I just booked Starlux's rare first class product for $5,100, leaving only one first class cabin left on my list: Air Cote d'Ivore.
super generous of you to write: "There’s not a single review that I’ve seen of the carrier’s long haul first class product (rather than the cheaper intra-Asia flights), aside from Sam Chui flying the inaugural as a guest of the airline, with the CEO being the captain, so that’s hardly a “real” review"
Let me fix it based on what we were all thinking when reading that: "There’s not a single review that I’ve seen of the carrier’s long haul first class product (rather than the cheaper intra-Asia flights), aside from Sam Chui, so that's hardly a "real" review"
$4800 for a long haul journey in first class isn't all that expensive. You've been flying on point redemptions for far too long (•‿•).
Lollllll ouchhh! Thanks for taking one for the team, Lucky! Can't wait to read the review!! 🙂
I've been wanting a review on United's Island Hopper forever now so why not try to include it somehow?!
And we're still waiting on the story about the date directly on the table haha.
@ Mike O. -- Hah, whoops, I'll respond to the date comment in a bit over on that review, my apologies! Would love to do the Island Hopper, but hoping to tie it into a bigger South Pacific trip. Great idea, though.
There's Philippine Airlines' A35K which are fairly new if that tickles your fancy or you'd rather wait to tie it to the Island Hopper to get the full experience?
Ideally I'd try to get on the newest aircraft in an airline's fleet in the region when making your way back.
Do you think you could write in to see whether they could get Huan Yu arranged? Surely that would be something they'd be happy to arrange?
Super excited for this one, especially PS LAX!!
For the returns you should consider PAL $1700 one way NRT YYZ, to check out the new 35K.
@ JJ -- I did see those great Philippine Airlines fares, and I'm very tempted by that. Hmmm. I guess that would also earn me a lot of Atmos Rewards status points, though I'm not sure I really value going for Titanium over Platinum.
Hey at least you got 9.5cpm on the redemption!
Unf it cost you 4cpm to buy them DOH
5k for F class. Especially only 3600miles. No thanks.
I just spent the same for a one way SFO-LHR Polaris ticket so...this seems like a steal HA
Ben, I am really excited that you are doing this. I love Starlux business--which is better than a lot of first class products. And have been dreaming about what the first class experience must be like (including buying miles). One thing, however, I have to tell you is that the lounge in TPE is not particularly impressive. I can't wait to read about this and the lounge experience in LA. Also, you said award prices are going up--will that impact partner redemptions on Alaska? Thank you!
@ FlyerDad -- Thanks! Nope, increased award prices are just through the Starlux COSMILE program. I've only visited the carrier's older lounge, so I look forward to checking out the new one, even if it's not great. It does have a first class section, so I'm curious what that's like.
@ Alvin | YTHK -- I did fill out the first class inquiry form, where they ask you which services you'd like. I checked the box for both PS LAX and the Huan Yu Terminal. When they contacted me, they informed me I was eligible for the former, but not the latter, and that matches the T&Cs. So I'm not going to fight it, since I just want to have the "real" experience. 🙂
Jerusalem artichokes on menu? They are also called sunchokes or, in my house, fartichokes. They live up to their reputation for producing a lot of gas. Seriously. So it will be interesting to see if the first class area is extra smelly.
@ Jeff -- Hah! Well I'm not ordering them, and basically no one seems to ever book Starlux first class, so there shouldn't be too many odors (unless they're also serving it in business class).
Ouchie! Those price-tags! Hope it's worth it. Looking forward to the reviews, regardless. (Samar's recent JX Business Class trip-report was excellent, so I can only imagine how First'll shape-up.)
I think the main source of disappointment is gonna be that the product isn't really designed for the American customers who are extremely focused on hard product, disproportionately so compared to soft product. It's the same issue as with European business class. Starlux First class isn't above giving you some mind-blowing seat but providing a proper VIP experience (using GA terminals at most airports), and an elevated service on board. The seat isn't meant to be the selling point.
@ Samo -- I hear you, and I'm coming in with an open mind. I actually appreciate what the airline is going for, in theory, because I do think offering a nice end-to-end experience is important.
I do still think some separation from business class is useful in terms of being able to control noise, light pollution, etc., so that's probably my biggest concern with the hard product.
I'm also curious about the lavatory situation. I've heard that when there's someone in first class, they save the forward lavatory for that passenger, even though there's no physical indicator that business class passengers can't use it.
If the soft product is stellar, I'll probably come away with a very positive impression, while if it's not, I'll be squarely in the "wait, this is 'business class plus' with a great ground product" camp.
Lil typo: d'Ivoire (currently d'Ivore)
Also about time you re-reviewed Air NZ Business, now they have rolled out new seats and new soft product (more customized meals where you decide on main + sides)
@ Sam -- Oh, definitely want to check out NZ again, great idea. How bad is award availability nowadays?
Very exciting, I’m glad you sprung for it!! Any idea what Champagne they serve in F?
And I think when you do Air Côte d’Ivoire F, to bounce back from the inevitable disappointment, you should book La Premiere for the return trip. Would be a fascinating and funny head to head, and I’m curious what AF ground services are like at Abidjan for La Premiere passengers!
@ Motion to Dismiss -- Hah, that would be a funny head-to-head, though I think I'll have hemorrhaged enough "value" on this trip without the expense of La Premiere, whether paying cash or redeeming miles. Regarding champagne, that's an excellent question, and one of the many reasons that I feel I need to report back!
I did some Googling and it looks like there are reports of Starlux F serving Bollinger La Grande Annee. Not bad, one of my favorites that I think also punches above its price point. Curious to see if that’s still the case and eager to hear about your experience!
J+ isn't F.
Delta comfort isn't a separate cabin or upgrade.
Adding a door doesn't make a 68"x24" space a suite.
@ Sel_D -- I agree in theory, and sometimes the line is a bit blurred. Though I guess to step back and look at the big picture, what does make something first class vs. business class? Is it the existence of a curtain, or...?
Do you have a similar list of Business Classes you need to review? Saw a video of someone documenting a Cubana flight operated with an Ilyushin and made me think of you. Not that you should specifically review it, but I'd be fascinated by what's on your list.
@ David W -- I'd LOVE to fly Cubana, but I don't think that's happening any time soon for me, sadly. Regarding business class, there are hundreds of airlines out there in business class, so I think it's impossible to review all of them. That being said, it might be time for an updated list of the business class products I most want to review, as I do have some fun ones on my radar (and not just mainstream ones).
Very excited for the review! How were the points purchased? Could you at least get x5 Amex points?
@ FrozenKiwi -- Thanks! Since it's processed by points.com, my assumption was that it wouldn't qualify as airfare. So I put it on my Bilt Palladium Card. Was also tempted to use my Atmos Summit Card, which offers 3x points on foreign purchases, whether in foreign currency or just processed abroad. That being said, I wasn't sure it would process correctly, so I went with the safest best that offered the best return.