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

[mannej]

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

I am guessing the issue is that MH don't offer full lie flat beds, as they only have angled lie flat beds.

However I can't let the ignorance of the comment go unnoticed. Airbus aren't responsible for the seat, it is a seating manufacturer that make the seats. You could find the same seats in Boeing aircraft (a la QF have skybed in both the airbus and Boeing aircraft...)

 

[Wainza 1]

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

I flew the MH A380 from KL to LHR in Business and didn't like it, I must admit I am a huge boeng fan , Love the b777, but the leg room on the A380 in sleep position left a lot to be desired. But I am 194cm tall ( that's 6 ft 5 in old school ) and I left scuff marks on the wall in front of me, I was in seat 6F on the upper deck.
if I try the pourpise on another airline maybe it is different. Give me the MH 772 any day , my prefered seat is 2K

 

[Jack_OC]

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.

As mentioned previously, I agree that MH does not have the best J offering out there. However, I think your comments are very harsh.

I found the J lounge in KUL to be fine, and considering the much cheaper fares that you can often get with MH compared to top tier airlines, I think they represent good value. The fact is, J with MH is still luxury compared to Y or Y+ with any airline, and many people will be very happy with it.

Obviously some people are willing and able to pay whatever it costs to fly with the best, and I wouldn't recommend MH to one of those people. The reality is though, most people aren't in that position.

 

[joyvee]

As a retired person with a limited income I spent a lot of time working out the cheapest option for me to fly Business class to Europe June 2013. I don't have any FF points and just went for cheapest options.
I was definite that as I was flying alone I wanted a flight that had a single completely lie flat business class seat by the window and I wanted to fly on the new dreamliner.
I had to compromise as the Qatar 787 Dreamliner was only available from Doha to LHR , Frankfurt and limited other airports.
Oman Air had brilliant reports on airlinequality.com and had single window lie flat beds all the way from either KL or BKK to specific airports.
The frequency of their flights was limited and I was concerned that I may need to fly home quickly due to family reasons so went with Qatar. Both were AU$3000 return from BKK.

Qatar also offered access to their dedicated Business class lounge.
As I was flying in the month prior to Ramamdan there were plenty of spare seats and even in first leg from BKK to Doha where the seating is 2:2:2 I had a window seat to myself each time.
I loved the experience of flying in a modern plane with all the new technology and the reduced cabin pressure.
Service, food and drinks were fabulous. Great amenity pack.

I flew economy on Royal Brunei and had a stopover in BKK both ways. All up cost was $3634.

If I were flying to LHR I would be very tempted to fly budiness class with Royal Brunei as they will have their new Dreamliner on the MEL LHR route by 2014. They have a 2:2:2 seating configuration in Business which doesn't meet my criteria but their pricing is about $4000 all up and their Lounge at Heathroow is supposed to be superb. They also have a short stop in Dubai as well as stop in Brunei.
I did see a special on MEL BKK in Business with Royal Brunei with either travel.com.au or lastminute.com.au which was about $150 cheaper than BI website for travel in 2014. Might be worth looking at.

If I were to go again maybe I would fly the nightime flight with Finnair which has one row of single beds by the window in Business and flies directly from BKK to Helsinki so you can get a good night's unbroken sleep.

You can always set up an Excel spread sheet and do the maths with all the airlines suggested on this thread.
I think there are usually special prices in about January for prices to go to Europe. Good luck with your quest. Joy

 

[Jack_OC]

Following on from my earlier post - I've just travelled to Europe in J with Thai. The hard product from MEL-BKK was not great - SeatGuru describes the seats as "angled lie flat", but they are not flat at all (they are angled though!). However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the J seats on the second leg (a 777-300) were identical to Etihad's, with the same layout too - ie fully flat and horizontal, all seats have aisle access and many are very private, yet there are also some pairs of seats ideal for couples. I don't know how widespread this product is in Thai's fleet though. Other than that, the service on both flights was very good and so was the food. IFE was fairly standard with reasonably sized screens. Lounge access was Koru in MEL, and a fairly tired looking Thai Royal Silk lounge in BKK, so nothing to write home about there.

My fare was only $6,700 rtn, so although Thai certainly doesn't meet the high standards of SQ or EY, it's another option worth considering for people trying to do J to Europe on a budget.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Following on from my earlier post - I've just travelled to Europe in J with Thai. The hard product from MEL-BKK was not great - SeatGuru describes the seats as "angled lie flat", but they are not flat at all (they are angled though!). However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the J seats on the second leg (a 777-300) were identical to Etihad's, with the same layout too - ie fully flat and horizontal, all seats have aisle access and many are very private, yet there are also some pairs of seats ideal for couples. I don't know how widespread this product is in Thai's fleet though. Other than that, the service on both flights was very good and so was the food. IFE was fairly standard with reasonably sized screens. Lounge access was Koru in MEL, and a fairly tired looking Thai Royal Silk lounge in BKK, so nothing to write home about there.

My fare was only $6,700 rtn, so although Thai certainly doesn't meet the high standards of SQ or EY, it's another option worth considering for people trying to do J to Europe on a budget.

hmmm... 'standard' price for TG J class to europe (excluding LHR with APD) is about AUD2689 including all taxes through USDM (almost wide open availability outside peak times )

Looking at the pictures from a recent trip report by a friend of mine it's worth about that at most unfortunately

 

[Jack_OC]

hmmm... 'standard' price for TG J class to europe (excluding LHR with APD) is about AUD2689 including all taxes through USDM (almost wide open availability outside peak times )

Is that rtn? If so an absolute bargain. Mine was paid for by work btw, so obviously it was a standard cash fare from a travel agent.

Looking at the pictures from a recent trip report by a friend of mine it's worth about that at most unfortunately

Again not sure if your price is one way or rtn. Either way, while my two flights involved two very different products, even the first (substandard) one was a different world compared to Y with any airline, and substantially better than Y+ too. The product on my second flight was better than QF J IMHO, but as I said I don't know how widely available that set up is on TG's fleet. All in all I'd say the fare that was paid for me was reasonable value in the context of all of the above.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Is that rtn? If so an absolute bargain. Mine was paid for by work btw, so obviously it was a standard cash fare from a travel agent.



Again not sure if your price is one way or rtn. Either way, while my two flights involved two very different products, even the first (substandard) one was a different world compared to Y with any airline, and substantially better than Y+ too. The product on my second flight was better than QF J IMHO, but as I said I don't know how widely available that set up is on TG's fleet. All in all I'd say the fare that was paid for me was reasonable value in the context of all of the above.

thats a return through us dividend miles. possibly not suitable for business requiring flexibility. but for leisure travel it's a fair
y good deal.

 

[quokka77]

I just booked a similar itinerary on Thai airways, 2 J class award tickets, BNE-BKK-FCO then FCO-BKK-SYD (two separate one-ways) with Avianca lifemiles (purchased during 2 for 1 promotion in 2 separate accounts). With copayment and current AUD/USD rates I don't think I managed to achieve better than $2690 AUD per person (I think it'll be more likely slightly >$3000 per person once I get the bill on my ccard). Nevertheless, it should be a healthy saving on simply paying cash, and by all accounts the Thai ground-ops are sensational for higher class cabins. The tickets are for my in-laws who will accompany us to Italy (maybe a bit of Austria too) next Apr/May. They were very excited when I rang to tell them I had confirmed dates.

Off-topic: any idea on whether it's checkmytrip or virtuallythere to confirm Aviance / Thai e-ticket number?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I just booked a similar itinerary on Thai airways, 2 J class award tickets, BNE-BKK-FCO then FCO-BKK-SYD (two separate one-ways) with Avianca lifemiles (purchased during 2 for 1 promotion in 2 separate accounts). With copayment and current AUD/USD rates I don't think I managed to achieve better than $2690 AUD per person (I think it'll be more likely slightly >$3000 per person once I get the bill on my ccard). Nevertheless, it should be a healthy saving on simply paying cash, and by all accounts the Thai ground-ops are sensational for higher class cabins. The tickets are for my in-laws who will accompany us to Italy (maybe a bit of Austria too) next Apr/May. They were very excited when I rang to tell them I had confirmed dates.

Off-topic: any idea on whether it's checkmytrip or virtuallythere to confirm Aviance / Thai e-ticket number?

use the saudia Arabian airlines website to view your itinerary and ticket number.

remember to check your booking often.

usdm is slightly cheaper than lifemiles now on some routes. USDM was in the 2690 range.

 

[Jack_OC]

Honestly, if it was me and I was travelling for leisure using my own cash, I wouldn't think twice about booking with Thai if I could get it for ~$3k return. Even if all sectors ended up being with the older product that I had on my first flight, I'd be more than happy to pay $3k for that. And as I said, the product on the second sector was actually very good.

 

[joyvee]

Please explain what USDM means. Is it a special air fare combination or a wholesaler? Thanks. JoyV

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Please explain what USDM means. Is it a special air fare combination or a wholesaler? Thanks. JoyV

unfortunately it's a bit of a moot point now as USDM (us airways) is now merging with American Airlines (to be completed by 7 January).

for the last 4 or so years US Airways (member of star alliance) was selling miles to the general pubic with 100% bonuses... often with 8,9 or 10 of these a year (and you could buy each time).

there is a whole separate thread about this on the US airways forum here on AFF... but essentially you could buy return to Europe business class on star alliance partner airlines for around $2700 including the miles, all taxes and usd50 service fee (there were no fuel surcharges). (based on today's exchange rate of ~.93 to the Aussie dollar). first class was just a couple dollars more.

while some flexibility (maybe a couple days or so) was required in peak periods such as Christmas, for the rest of the year carriers such as Thai would have wide open availability for premium cabins (nothing even remotely like qantas and some other oneworld airlines with their almost impossible availability). for all intents and purposes you had an almost fully flexible bank of miles that could be redeemed even at short notice. (and in fact it was even better because in many cases you could put an award on hold and not even have to buy the miles until after you had confirmed flight availability).

with us airways now merging with American Airlines, you should expect premium cabin availability to be much more restricted, but there are still great deals... for now at least (an award chart devaluation is expected shortly). first class return to Europe on qantas for example can be had for just 160,000 miles. (and no fuel surcharges if flying QF). first class to Asia... 90,000.

an award chart devaluation similar to that recently introduced by united airlines is expected. this will significantly increase the price of awards... sometimes by as much as 100%... making the savings for business class potentially minimal, or indeed more expensive than buying equally good products outright for cash and having better flexibility. The Sri Lankan airlines deal ($1800 return for business class ex Asia, or Qatar airways for a similar price, or even Garuda or royal Brunei start to become attractive options again. for travel to the usa, carefully buying a combination of tickets can get you return business class on air pacific from australia for ~$3000. earning full miles. and often less than the price of premium economy on qf or virgin.

while most of us are ever grateful to Thai airways for having such great availability... recent pictures from on board catering suggest the product is going downhill a bit for business class. hence the comment that $2700 'is about all it's worth'. Catering looks pretty much economy and you're essentially paying for a bigger seat... with a steep angle (brand new 77W and a380 is good as long as you are not tall).

as the title of this tread is about best value based on price/value for money... I think with the exception of Garuda and royal Brunei, the best deals for leisure travel (and perhaps small business owners) are combination fares with your choice of carrier to asia (as close as Bali or Singapore, and with the option of business class fares to those cities) followed by a business class ticket ex Asia.

but each to their own

 

[joyvee]

Thanks for such a detailed explanation. I have never been able to accrue FF points as I have always thought that unless you were travelling for business that they were not a viable proposition.
I am always looking for cheap flights and choose whichever route provides me with most convenient travel times and comfort in the air. For the first time last June I flew MEL to BKK return in Y and then J with Qatar to Frankfurt as I wanted to try out new Dreamliner and J lounge in Dohar. I was pleased with that but think that the stop over in the middle of a night journey is probably counter productive so maybe Finnair is way to ensure a good night's sleep in a completely flat bed, one only , by the window so I don't have to levitate over the person next to me.
I think Royal Brunei will be much better with the 787 planes and am constantly amazed by the number of people who will not fly them because they do not serve alcohol. Mind you travelling in J I was gobsmacked by the amount of alcohol some people consumed and still managed to walk off the plane. I will tell my sister about you comments as she may find it useful Thanks again. JoyV

 

[Jack_OC]

Great post MEL_Traveller, very informative.

One point where I have a slightly different view though:

while most of us are ever grateful to Thai airways for having such great availability... recent pictures from on board catering suggest the product is going downhill a bit for business class. hence the comment that $2700 'is about all it's worth'. Catering looks pretty much economy and you're essentially paying for a bigger seat... with a steep angle (brand new 77W and a380 is good as long as you are not tall).

I would agree that the food is not presented all that well - some meals served in dishses that have a bit of a Y look about about them! However, I thought the quantity and quality was far superior to any Y food that I have had, and although I was not drinking on this trip, it was clear they were being very generous with booze (or whaetever you were having yourself). In any case, IMHO the seat and space is primarily what you are paying for, everything else is just a bonus. For example, if you had the option of a J fare with SQ, EY, QF (or whoever) at less than half price on the condition that you only get economy food, would you take it? I certainly would.

Also, regarding the comment about the 77W or A380 being good as long as you're not tall - I'm 188cm and I had no problems.

 

[burmans]

unfortunately it's a bit of a moot point now as USDM (us airways) is now merging with American Airlines (to be completed by 7 January).

Off topic I know but I cant help think this bit about completed by 7 January is a total furphy. E.g. the Points Guy (and a number of other blogs) states as below

With the US Airways – American Airlines merger back on, Frequent Business Traveler reports from sources at US Airways that the airline might exit Star Alliance March 1, 2014, as it starts aligning more closely with American and possibly joins Oneworld as soon as April. No one has officially confirmed those dates, but previously, US Airways indicated that it would leave Star Alliance by the end of the first quarter of 2014, and after the recent settlement with the DOJ, Scott Kirby, who will be the COO of the new airline, told FBT that the airlines plan to take the first steps towards becoming a single airline January 7, 2014, meaning that flyers might be able to earn and redeem miles on both American and US Airways.

In my opinion there is still a small window to utilise US Air points out there.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Also, regarding the comment about the 77W or A380 being good as long as you're not tall - I'm 188cm and I had no problems.

thats interesting to know, my friend who is well under six foot was complaining they couldn't lie straight in the 77W beds? I just assumed they were on the short side.

 

[Jack_OC]

thats interesting to know, my friend who is well under six foot was complaining they couldn't lie straight in the 77W beds? I just assumed they were on the short side.

Assuming the seats are exactly the same as the EY seats (and I'm pretty certain they are), then they are 6'1" in length. To provide context, the length of a standard single bed is 6'2". Obviously these measuremens are a straight line from top to bottom, which means there is more length available if you lie at a bit of an angle, and that's clearly easier to do in a proper bed as it's much wider. However, I would imagine a length of 6'1" for a fully flat business class bed is still more than adequate for most people.

 

[HB7]

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.

Hi - What date is this? Because i have looked at a variety of dates from HKG, SINGAPORE, KL, BALI and cannot find any fares to Europe for cheaper than $4000?