Tips for nonrevving to the UK?
 

Heading to Old Blighty in a few weeks to see friends. Any tips on nonrevving? I have benefits on UA and DL, and was thinking of flying into LHR and leaving from MAN (I'll be up north for part of my trip, and I understand loads out of MAN can be lighter?) I read about the 100-pound LHR departure tax, so might try to avoid departing from LHR.

I'm coming from SFO, so if I can't get on the US nonstops, it looks like MSP, SEA, and DTW are options on DL, or EWR/ IAD / ORD on UA. Any insider tips would be much appreciated.

Not sure if they still do it, but Delta also used to run LHR out of ORD, PHL and one other unsuspecting airport i can't remember. They were usually WIDE open

Delta also has a LAX LHR direct

Does AA still have the LHR flight from RDU? That was the non rev express 10 years ago. Not sure anymore.

I think that's a code share VS flight now... which I can't get on. Has to be DL metal...

Can't you use an id90 or jumpseat?

Id90, yes... jumpseat, no. Not internationally, unless I am very misinformed. I've jumpseated internationally on K4 and Atlas, but neither is convenient trying to get from SFO to the UK...

You are correct, looks like they cancelled it.

Is Delta Pulling Back From London - Or From LA? - One Mile at a Time

The departure tax is generally high anywhere in the UK, with LHR being a bit more.

That being said, LHR will definitely give you the most options on DL. You can fly thrice daily to JFK and they are usually open. You can also fly to ATL, DTW, MSP, BOS, SEA, and PHL.

MAN is hit or miss in my experience. Sometimes its a lightly loaded 767 and other times its an oversold 757. Keep on eye on MAN if you want to go there.

EDI is another option but it tends to be a bit full.

ZED on VS is a fantastic option. It opens up a lot more destinations and they are great to ZED with. I just rode them from LGW - MCO and it was a breeze. You check-in online 24 hours before departure and they assign seats right then and there. No need to talk to a single agent until they scan your boarding pass at the gate. VS operates all over the US from LHR, LGW, MAN, and GLA.

PM me if you need more info! Happy to help.

Very helpful, thank you!! One more question: when departing the UK, how does one obtain a boarding pass and get through security without an assigned seat? (Assuming I'm not on VS). I've never nonrevved internationally on a pax carrier so I'm not aware of the process. And how does one pay departure taxes?

Thanks in advance :)

DL still has a SLC-LHR also.

Yup.

I have done a little non-rev-tracking on that flight and there are usually several open seats in Y. Biz is usually full.

The ticket agent and will give you a seat request card. Depending on loads, they might not let you go through security until just before departure. If it's wide open, they might let you through early (that's been my experience in MAN anyway). Zed fare on Virgin can be a great option, but you may not be able to sit in business/first. In my experience it was also more expensive than non-revving on DL ($100 as S3 on DL vs. $300 for ZED fare on VS).

I've been Jumpseating to and from the UK for years. Took UAL from GLA to EWR just last week. Simply walk up to ticket counter and ask to jumpseat. They check you are CASS approved and ask for your credit card for the taxes. There is no JS form! I paid exactly $113.82 last week. (I have paid $200 out of LHR!).

Your stby ticket gets you through security until you get a seat assignment at the gate. No need to list on UAL. I'm not sure if you are at a regional or not. But, back in my regional days, we didn't have reciprocal JS agreements for "international" travel. Check your agreements!


Trent

DL PHL-LHR is generally half full.


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That's a great point and raises another question. I'm a Skywest pilot, so I have nonrev bennies on both UA and DL. Of course, I know how to list as a nonrev on UA and DL; I've just never done it internationally.

But do I list as a nonrev or list as a jumpseater? How do I find out whether our agreements with UA/DL allow int'l jumpseating? I know I can't ride in the actual J/S, but is there any advantage to listing as a jumpseater vs. listing as a regular nonrev?

Non rev you can get a F or J seat assignment. As a Jumpseat you will only get a Y seat assignment on UA.

Ah, good point! Non-rev it is, then. Thank you.

Non rev on UA is $$ in F class if your SKYW. I think you have 3-6 free travel days (yearly) on DL in any class to fly across the ponds.

Yup, on UA I'm pretty much going to fly coach class because 1) it's pricey to upgrade, and 2) you can never upgrade anyways, since UA tends to always have incredibly long eligible upgrade lists.

On DL I have a chance of sitting in business. Of course, DL doesn't do nonstop SFO-LHR, so the stress of making it onto four flights instead of two flights for the roundtrip...probably erases the benefits of sitting in business.

International flights don't have the free upgrades. I see lots of non-revs in F and J to and from LHR and other International destinations. Just depends on the loads but non revs often get F and J

Ah! Interesting. Thank you, sir. I've done plenty of nonrevving and DH'ing on UA over the past few years and never have I once seen a domestic mainline UA flight depart with open seats in business/first. So that explains it...

The gate agent may only be able to assign a Y seat to jump seaters on United, but hopefully the Captain is aware the FOM states that he may move jump seaters to any open seat he wishes.

I've Jumpseated on UA and DL internationally several times. They won't list you in first/business unless you have non rev privileges and list that way. However, if you have a way of checking the load and can determine if there WILL be open seats in first/business, I usually pick up some candy/snacks for the FAs and cockpit crew when I check in and I've been moved up several times once the door is closed.

He may know but do the FA's

It's similar to non rev in the US, you'll get a boarding pass with 'Seat Assigned at Gate' or similar on it. Don't attempt to use the automated customs machines, go to the human and tell them your on standby. it's all very simple and smooth. (Delta at least...)

Most Important question is whether you are travelling alone or with Family & how critical are the dates when you need to make the return.

When I travel alone, all I care is to touch US soil & I can JS my way home after that.

When I travel with family, the most difficult part is to figure out how to make it back with the family..

That's where Loads are important..

Based on my experience travelling abroad, I would choose departure points with more flight options rather than trying to save the $100 bucks on departure tax.

Flights can suddenly get oversold, weight restricted due to last minute cargo or numerous other issues beyond your control.

PS: As SKW, you also have access to UAL discount which puts you as a confirmed economy, very very useful if coming back with kids who need to be in school the next AM..