Flying business class to / from US - any suggestions?

[johnbkk]

Have checked out the usual sites (travelocity, orbitz, etc) and they don't really 'do' business class, judging from the preposterous non-direct fares they list.

Looking for a site or an agent who can manage 2,000 USD (or less) one way on a non-African carrier.

I've seen EVA for around that price but would like other options.

This is all inclusive from the East Coast to BKK, though I don't mind flying economy on a domestic leg, say from NY to LA, and then business from there.

No more than a couple of stops, pls. Other than that, I'm not too picky. Just not going to do the economy thing on long haul flights any more.

Any suggestions?

[chinthee]

The nonstop Thai airways flight from JFK to Bangkok is your best bet at 17 hours. The plane has the Royal Silk combined business/first, so you pay biz class but essentially get a first class sleeper seat. It's a nice new plane. I flew it RT last year.

Not sure if you'll get anything that cheap though as biz class fares have risen tremendously in the past year.

[buad hai]

Have you looked at the EVA Evergreen Deluxe class? This is essentially a business class-type seat with economy class service. On the 777's you get a very nice entertainment system with movies on demand, noise canceling headset, etc. The seat pitch might not be as great as in some business class sections, but it's big enough for me to sleep well on the overnight, transpacific segments.

[BobbyTits]

Have you looked at the EVA Evergreen Deluxe class? This is essentially a business class-type seat with economy class service. On the 777's you get a very nice entertainment system with movies on demand, noise canceling headset, etc. The seat pitch might not be as great as in some business class sections, but it's big enough for me to sleep well on the overnight, transpacific segments.

I use this service and it is head over heels from economy but not really a business class level.

[johnbkk]

Thanks guys. I looked at Thai as I flew B-class on them years ago and it was a little ratty in the cabin but fine for the price.

I heard they've spruced things up a bit but unfortunately the prices have been put up as well. 3,500 for JFK to BKK one way is doable, I guess. Direct flight is nice.

I'm seeing prices from most airlines in the 3-4k range for a one way business class ticket from JFK to BKK. Is that pretty much the going rate?

I'm still looking at EVA. Deluxe Evergreen (Premium Economy) is around 1,300 - 1,700. Premium Laurel (Business) is around 2,500, going by their website. It would be economy on AA out to LA, though, maybe a 4 hr layover there, and then another stop in Taipei or something.

[buad hai]

I guess it depends on if you want the service (lots of drinks and fancy meals) or if you just want the wider seat with a little more space. If the latter, the EVA Evergreen Deluxe is fine. But, as stated, the service and food are very economy class. (You do get slippers and a little bag with lotion, toothbrush and toothpaste.)

The layover in Taipei is a bit grim unless you can get into a lounge. The EVA lounge is good, but you don't get in with EVA Deluxe unless you've reached a certain mileage level. There is a nearby paid lounge that you can use. I don't know the cost.

[johnbkk]

Space is the main reason. I'd also like a bit of peace.

For drinks and meals all I really need is a plastic cup of water to wash down my Xanax.

They should have a sleeper class where you take some sedatives and it's just lights out the whole way.

[El Gibbon]

Just for info

RT Bkk to Bos is 83,000 Thb for the BA premium economy class. Short stop in Heathrow both ways.

E. G.

[buad hai]

Space is the main reason. I'd also like a bit of peace.

If that's it then give EVA Evergreen Deluxe a shot. The price is right, space is plenty and the entertainment system and noise canceling headsets make for a quiet and private ride. When selecting flights, make sure you get a 777 rather than a 747.

[AJQUSA]

The nonstop Thai airways flight from JFK to Bangkok is your best bet at 17 hours. The plane has the Royal Silk combined business/first, so you pay biz class but essentially get a first class sleeper seat. It's a nice new plane. I flew it RT last year.

Not sure if you'll get anything that cheap though as biz class fares have risen tremendously in the past year.

I flew with Thai Air from JFK to BKK with a "Premium" economy seat at the end of 07. The 17 hours non-stop flight was the was the best I have ever taken from eastern US to SEA. The seats are large and have a footrest. A horizontal sleeping position was not missed at all. The personal entertainment system was great. The food and service made for an enjoyable flight. I paid US$1750 at that time. I was looking at prices for June 08 and found the same seat for around US$1625. The 'Royal Orchids Plus" program will get you free upgrades and/or Thai air domestic flights quickly when flying this distance.

[Fabian]

Just for info

RT Bkk to Bos is 83,000 Thb for the BA premium economy class. Short stop in Heathrow both ways.

E. G.

That's an option but I suggest flying without luggage or have they sorted it out now?

[johnbkk]

Next time around I'll check out Eva Evergreen Deluxe, or Thai premium economy on that JFK flight. Both sound like much more reasonable options.

So anyway, earlier today, I booked the following:

Korean Air / Aviana
DC - Seoul - Bangkok (1 stop)
Business Class

3,200 USD

Oh well

[El Gibbon]

Just for info

RT Bkk to Bos is 83,000 Thb for the BA premium economy class. Short stop in Heathrow both ways.

E. G.

That's an option but I suggest flying without luggage or have they sorted it out now?

True，but will risk it to avoid domestic US flights

[chinthee]

Next time around I'll check out Eva Evergreen Deluxe, or Thai premium economy on that JFK flight. Both sound like much more reasonable options.

So anyway, earlier today, I booked the following:

Korean Air / Aviana
DC - Seoul - Bangkok (1 stop)
Business Class

3,200 USD

Oh well

Actually, even though I liked the Thai JFK trip in Royal Silk, I hated landing at JFK. I had to take two puddle jumpers to get where I was going in Virginia, and the overall trip time worked out about the same because JFK is not as well domestically connected as Newark or La Guardia. I guess your origin point is DC, which is probably not as big an issue, but the JFK nonstop is nice if NYC is your destination. Otherwise check connecting schedules, you might be cooling your heels at JFK.

On the other hand, I've also flown the nonstop from BKK to LAX same service a few times. Very nice flight, and connections are great out of LAX if final destination is west coast or mountain states.

[buad hai]

3,200 USD

One way? You must be flush.

[chinthee]

^Around $6k is the minimum biz class ticket nowadays. The cheapest economy class for travel this summer is around $1800-$2200RT. I know because I'm paying for two tickets for family to visit me. This is assuming one hop from a major gateway.

This really sucks nowdays with the costs as they are.

[Aquaman]

Korean air isn't bad at all.

[Carnwadrick]

www.china-airlines.com Business class from LA to BKK one stop in August is less than $1,700 taxes included...I mostly fly economy with them and 90% of the time I have had at least 2 seats to myself but at this price I'm going to splurge (is that a word??) and treat myself...service has always been very good

[Aquaman]

don't they crash all the time?

[Carnwadrick]

^ I think your statement is bullshit... prove it

[Aquaman]

Fatal Events Since 1970 for China Airlines

The following events are those involving at least one passenger death where the aircraft flight had a direct or indirect role. Excluded would be events where the only passengers killed were stowaways, hijackers, or saboteurs.

1. 12 August 1970; China Airlines YS11; Taipei, Taiwan: The aircraft was on approach under conditions of heavy rain and low clouds when it struck a low ridge about 660 feet (200 meters) about one half mile (800 meters) from the runway. Two of the five crew members and 12 of the 26 passengers were killed.
2. 21 November 1971; China Airlines Caravelle; near Penghu Islands, Formosa Strait between Taiwan and the PRC: The aircraft was believed to have been destroyed by an inflight explosion caused by a bomb. All 17 passengers and eight crew members were killed.
3. 27 February 1980; China Airlines 707-300; Manila, Philippines: The crew executed a steep and unstabilized approach, touching down hard short of the runway and bouncing, eventually stopping on the runway after having the two outboard engines and parts of wing departing the aircraft. Two of the 122 passengers were killed.
4. 16 August 1982; China Airlines 747; near Hong Kong: The aircraft encountered severe inflight turbulence. Two of the 292 passengers were killed.
5. 16 February 1986; China Airlines 737-200; Pescadores Islands, Taiwan: The aircraft touched down on the runway but crashed during an attempted go around . All six passengers and seven crew members were killed.
6. 26 October 1989; China Airlines 737-200; near Hualien, Taiwan: The crew was using an incorrect departure procedure and hit cloud shrouded high ground at 7000 feet (2130 meters). All seven crew members and 49 passengers were killed.
7. 26 April 1994; China Airlines A300-600; Nagoya, Japan: Crew errors led to the aircraft stalling and crashing during approach. All 15 crew and 249 of the 264 passengers were killed.
8. 16 February 1998; China Airlines A300-600; near Taipei, Taiwan: The aircraft crashed into a residential area short of the runway during its second landing attempt. The scheduled flight had been inbound from the island of Bali in Indonesia. The event occurred under conditions of darkness with rain and reduced visibility due to fog. All 15 crew and 182 passengers were killed. At least seven persons on the ground were also killed.
9. 22 August 1999; China Airlines MD11; Hong Kong, China: The aircraft was landing in Hong Kong at night and during a storm after a flight from Bangkok. The aircraft struck the runway and came to rest upside down and on fire. All 15 crew members survived, but three of the 300 passengers were killed.
10. 25 May 2002; China Airlines 747-200; near the Penghu Islands, Taiwan: The aircraft crashed into the sea about 20 minutes into a scheduled flight from Taipei to Hong Kong. The impact area was in the Taiwan Straits near the Penghu Islands about 75 km (47 mi) from the coast of Taiwan. Weather and flight conditions were normal, and no distress signal or other communication was received prior to the crash. The accident investigation concluded that the in-flight breakup was due to a structural failure in the aft lower lobe section of the fuselage. The investigation attributed this failure to an inadequate repair of tail strike damage that was sustained in 1980. All 19 crew members and 206 passengers were killed. The accident aircraft was the last 747-200 in passenger service with China Airlines and was to be sold to another carrier next month. According to Boeing, the aircraft was delivered to China Airlines in July 1979 and had accumulated approximately 21,180 landings and 64,394 flight hours. This nearly 22-year old aircraft was newer than similar models in the fleets of U.S. airlines. According to the FAA, the average age of Boeing 747-200 and 747-300 models in U.S. airline fleets at the time of this event was 24 years.
    This was the 26th fatal event involving the Boeing 747. The next most recent 747 event was an October 2000 Singapore Airlines accident in Taipei that killed 79 passengers and four crew members. There have been several fatal events involving in-flight breakups, including the 1996 event involving TWA Flight 800 and a November 2001 fatal event involving an American Airlines Airbus A300 over New York City.
    Previous in-flight breakups involving jet airliners have been due to varied causes, including a fuel tank explosion, severe weather or other atmospheric phenomena, bombs, missiles, and midair collisions.
    Fatal 747 Series Events
    20 August 2007; China Airlines 737-800; Naha, Japan: Shortly after landing at Naha on the island of Okinawa, the left engine caught fire and the crew initiated an emergency evacuation. Although the aircraft was destroyed by fire, all 157 passengers (including two toddlers) and eight crew members survived. Because this event did not result in a passenger death, it does not constitute a fatal event as define

[Carnwadrick]

^ I guess you told me^ sorry..I and my friends have been using them for quite a few years without incident and had never heard of accidents but I guess that's not going to be in the travel pack

[Aquaman]

I wasnt trying to be prick. anyway, from the times i flew them and when friends have flown them the planes are a bit old. i always fly thai from JFK to bangkok. i like the newish plane, service, and the non-stop. the food was shite on my last trip with them (thai).

[Carnwadrick]

^ no it was me that was the prick for challenging you to "prove it" should've done my own homework but with a few beers I was too lazy to do so, the planes I've flown in were ok, clean and service good, maybe now I know why there are always empty seats.

[Carnwadrick]

Just got off the phone with a Chinese client (his mother had recommended the airline) and he confirmed that they have a bit of a rep. for bad luck, shit now he tells me!! anyway better than Air India.