Advice mixed class to Europe

[JRAPQQ]

JAL used to have good fares via NRT, including buddy fares - I went Business Class SYD-NRT-LHR (this was Business Class service in the First Class cabin for NRT-LHR-NRT) and two PSGRS for the price of one. But you still have to suffer one of the world's nastiest airports - LHR. Why not see if you can enter the UK via EDI - I did that via FCO & FRA, landed at EDI and was through CIQ and in a car to the hotel within 15 minutes of landing - had a day there, and then went by train to LON. I left via LHR which reinforced how easy it was using EDI.

Noting your comments about being new:-
NRT = Tokyo Narita Airport
LHR = London Heathrow
FCO = Rome Fumicino
FRA = Frankfurt-am-Main
EDI = Edinburgh
CIQ = Customs, Immigration and Quarantine

 

[mrsmith]

We flew mixed fare from Brisbane to Copenhagen via SAS and were very impressed their business class service was excellent.

BNE - TOKYO was JAL Economy (small seats but ok)
TOKYO - COPENHAGE - SAS Business class

Prices were good

Cheers
Tom

 

[markis10]

Wow, a lot of first posts here, a big welcome to


fernpittman
FJS
JRAPQQ
and mrsmith!

Its good to have a range of inputs and experience

 

[dajop]

If you don't mind separate tickets and on overnight stopover (to manage risk of misconnects), various Asian cities have business class specials from time to time, usually on Qatar Thai Airways or Cathay Pacific (sometimes also on Emirates, Malaysian and Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines, Finnair and Royal Jordanian are others worth considering). It takes some time to check (via each airline website), but a quick way is use www.asiatravel.com or Your Online Travel Agency - Cheap Travel Deals - ZUJI - Singapore / Your Online Travel Agency - Cheap Travel Deals - Zuji - Hong Kong.

The Asian cities with specials most often are Ho Chi Minh City, Taipei, Manila, Bangkok & Kuala Lumpur. Now that the GFC has passed its peak, Singapore and Hong Kong tend to be more expensive, and for some reason Jakarta almost never has cheap business class fares (at least when I've looked).

Good luck, hope you find something that works for you.

 

[martinhayman]

Best price is often emirates, but I was disappointed with the seats and I hate Dubai. Still, price/value is reasonable.
I would advise you: check whether you can upgrade the short leg on the way back once you arrive in Europe. Sometimes just flying there mixed class gives you enough points. I did. Next time I would just pay j the whole way though, it's worth it if you can.

The problem is that Emirates currently do not serve Geneva

 

[Dave Noble]

The problem is that Emirates currently do not serve Geneva

Geneva and Zurich are not too distant apart and EK does serve ZRH

 

[christinam]

Gosh, so many helpful people on here - thank you all so much!

@Mark, the link to the Finnair thread you posted was most helpful, thank you!

@Dave, thanks for the flight info, will check that out

Christina

 

[straitman]

Wow, a lot of first posts here, a big welcome to


fernpittman
FJS
JRAPQQ
and mrsmith!

Its good to have a range of inputs and experience

Welcome to
fernpittman,
FJS,
JRAPQQ,
mrsmith and
martinhayman from me also!

That is the first time I've had to do a mass welcome.

 

[docjames]

Welcome to
fernpittman,
FJS,
JRAPQQ,
mrsmith and
martinhayman from me also!

That is the first time I've had to do a mass welcome.

Welcome all.

Mixed class fares must be rising in popularity to draw out all these new members!

 

[PineappleSkip]

Please keep up the advice, I watch closely and live in hope. Mrs P and I have decided when paying we are Y tolerant to Asia but not beyond.

My dream mixed class fare would be QF Y to HKG, CX J to Europe. Haven't seen it yet but one can dream...

cheers skip

 

[ozmille]

Wondering what the Finnair flights are like, as they are cheaper, plus I'll get some QFF points, as they are a OneWorld partner. I don't mind too much about the food and entertainment, as long as I'm able to get some shut eye on the flight.

Christina

I was pleasantly surprised with Finnair. I have had both the fully flat and the angled seats on them and was able to sleep perfectly for about 9hrs each way.

 

[johnny28]

From PER: the 345 service has the old seats and the 777 service has the lie flat seats
From BNE: the 345 service has the old seats and the 777 service has the lie flat seats

Hello Dave,
Regarding the replacement of the A340 with the 777 from Perth in November, which version of the 777 will that be ?? and where do you find that info.

I'm also interested in when the A380 might be introduced to the DBX to BHX route.
I believe it will be on the Manchester run from the 1st Sept.

Thanks in advance
John

 

[NM]

Hello Dave,
Regarding the replacement of the A340 with the 777 from Perth in November, which version of the 777 will that be ?? and where do you find that info.

According to ExpertFlyer, during November the Perth morning departure will be 777-300ER and the evening departure will be 777-200LR. And as of December, both flights will be 777-200LR.

 

[parksie]

Hi there,

Here is my opinion.

Fly to HK with qantas or CX as cheap as you can.

Then pick up Royal Jordanian in Hong Kong to Geneva or Zurich.

The price for J is around HK$20,000 which subject to the exchange rate is around $2,900.00.

In MHO you cant do much better than that!

 

[PineappleSkip]

Do you have to front up in Hong Kong with your credit card to pay for your ex HKG booking?

this seems to be a common requirement for bookings out of HKG.

Cheers skip

 

[parksie]

Not to my knowledge.

I am sure you can book and pay over the internet.

The security code that you input will suffice as proof of ownership of your credit card.

FYI, I will be making this booking myself soon as I am heading to Zurich via Amman.