CATHAY747 From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 170 posts, RR: 0 Posted (8 years 1 month 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 2444 times:
Hi all...after reading the thread about the lousy experience a fellow A-netter had in World Business Class on KLM, I thought I'd start this one as a totally UN-scientific poll, based on personal experiences, as to which airline everybody feels has the BEST business class product.
Unfortunately, I have limited international flying experiences, and it's mostly to/from/within S.E. Asia, so can only vouch for Cathay Pacific (CX), Austrian trans-Atlantic (OS), Thai-domestic (TG), Silk Air (MI) and Singapore Airlines (SQ). And of course my opinions are somewhat colored by the fact that the bulk of my experience is with Asian carriers.
CX: FANTASTIC! flown 2x in 1997 & 1999, both were just exceptional. My only beef was that the (at the time) inflatable lumbar cushion never seemed to work right, but I forgave that as the seat was otherwise quite comfy & the service (every aspect) was so good. Cabin crews incomparable, except for the Purser on the outbound of the 1999 trip, who was a bit cold when asked to please have the cockpit crew sign a special commemorative certificate I had done up to mark my passing half-a-million air miles (lifetime, not FFP), and in fact did not do so, but merely printed their names herself.
OS: Grand Class on OS was just superb. Although the cabin crew were polite, courteous & certainly efficient, you can't help but notice the difference vs. Asian carrier cabin crews, but in fairness, that is really comparing apples with oranges. My only beef was that the design of the PTV monitor was VERY poorly thought-out...when brought up/out to the viewing position, it conflicted with the tray table. You could not bring out your table before first stowing the PTV, or vice-versa. VERY annoying. The seat itself though was wonderful!
TG: truly AMAZING that they provide a hot meal on such a short sector as BKK/HKT !! Well, at least in 1999 they did. Truly superb cabin crew. However, the seats on the A330 & 777 SUCK! On the A300-600's they are what one would expect (for a regional or domestic flight, that is)...comfy 2x2x2 config., roughly comparable to U.S. domestic First Class seats.
MI: very nice service HKT/SIN; was surprised to find a leg/foot rest on the seat, given that they are a regional carrier! Cabin crew OK, but not as good as CX or TG.
SQ: very nice service SIN/DPS. Perhaps because I had such HIGH expectations for SQ, I was actually not very impressed. No better than CX, including cabin crew.
Overall: I have to give my personal vote for "best" to CX, & I guess I'd give 2nd place to OS.
Look forward to reading your thoughts!
You know, there's a word for women like you, not used in high society, outside of a kennel!
Intothinair From Germany, joined Mar 2005, 392 posts, RR: 2 Reply 1, posted (8 years 1 month 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 2417 times:
CATHAY747
I think this topic belongs into the Aviation Polls And Prefs. Section.
As to your question, for me SQ is the best, excellent service, great seats, superb IFE. Not to forget, one of the most modern fleets(Average age, 5 years 4 months), and it's hub is at one, if not the best airport on earth.
Dutchjet From Netherlands, joined Oct 2000, 7864 posts, RR: 58 Reply 3, posted (8 years 1 month 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 2355 times:
This is very subjective - and there are polls and surveys which monitor issues such as which airlines offer the best business class service. In general, it seems that the Asian based carriers do a very good job and are preferred by many, although airlines like BA, Qantas and Air New Zealand do earn very good marks by most pax (airlines that fly many long haul and ultra long haul routes seem to do the premium services better); EK and other gulf carriers are working hard to establish themselves with premium pax and are becoming important players in the premium class competition. US carriers usually do not score very well in this area; CO's BusinessFirst product is a very respectable product and is considered by many pax to be the best among the US airlines.
Its so hard to generalize, so much depends on a particular crew that is operating a specific flight (I have had great J class experiences on Delta and very mediocre experiences on SQ, for example, and it was clearly all about the crew on the specific flights) and, more and more, it depends on which aircraft is operating a specific segment; if a flight is operated with an airliner that is equipped with most advanced IFE system and the newest type of seat, the level of amenities will be different that if you are unlucky and are on an older bird that does not have the newest product innovations.
One thing is certain, business class is always better than economy!
Airlinerfreak From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (8 years 1 month 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 2171 times:
I would have to say CX on this list, though I have not flown them I have read magazine articles about them in Business 2.0 and Forbes and the Robb Report, and I just got the new Robb Report which will have the best of the best Airlines in there along with Airline seat, so I will update you on that when I open it.
HT From Germany, joined May 2005, 6475 posts, RR: 26 Reply 7, posted (8 years 1 month 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 2160 times:
Quoting Hardiwv (Reply 4): Quoting CATHAY747 (Thread starter):
...after reading the thread about the lousy experience a fellow A-netter had in World Business Class on KLM
777ER From New Zealand, joined Dec 2003, 11350 posts, RR: 17 Reply 9, posted (8 years 1 month 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 2129 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW FORUM MODERATOR
NZs new Business class (based on the VS upper class seats) should be awesome when the first B744 rolls out with the new cabins (Economy, Premium Economy and Business)
Speedbird2155 From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2005, 847 posts, RR: 5 Reply 13, posted (8 years 1 month 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 2107 times:
BA's rearward facing seats are indeed popular and the seats are completely seperated so that in the reline position, there is no need to worry about anyone's feet....if you can smell them, then most likely others in the cabin can also. This unique design means that if you are travelling with another person, then you don't need to turn to look at each other...unless in the middle seats...and the dividers mean you can also completely block the person next to you.
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