Business Class - Would I notice the difference?

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Gold60

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Hi Folks,

As per an earlier post – I am thinking of doing at RTW through HKG>LHR>WASHINGTON>SFO> and then back to Brissie.

I was going to do this in Prem Econ mainly, with doing the non- P/E bits in Econ – like across the Atlantic and USA.

Was talking to my TA yesterday and she mentioned the Lufthansa Business RTW fare/option.

My question is – from the time I leave from front door to getting back to it – how many differences/improvements should I notice between Biz and P/Econ – obviously cattle class is even further back in the pack.

I have just joined QANTAS FF; only normally travel once a year to Tassie and back – just got back with Jetstar – 29” of pain. I may have an occasion trip to SE ASIA every now and then.

I flew to BKK two years ago with Thai in Econ – it was a big cramped for a TALL person – but wasn’t too bad though.

The $7K +/- doesn’t faze me if I have to pay full freight.

Just wondering what it might be like – would I notice much difference?

Thanks in advance,

Al
 
My thoughts with business, generally speaking
Priority security screening
Lounge Access
Luggage Allowance
More sleep on the plane......
 
thanks for this.

with baggage on Lufthansa, for example - it says 2 x 8KG bags. can this hopefully mean that you could take on 1 bag with 16 KG in it ? OR do you have to stay with 2 x *kg bags ?
 
Absolutely nothing wrong with PE or Y if budget doesn't stretch, but I would definitely take J class if the opportunity presented itself! Lots more room to move around, easier access to the aisle (usually), better menu options, fully flat beds (if not, angle flat), less people using the allocated toilets, lounge access, priority boarding, priority baggage, express immigration - the list goes on....

Having to pay full freight for a J flight is a little harder to swallow, I usually try to earn in Y or PE and spend in J. For such a long haul, I'd try to do some of the legs in J (ie HK-LHR) and maybe the shorter legs in either PE or Y. At the end of the day, it's the opportunity to travel that means more - regardless of the class flown.

:cool:
 
thanks for this.

with baggage on Lufthansa, for example - it says 2 x 8KG bags. can this hopefully mean that you could take on 1 bag with 16 KG in it ? OR do you have to stay with 2 x *kg bags ?

In my travels, it depends on the airline and any other travel methods you use, for example CX allows me to take 32kg bags, but the train in Canada only allows upto 23kg, even with a business ticket.

If the example is carry on, i think 8kg would be the maximum due to the storage bins limitations
 
You will definitely notice the difference, even from Y+ let alone Y. If you are happy to pay the money, do it.

For me it's the difference between travel being enjoyable or not.
 
Being tall and going Y or Y+ select bulkhead or exit seats.

J is a world away from Y, once smitten hard to go back.
 
The big thing you'll notice is the seat. The service is a little bit more personalized and I'm sure there are some people out there who can pick the difference between the PE service and the J service, but unless I've just always gotten excellent PE crews I couldn't really tell the difference, but the hard product is where it's at.
There is something so nice about simply pressing a button and ending up with a flat bed, even if you don't actually intend on sleeping.

Of course it's all the little bonuses which come with J, such as premium check in lines, lounge access, larger luggage allowances, priority boarding which means that the J experience starts well before you step foot near a plane.
 
How much was the Y/Y+ itinerary? The J seat is the big difference, most cases these days (certainly long haul) you won't have anyone reclining back on you, you can lie flat, probably have a bigger screen and also a range of sitting/sleeping positions.

My opinion - if it was a choice between say $2K for Y, $5K for Y+ or $7K for J - I wouldn't even consider Y+. It would be Y or J. If splurging $5K might as well splurge to $7K! If that extra $2k to go J was really a deal breaker, than perhaps finances are such (or your thriftiness is such) that better of saving the $3k for better hotels/activities at the destination. But if Y+ was only $3K then would probably prefer Y+ to either Y or J. Everyone has their price point I guess.
 
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I think that if the money isn't a dealbreaker for you, you should give it a try. I can almost guarantee that you won't regret it.

I've always liked travelling, but long-haul economy flying has been a necessary torture to get me where I want to go, and I expect to lose a day or two either side of the trip to recover from it. Last year I did my first Aus- Eur business redemption, and it was like a whole new world unfolding before my eyes. The priority line at the airport, the airport lounges, priority boarding, extra luggage that comes out first on the carousel, on board service, and above all the SEATS. Oh my god, the seats! Feel a little tired after your linen tableclothed three course meal with unlimited wine? Lay right down, and snuggle into your pillow and blankie (and maybe a few extra pillows and blankies) off to dreamland and get off the plane 12 hours later feeling rested and fresh, ready to explore. No more bodily pretzel contortions and pins and needles.

If you've never done business class before, watch out, it's very hard to go back to Y or Y+. At the very least seriously consider it for long haul and overnight flights. Flying J has shown me a joy in travelling where now I'm excited about the flight as well as the destination. It's the way air travel is supposed to be.


* I know that sounds stupid to those who travel business class all the time. But after 30+ years of only flying economy, business class truly is mana from heaven for me. The novelty has in no way worn off yet.
 
The extra price is worth it for just the amenities bag :)

Only problem I see is once you have been J you wont go back and then you only desire moving forward to F... i hate these first world problems.

J for all flights over 4 hours is my rule..so being in Perth that is basically all international flights
 
I am not sure how it would credit, but LH in J RTW may well get you close to *A SG, particularly with TK (or A3?). Whilst not much help domestically in AU, it would be a great benefit for any future SQ/TG flights to Asia.
 
Being tall and going Y or Y+ select bulkhead or exit seats.

J is a world away from Y, once smitten hard to go back.

How much was the Y/Y+ itinerary? The J seat is the big difference, most cases these days (certainly long haul) you won't have anyone reclining back on you, you can lie flat, probably have a bigger screen and also a range of sitting/sleeping positions.

My opinion - if it was a choice between say $2K for Y, $5K for Y+ or $7K for J - I wouldn't even consider Y+. It would be Y or J. If splurging $5K might as well splurge to $7K! If that extra $2k to go J was really a deal breaker, than perhaps finances are such (or your thriftiness is such) that better of saving the $3k for better hotels/activities at the destination. But if Y+ was only $3K then would probably prefer Y+ to either Y or J. Everyone has their price point I guess.

definite +1 to these points.

I think that if the money isn't a dealbreaker for you, you should give it a try. I can almost guarantee that you won't regret it.

<Snip>

* I know that sounds stupid to those who travel business class all the time. But after 30+ years of only flying economy, business class truly is mana from heaven for me. The novelty has in no way worn off yet.

don't think that sounds stupid at all, its sure is the case for me also!

We have done two trips (me MrsZim & SonZim) to USA on points. First in 2010 in Y second in 2013 in J. Now we have done J I am doing everything I can to keep us at the front of the plane. I like the luxury and perks simple as that. Any flight over about 5hrs I try to get is in J. Under 5 unless its not too much more ( maybe 30%) I would go for bulkhead row (cant do exit cause of KidZim)

be warned..once you do it you likely wont want to go back!! lets us know what you decide and what you think of it all.
 
Lufthansa do have some great fares; haven't done RTW with them, but a couple of SYD-(Asia)- FRA-other Europe and return which have been good value.

Much of their A380 fleet is still angled flat bed, but if you are coming from Y/PE then it'll still be a major step up. HKG service might be one of the upgraded birds.

Like others, I would definitely recommend it if you can. Lounges and priority queues a huge benefit when you are flying multiple sectors rather than 'one offs'.

By the way, get your TA to check for Finnair (AY) equivalent type fare to LH. Their J I think is a bit better than LH and they sometimes have equally good J fare bundles ex Australia. You'd fly via Helsinki, which IMHO is much better than flying via Frankfurt!! And its One World, which mean you'd earn on QFF.

if you choose LH, then I suggest you shop around for which Star Alliance FF scheme you join. United might be a good choice, but I can't remember if they have a minimum numbers of sectors on UA, or minimum $ spend on UA for you to keep your points.
 
You'll definitely notice the difference but I for one probably would not think it's worth the money if I was paying full freight. Fortunately due to AFF I never do!
 
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It is certainly true that once J is tried, it is hard to go back. But for international, long haul flights, the ability to have a decent sleep makes so much difference that it cannot be underestimated.
 
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