Haven't been on this site for a couple years as my travel dramatically dropped. As a result, I'm now just a miserable coach traveler. In any event, I have to travel from Los Angeles to Johannesburg next month. Figure it will be BA, UAL/SAA or AA/SAA for the long haul.

Does anyone have any recommendations for this hideously long haul? I've traveled around the world a couple times, but always in first or business. Should I assume that BA provides the best service and comfort in the back of the bus?

Thanks in advance . . .

This is just too far in coach. At least spring for an economy plus product.

If in your shoes, I'd pick Virgin premium economy, then BA WT+. VS premium economy is equivalent to many airlines older J seats - like OZ J on a 744 or CX regional J.

Thx for the reply.

I wish I had the options you mention. Unfortunately, it's business travel. For a reasonable amount, however, I might pay the difference. I'm just not familiar with many of the non-US carriers. I'm just trying to weigh the advantages of flying UAL or AA to London (with an upgrade possibility) or BA for the entire journey if it's more comfortable in back.

Don't limit yourself to connecting via LHR. ET (Ethiopian) isn't an airline most people think of but they have flights IAD-ADD and you can connect from there to JNB for $3,000 r/t. The flight times aren't terribly convenient (an overnight on the outbound in ADD).

Thanks Kanebear. Looks like it's UAL>LHR and Virgin>SA and back. $1500. Unfortunately, not likely upgradeable on the UAL legs. sighhhhhhhhhh

BA's a fortune from LAX in WT+ but out of JFK they're MUCH cheaper, $2350 all in. Transcons can be had for $350 or even less so... If you have the budget, that's what to do. Alternatively, what about LH via FRA? Can you upgrade on them? $1600 in May. I just hate to see you stuck in the VERY back for that long. I suppose you can hope for an op-up.

How about going west on SQ via SIN?

KLM is another option. I checked random dates and got a fare of around USD1400.

or for USD1900 you can fly the following:

LAX-LHR UA V class
LHR-JNB UA V class Operated by SA
JNB-FRA LH V class
FRA-LAX LH V class

AFAIK V class is upgradable on both UA and LH

Cheers

I probably would have done LAX/Kuala Lumpur/Johanessburg on Malaysia Airlines...

and as soon as I got there, I would turn around and leave at once... most dangerous place on earth..... I was stabbed outside my hotel front door within 45 minutes of arrival... I tried to report it to the police station, which was across the street from the hotel, but the hotel staff told me it was too dangerous to walk across the street... to the police station.

Good luck.

flyrights, you seem to be very unlucky, or have bad experiences in your travels. I hope you one day have a pleasant experience outside of your country. Your bad luck has to change!

To the OP, along the lines of the suggestions on Singapore or Malaysian, is Emirates an option? With generous miles and service up there with QS, even in Y, you might earn some decent miles sufficient for a holiday trip.
Gulf Air is offering double miles this month, but I'm unsure if itconnects with LAX. Good luck

Once again, thanks to all for your comments.

Looks like I'm just going to have to take it like man. Corp. travel booked me in WT on BA. Thought, what the heck, maybe I'll pay the difference for WT+. Unfortunately, $2100 difference. So, I'll spend the next couple weeks praying to the random upgrade gods.

Be well and safe travels~

Check at the counter about day-of-flight upgrades to WT+. At SEA they go for $250 - $300 if there's room in WT+.

If you post your dates one of us can look up WT+ availability on EF.

Ambien.

Thanks Gardyloo- info below. Also, I used seatexpert to check out my seats and changed them to way in the back of the bus (50K/51J) because they're noted as "good" seats (yeah, I know, it's all relative) because of the fuselage. But is this really a good idea? And I'm not concerned about having to go thru LHR customs. I know they're close to the loo, but I'm more concerned about the relative comfort and space (being 6'1" 215lbs). I'm really stressed about this whole thing since I've not a long haul in less than Business class in over 10 years.

BRITISH AIRWAYS 268
Departs: Los Angeles, CA - LAX
Date: Apr 29, 2006 Time: 9:20 PM
Arrives: London Heathrow, UK - LHR
Date: Apr 30, 2006 Time: 3:25 PM

BRITISH AIRWAYS 55
Departs: London Heathrow, UK - LHR
Date: Apr 30, 2006 Time: 7:05 PM
Arrives: Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA - JNB
Date: May 01, 2006 Time: 6:55 AM

BRITISH AIRWAYS 54
Departs: Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA - JNB
Date: May 09, 2006 Time: 9:25 PM
Arrives: London Heathrow, UK - LHR
Date: May 10, 2006 Time: 7:30 AM

BRITISH AIRWAYS 279
Departs: London Heathrow, UK - LHR
Date: May 10, 2006 Time: 10:05 AM
Arrives: Los Angeles, CA - LAX
Date: May 10, 2006 Time: 1:05 PM

That itinerary is crazy in coach for someone of your size. You seem like you have some financial means or at least some specialized skills (based upon your sentence that you have not flown < C in 10 years). You should cough up the money for Y+ or C. Really, your employer should pay for C. Perhaps you should negotiate this point with your employer or find a better employer.

Note: VS/SQ RTW in C is < $5,000. LAX-VS-LHR-VS-JNB-SQ-SIN-SQ-LAX.