British Airways has plans to offer passengers a first class experience on flights between San Diego and London. This upgrade is thanks to the route’s success and the new four-cabin Boeing 777-300 the airline will be flying. First class service is set to start on March 27, 2016. This route was first introduced in the summer of 2011.
If you’ve never flown first class, here’s a handy checklist so you don’t miss any of the cool perks. You may feel downright giddy the first time you’re pampered on an international first-class flight.
Finding premium award seats to Australia is not easy. They are considered the ultimate prize in frequent flyer circles because the flights are long and the award seats are scarce. And also because business and first class travel on Qantas, the Australian flagship carrier, is great. It rivals premium seats from the best airlines in the world, including Singapore, Cathay Pacific, and Emirates.
USA Today has dubbed Berlin “Europe’s Capital of Cool. In the summer, it blossoms and becomes a hot spot for party-goers and fun-loving people from all over the world.
The Economist calls Vienna the second-most livable city in the world, but despite the recognition, not a single U.S.-based airline flies there. There are, however, plenty of alternatives to finding award seats in business or first class on partner airlines.
Madrid is a fantastic city with great sights and great food, and despite being a major European capital it’s relatively easy on the wallet.
A hotel room in a 4-star boutique hotel can be had for about $80. A dinner for two in a nice restaurant might set you back around $60. Getting there in style can be even cheaper if you have the right currency: frequent-flyer miles.
If you want to travel to Europe in business or first class, going through Rome is one option. The Eternal City is a great choice for a stopover with its ancient Roman architecture including the famous Colosseum. As usual you should be flexible and plan ahead, but there are plenty of options. Not only do all roads lead to Rome, but most airlines do, too, although some airlines only go there seasonally so London may be your best off-season bet. Most U.S.-based airlines fly to Rome between late spring and early fall.
Want to go to Paris in first class? There are more than a few ways to fly to the City of Light in a premium class cabin for merely the price of taxes. The Saver award rate, the lowest available, will cost you from 100,000 to 125,000 miles per round trip, but the product quality will vary. Since many airlines are currently in the process of refitting their premium cabins with new types of seats/beds, it’s not always easy to know the specifics, but let’s take a look at a few of the options you have.
London is an unofficial European hub. Even if it is not your final destination, it is cheap, and easy to get almost anywhere else in Europe from there whether using miles or paying cash.
The easiest and cheapest way to fly to London in a premium seat is by using American Airlines AAdvantage miles on American Airlines or one of the other oneworld partners. Availability is reasonable although not always on direct flights even if you are flying in peak season. Avoid booking British Airways across the ocean though as they impose huge fuel surcharges.
Airlines are unbundling fares and packing more and more people into planes these days. Travelers can’t help but consider flying in business or first class, especially on a long-haul flight. But those fares are expensive, so most people think they are out of reach. They’re not.Â
Domestic carriers are courting business travelers on transcontinental routes with flat-bed seats from New York to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Last month we looked at the Best Airline Lounges in the United States. This month we look at some of the best places to spend time in airports in Asia.
