UA first class vs NH business class vs CA first class
Jun 10, 2013, 1:23 pm
#1
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Join Date: Jun 2013
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UA first class vs NH business class vs CA first class
I've never been in business or first class before and I wanted to know from the veterans which is nicer?
I have enough miles (70,000) for a one way redemption on United from SFO/SJC to KUL.
1. Business class on NH which is a 787 from SJC to NRT with a first class on TG Boeing 747 from HND to BKK or
2. First class on CA which is a 777-300 from LAX to PEK with a business class on PEK to SIN on SQ Boeing 777
3. First class on UA which is a 747 from SFO-HKG
The other legs are shorter and I don't really care about them.
I have enough miles (70,000) for a one way redemption on United from SFO/SJC to KUL.
1. Business class on NH which is a 787 from SJC to NRT with a first class on TG Boeing 747 from HND to BKK or
2. First class on CA which is a 777-300 from LAX to PEK with a business class on PEK to SIN on SQ Boeing 777
3. First class on UA which is a 747 from SFO-HKG
The other legs are shorter and I don't really care about them.
Last edited by madguy2; Jun 10, 2013 at 2:13 pm
Jun 10, 2013, 1:29 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 681
NH Biz/TG Biz?
I'd do the NH 787 in a heartbeat. New plane, great service (arguably better than UA F), better food IMO. But I'd do NH C -> TG J...and not spend more miles for F on the shorter HND-BKK flight. Although TG was flying the 777s with suites when I last took that route...so maybe its worth it to you. 
Jun 10, 2013, 1:48 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
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Thanks so much!
Interestingly enough, the flight is actually NH SJC->NRT and HND->BKK ... Which means i arrive into narita and depart from Haneda. I wonder how if they'll transfer my bags for me right....
Interestingly enough, the flight is actually NH SJC->NRT and HND->BKK ... Which means i arrive into narita and depart from Haneda. I wonder how if they'll transfer my bags for me right....
Jun 10, 2013, 1:50 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 681
Here's a recent take by a blogger:
http://thebat-sf.com/2013/01/14/infl...-tokyo-photos/
I forgot to mention...NH's staggered seats in C are awesome too.
http://thebat-sf.com/2013/01/14/infl...-tokyo-photos/
I forgot to mention...NH's staggered seats in C are awesome too.
Jun 10, 2013, 1:58 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2000
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Honestly, I'd save your miles and just fly business. You ask which is nicer, well F is certainly nicer, but especially on these routings when you would be paying for F but flying business for a chunk of the trip it does not seem worth it to me.
A few comments on the itineraries proposed
- TG has a wide variety of equipment on the Tokyo-BKK legs. You would want to try and get onto one with the new business or F seats. You would have to handle NRT-HND transfer yourself (with bags)
- Reports from Air China are not positive, to this would be my last choice
Since KUL is your ultimate destination, I think easiest would be SJC-NRT-KUL on ANA if you can find the routing.
A few comments on the itineraries proposed
- TG has a wide variety of equipment on the Tokyo-BKK legs. You would want to try and get onto one with the new business or F seats. You would have to handle NRT-HND transfer yourself (with bags)
- Reports from Air China are not positive, to this would be my last choice
Since KUL is your ultimate destination, I think easiest would be SJC-NRT-KUL on ANA if you can find the routing.
Jun 10, 2013, 2:02 pm
#6
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This would be my choice
#2>#1>>>>>>>>#3
My thought is if I am spending F mileage - I want F on my long leg - and CA77W (not the 747) F is amazing (LX seating).
While ANA J is nice - its not F - its not a private suite like CA F, and you are paying for F, may as well fly it
Can you do CA 777 F to PEK - NH 787 J to HND/NRT, and connect to TG F NRT/HND-BKK
Maybe from like 2003.
Check out recent posts in these threads. WAY above anything UA offers.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/other...0er-seats.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...h-beijing.html
#2>#1>>>>>>>>#3
My thought is if I am spending F mileage - I want F on my long leg - and CA77W (not the 747) F is amazing (LX seating).
While ANA J is nice - its not F - its not a private suite like CA F, and you are paying for F, may as well fly it
Can you do CA 777 F to PEK - NH 787 J to HND/NRT, and connect to TG F NRT/HND-BKK
Check out recent posts in these threads. WAY above anything UA offers.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/other...0er-seats.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...h-beijing.html
Last edited by iluv2fly; Jun 10, 2013 at 2:09 pm Reason: merge
Jun 10, 2013, 3:44 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Can't speak to CA, but NH new J while nice is very tight...especially if you're tall.
If it were I, I take UA GF to NRT and then catch the late afternoon (5:30pm?) TG flight to BKK, which is on an A380. The HND<>BKK flight normally operates with an old 747 config these days, and you don't want the hassle of the xfer from NRT to HND.
If it were I, I take UA GF to NRT and then catch the late afternoon (5:30pm?) TG flight to BKK, which is on an A380. The HND<>BKK flight normally operates with an old 747 config these days, and you don't want the hassle of the xfer from NRT to HND.
Jun 10, 2013, 4:13 pm
#8
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I have done all three, including connecting from NRT-HND by shuttle bus (about 60min)...I would choose NH for the overall best experience...UA F for the best bed...and my last choice would be CA. If you are interested in excellent service, good wine and food and a good seat for sleeping, choose NH. If sleep is the most important factor (as it would be for me) UA's F suite is the best of the three.
Jun 10, 2013, 4:13 pm
#9
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
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Can't speak to CA, but NH new J while nice is very tight...especially if you're tall.
If it were I, I take UA GF to NRT and then catch the late afternoon (5:30pm?) TG flight to BKK, which is on an A380. The HND<>BKK flight normally operates with an old 747 config these days, and you don't want the hassle of the xfer from NRT to HND.
If it were I, I take UA GF to NRT and then catch the late afternoon (5:30pm?) TG flight to BKK, which is on an A380. The HND<>BKK flight normally operates with an old 747 config these days, and you don't want the hassle of the xfer from NRT to HND.
NH new F (NRT-ORD) was very nice...everything, except for the IFE. Of course, if you have your own slew of gadgets, then it won't matter.
I recently flew CA regional J (A330, HKG-PEK), and while the service was good and everything kept clean, catering is IMO iffy when it comes to HK/China/Taiwanese carriers.
Jun 10, 2013, 4:23 pm
#10
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Actually, I LOVE how "impersonal" it is...those high walls, you can't even see anyone around you...feels very private and suite-like. So if there's 10 people or 100 in the cabin, it's less relevant to me. YMMV of course.
Jun 11, 2013, 11:14 am
#11
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I went ahead with the CA PEK first class ticket primarily because it is first class for the long haul and all the other itineraries had a long stayover in BKK or SIN. The NH business class was interesting but I want to primarily sleep on the long haul and the CA first class was better.
BKK doesn't have a sleeping lounge either, even for first class, so I passed on that.
Thanks so much for the information guys!
BKK doesn't have a sleeping lounge either, even for first class, so I passed on that.
Thanks so much for the information guys!
Jun 11, 2013, 11:33 am
#12
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Jun 11, 2013, 12:04 pm
#13
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I went ahead with the CA PEK first class ticket primarily because it is first class for the long haul and all the other itineraries had a long stayover in BKK or SIN. The NH business class was interesting but I want to primarily sleep on the long haul and the CA first class was better.
BKK doesn't have a sleeping lounge either, even for first class, so I passed on that.
Thanks so much for the information guys!
BKK doesn't have a sleeping lounge either, even for first class, so I passed on that.
Thanks so much for the information guys!
Jun 11, 2013, 12:29 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,941
Do you know madguy2? Inquiring mind wants to know 
I went ahead with the CA PEK first class ticket primarily because it is first class for the long haul and all the other itineraries had a long stayover in BKK or SIN. The NH business class was interesting but I want to primarily sleep on the long haul and the CA first class was better.
BKK doesn't have a sleeping lounge either, even for first class, so I passed on that.
Thanks so much for the information guys!
BKK doesn't have a sleeping lounge either, even for first class, so I passed on that.
Thanks so much for the information guys!
Jun 11, 2013, 1:12 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt
Posts: 140
I called up United's reservations desk and after waiting 2 hours was told that they would forward my bags for me from NRT to HND. I don't know if this actually happens in real life though.