SFflyer123

I am traveling later this year on paid C (company of course, not out of my own pocket) for business. I have the option of SFO-FRA on UA, SFO-FRA or SFO-MUC on LH, or the new SFO-ZRH on LX, all in business class. I do have a few SWU's left over, and I can try to upgrade. I know that I can probably go to UA first with those SWU's (NF availability is usually quite plentiful), and possibly get the LH upgrade on same-day standby basis (though this is more of a dice-roll). However, I do not think I can get upgraded on LX with an SWU.

What do people think would be the best option if you had paid C with two SWU's? Go straight to UA first, gamble on LH first, or take the LX business with hopefully new configuration seats? Thanks!

UNITED959

Such a tough predicament.

SFO-FRA on LH is a 744 (I believe), and I have NEVER seen a full F-cabin (16 seats!), so I think the gamble for the upgrade is in your favor. (If you were on a 340/330, it's a touch more risky with 1/2 the seats.)

That said, *if* it doesn't clear, you're stuck on the worst C hard product of the three options.

I would do LH, and if it's looking quite full by the time of departure, refund that C ticket and do UA and ride in F.

ryan182

You cannot use SWUs on LX, so that's out.

I sleep mostly on the US->EU flights since they tend to arrive early AM so to get adjusted I like to get 6-7 hours shuteye in, for this the UA F suite works nicely. plus you can confirm that now, and be set for the return I'd say its worth the gamble on LH F, so I'd book UA out, LH return.

drjhwang

That's what I used to believe too (at least for SFO-LHR, on which I was unable to find NF availability for a paid C trip)...

tods27

I really like LH F so my vote would be to buy LH C and try for the upgrade. United959 has a good point about moving to UA if LH F looks full for some reason. UA C and F are both good for sleeping (unless you get that one old config 744).

SFflyer123

The LX is a new A340 C cabin, I believe. Do you think it's worth just doing this?

1kBill

Only if they have the new C seats. The old LX C seats are horrible, at least for sleeping; far too steep, just like a sliding board. IMO, they are the worst of this bunch.

Also, has LX started converting their A340's to the new C?

ryan182

I've never missed LAX-LHR, maybe SFO has too many GS folks or (dare I say it) paid F beating you out. Might be worth next time looking at connecting in LAX, plus IMO the IFL folks at LAX are FAR superior to SFO, especially Ruby.

UNITED959

Agreed.

The only 340 (at present) to have the new C seats is the one painted in that ridiculous (and insulting IMHO) SF livery. I am not sure if it's assigned to the SFO route or not.

1kBill

Link to Anet picture is here.

This one falls into the "What were they thinking?" category. I would try it, but definitely avert my eyes during boarding and deplaning.

UNITED959

To me, it's a very myopic and stereotypical representation of what the Swiss (and presumably other Europeans) think of San Francisco.

This would be like UA launching service to Mexico City and painting the plane with Corona, tequila, cocaine, and guacamole.

Yes, in SF, there are hippies and flowery people who are very liberal and want peace. But SF is also California's global business center, home to the world's largest technology corridor, has two of the foremost universities in the country (that have worldwide recognition and prestige), and is filled with hard-working and smart professionals.

I feel a full representation would have been appropriate.

Now, back to United...

SFflyer123

If it is the new seat (and presumably it will be, per the LX forum), anybody know if this LX seat is better than the UA new C or the LH C?

UNITED959

It goes:

LX new C > UA new C > LH C > UA old C > LX old C

Again, the LX 340 w/ the SF special livery is the ONLY 340 in the LX fleet that has been retrofitted with the new C.

gbsfo

This Swiss A340 was at the gate in SFO when I returned on UA931 from LHR the other day. Certainly wasn't going to miss it with that paint job. I also had the pleasure of LX intra-europe in C the previous day and I can say that they were plugging the new route to SFO quite heavily both in the magazine and on the IFE.

SFflyer123

This is what I thought. So since I am paid C, I can have my company buy LX new C outright. But is this something I should do, or should I do LH or UA and try to get into F? Is UA F>LX C? Sounds like LH F is probably > LX C, but I may not get into LH F.