Premium economy to London

[RooFlyer]

Some rellies of mine are planning a very rare overseas trip; they would normally be economy travellers but want to go Premium Economy this time; can't afford Business (but I will search for a cheap Biz sale ... Finnair?? and give them the option )

As I've not done PE, I'd appreciate any advice on what might be the best comfort/price combination, preferably ex MEL. They aren't flying until May next year, so plenty of time to watch prices and wait for a good sale.

As a start, I've told them to sign up for sale alerts from QF and CX, but what other airlines offer PE to London, and what ones should they really try to bag?

Finnair I see unfortunately isn't introducing their PE until later next year, else that would be ideal.

 

[suze2000]

JAL Premium Economy is underrated, and the prices ex MEL to Europe are also usually very reasonable.

If the cross-town transfer in Tokyo is an issue, they can fly MEL-NRT-HEL-LHR with the HEL-LHR leg on AY or BA.

The thing we appreciated the most was that the seats in front did not recline in your face, and somehow, even though they were tilt recliners, they didn't cause trouble with my backs (the ones on CX Y did omg they did).

And yes, PE with JAL gives you lounge access, and priority checkin. Not to be sneezed at.

 

[rbjhan]

Took this picture in Haneda airport when JAL was doing some kind of promo for the PE. Obviously not on a real plane but should give you some ideas.

 

[Peter D]

In the last couple of years we have used PE on CX and QF.
They are like chalk and cheese.

CX- Toronto/ HG/ MEL. B777 Just ordinary Y with leg room (and champagne on boarding).
Economy meal tray then cleared away before I realised what was happening, with no offer of tea or coffee after dinner. When I asked after breakfast I got stern look with it. No one else seemed to get any tea /coffee. Probably the individual serving my side of the cabin. I had the feeling PE was an extra chore on top of their Y job.
BUT the daytime HG/Mel sector was better but still basic food and service.

QF- MEL/ LHR/ MEL. A380 A distinct step up from Y.
Linen table cloth, better menu. Regular FA enquiries on what we needed.
A senior FA /manger! spoke with everyone individually after boarding and also talked to everyone before landing when handing out immigration cards (even gave us a priority customs card at MEL)

Trying SQ PE to LHR in a few months.

 

[RooFlyer]

And yes, PE with JAL gives you lounge access, and priority checkin. Not to be sneezed at.

Does that include on Australian departure? If yes, which lounge?

 

[rbjhan]

Does that include on Australian departure? If yes, which lounge?

Melbourne would be the Mahaba or something like that, apologies for the spelling!
I believe even full price Y gets lounge access...
It is a pretty basic lounge though, last time I was there for JL774. Not crowded, okay food, made to order noodles.
But but there is no coke zero! bah.

 

[jase05]

Does that include on Australian departure? If yes, which lounge?

SYD is the QF J lounge I believe

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I note the OP's requirements for only 'top tier' carriers... but perhaps the price could be a mitigating factor. Often possible to get full business class for less than the price of PE on QF, and the benefits potentially far outweigh any of those provided by top tier ;just for the sake of it'.

If determined to go PEY and only top tier, JAL's lounge offering is pretty unique.

 

[suze2000]

MEL is the Marhaba lounge - we found it okay, better than nothing. In Japan they are awesome. In LHR it's a BA lounge.

 

[RooFlyer]

I note the OP's requirements for only 'top tier' carriers... but perhaps the price could be a mitigating factor. Often possible to get full business class for less than the price of PE on QF, and the benefits potentially far outweigh any of those provided by top tier ;just for the sake of it'.

Oh yes, will be keeping an eye out on all options . I'm going to gather info on the various options in the background, and let them know when they have priced their referred PE option.

 

[stm1sydney]

However, our London trip last year was on China Airlines J; because at $4k return

Wow, what is the secret to getting this sort of price on CI?

 

[Forg]

Wow, what is the secret to getting this sort of price on CI?

195% timing. We were discussing mid January 2018 the idea of a holiday for June, by the time we’d mulled-over the financial consequences it was the end of January, then the day after I first started chasing airfares CI announced huge discounts on travel from Australia to Europe on PE & J.

It may not happen again if they’ve become popular, as it would’ve been to drum-up business. But a workmate who travels really regularly is using CI quite a lot (to/from Asia) these days, so they must be still offering decent prices fairly regularly.

But I know Vietnamese Airlines have similar hard-product, similarly new aircraft, and similar comfort etc with similar pricing on occasional specials.

 

[rbjhan]

China airlines generally offer good price to Asia/Europe via Taipei. Friend of mine just got back from Japan with them, I believe it's about 3.4k in J.
4K in J to Europe surely is unbeatable!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

China airlines generally offer good price to Asia/Europe via Taipei. Friend of mine just got back from Japan with them, I believe it's about 3.4k in J.
4K in J to Europe surely is unbeatable!

The $4K is matched by Vietnam airlines, with potentially better connecting times. But CI probably wins for cabin and soft product. VN offers a free transit with hotel and tour for the longish outbound connection (I think the return connection is relatively short). CI's connections via TPE can be brutal, with up to 18 hour transits in TPE (although I think one of the SYD flights is a quick 3 hour connection, but on the outbound only).

 

[rbjhan]

The $4K is matched by Vietnam airlines, with potentially better connecting times. But CI probably wins for cabin and soft product. VN offers a free transit with hotel and tour for the longish outbound connection (I think the return connection is relatively short). CI's connections via TPE can be brutal, with up to 18 hour transits in TPE (although I think one of the SYD flights is a quick 3 hour connection, but on the outbound only).

Same with the Melbourne connection as you land in the morning and flights to Europe mostly depart midnight.
No such problem to other Asian cities.
Well you can always make it into a stopover I guess, never been to Taipei myself but according to this friend it's fantastic.

 

[Forg]

Connections were OK both ways Sydney to London on CI, I think 3hrs on the way there & 4hrs on the way back. From memory, I couldn't find a way on VN to do it without stopping in both Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City; results may vary from non-Sydney there.

And I've been told Taipei is definitely worth a squiz, too.

In response to harvyk's comment (below - because adding an extra post seems silly), Taipei airport is pretty awful even as a shopping centre. And the CI lounges aren't inspiring in terms of how busy they are or the food (which I'm told is true of all non-top-tier Asian carriers including VN - although the one we used outbound which felt like a cave did give good dumpling), but the showers were clean & well organised (you put your name on a list & they call you when it's your turn).

 

[harvyk]

Same with the Melbourne connection as you land in the morning and flights to Europe mostly depart midnight.
No such problem to other Asian cities.
Well you can always make it into a stopover I guess, never been to Taipei myself but according to this friend it's fantastic.

Whilest a little OT, TPE airport is a fair way out from Taipei city. From memory it took about an hour on the bus and high speed rail to get into Taipei proper.

TPE airport can be described as a shopping center with flight announcements. So unless you love shopping I'm not sure it's a place you'd want to spend a huge amount of time.

Of course if you turn it into an o'nighter, Taipei is a wonderful place.

 

[rbjhan]

Whilest a little OT, TPE airport is a fair way out from Taipei city. From memory it took about an hour on the bus and high speed rail to get into Taipei proper.

TPE airport can be described as a shopping center with flight announcements. So unless you love shopping I'm not sure it's a place you'd want to spend a huge amount of time.

Of course if you turn it into an o'nighter, Taipei is a wonderful place.

I believe the Aiport MRT is running now so transport should be easier than before.

 

[cgichard]

I forgot to add that in SQ PE the seats have a full-width leg and foot rest, similar to those in the JAL photo above. As someone who tends to suffer with swollen ankles during and after long-haul flights I find this a real bonus. In the window seat I can leave it up most of the time - and hope that whoever is in the aisle seat doesn't do likewise!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

As someone who tends to suffer with swollen ankles during and after long-haul flights I find this a real bonus.

Slightly OT - but if you haven't already tried them, you might get relief using Scholl Flight Socks (or something similar). They work surprisingly well and my legs/feet remain perfectly pain free for the duration of a long haul flight.

 

[suze2000]

Definitely worth investing in some pressure socks for flying. $20 from the chemist can save a decent amount of discomfort at your destination.
Compression socks are also really worthwhile if you have to stand a lot for work. I wish someone had suggested them to me twenty years ago, they are hot depending on your workplace, but you get home without that heavy leg feeling many women would be familiar with.