Cx889 From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 49 posts, RR: 1 Posted (6 years 2 months 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 2627 times:
Hi everyone,
I am heading to Vietnam this summer and am shopping around for airfare from IAD to HAN and from SGN back to IAD (open jaw). Which airline would you recommend for trans-Pacific flights in Y class, considering the:
- cost (from IAD)
- frequent flyer mileage accruel
- flight schedule and ease of transit at their respective hubs
- aircraft type and Y cabin comfor
- and of course, service on board in Y.
I've seen prices ranging from $1700 to $2300 from IAD. In the past , I've flown Cathay Pacific and was very pleased, but this time around, I want to experience something new (for me). The older CX 744s are looking and feeling a bit dated and I've flown the A346 from JFK (Can't wait to get CX's 773ER to JFK). I'm interested in SQ's 773ER from SFO and A345 from LAX or EWR, and Thai's A345 from LAX, JFK. SQ is consistently more expensive than the others (for fares that will earn UA mileage).
I'm a member of AA's Aadvantage (oneWorld), UA's Mileage Plus (Star Alliance) and DL's SkyMiles (Sky Team), with NO status on any of them. So I'm pretty open minded about trying out different airlines... preferably Asian airlines. I've read from a.net that UA's service and Y cabin for trans-Pac flights are to be avoided, and Korean's Y products are substandard if you consider what SQ, TG, CX, JL and ANA are doing these days in Y.
It would also be nice to visit BKK, SIN or ICN airports as I've never been there. HKG airport is great... I could spend an entire day there doing nothing! But I've been there 4 different times and want to see for myself what others have been talking about.
Sorry for the long-winded "request" for suggestions. Thank you all for your comments in advance... it certainly is appreciated!
Chulalongkorn From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 58 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (6 years 2 months 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 2568 times:
I've traveled in Y from SFO to Asia many times. I slept best on SQ, and they do have the best IFE. But the best service has been with ANA, which is one of our favorites. The new 773ERs NH uses are great. And the new terminal in Narita is also very nice, very easy transit. ANA might be a good way to get to BKK, then on to Vietnam via ...?
Would definitely choose NH over JL, and your very right to go with an Asain carrier for sure. We also love TG, but they don't fly out of SFO. Consider the TG nonstop JFK or LAX to BKK flights, I've heard great things.
Cheers!
"feast like a sultan I do... treasures of flesh never few" - MJK
Buckieboy From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 3, posted (6 years 2 months 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 2503 times:
Cx889,
My first point would be to maybe forget the open-jaw (Hanoi/Ho Chi Min) if you want the best deal on price as Vietnam isn't a particularly large country and you can probably get a single flight between these cities for less than $100 when you arrive in the country.
My second point is why trans-Pacific? Korean Air would give you a one-stop option over the Atlantic (or Arctic).
Although the only flight I've taken on ANA (PVG-NRT) was excellent, my advice would be to fly with Singapore Airlines. You'll get an excellent service throughout, and you may be surprised at how low the fares are if booked through their website. However, you are flying south, to fly north afterwards.
Flying with Vietnam Airlines directly to Hanoi from Paris looks interesting, though expensive if booked through their website.
Flying through BKK could get you on a B717 (with Bangkok Air), which is a reasonably rare aircraft with few operators. The old airport was good and I have yet to visit the new one. Airside, SIN and ICN are fairly similar to HKG. Landside they are not as impressive.
These are just my thoughts. In general, I would say that in Y, Asian >European>US is the pecking order.
Enjoy your time in Vietnam when it comes! Hopefully next time you can spare some time for neighbouring Cambodia.
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