nonstop flight CHS to BOS on JetBlue. So really NO nonstop flight CHS to BOS at all.

I'm considering two fights currently. CHS to BOS on either JetBlue or American. Both early flights.

I'd pick JetBlue in a heartbeat if the connection wasn't through NYC. Big airport, (silly worry about lost bags, sorry I can't help it)..I guess on the plus side is that if something happened with the NYC to BOS part of the flight, we'd have all day to get there and it would be doable.

I'm also looking at American for one reason only. The flight is through CLT. A smaller airport, I'm a little more comfortable with this connection, but if something happens, I'm in the Carolinas and far from BOS. I fly AA when I have to but I'm not really a huge fan.

I'd REALLY like to fly SW as I like BWI and I like SW but their pricing out of CHS is ridiculous and I'm not excited about spending twice what either JetBlue or AA is charging for the same flight just to fly them.

What would you do?

 

[goofy4tink]

I always pick JB when I can. I don't worry about lost, or misdirected luggage. It can happen at any time. In all my time flying (and it's now at least 4 times a year) I've had bags go missing just once. And that was a direct flight, from Boston to Seattle! Not sure where the bags went but they got to me the next day.
I would go with the NYC connection. Yes, it's a big airport, but I doubt there will be any issues.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Why in the world didn't you ticket your flights all at once? For one thing, it's usually more expensive paying for two separate flights and secondly, you will not be protected if your flight to Boston is delayed and you don't make your flight to London. Also, why fly out of BOS? There is a great United Airlines flight IAD-LHR which leaves in the morning and gets to LHR in the evening. No overnight flight!

 

[Birdie dog]

Why in the world didn't you ticket your flights all at once? For one thing, it's usually more expensive paying for two separate flights and secondly, you will not be protected if your flight to Boston is delayed and you don't make your flight to London. Also, why fly out of BOS? There is a great United Airlines flight IAD-LHR which leaves in the morning and gets to LHR in the evening. No overnight flight!

Because a flight out of Charleston will connect at a hub and will cost 1900 per person. Or I can break it up myself and pay $1000.

I chose an overnight flight because I want one. I sleep on the plane and will spend my Tuesday touring. I don't know why you'd want to be awake all that time and get to London and pay for a hotel to sleep.

 

[Jillpie]

I would also choose JB. I also have OCD when it comes to lost luggage, I truly understand. It actually has never happened to me before, but I've heard the stories. I've taken many international flights the last few years, so here's what I do. I pack every single piece of important clothing that I cannot do without, in my carry on, period. I put everything out in front of me, if I absolutely can't do without it on my trip, it goes in my carry on. The rest, goes in the checked luggage. I won't say what everyone else says, that if you lose your luggage, you aren't going to a third world country (although once we were headed to Africa) and you can shop there. That doesn't fly with me. That country won't have my favorite jeans, shirts, comfy anything. So, I hear you. I would still fly JB, and pack that carry on to the fullest.

 

[nordkin]

If you are worried about JFK, why not fly through DCA. Washington Reagan is a much smaller airport and JetBlue only has a few gates that are very close to one another. We volunteer at DCA and I can assure you it is a much smaller airport than most people think. We fly JetBlue from there several times a year.

 

[Birdie dog]

If you are worried about JFK, why not fly through DCA. Washington Reagan is a much smaller airport and JetBlue only has a few gates that are very close to one another. We volunteer at DCA and I can assure you it is a much smaller airport than most people think. We fly JetBlue from there several times a year.

Thanks! I'll look into that.

 

[MillauFr]

Why in the world didn't you ticket your flights all at once? For one thing, it's usually more expensive paying for two separate flights and secondly, you will not be protected if your flight to Boston is delayed and you don't make your flight to London. Also, why fly out of BOS? There is a great United Airlines flight IAD-LHR which leaves in the morning and gets to LHR in the evening. No overnight flight!

United???? And get Smiseked? It will take current management years to clean up the disaster he left when he "retired" from United.

 

[emmabelle]

I hate American even though my husband is a frequent business flyer with them. I would chose Jetblue every time. We've had very few problems with them.

 

[DebbieB]

What airline are you flying from Boston? Jet Blue has some interlines agreements where you can check you luggage straight through. Otherwise, you will have to claim your luggage, recheck it and go back through security.

https://www.jetblue.com/airline-partners/

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

United???? And get Smiseked? It will take current management years to clean up the disaster he left when he "retired" from United.

You're being silly. United is fine and as a 1K, they treat me very, very well.

 

[Birdie dog]

What airline are you flying from Boston? Jet Blue has some interlines agreements where you can check you luggage straight through. Otherwise, you will have to claim your luggage, recheck it and go back through security.

https://www.jetblue.com/airline-partners/

Thanks for that.

I'm flying Virgin Atlantic. So, I'll be schlepping my tired butt through the airport. We're booking the 7PM JetBlue flight and I'll be buying insurance on missing the flight.