Recently, I shared how I’m taking a trip to Iceland later this month, which has been on my bucket list for quite some time. I’m flying Icelandair from New York (JFK) to Keflavik (KEF), and then after a stopover, I’m continuing to London (LHR). That will allow me review Icelandair’s Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A321LR Saga Class.
As I hinted at, the reason I’m flying to London is because I’m kicking off a review trip from there, and I think some of y’all will really like what I have planned. Let me explain what I have booked so far, in chronological order.
I’m flying Air India’s A350 & A320neo business class
It has obviously been an interesting several years for Air India, and it’s finally time I give the airline a try for the first time since being privatized. So I’ll be flying Air India business class from London (LHR) to Delhi (DEL) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL), with the first segment on the Airbus A350, and the second segment on the Airbus A320neo, with both flights having the latest generation cabins.
I managed to redeem 80,000 Air Canada Aeroplan points for this flight, and I’m very much looking forward to it! I’m not sure whether the flights will be awesome or awful, but there’s a sense of excitement with finally getting to experience the new Air India.
I do have one question. I have a layover of around nine hours in Delhi. Am I understanding correctly that the Holiday Inn Express Delhi T3 is the only/best option for getting some rest without going through immigration (if booking the correct “wing” of the hotel)? If so, once you’re in the hotel, do you have to stay in the hotel until you’re ready to leave, or can you move freely between the hotel and the terminal?
Also, it has been a long time since I’ve been through Delhi Airport, so any lounges I should check out, that I’d have access to?
I’m then flying Singapore Airlines’ A350 & 737 MAX business class
From Kuala Lumpur, I need to get down to Phnom Penh. While I could fly Malaysia Airlines nonstop, I’m saving that for another trip. Instead, I’m flying Singapore Airlines from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Singapore (SIN) to Phnom Penh (KTI).
The first flight is on Singapore Airlines’ regional Airbus A350, while the second flight is on Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 737 MAX, and I haven’t flown either of those cabins on the airline before. I booked this with Air Canada Aeroplan points, and have a roughly 24 hour layover in Singapore.
I’m just traveling through Phnom Penh in transit, and I look forward to checking out the new airport there, as it looks really nice. I know Cambodia requires a visa, but does anyone know if that’s required if connecting international to international same day? I’ll probably get it either way, to avoid any issues, but I’m just wondering…
Then I’m flying Etihad’s A321LR first class & A380 The Residence!
From there, I’m checking out the two Etihad premium experiences that have been on my radar, flying from Phnom Penh (PNH) to Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Paris (CDG).
The first flight is on Etihad’s Airbus A321LR, which has the world’s quirkiest first class cabin. There are just two first class seats at the front of the cabin, and I’m very curious to see what first class is like on a narrow body plane.
Then on the connection, I’ll be flying Etihad’s Airbus A380 The Residence. I last flew The Residence eight years ago, when it was a dedicated product that cost as much as a car (back when they’d give you a signed picture of Shawn Mendes with turndown service… or was that just for me?). Nowadays it’s available as an upgrade option for first class passengers, so that upgrade cost around $1,600.
So, how did I book this ticket? The first class fare from Phnom Penh to Paris was round $2,700. So I actually used Chase points at the rate of 1.5 cents each (before that opportunity is discontinued), meaning I spent just 180,000 points on the ticket, without a dime in taxes and fees. Ironically enough, even if there had been saver award availability on the routing, it would’ve cost a lot more points.
And then I’m flying Aer Lingus’ A330 business class, I think
While I’m not 100% committed to this, for the last portion of my trip, I’ve booked Aer Lingus’ A330 business class from Dublin (DUB) to Boston (BOS), which I booked for 45,000 Alaska Atmos Rewards points.
I recently flew Aer Lingus’ A321XLR business class, so I’d be curious to try the carrier’s other long haul aircraft type again, and also to give Aer Lingus a try on a daytime flight. I’m still open to booking something else, but that’s what I tentatively have planned.
From Boston, I plan to get home via Philadelphia, so that I can check out the American Flagship Lounge Philadelphia, given that I recently picked up oneworld Sapphire status with Royal Jordanian, granting me Flagship Lounge access on domestic itineraries.
What about hotel stays in Kuala Lumpur & Singapore?
Aside from a possible stay at the Holiday Inn Express Delhi Airport (mentioned above), I have two overnight stays on this trip, in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
In Kuala Lumpur, I think it’s no mystery where I’m staying — of course I’m checking out the new Park Hyatt, which is one of the highest hotels in the world.
In Singapore, I’m still undecided. Ideally I’d like to stay at an Amex FHR property, given that I have multiple of those $300 credits to spend. So looking at the most reasonably priced options, those include the EDITION, the Four Seasons, the Kempinski, and the Shangri-La.
It seems like the Four Seasons would be the obvious choice… or am I staying at the EDITION since I’m on a Marriott Bonvoy elite status hamster wheel?
Bottom line
I’m very excited for the upcoming review trip I’ve planned. After visiting Iceland (and flying Icelandair’s 737 MAX and A321LR Saga Class), I’ll be taking a quick whirlwind trip to Southeast Asia, flying Air India’s A350 and A320neo business class, Etihad’s A321LR first class, Etihad’s A380 The Residence, and Aer Lingus’ A330 business class.
It’s not just about the flights, but there are also some hotels I’m excited to check out, particularly the Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur. By the way, I have plans to head back to Asia one more time before the end of the year, as there are some more products I want to knock out, so stay tuned for the details on that.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned! Any guesses as to how these flights and hotel stays will go?
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