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

[violet67]

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

 

[smit0847]

Welcome to AFF.

Given there are about 20 different airlines you could use to get from Australia to Europe it's a bit like asking 'whats the best car I can buy?' - it's very subjective.

What is most important to you? Price? Status Credits? Service? Flat-beds? Frequency? Connections? Safety record?

 

[GalaxyNexus]

I recently went through the same research and decided to go with Cathay (best business class in the world, they say) via HKG because the price is right at $7200 return. I cannot in my right mind pay $8400 for a Qantas / Emirates return in business, even though it come with 35k more QFF points - for what I consider something that is not as good. Other options would be Singapore Airlines, which is also supposedly very good.

I flew QF Business before, and will report back after I fly with Cathay later this month on how it compares

 

[knightman7]

CX via HKG or EK via DXB are my personal favourites. In all honesty, I wouldn't fly any other way unless I had to.

 

[CMak]

I try to fly with Singapore Airlines whenever I can but this is purely a personal choice.
CMak

 

[violet67]

Hello
Price /Value for money would be a factor . We have flown Economy previously by Singapore Airlines and Qantas to UK and enjoyed SA.

Basically the easiest way to look at it for us is value for money and great service. One Airline may just have value for what you get and that would suit us. We would want to fly on a 380 plane. Have only flown Business once being Domestic

FF points is not a critera for us its all about value/service etc

 

[Traveller1955]

I have flown both Singapore business and Cathay / BA Business to Europe and either will do me.

 

[knightman7]

When it comes to price, service and the seat, I find it impossible to fly anything other than CX. If you must fly the A380, then EK or SQ are nice. BA have an A380 leg to LHR from HKG. Maybe you can get a TA to construct an itinerary to combine a few different carriers together so you can experience more than one and decide which you like best.

 

[JessicaTam]

When it comes to price, service and the seat, I find it impossible to fly anything other than CX. If you must fly the A380, then EK or SQ are nice. BA have an A380 leg to LHR from HKG. Maybe you can get a TA to construct an itinerary to combine a few different carriers together so you can experience more than one and decide which you like best.

... and then report back!

 

[k3nnis]

For me, CX,SQ,MH,VS

 

[bobe]

We have just return from Europe and the uk, flew Y to Sing then j all way to Rome, returned from LHR back to Sing via Colombo both ways with Sri Lankan Airlines and couldn't fault the product, J class on this airline in my opinion can't be faulted, full lie flat beds in both directions ( long haul) all silver service and the price in AUD from Sing return was $1800, if you fly to say Paris visa versa prices haven't gone up much for 2014, you pay a lot more if going to and from LHR. Get the Eurostar from Paris to London. Enjoy whoever you choose.

 

[craven morehead]

SIN - FCO in J for $1800 return? Sounds like great value :mrgreen:

 

[craven morehead]

Have recently done this with CX in J and can;t fault

 

[Sprucegoose]

Off the track abit, if adventourous look at Garuda or Philippines!

 

[knasty]

I suggest you plug your dates into Expedia or other website you prefer, get a rough idea of the prices of a few airlines and report back here and the helpful AFFers can comment on the relative value, pros and cons.

 

[nonpop]

We've become 'fans' of AY (Finnair). For these little black ducks we get J SCs, QF points (at reduced rates), OWE 1st lounge assess & OWE perks ... all at a reduced price in comparison to other OW (and other) airlines. We balance cost vs features and keep coming back to them.

Of special note has been avoiding LHR. We got used to HEL airport and now love the short transfers. We find that we can pick up an AY codeshare out of Oz (usually either QF, BA or CX) to BKK, SIN or HKG then drop onto an AY bird from their to HEL and then onto most of Europe all on a single PNR. AY have always been respectful of our OWE benefits.

Our preference is to usually take the AY codeshare on CX to HKG then push on from there. Or where we want an overnight stop, then QF into BKK.

 

[bismarck]

We've become 'fans' of AY (Finnair). For these little black ducks we get J SCs, QF points (at reduced rates), OWE 1st lounge assess & OWE perks ... all at a reduced price in comparison to other OW (and other) airlines. We balance cost vs features and keep coming back to them.

Of special note has been avoiding LHR. We got used to HEL airport and now love the short transfers. We find that we can pick up an AY codeshare out of Oz (usually either QF, BA or CX) to BKK, SIN or HKG then drop onto an AY bird from their to HEL and then onto most of Europe all on a single PNR. AY have always been respectful of our OWE benefits.

Our preference is to usually take the AY codeshare on CX to HKG then push on from there. Or where we want an overnight stop, then QF into BKK.

I've only ever flown AY economy but found it to be a great experience (for whY). Avoiding LHR is a great feature. I connected through HKG on a CX & QF flight.

 

[trentusjuventus]

I'm put my vote in for CX if it is within your budget. Service is excellent, the seat is fantastic (old/new coffin style all have aisle access IIRC) and HKG is less of a chore to transit. Only thing is you won't be getting an a380 if that's on your bucket list.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

if they still have their specials, Sri Lankan airlines out of Singapore or bangkok are excellent value with business class return under $2000. and full flat beds on the Colombo to Europe sectors. you still need to get to Asia of course to start.

alternatively, if Garuda Indonesia is flying when you need to go then try them. their service is excellent and with brand new aircraft and full flat beds.

 

[MH_fan]

Depending on your destination in Europe, I find it hard to beat MH for best price/value. They always have sales and I have never paid more than $6100 for a return J ticket to London or Paris from Sydney (and I go to Europe about twice a year and this includes travelling in Jul and Jan, which are peak holiday travel times). MH fly the A380 from KUL to LHR and CDG but use the B772 to AMS, FRA and IST. Not only that, you get all the OW benefits if you have status.