V-Flyer

Hi. We are beginning to look around for business class seats from the UK to Orlando and maybe return or back from LAX. We are up north so usually try to go with VA from Man but wondered this time whether to try a different airline and change planes in the USA and hopefully, maybe, perhaps, or not, find something a bit cheaper this time. We are in UC this autumn but we managed to get a good price for those flights.

I was wondering if some of you expert flyers might tell me your favourite business class accommodation. It is a while since I have looked past Virgin so feel a bit out of touch. I know some have travelled with other airlines so your expertise would be appreciated. Thank you.

If you're flying to Orlando and back from Los Angeles then really your only options are BA and VS - any other airline will involve flying to another US city and connecting. Then, the only other options are US airlines and while frankly some are improving (AA's new J seat for example, Delta's beef as another example), in my view both BA and VS are well ahead of the US airlines themselves. If you want to take a look then United flies 767s from MAN to Newark - but I think UA is dire, and AA also flies to JFK from MAN but on 757s and I don't think I'd choose that plane transatlantic. Of course with both you have to connect, after immigration and customs, and that can add 3 or 4 hours to the trip with no joy.

For your trip there are few other options really.

Now if Jet or Cathay or Air New Zealand (which IMO have among the best business class products) flew there, that would be great, but to fly on them would involve some pretty hectic routings!

Agreeing with Slinky here.
Last time a flew a US carrier Business I was, well lets say disappointed, it was AA, that does not excuse them tho. 8D
Stick with what you know here would be my advice.

If you're feeling adventurous you could try the Amsterdam trick and save hundreds on Upper Class tickets.

A search on V-Flyer will yield more details but basically you need to start your trip in Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin or another European hub and connect on to your VS (or BA) flight in London (or Manchester).

By doing that, a round trip UC fare to the west coast can be reduced from well over £3000 to well under £2000. A good saving if you don't mind the hassle of getting to a European hub to start your journey.

Agree with the above advice. I avoid all US carriers. Admittedly I have never flown them myself, but feedback from others has never been entusiatic to put it mildly!

I prefer direct flights but if you are prepared to connect in Europe you could consider some of the major European airlines such a AF, Lufthansa, KLM, SAS etc.

What about Delta? The fly into MAN and their Business Elite is ok, would also give you some tier points and miles.
You could still use Virgin on the way out.

Thank you all for your help. My husband would go via Amsterdam for sure if it could be worked out. My problem is the baggage. 5 weeks including a cruise, plus my over packing , means measly baggage allowances are difficult :0 . Plus I would stress big time.

Maybe we should just bite the bullet and book with the UK carriers, though I will look at Delta.

Thanks again. Sounds like the American carriers should up their game a bit.

Hi maz,

I was impressed with the DL Business Elite product (trip report here: forum/index.php?f=21&t=286312&rb_v=viewtopic)

I wasn't expecting much, but it was surprisingly good.

maz wrote:Thank you all for your help. My husband would go via Amsterdam for sure if it could be worked out. My problem is the baggage. 5 weeks including a cruise, plus my over packing , means measly baggage allowances are difficult :0 . Plus I would stress big time.

Maybe we should just bite the bullet and book with the UK carriers, though I will look at Delta.

Thanks again. Sounds like the American carriers should up their game a bit.

There is another thread on the Amsterdam trick and I recall someone saying they leave their baggage at Heathrow before going to Amsterdam so allowance may not be a problem.
Dick D

Remember your "stopover" in the UK can be anything up to 24 hours so you could always do the AMS trip without luggage the day before, go home for the night (if you live close enough to the airport) then check in as normal with your luggage for your US flight the next day.

And remember it doesn't have to be Amsterdam - Brussels & Dublin can be cheaper. The trick works with any European hub, but prices can vary dramatically between each one. You just have to shop around to find the cheapest and easiest.

gumshoe wrote:Remember your "stopover" in the UK can be anything up to 24 hours so you could always do the AMS trip without luggage the day before, go home for the night (if you live close enough to the airport) then check in as normal with your luggage for your US flight the next day.

And remember it doesn't have to be Amsterdam - Brussels & Dublin can be cheaper. The trick works with any European hub, but prices can vary dramatically between each one. You just have to shop around to find the cheapest and easiest.

Or just store your luggage at the airport in UK.

Well if you chose to try the Amsterdam trick the London and Manchester airports have luggage storage facilities so you can do the hop over and back with hand luggage,,then pick up your bags and check in for your transatlantic flight. http://www.left-baggage.co.uk

That is all very interesting and I will look into it, thanks.