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If you're seeking that extra measure of service and comfort of a Business Class flight for your December holiday air travel to Europe, three carriers who know how to pamper—British Airways, Eos, and Virgin—have arrived fashionably late to the party, with fares that represent excellent value.
Airlines of such pedigree are loathe to engage in anything so common as the fare wars the Mass Market Carriers (MMCs) started way back in early September, and they certainly won't disgrace themselves by offering the even cheaper Business Class flights, starting at $1,100 round-trip New York-London, advertised by American, Continental, Delta, and many others. Quality doesn’t always come cheap ... but right now it comes cheaper: about $2,000 for the New York-London route; around $3,000 from the West Coast. Arguably worth it! Ticketing deadline (as of today): Nov. 27, 2007.
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What do you get for the extra money?
Eos, one of very few airlines to earn my top designation of Elite Service Carrier (ESC), offers consummate customer service and superior sleeper seats in an aircraft limited to 48 passengers. A private-jet vibe for a comparative pittance. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic occupy my Premium Service Carrier (PSC) tier, and also offer terrific sleeper seats and luxurious service throughout the travel experience.
Short on miles for your elite status? Virgin’s Business Class tickets earn 150% and can be credited to Continental and Delta mileage programs. British Airways and Eos miles only apply to their own programs.
As a rule, I advise against using your miles to book holiday travel in favor of these cheap business class flights. Save them for when fares are at their peak.
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europe is on sale for holidays..how about west coast (vancouver/seatle) to thailand?
BA still has a long way to go to match Virgin Atlantic's comfort and in-flight amenities.
I cannot compare the elite Airline's, as the only elite Airline I have had the pleasure to be on is British Airways. My family and I attempted a vacation of a lifetime this July, and between the steam pipe explosion (we were a block away) and massive flooding in England, and our bags being lost in the chaos of ten's of thousands of stranded tourist at Heathrow, and our subsequent cancellation of a very expensive, paid for trip of a lifetime, the only redeeming factor of the whole nighmere trip was British Airways and every single one of their staff! From the flight crew, the really cool Economy Plus seats,delicious eats, great entertainment, each and every BA attendant at Heathrow, and finally, the claims adjuster at BA public relations were utterly fantastic, kind, and real. BA get's my vote and business. That's SERVICE!
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