MEL-DUB in J - trying to find the best overall experience and increase status

[largestgasman]

Hi There.

I am looking for some general advice on folks' preferences for a business trip to Dublin in November (9th - 15th).

I am heading for a conference in Dublin and will only be staying for 5 nights. My work will be paying for flights so any reasonably priced, fairly direct routing will be accepted for reimbursement. The absolute cheapest option is not needed and pricing isn't part of my question. My travel agent will sort the price out. I couldn't find too many threads referencing Dublin fares.m

My research suggests three main options: EY, QF (on QF or EK metal) or EK.

My requirements are for a comfortable experience where I can sleep (especially on the long leg on the way back as I will be back at work shortly afterwards), ideally a mid afternoon arrival to dublin and not too late a departure at then end of the trip. I would like to get some advantages from the FF points/status if possible. I want to avoid going through LHR.

I have no status of note with any airline but am a member of all three airlines' schemes.
I have the most invested in QF with 80,000 points.

You may recognise me form this thread: Hybrid Family Trip: 1 Passenger in F, 3 in Y (sorry, not allowed to link yet)

I am travelling with my family to London in Sept/October. I am flying F and the folks are travelling Y. We won't get into that eh?
My QF flight over is an award flight so no points there but my family are paying for Y so more points coming in.
On the return I am flying EY F and they are in Y again so we will be pooling points in the EY scheme - I have nominated to put them into my Virgin account.
We are also travelling to Cairns as a family in September and all flights are on QF.

By my figuring I would be around 100 SC from Gold if I went ticketed by QF. There is a possibility of a business class trip to SF in May 2016 which would might put me over.

My F from LHR to MEL would accrue some EY points but I am not sure if that flight plus a J flight to DUB return would lend me an advantage at all over maximising my QFF points.

The other major consideration is the general level of comfort on the flight with 180 degree lay flats v angles, direct aisle access and A380 v 777 etc.

I am tempted to book emirates metal with a QF ticket to get points and status but am not sure if that is best. The non-lay flat for the second leg to dublin put me off a bit.

Thats a whole lot of info so thanks for anyone who manages to work through it all without their eyes glazing over.

If anyone has thoughts about the best product for that route and what influence my points/status options should make to the decision I would be very grateful.

Cheers

 

[largestgasman]

Hi.
No interest? too many questions? even i got confused writing it.

Could I pare it down and ask anyone who has flown to Dublin which of Emirates, Etihad or Qantas via LHR in Business would be best for overall comfort/service and sleepability? Not sure that's a word but, hey.

The lack of lay flats and aisle access on some of the options are things I am a little concerned about.


Would appreciate any help.

j

 

[Pushka]

Our business partner is Irish and she loves the direct Melb - Dubai - Dublin service. She has QFF membership only.

 

[kpc]

We recently flew to Dub from Syd on QF (and Ba) in J...the transit through Lhr is best avoided if possible. On the return, +1 flew EY J Dub-Auh-Syd whereas I came back Dub-Lhr-Dxb-Syd on Ba / Qf..the latter in F...if you can, I personally would avoid Lhr. +1 felt the seat in Ey and Qf in J were similar but the food slightly better in Ey...edit...just saw her pictures of EY J...they have a semi shell around seat so more privacy...presentation of food on Ey also looks much better than Qf (J)..ps the bed in QF F was very good!

 

[largestgasman]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Pushka - your business partner using EK..was the angled lay flat on the DBX - DUB leg an issue at all? I guess for the shorter, day time leg not a real problem? Its 180 degrees all the way on EY I think.

kpc - any chance of seeing some of the pics of the EY J experience?

J

 

[Pushka]

Lets face it, angle flat is not flat. It is fine for me but others don't like it so much. We have no choice out of Adelaide though.

 

[kpc]

kpc - any chance of seeing some of the pics of the EY J experience?

J

courtesy of +1 (I was travelling on QF)

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[kpc]

...and the meals in EY J

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[largestgasman]

Nice pictures thanks. Doesn't look too shabby in there.

Does anyone have any thoughts on comparison between EK and EY? From my readings it seems they are roughly comparable but perhaps, as EY is a bit of an upstart, they are trying a bit harder with customer service?

I read somewhere that EY is restricting the limo service on cheaper business class fares so I would need to be careful there.

I am tempted to fly EK (on a QF ticket) to grab status and points (seeing that I mostly fly qantas the remainder of the time) even though it may not be the nicest option - is that dumb?. On the other hand with my LHR-SYD EY first class ticket in October and then a MEL-DUB return in Business in Nov I would most likely get Gold status in their program. Unfortunately not sure I would then be able to take advantage of it. Hmmm.

 

[AviationNZ]

Does anyone have any thoughts on comparison between EK and EY? From my readings it seems they are roughly comparable but perhaps, as EY is a bit of an upstart, they are trying a bit harder with customer service?

With EK, it really depends on the aircraft type as their product differs quite a bit. For example, as far as I'm aware, the A380 is the only J class with direct aisle access, where as all other plans are 2-3-2 or 2-2-2. EY on the other hand have consistency with everything being the much more preferred 1-2-1. Both are known for great service, but personally I prefer EY's hard and soft product.

 

[largestgasman]

Thanks for the replies that is really helpful. I was worried about the lack of aisle access on the DXB - DUB leg with EK. - I think I am edging towards EY.

A final question
I am currently pooling family points in both the EY and Virgin FF schemes and have nominated our upcoming flights (3 x discount econ LHR to MEL, 1 x first (sale fare) LHR to SYD and 1 x Business LHR -DUB) to go to our Virgin account assuming I would be more likely to make use of the points.

I am finding it a little difficult to be sure but I think I would sneak gold in either scheme with those flights - do you think I would be better getting that in Virgin or Etihad's scheme and can anyone confirm my calculations?

Cheers

J