Business Class Fares & Offers

[davidge]

11 hours ago, T-T-T said:

GulF Air has a  great business class  product but that price seems very expensive I have never paid over £1400  this next trip will be my 4 or 5th I think with them. 

I didn’t know I’d be flying December/January until early August and I couldn’t find a decent fare with anyone - except Air China who I won’t use. My dates were fixed. Pretty much everyone else was 2k+. Gulf have been showing at about the same as Qatar & Emirates on my dates for next summer as well. Ended up booking Qatar for Xmas as it’s easier for me this time to fly out of CWL but back to LHR. Highest fare I’ve ever paid though. 

[thinkingallowed]

Got a Qatar flight from Oslo out 9th December back 7th  January for just under £1400.

Booked a 24 hr stop in Doha to hopefully have a look at the place. Tried to do this in August but ended up ill and spent the whole stop in bed.

[T-T-T]

6 hours ago, davidge said:

I didn’t know I’d be flying December/January until early August and I couldn’t find a decent fare with anyone - except Air China who I won’t use. My dates were fixed. Pretty much everyone else was 2k+. Gulf have been showing at about the same as Qatar & Emirates on my dates for next summer as well. Ended up booking Qatar for Xmas as it’s easier for me this time to fly out of CWL but back to LHR. Highest fare I’ve ever paid though. 

Thats a shame Davidge  but glad you got sorted , you never know what is going to happen around xmas and new year :-(  did you every get your compensation from Gulf that time ? 

Edited September 23, 2019 by T-T-T

[davidge]

6 minutes ago, T-T-T said:

Thats a shame Davidge  but glad you got sorted , you never know what is going to happen around xmas and new year :-(  did you every get your compensation from Gulf that time ? 

Yes I did in the end. Had to go through a lawyer so they took 30%. Still, it made the £1k fare even cheaper 

[neilri2001]

It's not an airline that particularly appeals to me but according to Flyertalk Turkish Airlines have London to Bangkok in Business for £1622 return. There appears to be plenty of availability over the coming months albeit with some blackout dates. The Turkish Business lounge in Istanbul also appears to have a lot of positive reviews.

[Just Browsing]

1 hour ago, neilri2001 said:

It's not an airline that particularly appeals to me but according to Flyertalk Turkish Airlines have London to Bangkok in Business for £1622 return. There appears to be plenty of availability over the coming months albeit with some blackout dates. The Turkish Business lounge in Istanbul also appears to have a lot of positive reviews.

Turkish Airline are quite good, I wouldn't say in the same league as Qatar (My current favourite) or SIA but I'd about on the same level as Finnair (Who I've been very happy with my with on all my flights with them).

Lounge at IST is huge, food selection wasn't great but they do have a few live cooking stations, my last trip was on New Years eve so we had the Countdown in there & they were handing out Champagne... 
 

In summary I'd fly with TA again if the price was right, but if it was only an extra £100-£200 to fly Qatar or SIA I'd splash out (incidentally my BKK-DOH-MAN return flights we're "only" 68,000 THB which was approx £1,650 at the time but with current fx rates more like £1,800 

 

 

Edited October 3, 2019 by JB300

[Luv2Phuket]

Check the layout of your Turkish flight on SeatGuru before booking.

On the trip where I was considering them, they had a 2-3-2 layout in business class. While I can tolerate - but prefer to avoid - a 2-2-2 layout, 2-3-2 is a firm “no go” for me.


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[davidge]

2 hours ago, Luv2Phuket said:

Check the layout of your Turkish flight on SeatGuru before booking.

On the trip where I was considering them, they had a 2-3-2 layout in business class. While I can tolerate - but prefer to avoid - a 2-2-2 layout, 2-3-2 is a firm “no go” for me.


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That’s a good point. They use 4 different aircraft between LHR and IST all with different layouts. I think it’s the A330 on all BKK flights with a 2-2-2.

[davidge]

I may as well ask here as start a new thread:

Anyone have recent experience of changing planes in PEK when travelling in Biz?

I’ve sworn not to fly through China but Air China are about £700 cheaper than Eva for my likely dates next year, and £500 cheaper than indirect with a good airline.

I’ve read a number of reviews of their flights so think I have a good idea of the product just unsure about how bad getting through the airport will be. I’ll only have a 75 minute connection coming back - and I’m not quick at airports!

Thanks.

[neilri2001]

3 hours ago, davidge said:

I may as well ask here as start a new thread:

Anyone have recent experience of changing planes in PEK when travelling in Biz?

I’ve sworn not to fly through China but Air China are about £700 cheaper than Eva for my likely dates next year, and £500 cheaper than indirect with a good airline.

I’ve read a number of reviews of their flights so think I have a good idea of the product just unsure about how bad getting through the airport will be. I’ll only have a 75 minute connection coming back - and I’m not quick at airports!

Thanks.

Will you be using the new or the old airport as most international  airlines will be switching to the new airline from the end of this month? I think the new airport will assume the PEK prefix with the existing one being allocated a new code. I've used the existing airport on a number of occasions and i personally wouldn't be happy with a 75 minute connection time coming back if i had checked luggage. With hand luggage only it would be a more realistic proposition. The new airport has literally just opened in time for National day and is apparently huge but obviously i don't yet have any first hand experience. I've flown Air China, China Southern and China Eastern  and of the three i would favour China Eastern flying business /domestic first. I have found the service in premium classes to be fine although i have always traveled with a Chinese national. You don't get the over effusive service that you get with some airlines and the food is very much aimed at Chinese travelers, even on international routes. Also check what planes are being used on the LHR - PEK sector. When i went it was 2-2-2 but my understanding is that most  are now 1-2-1

[davidge]

22 minutes ago, neilri2001 said:

Will you be using the new or the old airport as most international  airlines will be switching to the new airline from the end of this month? I think the new airport will assume the PEK prefix with the existing one being allocated a new code. I've used the existing airport on a number of occasions and i personally wouldn't be happy with a 75 minute connection time coming back if i had checked luggage. With hand luggage only it would be a more realistic proposition. The new airport has literally just opened in time for National day and is apparently huge but obviously i don't yet have any first hand experience. I've flown Air China, China Southern and China Eastern  and of the three i would favour China Eastern flying business /domestic first. I have found the service in premium classes to be fine although i have always traveled with a Chinese national. You don't get the over effusive service that you get with some airlines and the food is very much aimed at Chinese travelers, even on international routes. Also check what planes are being used on the LHR - PEK sector. When i went it was 2-2-2 but my understanding is that most  are now 1-2-1

Thanks. The flights would be next year and it just says ‘PEK’ as airport. From what I’ve seen, it’s 2-2-2 in Biz both ways - unless it changes by then. I’m not expecting a 5 star hard or soft product, but the saving is huge. Having suffered BA last trip I can put up with that, I’m sure. I am concerned about the airport though. I am very slow getting through airports now.

[neilri2001]

6 hours ago, davidge said:

Thanks. The flights would be next year and it just says ‘PEK’ as airport. From what I’ve seen, it’s 2-2-2 in Biz both ways - unless it changes by then. I’m not expecting a 5 star hard or soft product, but the saving is huge. Having suffered BA last trip I can put up with that, I’m sure. I am concerned about the airport though. I am very slow getting through airports now.

Just checked and the new airport has been assigned the prefix PKX so unless the search engines have yet to catch up PEK would mean that you would be flying into the old / existing airport. If that is the case i wouldn't be happy with a 75 minute connection with luggage. Depending on when you have to pull the trigger Air China often have a very good sale around Chinese New Year. I saw prices sub £1300 last year but the sale is a very brief one often lasting only 48 to 72 hours. sometimes it is also worth looking on the Ctrip website as they often have access to lower fares than the western based search engines. 

Edited October 4, 2019 by neilri2001

[davidge]

39 minutes ago, neilri2001 said:

Just checked and the new airport has been assigned the prefix PKX so unless the search engines have yet to catch up PEK would mean that you would be flying into the old / existing airport. If that is the case i wouldn't be happy with a 75 minute connection with luggage. Depending on when you have to pull the trigger Air China often have a very good sale around Chinese New Year. I saw prices sub £1300 last year but the sale is a very brief one often lasting only 48 to 72 hours. sometimes it is also worth looking on the Ctrip website as they often have access to lower fares than the western based search engines. 

From what I’ve read, Air China will be keeping most of their flights at the current airport while China Eastern & China Southern will have more of a base at the new airport, along with a number of foreign airlines.

If the 75 minutes is too short a connection I think the cheaper fare is also available with a 7 hour connection, but I’m reluctant to have to wait that long.

[Luv2Phuket]

NOT Business class, but here is a blog about JAL premium economy that features a RT fare of $870 (SFO-BKK)

https://thepointsguy.com/deals/jal-premium-economy-718/

[mercmanrob]

On 03/10/2019 at 13:54, neilri2001 said:

It's not an airline that particularly appeals to me but according to Flyertalk Turkish Airlines have London to Bangkok in Business for £1622 return. There appears to be plenty of availability over the coming months albeit with some blackout dates. The Turkish Business lounge in Istanbul also appears to have a lot of positive reviews.

Those prices are not available, I’ve checked numerous dates, none come back anywhere near. I would like to try TA, heard good things, but also heard a lot of bad!!

[neilri2001]

15 hours ago, mercmanrob said:

Those prices are not available, I’ve checked numerous dates, none come back anywhere near. I would like to try TA, heard good things, but also heard a lot of bad!!

As i said i my original post i have no particular  interest in Turkish airlines but as Flyertalk is a very reliable source of information i thought i would double check on skyscanner. The very first  date that i checked Going out on Monday 4th and November and coming back on Monday 18th November Turkish immediately came up at £1630.  Multiple availability Mid January too although the cheapest prices (£1575) were from Gatwick. Perhaps refer back to the original article on Flyertalk premium fares for the offer conditions. As someone else in the thread noted you need to check the planes carefully with Turkish as the business class product varies. seatguru is your friend in this regard

As a side note Air China was showing multiple business class options from as little as £1356 for the same dates In November.

Edited October 7, 2019 by neilri2001

[Just Browsing]

2 hours ago, neilri2001 said:

As i said i my original post i have no particular  interest in Turkish airlines but as Flyertalk is a very reliable source of information i thought i would double check on skyscanner. The very first  date that i checked Going out on Monday 4th and November and coming back on Monday 18th November Turkish immediately came up at £1630.  Multiple availability Mid January too although the cheapest prices (£1575) were from Gatwick. Perhaps refer back to the original article on Flyertalk premium fares for the offer conditions. As someone else in the thread noted you need to check the planes carefully with Turkish as the business class product varies. seatguru is your friend in this regard

As a side note Air China was showing multiple business class options from as little as £1356 for the same dates In November.

Finnair is coming up at approx £1,600 in November, I've enjoyed all my flights with them at the lounge at Helsinki is quite nice 

[ludwighigh]

On 21/09/2019 at 17:10, ludwighigh said:

I just got a screaming deal on China Southern from LAX-BKK, $1990 business, booked on 1 week's notice on a third party website.  My second time flying on China Southern between LAX and BKK.  Thought I wouldn't do it again, but you really can't beat the price.  The hard product on this flight (seats, etc) is very good, soft product is acceptable.

The LAX to BKK route typically uses an economy leg from CAN-BKK, but I selected a slightly later flight from CAN-BKK to get business class instead, where I will land in BKK at 2:30PM.  So instead of a 3.25 hour layover I will have a 7.25 hour layover.

As I recall the airport in CAN does not have the air conditioning turned on that early in the morning (and it was completely miserable to sit in the hot and humid terminal for several hours until the AC was turned on), so I am leaving the airport to take a nap at the Pullman hotel adjacent to terminal one for a few hours before getting on the next flight.  That cost an additional $118.

 

Just got back.

China Southern has improved substantially since I last flew on it.  The hard product is the same, but the soft product has improved significantly.  The hovering-style flight attendant service can be a bit tiresome but they mean well.  The new terminal for China Southern in Guangzhou is pretty nice.

Should have stayed in the transit hotel in Terminal 2.  It was a pain in the ass to get to the Pullman hotel.  For certain room rates, they will escort you from the gate or arrivals to the hotel.  Otherwise there is a non-existent sign at the terminal 2 arrival area saying that the Pullman hotel bus comes to parking spaces 3/4 in the bus area outside of the arrivals level of terminal 2.  I took the inter-terminal shuttle bus and got off at the wrong stop, could see the hotel but not easy way to walk there.  hotel was nice once I checked in but would have got more sleet staying in the airport transit hotel.

The later flight from CAN-BKK would up with me checking into my hotel at 4:45 or so. 

[redbloodedgent]

For all those flying through China, bring a jacket or blanket during your layvoers; I was freezing my ass off in November, 2018, in Beijing Capital Airport (PEK).

[mercmanrob]

7 hours ago, neilri2001 said:

As i said i my original post i have no particular  interest in Turkish airlines but as Flyertalk is a very reliable source of information i thought i would double check on skyscanner. The very first  date that i checked Going out on Monday 4th and November and coming back on Monday 18th November Turkish immediately came up at £1630.  Multiple availability Mid January too although the cheapest prices (£1575) were from Gatwick. Perhaps refer back to the original article on Flyertalk premium fares for the offer conditions. As someone else in the thread noted you need to check the planes carefully with Turkish as the business class product varies. seatguru is your friend in this regard

As a side note Air China was showing multiple business class options from as little as £1356 for the same dates In November.

I was checking for a bit later, but I will check again,  thanks for the info

[mercmanrob]

I just checked my dates for February/March and any decent flights without a 8 hour stop on the way back comes in at £2k+, but you are right,  there are cheaper flights available 

[Just Browsing]

10 hours ago, mercmanrob said:

I just checked my dates for February/March and any decent flights without a 8 hour stop on the way back comes in at £2k+, but you are right,  there are cheaper flights available 

Try matrix.itasoftware.com or Google flights, allows you to search a wide range of dates & even alternative airports in 1 go

[neilri2001]

For those looking for good fares in the peak months of December and January check out the new SWISS Business class sale. The headline fare for BKK from LHR is £1577 and similar fares may be available from regional airports. When i checked this morning there was good availability in December ( including right up to Christmas week ), January ( second half ) and the first weekend of February. Lufthansa are running a similar sale but i didn't check their dates as most of their long haul routes are in a less optimal 2-2-2 formation

[T-T-T]

12 minutes ago, neilri2001 said:

For those looking for good fares in the peak months of December and January check out the new SWISS Business class sale. The headline fare for BKK from LHR is £1577 and similar fares may be available from regional airports. When i checked this morning there was good availability in December ( including right up to Christmas week ), January ( second half ) and the first weekend of February. Lufthansa are running a similar sale but i didn't check their dates as most of their long haul routes are in a less optimal 2-2-2 formation

I was just sitting here thinking can I fit in a new year break  but flight where all over £2000 will check Swiss Thanks 

[The Serpent]

Hi lads

Just as I was about to pull the trigger to purchase the following business class ticket

BKK/MAN/AMS/BKK for Feb/Mar - I 'll call this flight 1

I've come across this flight with EVA air

BKK/VIE/AMS/BKK - I'll call this flight 2

Flight 1 - I can purchase now for around $3,000 AUD (1,600 pound or 1,850 Euro) with either Turkish or Etihad airlines

Flight 2 - will cost me $4,100 AUD (2,200 pound or  2,500 Euro)

The reason why I am umming and arring is the EVA air flight is with the 787 - 10 Dreamliner and both are direct flights

I'm answering my own question, as I prefer to spend the $1,100 I would save on the flight 1 option on the Thai ladies, but that little voice in my head is telling to live a little and go with the flight 2 option

Off course with the flight option 2, I would have to factor in a couple of hundred dollars more to get me from Vienna to Manchester, so it would end up costing around $1,300

Also, with flight 2, I arrive in Vienna at 08.25 and there a flight with Easy Jet ( what a contrast...lol) that leaves at 11.40, direct to Manchester 

btw, the Turkish flight is with an Airbus 330-300 and the Etihad flight is with a Boeing 787 - 9 Dreamliner

What do you think???