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Vacations and World TravelVisiting our beautiful city? Come stay at the Arbutus Vista - Vancouver's Bed & Breakfast.
How was your trip? Which tour packages would you recommend/avoid? Must do's and must eats? Share tips, photos and experiences with other senior RS members who just want to get away..
Ever since I got to my new job position, I have been flying a lot in business class.
Just want to share with you guys about the experience in the front cabins.
No bragging intended.
First up is my flight on United from Beijing:
Spoiler!
Arriving at the departure area of Beijing T3:
Business class line was of course much less crowded. I did the check-in within 3min
United uses the Air China business lounge. Even only business lounge, it's still better than most of the first class lounges I have been in North American's airports:
Picked up some fried rice and meat option from the hot plates:
The lounge is on the third level (second level from departure gates) and feels extremely open rather than all the dutyfree shops downstairs:
The airbridge for Business/First class:
The pre-departure drink. United has been doing some cost-cutting, no more champagne... but rather some cheap sparkling wine
More than plenty of legroom and big screen for IFE
Soon after our takeoff comes the dinner service, first course is salad and cold appy
For entree I picked the beef. The difference between econ and bus, is that they offer one more choice, fish or pasta. So, never order in business class as it states on the menu... just tell them beef, chicken or fish. In my first business class travel I did that and my boss who was travelling with me was like... "what a noob"
The thing I like about business class seat is the flexibility. So I can really relax and enjoy the boring and long flight without feeling cramped.
One thing very thoughtful of United was offering hot option for arrival meal. It's really weird to eat breakfast stuff when I arrive to a place that's 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
Will be posting soon about my flights on Swiss Airlines and Air Canada.
Sometimes we tend to be in despair when the person we love leaves us, but the truth is, it's not our loss, but theirs, for they left the only person who couldn't give up on them.
Make the effort and take the risk..
"Do what you feel in your heart to be right- for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't." - Eleanor Roosevelt
Most of the competent airlines nowadays offer fully-flat bed. I didn't take a shot of my seat turned into bed. But again, those 3 airlines you listed are among the absolute best airlines to fly. Too bad that the routes of these 3 airlines aren't exactly flying the route I often do.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidNguyen
This is something I wouldn't see ever. I might add the $$$ for my parentswhen they goto Nam
Thanks for sharing
Actually, if you get some good CC like RBC AVION, you can get to business/first pretty easy. RBC AVION, for example, run deals on converting the points to specific airline programs from time to time. They just done one for AA (1:1.25 IIRC) and for business class rewards is 110k roundtrip to Asia. or 130k for first class I think. And you can get award travels not only on AA but also their OneWorld partners like Cathay.
110k might sound a lot... but if you factor in the conversion bonuses as well as maximizing the utilization of your CC, it's actually not that hard. I load almost EVERYTHING I can possibly pay by CC on a single card, and the points adds up much faster than you think.
Quote:
Originally Posted by maxxxboost
Awesome experience! If you don't mind me asking, what is your new job position?
Quote:
Originally Posted by k20er
baller! shot caller!
I'm an IT solution analyst. Basically I write/design IT solutions proposals often for government grants, business migrating their system... etc.
I do ok on my salary, but nothing to brag about. It's my company's policy that allows me to fly often in business class. (any flight longer than 4hr 59min, excluding connecting time)
Quote:
Originally Posted by urban.boi
i'll snap a J class on CX next week when I fly, if I get the new plane. here's F class from this week Attachment 12143
United's hardware is actually not bad, at least in J products. It's the soft part that stinks. I flew once in Cathay J about 2 years back and I can't say I liked the angled seat as AC J. But CX F is a totally different animal.
I am an avid user there and the community is just great!
I am on FT too. But the problem with FT is that the information on there, specially mileage accumulation tips/tricks are mainly US focused. (with the exception of perhaps AC subforum) I have very rarely come across much information for canucks. Heck, I've had better luck on RFD travel or personal finance section.
United's hardware is actually not bad, at least in J products. It's the soft part that stinks. I flew once in Cathay J about 2 years back and I can't say I liked the angled seat as AC J. But CX F is a totally different animal.
ah your talking about the old CX J (herrabone) which most of us FF hate as well but good news they rolled out new ones! I tried it 4 times earlier last month MUCH better... the arrangement looks like F class cept with a smaller seat pitch (us normal folks won't know unless you take out your measuring tape) I choose CX as main carrier for the soft stuff..cant go wrong with the small stuff that makes your flight that much more enjoyable.
I'm in the film industry, producing movies/sales of the movies
.. new company policy all oversea trips get business class..as my boss and I flew on econ for one of the production to save some money..ended up he couldnt deal with Econ and so enforced a new policy..so lucky me!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hehe
I am on FT too. But the problem with FT is that the information on there, specially mileage accumulation tips/tricks are mainly US focused. (with the exception of perhaps AC subforum) I have very rarely come across much information for canucks. Heck, I've had better luck on RFD travel or personal finance section.
But maybe I'm not active enough there. lol
I'm on there as well..but go into the CX sub forms for asia (CX sub form) best way to find out how to burn and churn the miles. Lot of us YVR base folks there :P i let go of my *A and only went with OW (MPC) now even if it means i have to transit via HKG to get to any mainland city I still prefer that over the direct flight. you will soon find yourself aiming to maintain the elite status once you taste the rainbow...like constant upgrade to F class from J class using miles or getting bumped u.
Damn, never really gotten the chance to get an insider's look of what its like to be in business class. However, other than the bigger space you get while on the plane, I'm not quite sure if I'd be able to really make use of all the other features of a business class ticket.
There are no principles, there are only events. There is no good and bad, there are only circumstances. The superior espouses events and circumstances in order to guide them.
I've only gone business on air china from Japan to hongkong it wasn't anything special cause it was a short flight, and it was a free upgrade on the spot cause we were first in line to board haha.
ah your talking about the old CX J (herrabone) which most of us FF hate as well but good news they rolled out new ones! I tried it 4 times earlier last month MUCH better... the arrangement looks like F class cept with a smaller seat pitch (us normal folks won't know unless you take out your measuring tape) I choose CX as main carrier for the soft stuff..cant go wrong with the small stuff that makes your flight that much more enjoyable.
I'm in the film industry, producing movies/sales of the movies
.. new company policy all oversea trips get business class..as my boss and I flew on econ for one of the production to save some money..ended up he couldnt deal with Econ and so enforced a new policy..so lucky me!
I'm on there as well..but go into the CX sub forms for asia (CX sub form) best way to find out how to burn and churn the miles. Lot of us YVR base folks there :P i let go of my *A and only went with OW (MPC) now even if it means i have to transit via HKG to get to any mainland city I still prefer that over the direct flight. you will soon find yourself aiming to maintain the elite status once you taste the rainbow...like constant upgrade to F class from J class using miles or getting bumped u.
I guess I will try it next time if time permits. But I'm already a *A Gold. (will be cracking the platinum on UA after making my way back this Tuesday) Is it worth it to start all over again with OW?
Granted the new UA FF program stinks. But I like the fact that I can earn full mileage+whatever bonus on all *A partner flights.
How many miles do you usually need to upgrade from J to F on CX? And how often do an elite FF gets bumped for free realistically speaking? Cause stupid *A never does that despite the numerous report I read on FT (I've never been bumped on a transpac/transatla flight on UA and AC has no F except once UA oversold J and had to do an OP-UP when I arrive late for check-in for my trip to NRT)
There are no principles, there are only events. There is no good and bad, there are only circumstances. The superior espouses events and circumstances in order to guide them.
I've only gone business on air china from Japan to hongkong it wasn't anything special cause it was a short flight, and it was a free upgrade on the spot cause we were first in line to board haha.
the FUCKKKKKKK i just went to beijing air china from narita japan
maybe next time ima stand in line first even though they order people from the back to the front.
I guess I will try it next time if time permits. But I'm already a *A Gold. (will be cracking the platinum on UA after making my way back this Tuesday) Is it worth it to start all over again with OW?
Granted the new UA FF program stinks. But I like the fact that I can earn full mileage+whatever bonus on all *A partner flights.
How many miles do you usually need to upgrade from J to F on CX? And how often do an elite FF gets bumped for free realistically speaking? Cause stupid *A never does that despite the numerous report I read on FT (I've never been bumped on a transpac/transatla flight on UA and AC has no F except once UA oversold J and had to do an OP-UP when I arrive late for check-in for my trip to NRT)
you don't necessary have to start from the beginning for MPC ( or other OW ) you can get status match certain FF programs allow a status match CX will only comp you to silver tho which beats going from green to silver however if you do fly a lot in revenue J .. they will sometimes comp to Gold (on a per case base)
J-F round trip upgrade is 85,000 miles (YVR-HKG) and one way upgrade is 50,000 miles.
personal my bump up ratio has been from Y-J 8/10 flights and J-F 6/10 flights, but given said that oversold will always bump you, special occasions like birthday will be bumped, and peak season and certain fights...usually i pick certain time/day/flight that i know will have less elite FF on it so given me a higher chance on bump.
Great pictures and review! I've never been on a UA business flight, looks awesome.
For me, the best business class is Lufthansa; large Recaro seats with massage functions, so wide I can roll in it, champagne and great Scotch selection.
The best lounge is the BA @ Heathrow, jesus, I would deliberately get a long layover there.
Looking forward to your next flight!
__________________
"Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort"
Zurich has several lounges for Swiss Airlines pax. But one highly recommended by many is the Panorama Lounge on the top floor of terminal E, so I decided to check out what the fuzz is all about.
The lounge is nicely stocked. It has a full variety of drinks as well as some hot options in food and soup. One little thing is that I wasn't exactly comfortable with Swiss soups (it got a weird sour/bitter taste to it)
I wasn't hungry. So I just grabbed a coffee to relax before my longhaul flight.
Oh, and the most important thing, why is it called the Panorama lounge? Well, it offers a panoramic view on the runway and it is very impressive. This is a panoramic view I took with my X100. It kinda screwed up a bit, but it gives you an idea what to expect.
Now on the plane. Swiss Airlines' seat is arranged in a crossed kinda way because it achieves the fully flat seat by sliding under the side-table kinda thing of the seat in front of you.
Again, plenty of legroom. But because it actually slides down, it doesn't have an ottoman for one to relax their feet on. Nevertheless, it's still quite comfortable.
The sliding spot I was referring to. It goes all the way giving pax 2 meters of space when fully reclined.
Swiss Airlines makes a special note on its presentation. Seatbelt in business class comes with airbag integrated. Not sure I'm sold on the idea on strapping myself to a mini explosive device.
I like how Swiss Airlines' Amenity kit comes in a metal box rather than those cheap bag that UA or AC uses.
Amenity kit content
A shot of the seat in lounge position. It's worth mentioning the seat is rather hard, even though not very noticeable when sitting. (more on this later). I really liked the side table idea. I could throw things around without occupying any space on my seat.
I took a quick Breakfast after boarding as I was expecting to sleep during most of the travel.
This is how the seat looks in bed position. As it slides under the slot to achieve the fully flat, the seat is lowered almost to the floor. And as I mentioned earlier, the seat is rather hard in bed position (they have a firmness setting on the seat control. But it didn't seem to make much difference no matter how long I pressed) So it actually feels like sleeping on the floor of an airplane, a rather unusual experience I must say.
The lunch. Nothing really special. So I'd just stick with pics:
Appy
Duck
Dessert
Coffee
Overall, I think Swiss' offering on business class is not bad. I really liked the side table as I don't need to panic to put away my laptop when they come for food service, although the seat could be softer.
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
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it wasn't anything special cause it was a short flight, and it was a free upgrade on the spot cause we were first in line to board haha.
certain FF programs allow a status match CX will only comp you to silver tho which beats going from green to silver however if you do fly a lot in revenue J .. they will sometimes comp to Gold (on a per case base) 
