One World to SE Asia
 

We all know AA has the worse business class section in the business, so what metal should I fly to Bangkok or Singapore from DFW via a One World partner: Japan or Cathay Pacific or AA code share? I am looking for the best business class (sleeper seats, food, liquor, service)

I'm transferring this to the oneworld forum where it's more apt to receive a timely answer.

Please follow the thread it at it's new location.

Thanks.

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Cholula
CommunityBuzz! Co-Moderator

Well this is an easy one you have 2 choices since JAl joined the one world ranks. I would still take CX at this point if SIN is your destination,but might be inclined to try JAL from ORD connecting in NRT to BKK.

If you choose to fly on JL metal then consider the AA codeshare.On JL you do not get your platinum bonus miles.

If cost isn't an issue, why not go the other way around on BA? Still a better hard product than CX, and miles better than JL. Obviously you don't get mileage accrual on the TATL sector, but you don't say whether that is an issue for you either.

I prefer the service on CX, and the seats are comfy enough. You might be lucky enough to bag some of the new CX herringbone flat beds in J. Agree with Captain on the BA hard product, but two drawbacks: DFW goes into LGW, and then you'd have to haul over to LHR (allow 4 hrs!), and you would lose out on the trans-atlantic mileage. A more varied itinerary could be something like DFW-MIA on AA and then via MAD with IB (necessitating a change in LON as well) or even more freaky DFW-JFK on AA, then using AY via HEL. Personally, for mileage and ease, I'd take CX first, JL second, then BA third (if mileage accrual is of concern to you).

I would go with DFW-LAX on AA, LAX-HKG-SIN on CX, for the CX service.

But the easiest possible itinerary would be DFW-NRT on AA, then NRT-SIN on the JL/AA codeshare.

DFW-SIN is pretty far any way you look at it, it might be nice to get it over and done with quickly. I would not recommend something like DFW-MIA-MAD-LHR-SIN - you'll feel wrecked when you finally arrive, no matter how nice the seat is. Anything more than a two-connection itin is a pain in the @ss, literally and figuratively.

ah my bad, i'd forgotten the need to change airports in London, though I'm sure the DFW will move to LHR eventually.

DFW-MEX-LHR-BKK or SIN with BA Flat Beds and AA miles^ Chances of New New Club World are already in excess of 60% as BA are installing their New Product on their 747's around 3 times faster than AA on 767's

Perhaps you could try a "Circle Pacific Fare"? A DCIR26 could be "DFW-YVR-HKG-BKK/SIN-HKG-SYD-LAX-DFW".

IMHO, CX have a generally better overall in flight J service of AA, QF and BA. They could be used "-YVR-HKG-BKK/SIN-HKG-SYD-"

Wasnt that changing at some date so that you would get the plat bonus?

No not according to AA customer service last week.There is a change to EQP earning in discount economy going down to 0.5 per mile from 1st July.The problem is that JAL only gives their JMB members status bonus on JAL operated flights.

I would consider going directly to SYD from BKK/SIN on QF. The QF J seat is supposed to be very good, and CX is currently flying A330s on all their Australia routes, which supposedly don't have as nice a product as their B747s and A340s.

In addition, you can do both BKK and SIN on a Circle Pacific by making use of the once daily CX flight between the two.

You have misunderstood. The CX A330s which go to Sydney and Melbourne have the long-haul product which is the same as on the A340s and B744.

Assuming you want to fly JAL or Cathay trans-Pacific and avoid AA, here's what's available.

Bangkok

The shortest outbound itinerary involving Cathay is 24h5m via LAX. If you fly via SFO it's only 10 minutes longer beginning to end. There's a return via SFO at 21h55m.

Using JAL as much as possible, if you connect via Vancouver your outbound is 24h45m. The inbound return via LAX is 22h45m.

Singapore

Shortest outbound on Cathay is via LAX, 24h40m. Your return is 23h30m via SFO, although it's only 5 minutes longer via LAX.

Best outbound time on JAL is via YVR, 24h45m. Best return is via LAX, 23h45m.

Really it's a coin flip. Cathay has a bit shorter published trip times for these cities, but it's so close that you can just choose whichever you prefer (or take one airline outbound then the other return).

It looks like the typical time penalty for making the one extra connection is about 3+ hours each way. In most cases you'd have to suffer AA trans-Pacific to get that benefit, but Korean Air has a single connection itinerary and can take you the whole trip, via Seoul, at least on the outbound to Singapore.

There are certain itineraries that would let you spend a little extra time in one of the connecting cities. Breaking up your trip with a hotel stay enroute can help make the journey more enjoyable if you're not in a rush.