Air France.....are they still "French"?

[jacko 8,778]

AF are coming up cheapest on a Biz class flight to BKK...and now I can get the KLM Air Miles from them.

But...as a born again no smoking bore I remember why I stopped using them 2 years ago. CDG to Sao Paulo, I suffered through a supposedly no smoking flight as the crew merrily puffed away at their foul smelling Gallois behind the curtain in the galley. Of course a few passengers wanted a reprieve from a 12 hour vigil too and joined them.

 

So do they still allow this? And how is their biz class ride....should I stay with the hospitable considerate Dutch people???

[The_Fat_Controller 25]

Have just booked discounted business class with China Airlines, including connections from Glasgow to Amsterdam, for £779 return.

Never seen this deal online or at a high street travel agent.

I used Gazelle Travel in Newcastle.

http://www.gazelletravel.co.uk

[jnr 0]

I'm flying biz class in August, and Cathy were cheapest. BA frequent flyer points, and a business class bed that turns into a bed.

 

I'd swap that for a KLM free house anytime! China airlines was second cheapest from what I remembered.

[Eric_Olthwaite 0]

Swiss are good for Biz class, with departures from Manchester, Birmingham, Heathrow and London City. LCY is nice too, with virtually no queues & no crowds, and you can check in just 20 minutes before departure. From Zurich you have the option of the mid-day Thai 747 departure (on a codeshare) or evening departure on the new Swiss A340 with fully adjustable seats and state of the art IFE. Catering on Swiss is all a bit "nouvelle quisine" for my taste, but not bad.

[jacko 8,778]

The Gazelle site seems to be duff at the moment. Some confusing unresolved host name message!

 

Very surprised to hear of Cathay in the 'cheap' biz class discussion.

 

As for BA miles, they seem to be useless for flights with BA!! I can only get the offer of a seat crushed into World Traveller, probably with hyperactive kids on all sides! I think the free 'mileage tickets' with BA are very restricted! I have 400,000 miles sitting around!

 

I have used Swiss....but many seem to think they might be bankrupt before you can use the return leg!

 

China Airlines is an unknown quantity but at 779 quid that is cheap! Any reviews...I may like a cheap flight but do expect something for my fare.

 

Any more recommendations for Biz class, actually I would be ex Manchester so London would generally be avoided.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

jacko,

 

The Dynasy Class upgrade on China Airlines is excellent value from Manchester (or anywhere in UK for that matter) if the flight timings suit you - Thai cabin staff on the AMS-BKK leg is an added bonus. Other than them, Swiss at circa GBP 1,300 (make sure it's Swiss and not the Thai codeshare) and Qatar at around another 100 quid both have new aircraft (A340/A330), good cabin staff and good IFE.

 

Tom

[The_Fat_Controller 25]

Just e-mailed Gazelle about the website.

The IT manager replied within 7 minutes, and has got the hosting company working on it straight away.

This is the kind of service I have had from the Newcastle branch, fast, helpful and they seem to know the China Airlines booking system inside out.

I am not involved in the travel trade, so am not singing their praises due to some connection, just think they are VERY good at what they do.

 

Regarding China Dynasty Class, for the money, you get the full service regarding food and drink, meals served on a nice linen table cloth with proper metal cutlery, Champagne and a very good selection of wine.

The seats may not be up to the standard of some airlines, but comfortable enough, and you do get a fold out personal TV and games if you so desire.

The nicest touch was when the cabin attendants came round and checked the right person was in each seat, and introduced themselves as the person who would be looking after you for the flight.

[jacko 8,778]

I will check out the Gazelle site as soon as it is up and running....not yet!

I keep hearing "Dynasty Class".....is this business, premium economy or what?

 

Thanks for all the feedback from out there...it sure is appreciated.

 

I still recall my Biz class flight with Lauda Air once, very personal treatment and a "chef" complete with big hat stood at the front of the plane. A free wash bag including fanny pack and condoms!

[CheshireTom 1,377]

jacko,

 

Dynasty Class is business class. The fare from Gazelle and others is a Dynasty Class upgrade from economy. You now get all the Dynasty Class perks less the enhanced baggage allowance and you only earn economy class miles.

 

With China Airlines you can pre-allocate your seat 90 days in advance. Row 10 on the upper deck gives you lots of extra leg room regardless of the version of the aircraft they are using on any particular day.

 

See below for the seating plans of both the 747 configurations used on the AMS-BKK route.

 

China Airlines 747 Seating Plans

 

Regards,

 

Tom

[pattayamad 0]

Just Booked Biz Class on Thaiair in September for £1366 with Expedia.co.uk............. which i thought was a good price for Thaiair!!!!!!!

[torrenova 644]

I just hope you realise that Thai Air business class is not business class in the manner that BA, Virgin, Cathay, JAL etc. is business class. They have announced a plan to upgrade their product but I suspect that prices will then hike up towards the BA level, if they go for the bed approach in biz class.

[pattayamad 0]

I know there not ....... have flew Thaiair Biz class a few times....but allways paid around £2000......... Does anyone know what Biz class is like with Eva????.... whould like 2 give them ago..........cheers

[torrenova 644]

I've not flown Eva in any class but have monitored comments about them for some time. From what I deduce, their premium economy (Evergreen Deluxe) is good value for money but their business class is not, in comparison.

 

I suspect that their business class is akin to that on Thai. I believe their inflight equipment in Evergreen is non too comprehensive either.

[jacko 8,778]

The Gazelle site still seems to be down.... so how do I get to a cheap China Airways Biz class seat? And have they stopped crashing their planes???

 

Eva......web page just tells me nothing available for the period I want to travel (Out early Oct, back around Dec 19th).

 

So it may be Air France after all....any feedback on them on the original questions.

[torrenova 644]

I emailed Gazelle and they can back with the following business class fare.

 

Hi there our best price is /china airlines from Lhr vi /Amsterdam

September and October min stay 7days max 3months 759 pounds including

tax best regards Pat Cooper.

[neilri2001 42]

I flew EVA air business for £1075 in June. Booked through East West In London. Not as good as BA but less than half the price. They currently have first class seats for £1300. Same size seat as business but with enormous seat pitch. ( only 8 seats in first class cabin as opposed to 16 in Business class )

 

Neil

[pattayamad 0]

First class........£1300.......now theres a thought........cheers

[Babepecker 0]

I still recall my Biz class flight with Lauda Air once, very personal treatment and a "chef" complete with big hat stood at the front of the plane. A free wash bag including fanny pack and condoms!

 

Yep, 'Lauda' was a class act while Niki ran the shop personally (till 3-4 years ago) - it is still good now, but not quite the same...