What's a good airline to use to fly out to the UK?

Make sure you sign up for OnePass so you get credit for your FF miles! LDRs make them rack up FAST!

How do I obtain one of those?

Most definitely!!! (And nice to see you around Courtney  )

Hey! Missed this! Thanks hon!

I usually fly United from SAN to LHR with a stopover in IAD.

One of the highlights with United recently is that when I got my visa on Aug 4, we booked a one-way ticket back for Aug 5 and only paid $55 plus 30,000 miles! I think if we had to pay cash for a last minute ticket, it would've cost a bundle.

Another reason I like United is that they usually have their own domestic and international terminal, so it's rare that you have to exit a terminal, go through security, and then re-enter another terminal.

Oh and finally, I prefer terminal 1 in San Diego over terminal 2.

PS I pm'ed you LMS re: your visa question...hope you got it.

How do I obtain one of those?

If you go to the Continental website, there will be a tab along the top of the page that says "OnePass Frequent Flyer".  If you click on it, you can enroll from there.  If you can't be bothered to do it straight away, you can always do it after you book your flight, and then just add the flight info to your new account after the fact, to register the miles. 

If you go to the Continental website, there will be a tab along the top of the page that says "OnePass Frequent Flyer".  If you click on it, you can enroll from there.  If you can't be bothered to do it straight away, you can always do it after you book your flight, and then just add the flight info to your new account after the fact, to register the miles. 

Just as a reminder, Continental and United are in the process of merging, so OnePass is actually ending/becoming MileagePlus at the end of the year.  It might (not sure) be easier to just join MileagePlus at this point instead, but the full details are listed here.

Whenever I fly with Continental (or any StarAlliance member for that matter!) I always just use my United MileagePlus number, so I only have 1 frequent flyer account rather than 5...

I've always used Continental for transatlantic flights and have had no problems whatsoever with them. (I am one of the few weirdos who actually enjoys flying through Newark---good shopping and food, imo!)

Good point about the Continental/United merger and the elimination of the OnePass program. IMO, the United program is not as nice as Continental's, so I'm a wee bit annoyed with that. I'd still go ahead and sign up for a OnePass account anyway so you can maximize your miles for this flight, at least. They seem to suggest that the miles earned before the end of the year on Continental will remain under the rules of the OnePass program (meaning, they won't expire like United miles could). After that, who knows...

Thanks everyone, I signed up for the One Pass program and when it merges I'll be sure to sign up for that The only thing that bothers me about my flight to Heathrow is the fact I'll be in a MIDDLE seat ugh I was really hoping for an aisle seat! Oh damn..

Thanks everyone, I signed up for the One Pass program and when it merges I'll be sure to sign up for that The only thing that bothers me about my flight to Heathrow is the fact I'll be in a MIDDLE seat ugh I was really hoping for an aisle seat! Oh damn..

If you can get to the airport early you can usually request a seat change when you get to the airport.  If not at check in, it often works when you talk to the gate agent.  I've been known to tell them that I'm often motion sick (this is all too true, but mostly applies to cars) and need easy and quick access to the toilet.  This has never stuck me with a seat next to the toilet for unknown reasons. 

Thanks everyone, I signed up for the One Pass program and when it merges I'll be sure to sign up for that The only thing that bothers me about my flight to Heathrow is the fact I'll be in a MIDDLE seat ugh I was really hoping for an aisle seat! Oh damn..

I flew with Continental last month, and changed my seat the day before the flight online, with no problems at all.  You just need your confirmation number.

I think once the merge is complete, your OnePass account will automatically become MileagePlus, but double check me on that

If you can get to the airport early you can usually request a seat change when you get to the airport.  If not at check in, it often works when you talk to the gate agent.  I've been known to tell them that I'm often motion sick (this is all too true, but mostly applies to cars) and need easy and quick access to the toilet.  This has never stuck me with a seat next to the toilet for unknown reasons. 

Scarllet- i think I'll try this Thanks for the tip and yes I do have my conf # I went on the website last night and there were no available aisle seats so I guess I'll wait the day I get there and ask.

I flew with Continental last month, and changed my seat the day before the flight online, with no problems at all.  You just need your confirmation number.

I think once the merge is complete, your OnePass account will automatically become MileagePlus, but double check me on that

I assumed as much, but am more than willing to sign up again if it doesn't lol

I actually work for United*, so let me add a couple of things:

OnePass is merging into MileagePlus at the end of the year, but since the programs were aligned as part of Star Alliance before, nothing much changes and your miles will carry over from one to the other.

Nearly all our ex-United international aircraft (all 767, all 747, and most 777) have individual video-on-demand screens at each seat.  In Economy, you get basic access for free and premium content from HBO and some new-releases for a flat fee per flight.  As I work on the ex-United side, I don't know much about the ex-Continental side except that their planes are very new, so they shouldn't disappoint.

You will be fed, and you can request a special meal if you have dietary restrictions (or you would rather have vegetarian or low-sodium for whatever reason.)

For your seating request, be sure to ask at the airport as they do hold back a certain number of seats so they can accommodate last-minute families and groups.  If you were flying a United-operated flight, I could look at it for you, but I don't have access to the Continental systems yet.

I used to work at San Diego airport, and I've flown to Heathrow pretty extensively, I'd be happy to answer your or anyone else's questions about air travel.

Have a great trip!

ian

* I work for United, but I speak for myself alone and not on their behalf.

Has anyone flown lately from or to the US and if so how was your experience with the airline.
There have been some mergers in the last year I think.