I am planning to redeem NW points for a business class ticket next June to Bishkek (FRU)

The options right now with available seats for my dates are

YYZ-SVO-FRU - all on SU
Aircraft is 767/320
YYZ-AMS on KL 777 then -SVO-FRU(SU) on A320s

Any preferences around here. How does SU 767 business class compare to the combo of KL 777 + SU A320 ??

The first option has a 12 hour layover in Moscow, so it will require a $55 transit visa and I'd get to go into town (havent been to Moscow since 2002).
Its also a longer overnight flight, and saves about $25 in AMS taxes.

The second option is a later departure (10:20pm vs 7:50pm), and has only a short time (4 hours) at SVO (which by that time hopefully will be SVO3), but it would mean 2 redeyes in a row.

Which one would you choose?

Just flew DXB-SVO-YYZ in J a couple of weeks ago. And have flown the KL AMS-YYZ in J plenty as well.

If you fly SU, DEFINITELY invest the $55 for the visa, as SVO airport is a total yawner and the 'lounge' was like being at one of high school parties in the basement of my house. Lots of smoke, cheap booze, junk food, 70s furniture; instead of Mom and Dad not being home, the lounge attendants were essentially not home (ie- no service, no checking on food/bev ffor refills or cleaning. AMS blows away SVO if you plan on being an airport loiterer1

Onboard, SU's Digiplayer has a WOEFUL set of choices, both in terms of quality and quantity. SU Has the AA new J class seat, which is 'lie slant'
fine for me. Food was a toss-up, both KL and SU are a shade above average. Onboard service was also pretty similar.

Hope that helps.

One'd hope T3 at SVO will have opened by next June.

I laughed out loud at this description. ^

Choose SU. Its definetly the better option.

I find the SU 767 seats better than KLM and also the load factor in J on SU is less in comparison to KLM so the service shall be better too.

I fly SVO - FRU quiet often & they have A321 now a days however do not know about June 2009.

The SVO T3 will be ready & working latest by March 2009 & I have seen the blue prints of the project and can say the lounge's are going to be much better because they are going all out to be better than DME.

For short haul C SU is definitely better then KL, by far. For long-haul though, I wouldn't say its much better, I think SU and KL are pretty comparable for longhaul C, with a few exceptions:

SVO T2 is an awful pit, compared to AMS (however, have to disagree with another poster on the lounge: SVO lounge, while dark with old furniture, is a non-smoking facility, so it doesn't smell like smoke, also the food/booze options are different from KL lounge in AMS in a sense thats its more "Russian" oriented, i.e. open faced sandwiched, meat and cabbage filled pastries, lots more dessert options. Also, cups are plastic at SVO lounge vs. glass in AMS, but overall AMS lounge is light years away compared to SVO one, until SVOT3 opens next year).

SU onboard service for longhaul is very good, but so is KL's. SU offers anything you want to drink for pre-departure, while KL just has standard OJ/water/champs/beer. Service is very comparable, and so are the seats. KL, however, has their Delft houses, which I am a sucker for.

Bottomline: for longhaul C: SU=KL
for shorthaul C: SU>KL by far (like comparing a flying chicken coup (KL) to a real Business class experience (SU)

Thanks for all the replies
Good to hear thats the bottom line, its what I m leaning towards.

YYZ-AMS - KL - 777 22:50 departure, 7:30 flight time, just enough to eat and sleep, 2 hour connection at AMS, then SU to SVO, 4 hours there, and on to FRU.

The other option with the 12 hour layover at SVO on an all-SU itinerary did save $30 in AMS taxes, but I was unlikely to spend the time at the airport, and saves me driving to the consulate and the $55 for a transit visa.


Does one really get a shoehorn in a SU amenity kit???

Yes.

Forgive our pessimism but we're inclined to think June is more likely.

This if the first word we've heard of a lounge at SVO3 though. Will it be a Sky Team Lounge only? Will SU have anything unique for their elites beyond the ST lounge? Many of us are most curious...

Would love to disclose the info but can not because of my contractual obligations. Guess this info would come out sooner rather than later from other sources on FT.

But can confirm off the record that there will be 3 Lounges that will have only to do with SU or SKYTEAM. Rest you can guess.

As far as the timings are concerned I am aware that the trial flights will be handled by T3 in the 1 week of March. Am not aware of the exact formal launch date but believe it will be March end Or April for sure.

Cheers

apoivre? asnovici? Me thinks a new voice of hope has emerged among us and their name is ELITEGOLDTRAVELLER. This is about as geeked as I've been regarding T3 since, well, about the late 90's when I first heard about it. So, from what you say above there might be a choice of 3 lounges for us ST Elite Plusses to choose from? I've got SU Silver in the bag for next year and could get Gold if I thought it was worth it. Off the record, can you comment as to whether being SU GOLD would give me a lounge option that being ST Elite Plus would not? I'd love to know if you can and care to share.

And...many thanks!!!

Well, SU giveth... They could always take lounge access on domestic itins away from non-SU Golds (like they took it away from non-SU Silvers)...

Otherwise I see no point in staying with SU Bonus at all (if we are indeed heading towards cross-alliance upgrades as the case seems to be). Living in Moscow, I could always use a cheap J award to Germany or Cuba - but why would you bother?

IF we get that cross alliance upgrade goodie then it makes no sense to go for Gold absolutely BUT until that time I hoard all the SU miles I can for the single purpose of upgrading my beloved Q fares to Business Class. Getting 100% bonuses instead of 25% would help a lot. Sometimes, when traveling with the family, the extra baggage allowance might come in handy. The main for me though is getting me out of the back of the plane and into the forward cabin.

Mate for this I will check with my colleague in MOW and confirm back for sure.

However if your business takes you to Russia and you need to fly domestic in Russia as well then having SU GOLD will make lot of sense.

Thank you!!!!!

It does, I do, and I will!