For BMs that fly Business Class ..

[Trip]

10 hours ago, Stillearly said:

I thought this was a good video , ranking Business Class offerings 

Here are his final rankings 

 

Surprising to see ANA ranked so highly

[karon steve]

On 10/19/2024 at 8:08 AM, Derek Dangleberries said:

Me too!!.. Unfortunately, even after telling myself not to do it before hand, after the first few rounds of drinks I always end up speaking Mandarin to the Thai girls and Thai to the Taiwanese girls ... When I get really going it is Isaan Kmer to them all (as they politely guide me back to my seat helping me with more wine!)!!!

Good man. Keep up the good work.

[Butch]

Great post @Toy Boy, Oman air seem to be getting a great reputation in recent times. They remind me a bit of the now defunct Kingfisher Airlines, good product at a very attractive price point.

I've flown EVA BC before, it was a great product. My first BC trip was upstairs on one of the 747-400 Combi's where the First Class was just ahead of the BC cabin. There wasn't much to choose between the two back then.

BC fares have gone mad since Covid and have not reduced to pre covid levels, and probably won't either. I would have even money a BC fare today isn't that far off what First Class was back then. I remember Cathay was coming in at £5k pp for first class LHR-HKG-MNL Pre covid whereas BC was just over £2k (depending on date of travel).

[Stillearly]

Not good news for BA frequent flyers .... I will get Silver Status in March and have two more trips booked with BA , but after that will probably look elsewhere , unless the price is the lowest ..

 

https://www.headforpoints.com/2024/12/30/british-airways-club-revenue-based-status/

[Stillearly]

https://www.britishairways.com/content/executive-club/faqs/introducing-the-british-airways-club

[Jambo]

I absolutely hate this topic and would love to see it disappear, never ever to return.

Nothing personal, but I hate all who make contributions.

Am I jealous of all who fly Business Class?

Too fucking right!

My most recent round trip in cattle class was the worst, most uncomfortable and protracted ever, or at least seemed that way.

Before flying, I seriously considered upgrading my flights to Business class only to find that was going to cost me an ADDITIONAL £5,000+ with Qatar Airways. That was more than I spent in my whole month in Thailand.

I could have paid the £5,000.

What I couldn't do was justify to myself paying an additional £5,000 just for two flights. Surely, I said to myself, you can put up with a couple of somewhat less comfortable seats for 14 hours each way and save the £5,000?

When the guy sitting next to me on the first flight got out his sick bag before we even took off, I absolutely knew I should have paid the 5 grand. I have regretted the decision ever since.

I still hate you all. 🤣

 

[Yesitisdakid]

I fly Business ......................well the plane i fly in has a Business class so almost the same thing 

[maipenrai]

On 10/20/2024 at 4:14 AM, Butch said:

Great post @Toy Boy, Oman air seem to be getting a great reputation in recent times. They remind me a bit of the now defunct Kingfisher Airlines, good product at a very attractive price point.

I've flown EVA BC before, it was a great product. My first BC trip was upstairs on one of the 747-400 Combi's where the First Class was just ahead of the BC cabin. There wasn't much to choose between the two back then.

BC fares have gone mad since Covid and have not reduced to pre covid levels, and probably won't either. I would have even money a BC fare today isn't that far off what First Class was back then. I remember Cathay was coming in at £5k pp for first class LHR-HKG-MNL Pre covid whereas BC was just over £2k (depending on date of travel).

I've been flying EVA PE for many years and have been able to upgrade to their BC a couple of times, also had two points flights in BC as well which were lovely and the one I remember the most was when they had BC in the upper level of the 747 - it was so quiet up there it was like being in the space shuttle. I was seated in the last row and was the first down the stairs and off the whole plane as well after we landed, something I doubt will ever happen again. 

[forcebwithu]

4 hours ago, maipenrai said:

I've been flying EVA PE for many years and have been able to upgrade to their BC a couple of times, also had two points flights in BC as well which were lovely and the one I remember the most was when they had BC in the upper level of the 747 - it was so quiet up there it was like being in the space shuttle. I was seated in the last row and was the first down the stairs and off the whole plane as well after we landed, something I doubt will ever happen again. 

While Delta still had the 747's in their fleet I would always book my flights so the hop over the pacific was on one. While the upper deck on a 747 wasn't as quiet as on the A380, it did feel like you were sharing the 747 with only a handful of other customers.

Since I'm not going to be able to spend my money when I go up in smoke, I'm going to enjoy spending it on the things that make me comfortable while I'm still in this dimension.

[Toy Boy]

9 hours ago, Jambo said:

What I couldn't do was justify to myself paying an additional £5,000 just for two flights. Surely, I said to myself, you can put up with a couple of somewhat less comfortable seats for 14 hours each way and save the £5,000?

About a decade ago, before my pensions started rolling and and when money was far more of an issue for me than it is today, my drinking buddy suddenly decided to take a BC flight with Qatar. I was amazed, as his nickname was Rob Longpockets, he never seemed to be able to reach his wallet to pay for anything, so how did he suddenly find thousands of pounds to fly BC? After listening to him regale me day after day about the fabulous service, the spacious seats and the Krug champagne, I decided that I'd try it as a one-off for my next BKK-LHR-BKK flight. That was my first BC flight with Oman in a 787, and I absolutely loved it, there was no going back for me.

Of course, BC fares back then were lower than they are today, but I worked on two round trips a year costing about three grand each. That was about £2,500 for the flight and about £500 for the taxi to and from Heathrow as my gaff is in the Welsh boondocks and public transport was almost as bad back then as it is today. I might be willing to put up with the Railair link and First Great Western if I'd just spent 13 hours in economy, but it would ruin the whole business class experience. So say a total of £6,000 a year, without much income it was going to take a bite out of my savings, but so what, you can't take it with you, and flying in business is one way of spending it on yourself and really enjoying it.

The odd thing is that I never really noticed the extra spending making a big hole in my bank account, and a few years later my pensions started to trickle in gradually and financially things became much less of a problem. Since 2015, I've flown nothing but BC, with Oman, Finnair, Qatar and EVA, and I've enjoyed them all. If you can afford the money but feel that it's difficult to justify the expenditure, I'd suggest not even trying, just book the BC flights and see if you get hooked like I did. I still regard it as some of the best money I spend, and your story about your neighbour in cattle class and his sick bag brings back so many bad memories of the unspeakable horrors lurking in the cramped cabin behind the business class curtain! lol 

[Derek Dangleberries]

16 hours ago, Jambo said:

My most recent round trip in cattle class was the worst, most uncomfortable and protracted ever, or at least seemed that way.

The first Noble truth is that Flying is suffering!

16 hours ago, Jambo said:

When the guy sitting next to me on the first flight got out his sick bag before we even took off,

Vomiting is the truth of the cause of your suffering.

16 hours ago, Jambo said:

I could have paid the £5,000.

5,000 quid was the truth of the end of the suffering.

16 hours ago, Jambo said:

I seriously considered upgrading my flights to Business class

The true path that leads to the end of the suffering is to turn left on entering  !

[Butch]

On 12/30/2024 at 5:55 PM, Jambo said:

I absolutely hate this topic and would love to see it disappear, never ever to return.

Nothing personal, but I hate all who make contributions.

Am I jealous of all who fly Business Class?

Too fucking right!

My most recent round trip in cattle class was the worst, most uncomfortable and protracted ever, or at least seemed that way.

Before flying, I seriously considered upgrading my flights to Business class only to find that was going to cost me an ADDITIONAL £5,000+ with Qatar Airways. That was more than I spent in my whole month in Thailand.

I could have paid the £5,000.

What I couldn't do was justify to myself paying an additional £5,000 just for two flights. Surely, I said to myself, you can put up with a couple of somewhat less comfortable seats for 14 hours each way and save the £5,000?

When the guy sitting next to me on the first flight got out his sick bag before we even took off, I absolutely knew I should have paid the 5 grand. I have regretted the decision ever since.

I still hate you all. 🤣

 

That's why Premium Economy on Emirates / EVA / Cathay is your friend and arguably a gateway drug into Business.

I've had similar experiences, and I'll relate but on a lesser level.

One day I decided to take the Train from Norwich to LHR T2. It started really well, first class on the train which included free hot drinks was £4 more, no brainer.

Liverpool Street was Central to Holborn, change then through to LHR.

After sweating like a rapist lugging my gear onto the tube, then rinse and repeat for standing room only from Holborn to LHR T2, followed by lugging my shit onto a trolley to get it half a mile via a lift to check in and ending up smelling like a tramp for a 11 hour flight in economy, I thought my trials were over. the fattest c**t on Earth was in the middle seat, so I had no elbow room and precious little room to move for the entire flight. I arrived in Pattaya needing 2 days of a 14 day holiday to recover from it, to get myself corpus mentis at least.

Since that very day it's been Taxi direct to the Terminal for £150 I don't care because & I don't miss the money, it's good value. I always fly PE home as it's a longer flight, because I can handle Economy outward with a xanax, but only since C-19 and increased prices. However this time I've bit the bullet and upgraded my ticket on THAI to BC for the best part of £3K.

Why have I done it? Because I work very hard, I'm going for a short period of time and I owe it to myself. Same reason you owe it to yourself and your loved ones. £5k is a chunk of money, but why not spend it on you and your loved ones rather than let the Taxman take it instead?.

I do not want to be the richest man in the graveyard, nor will my shroud have any pockets. Life will go on, the world will continue to turn and I'll have spunked the money I earned on myself and a loved one because I earned it and I'm allowed to.

I'd ask myself if I can replace the extra spent on the BC fare before I go away next time. If the answer is yes, then spend it and enjoy it. If the answer is no, then look at PE fares, if again the answer is no, then just suck it up, but knowing the money saved will be worthwhile in enjoying retirement.

 

[Bazle]

2 hours ago, Butch said:

Liverpool Street was Central to Holborn, change then through to LHR.

After sweating like a rapist lugging my gear onto the tube, then rinse and repeat for standing room only from Holborn to LHR T2, 

That must be quite an old experience. Nowadays, you can catch the Elizabeth Line from Liverpool Street direct to Heathrow. It is an excellent service, with AC carriages.

[Derek Dangleberries]

8 hours ago, Butch said:

That's why Premium Economy on Emirates / EVA / Cathay is your friend and arguably a gateway drug into Business.

I've got high hopes for THAI to introduce PE on the BKK > LHR route. That would be pretty damned good if at the right price !!!

[Horizondave]

I have to say the main reason for an acceptable experience in economy is usually related to who, if anybody, is sitting next to me.

When I worked for the airline I traveled First Class, Business Class on most of my journeys, but since being a family man, I tend not to travel on my own and economy is my mode of transport.

I have though had quite a few flights where 3 in the family makes for a great flight as we do not need to share the available space with an unwanted passenger.

If traveling solo, the problem for me is really related to who will sit next to me in economy. While First and Business will see you with plenty of room and an enhanced in flight service, economy could produce a nightmare or, on occasions, a great experience.

That economy experience is purely related to who is my nearest passenger. On most flights in economy the seat pitch is similar, the food is average to Ok and the entertainment is there if needed. It is just that person who arrives before they shut the doors, who could make or break the trip.

The only awful flights I have had have been in economy, that was Air India, Pan Am and Qantas and all were related to passengers next to me or around me.

Then again, I sat on 2 economy flights where the person next to me ended up in my bed after arrival. That was Western Airlines from San Francisco to Honolulu (an interior designer on her way to Maui, I was invited to follow) and Delta from Atlanta to Los Angeles (a showgirl on her way to Las Vegas).

Funnily, I also get a buzz out of paying for economy because I was always used to traveling upfront for free.

I am a good economy customer if my nearest fellow passengers are acceptable to my comfort and welfare.

Edited January 1 by Horizondave

[Butch]

13 hours ago, Bazle said:

That must be quite an old experience. Nowadays, you can catch the Elizabeth Line from Liverpool Street direct to Heathrow. It is an excellent service, with AC carriages.

It was Baz, back in 2013 I think, in addition, it was also the worst trip I'd ever had to Pattaya for a number of reasons. I've seen but not travelled on the new Elizabeth line, and it seems most impressive.

8 hours ago, Derek Dangleberries said:

I've got high hopes for THAI to introduce PE on the BKK > LHR route. That would be pretty damned good if at the right price !!!

It would really be good from the point of view for the Customers, more choice and hopefully reasonably priced.

[Krapow]

16 hours ago, Bazle said:

That must be quite an old experience. Nowadays, you can catch the Elizabeth Line from Liverpool Street direct to Heathrow. It is an excellent service, with AC carriages.

 

2 hours ago, Butch said:

It was Baz, back in 2013 I think, in addition, it was also the worst trip I'd ever had to Pattaya for a number of reasons. I've seen but not travelled on the new Elizabeth line, and it seems most impressive.

It would really be good from the point of view for the Customers, more choice and hopefully reasonably priced.

It's good when it runs, as in no delays or cancellations.

I use it when travelling alone, train to Liverpool street, to Lizzy Line to Heathrow. But, i always check the live TFL updates to see how it's running before i leave, as it was dodgy as f**k a little while ago. If delays, then Piccadilly line.

I'll hopefully be using it next month to Heathrow for Lapland.

Though when going as a family, 3 of us, 3 full cases, it's a taxi to and from Heathrow every time.

[Jambo]

22 hours ago, Horizondave said:

I have to say the main reason for an acceptable experience in economy is usually related to who, if anybody, is sitting next to me.

Several early trips in a row, I flew EVA enhanced economy from Heathrow following the shuttle down from Edinburgh.

I ceased using EVA after the flight from hell due to the passenger(s) sitting next to me. I booked the flight last minute when my daily check on prices disclosed a healthy discount. My only concern was my seat in the section had me in the front row of two seats with a facing wall however in my preferred window seat. At the time I liked window seats because I could usually sleep for at least 6 hours if undisturbed.

When I boarded the aircraft, I found my fellow passenger sitting in my window seat with a portable "cot" for her BABY hanging on the wall facing US. I decided it was not worth pointing out to the mother that she was in fact sitting my seat.

The baby started crying as the aircraft neared take off velocity at Heathrow and was still going strong when we landed in Bangkok. During the flight several passengers, always female, took turns to make sympathetic comments with the mother. Not surprisingly, none felt the need to make empathetic comments to me!

I never flew EVA again to Thailand.

I never visited Turkey after watching Midnight Express at the cinema.

Both decisions about as logical as each other!

 

 

 

 

[Horizondave]

1 hour ago, Jambo said:

Several early trips in a row, I flew EVA enhanced economy from Heathrow following the shuttle down from Edinburgh.

I ceased using EVA after the flight from hell due to the passenger(s) sitting next to me. I booked the flight last minute when my daily check on prices disclosed a healthy discount. My only concern was my seat in the section had me in the front row of two seats with a facing wall however in my preferred window seat. At the time I liked window seats because I could usually sleep for at least 6 hours if undisturbed.

When I boarded the aircraft, I found my fellow passenger sitting in my window seat with a portable "cot" for her BABY hanging on the wall facing US. I decided it was not worth pointing out to the mother that she was in fact sitting my seat.

The baby started crying as the aircraft neared take off velocity at Heathrow and was still going strong when we landed in Bangkok. During the flight several passengers, always female, took turns to make sympathetic comments with the mother. Not surprisingly, none felt the need to make empathetic comments to me!

I never flew EVA again to Thailand.

I never visited Turkey after watching Midnight Express at the cinema.

Both decisions about as logical as each other!

 

 

 

 

Babies should be on the tit for takeoff and landing, pressure in the ears is an issue to babies and sucking the old titty ensures equalization at those critical times. 

My daughter, when 7 months, flew from Seoul to London and was the quietest passenger on the plane. Cabin crew were great and a couple of them took my daughter around the aircraft, even a First Class passenger coming back to business asking if she could keep her for the flight (nice thought, but no!).

I have also been on flights (like yours) where the baby just bawls its eyes out for most of the flight; it is really the mother who should be smacked across the head, not the baby's fault.

On her last flight as a baby, we flew Thai in Economy and when we arrived at Heathrow, the passenger in front, whilst getting her hand luggage from the overhead bin, remarked that she never knew she had a baby behind her.

I agree, though, that sitting next to a baby would not be my choice. It would stress me, as you will not know how that baby (mother) will behave. 

[richy65]

My worst economy experience was Air India BKK to New Delhi, it was like a f**king chimps tea party at 30,000ft.

Since then I’ve flown EVA PE, Lufthansa PE and business and same with Air France, all very good experiences.

I don’t think I could cope with long haul economy again, I’m quite happy to work weekends to cover the extra costs of at least PE.

[Horizondave]

8 minutes ago, richy65 said:

My worst economy experience was Air India BKK to New Delhi, it was like a f**king chimps tea party at 30,000ft.

Since then I’ve flown EVA PE, Lufthansa PE and business and same with Air France, all very good experiences.

I don’t think I could cope with long haul economy again, I’m quite happy to work weekends to cover the extra costs of at least PE.

My mate has just booked Air India from Birmingham to Bangkok, via Delhi, because it was around £473. 

I sent him video reviews of the inflight service, it was mostly negative except for the food offering which was OK. Warned him to pay a bit more but he wanted to save money. He is traveling in 2 weeks.

I said, I hope you have a good flight, because if it is bad, he will have that experience to look forward to on his return. I told him that it was one of my worst experiences ever, and that is amplified by reviews, but he said he would be taking a Xanax to sleep most of the way. I told him I don't think taking a Xanax will make the experience any better.

Edited January 2 by Horizondave

[richy65]

3 minutes ago, Horizondave said:

My mate has just booked Air India from Birmingham to Bangkok, via Delhi, because it was around £473. 

I sent him video reviews of the inflight service, it was mostly negative except for the food offering which was OK. Warned him to pay a bit more but he wanted to save money. He is traveling in 2 weeks.

I said, I hope you have a good flight, because if it is bad, he will have that experience to look forward to on his return. I told him that it was one of my worst experiences ever, and that is amplified by reviews, but he said he would be taking a Xanax to sleep most of the way. I told him I don't think taking a Xanax will make the experience any better.

Yes, they were cheap but no other positives to say the least! I’d rather pay more or stay at home.

[Derek Dangleberries]

8 hours ago, Horizondave said:

My mate has just booked Air India from Birmingham to Bangkok, via Delhi, because it was around £473. 

I sent him video reviews of the inflight service, it was mostly negative except for the food offering which was OK.

Air India Business Class is probably 2nd only to Gulf Business Class for what I can afford. The latest YT vlogs are quite positive about the experience..

Another part of the "Business Class experience" is staying in a hotel at Heathrow on arrival/departure.. I think it is @boydeste that uses Premier Inns regularly when flying. I'm considering the Premier Inn at T4 on arrival so that I get my body sorted out before onward travel to visit my sons. I'll be paying for a hotel anyways and it is a 10 minute covered walkway much the same as if I walked to Central Station!!

T4 coincides nicely with Gulf Air and Qatar Air too..

[Horizondave]

51 minutes ago, Derek Dangleberries said:

Air India Business Class is probably 2nd only to Gulf Business Class for what I can afford. The latest YT vlogs are quite positive about the experience..

Another part of the "Business Class experience" is staying in a hotel at Heathrow on arrival/departure.. I think it is @boydeste that uses Premier Inns regularly when flying. I'm considering the Premier Inn at T4 on arrival so that I get my body sorted out before onward travel to visit my sons. I'll be paying for a hotel anyways and it is a 10 minute covered walkway much the same as if I walked to Central Station!!

T4 coincides nicely with Gulf Air and Qatar Air too..

Premier Inns are my go to hotel at Heathrow, I have used both the Terminal 2/3 hotel and also the Terminal 5 hotel, not used the T4.

I have already booked the Gatwick North Terminal Premier Inn for the night before flying in July. I have also booked the Terminal 2/3 Premier Inn at Heathrow for the night after arrival, on my Thai flight, in August.

The highlight will be the buffet breakfast, it's awesome.

[Derek Dangleberries]

5 minutes ago, Horizondave said:

Premier Inns are my go to hotel at Heathrow, I have used both the Terminal 2/3 hotel and also the Terminal 5 hotel, not used the T4.

I have already booked the Gatwick North Terminal Premier Inn for the night before flying in July. I have also booked the Terminal 2/3 Premier Inn at Heathrow for the night after arrival, on my Thai flight, in August.

The highlight will be the buffet breakfast, it's awesome.

Excellent information!

Thanks

I particularly fancy the T4 one because you walk to it directly from Arrivals without the hassle of catching the Hotel Hoppa . If I decide to fly from Ubon all the way through to LHR then I won't be in the right frame of mind if I miss the last bus !!

EDIT: Unfortunately I'm gonna mention cleaning my arse again but I notice on Videos that the shower doesn't have a flexible hose spray . Also the check-in machines put me off after a long flight! I may opt for the Holiday Inn Express instead ..

Edited January 3 by Derek Dangleberries