As I first wrote about in late July, Starwood was kind enough to invite me and 10 of my closest friends (in other words, you guys!) to a One Direction concert at the O2 arena in London on September 28, 2015. They gave us the SPG Suite, similar to the one I just visited at the US Open in New York.
SPG Luxury Suite US Open
We held a contest on the blog to pick five winners to join us, each of whom could bring a guest. The five winners had some awesomely creative entries.
This is a fantastic experience which SPG members can usually redeem Starpoints for. As a huge One Direction fan/tween girl at heart, I’ll do my best to behave. Especially since One Direction is breaking up next year, so this might just be my first and last One Direction concert. ZOMG!
Anyway, I’ll be on the West Coast until late next week, when it’s time to head to London for the concert.
Tiffany is always looking out for me, and over the weekend messaged to tell me that there was Lufthansa first class award space available from Los Angeles to Munich. That’s usually a really tough flight on which to snag award space, especially nearly two weeks out.
The flight has Wi-Fi, is direct from the west coast, and would allow me to spend as much time on the ground in LA as possible. How could I say no?!
As you can see, I resisted the urge! 😉
So what else should I fly?
I’ve flown enough Cathay Pacific and Emirates and Lufthansa… I’ve reviewed a lot of airline products on the blog, so I’d like to try something I haven’t reviewed before. Give me Air Tahiti Nui… or Finnair… or Iberia… or SAS’ new business class… or Aer Lingus’ new business class… or Ethiopian’s new Los Angeles to Dublin flight… or Kuwait Airways… or Air India… or anything!
So I figured I’d open it up to you guys to decide how we should get to the concert. Here are the basic parameters:
- Two seats (so Tiffany and I can both write reviews)
- Leave Southern California (Los Angeles or San Diego) next Thursday or Friday (September 24 or 25)… Wednesday could even work as well, if need be
- Need to be in London by Sunday at the latest, though preferably Saturday
- If paid positioning flights are needed, that’s not a problem
- Travel must be in first or business class using miles (at the saver level)
- Routing doesn’t have to be direct, and can involve multiple awards — we don’t mind routing via another continent
And that’s about it. Basically we’re looking to write reviews of products which would be useful or interesting or just plain ridiculous.
Of course I could come up with something on my own, but that doesn’t seem nearly as fun as you guys deciding what we fly. Obviously deciding our routing won’t be everyone’s idea of fun, but if you’re interested, we’ll give whoever comes up with the routing we end up booking a $200 gift card to the airline or hotel chain of their choice.
Just leave a comment below with what you find. Award space can change very quickly, so we’ll be monitoring the thread constantly, and are ready to book immediately. We’re also in no rush to book, so don’t mind booking even a day before departure. In the unlikely event we don’t end up going with one of the proposed routings, we’ll give the gift card to whoever comes up with the most creative option (as judged by us). But we really do want to go with something you guys come up with, no matter how ridiculous.
Lastly, to clarify, this doesn’t have to be an insane routing. A simple transatlantic routing on one of the above carriers works great for us (I can’t find award space on any of the above options as of now, but that could always change), though we’re also not opposed to being crazier.
Can’t wait to see what you guys come up with! Go gentle on us, please! 😉
9/25 MEX-MAD on IB has 1J award too.
UA LAX-LHR nonstop is available in F award on UA for one this Fri.
I hate to sound like Richard Branson's byotch but availability just popped up for award space on VS024 departing Friday at 22:20 from LAX arriving LHR at 16:50 on Saturday for 2 seats. Leave the creative routing for the return trip.
Lax scl lhr kef jfk lax
Here's an itinerary that includes Air Europa (UX). I know Ben can transit Brazil, not sure about Tiffany. didn't check availability MAD - LHR.
First ticket
LAX - YYZ AC792 Business 9/25 depart 1:55 pm
YYZ - GRU AC90 Business 9/25
GRU - SSA O6 6314 Coach (one class) Arrive 9/26 at 3:37 PM
Second ticket
SSA - MAD UX 084 Business departs at 9:20 PM 9/26, arrives 11:30 AM 9/27.
Third ticket
BA or IB to London
There's also availability through Miami and Madrid on Air Europa on one of their 787s for a more direct route...
How about United to EWR from LAX and then SAS Business to Copenhagen, and SAS Plus to LHR?
Also, what about RAM from JFK-CMN-LHR or YUL-CMN-LHR. It would be cool to get a review of their 787 J seat--it looks pretty unique. Don't know about about availability, though.
Air New Zealand from LAX to Heathrow in Business Premier!
Delta is showing availability for GA 88 SIN-AMS in J on 9/25. I am sure there are more creative ways to get to SIN, but there seems to be availability on BR 1 and BR 15 on 9/23, connecting to either BR 225 or BR 215 on 9/24.
Or here are some options that are a little less crazy, but still get you on several airlines/flights that Ben has yet to write reviews on:
9/23: Miami-GRU, 8:10pm-5:35am(+1 day), TAM business class
9/24: GRU-EZE, 8:00am-11:00am, TAM business class
9/24: EZE-Barcelona, 10:55pm-4:35pm(+1 day), Aerolineas Argentinas business class
9/24: Barcelona-LHR, 8:35pm-9:45pm, BA business class
(connections to MIA available)
9/23: LAX-Panama City, 11:29am-8:06pm, Copa business class
9/24: Panama City-Bogota, 9:28am-11:03am, Copa business...
Or here are some options that are a little less crazy, but still get you on several airlines/flights that Ben has yet to write reviews on:
9/23: Miami-GRU, 8:10pm-5:35am(+1 day), TAM business class
9/24: GRU-EZE, 8:00am-11:00am, TAM business class
9/24: EZE-Barcelona, 10:55pm-4:35pm(+1 day), Aerolineas Argentinas business class
9/24: Barcelona-LHR, 8:35pm-9:45pm, BA business class
(connections to MIA available)
9/23: LAX-Panama City, 11:29am-8:06pm, Copa business class
9/24: Panama City-Bogota, 9:28am-11:03am, Copa business class
9/24: Bogota-Lima, 1:31pm-4:25pm, Avianca business class (787)
9/24: Lima-Madrid, 7:30pm-2:00pm(+1 day), Iberia business class A345
9/25: Madrid-LHR, 7:40pm-8:55pm, BA business class
Or you could fly Aeromexico instead to Bogota and have an overnight layover there:
9/23: LAX-Mexico City, 9:15am-2:59pm, Aeromexico business class
9/23: Mexico City-Bogota, 6:00pm-10:51pm, Aeromexico business class
:D
Ben & Tiffany,
I've found the perfect flights for you to get to London!! Why are they so perfect!? This would be on THREE Latin American carriers that Ben has never reviewed, Copa usually has great availability for people to book, it features two flights with Avianca (one on their new 787, and one on an older A330), and Ben will finally be able to get to the bottom of Aerolineas Argentinas' inflight faxing ;)
...Ben & Tiffany,
I've found the perfect flights for you to get to London!! Why are they so perfect!? This would be on THREE Latin American carriers that Ben has never reviewed, Copa usually has great availability for people to book, it features two flights with Avianca (one on their new 787, and one on an older A330), and Ben will finally be able to get to the bottom of Aerolineas Argentinas' inflight faxing ;)
9/22: LAX-Panama City, 11:43pm-8:20am, Copa business class
9/23: Panama City-Bogota, 9:28am-11:03am, Copa business class
9/23: Bogota-Lima, 1:31pm-4:25pm, Avianca business class (787)
9/23: Lima-EZE, 10:09pm-4:28am(+1 day), Avianca business class (A330)
9/24: EZE-Barcelona, 10:55pm-4:35pm(+1 day), Aerolineas Argentinas business class
9/24: Barcelona-LHR, 8:35pm-9:45pm, BA business class
Award #1
AC788 Thu. Sep 24 22:10 departure; A321 Business Class
AC84 Fri. Sep. 25 16:30 departure; 787 Business Class (Reverse Herringbone!!!)
Price: 165 000 Miles + $3084.31 CAD
Award #2
I do not have accounts in many mileage programs but purchased Business class tickets are upwards of $850 from TLV-LHR
Maybe try Los Angles to Newark via Dallas
Newark to New Delhi on Air India
New Delhi to Hyderabad on SpiceJet (Indian Domestic Airline)
Hyderabad to Dubai on Emirates
Dubai to Cairo on Emirates
Cairo to Brussels on EgyptAir
Brussels to London on British
Or Hainan to Brussels or Berlin on a330, a much better protect then on their 767
CL 3 sof to tpe
Then any Asian airline from Tpe to Pek.
HU7937 Pek to PRG
OK618 PRG to AMS
Garuda Ams to Lhr
I came up with this awesome Star Alliance business class itinerary so that you could provide trip reports on AI and also transit-without-visa in KBL (added bonus is Lufthansa segments tagged on each end to maximize Lucky's enjoyment!)
9/23 LH LAX-MUC
9/24 TK MUC-IST
9/25 TK IST-KBL
9/25 AI KBL-DEL
9/26 AI DEL-FRA
9/26 LH FRA-LHR
I don't know how many awards that is, but it looks like there's availabilty :)
Try Finnair, thru either JFK or ORD to HEL. Enjoy the only first class lounge in the world with a sauna!!!, and the only first class lounge in the world with showers that offer lingonberry soap and shampoo.
Go through that lounge at the right time in the morning and you can watch the walls and ceiling change colours and the hanging lamps go up, kinda like the tiki room at Disneyland meets IKEA, but...
Try Finnair, thru either JFK or ORD to HEL. Enjoy the only first class lounge in the world with a sauna!!!, and the only first class lounge in the world with showers that offer lingonberry soap and shampoo.
Go through that lounge at the right time in the morning and you can watch the walls and ceiling change colours and the hanging lamps go up, kinda like the tiki room at Disneyland meets IKEA, but in a cool way.
And how often do you get o say "I'm going to HEL" for one of your trips?
You could continue from HEL down to the UK (and it's cool that the UK is lower than HEL ;) ) on Finnair, but take BA so you can hear them say "Schedule" like on,y the Brits can.
@ Tiffany — space still open as of 180 seconds ago ;)
Plus, it's an interesting new airline and would make for a *juicy* review!
@Tiffany:
"So far we’ve tried to book one of your routings (which I was really excited about!)"
Which one?
This is hilarious! Cant wait to see what Lucky books.......
This technically doesn't qualify as there is currently no award availability in business, but I do remember a post where you said you wanted to visit St. John's, Nfld, so I present to you The Successively Smaller Airbus Itinerary:
LAX-YYZ 1010p-0554a+1 AC788 (A321)
YYZ-YYT 1235p-0506p AC692 (A320)
YYT-LHR 1005p-0635a+1 AC822 (A319)
No one on here cares for Lucky's or Tiffany's well-being, lol
I suggest a nonstop Virgin Atlantic flight, if there's availability :D
Loving all the ideas so far, and thanks to those of you who are recommending nice routings for normal people ;) I'm more than a little terrified of what we're going to end up with here!
For those of you who want to play, but don't feel super comfortable searching award space, I'd recommend this post for a general overview of where to look for award space: https://onemileatatime.com/where-to-find-award-space/. If you want to dig in further,...
Loving all the ideas so far, and thanks to those of you who are recommending nice routings for normal people ;) I'm more than a little terrified of what we're going to end up with here!
For those of you who want to play, but don't feel super comfortable searching award space, I'd recommend this post for a general overview of where to look for award space: https://onemileatatime.com/where-to-find-award-space/. If you want to dig in further, Ben has lots of resources and instructions on this page: https://onemileatatime.com/tips-tutorials/
So far we've tried to book one of your routings (which I was really excited about!), but space disappeared as we were shuffling points. We're ready to book right away, so we'll try to chime in more often with thoughts on the various routings. Remember: there has to actually be award space if you want to win (or want us to fly it)!
Here's a pretty interesting routing, on Avios partner Meridiana for the transatlantic sector (prices for 2 travellers):
23SEP [position to JFK]
23SEP IG3933 1500 JFK-PMO 0605 (+1) - Business - BA: 180,000 Avios + £290; 2 seats remaining)
24SEP IB5087 (op. as VY6157) 1555 PMO-FCO 1705 - Economy - IB: 9,000 Avios + £48.40
24SEP BA0557 1845 FCO-LHR 2020 - Business - BA: 25,500 Avios + £42 [off-peak!]
Book with BA &...
Here's a pretty interesting routing, on Avios partner Meridiana for the transatlantic sector (prices for 2 travellers):
23SEP [position to JFK]
23SEP IG3933 1500 JFK-PMO 0605 (+1) - Business - BA: 180,000 Avios + £290; 2 seats remaining)
24SEP IB5087 (op. as VY6157) 1555 PMO-FCO 1705 - Economy - IB: 9,000 Avios + £48.40
24SEP BA0557 1845 FCO-LHR 2020 - Business - BA: 25,500 Avios + £42 [off-peak!]
Book with BA & IB Avios; sorry for not converting to USD!
Meridian Business Class: https://www.meridiana.it/us/duringtheflight/index.aspx#BC
More ways to get from PMO→LON: https://www.google.co.uk/flights/#search;f=PMO,3BZ;t=LHR,LGW,LCY,STN,LTN,QQS;d=2015-09-24;r=2015-10-08;tt=o;ti=t0700-2400
@ Andreas -- Tempting, especially with that layover in Sicily! Ben thought the driving in Catania was death-defying, I wonder how he'd feel about Palermo! ;)
Hi Lucky - South African Airways is the largest African carrier and I don't think that it's ever been reviewed on this blog. Would be interested in your reviewing the airline, and one of the longest commercial flights (JFK --> JNB) on the A340.
Award #1 - 80,000 miles
9/23 UA1209 LAX --> EWR (17:57 --> +1 02:16) [BUSINESS[
9/24 SA204 JFK --> JNB (11:15 --> +1 08:00) [BUSINESS]
Award #2 - 55,000...
Hi Lucky - South African Airways is the largest African carrier and I don't think that it's ever been reviewed on this blog. Would be interested in your reviewing the airline, and one of the longest commercial flights (JFK --> JNB) on the A340.
Award #1 - 80,000 miles
9/23 UA1209 LAX --> EWR (17:57 --> +1 02:16) [BUSINESS[
9/24 SA204 JFK --> JNB (11:15 --> +1 08:00) [BUSINESS]
Award #2 - 55,000 miles
9/25 MS840 JNB --> CAI (21:45 --> +1 05:35) [BUSINESS]
9/26 MS777 CAI --> LHR (09:10 --> 13:35) [ECONOMY]
...or, if you want to stay a day in Johannesburg for a day to see some sites, you could do:
9/26 SA234 JNB --> LHR (19:50 --> +1 06:25) [BUSINESS]
SA236 later that evening also has availability.
@ Marc B. -- Would LOVE to fly South African, but I think United is displaying phantom space for that flight, sadly. :(
Egyptair 24th Toronto-Cairo
25th Cairo-Frankfurt
25th Lufthansa Frankfurt-London
LAX-IAH (Any you choose)
IAH-SVG (SAS is about to discontinue this)
SVG-FRA (Lufthansa First)
FRA-MAD( LAN 787)
MAD-LHR( British airways first)
LAX-SFO (United Economy) 9/23/2015 UA 1937
SFO-NRT-SIN (United Global First) 9/23/2015 UA 837
80,000 UA Miles + $18.60 tax PP
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIN-DEL (Air India 787 Business) 9/25/2015 AI 381
DEL-BHX (Air India 787 Business) 9/25/2015 AI 113
(You have the option of having a stop in SIN for 34 hours and continuing the journey on 9/26/2015)
78,000 LifeMiles + $24.14 tax PP or 85,000 UA miles PP
...
LAX-SFO (United Economy) 9/23/2015 UA 1937
SFO-NRT-SIN (United Global First) 9/23/2015 UA 837
80,000 UA Miles + $18.60 tax PP
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIN-DEL (Air India 787 Business) 9/25/2015 AI 381
DEL-BHX (Air India 787 Business) 9/25/2015 AI 113
(You have the option of having a stop in SIN for 34 hours and continuing the journey on 9/26/2015)
78,000 LifeMiles + $24.14 tax PP or 85,000 UA miles PP
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BHX-LON (London Midland Train) 9/25/2015 8:05 PM
£6.00 for Standard £16.00 for First PP
(If BA opens availability up you could use Avios to LON instead)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know this routing is circuitous and a little expensive but it would be an opportunity to try an international first product you haven’t flown in a while. You would also get a couple legs on Air India's 787 which would be very interesting.
@ John -- Very creative! Finishing with the train is actually quite a perk, given we're not headed to Central London anyway. Good find!
LAX to MIA -> your choice
MIami to Santiago -> AA or LAN
Santiago to Sydney -> Qantas
Sydney to Johannesburg -> South African
Johannesburg to London -> your choice
IAH - AUH - LHR in EY F (787-9 and A380 again/A380 J).
If space doesn't work there, SFO - NRT / NRT - LHR in JL J (777-300ER).
If space doesn't work there either, give up and go LAX - BOG - LHR in AV J (A330-300 reverse herringbone). If even that doesn't work, just do MIA - EZE - SCL on AR (fax us there) and fly SCL - SYD - DXB - LHR on QF/EK. Can't go wrong with that...
@ Alvin -- LAX-BOG-LHR was actually my first choice before we even thought about a contest, but haven't seen space open up yet...
I can't believe no one has suggested you fly Coach (although I may have missed it) - then any airline you fly should probably give you something new to review :)
My earlier SJO-MAD on 9/26 is pricing at only 42.5k BA Avios one way + $487 in J! Way lower than normal for some reason.
How about a Spirit Air or RyanAir flights? You've not reviewed those yet.
9/23 LAX-LHR on VS has no YQ if booked using DL miles. 62500 miles per person in J + $5.6
9/26 Iberia IB6314 SJO-MAD has 2xJ award seats available.
Virgin Atlantic VS024 LAX--LHR is showing availability on Wednesday, 23rd only for upper class. It's on the old A340 and is a late night departure (50,000 + $457.60/one way). ExpertFlyer still showing plenty of empty seats up front. You could always burn some ThankYou or UR points.
@ Sean @ Edward -- Yeah, and I'd typically be a big fan of that option (VS is my favorite TATL business class option!), but Ben is really excited about trying something new. Guess I could go without him... :p
Option A - XL Airways France LAX - CDG in "Galaxy Class" using miles if possible, CDG - LCY (to gaze at BA A318s heading for SNN, to JFK - hopefully) in BA Club World, why not AA from LHR through JFK on 77W/32B J for return
Option B - Turkish LAX - IST, Lufthansa IST - FRA/MUC - LON, hopefully BA Club World London City A318 to JFK, AA 32B J to LAX or Virgin America to LAX
If you can leave a little earlier, it looks like there are 2 AY J seats KIX-HEL on 9/23 and 2 J seats on JL 1 SFO-HND on 9/22. I can't see any award seats from HND-KIX, but you could buy the HND-KIX leg (JL 221) for JPY 10,800 (~$90) using a Yosoko fare. Plenty of options for getting from HEL to LON.
@ Andrew -- Love that, but we really couldn't catch a flight that early in the week. :(
Option 1: United A320 LAX - EWR (UA448), Tap Portugal A330 EWR - LIS (TP204), British Airways Club Europe LIS - London (LCY or LHR). Notes: UAL regular bad old Domestic First, Tap is new, BA Club World for an experience SO much better than the Etihad Residence!
No idea from me, but I'd vote for the AM LAX-MEX-LHR option.
WOW!! Seeing all this makes me realise how little I know about award travel ... having said that, flying from AUS to anywhere takes for ever and our options of airlines are limited. Makes it seem so much simpler...
I checked Flying Blue, and they're giving me two very compelling options:
AeroMexico: LAX-MEX-LHR AM647/007 dep. 1330 arr. 1605 +1, 62.5k miles + 20EUR
AirFrance: LAX-CDG-LHR AF065/1780 dep. 1530 arr. 1345+1, 187.5k + 218EUR
Both in business.
Iah-SVg on sk before they cut the route next month!
Please review Air India!! please!
LAX-JFK-CDG-LHR
You could take the new 767 AA business class to Paris. From there you'll have the possibility to take either BA or AF to LHR.
And if you wanna try something else, you can even take the eurostar from paris to London. Not sure you could redeem miles on that leg though :P
I have an other idea.
EX USA-MAD (with whatever airlines you want) and then a MAD-FRA with LAN 787 in business class.
DEDICATED. The people listing these routes are freaking dedicated. My internet seems so freaking slow, looking up one option would take forever, and I don't know how to do it. Just being at the computer makes me tired and makes me feel like I am wasting my life. Lucky must be in front of a screen 24/7. I can't take pictures of stuff either. I just enjoy it. Time is fleeting, and is it not...
DEDICATED. The people listing these routes are freaking dedicated. My internet seems so freaking slow, looking up one option would take forever, and I don't know how to do it. Just being at the computer makes me tired and makes me feel like I am wasting my life. Lucky must be in front of a screen 24/7. I can't take pictures of stuff either. I just enjoy it. Time is fleeting, and is it not more fun to be surprised and discover instead of researching and knowing?
I know some people are always gaming stuff on here, comparing this and that and what they got or should have got because him over there did. I know many people on here fly all over the place so that maybe the world seems small, but I think you are missing everything.
hahaha Who's Tiffany? hahaha
How about you take a boat?
Ac788 Thu. 24/2015
Ac84 Thu. 25/2015
All in business class TLV to LHR booked separately.
If you could manage to leave Monday.......?
LAX-SYD VA2 C 9/21 (DL Skypesos - 80k each) - 4hr layover
SYD-DEL AI301 C 9/23 (UA miles - 115k each +$168) - 6hr layover
DEL-FRA LH761 F 9/24 (same UA redemption) - ~2hr layover
FRA-LHR LH902 C 9/24 (same UA redemption) - destination
Currently available for 2 pax.
Simon.
fly to JFK or MIA on award or paid ticket; then to BUE-FCO on Aerolineas Argentinas (yes, your favorite airline), to LHR on Alitalia
Let's see what we can do with sky team. I'd love to send you MU as I rather enjoyed their J class, however I can get you beyond PVG, yet. Anyway try this vietnam airline heavy adventure. The only thing really painful about it is the unrealistic 1hr5 connection at CDG
24SEP KE62 LAX 2355-0555+2 ICN J A330
26SEP VN417 ICN 1005-1230 HAN J A330
70,000 skymiles
26SEP VN277 HAN 2140-2345 SGN...
Let's see what we can do with sky team. I'd love to send you MU as I rather enjoyed their J class, however I can get you beyond PVG, yet. Anyway try this vietnam airline heavy adventure. The only thing really painful about it is the unrealistic 1hr5 connection at CDG
24SEP KE62 LAX 2355-0555+2 ICN J A330
26SEP VN417 ICN 1005-1230 HAN J A330
70,000 skymiles
26SEP VN277 HAN 2140-2345 SGN J A321
27SEP AF253 SGN 0915-1710 CDG J 772
27SEP AF1080 CDG 1815-1830 LHR J A319
80,000 skymiles
@ Ed -- Super creative! You're right about the unrealistic connection time at CDG though...and that gets us in rather late for needing to be pleasant on Sunday. Love the routing though!
LAX-SFO-IST-LHR on TK? With a quick stop to check out the new St. Regis?
Who cares about the boring air stuff anyway...take several days on the Amtrak to cross the good ol USA. Then some sort of cattle car plane to hop the pond!
Can't get you all the exact details but this should be interesting.
Aeroflot #107
LAX-SVO J class (not sure how many miles needed)
Aircraft: Beautiful B777-300 ER +Plus try the new terminal D in Moscow
Aeroflot #2344
SVO-DRS (Dresden) $$$
In order to try the Sukhoi Super Jet 100
And then avios miles or miles and more should get you from DRS to London.
@ Matthew -- Would love to do Aeroflot (said no one ever, but I mean it)! Problem is there isn't space that I've seen.
@Lucky TN 8 flies PPT-LAX-CDG but only some days of the week.
However, 9/23 is not one of them. That day they appear to use an AF codeshare, not sure where Tyler was seeing availability, unless he means the same flight that departs PPT on 9/23 and thus flies LAX-CDG on 9/24.
The A310 to Porto sounds fun, if not very comfortable.
Would suggesting Norwegian Premium cabin be cheating as it's a Premium economy product?
Direct flights LAX-Gatwick on 23 and 24 for 1050 USD.
Here's a few thoughts:
Long-Haul Flight:
Aeromexico 787 Business Class from Mexico City has 3 award seats available on Wednesday the 23rd. Booked using SkyMiles, or any other SkyTeam mileage program. Too bad you can't book Aeromexico with Alaska right now. Positioning flight would be paid or maybe if you called Delta they would have something.
Saudia Business class from LAX or JFK to JED to LHR, we'll just assume they have award space since...
Here's a few thoughts:
Long-Haul Flight:
Aeromexico 787 Business Class from Mexico City has 3 award seats available on Wednesday the 23rd. Booked using SkyMiles, or any other SkyTeam mileage program. Too bad you can't book Aeromexico with Alaska right now. Positioning flight would be paid or maybe if you called Delta they would have something.
Saudia Business class from LAX or JFK to JED to LHR, we'll just assume they have award space since it's their website isn't working, and it's Saudia, and they are operating a flight. Which means they have award space. Booked with SkyMiles or other SkyTeam mileage program.
Royal Air Maroc from JFK in business class on the 787 booked with 44,000 Etihad Guest miles. I'm guessing you would have to call Etihad for award space?
Ukraine International Airlines in Business Class for 66,000 Etihad Guest miles from JFK (would be an interesting flight, not an amazing value though).
As far as useful reviews, Finnair would be great, but I can't find any award space. SAS would be great as well, but I can't find space quickly with the Aeroplan tool.
Positioning flights to New York (if needed):
Virgin America First from LAX to JFK
jetBlue Mint LAX to JFK
American A321T Business Class
Hopefully this will help you at least a little!
Sadly not availability IAH-SVG on your dates for 2, does not open up until in October.
Try SK all J route Houston-Stavanger operated by Privateair before it ends on OCT 25? Last chance to say you have been on the world longest 737 route? Not sure about availability.
http://airlineroute.net/2015/09/15/sk-iahewr-w15/
Fresh trip report on Flyertalk about Stavanger Houston route.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/1709900-bergen-oslo-paris-via-sas-all-business-737-home-via-air-france-la-premiere.html
Garuda Indonesia – Flight 9507 (economy)
Operated by Delta
6:40p Wed, Sep 23 LAX Los Angeles, CA
10:30p Thu, Sep 24 HND Tokyo, Japan
Boeing 767-300 (Wide-body Jet) | 11h 50m
Change planes HND Tokyo, Japan
Garuda Indonesia – Flight 875 (economy)
11:45a Fri, Sep 25 HND Tokyo, Japan
5:05p Fri, Sep 25 CGK Jakarta, Indonesia
Airbus A330-300 (Wide-body Jet) | 7h 20m |
Change planes...
Garuda Indonesia – Flight 9507 (economy)
Operated by Delta
6:40p Wed, Sep 23 LAX Los Angeles, CA
10:30p Thu, Sep 24 HND Tokyo, Japan
Boeing 767-300 (Wide-body Jet) | 11h 50m
Change planes HND Tokyo, Japan
Garuda Indonesia – Flight 875 (economy)
11:45a Fri, Sep 25 HND Tokyo, Japan
5:05p Fri, Sep 25 CGK Jakarta, Indonesia
Airbus A330-300 (Wide-body Jet) | 7h 20m |
Change planes CGK Jakarta, Indonesia
Garuda Indonesia – Flight 88 (first)
11:10p Fri, Sep 25 CGK Jakarta, Indonesia
8:30a Sat, Sep 26 AMS Amsterdam, Netherlands
Boeing 777 (Wide-body Jet) | 14h 20m |
Same plane AMS Amsterdam, Netherlands
Garuda Indonesia – Flight 88 (first)
10:20a Sat, Sep 26 AMS Amsterdam, Netherlands
10:35a Sat, Sep 26 LGW London, ENG, United Kingdom
Take Avianca flight 85 from LAX to BOG and then AV120 from BOG to LHR. Would be quite interesting!
There's also a chance to fly paid business class over the Atlantic on A310 for a few hundred dollars each:
#1
Toronto - Ponta Delgada (Azores) - London with SATA, YYZ-PDL in biz (A310) and PDL-LGW in Y for $746.80: http://goo.gl/1m8Wft
#2
Nonstop Toronto - Porto in business class (A310), $658 per person: http://goo.gl/c0naTN
EL-AL (LY) via TLV, they have a direct flight from LAX to TLV and then to the rest of EU.
Or Transaero F could also be interesting...
Doesn't seem that theres any availability yet, but it would be a cool report.
LAX-ORD/JFK/EWR paid
Air India F: ORD/JFK-DEL or EWR-BOM
Air India 787 J: DEL/BOM-LHR
How about a Star Alliance business class showdown?
LAX TPE 23-Sep EVA Air (almost certainly the winner)
TPE BKK 24-Sep Thai Air
BKK DEL 24-Sep Air India 787 or Thai Air (probably the Air India 787, though)
DEL DME 25-Sep Air India 787 (787 again)
DME VIE 26-Sep Austrian
VIE LHR 26-Sep Austrian (boring intra-European business class)
I didn't get too into the details, so those dates can probably be squished a bit. Should be able to book in just two awards, I think.
*9/25: NH211 HND-LHR (77w J) 11:40-16:10
9/23: CI9 LAX-TPE (77w J) 12:05-5:00+1
Head into the city for some Taiwanese breakfast and/or catch the flight out of local TSA (new airport for you I believe and neat view of 101 upon departure)
9/24: BR192 TSA-HND (Hello Kitty) 7:45-11:45
OR
9/24: CI220 TSA-HND 9:00-12:55
I didn't see any award space on these TSA-HND flights but that could change or worth the cash rate for BR's Hello Kitty ;)
9/25: NH211 HN...
9/23: CI9 LAX-TPE (77w J) 12:05-5:00+1
Head into the city for some Taiwanese breakfast and/or catch the flight out of local TSA (new airport for you I believe and neat view of 101 upon departure)
9/24: BR192 TSA-HND (Hello Kitty) 7:45-11:45
OR
9/24: CI220 TSA-HND 9:00-12:55
I didn't see any award space on these TSA-HND flights but that could change or worth the cash rate for BR's Hello Kitty ;)
9/25: NH211 HN (77w J) 11:40-16:10
I believe both the long hauls will be new for you although I know this leaves a day or so earlier, but it arrives LHR on Friday.. all in the game of catering to award space. Good Luck!
Transaero! Just a quick search to see if you could buy a medium haul first class on their blinged out 737 (after using miles to get to Moscow) but the website is tough to find first class routes and you'd need a visa.
Star Alliance..
ORD to ZRH 9/24 on Swiss in Business - Saver available on United.com for 2 travelers. Connect using Avios or other method from Zurich (didn't look up connecting flight but should be easy enough to find something).
Why will you fly a new carrier? You still haven't written about TAP, and it's been a year...
:/
Whoa, LAX-MEX also on 788!!!
Also, Ben Hause had a great idea about LAX-MEX-LHR
MEX-LHR on AM 788 and only €10 p.p. taxes.
2 saver seats available on 24th: http://i.imgur.com/mEGNP4C.jpg
How about something to try Air Canada's 787 ? Perhaps via Vancouver to either Tokyo, Seoul, or Shanghai, and then something of your choice to LHR, or via Toronto to either Zurich or Copenhagen?
What Woj said, especially the non-stop on Kuwait Airways - but any of his ideas would be great.
Aeroflot LAX-SVO-LHR
United business class from LAX-JFK and South African Airways Buissness Class from JFK-JNB-LHR
Hey Tiffany and Ben,
Here are some crazy flights to review if you're willing to pay cash instead of redeeming points:
#1
Uzbekistan Airways non-stop JFK-RIX in biz followed by AirBaltic in biz on Thursday, $1874.90 per person: http://goo.gl/3OxLnK
#2
Kuwait Air non-stop JFK-LHR in first class (3 class), also on Thursday, $1,438.80 per person: http://goo.gl/EIku0s
#3
Kuwait Air non-stop JFK-LHR on Saturday in biz (3 class), $1,094.80 per person: http://goo.gl/UByDjQ (or...
Hey Tiffany and Ben,
Here are some crazy flights to review if you're willing to pay cash instead of redeeming points:
#1
Uzbekistan Airways non-stop JFK-RIX in biz followed by AirBaltic in biz on Thursday, $1874.90 per person: http://goo.gl/3OxLnK
#2
Kuwait Air non-stop JFK-LHR in first class (3 class), also on Thursday, $1,438.80 per person: http://goo.gl/EIku0s
#3
Kuwait Air non-stop JFK-LHR on Saturday in biz (3 class), $1,094.80 per person: http://goo.gl/UByDjQ (or $1,438.80 in First)
It would be very cool if you could review Jetblue Mint on the way to JFK! (or Sun Country first via MSP :)
Just to add to my earlier comment.
You can get AA5915 F LAX-IAH 9/24 06:30-11:47 for $327.10 according to ITA
I would try something quite crazy just for the sake of fun trips...
LAX-GRU (KE First)
GRU-BCN (SQ First)
BCN-LON (whatever avios flight you would want to... or go on one of the budget airlines... could be interesting)
I'm pretty sure there is availability on both F sectors as they're not heavily occupied...
Not crazy as in variety, but stylish way to get to Europe don't you think?
Or...
I would try something quite crazy just for the sake of fun trips...
LAX-GRU (KE First)
GRU-BCN (SQ First)
BCN-LON (whatever avios flight you would want to... or go on one of the budget airlines... could be interesting)
I'm pretty sure there is availability on both F sectors as they're not heavily occupied...
Not crazy as in variety, but stylish way to get to Europe don't you think?
Or you could also get on GRU-LON on BA246 which usually has plenty of availbility in first... but why cramped first when you can fly in a pretty empty first to BCN
Since you haven't reviewed SQ C class in forever, and I'm thinking of using all my UR point for a family trip to SE Asia in SQ C class, I'd like to see you review it.
So....
9/24 - LAX to IAH $$$
9/24 - IAH to DME SQ 61 C 17:40-13:00
9/25 - DME to LHR BA 234 Y 18:25-20:25
SQ award space is currently available as is Avios for the DME-LHR leg.
I really want to see that SQ C class review!
Michael
I was going to suggest IAD-AUH-LHR on Etihad in J since I don't think you've reviewed EY's new business class in their A380 or 787, but it doesn't look like they have saver availability.
Fly up from LAX to SFO on AA using AAdvantage miles (or drive) then from SFO to DUB fly on Aer Lingus in their new Business Class using BA Avios. From DUB to LHR fly either BA or Aer Lingus using Avios.
LAX-EWR United A320 First
EWR-CPH SAS A330 New Business
(You havnt reviewed the new SAS Business product ;) )
CPH-LHR SAS Plus A320
I don't think you've reviewed the AA 787 yet. I'm flying DFW-LHR on the 787 on Wed 9/23 (starting at LAX), five days after the launch of what I believe is American's first European 787 route. Unfortunately, even though there is saver first space between LAX and DFW, there doesn't seem to be any saver business available from DFW-LHR any time next week even though the seat maps look pretty wide open! But if it opens up, it could be a good candidate for a trip report!
I think China Eastern serves LAX-PVG with their new B77W. From there you could try for space on Scandinavian J PVG-CPH-LHR, assuming PVG-CPH are with the new interior.
Neither airline has been reviewed here before so it'd be a good way try new products!
Awesome idea!
Would be cool to see some business class reviews...SAS or AF new business classes would be interesting.
Or maybe you can somehow manage to get to Korea and take the new KE 747-8i in first or business to Frankfurt (and then to London). That would definately be nice as well!
I will pay you $200 to fly Norwegian
You should really fly SAS, preferably from Chicago, Washington or Newark. They don't fly from LA yet and SFO gets you on a 340 (which doesn't guarantee you the excellent new seats). My preferable routing would be SAN/LAX-IAD-CPH-LHR-OSL-EWR-LAX/SAN. Could possibly take a side trip pre concert to Oslo or Göteborg because fares are very cheap going there (I travel SFO-OSL/GOT regularly).
Aeromexico LAX-MEX-LHR and MEX-LHR on AM's 787?
How about Saudia? LAX-JED-LHR
I didn't check award availability but according to your own post, if there's a flight, assume there's space :)
I mostly want to see lucky review a dry flight ;)
What about Air New Zealand LAX-LHR?
@ Ben Hause -- If you see award space on it, I'm in. ;)
LAX-IAH on $$$
IAH-DME in Singapore First(57375 Krisflyer Miles)
DME-LHR on BA miles
THT 8 on Sept 23 to BA 135 on Sept 24
Biz saver
@ Tyler -- What am I missing? Air Tahiti Nui doesn't operate Los Angeles to Paris that day as far as I can tell? Thanks for the idea, though!