757FO

Outstanding trip report as always! Any chance you are looking to adopt a middle-aged airline captain?

lamphs

• First, Happy (now belated) Birthday! I think I am the first to notice.
• I have an F1 race on the 'list'.
• As usual, great pics and descriptions.
• That was nice that AF was willing to move you to EK. You are more of an expert than I; do AF and EK have a formal relationship or do you think this was a 'one of'. (We all see threads where one is downgraded and basically SOL in most circumstances.)
• Re: UA, and I don't mean to take the report off track, but I am curious as to what you think UA's boarding process should be. I am also *G. I have no issue with GS, Military (and being DCA/IAD based, there may be quite a few), and 1K boarding before me. The only issue I have, and there is nothing to be done about it because I sense the GAs don't have the backing of management for enforcement, are the increasing number of 'passengers needing a little extra time', entire families boarding with a single wheelchair, and entire families boarding with 'children 2 and under', sometimes clearly older than 2. If I am in F, it is because of a rare CPU, or I am in the first row of E+ or an exit row, so I never have a hard time finding bin space.

Looking forward to the continuation of the report!

SFO777

Thanks very much YonL87.

SFO777

Thanks so much 757FO. LOL on the adoption thing. I think my plate is full right now.

SFO777

Thanks very much lamphs. F1 was a great experience and now I'm thinking about which F1 race to go next year.

I don't believe that AF has any arrangement with EK. Sounds like they just bought a cash ticket. It must have been expensive since the Worldwide LP Director mentioned it "I just saw the Emirates invoice!" when we spoke a few days after. He was also wondering how it happened? LOL. The AF rep who called to inform me of the downgrade seemed willing to do just about anything to get me to LAX in First. There were no F seats ex-SIN due to F1, so I started playing with options on EF while she waited on the phone and I saw EK First available from BKK. I gave her the routing and EK flights plus the SQ connector. She didn't seem phased by the request and the ticket (on AF 057 ticket stock) was issued a few minutes later. I was shocked that it was so easy and they were so accommodating. But AF really knows how to treat LP pax, even those on award tickets. And I even earned EK miles since it was a cash ticket.

My beef with United's boarding process is that as First Class passenger are treated like dog poop. Depending on the flight, you have 30 to 60 pre boards... GS, 1Ks, handicapped, military, families, then dozens of Group 1 including Star Alliance Golds, UA credit card holders, and First Class. Seriously? I've had trouble finding overhead bin space even boarding in the middle of Group 1.
American gets it right. First Class typically boards rights after CKs and before the gaggle of handicapped, military, families, etc.

SFO777

Singapore to Bangkok via Singapore Airlines 787 Business Class

My trek home today unexpectedly starts with Bangkok. Say what? Sadly, Air France La Premičre had called me earlier in morning to tell me that due to an equipment substitution, my Singapore-Paris flight tonight had no La Premičre cabin. Mon dieu! With no ex-Singapore First Class seats on any airline due to F1 weekend, AF was very accommodating and agreed to buy me a Bangkok-Los Angeles First Class ticket, and a Singapore Business Class positioning flight.











Wonderful SQ service in a lovely new 787 Business Class cabin.



What a sweet ride on a 2 hour flight.



























My yummy Gaeng Panang Moo... Thai syle braised pork curry with spicy peanut sauce, mixed cargo rice and seasonal vegetables.



Nice sunset thru the 787 windows.



Nice to be back in Bangkok, albeit unexpectedly just two months after my last visit.







My Instagram video of the Singapore Business Class flight to Bangkok.

SFO777

Dinner at Blue by Alain Ducasse Bangkok

With a 7 hour Bangkok connection, what better way to pass the time by heading into the city for dinner at Blue by Alain Ducasse ranked #24 in Asia, and my 2nd Alain Ducasse meal today!! Blue is the flagship restaurant in ICONSIAM, Bangkok’s luxury shopping centre on the Chao Phraya. This was my 2nd visit in two months as I enjoyed lunch there in July. Stunning decor and location overlooking the Chao Phraya River, with exquisite French cuisine and flawless service.



Gorgeous.











Amuse-bouche selections...











Tonight chef's choice 5 course tasting menu with wine.





Black truffle and poultry Pithiviers. Wow.







Wild mushrooms, buckwheat pasta, yellow wine. Incroyable.







Confit Atlantic turbot, beets, green apple, Timut pepper. Delicious.



Coconut and red pepper delight.





Figs from Solličs, yoghurt sorbet, Amalfi lemon.





What a wonderful meal and a great way to enjoy a 7 hour Bangkok connection. And now, back to the airport.



My Instagram video of my fabulous dinner at Blue by Alain Ducasse.

Flyloha

Fantastic trip report as always! I live a few blocks from PS, it's my favorite thing about LAX.

sl00001

I was waiting for this SFO777 .....excellent to see you had a great time in Singapore and F1! ...and belated Birthday Wishes.
Glad to see you also made it the Atlas (Gotham City)! Les Amis looks amazing ....I have always resisted going there but now I have to surely book it!!!

See you next year at the F1 in Singapore again!!

SFO777

Thanks so much sl00001. We had a great time and can't wait to come back.
Sorry that I had to cancel drinks at The Long Bar to head to the airport to catch my SQ flight to BKK.

SFO777

Thank you reinmedia. Totally agree about PS. Looking forward to being back in a couple of weeks.

SFO777

Emirates First Class Bangkok to Dubai

What a treat tonight as I board in Bangkok for nearly 28 hours of Emirates First Class, now that I’ve left the miserable excuse for a lounge seemingly located in another time zone and the opposite end of Bangkok International. But I digress. The rest is wonderful starting with my 7 hour Bangkok-Dubai A380.









Emirates Lounge, seemingly miles away from the gate.

















Bangkok to Dubai
Emirates EK 385
A380-800
1:15am-5:00am
September 19th, 2023
Departed 12/14









Tonight's, or rather this morning's menu...



Wonderful in flight service and some marvelous French wine. Yo, Air France, this is what great French wine looks like. You’re from France, you should be embarrassed by the swill that you serve in La Premičre.











I chose not to sleep on the flghts to help me adjust back to Denver time. Movies and movie snacks.



OMG, Wagyu sliders. Crazy good.



Yummy Thai rice noodle wrap.





My Instagram video of my Emirates First Class flight from Bangkok to Dubai.

SFO777

Emirates First Class Lounges at Dubai

As we stepped off the plane in the A gate complex, First Class passengers were met by an Emirates First Class representative, who drove us by golf cart and escorted to the front of security and then to the First Class Lounge. Although my LAX flight was scheduled to depart from the B gates, I decided to stop at the massive A gates First Class Lounge to check out the wine selection and take a much needed shower.





Then by train to the older B gate First Class Lounge where I met @thedarkknightdds who had arrived from Singapore via Jakarta and was heading to Chicago.







We sampled some lovely wines and enjoyed a great "breakfast” with LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman sitting a few tables away.









Oh wow.







My Instagram video of our visit to the Emirates First Class Lounges.

SFO777

Dubai to Los Angeles
Emirates EK 215
A380-800
8:50am-2:15pm
September 19, 2023
Departed 4/14

Emirates’ A380 Dubai-Los Angeles flight is one of the longest nonstops in the world… at 8,339 miles and 16 hours. I stayed awake on my Bangkok-Dubai flight so could start to adjust to Denver time.













Today's menu...





And fabulous wine list.



After a couple of glasses of fantastic Opus One and some cheese, I went to sleep shortly after take-off and woke almost 8 hours later with only 8 hours to go to LA.







After a great sleep, I was thirsty and hungry.



Outstanding Burgundy...



Wonderful Poached Lobster tail and masala prawns served with kachumber and coriander chili dressing.





OMG!



Lovely Heirloom tomato salad.





And the always tasty Lamb Biryani.





Apple Ginger Crumble.





After lunch, off for a shower in the best lav in the skies.











Then to the back of the upper deck and the Business Class Lounge.



Our First Class FA Omar brought a bottle of the good stuff to the Lounge.











What a great day with Emirates First Class, compliments of Air France. And I earned enough miles to requalify for Skywards Gold.

My Instagram video of my Emirates First Class flight from Dubai to Los Angeles.

SFO777

PS Private Suite at LAX

My PS rep met me at end of the jet bridge at my arriving Emirates flight, and escorted me down the jet bridge stairs to my private limo across the tarmac to the PS terminal and a private CBP facility where I was the only person. Pleasant CBP agent cleared me and welcomed back into the US in all of 15 seconds.







Sweet wheels in the PS parking lot.





With my change from Air France to Emirates, I only had 45 minutes to relax and enjoy the Garden.



At T-45 or so, private TSA where I was the only passenger, and then to a waiting limo for the drive around the LAX tarmac to Terminal 7 and my United flight home to Denver.









Thanks P/S for another great experience. See you again in a few weeks.



Los Angeles to Denver
United UA 2146
757-300
4:16pm-7:15pm
September 19, 2023



Nice views of LAX on take-off...





I wasn't hungry at all, but took one for the team for the photo op.







Descending to DEN on a late fall afternoon.



Flying around weather.



What a fun 5 day trip. Thanks for following along.

My Instagram video of my short visit to PS.

For more pics and an HD version, please visit SFO777.com

• United First Class from Denver to LAX
• P/S Private Suite at LAX
• Air France La Premičre from Los Angeles to Paris
• Air France La Premičre Lounge Paris CDG
• Air France La Premičre from Paris to Singapore
• St. Regis Hotel Singapore
• Dinner at Michelin 3 Star Les Amis
• Lunch at Imperial Treasure Cantonese
• F1 Singapore Grand Prix
• Lunch at Raffles Hotel Bar & Billiard
• Singapore Airlines Business Class to Bangkok
• Dinner at Michelin 1 Star Blue by Alain Ducasse Bangkok
• Emirates First Class A380 to Dubai
• Emirates First Class Lounges at Dubai
• Emirates First Class A380 to Los Angeles
• PS Private Suite at LAX and United to Denver

And Instagram videos from the trip.

United First Class to LAX
P/S Private Suite at LAX
Air France La Premičre from Los Angeles to Paris
Air France La Premičre Lounge Paris CDG
Air France La Premičre from Paris to Singapore
St. Regis Hotel Singapore
Dinner at Michelin 3 Star Les Amis
F1 Singapore Grand Prix pre-race
F1 Singapore Grand Prix
Lunch at Raffles Hotel Bar & Billiard
Singapore Airlines Business Class to Bangkok
Dinner at Michelin 1 Star Blue by Alain Ducasse Bangkok
Emirates First Class A380 to Dubai
Emirates First Class Lounges at Dubai
Emirates First Class A380 to Los Angeles
PS Private Suite at LAX and United to Denver