MEL to Europe in July

[Cruiser Elite]

Wifey and I are planning 3 weeks in Europ in July - maybe 1 week Greek Isles and 2 weeks Italy.

Just looking for some input from all you learned people as to which airline may offer the BEST biz class product for the flights.

YES I know we all have different interpretations of BEST - I was thinking along these lines:

1. Fully lay flat bed.

2. Quality wines and food.

3. Seat design that will allow best interaction between 2 accompanying passengers.

I have flown SQ 380 / 777 a number of times - but kinda feel each seat is a bit isolated. Certainly not interested in the herringbone type seat layouts - your thoughts please posters?

 

[serfty]

You may like to try Emirates for a flat business seat/bed.

 

[browski]

Well since Qatar Airways has been widely acknowledged as having the best J product, then I guess you have found your answer - especially fortunate that you are MEL based.

2010 AIRLINE WINNERS - the Passenger's Choice awards

Airline of the Year
WINNER: Asiana Airlines

Best Economy Class
WINNER: Malaysia Airlines

Best Premium Economy Class
WINNER: Qantas

Best Business Class
WINNER: Qatar Airways

Best First Class
WINNER: Etihad Airways

Best Regional Airline
WINNER: Dragonair

Best Cabin Staff
WINNER: Singapore Airlines

Best Inflight Entertainment
WINNER: Emirates

 

[Dalescott]

You may like to try Emirates for a flat business seat/bed.

Hi,
EK flights out of Mel, in J, are not lie flat bed. They are at a slight angle, and are not comfortable. I know this for a fact, as I fly with them every year. I have also noticed that their service levels had slipped over the years.
We are now looking to fly with SAS, or TK, we may even consider one of the Chinese airlines just for a change.

 

[serfty]

Oops, I should have indicated on the 388 via SYD.

 

[Dalescott]

Can I add, that the EK planes out of Mel, are getting a bit long in the Tooth. Even the EK rep admits it. EK wants to use 380's on the Mel route, but the Asian, and US markets are more important to them, than the Australian/NZ market. Also they no long offer value for money, like they use to. Just look at the mixed class fare, that has gone up by 5%, these were quite popular, with the baby boomer market. But with the entry of the Chinese player, and the players like SAS/TK, and the Skyteam network in general. There is now competition for the Middle eastern airlines, which are now now seen as being upmarket. Just look at Qatar, and Etihad which are winning the Skytraks awards. As far as I am concerned all the middle eastern airlines, are now expensive, when you compare them to the CSA, and SAS/TK airlines of the aviation market.
It all depends on whether you see the flight as part of the adventure, or just another boring trip.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

It all depends on whether you see the flight as part of the adventure, or just another boring trip.

Yes this is the whole crux of the matter - the flights will be an important part of the adventure.

I am not looking for discounted prices - rather the BEST experience we can get.

I fly MEL-SIN 8 to 10 times each year in J on SQ - may even go SQ to Europe - Westpac Sing Air AMEX gets me double points and wifey has not flown 380 or 777 before - but I just thought if indeed there is a superior product out there we might as well experience it.

Thanks again for everybody's input.

 

[docjames]

The problem is defining "Best". You could choose one of a number of airlines and have an experience that is "best". But any of them could let you down equally.

QF on the 380 would range from fantastic to awful.
SQ is often considered one of the best, but some here dont like the "style" of service.
EK used to win plaudits, but as you see the product ex-MEL is older now and as mentioned service varies.
Gulf has been mentioned. I believe their lounge(s) in the middle east are considered close to the best in the world (QF F SYD/MEL inclusive).

Then factor in many other options, departure times, final destination(s) - does one stop matter, or are you happy to transit LHR/FRA/CDG/etc? And all of this is before we get to price!

It's going to be a hard call to define one as best. Perhaps clarify exactly which aspects are (in order of) important (importance) and we'll get closer to adjudging "best". For your preferences. For this trip. And even then, get a dud crew and it'll not be the "best" anyway.:-|

 

[Cruiser Elite]

The problem is defining "Best"........It's going to be a hard call to define one as best. Perhaps clarify exactly which aspects are (in order of) important (importance) and we'll get closer to adjudging "best". For your preferences. For this trip. And even then, get a dud crew and it'll not be the "best" anyway.:-|

Thank you docjames for your rely - this is what I put in original post:

YES I know we all have different interpretations of BEST - I was thinking along these lines:

1. Fully lay flat bed.

2. Quality wines and food.

3. Seat design that will allow best interaction between 2 accompanying passengers.

As I said - I have flown SQ 380 / 777 a number of times - whilst the bed is very wide it is so hard - i find it rather uncomfortable to try to sit upright or reclining and look straight forward at TV sceen whilst I having to stretch legs forward on an angle rather than straight out - but apart from that I cannot fault the SQ product.

I also find their wine and food to be totally acceptable.

But I think the interaction between 2 accompanying passengers is going to be a bit limited due to centre 2 seat design.

Lounge not that high on my list - one stop flight almost a must - connections ith SQ look fabulous - ie only 1 to 2 hours in Sing.

Am I making sense - or am I just making a greater case for just sticking with SQ?

Personally I have NEVER had less than fabulous service in J with SQ - maybe 50 flights.

 

[docjames]

It sounds like you may be answering your own question. :shock:

It sounds like the SQ product suits you, and whilst not 100% here will agree it's "the best"(whilst others probably will!), most will argree they are very good. The one stop ability into much of Europe trumps QF but the product is good(on the 380), BA still only 777/747 (new interiors not fully rolled out yet), on CX most dont like the "coffins" - again that's YMMV.

Unless you want to "take a chance" on one of the others, it sounds like SQ is the carrier that meets your needs.

IMO you certainly wont be missing much by choosing SQ, and risk disappointment if the carrier you choose doesnt live up to SQ's (high) standards. There are plently of others "worth a shot", but none that are significantly better than SQ (again, IMO).

I'd wonder if the QF 380 is the "hard" product you're after (lie flat, able to converse, quality wines and food), but not the one stop ability.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

It sounds like you may be answering your own question. :shock:

Thanks doc - you are a leg-end.

Yes I figured I was answering my own question - I am a bit of an SQ devotee but I just wondered if there was a superior product I would like to try once.

Wifey and I did MEL-SIN-NRT-LAX in March on points with SQ - again we made this an 'adventure' rather than a flight. Overnighted in SIN and stayed at Raffles - many would question my sanity by taking this long route but was on Saver Awards - 132,400 points ea I think - just loved it.

Have not been able to get Saver Awards to confirm to Europe - so am happy to pay this time - SQ looking around $7,500 or so so it aint cheap - hence the request.