tony126

I have used both Continental and US Air from Charlotte. I have been frustrated by weather delays and the attitude of security personal at Newark that I am now going to use BA where I can get a direct flight into LGW. One security check to start with and one take off in either direction plus shorter travelling time will suit me. Paying by UK credit card and the whole thing starts to look attractive.

sibsie

US Airways has been asking employees to work for free over the New Year holiday weekend. They are ditching their Philly hub which should help them with their financial troubles. My husband used to fly for them but thankfully managed to bail out last year. I'd be giving them a miss if I were a paying customer.

Manc

I thought it was Pittsburgh they were ditching as a hub?

sibsie

I could have sworn hubby told me it was Philly. I'll ask him again next time I speak to him. I don't think they'll make it out of Chapter 11.

tony126

According to the financial pundits they are going to be the first casualty in the New Year or within 3 months. Bit of a shit really as I have enough air miles for a free trip home. Ah well here's to BA

Manc

it's looking grim isn't it, but I was looking at booking some flights myself and Delta, AA, CO, and United were all cheaper, not to mention the Jet Blue's / Southwest's of the world. Makes me wonder how they are surviving right now.

Chapter 7 is looming and the assets will be bought by other airlines. (probably Northwest, but that's just speculation on my part as the fleets are the similar)

BritGuyTN

It is Pittsburgh

Although the recent issues they have had this week have been at philly

Ash UK/US

It is pittsburg... we were supposed to fly via there when we went to florida but they changed our flights and took us via philli because they were closing the other hub down.

Ash

lifeisgreat

Just to say thanks again to everyone for replying.

I have always flown BA into Atlanta previously (always have been happy with them), and had family pick me up there. It's not an option this time around, as I really cannot be bothered with the nightmare that is Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport, and Memphis is much closer.

I am flipping a coin between United and American as they both go from LHR--Northwest is out now as it only flies from LGW (but thanks anyway Lesley).

Thanks again all,

And remember.....

Lifeisgreat

Becs

I'm using British Airways when going over in March, but apparently Lufthansa has some pretty good deals.

Take care

-Becs

BritGuyTN

Go for united - the AA trolly dollys are mostly miserable old hags

on my last transatlantic unted flight, i was actually given (SHOCK HORROR) 2 little bottles of chivas regal with my dinner (in additon to the other drink intervals)

lifeisgreat

Hi again,

I have finally chosen to fly with United. Thanks again for all the input.

Just one more question. I have a choice of connections to either IAD (Washington DC) or Chicago (ORD).

Any comments on whether one might be better to fly into than the other? Flight times only differ by about 20 minutes, so if one is better than the other to fly into due to possibility of inclement weather, security, etc. please let me know.

Thanks again,

Lifeisgreat

dunroving

I've had more probs flying into Chicago in bad weather than DC.

BritGuyTN

o hare is VERY busy and more options for delays and crap weather - although i tend to fly through there becasue its what i know (silly me)

Englishmum

I would choose Washington DC over Chicago....being on the East coast (salty air) the weather tends to be less severe than in Chicago.

O'Hare is either the #1 or #2 airport in the US for domestic flights (Atlanta is the other airport) so there is more chance of operational delays. Chicago is adjacent to Lake Michigan - the Great Lakes influence the weather patterns -and can be bitterly cold ie. lots of snow and ice during the Winter which can affect aircraft arrivals and departures....it wouldn't be much fun to miss the connecting flight.