Requesting Advice Regarding Business Class Pricing

[hsimah]

G'Day,

As title suggest - requesting some information regarding business class and pricing.

I am aiming for travels to the USA next year; June/July, Approx. 30 days.

Hoping I can fly direct out of Brisbane to Los Angeles however fares seem in excessive of $5,000 direct - I do not want connecting flights.

However fares from Sydney to Los Angeles direct appear to be as low as $4,489 with United Airlines on a Dreamliner 787 - I am happy to fly down to Sydney. ($4,696 American Airlines, $4,777 Delta, and $4,884 Virgin Australia).

I am aware United Airlines are rolling out United Polaris and American Airlines are upgrading Business Class.

Am I best off waiting until last minute? What would you all suggest?

Thanking you all in advance

 

[opusman]

$5K return in J to the USA is not all that bad a price, imo.

 

[hsimah]

Are they likely to go down further?

Should I pounce on the $4,489 offer with UA?

 

[RooFlyer]

Is that return or one-way? If return, do it ... right now ...

Oh, and welcome to AFF

 

[hsimah]

Return

I was tracking return prices on VA out of Brisbane at $4,800 and QF at $4,480 but both went up to almost $6,000 in a matter of weeks.

Don't know if they are likely to come back down?

Thanks! Seems like a fun and informative community.

 

[RooFlyer]

Assuming you can fix your dates with some certainty, then I would grab those prices. However if you have to change dates later on then the fees and any fare-bucket difference may be steep.

Anytime you can get to the USA for under $5K in business is a good deal, I reckon.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Given the limited number of business seats on offer, I would not delay booking if you have set dates in mind.

 

[hsimah]

Out of UA, AA, DA, and VA which do you recommend?

As much as I love Qantas - very old aircraft...

 

[AviationNZ]

Air NZ have had J class return for as low as around $4k lately and the same scenario being one-stop with a transit in AKL instead of SYD.

 

[hsimah]

Air NZ have had J class return for as low as around $4k lately and the same scenario being one-stop with a transit in AKL instead of SYD.

Currently $4,667 out of Brisbane.

Flight time is approx. the same as flying BNE-SYD-LAX.

Perhaps Air New Zealand is a better choice?

 

[RooFlyer]

Haven't flown Air NZ long haul but they don't get very positive reviews.

Have a look at the seat maps either on the airline's web sites or on Seat Guru and have a look at the configurations. Some airlines do pack the J seats in a bit. That would be an important consideration for me, within a price band.

 

[dajop]

Haven't flown Air NZ long haul but they don't get very positive reviews.

Most of the reviews of Business Class tend to be fairly positive. Economy reviews are pretty bad. They have the herringbone design seats which aren't the best seats any more , at least everyone has aisle access.

 

[hsimah]

American Airlines seem to have the widest seat at 26.

Virgin Australia 23.

Followed by United Airlines and Air New Zealand both at 22.

 

[AviationNZ]

Currently $4,667 out of Brisbane.

Flight time is approx. the same as flying BNE-SYD-LAX.

Perhaps Air New Zealand is a better choice?

Haven't flown DL or AA in J class, but I personally prefer the Air NZ J seat to VA and QF as it is a better sleeping product (and their long haul flight is overnight).

Naturally everyone has their own opinions and preferences on soft product, but I think their hard product is better than the others for that reason alone. What can I say...I like my sleep!

 

[AviationNZ]

American Airlines seem to have the widest seat at 26.

Virgin Australia 23.

Followed by United Airlines and Air New Zealand both at 22.

While in bed mode, the Air NZ one is 33"

 

[NZflygirl]

NZ also have a very good bed. A good flight for me is going to sleep and waking up when I'm there.

They don't advertise dine on demand but if when they are taking orders just tell them what you want but that you'd like it later when you wake up, they will do that for you. I don't think you can do it later if they've already started heating up the meal.

They've also introduced some new wines in BP to rotate every 2 months. But if you love your Aussie reds then that won't matter.

Anyway, for me it's the wallet/purse that has the last say! (Generally....)

 

[trooper]

The thick mattress on NZ makes it a much better bed.....and at these prices....

 

[RooFlyer]

I stand corrected on Air NZ J Thanks!

 

[Snoopydoo]

Air Canada is doing J flights for $5500 if you have flexibility with your dates and can push your trip out to Aug.

 

[Mattg]

VA recently upgraded their long-haul Business class. It's now a very good product, and Business includes an on-board bar! That would probably be my pick over the 3 US carriers - for both hard product and service.