Flying VS to and from SEA (Seattle)

Dear all... some advice here would be great.

I currently live in Boston US, and am moving to Seattle to work for a different firm (if I'm not mistaken the same firm as LROM!). Anyhow, knowing that many of you fly transatlantically a great deal I was wondering if any of you fly to SEA and how you get here seeing as VS doesn't have a direct route.

Any info would be great as my only alternative at the moment is BA (direct) or AA/CO/UA.

Thanks,

JC.

[Nottingham Nick]

My Cousin lives in Portland Ore. and his family have a similar problem when visiting the northwest. It is brilliant area of the US, but not well served by VS [:#]

I would suggest your best bet is to transit through SFO. My cousin is a United man, but I believe he does a lot of his shorter West Coast flying with Alaskan.

Using SFO, you have the advantage of a great VS Clubhouse [y]

Nick


Edit to change name of airline. [:I] Nick

[HighFlyer]

Hi JC

Easiest way would be VIA SFO/LAX .. i know thats what Richard usually does. There are several options for internals from either of those two airports, though United fly there from both IIRC (otherwise AA from LAX or Alaskan from SFO are options)

LRoM will likely be along later tonight so im sure he will fill you in further if he has any ideas/tips

Good stuff on the job front too

Probably fly through SFO. The UA connections from SEA are mostly through SFO or ORD, and you get a nice long sector to enjoy VS!

Cheers!
Mike

[Nottingham Nick]

Dead heat on timing of replies, Sarah [8D];)

Nick

[HighFlyer]

See how keen we are to help ... we're like busses!! hehe

WOW! Thanks guys. I've been a member of V-Flyer for a while now and love it. Thank you all very much for your help. I think the general opinion so far as been SFO so I'll just find either cheapo flights down to there from SEA or try CO or DL.

I was thinking America West to Las Vegas and then VS from there? Any thoughts on this?

Thanks again, you guys rock!

J.

[HighFlyer]

I was thinking America West to Las Vegas and then VS from there? Any thoughts on this?

VS flights to/from LAS will likely always be more expensive than through SFO/LAX. The 43/44 are the only flights direct to LAS from LON IIRC, and with the LGW config, seats on these flights always scarce. Plus, with the LGW route you wont get the fab Clubhouses and Revivals on each side. If im in the West Coast its a given that i'll be going home on the 20!

Ahh... that explains the $2k ticket for PE. In comparison, a PE ticket from BOS to LHR is typically $900 to $1100.

Thanks again [y]

[RichardMannion]

Hi,

Well unless you are off to work for Boeing then its a good chance you will be working for the same company as me, if you are then let me know as I know quite a few people over in our main campus including a fair number of Brits who have relocated over the years. Feel free to drop me a PM.

In terms of getting to SEA, well ther is the direct flight from LHR with BA (which is 40% Boeing, 40% Microsoft and 20% everyone else) or the routes I normally do as Sarah said:

LHR to SFO or LAX and then AS or UA up. Last trip was in via LAX and back out via SFO, the connection times work out quite well. Everyone I knwo hates going to SEA with UA/CO etc. The other route we use due to cost is actually via CPH with SAS!

I would avoid the LAS route if you can as pointed out already, and of course it goes into LGW which can be a pain if you are visiting our London or Reading office.

Hope this helps, let me know if you need anymore information!

Thanks,
Richard

You could also try Southwest from SEA to LAX or LAS as they often have really cheap fares!!

SFO-Marc

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by SFO-Marc
You could also try Southwest from SEA to LAX or LAS as they often have really cheap fares!!

SFO-Marc

I think I will let HighFlyer respond to that comment on my behalf [:I]

I normally get a THRU or VUSA fare when booking from LHR to SEA anyway, which brings the cost down.

Thanks,
Richard

[honey lamb]

Well unless you are off to work for Boeing then its a good chance you will be working for the same company as me,

You work for Starbucks?!!! [:p][:w][:p]

Wouldn't it save time if you took a flight to one of the Northeast cities (BOS, JFK, EWR), that way you wouldn't technically be going farther away from your destination?

Thanks for all of the responses so far, they've been fantastic.

I have flown the 747 before but never in the UCS so I'll look forward to that. Just a couple of other quickies: a) how long is the 'in the air' time on the SFO - LHR flight and b) what is the upgrade availability like for PE fares to UC fares on the same route?

Thanks again,

JC.

[HighFlyer]

a) how long is the 'in the air' time on the SFO - LHR flight

Usually around 9 hours. Not long enough for a flight in the UCS for me! LOL

In all seriousness, the SFO-LHR flight seems to fly by in Upper. I think because you leave around 4-5pm you donÕt really get to the Ôfeeling tiredÕ stage until you are almost back in blighty. Ive never managed to get much sleep on this flight, but it gives you lots of time at the bar!

b) what is the upgrade availability like for PE fares to UC fares on the same route?

For SFO-LHR? And are you planning on upgrading in advance or at the airport?

I cant say specifically, only VS can tell you what the G availability is like, but I personally have had success upgrading my PE fare to UC on the day at the airport ... only to find that my flight was full of a load of grey polo shirt wearing people who hogged the bar most of the flight!

Thanks,
Sarah

I travelled to Seattle a couple of times, and did the LHR-SFO and then a hop locally.

In my opinion SFO is a much nice airport, there is of course the CH if your in UC, and the entire thing is much more relaxed. Sometimes on arrival at SFO can you can get caught up in immigration queues if a couple of big Asia flights have just beaten you to the gate. But in reality the same thing can sometimes happen at LAX.

Go for SFO if you have the choice.