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

I'm having a hard time deciding what airline to go with.. With all the new rules/regs with TSA and some airlines slightly different from others it's slight;ly difficult to decide. I'll be making my first trip in 6 weeks time Currently applying for my passport and once I have that in hand I'll order my ticket afterwards. So any good experiences with a particular airline? Good service? Paid meals in flight? etc.. I'll be traveling at the end of August and flying out of San Diego Ca. Thanks

One is pretty much the same as the other.  All have food on international flights.

I think it is American that still flies some planes with the large screens at the end of the cabins as opposed to the TVs in the seat backs. 

I always use continental- this is purely because they have direct flights from Newark to Manchester. I have never had a problem with them. Personally I worry more about cost and fewest changes than airline

Pretty much all airlines will feed you on such a long flight, don't worry. The only exception I can think of is Iceland Express, which is a super no-frills airline that flies from Newark to Gatwick.

I'm a particular fan of Continental but most airlines are more or less the same, really. A few will give you a free glass of wine/beer in coach (Delta, last I checked, and most of the European-based airlines) and some are a bit nicer than others. But ultimately, if you're flying coach, they're the same and you should go with the cheapest one.

One is pretty much the same as the other.  All have food on international flights.

I think it is American that still flies some planes with the large screens at the end of the cabins as opposed to the TVs in the seat backs.  

American's International flights have there own tv's in the back of the seats at least the planes we have been on have the individual tv's on the back of the seats.   We always have window seats so I cant comment on the middle seats.

It looks like BA is the only airline that flies directly from SAN to LHR. If you could fly out of LAX instead or didn't mind connecting, it opens up a lot of other options. I've heard fairly nice things about Air New Zealand, which flies directly between LAX and LHR.

I feel like American has larger seats, but the entertainment on Virgin can't be beat.  I'd rather have a smaller seat myself and extra entertainment as I have problems sleeping on planes. 

American's International flights have there own tv's in the back of the seats at least the planes we have been on have the individual tv's on the back of the seats.

Not the American Airlines flight I took earlier this month. 

I like BA best.

I thought it was American.  Some of the flights have the TV screens in the seat backs, but they have been saying since 99 they were planning on upgrading the whole fleet. 

I have flown with a ton of airlines and I think American is the only one that still has the drop down screen.

I always fly US Airways because they fly direct from Charlotte right into Gatwick, and they have a great mileage program.

Only drawback is I have to fly from New York City down to Charlotte (their hub) then back UP OVER NYC to Gatwick.

But the fares are great, off season $500, and in advance around $750 for holidays.

I always fly US Airways because they fly direct from Charlotte right into Gatwick, and they have a great mileage program.

Only drawback is I have to fly from New York City down to Charlotte (their hub) then back UP OVER NYC to Gatwick.

But the fares are great, off season $500, and in advance around $750 for holidays.

Haha, the last time I flew over, I was trying to get enough miles for elite status on Continental so I flew US Airways (one of their partners) from LaGuardia to Boston to Charlotte to Gatwick on the way out and then Gatwick to Charlotte to DC to LaGuardia on the way in. It was the same price as one stop and the flight timing was such that I'd be sitting in an airport for a few hours anyway so I figured why not get the miles. 

Haha, the last time I flew over, I was trying to get enough miles for elite status on Continental so I flew US Airways (one of their partners) from LaGuardia to Boston to Charlotte to Gatwick on the way out and then Gatwick to Charlotte to DC to LaGuardia on the way in. It was the same price as one stop and the flight timing was such that I'd be sitting in an airport for a few hours anyway so I figured why not get the miles. 

Now that sounds like a damn fine plan!!

(BTW the USAirway Club in CLT is super easy to sneak into and it's ACE--free beer, wine, food, and they have a quiet room with plush leather chairs to hang out in).

Now that sounds like a damn fine plan!!

(BTW the USAirway Club in CLT is super easy to sneak into and it's ACE--free beer, wine, food, and they have a quiet room with plush leather chairs to hang out in).

I mean, admittedly it's kind of crazy but meh. I actually like to fly. Not my best day for carbon footprint, though.

How does one sneak into the US Airways Club, exactly?

How does one sneak into the US Airways Club, exactly?

You can't do it at LGA--you have to be buzzed in. But at CLT it's a massive lobby with a desk in the middle, and two large open entrances to either side.

You just walk right past reception when the guy or gal is distracted dealing with a flier.... : )

(Pretend to look at the brochure whilst waiting for the opportune moment)

I'm having a hard time deciding what airline to go with.. With all the new rules/regs with TSA and some airlines slightly different from others it's slight;ly difficult to decide. I'll be making my first trip in 6 weeks time Currently applying for my passport and once I have that in hand I'll order my ticket afterwards. So any good experiences with a particular airline? Good service? Paid meals in flight? etc.. I'll be traveling at the end of August and flying out of San Diego Ca. Thanks

You may want to expand your flight search to include the airports at Carlsbad and Santa Ana, sometimes you can get amazing bargains flying out of the smaller airports.

As far as airlines go, flying coach is flying coach no matter what airline you go for. I like Virgin for their behind seat entertainment. Otherwise I just go for what's cheapest. The nice thing about flying international is that you'll get fed and watered, so less to worry about and pay for!

When flying out of San Diego I usually end up at a Newark, Chicago or Pheonix to get the flight into London. It's so nice to fly direct, but the direct service to London from San Diego gets cancelled so often I've never been able to experience it.