Competitive pricing on nonstop London to America routes isn’t limited to economy class. Oneworld member British Airways and SkyTeam stalwart Delta Air Lines have a similiar battle going for business class tickets to Portland, Oregon. You can choose between British Airways nonstop flights at £1,365 (~€1,571) or Delta at €1,601 (~£1,391).
British Airways sends a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on its way to Portland. You can expect a rather narrow 2-3-2 seating pattern in business class, with some seats facing backwards. Delta utilizes a Boeing 767-400 on this route, with a 1-2-1 pattern. Some of these aircraft even feature the brand new Delta One Suites.
Search & Book
Both airlines issue a nearly identical set of fare rules. The sales period ends on January 30, 2020 with a travel period from June 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021. A minimum stay of one night from saturday to sunday applies, just as a maximum stay of one year. The fare is only valid for weekday departures in either direction. At time of writing, most possible departure dates are still available at the lowest price.
You can easiliy find availabilities on Google Flights (instructions). Since British Airways sells the cheapest tickets on their website, there is no reason not to buy them there. You might find Delta’s fares at a slightly discounted rate via online travel agencies, so a closer look at our flight search may pay off.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Mileage
British Airways flights are booking class I. You can credit them with various Oneworld members or in British Airways Executive Club. In this program, you’ll receive 280 tier points and 14,688 Avios for a roundtrip (without tier bonuses). These are your alternatives:
- 14,700 Points on Finnair Plus
- 14,700 Avios + 250 Tier Credits on Aer Lingus AerClub
- 12,250 Avios + 70 Qpoints on Qatar Privilege Club
- 12,250 AsiaMiles + 120 Club Points on Asia Miles
- 12,250 Miles on Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
- 12,250 Miles on Royal Air Maroc Safar Flyer
- 12,250 Miles on Royal Jordanian Royal Club
- 12,250 Miles on SriLankan FlySmiLes
- 12,250 Miles on Alaska Mileage Plan
- 9,800 Points + 16 Elite Points on Malaysia Airlines Enrich
- Customize Calculation
Delta issues tickets in booking class Z. You may accumulate the following mileage without tier bonuses:
- 19,600 Award Miles + 200 Tier Points on Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- 15,772 Miles on Xiamen Airlines Egret Club
- 14,700 Miles on Saudia Alfursan
- 14,700 Miles on LATAM Pass
- 14,700 Miles on ITA Volare
- 12,250 Miles on Aeromexico Club Premier
- 12,250 Miles on Air Europa Suma
- 12,250 Miles on Korean Air Skypass
- 12,250 Points on SAS EuroBonus
- 9,800 Award Miles + 60 XP on Flying Blue
- 9,800 Miles on Aerolíneas Argentinas AerolíneasPlus
- 9,800 Miles on China Airlines Dynasty Flyer
- 9,800 Miles on Garuda Indonesia GarudaMiles
- 9,800 Miles on MEA Cedar Miles
- 9,800 Miles on Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles
- Customize Calculation
Information & Tips for USA
The United States offers a wide range of tourist sights, from national parks like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon to cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. The currency is the U.S. dollar (USD), and card payments are widely accepted. Prices vary by region but can be high in major cities, especially for accommodation and dining. Weather differs greatly across the country—winters can be harsh in the north, while the south often stays mild; summers are generally hot and humid in many areas.
The U.S. transport infrastructure is highly car-dependent, especially outside major cities. Urban centres like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco have functional public transit, but many other cities have limited options. Between cities, domestic flights are common for long distances, while intercity buses and Amtrak trains cover some routes, though often with slower speeds and less frequency compared to other countries. Without a car, getting around can be inconvenient in many parts of the country.
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Cover Picture: Image by David Mark from Pixabay