Best first or business class on a plane?

JetBlast · Dec 16, 2009

Originally Posted by yfyf

I somehow read that as "why fly first when you can fly United". Then I laffo.

I actually prefer United's Premium Service from JFK over anything else if I have to do a transcon flight out of NYC.

JohnGalt · Dec 17, 2009

^ transcon in PS is great.

LabelKing · Dec 17, 2009

United's International Business Class is rather plain and slightly thread-bare.

Acephale · Dec 17, 2009

I used to rate United business class as it was the only airline that had the lie-flat seats on intra-Asia routes... and Vic Traders ribs and a rather fine selection of Champagnes... and you could get a business class seat for less miles than cattle with ANA... but they canceled the HK-Tokyo route

Good to hear positive reviews for Emirates as they do a deal back to the UK from here...

Trompe le Monde · Dec 17, 2009

still the only us carrier with horizontal lie-flat business seats, aside from us airways, which really is no comparison

Nomad_K · Dec 17, 2009

I haven't flown with Emirates, but Singapore has been providing quality service for a long time.

Honorable mention goes to ANA.

As for United - I have flown with them quite a bit on international and domestic routes, and found the customer service ranges from passable to pathetic. An exception - some of the younger staff on their commuter flights actually seem to like their customers, enjoy providing a quality service, and appreciate the fact that they are employed when 10% of the American work force is not.

culverwood · Dec 17, 2009

Qatar Airways business class is not so good but Kingfisher First (by the beer man) is surprisingly good for the price.

Acephale · Dec 17, 2009

Originally Posted by Nomad_K

Honorable mention goes to ANA.

Not a fan at all (see above). However my J-boss has just spent approx $5K flying back and forth to Okinawa to get lifetime gold (or whatever the top tier is ) membership to star alliance - moar miles per trip, access to the lounges, baggage of up to 32kg if in coach, business class check in, occasional upgrades and priority when booking flights on miles.

He is now putting every purchase on whatever associated credit card)s) and the miles do add up.

imageWIS · Dec 17, 2009

I'm strangely comforted that if a plane dives nose first, first class passengers are the first ones to go... Anyways, airline travel has gone to **** from the golden age of air travel.

jesask · Dec 17, 2009

I've never flown Business or First Class. I'm just a small-timer I guess. I will have to start though after seeing some of these.

apropos · Dec 17, 2009

Originally Posted by imageWIS

I'm strangely comforted that if a plane dives nose first, first class passengers are the first ones to go... Anyways, airline travel has gone to **** from the golden age of air travel.
That is true. The people with the best chance of surviving a crash are the ones sitting near the tail.

I'll put it to you that the 'golden age of air travel' actually never existed - cabin noise levels were much much much much higher, flights were much longer, entertainment was limited to newspapers and magazines, the seats were less comfortable, food served >30 mins after takeoff was not warm, the amenities were decidedly lacking in both number, space and usability, etc etc

If you are referring to the check-in process though and the security 'screenings' involved, that may be another matter altogether though...

imageWIS · Dec 17, 2009

Originally Posted by apropos

That is true. The people with the best chance of surviving a crash are the ones sitting near the tail.

I'll put it to you that the 'golden age of air travel' actually never existed - cabin noise levels were much much much much higher, flights were much longer, entertainment was limited to newspapers and magazines, the seats were less comfortable, food served >30 mins after takeoff was not warm, the amenities were decidedly lacking in both number, space and usability, etc etc

If you are referring to the check-in process though and the security 'screenings' involved, that may be another matter altogether though...

And dress, and flight attendant service, and ability to nail said attendants, and freebies (playing cards, actual metal cutlery in tourist class), and amount of luggage one can bring aboard, etc...

ANIKETOS · Dec 17, 2009

Emirates Airlines business and first are fantastic on their new huge planes.You can actually take a shower in there while you are in the air.

imageWIS · Dec 17, 2009

Originally Posted by ANIKETOS

Emirates Airlines business and first are fantastic on their new huge planes.You can actually take a shower in there while you are in the air.

With another person?

Trompe le Monde · Dec 17, 2009

Originally Posted by culverwood

Qatar Airways business class is not so good but Kingfisher First (by the beer man) is surprisingly good for the price.

Kingfisher is a top-tier airline, as rated by Skytrax

peers: Asiana, SQ, Qatar

Best first or business class on a plane?

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