How would you make the most of this trip?

FairytaleGirl

Hi all,

Flying from Belfast to Las Vegas on May 1st this year.
Few stopovers in NY and fueling stops in San Fran and LA.

See below:

BELFAST to NEW YORK
United Airlines
Thursday, May 01, 2014 | duration 7:40
Dep: 11:10 AM Belfast, United Kingdom | Belfast International BFS
Arr: 01:50 PM New York, USA | Newark Liberty International EWR |
Change of airport required. Newark Liberty International - John F Kennedy International. Time between flights = 4:10

NEW YORK to LAS VEGAS
United Airlines
Thursday, May 01, 2014 | duration 8:52
Dep: 06:00 PM New York, USA | John F Kennedy International JFK |
Arr: 11:52 PM Las Vegas, USA | McCarran International LAS |

Technical Stop(s):
Los Angeles, USA | Los Angeles International LAX



LAS VEGAS to NEW YORK
United Airlines
Thursday, May 08, 2014 | duration 8:15
Dep: 12:30 PM Las Vegas, USA | McCarran International LAS
Arr: 11:45 PM New York, USA | John F Kennedy International JFK |

Technical Stop(s):
San Francisco, USA | San Francisco International SFO

Change of airport required. John F Kennedy International - Newark Liberty International. Time between flights = 21:35

NEW YORK to BELFAST
United Airlines
Friday, May 09, 2014 | duration 6:40
Dep: 09:20 PM New York, USA | Newark Liberty International EWR |
Arr: 09:00 AM (+1 day) Belfast, United Kingdom | Belfast International BFS

I would actually love to get off in San Fran, but as far as I'm aware you don't get off during a technical stop

Would the 'bumping' of flights make any difference to this trip? I know united have a 10% over booking policy so this scenario is likely.

As you can see we have a 21hr layover in NY, so were hoping to squeeze in day there (and maybe book a hotel for the night). Any tips/advice on how feasible this is?

How much hassle is the switching of airports in NY on both legs?

This is the first time in America and I want to make the most of it, but also make it as smooth as possible!!

ALLLLLL advice welcome for this newbie!

ProudDUB

If you are already checked in all the way to from Las Vegas to NYC, there is no chance of your getting bumped in SF due to over booking. Your seat on both flights is confirmed. The only people who would get "bumped" are the people who are checking in at SF for the flight to NY. They may run in to issues with the flight being over booked. But seeing as you are already checked in & assigned a seat, you are good to go.

When you show up at the airport in Las Vegas, there is a chance, that you may get bumped if the flight to SF is over booked, but that would mean one more night in Vegas, & not in SF, or your just being put on a later flight.

RonnieRocket

When you ask "How can I make the most of this trip?", do you mean the flights or the actual cities? United are a fine airline. They operate a Boeing 757-200 on that route and you'll have a personal backseat TV plus AC power socket.

Since you only have have 4 hours to transfer from Newark to JFK, I wouldn't waste too much time. You have 3 options to transfer:

1. A taxi could take up to 2 hours believe it or not - you are literally travelling from New Jersey all across Manhattan to the far end of Queens. Fun fact: taxis in NYC have TVs inside them.

2. They are various shuttle buses that can take you which will work out much cheaper but again they are liable to get stuck in the nightmarish NYC traffic. But since you have 4 hours, you'll be fine. Google search for these or else just buy tickets in person when you arrive.

3. Third option is public transport which means getting the Airtrain to NJ transit train station -> Penn station NYC -> Long Island Rail Road to Jamaica Airtrain station in Queens -> Airtrain to JFK. It would be quite stressful if you don't know what you're doing and it's your first time in NYC, especially dragging luggage around.

Vegas is an fun city with neon lights everywhere. The casinos themselves are tourist attractions as they're so extravagant and luxurious. The water show at the Bellagio takes place every 30 mins I believe and is kinda cool (for free). The desert heat in Vegas in May is unreal so make sure your hotel has a nice pool. Vegas was cleverly built out in the desert so punters would take shelter from the sun inside casinos prompting them to gamble more. The are no clocks or windows inside so you can't keep track of time. See if you can fit in a day trip to the Grand Canyon in while you're there. It's be a shame not to see it.
Your 21 hour layover in NYC on the return should be enough to see a few sights. Empire State Building is open until 2am. I wouldn't spend too much money on an expensive hotel. Get somewhere cheap near Newark airport for your flight home.

FairytaleGirl

RonnieRocket wrote: »

When you ask "How can I make the most of this trip?", do you mean the flights or the actual cities?

Both!
Obviously any wee hints or tips for Las Vegas itself and also how to make the most of our layover in N.Y.

Also any info on how to make our travelling as smooth as possible? With regards to extras/upgrades etc. I'm actually pretty nervous about flying - I keep having 9/11 hijack style dreams.

Tangey99

First thing that strikes me is the outbound connection.

4:10mins.

You need to research transfer times to get from Newark to JFK. it might easily take 1.5-2hrs. If your initial flight is delayed for some reason, there is a chance that you might miss your connection.

Check up on what united's policy is if you miss the connection, given that getting from one airport to the other is your responsibility.

Whereabouts are you staying in Las Vegas ?

iusedtoknow

I'll be honest - I travel a lot around the US and have never seen "technical stops".

Anyway, it seems like a lot of traveling, but i echo the above concern about newark->JFK. You'll probably have 1 hour waiting for immigration and customs (if you were traveling from Dublin that wouldn't be an issue), which leaves 1.5 hours realistically to get across manhattan and over to JFK on very busy roads. Also, security at JFK can be a mixed bag, so you could be waiting in line for 30-40 minutes. I had a quick look on google maps, and technically, it's 54 minutes but now with traffic it's 1 hr 35.

For comfort sake, it may be worth trying to get booked onto a later flight to Vegas, or one from Newark.

InTheTrees

iusedtoknow wrote: »

I'll be honest - I travel a lot around the US and have never seen "technical stops".

I know. They're dropping off passengers and picking up new ones. I guess thats "technical"? They certainly carry enough fuel to get from LV to NY without backtracking into California so it isnt for fuel.

But I assume the OP's tickets are bought and paid for at this point.

Stojkovic

You've a week in Vegas so you could fly to SF for a couple of days. Flights are about €90 each way with Virgin America.

RonnieRocket

Vegas is seen as a weekend destination within the US. A whole week is a bit too long. Personally I find 2 or 3 days in Vegas enough. Once you've walked through all the casinos, chilled by the pool, maybe seen a show, it's time to go home. It's depressing watching the degenerates gamble away their life savings night after night. Highly recommend a day-trip to the Grand canyon or Hoover Dam if you're going to be there a full week.

InTheTrees

I would agree that a week in vegas is a long time.

I like the idea of flying to SF.

You can also drive to LA from Vegas in a day.

You'd get a chance to see the pacific ocean.

JohnMearsheimer

You can do a day trip to Death Valley in California too easily enough from Las Vegas.

FatherTed

EWR to JFK is not too bad.

1. Take the Airtrain from EWR to NJ Transit Train to Penn Station.
2. Take the LIRR train from Penn to Jamaica Station in Queens.
3. Take Airtrain from Jamaica Station to JFK.

CaliforniaDream

Your only concern is the connection in NY on the way over. Email United before you go and get confirmation you'll be rebooked free of charge if you miss the connection.

I think a week in Vegas is too short.
I live here so PM me with questions if you want.

A day in NY is not now time for me personally but you'll get to see the main attractions if you plan it right. I love Manhattan, make the most of the day.