Worth suffering Egyptair for a taste of The Business on bmi?
Mar 15, 2009, 10:56 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold (and other non-status plastic)
Posts: 1,889
Worth suffering Egyptair for a taste of The Business on bmi?
Am looking to book a self-funded J class LON-KUL or LON-SIN in June. TK has some nice fares for GBP1500 inc tax (incl the Jet Airways 777 flatbeds for some segments). However, I also unearthed some fantastic MS fares for 1250 or so, also valid on BD LHR-CAI codeshares, which will be then be operated by the ex-MAN A330s. Here are the pros and cons, as I see it:
(-) MS has a terrible reputation...
(+) ...but this is a bargain way to experience fully flat beds and chef service between LHR-CAI on bmi
(-) MS C seating likened to first generation premium economy...
(+) ...at least CAI-KUL is on the 330 with slightly better seats (c.f. UA old biz)
(-) Connection in CAI - chaos and awful lounges
(+) CAI T3 should be open by Easter (wishful thinking?)
(-) 14 hour connection each way in CAI
(+) Could nip out to see some pyramids, or MS is (haphazardly) reported to offer hotel rooms for long layovers
(-) An awfully painful way to get from LHR-KUL
(+) 28k+ status miles for the price of a modest dinner party at Gordon Ramsay, Royal Hospital Road
So... MS/BD or TK? Any thoughts?
(-) MS has a terrible reputation...
(+) ...but this is a bargain way to experience fully flat beds and chef service between LHR-CAI on bmi
(-) MS C seating likened to first generation premium economy...
(+) ...at least CAI-KUL is on the 330 with slightly better seats (c.f. UA old biz)
(-) Connection in CAI - chaos and awful lounges
(+) CAI T3 should be open by Easter (wishful thinking?)
(-) 14 hour connection each way in CAI
(+) Could nip out to see some pyramids, or MS is (haphazardly) reported to offer hotel rooms for long layovers
(-) An awfully painful way to get from LHR-KUL
(+) 28k+ status miles for the price of a modest dinner party at Gordon Ramsay, Royal Hospital Road
So... MS/BD or TK? Any thoughts?
Mar 15, 2009, 11:59 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Manchester, England
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Mar 15, 2009, 12:25 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,433
TK. A nice airline, decent hub airport, proper flat beds for some sectors. Seems a no brainer for a GBP250 supplement.
Plus, I have a horrible fear that 'The Business' to CAI will feature the very iffy mid-haul catering rather than the stellar TA (and BOM
) offerings.
Plus, I have a horrible fear that 'The Business' to CAI will feature the very iffy mid-haul catering rather than the stellar TA (and BOM
) offerings.
Last edited by Swanhunter; Mar 15, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Mar 15, 2009, 1:44 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PMI
Programs: BA,LH,CX,EK SPG,IC mainly and a few others
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TK. A nice airline, decent hub airport, proper flat beds for some sectors. Seems a no brainer for a GBP250 supplement.
Plus, I have a horrible fear that 'The Business' to CAI which feature the very iffy mid-haul catering rather than the stellar TA (and BOM) offerings.
Plus, I have a horrible fear that 'The Business' to CAI which feature the very iffy mid-haul catering rather than the stellar TA (and BOM
) offerings.I was tempted by the MS fares to JNB and BKK, but what I read about the seats put me off.
CAI airport is a nightmare compared to IST, and while MS staff was very friendly, the seats leave a lot to be desired for a good nights sleep.
Mar 15, 2009, 3:31 pm
#9
Original Poster
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Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold (and other non-status plastic)
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Mar 15, 2009, 5:25 pm
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 23
My friend Paul Tucker would go MS definitely.
Mar 15, 2009, 5:54 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Scotland
Programs: PC Spire Amb, HH Diamond, A3 Gold, Cathay Gold
Posts: 187
Have posted a previous TR with pics of my last MS status run. Doing the same for re-acquiring Gold in four weeks coincidentally, KUL-LHR in the A330 to CAI and on to LHR in F (yes 300%) in the 777. Price is not bad for one way esp since the other leg is in cash and miles F with SQ 
. Think it's worth the effort. Food is not much but it is still a nice wide seat and staff are friendly. I'll post another TR on return, SQ F vs MS F .
airline is dry but you can byob.
. Think it's worth the effort. Food is not much but it is still a nice wide seat and staff are friendly. I'll post another TR on return, SQ F vs MS F . airline is dry but you can byob.
Mar 15, 2009, 6:19 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Northern Ireland (in spirit), but much more likely GB or Europe.
Programs: EI Aer Club, IB Plus, BA EC, AAdvantage
Posts: 769
BYOB is fine for house parties but not when flying Business Class. I appreciate that MS don't serve alcohol for religious reasons- that's the culture of their home nation, I respect that. However as a westerner I would come away feeling that a significant element of a C class cabin service is missing.
(Maybe just like DELLAS after his no-meal trip!)
(Maybe just like DELLAS after his no-meal trip!)
Mar 16, 2009, 2:57 am
#14
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Mar 16, 2009, 3:17 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: mostly London
Programs: BA Gold - so flying too much again... plus AA, LX, VS and too many hotel programmes to mention
Posts: 594
I would go with TK, no question. IST is far better than CAI as a stopover airport (pyramids notwithstanding). Just thinking about the mess you will face in CAI airport makes me shudder.
Compromising the trip just to try out BD isn't worth it IMHO.
Where did you find the TK fares by the way?
Compromising the trip just to try out BD isn't worth it IMHO.
Where did you find the TK fares by the way?