Thunderroad

On an F award trip I'm planning for next year between Germany and China, the available options right now are TG 747, TG 340, TG380 and OZ 747. Any suggestions on which is best? Traveling with my wife, if traveling as a couple makes any difference re anyone's recommendations.

Thanks for any help!

BizflyerNorway

OZ any day!
Then TG A346.

I have tried them all.

Airgroovin

They all sound good - it's F

With regards to the TG options, I would go for the 747 - you may get the new hard product which are cubicles, not pod based seats... The new config only has 9 seats... Just some food for thought...

Cheers,

AG. :-:

Thunderroad

Thanks for the useful replies, folks. In my original post, I mistakenly left out the TG 380 option. Sorry about that. Any thoughts on that option would be much appreciated.

One other, minor factor is whether we could sit across from each other in the same F suite to drink and dine together, with one of us (most likely my wife, since she's a fair amount smaller than me) on the buddy seat/footrest. I've seen a recent post here indicating that this is possible for the TG 747. Any sense of whether it is possible on the other options?

Thanks! Any particular reasons you prefer OZ? And do you prefer it to TG 380 as well?

Thanks! Is there any way to know in advance whether it's the new hard product 747? Are the conversions to that product supposed to be completed by sometime next year (and if so, when)?

Airgroovin

Yes, fine to dine on TG - I would opt for the A380... No doubt!

I have also flown OZ in F and they are amazing - such hard decisions... I won't talk up OZ too much on this thread as it is a TG board!

Cheers,

AG. :-:

BinSabai

yes also possible on the A 340

Silverswimmer

Avoid
Two sectors this year in F,disruption from galley and imho uncomfortable seats compared to 747
Give me 1A&K in F on 747 any day
SS

BinSabai

3 times return this year in F on A340 and I like it!
some of the 747 by the way have the same F seats! (those with 10 seats)
I feel like in a cage in the so called F suites!

BizflyerNorway

I like their suites. Private but still you can observe whats happening in the cabin. The food is fare better then on TG. As is their champagne & wines. Service is excellent. On TG its up & down.

On the other end, TG is far better on ground with buggy service and escorts wich OZ dont have. TG F lounge in BKK is slightly better then OZ F in ICN. In FRA they use the same lounge (Senator B)

The OZ departure time from FRA (19:00) is very good so you really can enjoy the evening in F and have a good sleep.

TG wins on the ground service at their home base. And have a better cognac served onboard. Besides that OZ is better.

The reason I prefer TG F on 346 over 744 is that on 346 there is only 8 seats, when the 744 have 9 or 10. I feel it gives more of a private jeg feeling then the 744. Its a big chance to take wether you got the new seats on the or not. And you can never be sure before you are on board.

However, you will be sure about what to expect on the 380. But with 12 seats and if all seats are taken, the feeling of exclusivity is far from what you feel in the 346.

But if I could, I would choose the departure with fewest pax in the F cabin. There is no such thing as an F flight with yourself beeing alone in the cabin, or only 1 or 2 other pax.

Whatever you take, it will be a nice experience for you!
You could also consider ANA to NRT. Their F product is also excellent.

Happy flying!

fly747first

I completely disagree. The TG A380 F seats aren't suites and they are in terrible shape (lots of scratches all over) or at least that was the case on my recent FRA - BKK flight. On the other hand, the new TG 744 F suites are fantastic.

SilverChris

The TG F lounge is miles ahead of the OZ F. I'd hardly call the latter an F lounge at all - it's just marginally better than the mediocre J lounge.

fly747first

Very true

Airgroovin

I actually make the point both are great... I'm not that overly fussy right up the front.

The reason why I state go for the A380 option is that the A380 is TG's flagship new iron bird... I'm certain it will not be long and the new TG 747 9F cabin will show wear and tear...? For the experience, in this case, I would opt for the A380, personally. Just sayin'.

Cheers,

AG. :-:

26point2orbust

I posted a "TG F class or OZ F class" question in the *A forum.
Any feedback is welcomed
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/star-...l#post21777924

TPJ

Is it a one way trip?

If a round trip why not to fly with OZ one way and with TG the other. I would choose A380. I was on the inaugural A380 ex CDG in F - you can view my pictures by clicking on this link: https://picasaweb.google.com/1001229...eat=directlink

Link to the pictures from an OZ flight ICN-FRA: https://picasaweb.google.com/1001229...eat=directlink

I would choose OZ ex FRA and TG ex China with a long layover in BKK to experience the F-lounge.

If you cannot mix and match, I would go with OZ purely because of the fantastic in-flight service standards. I wouldn't say OZ F-class lounge is bad - it is not as good as TG lounge, but has all the basics including champagne, reasonably good food etc. The main difference are that OZ lounge is self service (does not really bother me), while TG lounge has attendants that would bring you the stuff plus OZ lounge does not have individual 'living rooms'. For the escort - I always skip the buggy part and go to the gate myself - so no differences between OZ and TG for me.