Business class

Tag Archives for Business class.

Maximising Qantas Double Status Credit deal to my Benefit

Being an Aussie based flyer, almost one-third of my 1585 flights have been with the Australian carrier, Qantas. In addition I have flown every current and past One World carrier! This volume of flights means that I have achieved Qantas Gold for Life status (equivalent to One World Sapphire) in the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. I have also been Qantas Platinum (One World Emerald) for nine of the last ten years (I slipped one year). This status earns me a level of One World Priority benefits, which includes priority check-in, airport lounge access, priority boarding,…

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Qantas A380 Business to Singapore-sailing to one million km

Today’s flight was special because whilst aboard I reached a “milestone” of one million kilometres flown with Qantas. This has taken me an enjoyable chunk of my life! Normally on the Australia to Singapore segment, I have usually been on A330s.  Today was the second time I have traveled on the 380 on this routing. The utilisation by Qantas of the 380 on this routing now occurs when there are periods of high demand from Melbourne to Singapore. Booking: 8/10 I chose to fly in Qantas Business Class which is on the 380’s upper deck…

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Upgrading my Qantas experience-How I get Top Elite status in three round trips (almost)

I was sitting down to lunch a few years, with the family when my airline called to tell me my flight to Auckland was cancelled and I would miss my connection to Samoa. As a  result, I would get to my holiday  24 hours later than planned. The good news was if I could get to the airport within the hour they could get me into the earlier flight.  My brother in law drove me very quickly through Sydney streets to ensure I made this flight. Not only did Air New Zealand book me onto…

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Cathay Pacific Business Short Hop: Bangkok to Singapore

There is a massive amount of choice between Bangkok and Singapore with at least eleven airlines competing for passengers. I the midst of the clamour, the Cathay pacific option provides a nice calming option. The timing is really nice with an 11:50am departure giving one time to check out of the hotel at a civilised time and get to the airport after morning peak. Arrival into Singapore at 3:20pm gets you to your hotel just before the evening rush in Singapore, allows a check in and shower and then a chance to go for a walk,…

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All of My 2016 Trip Reports

As mentioned earlier this month, I flew 119 times for business and pleasure last year with 20 airlines in 2016. Big highlights of the year were my first five flights on the 787 Dreamliner, my first flights with Sri Lankan, my 380th flight with Qantas, my 350th flight on a Boeing 737 and flying into the Maldives. Here are the year’s ten Trip Reports (oops I need to post more Trip Reports!): 2016’s Best flight: My 380th Qantas flight in A380 FIRST – My Flight Rating: 96%  (4.8 out of 5)  My 2nd 787: Thai Business Brisbane…

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Air New Zealand’s Australia/USA/London Specials

Air New Zealand, my fourth favourite airline* are offering special fares this next two weeks to destinations in Australia, NZ, the UK and USA. For Aussie passengers, there are deals to four US destinations: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu and their new Houston hub.  Sydney to Houston is $A958 in Economy plus add a bag for $1 or $A2,631 in their wonderful Premium Economy. Melbourne to Houston is $A941 in Economy plus add a bag for $1  or $A2,614 in Premium. One way fares are actually higher than round trip! You fly via Auckland.   For US customers, the sale…

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$2015 US to London- BA Business Class Sale

Right now British Airways has roundtrip business class travel to London from $US2,015  from  Atlanta, Boston, Chicago,  Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington DC.  The  sale is only for October 15 and 16 for travel from November 16, 2015 through August 31, 2016 (although blackout dates apply on some routings). This is a great chance to fly the BA A380 or 787 product! The sale applies on British Airways code-shared flights operated by American Airlines. (although given the choice between BA and American…) You can reduce the cost by booking through AARP. Membership is only $16 and gives you an extra $400 off Business Class.…

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Finnair’s A350 First Commercial Flight

This week’s airline porn is Finnair‘s first every A350 visit to Amsterdam Schiphol: Oneworld airline Finnair have ordered 19 of the A350 to fly their long haul routes along with A330s. They will replace their current A340 fleet. Qatar was the A350 launch customer has ordered a whopping 80 of the type. A further 31 other airlines ordered the type. Airbus has sold 598 of the type. Finnair’s A350 has 297 seats in three classes: Business-class:  46 flat bed seats in a 1-2-1 configuration with a 78 to 81″ pitch and 21″ width. Every passenger will have direct aisle…

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Time to reconsider Garuda?

I have been avoiding flying Garuda Indonesia for two decades now! The financially troubled carrier had an appalling safety record, an ageing fleet, European bans, a patchy service culture and massive competition. To turn this around would seem impossible. Yet last month Skytrax announced that the Indonesian airline has been nominated one of the world’s five star airlines.   This is an honour reserved for seven other carriers: Asiana Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, Hainan Airlines Malaysia Airlines (currently under review) Qatar Airways  Singapore Airlines. This news surprised me. I have been aware of the changes at Garuda but…

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Boeing delivers 200th 787

I have yet to ride in a 787 and there are now 200 flying! This week on 28th October, 2014., Boeing delivered the 200th 787 to Qatar airways. (Registration# A7-BCP) at Paine field airport, Everett. The 100th was delivered on 4th November 4th, 2013 to Japan Airlines. It seems that 21 airlines now fly the 787: Aeromexico (AM) Air Canada (AC) Air India (AI) Arkefly (OR)  (Netherlands) All Nippon Airways British Airways (BA) China Southern (CZ) Ethiopian Airlines ( Hainan Airlines ( Japan Airlines (JL) Jetairfly (TB)  (Belgium) Jetstar Airways (JQ) Kenya Airways (KQ) LAN Airlines (LA)…

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