NYC-SFO: Your fave airline?

[Pollywaffle]

Hello.

I am thinking I will save my FF points for a NYC-SFO leg I am flying next June and buy a ticket instead.

I am looking for a direct flight and ideally would buy business class, but may end up in economy - it will depend on price.

For those of you that have flown NYC-SFO, do you have a preferred:
- airline?
- aircraft?
- NYC airport?

I have both a Qantas and Singapore Air frequent flyer account if that makes any difference to your recommendations.

Thank you,
Pollywaffle.

 

[pshepvic]

Best airline? Virgin America - hands down. Go First Class - the seats, food, & service are outstanding. Definitely not anything like a LCC at all. They'll even mix you a coughtail or two on board! Only problem is you have to pay for lounge access, even if flying First class. $35 for entry to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse.

They fly to JFK - I don't know what any other airports are like in NYC as I've only been to JFK. It can be very busy - we arrived in at 12.30 in the morning thinking it would be quiet but no - baggage took about 30min and there was a traffic jam in the airport drive!

 

[Blackswan]

Best airline? Virgin America - hands down. Go First Class - the seats, food, & service are outstanding. Definitely not anything like a LCC at all. They'll even mix you a coughtail or two on board! Only problem is you have to pay for lounge access, even if flying First class. $35 for entry to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse.

They fly to JFK - I don't know what any other airports are like in NYC as I've only been to JFK. It can be very busy - we arrived in at 12.30 in the morning thinking it would be quiet but no - baggage took about 30min and there was a traffic jam in the airport drive!

I've also flow Virgin America First Class on this route back in early 2009. I purchased a very cheap Y ticket, and upgraded to First at the Airport for $150. The rest of first was filled with off-duty crew. I beleive they've now upped their upgrade fee to $270 (although I may be wrong).

Food and seats were very good. Mood lighting and massage functionality in the seats are nifty. Service was a bit hit-and-miss. Flight attendant serving first wasn't in the best of moods - and did the bare minimum.

 

[Grooba]

LGA is the closest airport to downtown manhatten (if that is where you will be staying whilst in NYC). Followed by JFK and EWR.

 

[notzac]

LGA is the closest airport to downtown manhatten (if that is where you will be staying whilst in NYC). Followed by JFK and EWR.

Unfortunately, the perimeter rules in effect at LGA would prevent flights to SFO except on Saturdays. Otherwise yes - great location - pity it's such a dump though.

 

[drron]

Depends if you are a points and status junkie or not.If you are a QFF tragic the only way to go is AA and a YUP LGA-DFW-SFO and earn yourself 240SCs.Fly JFK-SFO direct and most flights are 3 class so you only upgrade to J and earn 100SCs.Even the 1 direct 2 class flight would only earn you 150SCs-and all cost the same.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Depends if you are a points and status junkie or not.If you are a QFF tragic the only way to go is AA and a YUP LGA-DFW-SFO and earn yourself 240SCs.Fly JFK-SFO direct and most flights are 3 class so you only upgrade to J and earn 100SCs.Even the 1 direct 2 class flight would only earn you 150SCs-and all cost the same.

Yes it is the importance of hubs in the American system once again being reinforced..

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I purchased a very cheap Y ticket, and upgraded to First at the Airport for $150. The rest of first was filled with off-duty crew. I beleive they've now upped their upgrade fee to $270 (although I may be wrong).

Service was a bit hit-and-miss. Flight attendant serving first wasn't in the best of moods - and did the bare minimum.

That's the only letdown, the F/A's are just so-so, giggling thru the welcome onboard announcements & safety demo etc. I just got the feeling that a Barbie Doll would be of more assistance in an emergency situation eg evacuation. That may not be the case but it's the impression it gives.

The above para was the only brickbat & they get bouquets for the following:

* Low fares - we paid USD358.38 (2 pax) for travel LAS/JFK 04Nov09 & SAN/SFO 14Nov09 plus change fee below

* Flexibility to change - we originally were travelling JFK/LAS 11Nov09 & LAS/SFO on 13Nov09 so we not only changed the dates but the routing for USD50.00 pp total as both flights were in the one pnr.

* Cost of change fee - USD50.00 pp per pnr not per sector. If you have multiple VX flights definitely book them in the one pnr. Some other airlines charge as much as USD150.00 change fee per flight.

* Inflight entertainment & touchscreen to order drinks, meals, headsets. Softdrinks were free but you still needed to swipe a debit or credit card & order the same way as if you were paying for it so could confuse those not computer savvy.

* Airbus A319 aircraft which looked & felt very new. The certainly seemed to be the most modern & newest out of all the aircraft we flew on in the USA.

* Pilots. Excellent. The Capt did a PA at the gate in LAS prior to departure asking anyone who had any queries or concerns to come forward & he'd be happy to answer their questions. He then does a PA onboard, standing in the First Class cabin so people could see him & is there again after landing standing at the door thanking you for flying VX! Sensational.

 

[Gold Member]

+1 for a paid fare with Virgin America in First Class. I flew across the state on their entire network back in 2008 (it wasn't as extensive as it is now back then!) and absolutely loved them.

The opportunity for a status run is also tempting though. Depends on your budget and time.

 

[Pollywaffle]

Thanks everyone.

I must admit Virgin America is not an airline that was on my radar, but it definitely will be now.

 

[NYCguy]

The Big Boys all have their best domestic offerings on transcon routes. I'd fly J on UA PS or AA Flagship service rather than connecting in DFW and having two interminable sectors in "normal" F or, heaven forfend, Y. The Virgin flights sound like good value, but if the flight is full in F you're gonna be stuck in Y.

 

[tuapekastar]

The Big Boys all have their best domestic offerings on transcon routes. I'd fly on J on UA PS or AA Flagship service rather than connecting in DFW and having two interminable sectors in "normal" F or, heaven forfend, Y. The Virgin flights sound like good value, but if the flight is full in F you're gonna be stuck in Y.

Thanks NYCguy, not for anything flying-related, but for the word forfend. I had read it somewhere ~12 months ago, but subsequently forgotten it.

 

[MissBurrill]

* Pilots. Excellent. The Capt did a PA at the gate in LAS prior to departure asking anyone who had any queries or concerns to come forward & he'd be happy to answer their questions. He then does a PA onboard, standing in the First Class cabin so people could see him & is there again after landing standing at the door thanking you for flying VX! Sensational.

Sounds like Jet Blue where the pilot stands up the front and makes an announcement prior to take off. The Americans sitting near me seemed entertained that I was giggling and entertained by the pilot making a speech from outside the coughpit.