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Tips: Asia

A United Airlines Business Class seat to Asia Isn’t What We Expected
09/17/2007 | Read/Post Comments (27) | Permalink
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Book a United Airlines Business Class seat to Asia and you expect to fly United, right?

Not necessarily.

When we got to the gate for our United Los Angeles-Beijing flight, we discovered, to our delight, that it was actually an Air China operated flight. Our Business Class seat to Asia was a new 170-degree recline business class seat with Air China.

This time, the code-share was a pleasant surprise, but that isn’t always the case.


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Premium Business Class seats vary widely from one airline to another -- and from one aircraft to another. By knowing which airline has the best seats, and by asking the reservationist which carrier is actually operating the flight, you can see how anyone can upgrade.



Comments
Posted by: LMiller | 11:06 AM CT September 23

I went to Beijing business class on UAL last summer and the flight was great! Seat reclined well and I slept a good portion of the way - probably longer than I have slept in years. The distance between my seat and that in front of me was such that I could move from the window seat to the aisle without disturbing my traveling companion whose seat was reclined and his footrest was extended. On the way back we were on the upper deck and found both the seating and the service exceptional.

Posted by: HLondon | 2:01 PM CT September 23

We are flying Chicago to Tokyo American Air Bus Class on a Boeing 777 and from Tokyo to Sydney Japan Air also Bus Class boeing 747-400. Anyone had any experience with these aircraft and if so what should we expect.

Posted by: AGidwitz | 2:29 PM CT September 23

WE ARE FLYING TO INDIA NEST MONTH FROM CHICAGO TO DELHI. WE ARE FLYING ON LUTHANSA. ANY SUGGESTIONS

Posted by: AGidwitz | 2:29 PM CT September 23

WE ARE FLYING TO INDIA NEST MONTH FROM CHICAGO TO DELHI. WE ARE FLYING ON LUTHANSA. ANY SUGGESTIONS

Posted by: HLondon | 2:41 PM CT September 23

We flew Lufthansa PHL to Frankfurt past summer and were over 2 hours late missing our connector to Copenhagen. Luthansa couldn't care less. Gave us 20 euros per couple to buy lunch. Pityful. Bumped us on the return flight becuase our flight back from Copenhagen to Frankfurt was 30 min late. Sent us later that day to Newark and grond transportation to Phila. Really bad care not attitude. Lost our luggage coming back for 4 days. Beware of Lufthansa.

Posted by: LMiller | 5:07 PM CT September 23

The American 777 is an awesome aircraft. I came home from Buenos Aires on the 777 and I thought it was a great flight. We had sailed down from Florida and were booked back through Miami and connecting to our respective homes of Chicago and San Francisco. When we got to the airport at 7:45pm we were told that our flight was cancelled. They ran us to the gate where a flight to JFK was in the final stages of boarding. WE were assigned middle seats in Business and the flight was smooth and quick. Although and international flight most of it occurred over land, not water and we were able to follow the position of the aircraft at all times. The seats were exceptionally comfortable and the all night flight went very quickly and without incident. We actually arrived early and had to wait for Customs to open. The FAs were not apparrent other than for the meal service (soup and little something very sparse - we expected dinner). I always thought that they were supposed to take a spin through the cabin every 30 minutes or so I had to get up and "bother" them for amenities. The plane was exceptionally comfortable. The service, not so good. But I loved the aircraft - comfortable, good size, didn't feel like those squatty body 1011's, nice ride, comfortable seating.

Posted by: PSmith | 5:45 AM CT September 24

Am Continental One Pass Gold Elite headed for Platinum by end November, and have intentionally flown Skyteam members this year; specifically Continental, COPA, Air France and KLM. My ranking for economy in-flight service for these airlines are: 1, Air France. 2, Continental. 3. KLM and COPA about equal. My ranking for business class in-flight service: 1, Continental; 2, COPA; 3, KLM. I live in Holland and over the years have flown KLM extensively. Was very disappointed recently to fly their 777 Cape Town to Amsterdam business class Sept 5. In-flight service a huge disappointment. No drinks service before dinner (okay, a 2330 departure), meal served on one tray, and not even dessert on the menu card, or in reality. And minimal cabin service on a 11:30 flight. Paris E. Smith Alkmaar, Holland

Posted by: JKeith | 10:41 AM CT September 24

Couple of follow ups to above... the 777 is the best... but Continental is the worst. We had First Business seats for round trip to Frankfurt. Continental assigned us coach seats coming back to Newark. We had proper documentation (even the supervisor said so) but were seated in coach as our seats in the front went empty. No one could "help" as the computer would not let them. I doubt that we will spend another 12 grand on a trip that encludes the word "Continental" anywhere in its logo. Then we got back to the front of the plane in Newark... a 737. Wow. and a cheeze plate too....just like the club.

Posted by: skriteman | 11:40 AM CT September 24

So, Just purchased Up-gradable Tick for U/A Bos to HKG Thur San Fran, $1822 but Im wait listed for Bus Clas-- How do I make sure I get the better seats more than what I have down. Oct flight. SK

Posted by: JSimcic | 3:20 PM CT September 27

Everyone has been "scaring" us about a flight on United from LAX to Sydney. We are traveling business class to Sydney and from NZ home on Air New Zealand. Many people have told us United to Sydney is dirty and crowded? kkAny reassurances?

Posted by: JSimcic | 3:21 PM CT September 27

Everyone has been "scaring" us about a flight on United from LAX to Sydney. We are traveling business class to Sydney and from NZ home on Air New Zealand. Many people have told us United to Sydney is dirty and crowded? kkAny reassurances?

Posted by: ACohen | 2:56 PM CT October 1

avoid ASIAANA airlines> Ny to Korea old seats and poor entertaniment system for 13 hrs

Posted by: JSimcic | 11:29 AM CT October 6

We leave for London direct from LAX to Stansted. Our first time on this all business class airline. We have heard positive and negative...but wonder, what could be negative about an all first class airplane. Food okay, ease of boarding, hotels in Stansted? Anyfeed back will be appreciated.

Posted by: MPollay | 2:30 PM CT October 14

United no longer allow upgrades on alliance partners

Posted by: LKar | 10:43 PM CT November 3

I fly monthly Cathay from JFK- HONG KONG- BANGKOK- JFK. Can not find upgrades! Any Ideas or comments?

Posted by: DBurke | 10:05 PM CT November 4

i recommend a GOOD, creative travel agent to get to the bottom of some of these issues. I can tell you that you that Continental would never get away with an involuntary downgrade from biz to coach due to a computer error if a reputable travel professional was involved. The agency also has contacts that can help push thru waitlists, including upgrades. They also can obtain "free" upgrades from time to time if the airline is trying to be especially comptetitive in a particular market. There are also unpublished fares (including biz and first class) fares that one cannot get from calling or looking online.

Posted by: skriteman | 9:49 AM CT November 5

Hkg to Bos-UAL ( LA )10/31 in Bus Class-- Still old 747-- Food was OK. Video was poor and looking in the back of the plane its was full. LA to Bos cancelled 45 min b/4 take off-- Luggage went to Chic and I went thru Dulles then Bos arrived 5 hrs late. Lug arrived next day in Bos. PS $10 coupon for coffee-BIG Deal

Posted by: JSimcic | 4:39 PM CT November 28

Well, we flew MAXjet from LAX to Stansted, London....I would definitely do it again for the price. $549 ROUND TRIP. Food was so so, primitive instructions...no video or new technology. But we were given individual TV's for music and movies. Definitely geared to British entertainment but good. Hope we are lucky enough to get that China Airlines plane to Sydney in January. I called United and they assured me that their business class on the upper deck was excellent. We'll see. MAXjet is less expensive than EOS but the pleasure of flying from LAX to London....the seats reclined almost all the way down. But seats not wide enough. And it does make a difference where you sit, even though it is all business class. I recommend bulkhead seats OR middle two seats, row two as the best. JSimcic

Posted by: TBrandenburg | 2:53 AM CT March 26

Our United First Class trip from San Fran to Shanghai was a huge joke. The seats were old, the video tapes are small 8 vhs that you manually work and rewind! The selections were horrible too. The seats didn't recline 180 maybe 170ish. At least the flight attendants were nice (shouldn't they be for a flight that costs $10K a person?) The amenity kit were okay, socks??? If you plan to fly anywhere to Asia, especially to China or surrounding areas, I would highly recommend Korean Airlines (very affordable), Cathay Pacific and of course Singapore Airlines. I can't imagine not flying on one of these carriers for a long flight between Asia and the US. I think U.S based carriers are a joke and are a LONG ways away from knowing what "first" class or "business" class ia ll about.

Posted by: MPollay | 1:30 PM CT March 26

Took USAIR from Charlotte to Phoenix on an A320 in first class. The pitch between row one and two or two and three is about the same as United econonmy plus. The problem is that when fully pushed backwords the forward seat edge overlaps the back seat by 2 inches. The United economy plus is better even though the pitch is the same in the upright position because the forward seat movement is much less backwards. I mentioned this to the flight attendent and she said I should be the last row of economy if I was complaining. I told her that the price of my seat in first class was much more expensive. She became silent and walked away. As they say " You get what you pay for"

Posted by: JSimcic | 10:55 AM CT March 27

I posted a couple of the above comments. Maxjet is now out of business, but my experience was good. United flight to Sydney was just okay, flight back on Air New Zealand fantastic. We rec'd a $150 voucher each because the plane and lounge was not clean on UAL. And DBurke....please, if you know a travel agent who can do flights with frequent flier miles, please let us know. I've yet to find one I can trust.

Posted by: ag | 11:58 AM CT April 17

Don't fly Korean Air to Korea (14 hr flight, left from NY). I got sick and threw up 5 times and it took two attendants to come over and not understand what i meant when i said i was sick and having sharp lower quadrant pain. The lady next to me also got sick and they just offered some pills...The lady next to me had some heartburn and the attendants offered to give us both the same pills (didnt say what they were for). The lady next to me took the pills but i did not because the attendants didnt even know what they were called or anything. Didnt offer anything else, just stared at me as im doubled over in stomach pain and nausea. I dont know if it was the food on the plane or not but if your sick and flying Korean Air, your on your own..

Posted by: rluther | 12:26 PM CT April 24

My wife and I recently flew Asiana business class from Ho Chi Minh City one way to Seattle. Boarding at SGN was extremely chaotic, no separate boarding for biz class (two class plane). Upon arrival at Seoul Incheon Airport, a very long and diffiult argument with Asiana groundstaff to get the courtesy airport hotel voucher, freely given to economy passengers traveling on discount round trip tickets from SEA - SGN - SEA but Asiana is adament about refusing to give transit hotel voucher to biz class passengers on one way tickets. A very hardheaded Korean mentality prevails, they can't understand the fare paid for one way biz is much greater than discount $650 return economy tickets. So, I suggest avoiding flights on Asiana, you will find it very difficult to deal with the Korean mentality. We have flown on All Nippon from Ho Chi Minh one way biz via Tokyo to Honolulu and ANA had no problem giving hotel transit voucher. Much more intelligent attitude to attract repeat biz class passengers when flying on All Nippon compared to Asiana. Lastly, I wrote the Asiana sales manager in Seattle upon return and received a very poorly worded email informing me that Asiana will not provide hotel voucher to one way passengers regardless of business class fare. So, avoid Asiana if you have a long stopover at Seoul Airport.

Posted by: JSimcic | 12:54 PM CT April 25

I'm still waiting for DBurke to give me the name of a good travel agent. Most of them don't want to deal with travel via airplanes due to internet ease. I would like to find an agent and one who can deal with ff miles. thanks!

Posted by: BDavis | 12:52 PM CT May 5

considering flying from San Francisco to Athens, returning thru Rome. Lufthansa seems to offer the best schedule. Any advice on this carrier ?

Posted by: skriteman | 4:11 PM CT May 7

April24 to HK thru Chicago,U/A Business Cl, same old planes, But the staff was great. Still the best Rte from N.East. Jammed packed. Return thru SFC, still same old planes.Where is 180 Seats? Food is only Fair. Whats the best way? SK

Posted by: ERoman | 8:31 PM CT June 3

I recently returned from Narita, Japan flying directly to Chicago, O'Hare, what a nightmare. The walk from the aircraft to immigration was like a marathon walk, extremely long, then the wait for my luggage was in excess of 90 minutes(I'm a 1K United flyer with Priority baggage handling??)Checking my luggage for my connection to Philadlphia was a circus, didn't know where to catch the train to the domestic airport, very poorly marked. Then the lines for the security checks including 1K flyers was extremely long and slow and almost missed my connecting flight to Philly. Chicago O'Hare does a terrible job on handling returning interntional flights. I will avoid Chicago O'Hare on my next returning international flight at all costs.

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