Moneysaving on first class flight tickets

callum9999

Biggles wrote: »

I wasn't. The other thing that bothers me slightly is the idea of the cabin staff passing food and drink to me over the lap of the person in the aisle seat. It does seem it has enormous potential to go messy!

Why? They cope perfectly fine in economy where they're passing it over 2 people.

suelees1

Yes I'd go along with recommending business class.


You might also find this helpful as part of your research http://www.seatguru.com/

budgetflyer

If you are going to use BA then upgrading from WT+ to Club with BA Exec Club Avios may be an option. certainly cheaper than buying a CW ticket.
The AMEX platinum gives up to 54000 points/Avios.

It has a £450 annual fee but has a lot of benefits + you can get £165 cashback by signing up via an ebay referal such as http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/54-000-Avios-165-Cash-Back-BA-British-Airways-Airmiles-Virgin-Atlantic-/251212498262?pt=UK_Tickets_Travel_Package_Holidays_CV&hash=item3a7d6e8556

miduck

Biggles wrote: »

I've had my first experience of Club World and I shall avoid it in future, compared to other Biz Class seats.

Sure, you have six feet to stretch out at night (as long as you don't mind that the last couple of feet consists of a fold-down stool!), but it's all about as wide as a plank and your neighbour is there staring you in the face, due to their space-saving top-to-toe seating arrangements. I would put it about on a par with Premium Economy.

The hospitality is good, no question about that, especially in the Heathrow lounge.

Please point out which PE product gives you a lie flat seat? And how wide do you need a seat to be, I used to be a fair size and never had a problem with it.

You don't tell the OP which airlines you prefer?

Dawning

miduck wrote: »

Please point out which PE product gives you a lie flat seat? And how wide do you need a seat to be, I used to be a fair size and never had a problem with it.

You don't tell the OP which airlines you prefer?

I'm curious to hear about which airlines your prefer too, Biggles. I think BA CW is one of the best bus. class products out there, with the exception of SQ and CX (and EK on A380 of course). Reading your post it sounds like there are some other carriers I've missed out on. Please tell us which airlines you prefer so I can give them a try too!
I've done thousands of miles in CW and have never seen any mishaps because of the cabin crew having to pass food and drinks across.
Also, you can put the divider up as soon as it's safe to do so, then your neighbour doesn't have to look at you either!

My own view on OP's situation is that I'd go for business class with one of the better airlines, rather than pay the extra for F. F is nice, but for me there's really not that much huge of a difference, certainly doesn't justify the difference in price.

blindman

Dawning wrote: »

Please tell us which airlines you prefer so I can give them a try too!

Air New Zealand and Virgin spring to mind.

pelirocco

Biggles wrote: »

I've had my first experience of Club World and I shall avoid it in future, compared to other Biz Class seats.

Sure, you have six feet to stretch out at night (as long as you don't mind that the last couple of feet consists of a fold-down stool!), but it's all about as wide as a plank and your neighbour is there staring you in the face, due to their space-saving top-to-toe seating arrangements. I would put it about on a par with Premium Economy.

The hospitality is good, no question about that, especially in the Heathrow lounge.

Err no your neighbour isn't staring you in the face ,? The seats are very private especially with the screens up. The bed is much better then virgin's UC bed, the2 seats in the middle are good for couples, however I do think their food and service isnt brilliant but seat comfort makes up for it.

Last year we flew to san Francisco , stayed a week then went to Maui, its a long trip to do in one hit, I found the time difference a killer.

I might be flamed because I didn't think Maui was worth the expense and the time spent getting there. Don't get me wrong it was nice , but didn't think it was special

Doshwaster

blindman wrote: »

Air New Zealand and Virgin spring to mind.

I've never flow ANZ but Virgin try too hard to be cool and trendy. I much prefer the understated Britishness of BA.

pelirocco

callum9999 wrote: »

Why? They cope perfectly fine in economy where they're passing it over 2 people.

It must be annoying tho, I felt sorry for the poor bloke sat in the aisle next to me, it was non stop passing stuff through the screen for the first hour or so of the flight , stepping over people's legs is a bit of a pain too ......however I do like the seats and the beds and it's well worth the money .I used to love Virgins P.E seats up in the bubble, but they seem to be disappearing and the seats downstairs aren't much better then economy imoh

lady1964

Biggles wrote: »

I wasn't. The other thing that bothers me slightly is the idea of the cabin staff passing food and drink to me over the lap of the person in the aisle seat. It does seem it has enormous potential to go messy!

Yes, but the OP is travelling as a couple, so the neighbour thing for them won't be an issue, unless they have a row pre-boarding

Yes, there is the potential for food/drink spillage but in 13 or 14 CW trips, I've never seen it happen (cue this to happen to me next week!) but as others mention, passing food across seats happens in economy too, the CC are trained to do this in a certain way so no spillage occurs.

Would agree with the suggestion of going ex EU as well, Flyertalk regulars often mention that, it's a bit of a hassle in some ways but if the budget demands a bit of cost cutting on flights and time isn't a major issue, it's something I'd look at.