British Airways 747 Business Class Review

I had about 100,000 British Airways miles to start the year, mostly left over from buying money for credit card points. I wanted to spend my miles before British Airways devalued their award chart (advanced notice to members helped me save their value) and booked a trip to the UK and Ireland.  I would go business class over and premium economy back. I had the miles for round trip in business, but wanted to try a true premium economy product (Premium economy review).  I booked on BA.com and payed a large fuel surcharge fee. I didn't mind because this was my best shot at an interesting looking business class.

Business Class Seat - Upper Deck

I flew on a 747-400 from Denver to London Heathrow. BA has a strained relationship with the 747. It was the long haul workhorse for many years, but they are retiring the fleet for 777, 787, and A380 aircraft. There are already a dozen or more in the desert being scraped. Since the fleet is being retired, BA is understandably not updating the interiors or going beyond basic maintenance. That was until I read yesterday that 18 747's will be upgraded with more business class seating (and less economy) and new TV screens.  Great news once the upgrades start, but I flew on one that was, at the time, slated for parting out.

The lack up upgrades was evident. The aircraft interior looked tired, almost worn out. The TV system had an older, low def, flat screen with some bright hot spots scattered about. The aircraft also needed a good vacuuming and a cleaning crew with more attention to detail. Once settled in my rear facing seat, it was comfortable and drinks were served as doubles. 

Not Going To Be Parted Out Just Yet

The dinner service was pleasant and ended about two hours after take off.  This left me not tired with 5 hours until breakfast and landing.  I took a trip down stairs to stretch and make small talk with other people who couldn't sleep. The crew had some whiskey bottles and light snacks left out for the business class cabin at the bottom of the stairs by the second door. I enjoyed making myself a drink and munching to pass the time. Eventually I went back to my seat and got a short and restless nap in before breakfast. The Denver flight arrived at LHR terminal 3, so customs was a breeze and I had a quick bite at the AA arrivals lounge (nothing like BA in terminal 5 of Lufthansa) before hopping the underground into London. Good trip, but it showed that BA was not giving maximum effort on the Denver flight.  

British Airways Devalues!!!

The best value on the British Airways award chart was short distance direct flights around the USA.  4,500 and $5 would buy a trip from DC to New York.  British Airways agreed that this was good value and decided to eliminate it.

We’re going to be making a change to the Executive Club pricing structure for shorter reward flights originating or terminating within the United States of America. From 2 February 2016, reward flights will start from 7,500 Avios, instead of 4,500 Avios, plus taxes, fees and carrier charges (“TFCs”) from $5.60 USD.

Only those reward flights that currently cost 4,500 Avios for a one way flight in Economy, 9,000 Avios for Business Class and 18,000 Avios for First Class plus TFCs will increase; to 7,500 Avios, 15,000 Avios and 30,000 Avios plus TFCs respectively. All other Avios reward flight pricing will remain the same as it is today.

International Hotels

A mark of a good international business hotel in Europe is more than just the local outlet type available at the desk.  The Sheraton Edinburgh has US, UK, and EU style plugs available.  They also have a 5V USB outlet too.  

Scotland Is Still Part of the UK, So This Works

Plane Spotting at London City Airport

Heathrow and Gatwick aren't the only two commercial airports in London; there's London City too.  All three airports serve quad jets too, pretty cool.  The Arvo is much smaller than an A340, but both are fun to watch on take off.  There's a park by Royal Albert DLR stop that provides some excellent spotting opportunities too.

Quad Jet Leaving London City

Happy Travels

I hit my 2015 United status goal this week. It nice to know I can relax for two months before the race starts again.

United A320's at Denver

Delta Checked Bags Guarantee Miles

I earned more Delta miles from my checked bag arriving late than from flying to JFK and back. My $410 flight, plus tax, yielded 2,050 miles while my bag arriving 25 minutes after parking at the gate earned 2,500 miles. Delayed bag miles don't post automatically, passengers need to submit a request at Delta.com/bagsontime.  Free miles, so take them if you can.

We're committed to providing you with reliable and on-time baggage service every time you fly. That's why we're backing your bags with a guarantee: if your checked bag doesn't arrive at the carousel in 20 minutes or less after any domestic flight, you are eligible to receive 2,500 bonus miles. Just complete the below form no later than three days after your flight's arrival. Requests should only be submitted after your flight.

Bags Are Always Slow at Denver

United Miles Buy Beer

0.7c per mile is not the best value available in frequent flyer programs.  Even with recent devaluations, 6c per mile is possible without too much effort.  To earn that high valuation, one needs 100,000 miles or maybe more.  For those who earn from one or two trips a year, such a large balance is inconceivable. 1,430 miles is achievable, but award tickets usually start at 12,500 for a domestic one way flight.  Rather than save for a few years, infrequent flyers can cash in their miles for a beer at Newark airport. This is a great way for people extract quick value from their flights. Just because it isn't the best value, doesn't mean it's not good value.

At Airport Merchandise Awards

Lufthansa has been doing this for years with their WorldShop in Frankfurt Airport. They have good selection in store and let you order online for in store pickup. They'll also let you pay with a mix of miles and Euros. United isn't close to Lufthansa, but it's a start.

I Love Lufthansa

New United CEO Has Heart Attack

New United CEO Oscar Munoz had a heart attack yesterday and is in a hospital recovering. I wish him well, but the company must be more of a mess than imagined. 

United Airlines Jets at EWR

Picture Post Again

I'm writing a post about pricing, but it's taking a while. I'm going through my marketing textbooks even.  Until then, enjoy a picture.

Landing at LGA

Turned Out Well

Newark is a miserable place, but at least something good came of my layover there.

I Like This Picture

Window Seat Woe

I tried really hard to get a window seat on my flight to Australia.  For almost 14 hours, I had a view of water or darkness.  I still enjoyed it because I was able to scream "Land Ho!" in my mind like a sailor in Captain Cook's fleet.  I also enjoyed the plane spotting on the ground. One of the requirements for window seat fun is a clean window.  The CRJ-700 I flew last week into Charleston had filthy window and took some of the fun out of my flight. I did drink the aircraft out of Miller Lite.  A minor accomplishment on a regional jet, but I am still proud.

Write a Maintenance Ticket for Cleaning

Bad Idea From United Airlines

United has had plenty of bad ideas since the Continental merger. In an effort to continue the trend, they offered me a 31 minute connection at EWR.  This isn't their worst idea of 2015, but it's not close to a good idea.

Want a 31 Minute Connection at Newark? No.  No I do Not.

Book Now To Top Up 2015 Stats

If you aren't sure you'll hit your status goal in 2015, now is the time to book.  Waiting will raise prices and decrease options.

Book Soon or Never See an Upgrade in 2016

Fun Pic

Enjoy!

I Love Climbing Stairs to My Seat

United Airlines A320 First Class Breakfast

It took into September before I was upgraded and served a meal.  Life is rough with United selling more and more first class seats.  Tasty breakfast on an A320 to LGA.  Nothing special on it's own, but very special to me.

Eggs and Sausage

Denver Airport Beer Flights - Beer Garden

Munich Airport has an actual beer garden and they have a Lufthansa lounge that is similar to a beer garden. This isn't that.  Denver's Beer Flights program features Colorado micro-brews and is a great way to kill 30-60 minutes outside security (sorry connecting passengers).  There were no Oktoberfest style beers, soft pretzels, or white sausages. Still fun, $10 for a souvenir glass and 10 2oz pours.

Rules of the Game

Airport Drinking That Isn't Cliched

Ad Caught My Eye In Terminal

Fun Photo

Another fun one from my archives.

CRJ-200's Are Better Seen From The Outside

Trip From Bond Villain Island

United's new 787 Dreamliner flies from XXX airport to Houston.  Shhhhh. This isn't on the route map, so don't tell too many people that United is flying a corporate shuttle for a Bond villain.

I Thought We Departed From Denver

Denver Airport Distances

Ever land an wonder if you are in Kansas not Colorado? It happens all the time for me at DEN.  Denver International Airport is one of the largest, by area, airports in the country, so you are right to feel like the taxi distance is absurdly long.  A quick check of a map shows that DEN is completely inside Colorado and Wyoming is the closest state to the airport.

Still Feels Like Kansas

Big Bonus Miles on AA Credit Card

Note: I am NOT compensated for this post.

The Citi AA Executive card is offering a 75,000 mile sign up bonus.  The card also comes with an Admirals Club membership, Global Entry fee waiver, and a slew of other perks.  The card costs $450 a year. Also $7,500 in net spending is required in the first three months for the bonus miles.  Not a bad deal for frequent American Airlines flyers who can put $2,500 a month on the card, but I'll pass.

I'll Let This One Go By, View From 747-8 Top Deck

Odd Black Smoke at Denver Airport

I'm guessing it's just a diesel engine turning over, but billowing black smoke isn't something I want to see at the airport.

I Think The Black Smoke is Expected

Intentional Retro Jet

Here's an intentionally retro paint scheme on a United 737.

Continental 737 at O'Hare

Does This Count as Retro?

I doubt this counts as a retro paint scheme, but it's starting to feel that way.

Retro Jet Spotted in Denver Last Weekend

Great View From Club Lounge Sheraton Tribeca

The 21st floor club lounge at the Sheraton Tribeca New York has an outdoor patio with an amazing view.  This is the best view and light on the Empire State Building I've ever seen.  The patio isn't a year round feature; when I was here in January, there was a foot of snow out there.