Flying to New York - Who would you travel with?

[TeamLemon]

We were very disappointed not to get any Olympics tickets for next year, and DH suddenly announced "Sod it! Let's go and visit UncleLemon in America instead!"
I've not been over to see my family in the New Jersey area since 1995 and, obviously, a lot has changed in the world.

So who would you fly with?
We'd probably be flying economy, but don't want to be treated like cattle.
There would be 4 adults, a 7yo and a 4yo, so needs to be child friendly too.

Your advice would be very welcome!

We flew Continental into Newark recently with 2 DC and it was great, good legroom, great entertainment, nice food, pleasant staff. You can book seats. Just one tip, the entertainment is more extensive on the Boeing 777s than the 757s, the timetable tells you which aircraft it will be.

For Sussex County, Newark will be the closest airport.

An early afternoon departure from the UK with an early/late evening flight back from the US will be good.

Why UK carriers rather than US ones? Are US ones no good at all?

Tbh, they're all much of the same and with 2 kids who are no longer babies, I wouldn't worry about it all. Save your money for while you're here and go for the cheapest.

Save yourself the fuel surcharge and buy your ticket from American Airlines, but choose BA flights. I saved myself about £170 on fuel surcharges earlier this yr flying to Austin by doing this. This way you still benefit from far superior BA planes and services. US carriers really do deliver the bare minimum in food quality and service, and fly smaller planes as well - 757 or 767's instead of the 747's that BA and Virgin fly.

That said, i had unexpectedly not-bad-at-all flights to NYC on Continental/United earlier this yr as well. But it was on a 757.

Have flown there twice with Virgin and been very happy.

I went last year and wasn't impressed with Delta but they're the only airline flying to NY from Manchester.
You get a poorer service from American airlines in my experience.

"Hadn't thought of Philedelphia - will ask UncleLemon how feasible that is."

OH has flown to Philadelphia and says it is the worst airport in the US that he has used. For New York he recommends Newark rather than JFK as it is less busy.

Continental

We do New York a lot and would always choose BA over Virgin or American carriers, due to better service, free booze, decent food, brilliant in-flight entertainment, and T5 at Heathrow.

Newark is a better bet than JFK but if you do go JFK, then try to get the first flights of the day both ways. On the way home, that means an early start but it means the airport isnt so busy and you are likely to depart on time. On no account go for the 10pm flight!! (it often doesnt leave til midnight and JFK in the evenings is like an inner circle of hell)

Good luck and have fun

Seriously, avoid JFK at all costs. If you're staying in Manhattan you could consider it but for Jersey go Newark.