Originally Posted by
mdt76
Hi,
I need some advice. After a lot of traveling for work I'm finally using some miles to fly down on a 2 week vacation to Australia.
Since I wanted to get the experience of flying First I was able to find a good itinerary with the SaverPass First option. For different reasons I only booked a R/T to Sydney and most of the travel is on Thai Airways (even doing a quick stop in BKK for a few days!), which flies out of LAX-BKK-SYD.
Currently my return is SYD-BKK on First class and then BKK-LAX on Business (No First class cabin)... My return flights have the same class of service.
I was trying to extend my stay in Australia and even fly back from Melbourne, right now I found an option that would get me a few extra days but it's flying back on UA's 840/870 flights (via SFO).
Here's my question. Will I regret flying UA's First all the way back after doing Thai Airways First/Biz? (Which at least I can say I experienced since I did it on the way in?)
Thanks for any advice!
I have done this trip on both TG and UA many times and I will try my best to provide useful insights.
Hard product:
I prefer the TG F seats over UA's (even the latest UA F product to me doesn't feel as comfortable as the TG F flat beds).
However, BKK-LAX in TG C will not be a memorable flight since you will be on rather uncomfortable first-generation lie-flat beds (in other words, flat at a substantial angle) for many hours.
Soft product:
From amenity kits to pillows, TG wins hands down, in both F and C. Make sure to visit the TG F lounge in BKK which is outstanding and even has complimentary SPA services.
Other considerations:
UA's most senior crews often bid for the Australian routes and so service can be quite bad. On TG, you will also find rather senior crews on this route, but in my experience, they have been far more pleasant than UA's.