In the past I did everything in my power to fly international first class as much as possible. That's because historically the number of miles needed for first class was only marginally more than the number of miles needed for business class, so it represented a good deal. However, over time we've seen airlines devalue…
Continue reading: All The International First Class Products I Haven’t Flown
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Air Algérie has first class. They fly to Montreal. I believe it's 2-2-2 on the A330. Business is 2-3-2.
Not sure if this site is reliable or not, but according to it Egyptair has F on their B777-200
Ben, what a shame you didn't get the chance to fly Transaero F! I once got upgraded on one of their 747s from Business to First, and while it was a fairly short flight (Moscow-Tenerife), I found the seat finishes gorgeous and FAs where very attentive and kind.
This is actually the product I flew in 2013:
?v=v40
I mean, you kind of HAVE flown Jet Airways first class... first on Turkish, but maybe also on Thai or Etihad?
@Ben Holz -- True, although they don't sell it and the 777-200 is mainly used for equipment changes.
I can't wait until you fly with TAAG, I currently live in Luanda. I see them land at Quatro de Fevereiro international often, plus their livery is gorgeous.
Don't waste your time with China eastern. I just flew them and I can confirm your review
Food = swill VERY disgusting
Coffee = powder
Crew = Rude
Smoke = the entire time on 3/4 flights. One flight PVG-BKK I could breathe 🙂
Air France 777-300ER la premiere, British Airways 787-9 First, Singapore 777-300ER New First Class, Singapore New A380 First (After introduced) and Etihad Residence (If possible)
According to Seatguru there are First Class cabins on: Dragonair, LATAM (probably its the same as TAM First Class, which you have already reviewed) and Skylanes.
Lucky, don't waste your Star Alliance miles on Air China! Do it using Virgin Atlantic miles - you can only do it on the LHR-PEK route only and return only, for the princely sum of 75000 miles, in First. Watch out for the hefty YQ though (not unusual for ex UK award flights)
You should just Purchase the Residence fare between India to Abu Dhabi so you can review.
Keep watching Kuwait. The other day I saw an F fare from CMB-JFK going for $1100 one way. I tried to book but couldn't get past the initial booking screen. It would allow me to book to LHR in F for a $100 less and to JFK in J but not JFK in F. Maybe they'll open it up again.
My pick'll always be for Saudia. Anytime you pass through Saudi you're going to get some funny stories.
+1 for Cathay Dragon. I was shocked when I was seated in J my last flight and walked past their F cabin, which is basically a reverse herringbone J mini-cabin similar to CX. I think on some intra-Asia routes, the KA F has full F service.
@El Plauzo -- to judge from the Seatguru seat map, it looks like Skylanes operates an old Cathay 777. A lot of charter carriers take used aircraft and don't update the interiors at all, so you can find former Virgin Atlantic and Emirates planes flying in their original configurations for charter operators. That Cathay configuration is particularly surprising though since it's a very low-density cabin configuration, which is the opposite of what charter carriers are usually looking for.
Dragon air f is CX long haul j.
If you've been on CX j on the a330 then you've done it already.
Soft product differs, given that it's on a short flight.
Can mix with air China f connecting in Beijing, I guess
@El Plauzo @ keitherson KA F is a reverse herringbone seat and their longest route is a 5 hour flight between HK to Bangalore. Not the most compelling of options and I'd probably equate it to CX J
When I flew China Eastern business over he holidays, I was very tempted to upgrade to first class until I learned the cash upgrade price was around $4,000. It would've been awesome to experience the double bed.
You can "fly" PanAm First Class for $300 at a movie studio in California. It would be interesting to see a review of this to see how you would think PA F would hold up today
ETIHAD residence (at least between Abu Dhabi and India) and CATHAY DRAGON First Class
I'd be curious to read your take on the new Air France First class (granted you already reviewed the old one) 🙂 .
Keep in mind that you cannot redeem Aeroplan miles for Air China because Aeroplan blocks it in all classes, all routes.
The ~4 hour flight from LHR to TLV is far too short for any kind of meaningful review of LY F.
A 5K+ MR transfer to LY earns Executive status (within 24 hours of the transfer) which gives discounted award pricing.
Splurge for LAX/JFK/EWR-TLV in F for the full experience.
I'd actually prefer more hotel reviews, and preferably, those luxury / upper-upscale ones that aren't really part of any US-centric hotel chain / loyalty programs.
It'd be a lot more fun reading reviews of Mandarin Oriental, Peninsular, Loews, Banyan Tree, Raffles, Shangri-La, etc.
Dragonair/Cathay Dragon do have a F class on some of their A330s, and as others have noted, it features the same product as CX long-haul J, but judging from some Chinese-language reports on KA F, I think they do have an improved F&B selection, better service & can get you into either of the First Class lounges at HKG. I think KA primarily fly their A330 w/ F class to Beijing and Shanghai, not sure if they fly that plane to destinations other than mainland China.
Also, Lifemiles cannot be used on all CA flights either.
Jet Airways sometimes have promotion on buying miles from their program, and the rates are worth looking into IMHO.
I'll also say Air France new F on the 77W. Many have called it the best F in the world, so I think it's important to review!
Don't get too excited about decent fares on TAAG; they've been astronomical for the front of the plane for as long as I've been flying to/from/within Africa (~15 years).
And don't get too excited about decent service, either.
"because flying the same first class products over and over can only be so fun"
When it comes to being out of touch, Marie Antoinette ain't got nothin' on you buddy.
A touch of perspective and humility would do you and your reviews a bit of good.
LATAM First Class, Azul First Class? Aerolineas Argentinas? Do you ever go to South America?
U will not get a very easy way to get Air China F...I had a hard time to get an award ticket on Air China C b/w PEK and JFK cuz, A. Aeroplan and Lifemiles blocks all CA seats. B. I've had no Mileage Plus. I've finally got to try it out using Air China miles from my friend and got him a ticket in Asiana using my Lifemiles...
Given that the new 4 seat F that Air France has installed on their 77W is one of the best offerings out there, that's no small omission... Must do!
Given That, Out There, ....ARGHHHH!!! Now even the fanboys are picking the annoying lingo.
@ GaryLeff - why do you bother posting here when you get no response from the "host"? Take the high road pal!
You should try the new AF la premiere on the 77W which your friend sam chui swears is the best first class!
Lucky,
I was under the impression, you can only book business class using Koreanair miles for partner flight. Did it recently changed?
@ Giny -- You can redeem Korean Air miles for international first class on China Eastern and Saudia. However, you can't for travel on other airlines, like Air France, Garuda Indonesia, etc. This has been the policy for a while.
Ahh, I got one that you haven't flown. Air China First Class. So so to be honest with you comparing to other asian carriers such as Thai and EVA. Yes, you are correct, it was way too easy to redeem Star Alliance miles to get on Air China First Class.
I've got a good TAAG F tarmac story for someday when we meet. Not many would fully appreciate it 🙂
For a "reasonable" First Class fare on TAAG, try JNB/LAD/JNB. There is a published fare (PRTZA) of US$1,245 including all taxes for two 3.5 hour flights ... accommodation in Luanda is a killer, but your points will help ...
0MAY DEPARTURE DATE-----LAST DAY TO PURCHASE 13MAR/0449
1- ZAR15250.00 USD1171.00 74.31XT USD1245.31ADT
ADT-01 PRTZA
JNB DT LAD556.63DT JNB556.63NUC1113.26END ROE13.69568
1 DT 578P 20MAY 6 JNBLAD SS1 1745 2015 /DCDT /E
2 DT 577P 21MAY 2 LADJNB SS1 0915 1345 /DCDT /E
Why does everybody forget about CEIBA First Class? They have a 777 with wifi in a 2-2-2 configuration, flat beds I think. They fly from Madrid to Malabo in Equatorial Guinea.
As a Top Platinum ELAL flyer (flying F about twice a month tlv/nyc) here is what I have to say.
1) Don't do the mistake of paying $ for a 4 hour flight where you will definitely not get a sense of the product, just go longhaul to get a real sense of the product. TLV-JFK would be 3250 Matmid points and would be the best way to go. Another reason you should definitely not to the LHR flight is because LY operates F on their 777 and 744, you wanna make sure you are on the 744 and LHR is being operated by their 777. F on the 777 is not impressive, its very not roomy and right behind the galley. For that matter even when you book longhaul make sure you fly to JFK which is generally operated by the 744 and not to EWR or LAX which are usually operated by the 777. However its not always this way so when you are ready to book just make sure the flight you are booking has the 744. Watch out from the ex SQ plane which is a 747 where the first class is not as nice as well. Bottom line stick with the 744. Oh one more note. Rather do TLV-JFK than vv you will gain around 2 more hours on the plane AND you will get the ground service in TLV. Lastly I think you will be pleasantly surprised with LY F, ineed the hard product is not the best however they are not the worst either, where I think you will be surprised is the excellent soft product. Feel free to reach out, I may even arrange you special permission to take pictures 😉
Luanda and Angola as a whole is ridiculously expensive because of the corruption and abrupt influx of westerners caused by the oil industry. It will be hard to find a reasonable price.
If you didn't fly Jet Airways, then who did?
https://onemileatatime.com/jet-airways-first-class-777-review/