Business Class to UK 2014 - Best Airline ? [Based on Price/Value for Money]

[auspal]

I returned last week from a RTW trip with OneWorld, business class. I travelled Qantas, BA, AA, and JAL.

Japan airlines far surpassed the others in every respect, couldnt possibly fault them. American Airlines were pretty woeful, both international and domestic, including their lounges, Dallas airport was a nightmare, took 2 1/2 hours to connect from an international to domestic flight, didnt get chance to even visit the lounge, Qantas and British Airways were almost on a par, with Qantas having the edge.

The lounge in the airport in Japan was fabulous.

 

[auspal]

Also had a seamless transfer at Heathrow to a domestic flight with ground staff going out of their way to be helpful.

 

[kinkacruiser]

We chose Cathay for the same reason (under $15,000 for both of us London return). Nice lounges too for the Hong Kong stopover.

 

[Memsahib]

It depends where you are starting from. We live in Perth and have found both Malaysian and Qatar Business Class better than Emirates. Qatar is our airline of choice since it started flying from Perth (previously we flew to Singapore and took it from there). The best service, excellent seats and the BC lounge in Doha is fantastic. They also connect with many European cities (including London and Manchester) from Doha. We will be flying into Warsaw and back from Barcelona - both direct flights to/from Doha. MAS is also very comfortable, friendly service, great amenities and entertainment and a stopover in KL on the way back is fantastic for shopping. They don't have direct flights into as many European cities, though.

 

[maroonone]

And MAS has superb J Class fares ex DRW as the only oneworld carrier who flies internationally from DRW <$5,000 return in July peak.

 

[bobw]

For the cheapest, look at lastminute.com.au. For value, we like Swiss or Finnair. Swiss will land you in Zurich, very close to Germany and France or a few hours of spectacular scenery by train to Italy. Finnair will get you to Helsinki with links to everywhere. (Helsinki is a lovely spot.) If you want Qantas status credits etc, check the fares with both Qantas and lastminute. We're looking at a multi-city trip for early 2014 and can book virtually identical flights through last minute for $7500 each compared to around $13000 through Qantas.

 

[get me outta here]

Plus 1 for Helsinki esp in summer. Worth a stopover for sure.

 

[nannieann]

We tried Business Class on Malaysia from Brisbane to London via KL at a cost of around $5600 each. As Qantas Platinum we usually choose Qantas but the configuration on Malaysia is better and currently a huge saving on the Qantas fare. As Malaysia is now a member of Oneworld, you get full status credits although not the same amount of points as with Qantas. We have booked Malaysia again for our trip to Europe in July next year.

 

[Wainza 1]

Hello
We are going to the UK / Europe in 2014 and would like to get some advice on what is the best Airline for Business Class.

Oviously people have their own views but curious as to what people have experienced.

Violet

I'm a huge Malaysian airlines fan and flew business return to London last year, not my first MH business flight, and I loved it.
Start with champagne then satays and Jonnie Walker black. The flight crews are great and so is the food, entertainment is also good.
The Malaysian lounges in KL and Heathrow are also very nice. But at the end of the day it comes down to personal preference .
But either way enjoy the business experience

 

[MEL_Traveller]

best airline based on price and money... I just did some random date checking... Sir Lankan is still offering AUD1800 ex SIN to Europe, and Garuda is (according to austbt) around $3800. I would find those hard to beat. Is it worth an extra $3000 for SCs on CX/QF etc?

Also worth keeping an eye out for Qatar 2-4-1 business class. Apparently some amazing deals ex Asia recently sub-$2000 per person.

 

[Prof Henry]

In my experience CX and QF would rate much higher than BA, but as some others have commented it also depends on the type (and age!) of the individual aircraft and cabin configuration.

 

[THE TRIMMER]

I &shwmbo have just returned recently from a rtw in j class .We flew with Cathay,BritishAirways ,& Qantas.British was definetly the worst , the backward/ forward seating was the most uncomfortable setup.Whoever designed this system was dumb.If you have a window seat & want to get out of it to go to the toilets on a night flight you need to be a high jumper to get over the passenger in the aisle seat. My choice Cathay ,Qantas definetly not British airways.

 

[Jack_OC]

If you have a window seat & want to get out of it to go to the toilets on a night flight you need to be a high jumper to get over the passenger in the aisle seat.

The same is true with Qantas, no?

 

[JohnM]

I &shwmbo have just returned recently from a rtw in j class .We flew with Cathay,BritishAirways ,& Qantas.British was definetly the worst , the backward/ forward seating was the most uncomfortable setup.Whoever designed this system was dumb.If you have a window seat & want to get out of it to go to the toilets on a night flight you need to be a high jumper to get over the passenger in the aisle seat. My choice Cathay ,Qantas definetly not British airways.

Agree about BA and that's why you need to choose 62A or K if you like a window seat but don't want to climb over the person next to you: SeatGuru Seat Map British Airways Boeing 747-400 (744) V1

 

[JessicaTam]

In my experience CX and QF would rate much higher than BA, but as some others have commented it also depends on the type (and age!) of the individual aircraft and cabin configuration.

... and cabin crew. :shock:

 

[ansett1]

Well, frankly, we still believe BA is best. We tried Malaysian last year & the overnight flight from Oz to KL was in an Airbus without HORIZONTAL beds. Another bloody uncomfortable Airbus, with seats designed by Mercedes for 150kg Bavarians, twice my size. The A380 was another disappointment from KL to LHR. The major disappointment however, on both flights, was KUL so-called Business Class lounge, I have seen better in Yemen, it should be renovated or detonated, & soon. A disgrace to OneWorld. LHR lounge on the other hand was 110%. So, you pays your money & takes your choice. We saved $000s by taking MAS , but, next time we shall choose BA with upper deck 747, tons of space both for feet & storage, AND, horizontal flat beds all the way. Life is too short for lousy flights. QF metal is OK, but the crew, an outtake from Sydney restaurant staff in the 70's, I am only doing this to keep me occupied & paid, I should have been a Doctor but didn't have the patience (sic)!
An alternative would be to fly fru fin air, over Russia from HongKong, aka FinnAir. A faster flight time with a decent airline & probably less $ whilst at the same time OneWorld benfits. Bon voyage

 

[amaroo]

If you want to travel LHR via SIN - BA would win hands down. QF cabin offer to Asia (excl HKG some days) is simply pathetic!

Other than that.....CX is the best within the OW network by a huge margin - IMO

 

[bazoukka]

Hello
We are going to the UK / Europe in 2014 and would like to get some advice on what is the best Airline for Business Class.

Oviously people have their own views but curious as to what people have experienced.

Violet

aviod EK. CX is good but have too much pork on thier menu. BA is outstanding especially if things go wrong like your bags are delayed. QF haven't flow for a while but were good last time i did.

1-BA
2-QF
3-CX
EK DO NOT FLY!!!

 

[Wainza 1]

Me again, My brother has returned to Oz from London for a quick visit and he flew Virgin Atlantic in Business class and said it was great, good food, great crew and good cabin.
They fly via HKG. Could be worth a look.

 

[Sprucegoose]

The A380 was another disappointment from KL to LHR.

Interesting comment I would be interested to more about the reasons for your disappointment ??