Flat beds in Business between BNE or SYD and Europe - best airlines?

[ortho85]

I'm beginning to think I'm too choosy. I've tried Cathay, Malaysian, Etihad and Thai for long haul business class trips, and found faults with all of them.

So, I'm looking for the perfect airline, with a comfortable flat bed, for a trip to Europe mid-2013.

We would fly out of BNE or SYD, into (preferably) London or Milan - or somewhere in those regions. Quite flexible at this stage, for the right flight!

I believe Singapore only have slippery slope seats from Eastern Australia. I guess Emirates would be the same as Etihad? Air New Zealand fly the scenic route.

Is Qantas my best bet, or is there a better option?

Thanks!

 

[yohy?!]

Singapore A380 would have to be one of the best (ex SYD), fully flat bed, great IFE, great service



Row 96, my favourite practically F with all the extra space

 

[Boris spatsky]

Try Qatar, but from MEL.

 

[markis10]

Have you tried the new CX offering? Have not done so myself but have 12 flights in a month to do so, pretty good rep so far.

 

[Isochronous]

I tried the new CX product on a TPE J run and was thoroughly impressed.

 

[dajop]

One thing to consider if catching an afternoon flight do you need a flat bed on the shorter sector? If going via Asia, I'd take a direct "slippery slope" on the first sector (in preference to a 3+hr diversion via SYD) followed by a long haul flat bed for the overnight sector. I guess the problem may be on the return. If going via the MIddle East, I'd want it all the way, or at the very least the Australian departure to be on the flat bed.

 

[lovestotravel]

Singapore A380 from Sydney!

 

[ReLoad]

The new CX J class is great.

SQ J is right up there too, but only on the 380, their 777 product was average. (Day flight ex MEL)

Definitely do the new CX J, you would do well to find a fault with it.

 

[ortho85]

Thanks for all these replies. Gives me things to research.

I had not seen the 380s in my (quick) look into Singapore ex Sydney.

I flew Cathay in October. Obviously was not the new type (BNE-HKG) as I found their beds claustrophobic and undersized. The plane over was shabby!

Good points about daytime flight on 777s, and I'll check out Qatar.

Is there a reason why nobody is recommending Qantas??

Thanks.

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

Singapore A380 from Sydney!

Vote 2 for Singapore A380 !

 

[markis10]

Is there a reason why nobody is recommending Qantas??

Thanks.

On that route the competition offers equal or in some cases better hard product, better service, better frequency/timings!

 

[mannej]

Is there a reason why nobody is recommending Qantas??

Thanks.

If you are flying to LHR, no issues, but QF do not fly to MXP. I think EK do, but not to sure about SQ (It has been a while since I have checked).

 

[lovestotravel]

I had not seen the 380s in my (quick) look into Singapore ex Sydney.

It can be a little confusing and the Singapore website is far from the best out there

However there are 2 A380 flights per day to/from Sydney/Singapore so that's what you want to pick!

Also from Singapore to Milan you will get the 777-300ER which has the same fully flat bed product as the A380

The Singapore lounge in Singapore is one of my favourites as well, and a nice place to pass the time between flights

The only slightly frustrating part about the business product on Singapore airlines is that the seat does not fully recline into the bed like some other airlines. So to go from recline mode into bed mode, you have to get out of your seat and fold the seat forward to make the flat bed. Of course the crew will be VERY eager to assist, but just keep in mind it's not a matter of reclining back fully and falling asleep and vice-versa.

 

[lovestotravel]

SQ J is right up there too, but only on the 380, their 777 product was average. (Day flight ex MEL)

You probably got one of the older 777's which doesn't have the A380 J product! However they are refurbishing some of these aircraft now to have the same fitout

 

[yohy?!]

If you are flying to LHR, no issues, but QF do not fly to MXP. I think EK do, but not to sure about SQ (It has been a while since I have checked).

Also it would be difficult to put QF in the same league as SQ on the soft product, I have found the food & drink, IFE and cabin crew superior. For cabin crew mainly because they have enough staff onboard to actually provide premium service compared to QF who do not.

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

It can be a little confusing and the Singapore website is far from the best out there

However there are 2 A380 flights per day to/from Sydney/Singapore so that's what you want to pick!

Also from Singapore to Milan you will get the 777-300ER which has the same fully flat bed product as the A380

The Singapore lounge in Singapore is one of my favourites as well, and a nice place to pass the time between flights


The SIA website is full of bugs. My recent searches will not take me from SYD to LAX - Only SIN to LAX,
however if you ring they are very helpful and if you are using points the 15% discount will be allowed if you tell them that the web site
is playing up. Often they will find seats that are not otherwise showing.

 

[yohy?!]

It can be a little confusing and the Singapore website is far from the best out there

However there are 2 A380 flights per day to/from Sydney/Singapore so that's what you want to pick!

Also from Singapore to Milan you will get the 777-300ER which has the same fully flat bed product as the A380

The Singapore lounge in Singapore is one of my favourites as well, and a nice place to pass the time between flights


The SIA website is full of bugs. My recent searches will not take me from SYD to LAX - Only SIN to LAX,
however if you ring they are very helpful and if you are using points the 15% discount will be allowed if you tell them that the web site
is playing up. Often they will find seats that are not otherwise showing.

I doubt it's a bug - SQ don't have the rights to market SYD-LAX I would think (CX don't either).

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

I doubt it's a bug - SQ don't have the rights to market SYD-LAX I would think (CX don't either).

Commercial flights are shown but its only when I try to do a redemption flight.

 

[Jousams]

By mid 2013 wouldn't all CX flights ex aus have new business? (Do they already?)
it is really something.

Maybe BA & VS are also worth a look, however VS's seats are similar to the old CX.

If you have status with VA, row 5 to Abu Dhabi would also be good, but then EY onwards would be so so.

 

[michaelj]

I'm another fan of the new CX J seats. Vast improvement on the old style.