One stop flight choices

Like you say, it is not really a question. Everyone has their personal preference and ours it to do it stateside so the longest leg is the arrival leg. We are not fond of arriving in Europe after an overnight flight and then having to waiting around for a connecting flight and arriving later in the day. A couple of times we have had to make a connecting flight in Europe and it just screws up our jet lag adjustment. Again, it is personal preference. Do what you like. It makes little difference if that is your preference.

The big difference is that once you land in Europe, there are usually multiple flights going to your end destination. With the first option, Josh says there is just the one flight a day. I would rather get the long leg over with first, rather than embark on it after I am already overtired from hanging around an airport. There are a lot of flights from DFW that land in Frankfurt and Munich. Can you not get on one of them. Those airports are usually pretty efficient with getting people on to their second flights.

Let me add that the stop at LHR can be substituted for any major European airport - FRA, MAD, CDG, etc..and even the ORD flight as well

In Europe, hands down!! I fly to Europe at least once a year and I'll pay up to $200 or even more extra to fly directly from my home airport (SFO) to Europe without having to stop somewhere back East (JFK/EWR, ORD or ATL). First of all it's faster because it's a more direct route. In addition since the US requires to clear customs in the first port of entry, on the way back you have to pick up your luggage, go through customs and re-check it in when you arrive in let's say JFK, before you board a plane to Texas. That increases the layover time as well, and therefore increases the travel time. But also the chances of missing the connection back East are very high because of weather delay. And under current rules, if you miss the connection to Europe and are stuck in NY until the next day, the airline is not responsible for the hotel cost. The airline must pick up the tab only if the delay is due to their fault, i.e. because of mechanical problems but not if due to weather. European airlines, on the other hand, always pick up the tab. I was stuck in Paris overnight once because of weather coming back to SFO. Air France picked up hotel costs and meals for the two days. Lufthansa did the same in Germany. If I were you I'd look for a flight straight non stop from DFW to a European hub (LHR, MAD, CDG, AMS, FRA are available options from DFW).

Europe, absolutely. Twice I have lost a vacation day due to missed (or cancelled) connections in US - never again if I can help it. I'd much rather get the long haul over with first, then a short flight within Europe, and as noted earlier there are more options once in Europe if your flight is canceled or you miss it. You'll probably get a lot of votes for either one for different reasons. Good luck with your decision.

Europe ... no question for me. When I have to connect, I always choose flights that connect in Europe. I've missed connections twice in Europe ... both times because my transatlantic flight was delayed. In both cases, I arrived at my final destination on the same day and just a few hours late. If you miss a connection in the States, you often have to wait until the next day before you can get a flight out. I always consider the first day to be much of a loss anyway due to jet lag.

I'll admit I'm an over planner and over thinker on trivial things like this Hey Josh! At least you're using your brain. Flying to Europe, I'd prefer to change planes in the U.S. in both directions. Compare prices if you've got to change planes in LHR. They're especially tough on surcharges, taxes etc. on anyone connecting through there. Amsterdam and the German airports may be a little cheaper on taxes if possible. I also try to avoid ORD if possible in Winter and during rush hours. I remember sitting on the runway 6 hours one Friday afternoon in agony.
Many Texans have the choice of DFW or IAH for direct flights. Check the other airport to see if it meets your needs. I see you can get to Heathrow, Amsterdam or Paris from Houston non-stop.

Just the possibility of getting stuck, should give you pause and opt for a direct flight from DFW to Europe. If you get stuck on the way to Europe at any of the US hubs (JFK, EWR, ATL) you'll likely be responsible for picking up the hotel tab for the next day flight, plus you won't have a chance to even visit those cities, because it will be evening, and you'll be stuck in Newark NJ or Jamaica NY (Yuk!) If you choose a European hub among the ones with direct connections to DFW, you might get stuck in that city on the way back from Europe. But in this case the Europeans always pick up the hotel tab, it will likely be earlier in the day and you'll have time to visit very interesting cities while stranded. Even if they put you in a hotel near the airport, those airports are all well connected to the city via rail. Getting stuck in Paris wasn't bad at all for me. I got the entire afternoon and evening to go downtown Paris and in the evening went back to Roissy (CDG) to the hotel. And none of the European airports are in areas as bad as the US hubs airports. When I got stuck at JFK once I stayed in Jamaica and I was afraid to go out to dinner, it was so bad.

Totally agree with Roberto, would rather get stuck in Europe than US. A couple of years ago, sister got stuck in Germany, major snowstorms, airline put them up in fantastic hotels for two days, they got two days free in lovely location. Unfortunately, in the U S the locations of airport hotels are not the greatest.

Have to have a change of planes, I'd try to break it up at least halfway or more there. Chicago is too close to Texas, to be much of a break. I'd try to get at least to Ireland on the first leg. Those extra hours stuck in the plane start to add up. Who picks up the tab if the plane is delayed or canceled doesn't depend on where the flight originates, but on where the company is based. European carriers are required by European law to house the passengers, even when on US soil. During the Icelandic volcano delays, the European carriers paid for the hotels, while consulates contacted European citizens living in the US to see if they could house stranded countrymen. US carriers are not required to do anything. I don't know what happens on a code shared flight.

I had pondered the same when I booked flights for our April trip. Connect in Europe hands down. As others noted, if your flrst flight is delayed and you miss your connection, the next internation flight to your destination might be 12 or 24 hours. Not to mention that Intl flights are always booked, or overbooked. If you miss your connection in Europe, you there are many more options to get to your final destination. Regardless the vacation adventure begins after you land in Europe, not Chicago, JFK, or Newark.

Thanks for all the replies. I have always done my one stop at LHR or FRA and sit the lounge for a few hours waiting for my onward flight (always on an award so I don't worry about the price). On AA & BA we usually get into Rome late afternoon and by the time I get to my accommodations and get checked in, it's late evening and the day is mostly shot. This time I thought about having the stop in the US this time which gets us there in the morning, so at least a half day of extra Italy time (and extra meal!). Seems as though ya'll think that extra time is not worth the chance of something going wrong on this side of the Atlantic and I agree but thought I'd get some expereiened opinions. However for most people who will read this thread, the cost and jet lag are great points to consider when making the decision.