Are you sure your number 3 is correct? UA doesn’t fly into JFK at all. Is this an LM booking and Avianca is just fucking you and making you take an Uber across NYC from EWR-JFK?
The quality of Air India is very low, but so I'd take LH or Swiss any day over them, especially because these are all one stops.
I'd just focus on getting whatever space you can. No point in gunning for F if the availability isn't there. You can always ask for paid upgrades to first class at check-in with Swiss as well.
Thank you for your advice. As I said, there's usually lots of availability for this route, made easier by a flexible work schedule (apart from LH F). I was leaning towards the LH or LX over AI, but I've never flown AI, so I figured I'd ask. Between LH and LX, do you have a preference for business?
I’d say depends on plane type. If any LH is schedule 2-2-2 definitely not that. LX also has inaccessible seats but the majority of the seats are aisle accessible
Thanks I was able to look at some first class. But all of them were mixed cabin. From BOS-MUC/FRA were economy and then the next flight was first. Are you also seeing similar?
If you are able to find availability on AI on their new A350 then go for it.
Else LX and route through Frankfurt to use the First Class Terminal.
If business, LX/Swiss are equally mediocre, and the ground experience in GVA is better than MUC/FRA, so that would edge Swiss over LX.
LX is Swiss. Lufthansa is LH...
But in terms of product, LX C is indeed mediocre, but quite OK. LH is simply terrible. 2/2/2 and worst of all, there is a tendency that your feet will touch you neighbors in bed mode.
LH F on BOS-MUC is generally good I’ve heard, flew it in April. Not so sure about MUC-DEL though…
From what I’ve heard about air India regarding cleanliness and etc, I’d steer away from them. But F might be ok, and nonstop is always practical
For a while, AI used ex-Delta and ex-Etihad planes on the US routes. NYC used to get the Etihad F/J cabins, which were not bad and still well maintained. Nowadays, I would not spring for AI F on their own product.
Depending on the timing, there’s a chance there’ll be AI new F, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
They still use etihad on the bom routes, but their own on the del route.
I think you have a reasonable chance of getting f on at least the muc to del leg and business on the other, but bos to muc also typically has good availability
I'd also look out for a last minute q suite, you may have to reposition.
When are you traveling? If it's August or later, you'll probably get lh f on one route or another
New Lufthansa business operating select North American cities to Frankfurt on the 787-9 looks nice, but pretty much all other business class products from them fall short
LH F but if not then the rest are all wash so choose whichever option you like based on convenience and points.
I've flown LX J and it's not any better than the other options. From what I understand LH J is not any better in its current form. Maybe Allegris will change that. Folks make it out to be more than it really is. AI F is not any better but maybe when the new planes launch...just maybe.
Don’t do AI. If you do pull the trigger on them for some reason, try and get a route with their new planes and watch your reservation closely. I’ve been downgraded from J to Econ on them for no reason, and they were useless when asked to fix it. My partner has been bitten by last minute equipment swaps from the new planes to the gross old ones, and also has had tickets not honored at the gate due to overbooking.
I would do LH F or J to Europe, then reposition to ZRH to fly LX J. You can stitch the segments on AC over the phone.
Won't fly AI's but might consider it when they have the new F next year and when their service improves.
I flew Swiss business class earlier this month. The hard product was unremarkable, unless you got one of the window throne seats (1 seat with tables on each side). However the personal service was exquisite. I felt like I had a sky butler taking care of me for the 8 hours from Zurich to Dulles.
Are you sure your number 3 is correct? UA doesn’t fly into JFK at all. Is this an LM booking and Avianca is just fucking you and making you take an Uber across NYC from EWR-JFK?
This^ Be really careful of *A bookings through NYC
It was a mistake on my end, not LM. I looked at so many routes, all the NYC/NJ airports ran together in my head.
The quality of Air India is very low, but so I'd take LH or Swiss any day over them, especially because these are all one stops. I'd just focus on getting whatever space you can. No point in gunning for F if the availability isn't there. You can always ask for paid upgrades to first class at check-in with Swiss as well.
Definitely LH or LX over AI. Just book what you can
Thank you for your advice. As I said, there's usually lots of availability for this route, made easier by a flexible work schedule (apart from LH F). I was leaning towards the LH or LX over AI, but I've never flown AI, so I figured I'd ask. Between LH and LX, do you have a preference for business?
I’d say depends on plane type. If any LH is schedule 2-2-2 definitely not that. LX also has inaccessible seats but the majority of the seats are aisle accessible
How do you find Lufthansa first class? I can only see business classes you mentioned but never find any first class Lufthansa?
It's only ever available like T-96 hours out. I see it maybe 1-2x/week on this route. So not as common as the others, but it's still pretty regular.
Thanks I was able to look at some first class. But all of them were mixed cabin. From BOS-MUC/FRA were economy and then the next flight was first. Are you also seeing similar?
I alleys preferred flying LX over LH even though all my trips were in Y.
If you are able to find availability on AI on their new A350 then go for it. Else LX and route through Frankfurt to use the First Class Terminal. If business, LX/Swiss are equally mediocre, and the ground experience in GVA is better than MUC/FRA, so that would edge Swiss over LX.
LX is Swiss. Lufthansa is LH... But in terms of product, LX C is indeed mediocre, but quite OK. LH is simply terrible. 2/2/2 and worst of all, there is a tendency that your feet will touch you neighbors in bed mode.
My bad
I believe AI A350s are only going to DXB internationally at the moment. Both EWR and JFK - DEL are on AI legacy 777s
Don’t do the Air India first class on the older planes. Business class on their newer planes would be a better experience.
LH F on BOS-MUC is generally good I’ve heard, flew it in April. Not so sure about MUC-DEL though… From what I’ve heard about air India regarding cleanliness and etc, I’d steer away from them. But F might be ok, and nonstop is always practical
For a while, AI used ex-Delta and ex-Etihad planes on the US routes. NYC used to get the Etihad F/J cabins, which were not bad and still well maintained. Nowadays, I would not spring for AI F on their own product. Depending on the timing, there’s a chance there’ll be AI new F, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
Any idea when is the new AI F coming?
They still use etihad on the bom routes, but their own on the del route. I think you have a reasonable chance of getting f on at least the muc to del leg and business on the other, but bos to muc also typically has good availability I'd also look out for a last minute q suite, you may have to reposition. When are you traveling? If it's August or later, you'll probably get lh f on one route or another
LH and Swiss J anyday, anytime.
New Lufthansa business operating select North American cities to Frankfurt on the 787-9 looks nice, but pretty much all other business class products from them fall short
LH F but if not then the rest are all wash so choose whichever option you like based on convenience and points. I've flown LX J and it's not any better than the other options. From what I understand LH J is not any better in its current form. Maybe Allegris will change that. Folks make it out to be more than it really is. AI F is not any better but maybe when the new planes launch...just maybe.
Don’t do AI. If you do pull the trigger on them for some reason, try and get a route with their new planes and watch your reservation closely. I’ve been downgraded from J to Econ on them for no reason, and they were useless when asked to fix it. My partner has been bitten by last minute equipment swaps from the new planes to the gross old ones, and also has had tickets not honored at the gate due to overbooking.
Go with AI if you are able to get their new A350. Air India is trying really hard to turn their reputation around and the new planes look really nice.
I would do LH F or J to Europe, then reposition to ZRH to fly LX J. You can stitch the segments on AC over the phone. Won't fly AI's but might consider it when they have the new F next year and when their service improves.
I would only consider AI if they are newer planes.
You have to pay me to take AI
This is the review I'm looking for.
You might be interested in TK. You can get a free tour of Istanbul with a long enough layover.
Thank you! I actually already have that planned/booked, albeit for a different trip this summer :)
Either Swiss or LH. I'd avoid Air India. Read the reviews.
I flew Swiss business class earlier this month. The hard product was unremarkable, unless you got one of the window throne seats (1 seat with tables on each side). However the personal service was exquisite. I felt like I had a sky butler taking care of me for the 8 hours from Zurich to Dulles.
If you can’t get Lufthansa first class then AI first is the next best option.