I'm posting here because I hope you can give me some advice based upon first-hand experience.
I'm travelling LON-CPT this year with my better half and I'm planning on taking her business class because she's a little scared of flying after she got a DVT last year. I also want to propose to her in CPT.
Anyway...which airline should I choose.
For the same money I can get BA Club World (AMS-LHR-CPT), Qatar, KLM or Air France. For slightly more money I can get Emirates or Etihad.
Which should I choose and why? Further, is it worth the 50-100% extra (depending upon airline) to go all the way to First?
Thanks everybody.
British Airways, connecting through London, long queues, many bus journeys, feels bad. First class seats should be in museum, very old.
Qatar very good, Doha efficient, excellent service in business and first class.
KLM/Air France I have not used.
Emirates varies, seat and service in business - think carefully, good first class, if the price is right. Check for '2 for 1' deal via travel agent.
Etihad very good, business and first class.
NTarrant - 20/02/2010 10:41 GMT
Ignore the last comments about BA, easy transfer through T5 bit of a walk but no more than Schipol, less chance of a bus journey in T5. First class seat good as is Club World.
BABenji - 20/02/2010 10:49 GMT
Not strictly true about BA...arriving from AMS you will land at T5 and your flight to CPT will also depart from T5, so the chances of "many bus journeys" is limited.
Club World is, in my opinion, a great product for long haul. The service in First is excellent, although the hardware is looking a little old now (that said BA have recently launched their new First cabin).
My one experience with Etihad was really good and would certainly fly with them again.
Henryp1 - 20/02/2010 10:50 GMT
I would choose BA 1st, T5 transfer is easy and then escape to the CCR +/- the Elemis spa. I believe that where possible its always best to go for 1st for the space and less passengers. Personally I dont like Doha airport.
Mr NTarrant and Mr Benji
London Terminal 5 has 20% bus journeys, British Airways purser tell me, I take many bus rides at London.
You don't know!!!!
Also security for connections very slow!!!
BABenji - 20/02/2010 12:14 GMT
NTarrant, would you like this one, or shall I respond to it?
NTarrant - 20/02/2010 13:29 GMT
BABenji, I am sure I will miss something so please feel free to add.
Mr Binabdulaziz you have taken many bus rides in London, they are probably red ones with a ticket machine at the front. A BA purser has told you that 20% are bus journeys at T5, yes there are certainly some bus movements at T5 but I doubt that it is 20% of all arriving and departing flights. Even when T5C is completed there will be some bus movements still required.
There are many airports, including Dubai and Paris which even still have long bus journeys. But perhaps the MadProffessor will not mind a short bus ride between flights at T5.
You say "You don't know" why do you say that? I along with BABenji travel to and from T5 very regular, so we do know and would not comment against your perseption if we didn't have considerable experience of using T5. As for security as already mentioned in other threads this has improved since T5 opened.
Over to you BABenji
Mr NTarrant
I don't understand red bus with ticket at front. What you mean?
Purser told me 20% - you know more than him? You work for British Airways?
Also wait in aircraft for bus long time sometimes and can be raining when going on bus, not good, UK cold in wintertime.
I also using London airport often.
New terminal at Dubayy is good, old terminals not good.
Inquisitive - 20/02/2010 14:00 GMT
Nowadays in this Forum a thread starts with something (often silly) and then continue to be a BA/Heathrow bashing or BA/Heathrow supporters posting. Very Intersting!.
MadProfessor - if you are making a important journey like proposal/marriage/honeymoon with your better half, why are you so bother about a short journey LON-CPT? Travel at the last seat of the economy class - let the stewardess know about your plan and they will really take care of you both in any airlines. Or start the south african experience with south african airlines from London. If you do not take the economy class advise, go in first class of SAA. Transfer at any airport is bad, including T5 (including security check-in one more time) - but why bother - just do not keep any hand luggage - just follow the crowd snugling with each other. Cheers.
NTarrant - 20/02/2010 14:07 GMT
I think you missed the reason why the MadProffessor wanted to travel First or Business/Club. If transfering at LHR it is better to stay with one airline and one terminal than have to transfer between say T5 and T3 or T4 and T3.
I certainly would prefer Ethiad over Emirates anyday. Correct comment on variable service, very strange but terminal 3 in Dubai is very good and lounge facilities good.
I have never transfered through T5 so wouldn't know, but I can't imagine it is worse than the CDG effort! Schipol is just an opportunity to exercise as you walk (then run) forever!
Go for BA Club World!
Hi there folks
Thanks for the views; please keep them coming.
Just to clarify I live in London and I'm looking for a flight to Cape Town in business class. My choices at a similar price range are Qatar, Emirates and Etihad with 2 stops (hub plus Jo'berg) or BA starting in Amsterdam and then transferring through LHR. This isn't ideal but it's 40% of the LHR-CPT price.
I think NTarrant has the point. I want to fly business class because my girlfriend is terrified of flying after her last flight left her with a DVT. Although she'll be taking all the correct medical precautions she is scared and I thought flying business class would make her more comfortable and the whole thing exciting.
So basically I'm trying to work out who has the best business class service taking into account that I can fly BA which is basically direct or with the middle eastern airlines involving two stops.
The AMS-LHR part of the BA flight isn't an issue because we can do a weekend away to Amsterdam to use up that part of the ticket.
Finally, having never flown anything other than premium economy will business class be impressive enough or is First Class really worth that extra step. It's interesting that premium economy LHR-CPT costs more than AMS-LHR-CPT in business class!
Thanks again for all of your comments and keep them coming.
G
Inquisitive - 20/02/2010 14:29 GMT
NTarrant - I did not miss the point. I am amazed someone going on a trip for making one of the most important decision of one's life and he is bothered about such silly things. If someone ask for advise on such an open forum, everyone is entitled to give his based on individual experience and what he would have done in this scneario. For AMS-CPT one does not have to go via Heathrow - direct flights are available. I am assuming there is other business or the better half taking the flight from London. If my better half is scared of flying, I will take a cruize for proposal. MadProfessor - please do not spoil your dream holidays by booking with BA (could go on strike any time) or travel via Heathrow (poor imigration facility - if you have to go out, chance of loosing luggage in a connecting flight - 25%, Lounges - so so, airport food and shop - 10% more costly than most european airport, crowded, etc.)
Inquisitive - 20/02/2010 14:35 GMT
MadProfessor - noted your post after replying NTarrant. Business class in BA is not good for a couple as the seat face each other and romantic moves in the flight will be difficult. Go is First class and book the middle side-by-side seats.
NTarrant - 20/02/2010 14:43 GMT
MadProffessor you have clearly done your home work and clearly you are edging towards BA which you would be right to choose. There is a difference between First and Club but on an overnight flight I do question the value as you are not getting the full value of the service and food.
However if they only want a few hundred pounds to upgrade to First it is worth it even for a night flight.
Inquisitive's advice is incorrect and flawed, if you wanted to take a cruise to Cape Town you would have to wait for one of the world cruises from Southampton in January 2011.
Sorry just seen your last post Inquisative and would agree with that. Good for gazing into eyes though
Hess963 - 20/02/2010 17:18 GMT
Hi everyone !!
As you have found out already--I am a full flat seat fan ! So with your choices given above--it could only be BA Club World or EY Bus.Class.
Which one to choose--well, I am bias here. As a BA Gold holder and if the price is almost the same for both---definitely BA. And you have a direct flight to CPT. Only when you really have better savings with EY--I would choose it.
Regarding service: well, I flew both in the pasts. I have not experienced the new enhance C cabins of EY yet. But the existing C class seat, entertainment system and food service was good. Actually BA and EY are for me --both par here.
Regarding lounges: BA's T5 lounges are great and the EY new lounges in AUH are great too---but I personally see BA's Terraces lounges infront of EY's lounges in AUH.
Check-in experience: here EY is better--why ? You still have the exclusive C class check in area and felt more exclusiveBA in T5 is rather more simple, although it has a separate check in area.
So which one to choose: I can recommend both airlines having good and solid C class products--it is up to you.
VintageKrug - 20/02/2010 20:10 GMT
BA's www.newclubworld.com is a great product and when transferring at LHR T5 you would have a seamless experience; much better than having to change terminals or endure another airline's mediocre departure lounges.
You could consider outbound in First - giving you all the fun of the exclusive Concorde Room (waiter service at table dining, vintage wine and champagne, pre-bookable Cabanas for a totally private experience) - and also enjoy an Elemis Spa massage treatment and shower before you embark on the longhaul sector. The Spa treatment should help relax your fiancee, and ease concerns about DVT. Alcohol also thins the blood and lessens the chance of DVT recurring ;)
You can see a BA First Cabana/Concorde Room Trip Report here:
http://tinyurl.com/yd2sod4
On the way back, if you plan to sleep, save your money and fly BA 747 Upper Deck in Club World. Superb. Ask for an infinity bath at the Arrivals lounge when you return.
It is easy to mix classes on a BA Ticket.
Don't forget you don't have to fly straight through LHR to take advantage of the cheaper European fare; take a stopover of up to one month and the discount often still applies (though you would incur Gordon Brown's extra APD tax if you stay in London more than 24 hrs).
So take your fiancee to Amsterdam for a weekend of...culture and a few weeks later begin your trip to South Africa; you can break the journey again in London and continue to AMS once again a few months later for another weekend break, perhaps once the Rikjsmuseum re-opens.
If a paid trip, that flight would give you both enough Tier Points to be just 20 short of the 400 required to reach BAEC EuroSilver; which when reached would guarantee you Galleries lounge access on all oneworld flights for a whole year, and a 25% mileage bonus. Perfect for your honeymoon!
BABenji - 20/02/2010 21:47 GMT
NTarrant,
Apologies for the delay in response...I have been out having 3 hours of my life and £20 stolen by James Cameron.
You hit the nail on the head...I've nothing to add to your earlier comments. I depart/arrive at Heathrow 50+ times per year which, following the 20% claim above, would mean 10 bus rides to/from the gate...which simply isn't the case (for me anyway).
MadProfessor
As far as the ticket pricing is concerned...starting your journey in Europe can lead to some significant savings. I'm booked on ZRH-LHR-SYD on Friday which was considerably cheaper than LHR-SYD...by about £1250.
I also echo VK's comments about being on the upper deck with BA...the window seats are great with the extra stowage and space around the seat. The cabin is quieter and I've generally found the service to be better as well.
Jan@Shell - 20/02/2010 23:10 GMT
Emirates would cut out yr need to go through LHR, not reliable at the best of times, plagued by delays from AMS.
Emirates start from Schipol, their's is a great Business or First suite.
Etihad also have a brand new 1st Class cabin, dedicated First & Business Terminal, & new aircraft compared to BA. Their food & service is far superior,
Depends when you plan to go if B A Resolve their pending Strike problems again?
Here in NL's It's clearly a pain to go via LHR, & BA with a £3.1Bn pension deficit, & still set to lose £600.M this year!
Go for the Airlines who will be reliable No industrial unrest or unhappiness in their Co, new Aircraft, established finances.
You won't fly anywhere if you have connection or strike action, too risky.
KLM course direct no problems, and they are excellent in Business.
