I got some help on these pages in advance of a recent trip to LA so I thought I'd add my own views to possibly help others who might be contemplating the same trip.
I hadn't been convinced either way by the various pros and cons offered in relation to the usual transatlantic providers (AL, Delta, Continental). In the end, I went with air new Zealand from Dublin via london. They were pretty similar in price with the benefit of a sky couch option (the underside of the three seats folded up to effectively make a small couch bed which allows you lounge a little more - albeit with some difficulty for three people). As always though, things were more cramped when the seats in front were inevitably lowered backwards. The in flight service was excellent for economy class.
Flying via London meant a longer second leg (11 hrs) but I felt this allowed for a more relaxed flight rather than say two legs of five/six hours with a couple of hours stopover in-between. The downside of course was that we couldn't pre clear immigration. As it transpired, the wait was about the same as I've ever experienced in Dublin (about 90mins and with the same charming personnel) but there is probably some virtue in getting it out of the way while one is still fresh, in advance of setting out.
I had been a bit concerned about the stopover time necessary to ensure that I made connecting flights comfortably. The experience with Heathrow was that a stopover time of two hours is more than adequate to make the connection comfortably. The default option provided by Air New Zealand's website offered a 6 hour stopover time which was obviously way too much. However, by booking over the phone (remember that option??), I was able to change to a later Aer Lingus flight to London.
All things considered, I'd highly recommend Air New Zealand for this journey and, on balance, would endure the donside of having to clear immigration at the far side.
Once there, a car is really a necessity if you're contemplating going beyond LA itself. If doing so, I would highly recommend hiring a sat nav. I got one almost as an afterthought but it turned out to be the best money spent on the trip. The road network is extensive and complicated and I think I'd be still there if i'd been reliant solely on maps.
Mid week in October proved to be a good time to visit Disneyland. Warm without being oppressive and hardly any queues.
For those into shopping there's a big discount outlet in Camarillo just north of LA. Well worth the drive and somewhere you could easily spend the entire day.
Didn't travel extensively in the time available but went to Santa Monica which I thought was beautiful.
I hadn't been convinced either way by the various pros and cons offered in relation to the usual transatlantic providers (AL, Delta, Continental). In the end, I went with air new Zealand from Dublin via london. They were pretty similar in price with the benefit of a sky couch option (the underside of the three seats folded up to effectively make a small couch bed which allows you lounge a little more - albeit with some difficulty for three people). As always though, things were more cramped when the seats in front were inevitably lowered backwards. The in flight service was excellent for economy class.
Flying via London meant a longer second leg (11 hrs) but I felt this allowed for a more relaxed flight rather than say two legs of five/six hours with a couple of hours stopover in-between. The downside of course was that we couldn't pre clear immigration. As it transpired, the wait was about the same as I've ever experienced in Dublin (about 90mins and with the same charming personnel) but there is probably some virtue in getting it out of the way while one is still fresh, in advance of setting out.
I had been a bit concerned about the stopover time necessary to ensure that I made connecting flights comfortably. The experience with Heathrow was that a stopover time of two hours is more than adequate to make the connection comfortably. The default option provided by Air New Zealand's website offered a 6 hour stopover time which was obviously way too much. However, by booking over the phone (remember that option??), I was able to change to a later Aer Lingus flight to London.
All things considered, I'd highly recommend Air New Zealand for this journey and, on balance, would endure the donside of having to clear immigration at the far side.
Once there, a car is really a necessity if you're contemplating going beyond LA itself. If doing so, I would highly recommend hiring a sat nav. I got one almost as an afterthought but it turned out to be the best money spent on the trip. The road network is extensive and complicated and I think I'd be still there if i'd been reliant solely on maps.
Mid week in October proved to be a good time to visit Disneyland. Warm without being oppressive and hardly any queues.
For those into shopping there's a big discount outlet in Camarillo just north of LA. Well worth the drive and somewhere you could easily spend the entire day.
Didn't travel extensively in the time available but went to Santa Monica which I thought was beautiful.