Business class pricing to Asia - Why so high?
Oct 7, 2018, 1:11 pm
#16
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And that's exactly how UA generates profits on its long-haul international. Not by selling $400 tickets in Y or $3000 P fares. Those just provide a revenue floor.
Oct 7, 2018, 1:41 pm
#19
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Oct 7, 2018, 1:48 pm
#20
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Lots of discounted fares out of YYZ and BOS. For example, BOS to PEK via SFO can be had for around $2K: likewise YYZ to TPE via SFO (codeshare with AC on the Canadian outbound).
Oct 7, 2018, 3:36 pm
#22
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Oct 7, 2018, 4:09 pm
#23
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Are we specifying US Government employees? What about employees of Asian nations? Or UN employees (though not a Government, per se)
Oct 7, 2018, 4:56 pm
#24
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Oct 7, 2018, 5:34 pm
#25
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Not a very reliable source. Government employees get in enormous trouble for not flying in economy. Witness the problems even Cabinet Secretaries have found themselves in for flying in domestic F. Now if you are talking Congressional members and their staffs, they have the ability to make their own rules. Definitely not enough individuals to make any difference on flight capacity.
Oct 7, 2018, 6:14 pm
#26
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There are a couple of exceptions to the government Economy only rule where they won't question Business Class too much if it's documented. First and most obvious is if there are no other seats available. The other less common but still happens a lot is where there won't be enough rest time after arrival and reporting for duty, usually it's at least eight hours after you arrive at your lodging before reporting. I've seen reason 2 with a lot of the senior officers on the MSC crewed and contracted ships as well as with satellite and missile tracking people with the Air Force as well. I've only seen this in and out bound about twice in 30+ years since the government won't let the agencies use this inbound unless there's a severe staffing shortage in critical jobs with hours of service limits. You don't always have the option to buy up to Business and every now and then the auditors star requiring boarding pass to ensure that tickets aren't being changed on the government's dime.
Oct 7, 2018, 8:07 pm
#27
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from the travel Regs per my relative who is a card carrying member...
“Use other than coach class when no coach class is reasonably available. Reasonably available means that is scheduled to leave within 24 hrs of proposed departure or scheduled to arrive within 24 hrs of proposed arrival. Or for medical disability.
... agency may approve business class of origin/destination is OCONUS and scheduled flight time including stopovers is in excess of 14 hours. If it results in cost savings, no coach class is available to accomplish mission, which is urgent.
...exception is when you are required to report to duty the following day or sooner and travel is in excess of 14 hours within OCONUS. “
Last edited by Collierkr; Oct 7, 2018 at 8:39 pm Reason: Updated with us Travel Regs for govt employees
Oct 7, 2018, 10:57 pm
#28
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A quick glance at trip.com shows JFK to HKG for about $3200 RT on China Eastern through PVG on your dates. If money is really an issue you should take the connection, it’s not that bad transiting PVG and the long haul experience on MU business class is far better than what UA offers.
Anyone looking for comfort and value in business class to Asia these days should look at the Mainland Chinese carriers. They offer flat beds, decent service and great value. Better than any of the US big 3.
Anyone looking for comfort and value in business class to Asia these days should look at the Mainland Chinese carriers. They offer flat beds, decent service and great value. Better than any of the US big 3.
Oct 7, 2018, 11:09 pm
#29
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A quick glance at trip.com shows JFK to HKG for about $3200 RT on China Eastern through PVG on your dates. If money is really an issue you should take the connection, it’s not that bad transiting PVG and the long haul experience on MU business class is far better than what UA offers.
Anyone looking for comfort and value in business class to Asia these days should look at the Mainland Chinese carriers. They offer flat beds, decent service and great value. Better than any of the US big 3.
Anyone looking for comfort and value in business class to Asia these days should look at the Mainland Chinese carriers. They offer flat beds, decent service and great value. Better than any of the US big 3.
Oct 8, 2018, 7:14 am
#30
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It’s always been a mystery to me why UA doesn’t offer these timings (except for OZ and the CTU flight). Especially on routes like SFO-TYO or SFO-PVG where there are 2 daily frequencies, why not make one a midnight departure with morning arrival?