meech

I agree the surcharges on BA are insane. How can they still be getting away with that? It's the best way from SEA to LHR, but I cringe each time I pay the fees.

flyingeph12

In my experience, sometimes JL releases F seats 2-3 weeks before departure, although I am not sure if it's a consistent pattern. You are also flying around the holidays, so that might be a factor.

Note that if you want to fly into NRT, you will have to connect through LAX, ORD or JFK (for F). You might also want to see if you can change to a HND-BKK flight, whether it be on JL's nonstop or CX through HKG.

LaserSailor

No. Unless you are high maintenance (loaded phrase) Business lie flat is all you need to go to Asia - First is basically a lot of suckup for those grasping for the old days. x1000 if you sleep on planes like me - which is what you want to do.

Do Tokyo. Paris is very easy to do anytime or late in life - Tokyo is extremely safe for male and female. One tip - in the Japanese hierarchy a business person outranks most everyone else, so if you eschew jeans and hoodie for a comfortable business look, its much easier to get help quickly when needed. You don't need go Versace, but perhaps Ann Taylor. Sensible shoes of course - a lot of walking.

Say Hi app for smart phone actually crosses the language barrier when I leave Tokyo for Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima - where English speakers are scarce.

arlflyer

All you "need" to go to Asia is a shipping crate. I think OP should try F and see what she thinks. Better to have tried it, and then make an informed determination going forward, than to wonder and possibly miss out on an experience. Just my opinion.

Agree with the rest of your post 100%!

eponymous_coward

deleted

eefor jfp

Given your time frame, I'm not sure that either Paris or Tokyo would be the best destination. I remember January in Paris with the sun rising at 8:30 and Tokyo can also be fairly chilly then (highs in the 40s, lows in the 30s). Japan is best in either spring (cherry blossom time) or fall (for autumn colors on the trees). But it's still a wonderful (and safe) place to visit.

if you're set on those dates (which are only three months away), then you do have to find a destination that has availability but as you start your search, I would put Hong Kong up there with maybe a side trip to Bangkok (or Bali for a little beach time).

I agree with those who say that the extra cost for F in miles is worth missing one economy trip somewhere in the US.

shgroamer

Also, that feel when you walk past first (or see it to your left from 2L, in the distance) to your lowly business seat.

Happens every time

arlflyer

Retracted.

eponymous_coward

completely retracted

arlflyer

Retracted.

eponymous_coward

completely retracted

arlflyer

Retracted.

eponymous_coward

I really do apologize that we're spending an interminable amount of time on this, and would just rather apologize and retract my statements entirely. Please consider anything you want of anything I have said retracted if this makes it less of a "harsh response". I have deleted my past posts that have merited your complaints.

arlflyer

Retracted.

eponymous_coward

Not really interested in winning, which is why I unreservedly apologize and retract everything I said.