Business Class flight to Australia.

slinga

You might try Vietnam Airways BC from LHR to Singapore.
A three to four hour stopover in Vietnam using the BC lounges and then transit in Singapore.
Then BA economy Singapore to Brisbane

If I've calculated correctly that about GBP 2000.

We've flown Vietnam Airways LHR to Singapore BC a number of times. They use new 787s and the BC is fine.

Thai Air is GBP 2600 return BC LHR to Brisbane

The Emirates 380 is the quietest airplane I've flown on.

Other 380s always seemed louder.
Dunno how others feel about that.

zagfles

melanzana wrote: »

Hi all,

Quick question.... if I were to take the option of staying in a transit hotel on a long haul trip, would my luggage go straight through to destination?

Would the flights on different days be considered all in or would I have to check in again?

As others have said, this is a great idea, but I would be concerned that I would in fact be breaking the journey or something odd like that!

I hope I have made sense there, and thanks.

If you book it as one leg then the bags should be checked through. For instance if you book LHR-BNE it will give you loats of options inc short and long layovers, but it's considered one leg so your bags should be checked through (make certain when you check in!).

But if you book eg LHR-SIN and separately SIN-BNE then your bags likely won't be checked through.

But as above best check with the airline.

zagfles

ibizafan wrote: »

ScarletBea, that's just what I was saying to my OH this morning. I would be actually looking forward to the flight instead of gritting my teeth ready for the endurance test! Lots to think about.

TBH I consider a 3 or 4 hour EasyJet or Ryanair flight an "endurance test", but I've always enjoyed long haul economy flights. Especially on SIA, they are superb.

silvercar

I've recently done a long haul 13 hour return flights in business class. Night flights both ways. I did look forward to the flights, helped by the ability to sleep for long stretches both ways.

zagfles

budgetflyer wrote: »

Although zagfles description of " dorm bed" isn't so far from the truth, I think, for such a long journey,and if you can afford it, business class is worth it.

But why?? The OP is considering paying two thousand pounds extra for BC!! Plenty of people are saying yeah it's worth it, yeah it's great, but no detail, no reason why. Other than getting better sleep, but as I said you'd likely get even better sleep in a private hotel room than a "sky-dorm".

What exactly do you get that's really worth 2 grand? Surely you could waste that 2 grand on the ground and get far far more enjoyment from it. You could eat in Michelin 3 star restaurants every night for a week!

I can understand people getting upgrades using Avios etc, or people who are so rich that 2 grand is loose change (but they wouldn't slum it in BC anyway, they'd be in First ) or really important business travellers who need to get somewhere quick. But for ordinary leisure travellers of ordinary means, it just baffles me how in any world they could think it's worth that sort of money!

fifeken

zagfles wrote: »

What exactly do you get that's really worth 2 grand? Surely you could waste that 2 grand on the ground and get far far more enjoyment from it. You could eat in Michelin 3 star restaurants every night for a week!

You are very short sighted in not seeing that others may enjoy different things from you.

SW17

zagfles wrote: »

But why?? The OP is considering paying two thousand pounds extra for BC!! Plenty of people are saying yeah it's worth it, yeah it's great, but no detail, no reason why. Other than getting better sleep, but as I said you'd likely get even better sleep in a private hotel room than a "sky-dorm".

What exactly do you get that's really worth 2 grand? Surely you could waste that 2 grand on the ground and get far far more enjoyment from it. You could eat in Michelin 3 star restaurants every night for a week!

I can understand people getting upgrades using Avios etc, or people who are so rich that 2 grand is loose change (but they wouldn't slum it in BC anyway, they'd be in First ) or really important business travellers who need to get somewhere quick. But for ordinary leisure travellers of ordinary means, it just baffles me how in any world they could think it's worth that sort of money!

Take your point, but as always the value is in the eye of the beholder. In absolute terms, first and foremost you get more real estate on the aircraft, including the seat/bed. That's what you're really paying for. Plus of course the catering, lounges, transfer etc. It's all about how much someone values that. And yes, most airlines are making a higher margin on their real estate in premium cabins. A comparison one could make is renting cars, why would someone rent a luxury car when they could get where they are going and fit their bags in a Nissan Micra? Personal ideas of value.

For you it's clearly no value, to others it may be. You still have to spend the 20-odd hours in an economy seat, regardless of the break. That might not be for everyone. It's also probably more relevant for AU/NZ, given the overall journey length. For most other long haul flights a transit hotel is something to consider more if a connecting itinerary gives a very long layover.

OP - only you can decide value, but as a fare, £3k is a very good business class fare to Australia with an airline as good as Emirates, directly from a UK airport. As mentioned above, cheaper can be obtained, but you'll usually have to go to a Europe starting point to get it.

zagfles

fifeken wrote: »

You are very short sighted in not seeing that others may enjoy different things from you.

Err...I just want to know why! What is it that makes it worth 2 grand extra? The OP asked if it's worth it, simply saying yes without explaining why is not very helpful.

zagfles

SW17 wrote: »

Take your point,

Don't get me wrong, I'm not making a point, I'm asking a question. I really am truly baffled as to why anyone would think it's worth that sort of money to them. And that's the question the OP asked. People are saying "yes", but not why, which isn't really that helpful to the OP.

but as always the value is in the eye of the beholder. In absolute terms, first and foremost you get more real estate on the aircraft, including the seat/bed. That's what you're really paying for.

Right, but why is it you want that (I've never had a problem with legroom etc on any longhaul economy flight and I'm almost 6 foot). Or find it's worth so much money to you? Is it because you can't spare 8 hours to sleep in a private room in the transit hotel (that I could understand - to an extent)

Plus of course the catering, lounges, transfer etc. It's all about how much someone values that.

Which is all really trival extras can probably purchase separately for far far less if you want it.

And yes, most airlines are making a higher margin on their real estate in premium cabins. A comparison one could make is renting cars, why would someone rent a luxury car when they could get where they are going and fit their bags in a Nissan Micra? Personal ideas of value.

It just seems people are paying an absolute fortune for an "experience" in the air which they could do on the ground for a tiny fraction on the cost. A Michelin 3 star restaurant meal and a hostel dorm bed will be far cheaper than BC! And better

For you it's clearly no value, to others it may be.

No, it does have value, just not £2k of value! Clearly it's better in BC than in economy, but I can't see how anyone could value it at £2000. I personally would value it at around £100 or so, and would pay that sort of amount extra.

You still have to spend the 20-odd hours in an economy seat, regardless of the break.

I've done that, decades ago, several times. I wouldn't do it now, which is why I recommended the transit hotel earlier on. I think that's a better option than BC as you get a private room, not a "dorm" with potentially others snoring around you.

That might not be for everyone. It's also probably more relevant for AU/NZ, given the overall journey length. For most other long haul flights a transit hotel is something to consider more if a connecting itinerary gives a very long layover.

If you look to book a flight to Aus/NZ most airlines will come up with options for a long (8-12 hours) layover on flights to Aus/NZ.

Murphy_The_Cat

zagfles wrote: »

Err...I just want to know why! What is it that makes it worth 2 grand extra? The OP asked if it's worth it, simply saying yes without explaining why is not very helpful.

I imagine that it all comes down to value, rather than cost.

An extra £1000 each way, spending a day in (comparable luxury), arriving at your holiday destination (relatively) relaxed and refreshed and the same on the return leg.

If you have the funds and your comfort is something that is valuable to you, I can see why its a very attractive proposition.
(its only happened to me once, via an upgrade and I still smile when I think about it )