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Best route for me to experience first class just once?

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Old Sep 23, 2014, 12:47 pm
  #16  
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Originally Posted by farbster
Don't you mean Emirates? Maybe you had auto-correct issues? I don't think Cathay flies the A380....
Yep he meant EK, Beckoa has flown CX enough to know there are no showers
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Old Sep 23, 2014, 1:26 pm
  #17  
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Originally Posted by MSPeconomist
SQ exSIN in FC gets you access not only to TPR but you can also use their FC check in lounge and dedicated passport control line. AFAIK this works for any route with FC, not just the long hauls. IIRC some SIN-HKG flights, but not all, offer FC. Avoid the regional aircraft routes, with don't have FC and offer a somewhat inferior business class product.

The YVR-NYC CX routes are cheap for FC, but you miss the experience of a real Asian FC lounge like SQ's TPR at SIN or the CX FC lounges at HKG.
Very good points. I'd forgotten about these short haul, intra-regional options.

However, to my mind part of the international F experience is settling into the long haul and enjoying the seats, privacy, service, IFE, meals, relaxation, etc. for 10+ hours. You obviously miss that with the shorter haul options. Still, if all you want is a relatively brief taste, the short hauls do fit the bill.
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Old Sep 23, 2014, 4:48 pm
  #18  
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I sometimes think it's a bit of a waste to sleep in FC even though a lot of the advantage and cost of FC is that big flat bed.
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Old Sep 23, 2014, 5:48 pm
  #19  
 
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I'm on the same boat as the OP. I want to "experience" international First on a long haul. Will be following this thread!
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Old Sep 23, 2014, 6:39 pm
  #20  
 
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It was a few years ago, but one of the best flights I've been on is SIA's A380 between Australia and SIN (they do fly other routes now). The flight was long enough to enjoy all the services, but not too long as to cost $$$$. The Suites class included your own private cabin with a single bed that folded down from the cabin wall - so you don't sleep in the seat. Food was good with mains such as Lobster Thermidor and you could wash it down with Dom Pérignon Vintage 2004. SIA cabin crew were top-notch too; the Cabin Service Director gave me a tour of the plane as it was one of the first A380s in the skies.

I've no idea how much it costs now - more experienced flyers will be able to help you with this. At the time you couldn't upgrade to Suites with points, you had to purchase with cash but this may have changed. The SIA forum will have more info.

I haven't been on EK's first class so I can't confirm the benefits of the shower experience!
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Old Sep 23, 2014, 10:00 pm
  #21  
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Originally Posted by farbster
Don't you mean Emirates? Maybe you had auto-correct issues? I don't think Cathay flies the A380....
Originally Posted by CDKing
Yep he meant EK, Beckoa has flown CX enough to know there are no showers
Yeah I got a bit carried away...now if CX offered showers
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Old Sep 24, 2014, 3:39 am
  #22  
 
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Since this is a general travel-related topic, the thread has been moved to the TravelBuzz forum which is dedicated to general travel discussions.

~Moderator, Information Desk
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Old Sep 24, 2014, 4:44 am
  #23  
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It's not just the physical trip that's great it is the build up and the expectation before that makes it great.
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Old Sep 24, 2014, 5:32 am
  #24  
 
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go to thailand, enjoy the trip, and fly back 1st class with Thai
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Old Sep 24, 2014, 9:47 pm
  #25  
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Originally Posted by deniah
go to thailand, enjoy the trip, and fly back 1st class with Thai
So what makes TG so special? (genuinely curious)
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Old Sep 24, 2014, 11:11 pm
  #26  
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I tried F class with Emirates between HKG and BKK soon after they introduced the A380 to the route, all for the shower.
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Old Sep 25, 2014, 5:49 am
  #27  
 
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Originally Posted by beckoa
So what makes TG so special? (genuinely curious)
ground service

private walled-off check in space in BKK
youre seated with moist towelettes and water while they process papers/bp
escort through private security and immigration
buggy/golfcart escort to first class lounge
serve-to-order food from ipad menu
complimentary massage in spa
drinks and moist towelletes at almost every interaction with staff

its pretty decadent treatment. and the on-board service is also nice

Last edited by deniah; Sep 25, 2014 at 5:51 am Reason: edit: and nice amenity kits. because it matters to some :D
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Old Sep 25, 2014, 7:42 am
  #28  
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Although it's been about 5 years since I have done it, I've enjoyed LH F ex-FRA. I'm sure CX, SQ, etc. have pulled ahead on the inflight hard product, but the dedicated terminal for long-haul F pax was a rather unique experience to me.

It's the one place where I'd eagerly arrange about a 5-hour layover. @:-)

If I was only going to fly one direction in F (whether TPAC, TATL, or other), I'd want to it be a flight where people are generally awake most of the time. In an ideal world, I'd use J miles on overnighters and save the F miles for when I planned to enjoy the service.
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Old Sep 25, 2014, 10:27 am
  #29  
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Originally Posted by deniah
ground service

private walled-off check in space in BKK
youre seated with moist towelettes and water while they process papers/bp
escort through private security and immigration
buggy/golfcart escort to first class lounge
serve-to-order food from ipad menu
complimentary massage in spa
drinks and moist towelletes at almost every interaction with staff

its pretty decadent treatment. and the on-board service is also nice
As a *G flying in Y with CA, a buggy took my friend and I to their lounge at PVG.

Anyway, for BKK, my favorite part of that F class treatment would be the security/immigration escort. It's an awful airport...
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