Chicago - Is it worth it?

[preiffer]

OK guys, here's the deal:

I need to be in Chicago for about 4 days in April next year.

Previously, the conference I go to is typically at a VS destination (only once in Chicago) - and I've always flown with VS. The time is WAS in Chicago, I flew BMI from MAN.

No flat beds, but good IFE & REALLY good food in "the business". I'm in Manchester quite often, with work, so flying from MAN is really not an issue - here's the question:

Should I go direct, MAN>ORD with BMI, or on a connecting flight with VS through NYC/BOS? Although I'd lose the UCS (which isn't exactly guaranteed through BOS, anyway, at the moment...) a direct flight SEEMS more sensible.

So - what would you do? Both would earn miles with VS, not worried about Tier Points.

I guess its about brand loyalty, and whats going to cost you more.

[preiffer]

Originally posted by kkempton
I guess its about brand loyalty, and whats going to cost you more.

Ah, that's the key. Cost is a "cost of doing business", so not necessarily a factor. As it is, the ticket prices are actually pretty similar...

For what it is then, Id say take BMI. Then we can all read about how mcuh better the food is!!! Ium guessing the seats are a bit like j2000 ones were, so it would be liek travelling in UCS years ago. Before the scissors cut things back

[mitchja]

The food might be better but what about everything else you dont get with BMI?

Go with VS!!!!


Regards

[preiffer]

Originally posted by mitchja
The food might be better but what about everything else you dont get with BMI?

Agreed, but the difference is:

VS: (via BOS)

O/B: Total of 12hr 53min (inc. 7.10 on A343)
I/B: Total of 11hr 42min (inc. 6.30 on A343)


BMI: (from MAN, so 3 hour drive each end)

O/B: Total of 8hr 15min (all on A332)
I/B: Total of 7hr 35min (all on A332)

Sadly, I still say BMI is a better choice [xx(]
If only VS still had the chicago route.

[preiffer]

In fact, I'm almost tempted to send one of us with VS, and one of us with BMI, as part of an experiment...

... hmm.

Ooh, you could be akward, go VS, return BMI!

[Decker]

Funnily one of my peeps needs to be in ORD in late Oct - he is volunteering to VS via IAD rather than BA direct even though VS are running a 343...

Having done ORD via JFK/LGA recently on the outbound and direct on the return I'd simply say, take the direct route. It's boring, tiring and makes for a longer day to connect and you have to do the bag thing twice etc.

If any Virgin planners reading, here's another reason to restart Chicago!

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by preiffer
In fact, I'm almost tempted to send one of us with VS, and one of us with BMI, as part of an experiment...

... hmm.

experimenting with humans now are we [?]

I would take the direct flight,I know it means a 3 hr drive,but passing through the east coast sucks,though EWR would be my choice if you go that way.How about taking CO from LGW?

Have you read some of the recent reviews on BMI. It looks as if they're turning into a low cost airline. Beware if you fly with them. It has only changed recently, so have a look at the recent reviews on Airline Quality.

[preiffer]

Originally posted by lynnewob
Have you read some of the recent reviews on BMI. It looks as if they're turning into a low cost airline. Beware if you fly with them. It has only changed recently, so have a look at the recent reviews on Airline Quality.

Yup - they're making changes to the shorthaul model, but the long haul model remains the same (for now...). "The Business" is still getting great reviews, and the few times I've used them, they've been deserved.

I'd suggest going with BMI, much less aggro .

Connecting in the US is just such a pain, and you waste so much time hanging around airports.

Plus, you've got VS for about 6-7 hours, and then a couple of hours on "Air Battleaxe" to think of...

Cheers,
Mike

[preiffer]

Originally posted by jetwet1
experimenting with humans now are we [?]

Oooh yes...

We did one human experiment this May, out to LAS:
I went Upper, through SFO;
No. 2 went PE, through LAX;
No. 3 went Y+ ("new/premium economy") with BMI, direct (from MAN).

Guess who went to bed last that evening

I don't know you know. Id go with VS via EWR and connect with CO or BOS with Delta maybe?. I guess you'd go 1st class domestic? I know you not bothered about teir points but this way, you would get 12! Whooop! I know the last thing I'd want to do is drive for 3 hours after an 8 hour night flight. And plus, by next April, the BMI ORD service might not be an A330! Air Scandic A300 maybe?

[preiffer]

Originally posted by SBA
I know the last thing I'd want to do is drive for 3 hours after an 8 hour night flight.

Yeah, I've done it twice now - neither were particularly fun experiences. (at one point, I believe the M6 had 12 lanes... [:0]

Originally posted by SBA
by next April, the BMI ORD service might not be an A330! Air Scandic A300 maybe?

Good point. Hmm... It's just that whole connection thing. The "hop" from EWR/BOS (avoiding IAD like the plague with their current farce of a security setup) would only be 2-2.5 hours in Dom. 1st.

[Scrooge]

Just to echo Paul,BMI longhaul biz is among one of the best,of course if they switch to a lessed jet that will go to hell,but talking to pax that fly them MAN-LAS they love them..

Still think CO would be a better choice though..but then again I am a fan of CO's BusinessFirst and the food.

[mitchja]

Paul

Would it not be easier to fly to/from MAN if you did go with the BMI option [?]

Regards

[preiffer]

Just a quick update to my thought process - given the release from bmi yesterday, and the uncertainty it brings; along with the fact that they're scrapping their IAD service and now going to wet-lease a 767 to serve LAS from October; I'm struggling in my own mind to book ANYTHING more than a week into the future with bmi.

So... Either UA or VS, it is.

If you have the choice go direct with whoever. The security/queuing etc in the US just gets more idiotic and painful with every trip. Throw in the hassle of connecting and the vagaries of cancellations and delays; you really have think about the overall experience and susceptibility to delay. I like the sound of Con from LGW...

[ChuckC]

Hi, Paul:
You've had great responses thus far. I've done something similar (using a preferred carrier, even though the route was longer) and more than once I regretted it. Not because the service or food was all that different, but because of delays which cropped up even before I left the ground in some cases, or during connections. When you add your immigration connection to the mix, well, it could be a long day.

Having said that ... if I have extra time, I fly my preferred carrier regardless (for the miles and the experience).

As you are one of our esteemed VFlyers, you know you really wanna go on VS!!!!:D;)

Chuck-

[preiffer]

Originally posted by ChuckC
As you are one of our esteemed VFlyers, you know you really wanna go on VS!!!!:D;)

Indeed, I do... it's just the 1,000 mile gap between their destinations and where I need to be that's the issue. [:p]

I'd actually missed Dave's CO suggestion. Hmm... LGW's OK - And I've never tried out their BF service. I wonder how it compares (suites aside )

Went CO Business-First last year to Houston I think it was. Excellent service all round. Only one slight niggle, which is they have a curious 2-1-2 config on some aircraft, and you therefore have people whizzing up and down the aisle both sides of you ocassionally if you have the seat in the middle. A minor niggle though (moral is to reserve seat ahead). Still, stick yer elbows out a couple of times and they work it out...

Also, I was at the front of the cabin, and this seemed to tempt people to try the old "short-cut across the front" ploy - some judiciously placed bags soon put the kaibosch on that . Again, pre-booked seat negates the issue.

The overall quality (non-flat bed aside) was excellent. Great food and service etc. No Vport, but adequate films and I had the laptop and some DVD's with me anyway...[8D]