Favorite Airline for International Travel?

[ladypage]

Later this year I'm flying from California to London, and I have no clue what airline to use!

Virgin Atlantic is the cheapest, but only by about $10, otherwise United and Lufthansa are right behind, and British Airways is about $25 more. So, who has flown any of these? Any recommendations?

 

[Tara]

I would go with Virgin Atlantic. I'm not a fan of BA at all. Lufthansa is beginning to offer transatlantic wifi service on some routes, so if that is an option that would make the long flight more bearable, you might look into that.

 

[jmasgat]

I have flown Virgin Atlantic to London twice and liked them. Make sure you check their homepage for deals.

We flew Upper Class--which was the best first/business class experience that I have ever had. But even if I was going economy, I would still pick them.

 

[jsilvers]

Lufthansa is beginning to offer transatlantic wifi service on some routes, so if that is an option that would make the long flight more bearable, you might look into that.

Except Lufthansa doesn't operate flights between the U.S. and London. What the OP is probably seeing are prices for tickets sold by Lufthansa that actually are for flights operated by United ("codesharing").

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Except Lufthansa doesn't operate flights between the U.S. and London. What the OP is probably seeing are prices for tickets sold by Lufthansa that actually are for flights operated by United ("codesharing").

Exactly. UA has a flight from IAD to LHR which leaves in the morning and arrives in the evening. So much nicer than taking the usual overnight flight.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We love Aer Lingus going to Ireland. Not sure if they fly from US to London but they did offer flights to UK from Dublin.

I'd start with looking on kayak.com

 

[ladypage]

Except Lufthansa doesn't operate flights between the U.S. and London. What the OP is probably seeing are prices for tickets sold by Lufthansa that actually are for flights operated by United ("codesharing").

Yeah. The first leg is United, but the second is actually on Lufthansa.

We love Aer Lingus going to Ireland. Not sure if they fly from US to London but they did offer flights to UK from Dublin.

I'd start with looking on kayak.com

Actually Kayak was of little help to me, for the first time ever. But I'm a student, so I qualify for cheap flights through a nother company, on the airlines I listed above.

 

[figment_jii]

I've flown from SFO to Heathrow using United twice. It was fine; nothing extraordinary, but nothing really awful either.

 

[EvianCay]

I have flown all over the world with United (Continental Airlines before that) and have always had a great experience. United has such a large route network and their partnership in the Star Alliance gives you access to dozens of other international airlines.

 

[Bonnie151]

Out of those choices, I like Virgin the best. My absolute favourite airline is Air France but unfortunately I despite CDG (very bad things happen to me there!) so I don't get to fly them very often.

 

[DebbieB]

I flew Washington Dulles to Frankfurt in a United 767 business class. Lay flat seats, large personal tv/movie screen. Awesome!

 

[rtravels]

Doubt the student is going to be flying business. My advice would be to check seatguru.com to see about seat pitch and entertainment options.
If you fly United or Delta you can buy your way into economy plus/economy comfort which gives you more legroom, free drinks and free movies if your aircraft type has in-seat entertainment.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Doubt the student is going to be flying business. My advice would be to check seatguru.com to see about seat pitch and entertainment options.
If you fly United or Delta you can buy your way into economy plus/economy comfort which gives you more legroom, free drinks and free movies if your aircraft type has in-seat entertainment.

On United, you do not get free alcoholic drinks in E+, nor do you get all the entertainment options free if they are offering pay per view. That is only for business and first class.

 

[ctnurse]

I love Swiss Air. The European carriers are really good according to DBF who lives in Europe and travels Europe and back to the States. We are going to someplace in Europe or the UK for my birthday and if I will probably choose a European carrier. If we go to the UK I will likely use British Airways, I have used them before and loved them. He uses United when he comes to the states and has no complaints. Good luck and enjoy London!