damaxer91

This past week, I flew on LY in First Class from TLV-JFK on LY001 and returned 2 days later on CO84 in Business/First from EWR-TLV. I think that anyone who has flown on the new CO Business/First, will agree with me in saying that it is a significantly better product than LY’s Business. I will go as far as saying that it’s even better than LY’s First Class. Here is how I rank things:

Check-In/Lounge- I like the fact that LY’s F passengers always receive their luggage right away, while CO’s Business/First passengers have to wait among the others. Continental’s Terminal C Presidents Club at EWR is far better than the Business & First Class King David Lounge at TLV in terms of size, offerings and amenities. The LY lounges at JFK and especially at EWR (Marriot) are nothing to write home about as are the Dan Lounges at TLV but least the Dan lounge is after security and in the actual terminal so I’ll give the advantage to CO.

Seat-I absolutely LOVED the new CO mini-suite. Big screen with fantastic AVOD and an extremely comfortable seat/bed whether you are lounging or sleeping. LY’s seat is good and the mattress for sleeping makes things a bit more comfortable. I also like all of the room on the 744 to move around the cabin. First on the 772’s is really a step down. Advantage to CO as well.

Food & Onboard Amenities-As someone who adheres to Glatt Kosher standards, I liked the food on both airlines, though I like both airlines food out of NYC than TLV. Both use the same caterers. CO’s amenity kit is better, though LY gives out PJ’s and a “gift” upon arrival, which month happened to be heated eyeshades . It’s usually better. Slight advantage to LY

Service-Both Airlines lack top notch FA’s though LY’s F service is more personal than CO’s BF service, especially the FA-Passenger ratio. CO’s Israeli FA’s are especially unprofessional and lack the charm of their LY counterparts. CO’s US FA’s are very nice, but have much to learn still. Advantage to LY


Overall- Although I would love to give the nod to LY, CO's Business/First product is superior to LY's First Class product where it count's most and considering the price as well as the fact that the miles can be earned/burned with a variety of partners, I will continue to fly with Continental

JohnnieZ

That's an interesting comparison between the two.
It may be worth mentioning that LY F is probably about $3,000 more expensive than BF, at the very least.

AAerSTL

Great detailed report. I have to respectfully disagree regarding the Presidents Club and KDL. Do you not like the spa services and food/beverage offerings? CO only offers showers (often a line) and only has packaged snacks, cheese/crackers and poor wine/liquor offerings complimentary.

The PC can get very crowded particularly in the evenings with many international departures. Between BF customers, *Gold, Amex Plat/Centurion, etc it seems every man and his brother gets access.

clubman

But why would anyone traveling C or F with LY use the Dan lounge?

Sounds great, and I can't wait to try it out myself in Febuary when I take my first BF flight LHR-EWR.
By the way are TLV flights gurnteed to have the new product?

Interesting because kosher food out of the US is known to be pretty bad.

Mind me asking what you were served on CO, whoe caters for them? So are all CO's kosher meal glatt?

I never knew CO had Israeli FA's on the route, interesting.

I never quite get why US based airlines FAs never seem to be up to the same standards service wise as Israeli, British etc when I find that generally service standards in US restaurants, stores etc are pretty fantastic.


Thanks for the report! ^

damaxer91

1) I was referring to using the Dan Lounge when flying CO

2) Yes. All 777's have now been re-fitted

3) Borenstein caterers (partially owned by LY I believe). Choice of Chicken or Beef for dinner and blintzes or omelet for breakfast. They have come a long way with their quality and taste. All food is Glatt.

4) It's probably because of the fact that all of them are in their 50's and 60's. The Unions kill the airlines

entropy

CO has plenty of younger FAs.

However, in the US, unlike many other countries, being an FA is a lifetime career..

I haven't flown LY long haul in a while, but last time I did I remember the KDL in JFK being perfectly nice (vastly superior to the CO clubs, which while nice as far as american carriers go, are not on the int'l level...) .

doing LY C (YYZ-AA-JFK-LY-TLV/TLV-YYZ) for יום עצמאות.

clubman

Ah, ok.

Indeed they have! Didn't realise but the last two were converted a couple of weeks ago, great news!

damaxer91

I have found that on the Intl routes its mostly AARP cardholders

damaxer91

I'm not a big fan of the JFK KDL for several reasons:

1) It's before security and the security lines are generally very long and even with the F Class escort, it takes a while.

2) It often seems that everyone, including their family are in the lounge and there are often no seats.

3) Very meager food offerings and no shower

4) First Class lounge is smaller than my walk-in closet and has no better offerings than the Business lounge

economyman

I have used the shower in the JFK KDL numerous times so unless it's has been removed in the last 4 weeks, it's still there.

The only problem I agree with is the fact that it's before security - a bit annoying but can also be a benefit under certain circumstances.

entropy

that part is a serious issue. unfortunately, IIRC, ALL airlines in T4 are pre security lounge...

The "lounge" arrangement at EWR OTOH is beyond pathetic.

joshwex90

damaxer91

Where is it? I've never noticed it before

ebzed

Time to say my word...
Indeed, CO's BusinessFirst is much better (and cheaper!) then EL-AL's F on:
- The New FlatBed is amazing, Whoever designed it did a pretty good job...
- Non Kosher Food, Better option than EL-AL (especially the fact you can get real ice-cream!)
- Planes are usually newer than EL-AL
- Amenity kit include two very important things: Pen & A Comb!

But, EL-AL's F over CO:
- in 99% of my flights, no one was sitting near me in F, it gave me an option
to have a bed and a regular seat rather playing with the bed to seat to bed.
- Service is much much better and personal
- Amenity kit includes slippers! (Very important when going to toilets..)
- F's service pre-boarding and after landing doesnt exist in CO:
Althought i used it only twice, I pretty liked the idea that EL-AL send a car to my house, the driver pick all the luggage, Arriving to the air-port, Getting out of the car and going to security while someone from EL-AL bring my luggage.
I dont need to wait in security line, I dont need to wait in check-in lines.
I have a very quite and almost private lounge (EL-AL's First Lounge layout is very good), Landing, Someone will wait for me outside of the plane, Take care of my luggage and will take me to the car el-al booked me prior to landing.

economyman

It's right next to the toilets. You ask at the front desk for a towel and then go in. There is only a single shower so if it's in use you'll have to wait but I have rarely had to wait.