Originally Posted by superangrypenguin (Post 24682286)

That's weird how your assumption differed mine. Growing up we'd fly CP or AC and I always assumed that the asian airlines were cheaper. I didn't know that anyone would think it'd be more (save for maybe CX and the well known brands).

BR simply cannot fill its J sections. It sells revenue and then opens it up to AE two weeks out and you can get like 8 or more seats. Why? Brand awareness and some people are hesitant to try it or some won't (like PLeblond). Rational or not, the brand itself doesn't carry enough weight in this market, so they can't up their price.

You know how I feel about BR. Bring a USB fan and stick it in the socket if you're warm. Buy a cheap blanket from Walmart and you'll be fine. For me, i'm a naturally hot person. I was warm to the point where I wasn't sweating (and I was drinking a LOT). So it's not unbearable, but not nuts. And the SD did turn it down. I think their AC is set to 23'C. Save for that, better food, service, hard product (IMO), cheaper....go for it. Start up a new mega thread for us once we hear yyznomad's take on it :D

I was in a polo and dress pants then switched to their very thin cotton PJ's

Originally Posted by yyznomad (Post 24682357)

I will check prices now to HND/NRT. Don't mind connecting at TPE if need be.

Originally Posted by superangrypenguin (Post 24682374)

We're doing YYZ TPE (was it? NRT) anyway - on BR later this year (I promise no FT posts)

And then doing YYZ TPE Brisbane a bit later. All in J, most likely paid, if not via AE.

Connecting through TPE is awesome. Takes about...3 minutes to transfer through the sterile zone, and the lounge is AWESOME. Like OMG. real food, great showers, great lounge attendants and there's a transfer hotel if you want to grab a nap.

HIGHLY recommended. Gosh you've tickled my nerves again, got me all excited and gitty. NOMAD!! :D

*Disclaimer, they were great from an English standpoint for the entire journey. My wife is Caucasian, she got great service, albeit not from the entire cabin crew. If you speak Mandarin which I presume you don't, the service is a notch more friendlier. (simply because of language barrier reasons)

Originally Posted by yyznomad (Post 24682383)

Now does the TPE BR lounge compare to say, HND NH lounge(s)?

Originally Posted by superangrypenguin (Post 24682399)

Sorry, have not been to the HND NH lounge. I have however seen the posts on FT. I'd say it's comparable? But since I haven't been to the HND lounge I don't feel comfortable enough comparing. However, out of all the lounges I've been to, I'd say the CX lounge for Business Class at the Pier at HKG is similar for asian offerings at BR in TPE in the InfinityLands? or what they call it - lounge. The Western offerings are better at the BR in TPE in the Infinity section (so if you're flying J) than CX. Then again my CX memories are when I was....15? So it's been a while, but doing the best I can to offer value to you! :)

From a lounge perspective, I'd say that for ME and my travels, the BR lounge was the best lounge i've ever been in. (not the Star Gold lounge if you're flying Y, but the Infinity lounge). Lots of reviews are online. My wife got the western food she wanted, and I got the asian food I wanted. PM me your email if you want pics!

Originally Posted by superangrypenguin (Post 24682331)

Ah, you make too many assumptions my young padawan.

Hello Kitty is not a cat. Use your favorite search engine my friend. It'll BLOW your mind. :D:D

Hint (i'll do the leg work since i'm a nice person): http://www.people.com/article/hello-kitty-not-a-cat

Originally Posted by superangrypenguin (Post 24682374)

My wife is Caucasian, she got great service, albeit not from the entire cabin crew as she only speaks EN/FR. If you speak Mandarin which I presume you don't, the service is a notch more friendlier. (simply because of language barrier reasons)

Originally Posted by yyznomad (Post 24682421)

Ok. Yes, it's NRT only as you alluded to.

Prices ex-YYZ (to NRT) are $5K which isn't great but not over the top I guess... let's see if AC is about the same...

Originally Posted by yyznomad (Post 24682421)

Ok. Yes, it's NRT only as you alluded to.

Prices ex-YYZ (to NRT) are $5K which isn't great but not over the top I guess... let's see if AC is about the same...

Originally Posted by SparseFlyer (Post 24682431)

I am a bit disappointed. I was expecting something like "hello kitty is a cat". But please, Hello Kitty is as close to a human as cat woman is close to a cat! (imho)






Although I have been able to (very slightly) wrap my head around Japanese (can't speak it, but I understand the writing/speaking "system" (ish)), I can't wrap my head around mandarin/cantonese.

How is AC's Mandarin/Cantonese service on the Asian routes? Is it better than the Asian carrier's English service?

Originally Posted by superangrypenguin (Post 24682444)

AC's mandarin service is similar to BR's English service. There are a few FA's who can speak Mandarin (I don't speak Cantonese, although I can understand it). You will get a few Mandarin speaking FA's on AC who will be "assigned" to you just like BR.

The love that is given to the people who aren't speaking the language on the airline that is flying them (e.g. the majority language) is different. AC has been indifferent to my parents who primarily speak mandarin. I strongly feel that BR accommodated my English only speaking wife much better than AC did for my parents.

How do I know this? I spoke Mandarin only on a AC flight when I was a kid and I spoke English only on BR35 from YYZ TPE. I felt more warmth and care on BR than I did AC (although to be fair it's not a fair comparison because we're comparing service over many years)

Originally Posted by SparseFlyer (Post 24682473)

You should try it again and report findings.

Originally Posted by yyznomad (Post 24686057)

Hi everyone

I know many of you have tried PM me but saw that my inbox is full... sorry about that. If you want to reach out to me for now, may I suggest using the email route (via FT)? The rate at which I administer my inbox is slower than the rate of PMs coming in :p

Originally Posted by superangrypenguin (Post 24686076)

The problem for that is our email then gets "exposed". So just saying thats why most don't email you :p

Originally Posted by SparseFlyer (Post 24682431)

I am a bit disappointed. I was expecting something like "hello kitty is a cat". But please, Hello Kitty is as close to a human as cat woman is close to a cat! (imho)






Although I have been able to (very slightly) wrap my head around Japanese (can't speak it, but I understand the writing/speaking "system" (ish)), I can't wrap my head around mandarin/cantonese.

How is AC's Mandarin/Cantonese service on the Asian routes? Is it better than the Asian carrier's English service?