Best Airline for Business Class: SFO-NRT
Jun 30, 2010 | 8:02 pm
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: California
Posts: 63
Your instincts were correct.
http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/first/
https://www.ana.co.jp/int/svc/en/seat/sp2/main.html
I haven't flown NH in F in ~7 years, but I'm confident that it's just as awesome as JL F. Biz isn't bad at all; it's just that most of us get there by way of upgrade. Any respectable FTer on a biz fare will find a way to make it to the front of the plane.
http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/first/
https://www.ana.co.jp/int/svc/en/seat/sp2/main.html
I haven't flown NH in F in ~7 years, but I'm confident that it's just as awesome as JL F. Biz isn't bad at all; it's just that most of us get there by way of upgrade. Any respectable FTer on a biz fare will find a way to make it to the front of the plane.
So, if anyone knows how a rookie like me can book a business class fare and make it to first class (i.e. front of the plane), I would be very appreciative.
Thanks.
Jun 30, 2010 | 9:05 pm
#32
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 376
-SWU (a system wide upgrade, certificates given to UA 1K elite members)
-Miles (either UA or "*A" star alliance miles)
-Cash (sometimes offered at checkin)
Given that your in SFO and flying UA TPAC (transpacific), I would suggest you check out the mileage plus forum, starting with the FAQ sticky thread
Jul 1, 2010 | 12:23 am
#33
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 43,524
Well, it looks like my best value/stay sane ratio is a non-stop UA Flight. Air Canada would be much cheaper, but also make it a 28 hour flight instead of 10. I am not really keen on that so much. If I change my days a bit, I could get an ANA or JAL flight, but it would just as much as the UA flight and not the dates I really want.
So, if anyone knows how a rookie like me can book a business class fare and make it to first class (i.e. front of the plane), I would be very appreciative.
Thanks.
So, if anyone knows how a rookie like me can book a business class fare and make it to first class (i.e. front of the plane), I would be very appreciative.
Thanks.
Jul 5, 2010 | 10:07 am
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: California
Posts: 63
+1. I would do UA or ANA. ANA's food is probably better and the service may be better, but UA's seat will be better if you do not get the new config ANA. the old ANA seat is not as good as the new UA seat, which is fantastic. I agree with avsfan, the food on UA is not good. It simply cannot compete with international airlines. However, it's fine, totally fine. I have no problem with it.
The other airlines mentioned are stop-overs which are a pain in the butt. I would get the non-stop SFO-NRT and be done wtih it. Here is a video of the business class experience SFO-NRT if you want to see what it is like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPDT4bC38u8
The other airlines mentioned are stop-overs which are a pain in the butt. I would get the non-stop SFO-NRT and be done wtih it. Here is a video of the business class experience SFO-NRT if you want to see what it is like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPDT4bC38u8
Jul 5, 2010 | 2:29 pm
#35
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: OSL
Programs: BA Gold | SK Diamond | A3 Gold
Posts: 4,574
If you're doing it for the experience, and flying J/F anyway, one would thing you'd be picking the longest flight with most international connections. 
I'm curious what EK SFO-DXB-NRT prices up to.
I'm curious what EK SFO-DXB-NRT prices up to.
Jul 5, 2010 | 4:16 pm
#37
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: California
Posts: 63
Jul 5, 2010 | 5:34 pm
#38
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 4,449
Jul 6, 2010 | 2:49 pm
#39
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 43,524
Jul 10, 2010 | 10:36 pm
#41
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 43,524
On many airlines, upgrades from business to first are easy to snag. However, this probably isn't the case wrt to SFO-NRT (except for UA and there's not much reason to upgrade there), so you'd want to use NH or JL miles.