Best TATL *A Business Class Choice [ARCHIVE]
Apr 6, 2015, 10:45 am
#31
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
It depends how nostalgic you are, but the Queen of the Skies won't be flying for United (or any US carrier) all that much longer. I'm planning to spend a few more days on the Upper Deck before these classic aircraft go the way of the dodo bird.
I've been on the UD of the 747-8 and it's nice, but just not the same. A 747-400 UD J ride is the closest I'll ever come to flying on a private jet.
I've been on the UD of the 747-8 and it's nice, but just not the same. A 747-400 UD J ride is the closest I'll ever come to flying on a private jet.
Apr 6, 2015, 10:11 pm
#32
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,418
Apr 6, 2015, 10:39 pm
#33
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: UA lifetime gold; Hilton Gold; Marriott/SPG Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,954
Apr 6, 2015, 10:48 pm
#34
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: between SFO & SJC
Programs: UA 1MM (and no longer flying much)
Posts: 777
I've flown all of your options. My ranking is
1. Direct, LH on an A346
2. Through FRA, UA on a 744
3. Through FRA, LH on an A388
Note: I'm assuming you won't be upgrading C->F. Also, I'm taking into account the risk that LH planes will feature crappy slanted seats.
Avoiding a connection is a huge deal for me, and FRA is a terrible place to connect.
1. Direct, LH on an A346
2. Through FRA, UA on a 744
3. Through FRA, LH on an A388
Note: I'm assuming you won't be upgrading C->F. Also, I'm taking into account the risk that LH planes will feature crappy slanted seats.
Avoiding a connection is a huge deal for me, and FRA is a terrible place to connect.
Apr 6, 2015, 10:54 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,686
I'd take the nonstop regardless of the product.
If I did stop, it would be somewhere I could get a guaranteed LH lie-flat to MUC.
If I did stop, it would be somewhere I could get a guaranteed LH lie-flat to MUC.
Apr 6, 2015, 11:01 pm
#36
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 102
Well i went for the direct - cross fingers for new C.
The RDM are going to suck under the new scheme. Would have booked through united.com, but I couldn't get it to ticket the return I wanted, which was on Swiss.
The RDM are going to suck under the new scheme. Would have booked through united.com, but I couldn't get it to ticket the return I wanted, which was on Swiss.
Apr 7, 2015, 6:04 am
#37
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: CLE
Programs: United, Hilton, Marriott, Hertz, National
Posts: 189
It depends how nostalgic you are, but the Queen of the Skies won't be flying for United (or any US carrier) all that much longer. I'm planning to spend a few more days on the Upper Deck before these classic aircraft go the way of the dodo bird.
I've been on the UD of the 747-8 and it's nice, but just not the same. A 747-400 UD J ride is the closest I'll ever come to flying on a private jet.
I've been on the UD of the 747-8 and it's nice, but just not the same. A 747-400 UD J ride is the closest I'll ever come to flying on a private jet.
Apr 7, 2015, 8:14 am
#38
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: United 1K, AC 50K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 684
For me a true lie-flat (180) pretty much trumps anything if you want to get any sleep. That said, I agree with most here that the upper deck of the 747 is the way to go. The only down side to this on United (outside of the spotty service and food) is if you are traveling alone and have to choose between aisle or window.
Apr 27, 2015, 8:04 am
#39
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 146
United or Lufthansa Business Class
Hello,
Planning my European trip in September and have a choice to fly from EWR-FRA-MAD on Lufthansa, on 747-8 (i could even fly from JFK on the A380, but that's inconvenient for a number of reasons) or fly a United 777-2 EWR-BRU-MAD.
Both would be in business class. Anything to note? Should I jump at the chance to get Lufthansa business class ? I'm familiar with United though and enjoy that.
Planning my European trip in September and have a choice to fly from EWR-FRA-MAD on Lufthansa, on 747-8 (i could even fly from JFK on the A380, but that's inconvenient for a number of reasons) or fly a United 777-2 EWR-BRU-MAD.
Both would be in business class. Anything to note? Should I jump at the chance to get Lufthansa business class ? I'm familiar with United though and enjoy that.
Apr 27, 2015, 8:11 am
#40
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: MP - 1K, Hyatt - Platt, SPG - Gold
Posts: 336
Here are my thoughts
You are likely going to be on the new LH biz class, which is very good, vs. a pmCO business first. Some people prefer the pmUA biz1st to the pmCO, but I am the opposite. The hard product pmCO vs LH is about the same. I prefer the UA soft service vs. LH. There is no snack bar, and their executive dining isnt great. Aside from that, I find LH and UA to be on par with each other.
You are likely going to be on the new LH biz class, which is very good, vs. a pmCO business first. Some people prefer the pmUA biz1st to the pmCO, but I am the opposite. The hard product pmCO vs LH is about the same. I prefer the UA soft service vs. LH. There is no snack bar, and their executive dining isnt great. Aside from that, I find LH and UA to be on par with each other.
Apr 27, 2015, 8:33 am
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,686
If you're not going to take the UA nonstop, LH is a no brainer.
LH has a far better J product on their 748 (lie-flat) than 388 (slanted).
LH has a far better J product on their 748 (lie-flat) than 388 (slanted).
Apr 27, 2015, 8:38 am
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,166
LH lounge at EWR will also be a much more enjoyable experience
Take the upper deck on the 748 in a heartbeat!
Take the upper deck on the 748 in a heartbeat!
Apr 27, 2015, 8:39 am
#43
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
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Posts: 56,418
Apr 27, 2015, 8:39 am
#44
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SFO / Hawaii / Northern MN
Programs: Catered by me instead of FBO (semi retired)
Posts: 921
LH 747 over UA LH 388 old business then United. LH f vs united any day...
Apr 27, 2015, 8:53 am
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,220
But, as to the OP's question, for the outbound, where sleep is the priority, go with the non-stop. It may be UA but you get a perfectly good flat bed and you can ignore the "food" and the attitude because you are sleeping.
For the return, then it's a different matter and you can set out to enjoy the experience. I would choose LH or LX over UA any day in those circumstances.