The USA is a vast country, offering countless places to fly in and out of, as well as several transatlantic airline options for UK travellers. Thankfully, as three-time winners of Best Holiday Company to the USA, we can help you decide on your dream destination. But one question remains: which of our
airline partners should you choose?
Well, it all depends on what’s most important to you about your trip - as the decision is much more than choosing how to get from A to B. And it’s not always down to price - airport location, onboard entertainment, customer service, kid-friendly amenities and more, all play a factor in deciding which airline is right for you.
With these options in mind, let’s dive into our list of the best airlines for each type of holiday below.
The nation’s most popular airline, British Airways, lives up to its mantra of ‘more than just a flight’. The
experience of flying with BA is paramount to their reputation, with world-class services on offer throughout.
High quality food and drink are available on board, from Economy to First Class – including a delicious gourmet range by renowned chef Tom Kerridge. For those travelling in First Class or Club World there is complimentary access to BA’s impressive departure lounges (and partner lounges) at various locations around the world.
While every passenger over two years old gets a generous baggage allowance, infants get their own allowance for essential extras like pushchairs and car seats, as well as dedicated kids’ meals that can be pre-ordered.
And although the services mentioned may seem similar to those on offer from other airlines, put simply, there remains a devotion to the services being delivered for your utmost enjoyment.
Aer Lingus - Best for Stress-free Journeys
Aer Lingus might not be immediately on your radar if you live outside of Ireland, however, not only does the airline offer direct flights from Manchester to the US, state-of-the-art air filtration technology and advanced onboard entertainment, but also US security pre-clearance after a quick stop off in Dublin or Shannon. This means that you can avoid the infamously long queues at US customs and immigration and land like a local, only having to pick up your luggage from arrivals before starting your holiday right there, right then.
Families love our Aer Lingus flights to Florida, but the airline also flies to New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington, Orlando, Philadelphia, LA, San Francisco, and Seattle. And connections are available from Glasgow, Isle of Man, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Exeter, Newquay Cornwall and London Heathrow and Gatwick.
Virgin Atlantic - Best for Family Entertainment
One of the world’s most trusted and well-known airlines for more than 30 years, Virgin Atlantic continues to take family travel to new heights. On every flight, Virgin offer tailored kids meals, including baby meals (for those under 12 months old) and children’s meals (for those aged between 12 months to 12 years old). And when everyone is done with their main meal, there might still be room for a snack or two. Especially when you can indulge in ice cream, popcorn and sweets during Virgin’s famous inflight entertainment…
This is where Vera comes in. Vera is Virgin’s dedicated onboard entertainment programme and babysitter all rolled into one, offering hours of entertainment in the form of age-appropriate films and TV shows, music, and games.
Alternatively, for an additional small fee, you can upgrade your journey to include Wi-Fi onboard so you can watch and listen to your own devices. Kids also receive the legendary, complimentary Virgin Atlantic backpack when they board, which includes fun games and activities to help pass the time in the air.
United Airlines – Best for Destination Options
United Airlines flies to the States from five different UK airports alone - including London, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Birmingham - to over 300 destinations across the Americas. In fact, United Airlines became the first airline to fly to all states of the US.
Despite being nearly 100 years old, United Airlines also take a modern approach to onboard entertainment. Satellite-based Wi-Fi has been installed across its whole fleet, and you purchase full Wi-Fi access to stay completely connected, even at 36,000 feet. There’s also an on-demand programme schedule of more than 150 films and almost 200 TV shows - all streamed directly to your device through the United Airlines App.
Modernity also arrives in the form of comfort. United’s Economy class has a generous offering of up to 32 inches of legroom, a three-course meal, in-flight snacks, and a wide array of beverages – all complimentary. Splashing out a little extra with United Economy Plus will even let you kick back with up to 37 inches of legroom.
This selection of airlines is just a teaser of our options. As three-time winners of Best Holiday Company to the USA, we can make you fall in love at first flight whatever your interest or budget.
So, where to first?
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