Flying business class
Aug 26, 2014, 1:42 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 9
Flying business class
Dear all
I used to regularly fly business class for work about 7 years ago, mainly London-Middle east although my family never have.
I really want my mother to experience business class and was thinking of going on a trip, even for a few days, to somewhere in Europe where she can go in to a lounge, first to board etc. Just for the novelty.
Can any recommended any routes from London where I could do this but at an affordable price perhaps destinations which are undersold in business?
I do mind where it is - Europe (preferred, as its close to home).
Thanks
ps affordable would be about £300-400 return
I used to regularly fly business class for work about 7 years ago, mainly London-Middle east although my family never have.
I really want my mother to experience business class and was thinking of going on a trip, even for a few days, to somewhere in Europe where she can go in to a lounge, first to board etc. Just for the novelty.
Can any recommended any routes from London where I could do this but at an affordable price perhaps destinations which are undersold in business?
I do mind where it is - Europe (preferred, as its close to home).
Thanks
ps affordable would be about £300-400 return
Aug 26, 2014, 1:49 am
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Within Europe, and at that price point, business class does not exist in the manner you describe. Virtually all airlines within Europe use the same seating for business that they do for economy, just with an empty middle seat. Priority boarding is never really enforced, and the whole experience is decidedly non-premium. But this would fit into your price expectations.
There are some exceptions to the above. BA uses 767s on some short haul flights, for example to FRA, MAD, and ARN. But you won't know in advance whether these are in a long haul configuration (real business class seats) or not. IB uses an A340 for a daily LHR-MAD rotation, but I would argue that this is also not the experience you have in mind.
There are some exceptions to the above. BA uses 767s on some short haul flights, for example to FRA, MAD, and ARN. But you won't know in advance whether these are in a long haul configuration (real business class seats) or not. IB uses an A340 for a daily LHR-MAD rotation, but I would argue that this is also not the experience you have in mind.
Aug 26, 2014, 1:51 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
Dear all
I used to regularly fly business class for work about 7 years ago, mainly London-Middle east although my family never have.
I really want my mother to experience business class and was thinking of going on a trip, even for a few days, to somewhere in Europe where she can go in to a lounge, first to board etc. Just for the novelty.
Can any recommended any routes from London where I could do this but at an affordable price perhaps destinations which are undersold in business?
I do mind where it is - Europe (preferred, as its close to home).
Thanks
ps affordable would be about £300-400 return
I used to regularly fly business class for work about 7 years ago, mainly London-Middle east although my family never have.
I really want my mother to experience business class and was thinking of going on a trip, even for a few days, to somewhere in Europe where she can go in to a lounge, first to board etc. Just for the novelty.
Can any recommended any routes from London where I could do this but at an affordable price perhaps destinations which are undersold in business?
I do mind where it is - Europe (preferred, as its close to home).
Thanks
ps affordable would be about £300-400 return
If you are looking for a proper J experience you will have to go further afield—probably to the ME or northern Africa. Turkish Airlines offers some business class seating as well on their IST-LHR route.
Aug 26, 2014, 2:11 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 9
I'm pleased I am not the only one who thinks business is poor in Europe, although I can understand why.
I went to Larnaca last year and with the exception of champagne on being seated and a "different" meal to economy, there was nothing premium about it! And I don't even drink on flights!
I went to Larnaca last year and with the exception of champagne on being seated and a "different" meal to economy, there was nothing premium about it! And I don't even drink on flights!
Aug 26, 2014, 8:43 am
#5
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
I think you'll be hard pressed to find the full experience you seek in the first place, especially within your price point and geographic constraints.
If you have miles to redeem and are willing to go further afield, then that would be different.
Is it important to also have a newer business class seat (e.g., full flat or at least angle-flat seats) or will just a larger recliner style seat suffice?
If you have miles to redeem and are willing to go further afield, then that would be different.
Is it important to also have a newer business class seat (e.g., full flat or at least angle-flat seats) or will just a larger recliner style seat suffice?
Aug 26, 2014, 10:07 am
#6
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
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Posts: 29,520
How about LHR-IST on Turkish Airlines? A non-refundable business promotion fare starts at £340. The seats may vary from fleet to fleet but you can check what kind of seats you are going to get in this post in the TK forum. Later this week TK is scheduled to move to T2 at LHR where you can use one of the new lounges and the TK CIP lounge at IST is considered to be one of the best business lounges around.
Aug 26, 2014, 5:31 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
How about LHR-IST on Turkish Airlines? A non-refundable business promotion fare starts at £340. The seats may vary from fleet to fleet but you can check what kind of seats you are going to get in this post in the TK forum. Later this week TK is scheduled to move to T2 at LHR where you can use one of the new lounges and the TK CIP lounge at IST is considered to be one of the best business lounges around.