Hello Forum Plane experts!
Both trips are about the same price.
With only one stop, these are the two that show up across all the third party sites. I have cross- checked on both United and Lufhansa's websites, too:
Choice #1 Airbus (Discovery and Lufthansa) with a 15 hour layover in Frankfurt ( 8:00 pm arrival, so I would stay at an airport hotel overnight), then the mid- morning non-stop to US West Coast.
Choice # 2 ( that always comes up as #1 on the searches, because it's shorter) of which I am NOT a fan because it's Boeings, on United. A 737 from Europe to EWR, then a 2 hour transfer (seems too short) and then- yikes- a Max8 to the West Coast.
I know a lot of Forum regulars use United since it's their home base. (Mine tends to be Delta or Alaska.) It's been awhile since all those issues, but I'm still really wary and have a good memory!
Also, if I don't make the connection I will likely be stuck overnight at EWR (even if compensated) and then still face whatever Max flight I get moved to the next day...
Thanks in advance for your input and experience!
Posted by
Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico
1926 posts
If you don't mind spending the night in Frankfurt, and you prefer those planes, and you are uneasy about the connection times on Choice #2, it sounds like you've already made up your mind and just want confirmation that it's not a dumb idea to take more time to get home.
It's not. Do what makes you most comfortable.
Posted by
OP
West Coast
184 posts
Thanks for the vote, Lane! The company/plane used aside I wouldn't ever book a 2- hour connection either overseas or returning to the US. Everyone has different risk tolerance, of course.
I was surprised to see Air France offer a one hour connection from the US. onward into Europe? I do remember once landing somewhere in Europe and the next flight was literally at the adjacent gate.
Anyway, I'm leaning towards a scheduled nice relaxing overnight vs a stress-filled connection and boarding a Max 8 as an already nervous flyer.
But maybe I'm overlooking something!
More thanks!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17427 posts
Which Airbus for the long flight? What is the flight number? I see a lot of Boeing planes (747 and 777) to the west coast airports from Frankfurt for the Lufthansa flights. But that is right now; maybe they switch to an Airbus for next year.
I wouldn’t want a 737 across the pond in any case.
Posted by
Cape Ann, Massachusetts
3335 posts
I won't fly in a 737 so I'd go for one. I love overnights on my connections anyway.
Posted by
Dana Point
1213 posts
Out of curiosity, what are the origin and destination airports for these flights?
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5848 posts
If the 737 makes you nervous, then go with the overnight layover.
From where are you flying? I am surprised that there is a 737 on a United transatlantic route. Last year the only transatlantic route where United operated a 737 was Newark to the Azores.
Posted by
OP
West Coast
184 posts
Thanks, All! The flight is a return to SEA from Marrakesh- there were also some options with Air Morroc to Lisbon, then onwards with Iberia, but with horrible recent reviews.
The flight is in January so hoping they don't swap to a 737! I've often done Amsterdam non-stop. It is very long- so the idea of a planned quiet overnight hotel is appealing.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6462 posts
Where are you flying from? Is United/Lufthansa cheaper than a Delta flight? Delta doesn't fly the Max8 which always makes me feel better. . .
Posted by
OP
West Coast
184 posts
Thanks, more! I did a one-way with Delta/Air France and Airbus :) but that was SEA to Casablanca through CDG. For the return Delta and AirFrance had more stops and were more expensive....
I also tried multi city as an option repeatedly but kept getting the same combos. I even tried getting to a somewhat major hub within Europe from Marrakesh and that didn't work either.
Sometimes I thought: if only I just used Orbitz and paid them the first, super cheap fare shown and never worried or even checked what kind of plane. But then I guess I wouldn't be me :)
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
2083 posts
Why the lack of love for 737s? I wish I could remember planes and airports better -as many do- but they tend to get lost in the sauce of my addled memory. Just curious. Thanks
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6462 posts
The 737 max does not have a great history. . .
I've flown Delta to/from both Lisbon and Madrid. I'm sure you've checked routing thru those cities? I'd take multiple connectings before I'd do a 15 hour layover, and I do a lot to avoid the 737
Posted by
Dana Point
1213 posts
Not sure what day in January you're flying, but the United flight Marrakech-Newark appears to be on a 767-300, if that makes any difference to you. Still the MAX to Seattle, though.
For me, I'd just want to get home. I might have an overnight in EWR if I miss my connection, but I definitely have an overnight routing through FRA. And, at this point, the worst thing about the MAX vs. Airbus is seat width. Again, for me, I'd go with EWR. But, this all comes down to personal preference.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17427 posts
You are in luck!!! The Seattle flight is an A340. Nice to have 4 engines across the Atlantic.
Posted by
66 posts
Hi, I don't like 6 AM flights and long travel days, so I often leave someplace like Barcelona mid-morning and spend an overnight at the Sheraton in Frankfurt. Depending on the time I get to Frankfurt, I might drop my bags, take the train into town and explore an area I've never seen. The only hassle might be checking and rechecking bags, depending on how you are ticketed.