Best All -Round Airline For Business Class?

[trooper]

I've been a *A guy for years... but just recently flew LHR-PHX in J on BA's 747... Had 60A which is the front row rear facing seat on the UD. Loved it! Facing backwards is only noticeable on takeoff and landing anyway.... privacy screen between the seats produces a very "personal suite" environment. As a bed I found it softer hence more comfortable than some other flat beds I've flown in....so much so that I definitely plan to fly them again...

Don't write off BA is what I'm saying....

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

I've been a *A guy for years... but just recently flew LHR-PHX in J on BA's 747... Had 60A which is the front row rear facing seat on the UD. Loved it! Facing backwards is only noticeable on takeoff and landing anyway.... privacy screen between the seats produces a very "personal suite" environment. As a bed I found it softer hence more comfortable than some other flat beds I've flown in....so much so that I definitely plan to fly them again...

Don't write off BA is what I'm saying....

Their A380 product, while only an evolution not revolution, will be the one to watch, combined with reasonably priced J fares, could be a comfortable way to the mother country from later this year...

 

[Paddy55]

I've been a *A guy for years... but just recently flew LHR-PHX in J on BA's 747... Had 60A which is the front row rear facing seat on the UD. Loved it! Facing backwards is only noticeable on takeoff and landing anyway.... privacy screen between the seats produces a very "personal suite" environment. As a bed I found it softer hence more comfortable than some other flat beds I've flown in....so much so that I definitely plan to fly them again...

Don't write off BA is what I'm saying....

Finally travelling BA J next month BOS-LHR and looking forward to trying their seats... now I wish I could reserve one easily and for no cost :evil:

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Finally travelling BA J next month BOS-LHR and looking forward to trying their seats... now I wish I could reserve one easily and for no cost :evil:

By reserve do you mean pre-select? What is your OW status? (Can't see your details on the mobile app)

 

[trentusjuventus]

I'm another vote for CX J. While many people do not rate the older coffin style, it is still very much bearable and I have managed to sleep for almost an entire BNE-HKG leg (last time I flew BNE-HKG they still had the older coffins btw). Also worth noting is that CX has 3 J lounges to choose from in HK, so should you choose (or be required to) have a bit of a long layover there, the time will be easily and comfortably passed, not to mention the general efficiency of HKIA.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Ek a380 product by a long shot

In flight Internet. ..networking bar...perfect

 

[bnebased]

If you are interested in price ex BNE the best option is probably Eva (BR). Connections can be poor in TPE, but BR gave us STPC when we had a poor connection to JFK. Two days a week they have good connections both ways BNE-LHR. Seats BNE-TPE are fair; from 25 July they have Royal Laurel seats TPE-LHR which are pretty good. Price as little as a bit less than 5K, including taxes. Great value for money and quite comfortable in my view.

 

[Paddy55]

By reserve do you mean pre-select? What is your OW status? (Can't see your details on the mobile app)

Sorry, taken a while to respond. I'm OWE. Should I be able to reserve my seat? QF don't seem to think so :evil:

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Sorry, taken a while to respond. I'm OWE. Should I be able to reserve my seat? QF don't seem to think so :evil:

Presumably your QFF number is in the booking and you have tried both QF and BA websites?

 

[Heleigh]

Sorry, taken a while to respond. I'm OWE. Should I be able to reserve my seat? QF don't seem to think so :evil:

Paddy55 try doing via BA wed site use your QF booking No. this is what I do when booking RTW

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Paddy55 try doing via BA wed site use your QF booking No. this is what I do when booking RTW

+1

As BA use Amadeus res system too, you can technically bang in any QF booking ref you like.

I used it the other day to add my QFF number to a gift voucher so I could track it in my QFF profile. Worked a treat!

 

[mikejr]

QF but on the 380 is nice, heard good reports from a close friend about SQ and CX

Did SYD-LHR on BA J at Christmas and would not do it again - yes we were upstairs, but the seats are old, uncomfortable and nowhere near as nice as QF 380 - and don't get me started on the food and service, poor to say the least...

i would recommend you plan some rough dates and then wait for the sales, be a bit flexible and you should find a J fare on a quality airline for about $7-8k

 

[BorisWood]

We have flown J class with JAL for 12 years and they are the best value provided you have some time. You fly SYD-NRT during the day and then to LHR, CDG etc the next day after a free night with dinner and breakfast at Hotel Nikko Narita. On the way home we stay in Japan for a week or two. The fare to LHR is about A$6,100 return. If you fly from MEL as we do, it takes an extra day but you get a free night at the Stamford in Sydney. The food and service on JAL are excellent but the seats from SYD-NRT are not as good as some. The new seats from NRT to LHR are excellent. As JAL are part of Oneworld we get QF miles and status credits although at a lesser rate after the recent changes. As a footnote, Narita is the cheapest airport for alcohol and perfume we have found - Bombay Sapphire Gin 1l for 2,200 yen which is A$25. Never less than A$30 anywhere we have seen elsewhere.

Over the years we have flown with JAL to LAX, ORD, YVR, PEK, FCO, CDG and LHR and loved each trip, especially the price in J.

Boris

 

[Isochronous]

We have flown J class with JAL for 12 years and they are the best value provided you have some time. You fly SYD-NRT during the day and then to LHR, CDG etc the next day after a free night with dinner and breakfast at Hotel Nikko Narita. On the way home we stay in Japan for a week or two. The fare to LHR is about A$6,100 return. If you fly from MEL as we do, it takes an extra day but you get a free night at the Stamford in Sydney. The food and service on JAL are excellent but the seats from SYD-NRT are not as good as some. The new seats from NRT to LHR are excellent. As JAL are part of Oneworld we get QF miles and status credits although at a lesser rate after the recent changes. As a footnote, Narita is the cheapest airport for alcohol and perfume we have found - Bombay Sapphire Gin 1l for 2,200 yen which is A$25. Never less than A$30 anywhere we have seen elsewhere.

Over the years we have flown with JAL to LAX, ORD, YVR, PEK, FCO, CDG and LHR and loved each trip, especially the price in J.

Boris

How does the hotel room work - do you book the fare on the JAL website and it automatically gives you the prompt about the hotel, or do you call? Or do you just book the whole thing via an agent?

 

[BorisWood]

How does the hotel room work - do you book the fare on the JAL website and it automatically gives you the prompt about the hotel, or do you call? Or do you just book the whole thing via an agent?

In theory, the hotel room is automatically booked as part of your booking. However, we always book through our travel agent who checks directly with JAL that rooms are booked. This is more important if you are staying in Sydney on the way as you get a reservation number for the Stamford Plaza. In Narita, your e-ticket is enough to check in although, twice, several years ago, we had minor problems as our names didn't come up on their system. It was sorted out on the spot after a small delay. Also, the cheap fares don't always appear on their web site so the agent can deal directly with JAL. We don't get charged a fee and we are able to pay with Visa without a surcharge.

 

[knasty]

Boris how have you found the food selection on JAL? I've got several J flights with them in the next few weeks and i love Japanese food - just want to make sure they don't have issues and want to push western food on me (unless it's Western/japanese fusion....)

 

[Boris spatsky]

Boris how have you found the food selection on JAL? I've got several J flights with them in the next few weeks and i love Japanese food - just want to make sure they don't have issues and want to push western food on me (unless it's Western/japanese fusion....)

They have both Japanese and Western options. I love Japanese and everytime went for it - never touched the Western options. The Japanese food is excellent. And the sake menu is long and inviting (hic)...

 

[BorisWood]

There must be 2 Boris's! We have also found the food to be very good. However, on several occasions one of us (me and my wife) has been asked to change to the western food selection as too many have asked for Japanese. There are only ever 2 sakes on the list but they are very good (junmai daigingo or daigingo for those who know about sake). Liz loves their umeshu (plum wine).
We have flown on about 50 flights over 12 trips with JAL in J and have been asked to change on about 6 occasions. If you are travelling alone, they probably won't ask you to change if they sell out of the Japanese selection.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Sorry, thought he meant me and my JAL J trips mentioned on another thread!

I must be thinking of the F Lounge Sake list in NRT

 

[knasty]

Happy to hear from as many Boris's as are willing to comment.