Flying/Buying Business Class 2010 Questions

[Carmilla5]

Going to London next year via business class which I can't purchase yet (October) but wondering when tickets for the end of the year go on sale?

Also, with the way business travel is at the moment will business fares drop in price or increase?

Some people have even suggested I buy a full economy fare and then upgrade closer to the time to save money, not sure if this is an option?

What could I expect cost wise (guestimate) for October next year, 2 people going for 6-8 weeks? Is that low season or shoulder?

Like the look of Etihad, Qatar or Singapore/Thai or Malaysian.

Taa
Carmilla :^)

 

[Travel Guru]

A couple of the airlines (Singapore & Qantas) have good earlybird business class fares out now.

I would recommend booking on those if possible as its unlikely the cheap business class deals we've seen this year will be repeated with such vigor going into 2010.

Singapore Airlines have a rate of $7053 plus taxes pp
Qantas have a rate of $7368 plus taxes pp

Taxes are approx $700pp

Both fares are on sale until 5 January 2010, subject to availability

TG

 

[Carmilla5]

Thanks for the info! I've read conflicting news re business class next year, guess we'll see soon enough!
Warmest
Carm :^)

 

[moa999]

All depends on whether you think the economic recovery is a V / U or a W (ie double dip)

If V / U - buy now.
If W - wait and be very careful that you book using a method that has bankruptcy protection

 

[Carmilla5]

Moa, enjoyed your cryptic respone.
Much to think about...do you invest thousands of dollars for your trip in the hope you will be stepping on a plane in a years' time then find that the economy has dropped and suddenly the money has gone?
You've prompted me to think about things further.
I think the economy is in for much rockier times, the walls have to fall but then they need to, for us to see the illusion we've been living under financially wise!
Warmest
Carm :^)

 

[Travel Guru]

I don't necessarily agree, but it all comes down to personal opinion.

I think its going a bit far to suggest you'll need to ensure bankruptcy cover is in place before purchasing an airfare, I know there's no such thing as a given, but something significantly worse than what we've already seen over the past 18 months would need to occur before the likes of SQ, QF, EY etc go under.

Given that Singapore Airlines have issued a price guarantee on their earlybird fares for 2010, it would seem to be a pretty good indication from where I'm sitting that they've gone as low as they're going to go.

Even if the economy didn't pick up as quickly as we'd like in 2010, airlines such as SQ are hardly going to start devaluing their product by selling below 6-7k, especially when their standard non-earlybird fare in Business is several thousand dollars higher.

As I said, just my opinion, but I'm on the frontline, i've seen how corporate sales have begun to return to normal, I guess at the end of day one of us is going to be right, god knows I hope it's me!

TG

 

[sr81]

Have a look at JL and their companion fares. Often quite good value and sometimes have a free hotel for the layover in Tokyo on your way across.

About $5500 per person plus taxes.

 

[Carmilla5]

SR81: Thanks so much for the JAL recommendation...why did I think they had folded or were going to? Either way I'd love to visit Japan, great idea and I love the idea of companion fares.

TG: thanks again for info from someone in the industry. It amazes me how airfares have kept fairly consistent for years. Last trip to the UK was in the late 80s and I remember my economy fare then with BA was $1,250, little less for what you can get now, incredible. Not sure how they do it!
Travel is one of life's greatest pleasures and relatively inexpensive but I'd love to see the day when everyone can travel comfortably instead of microsized seats and no comfort!

Many thanks honeybuns :^)

 

[Dalescott]

I agree use JAL and have a stopover in Japan for a few days. We (Wife and I) did it a 4 years ago, and we loved it. JAL have great service. But the down side is that it only flys from Sydney, and that means that if you live in another cxapital city, you will have to go from the Domestic to International terminal. But if you can handle that, you will love Japan.

 

[Travel Guru]

I agree use JAL and have a stopover in Japan for a few days. We (Wife and I) did it a 4 years ago, and we loved it. JAL have great service. But the down side is that it only flys from Sydney, and that means that if you live in another cxapital city, you will have to go from the Domestic to International terminal. But if you can handle that, you will love Japan.

I'll third that, JAL are fantastic and really good value for money.

I just got back from a Europe trip a month ago using J on JAL and couldn't believe how good their service was, it was outstanding, and a great way to attain/retain QFF Gold Status in 1 return flight.

TG

 

[Carmilla5]

Dale/TravelGuy thanks for the info on JAL, honestly hadn't thought of them, but would love a trip to Japan. And having to pay a small fare to and from Sydney isn't a problem with that sort of price!
Thanks heaps
Carm :^)

 

[Travel Guru]

Dale/TravelGuy thanks for the info on JAL, honestly hadn't thought of them, but would love a trip to Japan. And having to pay a small fare to and from Sydney isn't a problem with that sort of price!
Thanks heaps
Carm :^)

Depending on where you're located, QF J domestic is generally included.

TG