Flying to MCI

This is going to be several questions wrapped up in one confusing post

I may be going to Kansas for work in December. My company only pay economy so I am looking for a cost effective route to fly business. All of a sudden I recalled the ex-AMS trick. I live very close to BRS so to pop over to AMS is almost as stress less as getting to LHR. I have had a quick play around with some dummy bookings, I can get a return sleazy jet flight to AMS for £60 and a night in a decent hotel at Schiphol for £60.

Then I checked out United and American Airlines from AMS to MCI. Now annoyingly AA fly to LHR then on to the US. United go straight out to ORD then on down to MCI. Both came in at around £3k return.

A BA Y ticket from LHR to MCI is £2200!!!!!

Seems like a no brainer?! So, esteemed v-flyers, have I missed something? The BRS to AMS leg will be a separate ticket so I need to make sure I make the check in at AMS, otherwise this seems simple?

Second qu, United Business class looks ok, don't like the backwards facing seats but I could hopefully pay a little extra and choose a seat? Also it looks like those window seats don't have aisle access, so as a lone traveller it's going to be a bit annoying having someone stepping over you if you're in the aisle seat? Anyone have any experience travelling in United Biz?

Thanks guys

Have a look at http://matrix.itasoftware.com/search.htm

Thank you!

We flew United Business Class in April - we definitely had forward facing seats that we resrved (at no extra cost) on booking. Possibly they could let you know which seats are available? If you wanted a window, you would have to climb over the other seat if the hoizontal bed was being used. We enjoyed the flight - not as quirky as Virgin, but efficient with reasonable food and working ife.

Can't really help regarding the AMS trick but I can give you my experience traveling to MCI. I flew in Feb this year LHR-ATL-MCI on delta Y for around £650. Might be worth giving them a try (don't know how set you are on United)? Also with the new VS flight to ATL coming up at the end of this month you would be able to do LHR-ATL on VS and ATL-MCI on Delta and build up some FC miles too.

Ive just done a check on expedia ex-AMS and there are flights operated by SAS / United with 2 stops - Copenhagen and ORD for approx £2200. Or KLM / Delta codeshare going either via Minneapolis, Atlanta, or Detroit approx £2600. I chose December 3 - 10 (you said you're going December right?)
http://www.expedia.co.uk/Flights-Search ... ode=search

Ex-DUB is coming in below £2000 but with limited seats left. Flights with Aer Lingus / Delta via ORD.

£2025 in BA Club World for BRU-LHR-ORD-MCI out 2 Dec, back 9 Dec.

Gosh you guys are good, I need to step up my game! I need to be there for 2nd and 3rd Dec, so I was thinking arrive 1st leave 4th. With AMS scheduled at the front the journey I started on 30th Nov.

I'm not fussed on the airline, although VS would be preferable as I'm in FC.

Possibly the fares are comin out high since you are staying only a few dad and therefore subject to the 'Saturday night rule'...?

Gosh you guys are good, I need to step up my game! I need to be there for 2nd and 3rd Dec, so I was thinking arrive 1st leave 4th. With AMS scheduled at the front the journey I started on 30th Nov.

I'm not fussed on the airline, although VS would be preferable as I'm in FC.

Expedia can't find a fare for VS sadly.

However BA is £3120 departing Brussels at 1405 on the 30th and arriving MCI 2155 the same day with changes at LHR & ORD (so you could perfectly feasibly fly to BRU the same morning and not need a hotel there). Returning on the 4th.

If, however, you were to depart on Sat 29th it comes down to £1600!