To Manchester, Dublin and Beyond
Airline: United/Continental starts service from Washington, DC to Manchester on May 1, and to Dublin on June 7.
Aircraft: Continental’s B757-200, which has the carrier’s new flat-bed seat. Think of this flight if you have to connect.
Best Fare: Summer Business Class and holiday promotional fares, the latter $1,800-$2,100 (plus taxes) in recent years.
Get Ready For: Summer promotional fare announcement in January.
To Beijing and Beyond
Airline: Air China, a Star Alliance partner, starts offering a new aircraft, going from a B747 to a B777-300ER, and new premium seats on Feb.2, from Los Angeles, with connection opportunities from all over the U.S. on United/Continental.
The Opportunity: Only one of two daily flights—984 and 983—has the new plane and seats. It’s a free seat upgrade,given that the price is the same.
Upgraded Seats to Brazil and Beyond
Airline: Delta is upgrading its seats from New York and Atlanta to São Paulo.
Details: The carrier’s new B767-400s have flat-bed seats.
The Takeaway: Keep these flights in mind when making a connection, both in the U.S. and for South America.
New A380 Service Between U.S. and Europe
Airline: Lufthansa, a Star Alliance partner, starts seasonal A380 service Houston-Frankfurt from Aug. 1 to Oct. 27. There are lots of ways to connect in Houston to experience it, just as there are lots of destinations beyond Frankfurt, if that’s not your final destination in Europe.
Best Fare: Summer Business Class promotions, which should be announced this month. Last year they started at $1,800 (plus taxes).