For nearly two years, Qatar Airways sat atop the business class throne, alone.

There was the Qsuite, privacy doors, big screen tv’s and bespoke touches and all — and about a mile behind – every other airlines next best.

In August, 2019, Japan’s All Nippon Airways – better known as ANA – had something to say about that. With the swift introduction of “The Room”, ANA looked as if an airline could finally take a shot at the throne, elevating the bar once more.

In 2022, these two are still battling it out to be “the best”.

With endless levels of excitement, I hopped on the first ever flight to feature the new ANA business class ‘The Room’ in 2019, and I could hardly believe my eyes. Surely, I’d made my way into the wrong cabin, and a cabin crew member would politely direct me to where “business class, not first class” could be found, and bow accordingly.

Nope, I was in the right place. Could this really be the world’s best business class and topple the Qatar Airways experience? Here’s my weigh in on the verdict.

Best Business Class Criteria

I think a flying experience can adequately be summed up into 5 parts.

The pre-flight bits like check in and lounge. The seat on board, the service on board and the food and drinks on board. Five areas of judging keeps things simple enough, and I think it’s worth weighting the seat with 2/5th of the total outcome, since it’s really the only thing you’re guaranteed.

Service can change from crew to crew, as can catering at different airports.

I’m going to award one point for pre-flight, two points for the best seat, one point for the best service and one point for the food, beverages and all other elements. With any hope, the math will add up to the winner, in the eyes of GSTP.

Pre-Flight

I’ve experienced both Qatar Airways and ANA at their respective “home bases” and also at plenty of outstations abroad.

Based on the wow-factor of lounges, the consistency of high quality food, drinks and amenities on the ground and helpful agents, Qatar takes the point here.

ANA lounges are incredibly busy in Japan, and to be fair, Qatar’s Al Mourjan lounge in Doha is too, but the overall offering in Al Mourjan is mostly superior, and the Qatar lounges elsewhere tend to be much more refined than the Star Alliance Lounges ANA typically uses.

Scoreboard: In the battle of the world’s best business class, it’s now Qatar Airways 1, ANA 0.

Business Class Seat

The Qsuite changed the game, bringing the first, business class cabin to feature a privacy door at every seat, in addition to the latest electronics and massive storage space.

It’s still a delight, but it doesn’t hold a candle to what ANA has managed to carve out with “The Room”. I cannot stress enough how large and overwhelmingly wowing this ANA seat is.

On that very first flight, I proclaimed ANA to have the world’s best business class seat, and haven’t remotely reconsidered since. It’s wider, the screen is bigger, sharper, the storage is better, and the privacy door is more substantial.

There’s even a portion of the privacy door you can open just a peek during service times to get meals. It’s next level.

The original ruling on the field stands, and I’m awarding both points to ANA here.

It’s just better in almost every way, so Qsuite doesn’t even manage a half point here, even though Qsuite is still better than every other seat out right now. Here’s a review of Qatar Qsuite, and one of ANA The Room for your own visual comparison.

Scoreboard: The crowd is going wild, because the battle for the world’s best business class just went 2-1 in favor of ANA over Qatar Airways as we head past the half way mark.

On Board Service

ANA cabin crews really couldn’t be any more professional or polite. They’re lovely, and treat every guest with such respect in line with Japan’s admirable standards.

But, it’s sometimes a style of service that can be mistaken for being impersonal by some. ANA also still sticks with a “we choose meal time” service, with just a few items available at any time.

Qatar Airways re-wrote the playbook on standards of dining in business class, bringing a successful dine on demand concept few have been able to recreate without taking an eternity.

Basically, you can eat whatever you want, whenever you want, and the cabin crew is typically fantastic at sticking to the polished service script.

From the way they place the hot (or cold) towels, which is a lovely touch, to the presentation of service, Qatar Airways service wins not necessarily on account of the people, but the incredibly high level of service and uniformity you can expect in the air.

Crew members from both airlines are wonderful, but Qatar Airways has refined this element of the experience to a rarely seen level.

Scoreboard: With the game headed into the final minutes, Qatar Airways just leveled the best business class score at 2-2, leaving the crowd on their feet as the final plays draw to a close.

The Final Showdown: Food, Drinks, Amenities

Both airlines manage to highlight and celebrate their heritage with the food, drinks and amenities found on board. I love that. I can’t pass up an okonomiyaki snack or a lovely sake with my meal on ANA, and I can’t pass up a biryani and karak chai tea on Qatar Airways.

If you know, you know!

When you get down to price points, consistency and overall quality however, Qatar starts to pull ahead. On amenity kits and other perks, the lead only extends further.

Price points don’t determine good wine, but they can certainly help, and Qatar Airways tends to have wines in business class between $20-$50, including Grand Cru chateau’s, whereas ANA tends to stick to the $10-$25 range.

Crowd sourced scores for the wines on Vivino, which are often a better indicator than price points alone, typically reflect better scores with Qatar Airways wine selections than ANA.

Catering standards are excellent on both airlines, but to most travelers the options on Qatar Airways are more accessible.

Traditional Japanese meals are a blast, but if you’re coming from outside of Asia, they can be more of an acquired taste than Qatar Airways meal choices. Amenity kits also tend to beat ANA on design and what’s inside.

Verdict On The World’s Best Business Class

Despite an inferior seat, Qatar Airways just manages to squeak by here overall, based on what’s known as the “soft product” – aka things that aren’t bolted to the floor of the plane.

If you don’t eat or drink on the plane, you could easily call this a draw, or even move the win over to ANA too. A draw would be a fair result, too.

If ANA were to match Qatar on just one of these other elements of the business class experience, such as lounge amenities or dine on demand, the scales could easily tip to their favor. b

But for now, despite ANA offering the world’s best business class seat – Qatar Airways still offers the world’s best business class experience overall, if you ask me. What will drive the next world’s best? Probably not space, but technology.

The post World’s Best Business Class: ANA Or Qatar Airways? appeared first on God Save The Points.

When I started blogging, I had one very clear pillar for what success might be. If I wanted people to take me seriously, I had to prove that every thing I was claiming could come true with points and travel savvy, could actually come true.

Proving that the very best cabins in the world could be unlocked with points became an obsession. It still is, sometimes. But the real world doesn’t often have the flexibility needed to enjoy those opportunities every time you fly, and you know what, it ain’t half bad.

On a recent work trip to New York, I needed a one way ticket home to London, and Virgin Premium Economy on the A350 offered the best value, just moderately priced above economy. I was reminded of how phenomenal this cabin is, with one caveat which I’ll get to.

Check In & Airport Experience

Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy customers enjoy a dedicated “Premium” check in lane and are able to check two bags.

When prices are competitive with economy, that alone can make the cabin worth the “upgrade” for anyone with lots of baggage. The physical kind, of course. Emotional baggage is best left at your departure point. That’s what travel is for, right?

I’ve been a Virgin Flying Club Gold member for quite a few years now, so I was able to use the Upper Class check-in desk, but both lines were empty. I could’ve just as easily used premium and finished in the same time.

As someone who enjoys spending as little time in airports as possible, I was happy to whisk through, enjoy a quick dash through security and hop on board.

Note: some photos from this review are from a previous flight, where it was easier to snap the cabin. I believe in personal privacy, and on this night flight I was among the last to board, so I did not take cabin shots which included anyone.

Virgin Premium: On Board And Seat

If you hate feeling groggy after a flight, you’ll absolutely love the Virgin Atlantic Airbus A350. Or, the Virgin 787 Dreamliner, for that matter.

Both aircraft offer improved cabin specs, with a more natural humidity, pressurization and noise reduction compared to older aircraft on the route, like a Boeing 767 or 777.

It’s so quiet that you really can hear a lot. Like, a lot. It’s great, unless you’re farting! No judgement! Virgin has one of the younger fleets in the skies nowadays, and if you fly frequently you can truly feel the difference. That’s not unique to any one airline, but new planes really are stellar.

Aside from better air quality, the cabin lighting is fun and jazzy and the higher ceilings give an added sense of space on this Airbus A350.

The Virgin A350 Premium Economy Seat

Virgin’s Premium cabin on the A350 offers 2x4x2 seating. I’m a major fan of securing a window seat in the two seat, side configurations. Families, or groups of colleagues may prefer the middle four.

The window seat allows me to doze off without anyone stepping over and the h-u-g-e A350 windows can make for fun viewing, particularly during the dusk departure we were able to enjoy leaving New York Kennedy — gorgeous.

Even for a premium economy snob — which I am — these seats are excellent.

Oversized entertainment screens at 13.3” rival many found in business class, seat storage is plentiful and nice foot rests help to sit back and relax. The seat width, at an impressive 18.5 inches wide is as good as it gets as a global premium economy benchmark.

If you are at all like me, and live for electronic devices packed with shows, it’s nice to know that Virgin Atlantic has both AC and USB power at every premium seat. Ports are easy to reach, which helps me remember not to leave anything behind.

The first row and the last row of premium make up the dreamboat seats. The first row is located next to Upper Class, and also just behind Door L2, which is the primary door used to deplane the aircraft. If you’re looking to beat the rush at immigration, this is a prize choice.

The last row of premium economy is a great option for sleepers, since you can recline without having to ask or worry if the person behind you might be eating. There is no one behind you. Cheers to that.

Room For Improvement: Entertainment Selection

It seems like it’s getting better — so fingers crossed? — but the movie and television selection on board is good, but not great.

I was able to quickly find something I’d happily nod off to, but US airlines including Virgin partner Delta tend to offer wider selections. There’s something magical about tucking into great entertainment on board, and I’m all for any activity to boost this.

Fortunately, it sounds like Virgin’s new A330neo aircraft will….

Virgin Premium Food, Drinks & Service

Virgin Atlantic’s Premium Economy offers a more a la carte service than economy, and that starts with pre-departure bubbles and drink service.

I passed on the sparkles so that I could manage a flight without climbing over a seat mate, but many people were happily reveling.

As to the food, I’m the worst person to ask. I really try not to eat on planes and always aim to eat a healthy meal on destination time before departing for the airport. Plus, we all have different tastes, so even if I like something, you might hate it.

I took a picture of the menu for you, so that you can see what’s being offered anyway. In my essential food advice for eating on planes, curries and rice are always nice.

Cabin Crew

I consistently find Virgin Atlantic crews to be among the friendliest in the business. Perhaps the personal freedoms Virgin (rightly) affords employees plays a role there.

This crew was no different, at least as much as I could tell from my 20 minutes of interaction with them. I just don’t get people who stay awake on JFK-LHR redeye flights. Taking off at 7PM in New York, it’s already midnight UK time, so i’m desperate to conk out ASAP — and did exactly that on this flight.

Observing the crew interactions with other passengers, including a couple with a young toddler, gave a really fun, attentive and caring feel. I think everyone felt valued and welcomed. That’s a lot better than most airlines these days.

Virgin A350 Premium Economy Review: Stellar Value And Comfort

Booking Virgin’s premium economy on the cabin is a “can’t go wrong” feeling.

If you fly in the seat, it’s a benchmark premium experience, up there with Singapore Air and other leaders. If you happen to find space in Upper Class and want to use Virgin Points, booking premium is a strategic way to upgrade to the top cabin.

After flying during the health crisis to mostly empty cabins, it was a joy to see that Upper Class was entirely full, and I had zero chance of an upgrade. Well, not a joy for my hopes of a flat bed, but a joy to see the world traveling again.

My consistent feeling with premium economy is that it’s priced well and is a great “gap bridger” between economy and business class. I can easily find comfort in Premium for an overnight. For a day flight, it’s a total no brainer.

The post Review: How Good Is Virgin Atlantic A350 Premium Economy? appeared first on God Save The Points.

United Polaris business class is a great way to fly. If you’re just looking for validation that your experience won’t suck, there you go. Off you go!

With that said, it’s not the world’s best business class, and depending on what you value in your air travel and where you are flying, there may, or may not, be alternatives worth considering.

Travel is personal, and so are preferences with business class. So, to paint the full picture, here’s a wholistic look at United Polaris, including what it gets right, and what United Airlines could find ways to improve. Hint: the bedding is swoon worthy, but the food is often worth a pass!

Also, like most airline seats, which seat you choose can make or break an experience, and this Boeing 767-300ER packed in a “Super J” configuration — which translates to “lots of business class seats”, for non airline nerds is no exception.

United 767-300ER Polaris: Selecting A Seat

United regularly boards and deplanes from the front of the aircraft with its Boeing 767-300ER, which makes aiming for the back of business class for a swift exit upon landing a bad strategy.

If you want to be speedy off the plane and zip through immigration or to your next big meeting, the first row will almost undoubtedly be your best bet.

For the utmost privacy in the cabin, window seats in odd numbered rows, think 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17 are the seats to go for. These Polaris seats have the actual seat nearest the window and away from the aisle. Even numbered rows on this aircraft have the seat-seat next to the aisle.

In my opinion, the middle row is just awkward. Unlike most planes with 1x2x1 seat setups, this aircraft features 1x1x1 across and the middle is basically the same seat without a window to look out on.

The United Airlines Lounge Experience

United Airlines operates some fantastic lounges, some decent lounges, and some downright dingy lounges. It’s the same with most airlines, to be fair!

Out of London Heathrow, where I originated my journey, the United Club in T2 is somewhere mid table. The food is passable, the views are ok, the bar is fairly nice and there are a few nice amenities like shower suites.

“Inspired” would be the word lacking here, but that’s why it’s a United Club, and not a designated “Polaris” lounge, which is reserved for travelers actually flying business class. The Polaris Lounge at Newark, where my journey ended, is lovely.

United Polaris: On Board & The Seat

I’ve gotta start by qualifying that I have a growing “beef” with old planes. I’ve been spoiled to fly primarily on newer fleets, on Boeing 787’s and Airbus A350’s, and the air quality, cabin humidity and pressurization is noticeably better.

This 767-300ER felt loud, and the old style lighting — as opposed to cooler and more colorful lighting temperatures — felt dated.

Now that-that’s out of the way, this is a great seat. It’s not ANA’s “The Room” or the Qatar Airways “Qsuite”, but it’s very good. There’s no door, or big screen TV but it’s got everything else.

Power ports are plentiful in United Polaris, with both AC power for standard plugs and USB. Storage is also aplenty, with eye level storage and space below the seat for bags and other items you may need. I particularly like the storage sleeve just below the TV screen, perfect for a phone or iPad.

The entertainment selection onboard was phenomenal. So many movies, box sets and contemporary releases for all genres and interests. That’s a big “tick box” ticked. I had plenty to cue up for a 13 hour flight, let alone this 7 hour joy ride.

Sadly, the screen feels small in comparison with newer seat launches in recent years, such as the British Airways Club Suite, Virgin A350 Upper Class and the rockstars like ANA’s The Room. It’s plenty good, things are just going biggerr.

Seat controls were easy to use and overall, things are comfy. United absolutely excels with the bedding in Polaris. Seriously, if you value sleep comfort, you’ll be overjoyed.

The United Polaris gel pillow is perfect as a secondary sleep pillow, or for nice lumbar support while working. The primary duvet is still of a nice quality and things are neatly presented when you board. The limited edition ‘Away’ mini suitcase amenity kits are cute, too.

At 6’3”, these seats can be a challenge for sleeping fully flat, but United has done a nice job with opening up as much space in the footwell as possible. I managed to get some good rest on board, and side sleepers should have no issue.

Food, Drinks And Service In United Polaris

This is where the “bad day” part kicks in. My flight was on the day of the late, her Majesty the Queen’s, funeral. This lead to general chaos around the UK, apparently including United’s airline catering.

I’m not entirely sure every other airline suffered the same issues, and have been lead to believe they did not. Anyway, what that meant was that United reverse catered this flight, so all the food for our flight was made and prepared in New York and flew over the night before. We’ll get back to this.

Wine And Drinks In Polaris Business Class

United is doing a pretty excellent job with their on board beverage service. Their scale gives significant buying power and that’s translated into great wines.

Our flight offered Gosset champagne, which is a step above entry level offerings from more well known, or more expensively marketed Champagne houses. Red and white wines were plentiful with at least 2-3 of each to choose from, including some Napa cabs which fetch more than $45 a bottle at retail.

This, of course, is not the mark of good wine, but most airlines cater bottles under $20 retail in business class, and that’s generally a large enough gulf to make a difference in juice quality. Top marks on this element of the flight.

Food On Board

I’m almost entirely vegetarian. I carve out a special omakase sushi every once in a while, but other than that it’s veggie for me. Usually, that leads to lighter options on board, with good nutritional value. Usually…

I have literally no idea what I ate, and i don’t think the crew did either. It was the veggie option, for sure, but it was basically something covered in bread crumbs. I have no idea what it was, and the taste was so bland that my (usually) decent palate struggled to pick out anything identifiable. The Asian style salad was solid, though!

I also just don’t get the American fascination with ice cream sundaes, but it is what it is. That one is on me. And yes, I’m American. Rich, creamy things in the air just don’t go down so great.

This is probably a good time to mention that there were no menus on board. I don’t quite see how a significant state funeral lead to a nationwide ink shortage both in the US and UK, but I’ll pretend.

Because of this, things were just a bit disjointed and the joys of hearing the options repeated over and over again to each passenger were… joyful. Sure, that’s the word.

Service On This United Polaris Flight

Service comes down to the crew on the day. Some airlines set better baselines than others, but even the best have bad crews, and even the worst have great crews. This crew generally tried.

They were operating with a hand tied behind their back — no menus, overnight catering and more — but they cared. The crew took particularly good care of the invite only ‘Global Services’ frequent flyers in the cabin and was generally warm and kind.

I’ve rarely felt this style of service on US carriers in recent years, so it was refreshing to feel like the friendly skies were indeed friendly, again. I got what I asked for, never felt a burden and efforts were made with tray and napkin positioning to keep up the brand standards on service. Bravo!

United 767-300ER Polaris Review: Good Enough!

I wish United flew newer 787’s on the LHR-EWR route, but they don’t. I wish United would ask vegetarians what they like to eat, like JetBlue, but they don’t.

But other than that, this was great. My flight was mostly on time. I had a seat that converted to a bed, and I had working wifi. The prices were extortionately in line with other airlines but it worked. I was able to get some crucial business done in the air and that’s what counts.

On the things that really “move the needle” United seems to have things bolted down. People don’t expect much of airline food, nor do they really care about cabin lighting. Those are all perfect world requests.

On a solid seat, great bedding, working wifi and wines worth a temptation, United delivers with its Polaris cabin. Just don’t expect it to feel overly sexy or chic.

The post Flight Review: United 767 Polaris Business Class On A “Bad Day” appeared first on God Save The Points.

In the ad, Aniston famously wakes up from her first class Airbus A380 suite and asks if they can “keep flying this thing around a little bit longer”. Years later, and after 14 plus hours in the air, I felt exactly the same way.

Emirates first class is an exceptional way to travel, and in terms of flying novelty, there’s no better way to experience this luxurious setup than onboard the flagship Emirates Airbus A380. With many airlines closing up shop on the A380, there’s never been a better time to prioritize this ‘golden age’ experience.

Here’s what to expect…

Emirates First Class Experience At Dubai International Airport

If you’re flying first, chances are a chauffeur will be taking you to the airport. I certainly never mind.

Pulling up at DXB, you’ll find a separate area for first and business class drop off at Terminal 3, and then quickly a huge dedicated first class check in facility. The privacy is great but it’s the scale that’s wowing. It’s not as design focused as one might expect for a first class space, but you certainly won’t be waiting in any lines…

After a quick tram ride to Dubai International’s A gates, where all Emirates A380 flights depart, you’ll find the sprawling first class lounge up a lift or elevator.

When I say sprawling, it’s actually absurd. Think of it more like a fully private airport terminal for first class passengers than a lounge, because it takes up the entire length of the terminal. Everything one could require can be found here.

You’ll find mini appetizer stations at every gate, as well as a stocked bar, and if you want a substantial sit down meal, spa treatment or nap room, they’re littered across the space.

If there’s a complaint to make about this lounge, and I’m certainly not saying there is, it’s that it’s best enjoyed in running shoes. You really can cover some ground, which is actually maybe a positive before a long trip!

Boarding takes place directly from the lounge, which means you really won’t have to see another soul, other than those also flying first class from the time you set foot in the lounge. It’s brilliant.

Emirates A380 First Class Experience

For curmudgeons like myself who have been on perhaps one too many flights, it’s rare to have that “omg” feeling upon boarding a plane anymore, but I can’t help but smile walking onto this aircraft. Boarding through the upper deck door, it’s a quick left with an escort from the crew to your suite.

It’s bold, it’s ornate, it’s even argued to be ostentatious, but it’s simply superb by any metric of comfort and refinement.

The privacy door is as substantial as they come, the seat is almost too comfortable, the 27” screen is massive and the iPad like device which allows you to remotely control every element of the seat and suite makes this an effortless cake walk.

In terms of suite experience, some Emirates Boeing 777-300ER aircraft are equipped with an even newer and more comfortable suite, but the 777 lacks on board showers. Be sure to check whether your route offers both aircraft, and choose accordingly.

Within seconds of settling in I was greeted by name and offered a welcome drink. As expected, welcome drinks are far from standard in Emirates first class.

Emirates has a great feature where you can look at the wine list and menu for the flight 30 days in advance using the app or website, and after seeing that they were serving Dom Perignon P2 2002 on this flight, I knew which drink option I’d be leaning toward…

Another fantastic feature of the Emirates A380 first cabin is the lack of overhead bins entirely. There’s enough room in each suite to put a full sized carry on and bag under the entertainment screen, and even in bed mode it’s untouchable for an NBA player.

Having all your belongings in arms reach, or nearby is oddly comforting, and there’s plenty of other storage space too. Emirates has been a leader in on board cleanliness, adding deep cleaning to more surfaces between each flight in response to the global health situation.

But don’t worry Emirates still hands over pyjamas, slippers, a huge amenity kit and everything else to line your pockets with.

The Meal Service And Drinks

Most take offs feel like a violent rumble, but up in the front upper deck of the A380, life is almost alarmingly quiet and graceful. You really actually wonder if there’s enough to get moving, because it feels so calm. Obviously, it works out just fine.

Up in the skies, it was time to settle in for the dine on demand food and oh how lovely it was. Really, most airplane food sucks immensely, but this was a show.

Emirates shows superb variation between regional Arabic, Middle Eastern dishes and continental European and pan Asian favourites. And of course, caviar is universally accepted as the ultimate way to kick off a good time…

Pre caviar, Emirates partnered with Dom Perignon to create a signature canapé set to kick things off, and well, it paid off. The food really brought out the depth of the Plentitude 2002 and set the mood for a couple hours of dining indulgence.

Each dish was beautifully plated, and served with perfect temperature.

Apart from the lovely caviar, I was particularly impressed with the paneer and spinach dish, which was served with something along the lines of a biryani and some roasted vegetables. You need flavor in the sky – and this was packed with buckets.

The wine list was expectedly fantastic, with a Petit Lafite, Moon Tsai and other welcome bottles. Hot tip: look for the wine in the middle of the list presented, which represents the sommeliers choice. It’s a special (generally 3x more expensive) bottle. You’ll find some absolutely wild stuff being poured.

Rest And Relaxation In The Emirates A380 Suite

The wireless remote control makes basically every element of the experience easy. The seat can be controlled via four easy “take off”, “dining”, “lounging” or “bed” modes, and each individual element can also be customized to your personal taste.

The iPad like remote also controls the screen and privacy doors and if I really had to nitpick, and I’d really f**king have to try, I wish that it was easier to switch between functions without having to tap back a few times, particularly when interacting with crew and trying to open doors, pause films etc.

I found the star of the show to really be the mattress topper, duvet and pillow set, which literally feel like sleeping in the clouds, which is appropriate when flying at 40,000 feet.

We’re talking high thread count sheets, memory foam-esque mattress topper and a lovely large pillow. I slept probably 7 hours completely undisturbed, which would be a result on the ground, let alone on board a commercial flight.

In lounging mode the Emirates First Class seat is like the very best movie theatre seat you could imagine, and in fear of being outed on passenger shaming, I chose to prop my feet up with my carry on, rather than on the wood surface of the suite.

It made for a nice relaxed way to enjoy the mellow dramedy of Succession S2 on HBO. Shout-out to Emirates for having lots of box sets in their in-flight entertainment, which makes passing time easy, without the need to constantly browse.

The Ultimate Experience: A Shower At 40,000 Feet

No matter what anyone tells you, there’s nothing like showering at 40,000 feet. And in Emirates A380 first class shower, it’s easy to forget you’re in a plane. The shower suite is huge and the plane offers a dedicated staff member to ensure it’s stocked with fresh towels, toiletries and luxury skincare and hair products.

Seriously, Emirates First Class Shower on the A380 is comparable to most bathrooms on the ground. The only thing to be aware of: you have limited time in the shower. A little gas tank style gauge will display how much time is left.

Figure on about 5 minutes of shower time, so don’t dilly dally. Just tap the on button one more time to soak up those last few moments. There’s plenty of space to comfortably change into fresh gear and get paparazzi ready for arrival.

Even if you’re not a star, you kinda feel like one in Emirates A380 first class…

In Flight Service, Crew And The Big Picture

Business class is about maximizing sleep, comfort and business efficiency. First class is about the best, the best, and nothing but the best.

Every time I got up from my seat, or suite, even just for a quick walk around or visit to the bathroom my suite was freshened with towels folded or a hot towel. When you think about this attention to detail over 14 hours, the cabin service is exceptional.

Unlike some first class experiences, I really felt the proactive nature of the crew, who were ready, willing and able to assist.

I had brief issues with the wifi (mostly due to flying over the North Pole — duh) and within a minute of a brief little grumble from my end, the head cabin crew member was over to let me know the deal and that he’d be happy to take care of it should it turn out not to get back in action shortly.

Putting this experience into perspective, you’d have to be a real piece of work not to enjoy this. It’s heaps above business class, and heaps above many first class products.

You can’t ask for more in terms of seat comfort, food, service or champagne. What was most surprising to me was how well this experience stands up, even after years of new first class launches from other airlines.

There may be others with more square footage, but this is top 5 and it’s certainly not going anywhere anytime soon. If you can swing it with miles or money, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget.

The post Review: Emirates A380 First Class || Truly Bonkers appeared first on God Save The Points.

Editorial note: Review scores are based against the best possible business class experiences available across all airlines, in regards to each criterion.

The greatest fun in running a large travel blog is the obligation to try lots of different airline seats, Qatar A350 business class being just one of them. We buy tickets, we test, we compare. The hardest part of running a large travel blog is knowing which are the best, but still ending up on others, for testing purposes.

After flying Qatar Airways Qsuite business class on the Airbus A350-1000, it’s really quite hard to compare it to virtually any other business class experience, with the exception of ANA’s “The Room”, which launched in late 2019.

Though it felt cheesy at the time of the marketing launch, Qatar Airways moniker of “first in business class” for the A350 Qsuite really does seem fair. It’s a first class feel, but somehow in a business class cabin. Naturally, you’ll want to know more.

Here’s what it’s like to fly Qatar A350 Qsuites Business Class, including where to sit, some menu favourites and a few seat features which really separate this experience from just about anything else you’ll find in business class. I don’t mean to be biased, but after you fly it, you’ll understand why it’s hard not to be a huge fan…

The QR A350-1000 Qsuite

Stunning is an often overused word, but from the moment you step on board, you’ll see why it’s deserved here. On its own, the A350 is one of the newest planes in the sky, and Qatar has kitted their A350’s out with state of the art mood lighting and removed overhead bins from the central aisle to give this plane an extra feeling of open space.

Plus, you’ll quickly be handed a lovely amenity kit, featuring Brics products. Expect essentials to keep your skin, lips and eyes in good shape in flight. In addition to an amenity kit, expect personal bottles of water to accompany your drink and food orders.

The A350-1000 Qsuite Privacy Door

Each Qsuite business class seat offers a privacy door, which makes each suite completely private from eye level during flight. If someone is standing up and walking down the aisle, they can conceivably see into the business class suite, but from passenger to passenger, you’re totally hidden.

The main benefit: you don’t need to worry about your a$$ being on display if you change into the lovely pyjamas provided by Qatar Airways, and end up sleeping sideways.

The other main benefit of the privacy door is that you’re not as subject to light or noise from other passengers screens, conversations or windows. When you’re trying to maximise sleep, which is obviously a key benefit in business class – it’s a big difference maker.

Window seats on the Qatar Airways Airbus A350, like all other Qsuite seats are staggered where some have the seat close to the window, with more space between you and the aisle, and others have the seat closer to the aisle. I prefer the seats closer to the window.

Like most business class cabins, all Qatar A350’s offer a few seats which are arguably better than others. If you’re traveling solo, the window seats which have the seat closest to the window are definitely the best play.

If you’re traveling with a couple, you’ll clearly see on the Qatar seat maps the rows which are meant for couples and be converted into a double bed.

For family travel, Qatar even has some rows where four suites can be combined to all face in on each other. These are typically found in row 11,12 and are a great choice for a variety of reasons, including proximity to the exit door.

Best Qsuite Seats On Airbus A350-1000

On the Qatar Airways A350-1000, the best Qsuites for solo travellers are window seats in rows: 1, 3, 5, and 11. These seats all have the actual seat and bed nearest the window, rather than the aisle.

Row 11 is near the galley, but offers the smaller mini cabin near the most commonly used exit door, which is generally quieter and experiences far less foot traffic.

If you’re travelling with a loved one, rows 1, 3, 5, 7 and 11 are also your best bet, in seats E and F respectively.

If you’re solo, or with a colleague and window seats are taken, aim for even numbered rows in seats B, D, G, or J. In all seats, the footwell offers very solid room, which allows even taller travellers to move around in their sleep, within reason.

Qatar Airways Qsuite Seat Key Features

As far as features go, this A350 business class seat is action packed. There’s a do not disturb button, as well as ample charging ports with both AC and USB connectivity.

Unlike many airline seat designs, the charging ports on the Qsuite are well located in a place where you’re highly unlikely to dislodge them in your sleep.

For any entertainment connoisseurs, the pièce de résistance in this business class cabin is the entertainment system.

The Qsuite screen is fully HD, suitably sized at 22” and allows you to scroll through the selection like an iPad. It’s wicked fast and incredibly responsive to the touch. And yes, there’s also a remote to control it while laying down.

On all flights, I’ve always found the entertainment selection to be well varied with everything from latest Hollywood blockbuster to classic TV box sets, with a heavy HBO partnership. I certainly never mind.

Since virtually every Qatar Airways flight transits Doha Hamad International Airport, I tend to try and download a bunch of offline content during my layover, just to have some extra options.

Qatar Airways Qsuite Business Class Food And Drinks

There's no telling exactly how long it will last, but Qatar Airways has brought back some outrageous selections to its business class wine menu, including Laurent Perrier Rose Champagne. Bollinger Rose and other classics are known to make an appearance to. Here's a peek at the wines offered in Qsuites A350 business class on my flight, as viewed in Vivino, my favourite wine app...

As always, the airline uses a dine on demand concept for business class, which means that you can eat whatever you'd like, whenever you'd like. In practice, crews and flight attendants are happy to serve you at any point and the more you communicate your wishes in advance, the better and more tailored the service tends to become.

You can't go wrong with a Qatar Airways Biryani or any of the spiced chicken main dishes and the desserts are almost always worth an indulgence. The coconut pudding pictured above certainly was. All washed down nicely of course with a cup of Karak Chai tea.

Top Tips For Flying Qatar Airways A350 Qsuite

You now know where to sit and have a good idea of what to drink. In terms of extra tips, there are a few. For starters, you'll inevitably connect in Doha on your journey.

If at all possible, it's best to try and avoid connections which put you in Doha between 11PM-230AM, as this is when the Qatar Al Mourjan lounge tends to be rammed. If of course you book an 'R' fare with Qatar Airways, lounge access is separate anyway, so a short connection might not hurt.

If you do find yourself there during these hours, travellers on paid business class tickets can upgrade to Al Safwa First Class lounge access for 600QAR, which is about $150USD. It's an awful lot of money, when there's another lounge available, but if you need a shower, a nap room or an incredible wine bar, this could easily be justified.

For picky eaters, there's always the option to pre-order meals online, using Qatar Airways website. You can still enjoy things from the a la carte dine on demand menu as you wish, but it's a good way to guarantee whatever it is you want, or cater to a specific interest.

With plenty of overhead bin access, there's no real reason to board first, unless you like the privilege of doing so.

I generally always prefer enjoying fresh air elsewhere to being stuck in a composite tube, so if you feel the same way, don't worry too much about finding space for your belongings. Between storage in your seat, and the oversized bins above, there's no reason to fret, even with the insane amounts of duty free you occasionally see leaving Doha!

This may very well still be the world's best business class experience, even with ANA launching arguably a better seat.

Have you flown Qsuite on the A350? What did you think?

The post Flight Review: Qatar Airways Stunning Qsuite Business Class A350-1000 appeared first on God Save The Points.

Across the various planes Emirates flies you’ll find seats of varying quality, and even the “best” has fallen behind the curb. I recently flew Emirates Boeing 777-300ER on a two class plane with economy and business class, and at the very best, it was “meh”…

Emirates 777-300ER Business Class Seat

Don’t get me wrong, business class is always a more comfortable and privileged way to fly, but once we move beyond those basic truths, Emirates is found wanting on its Boeing 777. Rather than the new industry standard trend of no more than four seats stretched across a cabin, Emirates offers 7 seats across, with a 2-3-2 layout.

In case it didn’t quite hit you yet, that means that in each row, a paying business class passenger will need to step over a seat mate, creating an actual “middle seat” element to a luxury cabin, on an airline known for the epitome of luxury.

If you’re thinking “hey, but I heard Emirates business class is amazing”, you’re probably thinking of their A380, where seats are indeed four across, and there’s also an on board bar. Not here, not by a long shot…

Emirates is not alone in this regard, but making matters worse, the seats almost entirely lack storage space and basic comforts. Padding is minimal, there’s absolutely nowhere to stash anything wider than a basic wallet and nowhere to retrieve anything without reaching down past your toes. As the photos show, it’s tight, anyway you squeeze it.

This isn’t said without appreciation for the overall spacious perks of business class, but if you’re a business class passenger cashing in hard earned currency or lots of miles, with other choices out there, this just simply wouldn’t be a first choice by any merit, given the new benchmarks set by other airlines.

Oh, and try getting in and out of your seat without coming within a flash of spilling your wine, mixed nuts or glass of water. Each journey to and from this seat is a unique challenge, and challenging isn’t the word we aim for with business class…

When it comes to sleep time, things don’t get much better. The seats don’t feature a bonafide foot rest, so instead guests find a flip out bookmark style foot rest to keep you from slipping down out of the slightly angled seat. This takes away one of the very few benefits of these older 6 or 7 across seats, which was the ample room for feet and legs to wiggle around.

With the narrow, borderline awkward foot rest and lack of seat padding, you just can’t feel the comfort of even the older British Airways Club World, or Qatar Business Class seats. That leaves much to be desired.

Emirates Business Class In Flight Entertainment

If you were hoping for a positive twist, you’ll have to wait until the food and beverage section, because it’s certainly not here. This Emirates Boeing 777 business class cabin features some of the oldest and most frustrating in flight entertainment you’ll find in front of a curtain on an airplane.

To put it simply: the screen was small, dull and old, the controller was sluggish and downright hard to use and to finish off the trifecta – the entertainment selection, at least on this particular flight, was meagre. Thank whatever God you believe in for Pretty Woman, otherwise this would’ve been worse.

If you’ve got a laptop or tablet and an internet connection, download some good offline content, bring your best headphones and be ready to self cater. At least you’ll be prepared for the worst, which you may or may not find.

Emirates Business Class Service, Food And Beverage

Emirates has won numerous awards for their wine cellar program, and I’m here to tell you that each award is more than deserved. Business class is a cabin often glossed over by airlines, who put all their best efforts into sourcing superb wines for first class and something passable in economy, but not here.

Emirates offers a fantastic business class wine selection, in addition to serving Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label across all flights. Think Premier Cru wines with enough age to be enjoyed properly and a nice rotating cast of new world and gems from other regions. For example, you’ll find things like a Castello Monte Vibiano “L’Andrea” 2010 on many routes at the moment, which is drinking very nicely.

Emirates business class tends to also excel with food, working closely with local caterers on flights inbound to Dubai to showcase dishes which they can pull off, rather than staples which perhaps may not work out quite as well.

If you enjoy spicy food, you can’t go wrong with Emirates traditional Arabic dishes, particularly out of Dubai where the spicing is just right. Pro tip: the bold flavours of spiced dishes taste better at altitude than delicate flavours.

The In Flight Service

Service on this particular flight fit the “meh” theme present around most of this experience, with the exception of the lovely food and wine. Without a dedicated first class cabin on this particular aircraft, there’s no question that a more personal and proactive service could’ve been offered, but this crew seemed eager to plonk meals onto trays and get the curtains closed.

It happens, and I don’t think this is indicative of Emirates typically very high service standards across all cabins, let alone business class. It wasn’t particularly bad, it wasn’t good, it was just almost entirely unremarkable, that’s all. I’ll chalk this one up to bad luck, and bad luck alone.

Emirates Boeing 777 Business Class Overall

If it’s the choice between economy or business, yeah – we know where that leads. But if the question is whether to fly Emirates business class on the Boeing 777, or a top tier competitor, it’s hard to see how Emirates could create a Hollywood twist clever enough to win that battle.

If you find a similarly priced experience using cash, or miles, that offers four seats across, fully flat beds and even just a bit more storage space, you’re going to increase the chances of an enjoyable flight over what this Emirates experience presently offers.

After ANA stealthily launched the world’s best business class seat on the Boeing 777 this year with hardly any advanced warning, I can’t help but hope Emirates pulls something clever out of the bag to make the weakest point of their flying operation into one of their strongest. We’ll see. For now, “meh”.

The post Review: Emirates Boeing 777 Business Class || It’s “Meh”… appeared first on God Save The Points.

In sport, and in the air, records and benchmarks are constantly being shattered. Five years ago, you couldn’t find a business class seat with privacy doors on every seat. Now, you can’t even call them seats, they’re “suites” and there are quite a few. British Airways surprised critics in 2019 by delivering a new “Club Suite” complete with a privacy door.

While it falls well short of a new business class “benchmark”, it’s a very, very nice way to fly, and perhaps spaced out even better on the Boeing 777 than the new Airbus A350, even though the 350 is a nicer aircraft overall. Here’s what to expect on board…

BA Club Suite Pre-Flight

I flew British Airways Club Suite out of my long time home airport, New York JFK. Despite a planned move from Terminal 7 to Terminal 8, where they will cohabit with American Airlines in just a couple years time, the airline refurbed the check in and lounge facilities to a nice level.

Those travelling in Club World or First Class can pull up to the far end of the terminal as the traffic goes, where there’s just a short walk to each respective check in area, before joining the TSA queue. Once through TSA, it’s up the escalator and a quick left and double back left into the lounge areas.

British Airways has improved pre-flight dining, and there’s even a separate area for Gold Executive Club members, in addition to fun features like a rotating wine tasting machine. For such a short transatlantic flight, it’s best to get that stuff out of the way before you board, unless you enjoy walking around London like a zombie – or at least looking like one – the next day…

BA 777 Club Suite First Impressions

Upon boarding, British Airways Club Suite business class on the Boeing 777 looks much the same as it does on the Airbus A350-1000, albeit with more galley space. It’s a remarkable improvement over the 20 year old “Club World” eight across setup found on birds like the Boeing 747 in just about every merit, with the exception of foot space in the sleeping position.

Storage space is exceptionally good, and unlike similar seats, British Airways was able to get this one certified so that you can leave a bag by your feet for takeoff and landing. That’s quite handy for those who want to quickly get into something.

I chose row 8 at the back of the “front” mini cabin, which feels much more personal and boutique than the longer rear Club Suite cabin, which is over double the size. It feels pretty “first class” in size and privacy, by BA standards.

For British Airways 777 Club Suite seating recommendations, I’d highly suggest this mini cabin which comprises rows 5-8. Any seat is great, and couples can face each other in the middle if they aren’t window seat geeks.

Other than that, there’s ample arm level storage along the suite, which lifts up with a click and touch pad access to control the seat along the contoured side. Just don’t forget your stuff, if you leave it in there…

The natural recline position of the seat itself is attractive, and not at all uncomfortable to sit in for meal service or work needs, like typing on a laptop. With your feet up, there’s a real feeling of ease. My favourite setting on this seat is the half recline lazy mode. It’s very inviting.

The flight entertainment system is nice, responsive and the screen is of good quality. I’ve always enjoyed BA’s selection of box sets and find them to be a perfect sleep companion. It’s not ground breaking in any technological way, but it’s an above average setup.

BA 777 Club Suite Privacy Door

Hopefully it’s no surprise to any of you that some things in life are style over substance. On the whole, I’d say that’s pretty much how I feel about this door. It’s there, probably better than nothing, but really not much better. Unlike current benchmark seats, it’s low enough that every other passenger in the cabin is in sight for anyone of reasonable height while in a seated position.

Basically, it’s cool to say a seat has a door, and by my definition, it allows you to call your seat a suite, rather than a seat. I think British Airways tapped into this marketing material and… yeah. If you look at the picture below, you’ll see that you can actually see the headrests above the level of the doors.

Sleep mode is when the door does prove some merit, since you can sleep comfortably, knowing that only someone standing directly above you might see a belly or butt cheek which managed to slip out of your pyjamas. Don’t worry, there’s no judgement here, happens to the best…

BA 777 Club Suite Sleep Comfort

As noted, the seat is “better” on almost all metrics versus its older self, but it leaves one thing on the table. These reverse herringbone style seats require losing the “open” foot area, in favour of a small box of sorts. If you sleep on your side, you’ll find this slightly more finicky than the old Club World as you move around. Shoes off will definitely help here, and they fit below just fine.

This is not specific to British Airways, but just a known element of virtually all reverse herringbone shaped seats. For shorter travellers, or those with small feet, it’s a non issue – but if you’re tall…

One area where there’s room for rapid improvement without needing to modify any seats, is bedding, particularly in relation to these new Club Suite seats, which have different requirements than the old seats.

I’d love to see BA specifically step up sleep comfort for these Club Suites, particularly given their ‘The White Company’ partnership. The bed sleeps well, but there are large divides which are new to this seat, and the little sheet does little to mitigate.

There are certainly other elements of the bedding kit given that could be “enhanced” away. The pillow is great, and the duvet remains mostly very good. For anyone that’s seen the movie Super Troopers, I’ll say the word “enhance” one more time.

BA 777 Club Suite Club Kitchen

Like many British Airways regulars, I’ll always have a soft spot for the Boeing 747, Queen of The Skies. The plane may be old, but it was built with real passenger and crew comfort in mind and that’s never more clear than in the galley spaces.

Crew have ample area to work and prepare service, and passengers even have room to socialise without being too much of a nuisance to the operation.

British Airways has made a point of being a “leader” in densifying aircraft, and space on this aircraft comes noticeably at a premium. The first crew member I encountered instructed me to hang my coat on my seat, since there wasn’t enough galley space. The next then offered to hang it without prompt, so I don’t know what to make of that.

The Club Kitchen is noticeably better on this aircraft than the new Airbus A350-1000’s, but it’s right next to a very active lavatory area and crew station, so it all just feels a bit chaotic. I attempted a visit and very quickly returned to my seat. For an overnight flight it’s a non issue, but if you’re on a longer haul flight and looking to stretch the legs, you’ll see what I mean.

BA 777 Club Suite Food And Beverage

British Airways has done an excellent job with their catering in recent years, particularly on the New York route, serviced by Do&Co. They’re the best airline caterer on the planet, by a Usain Bolt distance at my estimation.

I opted to eat pre-flight on this particular journey, but have eaten on about 10 flights on this sector over the last 6 months and have always been genuinely impressed by the food. For jet-lag reasons, I always advocate fasting on these overnight flights, but I’d completely understand why someone would tuck in.

If you do eat, focus on the appetisers and desserts, which tend to be Do&Co specialties.

For your drinking pleasure, British Airways serves Duval Leroy Brut Champagne, which is a nice entry level bottle used by many airlines these days. Hey, when the price is right. I think BA really knows its customers well on the booze side, and tends to focus on having a staple “old world” red and a staple “new world” white, which tend to be where pop culture drinkers gravitate.

British Airways 777 Club Suite Overall Impressions

A flat bed in the sky with a door to keep your butt cheeks from public display is a privileged way to travel and I think British Airways has done extremely well with this Club Suite. There are things I don’t quite understand, such as the big box of bedding for a semi uncomfortable bed, but they have ticked most of the boxes towards a great flying experience.

The entertainment system is reasonably fast, the screen is sharp, the storage is phenomenal and when you get a good British Airways crew, they’re amongst the best in the skies.

I will always yearn for the days where there was enough space in a galley to do some stretches or at least pillage the snack bar in peace, but those days are mostly over on all airlines anyway, even if BA seems to be going a step further. It’s not QSuite from Qatar or The Room from ANA, but this is a solid top 10 business class experience on the whole, and one anyone should enjoy.

Given the choice between an A350 and a Boeing 777, i’d take the more advanced air systems and cabin pressure comforts of the A350, but I like the setup Club Suite occupies on this Boeing 777…

The post Review: British Airways Boeing 777 “Club Suite” Business Class… appeared first on God Save The Points.

The Private Suite at LAX takes the airport out of air travel, trading the terminal, security checkpoints and the dreaded boarding area for your very own suite, your very own private car transfer to the plane and enough snacks and high end drinks to give you a food coma. And then, each suite has enough gadgets to help you bounce back, again.

It’s expensive, it’s extravagant, it’s downright opulent and it’s also just about every other adjective you’ve probably heard to describe the one of a kind travel experience. After experiencing it, that’s a good thing.  Why?  Because it’s a truly re-imagined airport experience for the United States that feels entirely worth it- if you can swing it.

Here’s a review of what you can expect from this genuine air travel “game changer”, and how much it’ll set you back for the pleasure…

What’s The Private Suite at LAX?

The Private Suite at LAX is pretty much exactly how it sounds, but also a lot more. It’s a secure, private facility on the other side of LAX, near where the cargo hangars are – and far, far away from where all the passengers are. In fact, two active runways separate you from every passenger terminal.

Each guest is shown to a private suite, complete with every travel gadget, snack and bit of booze you could ever want, all of which is included. Think: Grey Goose, Patron, Veuve Clicquot, Stags Leap Artemis and that kinda jazz.

The key message here though, is privacy. No two guests will meet, unless they want to. Each suite is taken through private TSA security in a synchronized manner, so that there’s no waiting. It’s A-list on steroids.

Forgot a charger? Just take theirs. Need some Advil for a hangover? They’ve got that covered as well. The place is stocked better than my local pharmacy.

And for more substantial food, they can arrange delivery from Beverly Hills, timed to your needs. That all sounds great, and it is, but it’s not what makes this feel worth it.

Private Tarmac Transfers

When you depart from LAX, your first port of call is the Private Suite. Using pre-arranged information, they are able to check you in for your flight, and arrange any baggage to be checked in as well. Not only that, but they monitor your flight specifically with the airline, coordinating so that you don’t have to.

You just let them know whether you want to board early, or late, and they come and get you when it’s time. Fortunately, there’s usually a 5 minute courtesy knock before it’s officially time. For any aviation nerds, it’s so cool driving near-under-around the planes and getting a ground level view of passing aircraft.

When you arrive, the Private Suite “movement” team is ready and waiting on the jet bridge, or at your first step into the terminal. Even coming off of an arriving international flight, you bypass the entire terminal and head directly into a waiting BMW to escort you to their private facility, where you can complete US Immigration with a CBP officer. No wait, guaranteed : )

How The Private Suite Saved My Day

No two days are often very alike in my work, even if I’d really like them to be. During my December #WheresGilbert shenanigans, I had an early morning flight from JFK-LAX which *if on time* would get me on the ground in LA about 45 mins before I was scheduled to be on Sunrise On 7, which is basically the Good Morning America of Australia.

Knowing that the shuttle to the Uber can take 30 mins by itself, and the place I was going was at least 25 minutes away, I knew there was 0% chance of making it via normal passenger methods, and around 50% whether I’d make the appearance at all. This wasn’t a “come relax in the green room” at the time, it was a “you’ll be on camera at X time”, so I had literally no leeway.

I was offered a discounted rate to use The Private Suite service, and it’s quite literally the only reason I made it on to the live broadcast of the show. I hustled off the plane, a The Private Suite team member was holding an iPad with my name. She very graciously offered to take my bags, put me in a waiting BMW and had me across the airport and into a car in 5 minutes flat.

With the time saved, I was able to dip into one of the Private Suites to change my clothes, splash some water on my face and then hop into the waiting car, which they kindly helped to arrange for me.

About The Equally Opulent Pricing…

There’s no question – The Private Suite at LAX is as ultra expensive as it is ultra posh. It’s got a massive $4500 annual membership fee, and on top of that, you still pay thousands to use it, each time. That’s the standard publicly available messaging and pricing.

At the same time, whether they like to talk about it or not, The Private Suite has done some amazing tie ins with airlines, where you can experience it once without the membership fee, at a deeply discounted rate. From what we’ve heard, those trials have been extremely popular with airline customers, and it’s a nice way for an airline to reward a top tier flyer, or offer them a huge discount on an experience they’ll never forget.

If I was in a financial position where dropping a couple G’s each time I flew through LAX was like grabbing a cup of coffee, I have to say I would absolutely be a buyer here. The experience, I’d argue, is the best airport experience in the world, and I’ve done most of the other ultra VVIP services.

If that’s not you, it’s still genuinely worth seeing if your airline has anything going on with The Private Suite, because there’s no one who wouldn’t like this, except perhaps the people who like to chat with strangers at the gate area, of which I am absolutely not one.

I’d go out of my way, and budget, to do this again…

The post Review: First Class Opulence At The Private Suite LAX… appeared first on God Save The Points.

Some flights really can be more than just a flight, they can be an experience in hospitality. This was one of them.

After years and years of flying business class on legacy airlines, that’s exactly what this was, and nothing less. The “Mint” seat is no longer new, but everything about JetBlue “Mint” business class is a breath of fresh air, and everything about it made me want more of it, in more places, and right now. Here’s a detailed review of the experience on board.

Settling Into JetBlue Mint

I had just come off a long transcontinental flight from New York to LA a day before on a legacy US airline and while there was nothing wrong, there wasn’t all that much right with the experience. By the time I got on board JetBlue, I was tired, a bit over my travels and ready for a breather. In the end, I got one.

Within seconds of boarding, I was proverbially touched by an angel. Sorry, had to slip that reference in. Before you click away with doubt in your mind, I’m talking about a cabin crew member named Angel, who was probably the greatest cabin crew member I’ve ever encountered, who set the tone for the experience.

For the 5 hour journey, I had a chance to imagine what flying must have been like in the supposed golden age of service. We’ll get back to her, and Carrie her fantastic partner in service shortly.

 The JetBlue Mint Business Class Seat

Everyone in business class has kinda already won in the grand scheme of things, at least for the duration of the flight, but there are levels within levels when it comes to JetBlue Mint. The ultimate win: a throne seat.

Every Mint seat reclines into a fully flat bed with over 6’1” of room when fully flat, but even numbered rows (2, 4) offer “throne” seats without a neighbour next to you, and no one to step over. This is an instant upgrade over most legacy airline business class setups, with the exception of some Delta One planes.

It’s just you, two big arm rests and a privacy door, and it’s about as first class as business class can get.

While some seats are style over function, this was anything but. A “throne” seat on JetBlue Mint features no fewer than 3 AC power outlets and 3 USB charging ports. Unlike many seating setups they are placed within easy reach, but away from any part of you which may brush them out of place and dislodge them while you rest.

My favourite feature: the little pouch near the charger which perfectly cradles your phone in a visible position.

There’s a remote to control the television screen, which is a bit antiquated but now that I’ve gotten that little tidbit out there, we’re already past the only downside to mint. Literally – the only thing that could be better would be a retrofit of faster and more modern entertainment screens. If they do that, the experience will jump ahead another light year.

Fine touches, like bedding and amenities didn’t disappoint either. The pillow and duvet were of an excellent standard and the amenity kit had everything I needed to freshen up ahead of a TV slot I was scheduled for less than 30 minutes after landing. Thanks to an early arrival, that wasn’t nearly as terrifying as it might have otherwise been.

The Food And Drinks

Airlines love to tote chef partnerships, but they rarely translate to much worth speaking about. This was a definite exception. JetBlue has partnered with New York restaurant staple ‘Saxon & Parole’ to create a diverse menu in their signature light bites style. Basically, you can pick any three menu items plus any extra snacks.

After days of airplane food, I was delighted to see light, healthy but also flavourful vegetarian options like the sweet potato salad, and the Asian pear alternative. The greens were fresh, the dressings were zippy and the ingredients were treated and plated with care. It was real, nourishing food and didn’t leave me feeling like I’d been in the air for five hours.

Of course, the Milk Bar cookie was very much appreciated too.

As far as drinks, there’s the signature “Mint” cocktail and also a nice selection of wine and beer. It’s nothing to go shouting to your friends about, but it’s all lovely and chosen with care. Contrary to popular belief, I hardly ever drink on planes unless it is something to shout to your friends about, so I abstained on this occasion.

But Let’s Talk JetBlue Mint Service

On seat, the JetBlue Mint experience is on the podium for best US business class, teetering between first and second. On food and drinks, it’s probably somewhere around there too. But While I have had many great cabin crews on airlines operating flagship transcontinental services, none so much as hold a candle to Angel and Carrie.

It all starts with that signature hand signed note from both crew members working the forward cabin.

Angel was like something from the movies, like something out of Catch Me If You Can when flying looked so glamorous and fun. She was sharp, witty, personable but most importantly – obsessed with delivering a great service. She wanted to make sure I knew everything about the seat and always had what I needed. To start off, she offered to put my bag in the overheard compartment. Try doing that on American, I dare you.

Loyalists of other airlines will note that their unions allow them to not so politely decline, even if you ask. I didn’t ask, and my jaw nearly hit the floor as she insisted that I not be disturbed and stay in my seat.

It’s also probably a good time to note that Angel is apparently quite famous. I mentioned to someone during my Capital One Cafe talk in Washington DC that I had my best ever flight from a service side, and they said “did her name happen to be Angel?”.

Apparently, my views aren’t just my own.

Carrie and Angel worked together to ensure every passenger always had what they wanted, and really, that no one wanted for anything. It felt like going over to a close friends house, who happens to excel in hospitality, but with the distinction and respect of greetings by name and service with a smile.

I don’t think I’ve ever awarded a 100 for service, but I must today.

If JetBlue does indeed start chirping about transatlantic service to London in the second quarter of the year, I can only hope Angel and Carrie will help to shape the transatlantic service too. I might be lured away if those kind of standards became a baseline on any airline.

Overall: JetBlue Mint Business Class Experience

Mint, as cliche as it may be – is simply refreshing. It’s a unique take on dining, it’s a world class business class seat and the soft touches were exceptional. Replace the old entertainment screens with something newer and larger and you may run a few other airlines out of business.

One thing worth noting is the price point: JetBlue Mint doesn’t penalize one way bookings, so it’s easy to find it on sale beginning at $399 one way, or $798 round trip. Compared to legacy airlines which never breach the $1000 price point, for a product with lower marks in most service and seat aspects, it’s quite hard to argue with what JetBlue is bringing here. I loved it.

The post Suite Dreams: JetBlue Mint Business Class Review… appeared first on God Save The Points.

With Blade, I ticked something off my bucket list. Despite the fact that I tend to find myself in an airplane every few days, I’d never been in a helicopter, let alone one whirling above the dizzying heights of my former home, New York City.

On an absolutely gorgeous Manhattan day, with a perfectly timed flight ahead, I couldn’t help but finally change that. I took the BLADE “Urban Air Mobility” helicopter service from the city to the airport, and echoing the sentiment of others, it’s really ruined me for life, perhaps in a good way. For $149, why wouldn’t you?

The first key detail is the “where”. BLADE has an outpost in midtown west, and midtown east, at the 30th street west side heliport, and the 34th street east side heliport, and the service is the same price for both.

For the record, it’s $195 per person, but there’s a readily available promotional code that knocks $50 off, making it $145 all in. Before I get into it all, I really loved it for a few reasons.

• The journey is gorgeous.
• The novelty is off the charts.
• The customer service is excellent.
• The lack of stress is worth a lot to me.
• 7 minutes between Manhattan and airport is nuts.

If novelty and a few pictures are part of the allure, you’ll want to depart from the west side, where you’ll enjoy more prolonged skyline views. With a flight time of just around 7 minutes, those extra few seconds come in handy.

And that’s the big dazzler here: you quite literally lift off from Manhattan at one time, and arrive on the tarmac at JFK or LaGuardia under 7 minutes later. It’s a total buzz, and a bigger blur. I had a friend taking a similar flight, and they paid over $100 for an Uber, and the journey took 2.5 hours, just barely making their flight.

Think about that…

I took off from the BLADE Lounge at the East 34th street heliport. From where I was staying on 38th street, it was a mere 15 minute walk. For Blade West, a hotel like the High Line or anything Chelsea would put you 10-15 minutes away, walking.

If justifying the expense, which is about 1.5x to 2x from a standard Uber rate, or comparable to black car service is based on the time savings, you’ll really do best with BLADE if you are in a hotel with close enough proximity to these two midtown locations, or plan to arrive from a nearby office or restaurant.

Guests are told to arrive 10 minutes before their chopper departure time, and being just a minute late generally means you will miss your ride, and be faced with an expensive rebooking.

Assuming a 15-20 minute journey to the heliport, a 10 minute wait to depart for safety sake and a 7 minute ride, you are 37 minutes in at that point, plus there’s about a 2-5 minute ride from the BLADE jet terminal at JFK to the commercial terminals. You’re quickly whisked away in a black SUV, by the way.

Total, all in transit time from the moment you leave a reasonably located hotel to the time you are curb side at the terminal is circa 40 minutes.

Sure, you could cut it close and shave the 10 minutes you are told to wait in the BLADE lounge, and if you work, eat, live or play, on W 30th, or E 34th you could get the total journey under 20 minutes, but for most that simply won’t be the case.

The experience in a nutshell

I got to the E34th BLADE Lounge 15 minutes before flight and was offered a complimentary drink from the impressive bar after a brief ID exchange. After a long night, I declined, and then chose to nerd out and stare at the helicopters.

The lounge receptionists were world class in making everyone feel welcome, informed and ready to go, and for $149 it felt extremely premium. The decor was fun and quirky and I really loved some of the vintage aviation touches.

One major thing to note: only standard hand luggage is included. You can bring a full sized carry on roller and a backpack, or any combination like that, but baggage over 20lbs will require an extra charge. For some, that might be a deterrent, but I’m one who aims to never check a bag – anywhere.

Oh, and booking. I booked around 3PM for a 5:20PM flight, but that was cutting it close. Most of the afternoon flights were sold out and by then it was slim pickings. But with that said, you can book far in advance, or just minutes before, if there’s a seat. It’s all done in the app – more on that shortly.

I was given a colour coded wristband which was the boarding pass for each flight. My carry on was loaded on board in advance, and we were guided to the choppa (Arnold Schwarzenegger voice) at 5:19 for our 5:20 departure.

With seatbelts on, headsets on and thumbs up all around, Manhattan quickly began to look quite different. The views… holy s*it. For the photos alone, it’s probably worth it! For the the time efficiency and everything else, even more so.

If there was a hardship to be found in the experience – and surprise, there really isn’t one – it would simply be that you don’t know where to look, and it’s all over so quickly.

If I was really nitpicking, I’d beg BLADE to have their ground staff quickly wipe down the windows before each ride, because a lot of my best captures were mired by dirt. It’s about as f’ing first world as problems get, but you know… when you want it all…

Playing devils advocate…

In absolutely supreme, 1AM or 5AM driving conditions, it’s not impossible to achieve similar timing in a car, but the thing is – it’s actually not that much cheaper for Uber, or particularly a black car service and it’s also nowhere near as fun. But most people don’t travel at those hours.

I knew quite a few people who experienced a 2.5 hour journey time at the same time I had a 7 minute transit.

If you’re looking to be frugal, the Long Island railroad option from Penn Station to Jamaica and then AirTrain to JFK is about 1 hour and 20 minutes with a cost of $12, which is by far the most frugal, but this is all about fun, not frugality.

Blade Airport: Should you try it?

In a nutshell, I’d say yes.

I felt incredibly smug and privileged for the rest of the day, and the BLADE experience turned my least favourite part of travel, the slow boring grind to the airport, into a novelty I won’t soon forget, with views of the place I grew up in a way I never imagined.

With the current $149 pricing, it can be just fractionally more than an Uber. Obviously not as practical if you were carpooling, but when it comes to choppers, YOLO rules apply.

BLADE is running this service to New York LaGuardia, Newark Liberty International and JFK Airport daily between 7AM-7PM during weekdays, and then 3PM-7PM on Sundays.

After downloading the app, using the BLADE promo code GilbertO187 (O, like Ott) will get you $50 off your first ride, and I’m grateful to also get $25 in BLADE credit when you do. I absolutely loved the service and now am stuck with the final question: cooler to take it into the city from the airport, or from the city to the airport?

The post BLADE Review: $145 For A Helicopter To NYC Airports appeared first on God Save The Points.