cricketer

Looking for some sage advice as I can't make up my mind.

I've got two options for FRA-HND in F. I arrive into FRA on LH F at noon, and I can either take LH in F at 6pm, or NH in F at 8pm flying into HND.

The obvious advantage of taking LH is use of the FCT during the layover. The interesting potential advantage of NH is that apparently I'd be the only passenger in F (as of now, there's 2 weeks to go). I've plumped for LH, which looks fairly full, but should I switch?

On my return, I have another debate. I've got NH F from HND-FRA booked, but could also go NRT-BKK-FRA on TG F. On this one, NH wins in the air, TG on the ground services. Another hard decision.

Feels pretty embarrassing to claim this as a 'problem' today, but anyway.

lazard

LH out of FRA, NH out of HND

bmwe92fan

+1 - TG is great but not worth adding a connection for it - and LH in F at FRA is one of those great life/travel experiences everyone should enjoy at some point!

artvandalay

Carriers usually put their best foot forward at home. NH will treat you very well in HND, and others have posted glowingly in FT about LH in FRA. You can't lose, can you?

cricketer

Thanks for the quick responses! Looks like everyone's in agreement (including my own instinct) - thought there might be a contrarian out there. One of my best ever flights was on UA F from HKG-DEL when I was the only passenger. The allure of a near-empty cabin is therefore very strong.

I should clarify that none of these would be a new experience as my miles have been good to me over the years, more a matter of the "best" one.

SunLover

If you arrive in FRA on LH F you can visit the First Class Lounge (FCL) near B24 during transit regardless of your departing airline and travel class.

The FCL is basically equal to the FLT in terms of service, and even has some small advantages IMO. So either way you will have great ground services in FRA.


SL

ORDnHKG

Actually not really, the only thing good for NH out of Japan is the food inflight but nothing else, you don't get any high level of ground service or lounge with NH at NRT or HND compare to LH at FRA/MUC and TG at BKK.

bmwe92fan

You have to understand that out of Japan there really isn't anything better than NH - and the seat and food are definitely competitive on a global basis - and the lounge - while not as good as LH at FRA or TG at BKK - is pretty good - and to fly to BKK just to use the lounge - on the way to FRA - isn't anywhere near worth it - especially if you have already done that - as OP apparently has....

Asiatraveler15

I would not go the BKK route, although I think TG is better then NH.

You are right about TG ground services at BKK for F. Probably some of the best service I have ever experienced.
Private check in and immigration, cart escort to the lounge, fresh food cooked for you off a menu, personal escort to the gate.

Kacee

So if connecting at FRA, LH would be the better choice due to FCL/FCT access.

kale73

Are you planning to spend the night in FRA? Otherwise, I'm not sure how you can connect (let alone use the FCL) given a noon arrival and a noon departure.

cricketer

Not to mention the nice one hour massage. It's really tempting, because I have enough slack in my schedule for it to work. On the other hand, I've done a lot of TG F (esp. the BKK-SYD-BKK route), but only NH F once (NRT-ORD).

Hadn't thought of that - I was assuming Senator lounge. That does make it interesting - ok, so no ride to my plane, but an empty cabin could be a fair trade.

Can you change a UA award during travel? Wonder if I could wait till the last minute and switch if NH is still empty apart from me (though that might result in catering issues I suppose)

Honestly, it would be for the massage. Food is solid on both IMO, though since I'll have been in Tokyo for a few days, you could argue one of the TG set menus might be a nice change.

My bad - it's a 6pm departure, corrected above. Thanks for catching!

MatthewLAX

LH on the outbound all the way to HND, TG on the return via BKK with adequate time for a visit to the Royal Orchid Spa.

That's me - perhaps you value your time more, but with the elimination of Rimowa amenity kits in NH F, I just don't think there is ANY reason to fly them over TG other than the direct routing. I know massages are cheap enough, but there is nothing quite like the TG ground experience.

noah

Choosing a flight because you think/hope/pray to be the only passenger in F is asking for disappointment.

I agree with the recommendation to fly LH out; for the return I might fly NH for the novelty of it and to save the time.. because you are familiar enough with the BKK transit experience as wonderful as it is.

cricketer

The debate got more interesting. I can get on TG in F NRT-BKK-FRA but there's only a 1 hr connect in BKK. I could do TG in C to BKK and connect to F with time for a massage.

In general I prefer TG to NH in F (though my sample size for NH is 1), but taking NH allows me to get out in FRA and spend a few nightime hours in Wiesbaden or Mainz, neither of which I've seen before.

Plus, NH has all the Star Wars movies playing so I can finish watching the lot before The Force Awakens opens in December

TG: slightly better food, slightly better seat
NH: star wars movies, chance to take a peek at a new city

Choices, choices!