Am in early stages of planning a trip for Oct. 2025. Will be in Angers, France. Typically, I would get to CDG the day before my flight home. However, I am now flying Oneworld instead of SkyTeam (who I've flown with for the past 10 years or so.), which means no more non-stops to California*. If I fly home from CDG to either LA or San Diego, I'd want to take a sort-of early (08:00ish) flight to LHR, then home. If, however, I just took the train all the way to London (LHR) the day before coming home, I could just take the non-stop flight home that leaves around noon.
I know the basics--the train trip to London will cost a lot more, I'll have to enter/exit the UK, I'll have to change stations in Paris (I'm fine navigating the metro with the bags I'll have). I know it makes for a much longer train-travel day, but the appeal of a single flight that leaves around noon--instead of an early wake up and two flights--is strong. I also know that flight times that far out are not even set in sand, much less stone, and could change markedly.
I'm very comfortable arriving/departing/connecting at CDG, but have never set foot in the UK. I've researched what the connection at LHR would be if I chose the one-stop itinerary. I know I could go a few days early to spend some time in the UK, but that's not in the cards for this trip.
Am I nuts? Is there anything I don't know that would help me decide which way to go? Has anyone ever done this?
I thank you in advance for any insights!
*I am aware of the Air Tahiti Nua flight, but that would have me driving south on the 405 at the beginning of rush hour. No Thanks!