So we decided on Prague for our trip. Next step flights. Now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever actually scheduled a flight that's longer than 2-3 hours. A search on Kayak turns up a load of different options. We know we want to leave out of IAH with only one stop. Air France, Lufthansa, and British Airways all provide one stop flights through their respective airports. Prices range from $1200-$1300 so really no difference. Would prefer the shorter total times but times range from 12.5 hours to 13.5 hours so no huge difference there either.

Of those three airlines and airports are there any that should be avoided or more heavily sought after?

It looks like there are a number of different models of planes. The last few times I flew to Alaska, I was miserable due to a lack of shoulder room. Without spending $4000 on a ticket, is there a certain model of plane or specific carrier that offers better shoulder room? I'm really hoping I don't feel like I'm stuck on the 2nd deck, 50 yard line, Kyle Field for 10 straight hours.

Thanks ahead for any suggestions!

All things being equal, I'd rather spend a layover in Heathrow than CDG or Frankfurt. I'd pick BA. I think most people think that Air France is a better Airline, but I've always been happy with BA when I've flown them.

That's how I'd make my decision.

We flew to Frankfurt and home from
Munich via United last summer. Trip over was on a 777. It was reasonably comfortable, even in steerage class. The flight home was on a 767, and the difference was noticeable. Granted, the flight was about two hours longer, which could have made the difference, but about two hours from home, I was about to jump out of my seat on the 767. I've never been so glad to get off of a plane.

I specifically avoided Lufthansa on the A380 after consulting the experts on this board (feedback was that the seats are horribly cramped and uncomfortable).

Having been through all three, I'd rank them:

1. Frankfurt
2. Heathrow
3. CDG (dump)

If you decide on Frankfurt, make sure to leave adequate time to get to your connection. It's pretty spread out.

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1. Frankfurt
2. Heathrow
3. CDG (dump)

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Never been to Frankfurt.

But I agree, that Heathrow is pretty nice, easy to navigate, etc. CDG is totally a dump. I had to change terminals last year in CDG and it was a holy mess. After a 9 hour flight, we had to stand in line for an hour to go through security to GET ON A BUS to take us to another terminal. The airport employees (French) were rude and not helpful. Idk, just did not enjoy my time at CDG.

Flying Air France, however; was very nice. Good meal service and free champagne/wine throughout the duration of the flight. Very good inflight entertainment and everything went one time.

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Having been through all three, I'd rank them:

1. Frankfurt
2. Heathrow
3. CDG (dump)

If you decide on Frankfurt, make sure to leave adequate time to get to your connection. It's pretty spread out.

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Agree 100%

Thanks for the help! I was leaning towards CDG due to the slightly shorter time but that is nixed now and I think I got it pegged down.

One last question- Is there a preference on flight times? Leaning towards the 8:25pm to Heathrow. The 4:05 flight would put us landing at 1:30am Houston time. That sounds like a recipe for a cranky wife.

Think I'm going with this one-

nothing wrong with your plan, it just blows my mind that people would be buying their tickets to Europe only three months in advance. i'm going in may and I got my tickets in july, lol.

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nothing wrong with your plan, it just blows my mind that people would be buying their tickets to Europe only three months in advance. i'm going in may and I got my tickets in july, lol.

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I bought mine to Germany about 90 days before our trip last June. It was the cheapest price the flights I wanted ever were, and I watched the price for the better part of a year before our trip.

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Having been through all three, I'd rank them:

1. Frankfurt
2. Heathrow
3. CDG (dump)

If you decide on Frankfurt, make sure to leave adequate time to get to your connection. It's pretty spread out.

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Agree 100%

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Absolutely second the above recs.

I hate CDG. Heathrow terminal isn't bad at all, but BA isn't my favorite airline due to both air mile program and in flight comfort. Lufthansa was always a great flight when I took them, but every time I have had to go through a separate security check between gates at Frankfurt and every time, there was a huge line and wait at those security points. As a result, I have always been rushed and never had a chance to really explore the Frankfurt terminal.

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Thanks for the help! I was leaning towards CDG due to the slightly shorter time but that is nixed now and I think I got it pegged down.

One last question- Is there a preference on flight times? Leaning towards the 8:25pm to Heathrow. The 4:05 flight would put us landing at 1:30am Houston time. That sounds like a recipe for a cranky wife.

Think I'm going with this one-

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My wife is English and flies back and her family is back and forth from England quite often and they prefer the late evening flight. You basically get a whole day at home so you aren't rushed out the door (or you can work a full day of work), you get some sleep on the flight after dinner, wake up, eat breakfast, land, have the day ahead of you and fight through it and then you're tired come bedtime. Your internal clock is synced basically when you land.

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nothing wrong with your plan, it just blows my mind that people would be buying their tickets to Europe only three months in advance. i'm going in may and I got my tickets in july, lol.

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I too booked mine about 80-90 days in advance a while back.

The prices start to drop a little as you get closer, and then when you get inside of a few months they start going back up. Or at least that is the trend I always noticed.

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nothing wrong with your plan, it just blows my mind that people would be buying their tickets to Europe only three months in advance. i'm going in may and I got my tickets in july, lol.

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I too booked mine about 80-90 days in advance a while back.

The prices start to drop a little as you get closer, and then when you get inside of a few months they start going back up. Or at least that is the trend I always noticed.

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3-4 months out is the best time to buy international tickets. The only people who tend to buy 330 days out (when most schedules are released) are people who are buying vacation packages and must travel on certain dates, the airlines know this and don't load in many of the cheaper fare buckets at first.