Chicago

Hi, I am thinking of travelling to Chicago in October and realise that Virgin do not fly this route, from London. What would people suggest I do.

I would like to earn miles if poss on this route. I also have 50,000 United miles which need to be used by the end of the year. What airline/method would people suggest?

G.

[preiffer]

Well - if you have United miles to use by the end of the year, then I'd suggest flying direct with United .

Alternatively, the LHR-BOS-ORD hop is OK. A direct flight would normally be my preference (especially with UA miles/status), but failing that, I did the BOS hop last week.

Hi GrahamN
I am flying to Chicago next month and my routing is:

VS21 LHR - IAD (Washington Dulles)
UA 937 IAD - ORD (O'Hare)

Return leg

UA228 ORD- IAD
Vs22 IAD - LHR
(There is a 5hr diff between arr and dep on this Flight, but there is a flight that gets in at 16h30 (UA 936)if you want a tighter connection.

Cheers

Zambandit

[preiffer]

You'll regret that IAD connection, I guarantee...


Please do report back

Which connection? The out bound or in bound?
I reckon that with UA's timekeeping it shouldn't be too bad and i'll go to The Clubhouse as soon as is allowed!
I'll report back on my return.
I've never been on UA domestic first - hope it's ok!

Cheers
Zambandit

[preiffer]

Outbound will be where the issue is. Transiting terminals, immigration, connecting baggage are ALL issues in IAD.

Domestic First... Hmm - Don't get me started! [n] Don't expect much
(I just did a trip to ORD last week, with internals in UA's Dom. "First" - what a joke)

Also, I'd hope you have a Star Alliance (non-UA/US) Gold card with your UA flights. If not, there'll be no Red Carpet Club lounge for you... [:0]

Thanks everyone! I'll let you all know what I decide to do and also post a trip report. I spoke to Virgin Customer Services about booking flights and their general advice was to hold fire as there may be "some changes on this route" - whatever that means

G.

[preiffer]

Originally posted by GrahamN
Thanks everyone! I'll let you all know what I decide to do and also post a trip report. I spoke to Virgin Customer Services about booking flights and their general advice was to hold fire as there may be "some changes on this route" - whatever that means

It MIGHT be a pointer to the proposed launch of the ORD service with VS prior to October

Wow, VS really isn't keeping this ORD thing a secret.

[mcmbenjamin]

Originally posted by preiffer
Outbound will be where the issue is. Transiting terminals, immigration, connecting baggage are ALL issues in IAD.

Correct on the baggage issue. Takes no longer than tranisting Heathrow. And certianly takes no longer when going domestic to international or domestic to domestic. Well there are more booths to process people in immigration. The arrivals hall is a historical building and is protected. There are also a bunch of new places to eat all over the airport in all terminals including Harry's Tap.

Connecting baggage on some airlines is a problem. It is funny that some airlines have problems with baggage while others are able to create positive working relationships with the TSA and other governmental bodies to work thur there issue to create a wonderful experience for there clients and the highest baggage numbers in the country.

Domestic First... Hmm - Don't get me started! [n] Don't expect much
(I just did a trip to ORD last week, with internals in UA's Dom. "First" - what a joke)

Well it does depend on the flight. Between IAD and ORD on heavy (767, 777, and 747) the flight is a full service flight. It has been for years. My TR on UA 936

UA is not the greatest but this flight is great. They have baggage problems. The 'below the wing' staff trash the company on the employee bus. Funny really looking at there job tasks and there wages.

As my trip is only for 3/4 days i will only be taking "hand luggage" and no hold luggage. Hopefully this will help speed things up!!:)
Apparently the IAD - ORD flight is a 777 and the ORD - IAD flight is a 757!
Am looking forward to this although i am surprised that a domestic first class ticket does not allow lounge access!!!!![:(!]
Never mind

Zambandit

[preiffer]

In which case, as Ben says - the 777 will provide you with an International Business Clas equivalent seat (branded as Domestic First).

However, the 757 will be a bit of a shock for the way back

And yes - the domestic lounge access rules are nothing short of silly. But how else would they sell their RCC lounge membership [ii][:0]

[mcmbenjamin]

Well looking back on my post I did not mean to write it so strongly directed at Paul. I do feel IAD does get a bad wrap.

IAD-ORD looks to be a 777 in international config. so you would get a suite. They are nice. Also on EF the flight shows dinner. In C (Business) there are TVs with about 10 channal of video plus a flight map. 2-3-2 config.

There is a vine bar near where the 777 leave at Dulles so should not be a problem with the lounge access. Maybe check out FT to meet up with someone else?

[preiffer]

Didn't take it personally, Ben .

One of the guys I met in Chicago had done the LHR-IAD-ORD connection (with VS to IAD), and he had the same impression as I did : bad.

Originally posted by GrahamN
Hi, I am thinking of travelling to Chicago in October and realise that Virgin do not fly this route, from London. What would people suggest I do.

I would like to earn miles if poss on this route. I also have 50,000 United miles which need to be used by the end of the year. What airline/method would people suggest?

G.

With your 50,000 miles can't you go for a higher Y class ticket and use the points to upgrade to business, then you could get the direct 777. Plus UA have some really good times to maximise a short stay in Chicago. The 8am flight gets you into the city by lunchtime and their late 9pm return flight gives you the whole day.

But of course it's not VS.

[ChuckC]

As much as I love every opportunity to fly VS I'd suggest you consider a non-stop flight to ORD. As Washington is still a strong tourist destination in October, IAD in particular will not be much fun. Preiffer knows whereof he speaks.

Chuck-

[preiffer]

Indeed - if there's an option of going direct (whether with VS or with UA - if you have miles), then I'd take it.

The ONLY reason I ended up connecting (and even still, that wasn't through IAD, it was through BOS) was because it allowed me to use VS to fly to SFO on the outbound to spend a few days out there before coming back across to ORD.

If it weren't for that, I'd have been on a UA flight from London.

Originally posted by preiffer
Didn't take it personally, Ben .

One of the guys I met in Chicago had done the LHR-IAD-ORD connection (with VS to IAD), and he had the same impression as I did : bad.

I've done this before too, when I was finally united with my luggage and esconsed in my suite I vowed never again ... hope it gets better though.