Business Class to UK

[Mr Somerset]

Hi
Looks like my wife has been gifted the opportunity to fly back to the UK from BNE in Feb 09 in Business Class. This will be a first for us (the inlaws will be funding the ticket). She'll be travelling on her own, and so I'd obviously like the trip to be as fabulous as possible for her.

We both fly to the UK and back regularly, but only in Economy. My Economy airline of choice is SQ. Hence I need some opinions.

Who is your favourite Business class airline from BNE to London?

(The only caveat here is that EK are ruled out due to some horrendous service in the past)

I'm aware that this is an extremely subjective question - but I'd love to hear people's experience.

Thanks in advance.

The Boy Somerset.

 

[NM]

What are the factors you consider important?

• a horizontal bed rather than sloping - hmm, not a lot of choice from BNE, so may need to consider routing via SYD (BA, CX, SQ, VS options from there).
• good food and wine (or other beverages)
• onboard service
• inflight entertainment
• amenities (I think QF is the only one offering pyjamas in business class)
• schedule - some like to avoid overnight flights and stay in a hotel room in Asia to make it two daytime flights each direction

Overall I think you can't go too far wrong with the major airlines on the route. If going direct to Asia from BNE (not routing via SYD or MEL), my preferences would be QF or SQ. However, it does seem that CX are going to be using a 3-class A333 a little more regularly in the CX102 BNE-HKG routing next year, so that is a huge improvement over their 2-class regional config A330 aircraft.

 

[Mr Somerset]

Thanks for the reply, NM

Sleeping comfort would be #1 priority for her, possibly followed by IFE. She'd be happy to go to SYD first if this meant a lie flat bed.

Amenities, F&B, service etc I don't think would be major dealbreakers for her, for the simple reason that we're used to Economy. Therefore I'm assuming pretty much all Business Class products would be astounding in comparison.

SQ might be my #1 pick then - although I'd be interested in trying VS. I fly DJ domestically so I know I get on with the brand.

 

[NM]

Sleeping comfort would be #1 priority for her, possibly followed by IFE. She'd be happy to go to SYD first if this meant a lie flat bed.

The problem with departures from BNE is that many airlines use the regional config aircraft with old cradle seats instead of flat long-haul style business class products. Similarly few offer a true First Class cabin from BNE.

I have chosen to route via MEL on many occasions to end up with better options.

Amenities, F&B, service etc I don't think would be major dealbreakers for her, for the simple reason that we're used to Economy. Therefore I'm assuming pretty much all Business Class products would be astounding in comparison.

Do note that airlines like SQ, QF, BA, CX will be significantly more expensive in business class than some other options like TG or MH.

SQ might be my #1 pick then - although I'd be interested in trying VS. I fly DJ domestically so I know I get on with the brand.

What about FF earning? Does she already have an FF account with SQ or Star Alliance from previous trips?

If choosing SQ, then definitely consider routing via SYD and using the A380 or 77W aircraft type with the new business class product. SQ probably offers better reliability due to having multiple daily flights between Aus-SIN and SIN-LHR, so probably better to reaccommodate if there is a problem than someone like VS that has a single daily flight to Aus. But VS do get very good wraps for their service.

 

[Mr Somerset]

Yes, she's a Krisflyer member so there are certainly benefits there. She's also a Velocity member so VS would still be in the mix. The FF benefits, however, would be fairly low down the decision making priority list.

Given sleeping comfort is #1, I think I'll take your advice ref going to SYD. I just need to decide SQ or VS.

Thanks again,

The Boy Somerset

 

[NM]

Yes, she's a Krisflyer member so there are certainly benefits there. She's also a Velocity member so VS would still be in the mix. The FF benefits, however, would be fairly low down the decision making priority list.

Given sleeping comfort is #1, I think I'll take your advice ref going to SYD. I just need to decide SQ or VS.

Thanks again,

The Boy Somerset

SQ business class on the A380 has beds that are very wide in the middle and narrower at the head and feet (as is the shape of most people). But in sitting mode you are not all that far from the seat in front. Obviously SQ will transit in SIN.

VS business class on the A340-600 is a herringbone layout so lots of space in front of you in seat mode but narrower bed overall. VS will transit in HKG.

I would be considering the schedule times including Australia departure time (and making a connection from BNE), transit time in SIN/HKG, and arrival time into LHR. And of course the reverse for the return trip.

Either airline should provide a good experience. But as with any individual flight, you can get a bad crew, faulty equipment, weather or other delays etc.

 

[simongr]

If willing to route via SYD then you have the BA and CX options - both have lie flat beds. CX has great IFE and BA has nicer food. CX also have great lounges in HKG to give more comfort when breaking the journey.

 

[Keith009]

I reckon the BA (via BKK) or VS suites are far superior to the Cathay ones. Food and wine list on BA and VS are also a fair bit better than Cathay.

I've not tried the new(ish) SQ J yet, but SQ generally has good, if rather un-creative, catering. Wine list in J isn't too good but the champagne is great for J (Charles Heidsieck Mis En Cave, same as QF). Service can be rather clinical but generally solid and consistent.

I'd also suggest NZ for a superb onboard experience, they offer the same beds as VS but their catering and service are out of this world. But the poor transit via LAX makes NZ a much weaker proposition.

For the best soft product IMO I'd personally recommend QF but it looks like the lack of a flat bed will be a deal breaker. If you can get the A380 they do have totally flat beds though.

For the best lounge experience, you HAVE to check out the VS Club House at LHR T3. Don't bother with the SQ lounge if you're flying SQ as you can also get into the VS CH with an SQ boarding pass in J. It's literally better than lots of Flounges I've been in. The decor's W hotels-style funky, you get spa treatments, restaurant service etc.

Some pics of the VS CH here:
http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=275

 

[dajop]

One suggestion, all the above advice not withstanding, is that I wouldn't consider it 100% necessary to travel down to SYD to fly out of Australia.

If you do decide SQ, and your wife takes either the morning or afternoon flight, I'd stick with those flights ex-BNE. OK the plane is in regional configuration, and the seats are old style "cradle seats" - not either completely or even angled lie flat, but are quite comfortable for sitting in - so unless your wife thinks she will be trying to sleep on these sectors I'd cut out the 3+ hrs diversion via SYD. The service will be just as good as on the better aircraft (anecdotally, on SQ ex-Australia I find the service better the worse the aircraft). However make sure she connects to an A380 at SIN! However coming back, where typically sleep will be more important on the Asia-Australia sector - going via SYD on A380 may be best option.

Same applies for QF who start A380 services to London on 16 Jan. Just take the A330 to SIN and then connect to the A380 there.

 

[dajop]

SQ business class on the A380 has beds that are very wide in the middle and narrower at the head and feet (as is the shape of most people).

With the notable exception of a very limited number of bulkhead seats, which have plenty of room at the feet as well. But these can be difficult to get allocated.

 

[Mr Somerset]

Thanks all for some great advice.

I'm attracted to SQ from a consistency of service perspective, as I'm led to believe VS can be somewhat variable (that feedback, however, was in relation to UK-US services rather than the trip under consideration here).

My wife would love the VS Lounge in London, though, so it's great news that a SQ boarding pass would get her into that.

I'll check out the timing details of both VS & SQ (including SQ from BNE - thanks dajop) and go from there.

Glad to have narrowed it down to 2!

Cheers

 

[trooper]

Just for completeness.. you don't have to transit LAX if you fly NZ to LHR.. you can route via HKG...

NOT an option I'd recommend in Y (or Y+ for that matter) as it is changing to a 777.. but in C it doesn't matter! :mrgreen:

 

[Keith009]

Just for completeness.. you don't have to transit LAX if you fly NZ to LHR.. you can route via HKG...

NOT an option I'd recommend in Y (or Y+ for that matter) as it is changing to a 777.. but in C it doesn't matter! :mrgreen:

But routing via HKG would lead to a massive transit time in AKL. The best conx gets the pax into AKL at 1725 and she'd only leave AKL at 2355.

 

[trooper]

Really? Ah.... origin BNE sorry!

I went SYD-AKL-HKG which was a much better connection than that if memory serves....

 

[Mr Somerset]

Ok, quick update.

My wife decided on VS from SYD in the end, clinched by the fact that the tickets were priced rather nicely at $7600 - at $2k saving on the norm, give or take.

The (rather large) downside was that despite these fares being advertised on their website, none of them are actually avialable. We tried 20-30 variations of dates in the advertised period, but all came up as $9800 when you start going through the actual booking process.

So to cut a long story short, she's now flying QF all the way (including a stint on the A380 from SIN-LHR) at a bargain price of $7500.

QF weren't really in the original plans, however at $3k less than SQ it had to be seriously considered. Obviously she won't now have lie flat beds all the way, however for a $3k saving she's happy with that!

Somerset

 

[2muchplastic]

Ok, quick update.

My wife decided on VS from SYD in the end, clinched by the fact that the tickets were priced rather nicely at $7600 - at $2k saving on the norm, give or take.

The (rather large) downside was that despite these fares being advertised on their website, none of them are actually avialable. We tried 20-30 variations of dates in the advertised period, but all came up as $9800 when you start going through the actual booking process.

So to cut a long story short, she's now flying QF all the way (including a stint on the A380 from SIN-LHR) at a bargain price of $7500.

QF weren't really in the original plans, however at $3k less than SQ it had to be seriously considered. Obviously she won't now have lie flat beds all the way, however for a $3k saving she's happy with that!

Somerset

Mr Somerset, I can't argue with your logic there at all. The QF product out of BNE (I've made the presumption that your wife is flying BNE-SIN-LHR and not BNE-SYD-SIN-LHR) is probably the best, as others have confirmed here that the likes of SQ and CX use their old clunkers as their ex-BNE offerings.

I've got three flights on VS(& DJ codeshare) BNE-SYD-HKG & vv in early 2009, and knowing how much my company have paid for those, your $7600 would have been a bargain if you could have got it, but $7500 on QF is even better!

QF009, have you tried the VS Clubhouse in HK?

 

[Mr Somerset]

Yep, she is indeed flying from BNE, which obviously keeps life nice and simple for us.

I just wish I was going too...


Somerset

 

[AviationNZ]

I've got three flights on VS(& DJ codeshare) BNE-SYD-HKG & vv in early 2009

I'm the same, trying VS UC for the first time in mid Feb (SYD-HKG-LHR). Will be very interesting to compare to other J products as I've read very mixed reviews on it.

 

[NM]

QF weren't really in the original plans, however at $3k less than SQ it had to be seriously considered. Obviously she won't now have lie flat beds all the way, however for a $3k saving she's happy with that!

While the QF skybed on QF51/52 BNE-SIN-BNE may not be horizontal, its still going to be very nice compared with most other options direct from BNE that use regional business class products.

The BNE-SIN is a nice daytime service anyway, so not a lot of need to sleep. I would suggest she use that segment to enjoy the food and IFE or read etc. Then plan on sleeping on the A380 segment to LHR.

Its the return that is not so nice. The SIN-BNE segment is fairly short (often 7 hours depending on winds) and overnight, so its desirable to sleep as much as possible. However, the LHR-SIN segment is flown at a time when your body clock wants to sleep.

But it sounds like she got a good price, so should be all good.

 

[2muchplastic]

I'm the same, trying VS UC for the first time in mid Feb (SYD-HKG-LHR). Will be very interesting to compare to other J products as I've read very mixed reviews on it.

I'm a little bit dubious too, having only flown CX or QF to HKG. As I understand it the equipment itself is pretty good, it's just the service that can be a little bit variable.
I guess I'll find out on the 4th Jan. And the 18th Jan. And the 1st Feb.....