Eastbound vs. Westbound in Biz Class
 

My wife and I will be using systemwides to upgrade to Europe on US Airways. Since I want to get two trips out of these, we have agreed to upgrade only one way. And this isn't that bad as I've heard from coworkers great things about the Airbii in coach (great things is a relative term).

So...which is better for biz class: to europe or from?

IN THE AIR:
1. To Europe will allow maximum in sleep in the comfort of the Envoy cabin.
2. From Europe, we will likely not be sleeping, so it would be nice to spread out while reading, watching the PTV (entertainment I think is the same in both cabins), working on the laptop, etc.
3. I think this category comes down to which comfort is more important: sleep or wake. I don't know...

ON THE GROUND
1. To Europe, Biz Class isn't as important during check-in as we can use the Preferred line in Tampa (same one). If we connect in PIT or CLT, club access is not an issue as my US Airways Club card will get us into the same US Club as an Envoy ticket. In PHL, I likely will not be able to get into the Envoy lounge, but if I know the agents, it may be possible. If not, they have a nice US Club.
2. Checking-in in Europe, US Airways generally/not always has a designated Preferred check-in line, and the Envoy line can save lots of time.
3. I cannot access clubs in Europe with a US Airways club card.

I think it really comes down to IN FLIGHT, as everything mentioned in the ground section is not too important.

I would post this in the US board, but this is nothing specific to US. Its a general question. So I'd like to hear responses from everyone who has an opinion.

PS: This will be my first trip in the Airbus! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

CP

I very strongly prefer flying Business on the Eastbound (US-Europe) - a sleepless night in coach could easily ruin the first 3-4 days of your vacation. A sleepless day on the Westbound (Europe-US) and you just feel like you have had a long day when you arrive, but you can sleep it off in one night in the comfort of your home or hotel.

[This message has been edited by james (edited 09-13-2000).]

I agree 100% with James and couldn't say it any better...so I'll shut up now.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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I disagree--go biz for the long flight westbound. Something to look forward to on the flight back, plus ability to check in later is nice (doesn't matter at TPA, after all--that's a domestic flight).

jl

I'd base it on when I want to feel better, when I get there, or when I get back. If it's a vacation then I may want the relax on the way over, but if I had an important meeting first thing when I get back I may want to use the better seats then.

This happened to me earlier this year. Y eastward, J westward. Since I had way too much to drink during my connecting flights (which were in First) because I was so dreading to sit coach, I passed out before take-off and woke up as they were collecting the breakfast trays.

With that scenario, I didn't mind coach. No hangover either.

Maybe look at it this way. On the departure, odds are that you are going to go to sleep whether in Y or D. Odds are also that you will sleep if seated in biz in either direction. If you sit biz over, you will definitely sleep, but if you return in coach odds are you won't....BUT....if you sit coach over, odds are you will sleep and odds are also good that you will sleep in the biz seat on the return.

A night in coach is a nightmare in itself. Then you land and you must function for a full day. I'd rather face coach on the return. Yes the trip is a little longer, but it's the daytime and if you're flying US, it's not that long to begin with.

My preference is coach to Europe and Business to the US. I usually have two (or more) bottles of wine in coach and fall a sleep for the balance of a 7 hour flight, especially since its normal bedtime. Coming home, with the daylight, I can't sleep in a coach seat and I find that I can in a Business seat. I would say the only reason to do it the other way is that the meal on a Dinner flight is usually better than on a lunch flihgt.

I'd use it on the eastbound segment if the flights are full, and the westbound segment if the flights are not full.

My reasoning is that I can sleep about the same in a pair of coach seats as I can in a business class seat. But I can't bear to sleep in a single coach seat with somebody next to me. If I can get the coach seat next to me free, I'd rather use the upgrade to get stuff done on the flight home.

I do not sleep well on planes, so I am with James and MilageAddict.

How on Earth do any of you people manage to sleep in a coach seat? They typically have the exact pitch that torturers use to ensure sleep deprivation!

Given your choice, I would go Coach to Europe and Business coming home. To me the real difference would be my state of mind during my vacation. The thought of having to sit in Coach on the way back would make me dread the return home and I would thing about it everyday while on vacation. On the other hand the Business flight going back would to some degree have the opposite effect.

I prefer to go Biz to Europe and coach on the return. I at least get some rest while in biz and alchohol doesn't help me. I usually only get catnaps on the westbound--whether in coach or biz.

Good luck

This is an easy one. You fly coach both ways, better half flies business class bothways. She is very happy and you are a knight in shining armor.

CP-

If you connect thru PIT or CLT you are gonna be on a 767, the AB330 is only out of Philly. The Club in PHL is a LONG way from the international gates and there have recently been delays of 1-2 hours on international flights and communication between gates and clubs is not always good so you could end up cooling your heels with a couple of hundred other people in front of the gate while the Envoy/1st lounge is right there with premium open bar and a bunch of snacks like shrimp, salmon, cheese and crackers, etc...I would use the upgrades to Europe but hey, your a CP, why not just book your tickets on line(lowest coach fare with restrictions), get the 10,000 mile bonus for international online tics, use your systemwides and use points next time to upgrade? The value is in upgrades not free tics IMO. CALL FIRST to make sure upgrades are available for the flights you want, then book them online, then call right back and use your systemwides!

MG

MG