NA to Japan on *A, any 747s still flying with F class?
Sep 19, 2014, 12:13 am
#1
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NA to Japan on *A, any 747s still flying with F class?
I would like to fly a one-way segment from NA west coast to KIX or ITA. Dont care about the routing, just would like a decent First Class experience on a 747.
Oh maybe care a little, prefer some carrier that flies to YVR or SEA.
Oh maybe care a little, prefer some carrier that flies to YVR or SEA.
Sep 19, 2014, 3:28 am
#2
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UA has 747 SFO-SEL, and LAX-TPE ( they may have other routes).
But decent First Class experience and UA do not go hand in hand.
Going the other way, lots of choices with LH: YVR-FRA-KIX both flights
in 744.
But decent First Class experience and UA do not go hand in hand.
Going the other way, lots of choices with LH: YVR-FRA-KIX both flights
in 744.
Sep 19, 2014, 1:24 pm
#5
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If you want to experience LH F on the 744 you had better hurry since all remaining 744 aircraft will be converted into two-class (actually three-class: business, premium economy and economy) aircraft in the coming year.
Sep 19, 2014, 4:04 pm
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Sep 19, 2014, 9:22 pm
#8
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Also, few carriers fly nonstop from the US to KIX -- you'll have to route through NRT/HND or elsewhere in Asia. What is your budget and/or means of purchasing (cash or miles)?
Sep 19, 2014, 9:44 pm
#9
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The obvious airlines to check first would be JAL and ANA. They're most likely to go nonstop TPAC into KIX or, alternatively, to fly (most likely from HND) into ITM, which is Osaka's old airport, now used for domestic flights. Of course, you'd be looking for the 747s TPAC only, although I once was rebooked onto a coach-only domestic JAL segment from ITM to HND on JAL (and the aircraft interior wasn't divided into compartments but rather, was a huge open area filled with coach seats) in a blizzard.
DL has uses lots of 747s across the Pacific, mostly into NRT. However, IIRC DL does still fly into KIX, perhaps on the same route as MNL, which I think is currently a 747.
KE has some FC service from the USA (and maybe Canada too?) to ICN, where you could connect easily to KIX. Some of the flights are A380s but I think some are still 747s too. There might be something from SEA or YVR.
Look generally at Asian carriers that offer FC and fly some 747s. Sadly SQ got rid of their last 747s about three or four years ago, but TG might work through BKK to KIX, CX through HKG, OZ through ICN, Eva or China Airlines through TPE, etc. I doubt that the Chinese carriers have 747s, but I don't know; I think they generally have newer planes (such as the A380) for their TPAC routes, although Air China might be an exception. MH doesn't fly TPAC any more.
DL has uses lots of 747s across the Pacific, mostly into NRT. However, IIRC DL does still fly into KIX, perhaps on the same route as MNL, which I think is currently a 747.
KE has some FC service from the USA (and maybe Canada too?) to ICN, where you could connect easily to KIX. Some of the flights are A380s but I think some are still 747s too. There might be something from SEA or YVR.
Look generally at Asian carriers that offer FC and fly some 747s. Sadly SQ got rid of their last 747s about three or four years ago, but TG might work through BKK to KIX, CX through HKG, OZ through ICN, Eva or China Airlines through TPE, etc. I doubt that the Chinese carriers have 747s, but I don't know; I think they generally have newer planes (such as the A380) for their TPAC routes, although Air China might be an exception. MH doesn't fly TPAC any more.
Last edited by MSPeconomist; Sep 19, 2014 at 9:50 pm
Sep 19, 2014, 10:51 pm
#10
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The obvious airlines to check first would be JAL and ANA. They're most likely to go nonstop TPAC into KIX or, alternatively, to fly (most likely from HND) into ITM, which is Osaka's old airport, now used for domestic flights. Of course, you'd be looking for the 747s TPAC only, although I once was rebooked onto a coach-only domestic JAL segment from ITM to HND on JAL (and the aircraft interior wasn't divided into compartments but rather, was a huge open area filled with coach seats) in a blizzard.
UA is the only *A carrier that flies a 747 nonstop from North America to Japan. UA also flies a two class 788 SFO-KIX.
Sep 20, 2014, 12:21 am
#11
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UA doesn't fly LAX-TPE; they fly SFO-TPE but it is on the 777-200.
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Flight Timetable -- SFO-TPE for date: 20140930 at 00:00 on All Airlines Carrier|Flight|From |To |Dep. Time|Arr. Time|Schedule|Equipment|Duration|Exceptions| UA |871 |SFO |TPE |13:55 |18:30+1 |1234567 |777 |13:35 | |
Sep 20, 2014, 12:22 am
#12
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Neither operates the 747 anymore.
In the very, very near future the only DL 747 into NRT will be via DTW or HNL. They are cutting back their 747 fleet, including the tag flight to MNL and the JFK/LAX-NRT flights.
In the very, very near future the only DL 747 into NRT will be via DTW or HNL. They are cutting back their 747 fleet, including the tag flight to MNL and the JFK/LAX-NRT flights.
Sep 22, 2014, 11:25 am
#13
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Sep 22, 2014, 5:43 pm
#14
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AFAIK the only *A airline that flies F out of SEA is LH.
OZ also no longer flies 744s from North America to ICN. The last route (one of the two daily ICN-LAX trips) was replaced by the A380. CA still flies their 744s intra-Asia (but not TPAC), but they'll be retiring them soon and they do have 748s on order. BR doesn't offer F, though it's J product on the 77Ws is much better than most. CX does fly the 744s HKG-KIX, but not to North America
Look generally at Asian carriers that offer FC and fly some 747s. Sadly SQ got rid of their last 747s about three or four years ago, but TG might work through BKK to KIX, CX through HKG, OZ through ICN, Eva or China Airlines through TPE, etc. I doubt that the Chinese carriers have 747s, but I don't know; I think they generally have newer planes (such as the A380) for their TPAC routes, although Air China might be an exception. MH doesn't fly TPAC any more.
Sep 22, 2014, 9:15 pm
#15
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The other suggest I could have provided last year was Air China - SFO to PEK but they pulled their 747 off this route and moved it to a 777.
The sad thing is that most of the 747 aircraft are getting older fast. They burn so much fuel and thus cost so much to operate most airlines are quickly replacing them with newer twin engine options.
The sad thing is that most of the 747 aircraft are getting older fast. They burn so much fuel and thus cost so much to operate most airlines are quickly replacing them with newer twin engine options.