coast to coast USA in lay flat seat?

[Victoria Brooks]

Since the US carriers don't have lay flat on long domestic routes is it possible to hook onto a foreign airline with layflat seats is biz class coming from another part of the world and stops east coast US (Miami preferably but even Dallas or Atlanta or Charlotte where I will get on) and then continues to west coast (preferably Seattle, where I will get off with my back intact)? My final destination is Anchorage but I think I would have to sit up for that part.

Any creative ideas? 

[Charlie Leocha]

Right now foreign carriers can't pick up passengers because of cabotage rules. You can do this route by flying around the world from the east coast over Africa, South Asia, Japan and onward to Anchorage. :-)

[Anil]

I am sure a couple of carriers from EU do fly non-stop to Seattle/Tacoma International. BA, LH have flatbeds. It is true that domestically no flat beds.

[Tony Abreu]

Hi Victoria,

Anchorage (ANC) is a pretty tough destination (or origin) as far as flights are concerned. If fact there are very few points with non-stop flights to/from ANC; none of which offers the amenities you need (e.g. Flat Bed Seats). Since you are willing to listen to creative ideas from Charlotte to Anchorage, then hopefully my wild ideas won't go to waste.

 

First point of consideration - you already know your jump off point to/from Anchorage will be Seattle or Vancouver (although you did not mention the latter). From Seattle or Vancouver you will need to contend with an aircraft that is either a Boeing 737/739/73G for Alaska Air (AS) or an Airbus 319 /320 for Air Canada (AC) - which have first and business class seats (respectively, since Alaska does not have business class on those flights) that only recline (not lay flat). The SEA-ANC flight is at least 3 hours and 30 minutes. The YVR to ANC is just 10-15 minutes shorter.

 

Second point of consideration - you are originating from Charlotte (CLT) and presumably do not want to take USAir to Anchorage (minimum 10 hour 41 minute duration with one connection in Philly) since both aircraft only have recliner seats on first class (US Air has no business class on these flights). Note that the USAir CLT to ANC flight has a 1 hour and 15 minute layover in Philly so the total airborne time (on a recliner seat)  is only about 9.5 hours or six (6) hours more than the flight from Seattle to Anchorage. What I am trying to say is that you are going for a possibly EUROPEAN REROUTE to save 6 hours on a recliner seat!

First suggestion - take first class to New York (JFK) nonstop on a 1 hour 45 minute flight. Stay at the airport lounge while you wait for your next flight - Cathay Pacific CX889 Business Class (full lay flat) from JFK to Vancouver (YVR). The flight is only 5 hours and 50 minutes. You arrive Vancouver before 2AM. Layover at the Vancouver Fairmont Airport Hotel while you wait for your Air Canada flight to ANC. At 11AM the next morning, you take business class on AC538 to Anchorage (non stop, 3 hours and 20 minutes). On the return, you take AC537 ANCYVR- 220P 618P, then CX888 YVRJFK-1050P 700A +1. Then USAir US1441  JFKCLT-1200N 147P.

 

If you don't like the first suggestion, then here is my second suggestion - Go USAir to Europe (either London, Frankfurt, or Paris) using USAir Envoy Sleeper Class. Then from Europe, fly back to SEATTLE nonstop on either BA Club World (London), Lufthansa Business Class (Frankfurt) or Air France Affaires Class (Paris). All of the above have lie-flat business class seats. Of course since we are talking more than 8 to 10 hours each way, then you need to plan on staying at least overnight in London, or Paris or Frankfurt. (I am not sure you want to go back to Europe on the way back to Charlotte, not unless you want to visit another European city.)

 

I recommend the New York to Vancouver route. Just bear in mind the Air Canada service to Anchorage is seasonal and ends 12SEP. Good Luck,

Tony

 

 

 

 

 

[Victoria Brooks]

Thanks Tony for the great research!

It is all enlightening and will certainly make my flying time a treat rather than a pain.

I will also keep in mind the lay flats to Vancouver as I travel that one as well.

If you know who else flies nonstop lay flat or even angled beds from the east coast to YVR let me know.

My route is either from Montego Bay to Vancouver or Mia or FLL to YVR. 

Many thanks again,

Victoria

[Tony Abreu]

I am not aware of any other lay-flat flights from the USA East Coast to SEA or YVR. If fact, Cathay Pacific is the only one that flies nonstop from JFK to YVR (on the way to Hong Kong using 5th freedom rights) and thank goodness they use their 777-300s on that route.

Sorry, I misread your origin to be Charlotte when it is Montego Bay (MBJ) or Miami (MIA).

You can still take Jet Blue from MBJ to JFK (3 hours 50 minutes) and do the rest of the Cathay Pacific route.

You also have to option to take Air Canada from MBJ-Toronto (YYZ)- Vancouver (YVR). The first leg in on an Airbus 319 for 4 hours, but the next leg is 5 hours on a 777-200LR (77L) and executive first class has a flat-bed seats..

Otherwise, your only other non-stop option is from Miami to Seattle on Alaska Air (AS17) on a 737 (lousy).

Good Luck,

Tony