First Class or Business Class Air Tickets

[omegaet]

Would you consider bidding on First Class or Business Class air tickets (similiar to the SkyAuction offers...without the plus, plus and small print)to specified destinations if LL offered them. The Robb Report just had an article on Etihad Airways new non-stop service from JFK to Dubai. This type ofservice eases access to the middle east for many of us. Also, Continental offers great non-stop service from Newark to India.



Anyone have international carriers or destinations they would like to see LL offer?

[mary-j]

I for one would definately like to see first or business class flights on L.L. Hopefully though, if they did do it, they would include flights fromthe UK too. I personally think it would be very popular and I really do hope they consider including them.

[claassenam]

Definitely, I would bid on business or first class air tickets (assuming they were well discounted) as I am chained to my frequent flier miles for upgrades. If not for that, my husband and I couldn't afford to fly outside of economy, and once you've done business or first on an international flight, it is very difficult to go back to the back of the plane! Finding a business class ticket say from Los Angeles to Asia is impossible under $4000/person, if LL could offer something at a better price it would be an excellent deal. I'd be looking for flights to Asia, Middle East, Europe, Africa....especially the luxury carriers like Singapore, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, etc...

[jashermd]

Hello,

I'd definitely bid, providing they had some which originated over here

I think the new business-class only services (Eos, Maxjet, and Silverjet) would be a great entree into this field for LL, as they're looking for media exposure.

I'd love to see Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class offered. I've been upgraded a few times but could never justify actually paying 3,000 ($6,000) for a flight from London to San Francisco. It's definitely one of the best first-class services I've experienced, and for people travelling from the UK they have an excellent network of destinations.

Singapore Airlines is another one I'd like to see.

Cheers,
Julian

[two2go]

Hi J

We have used business class frequently when travelling overseas. The greatest thrill that I've had on an aircraft was flying British Airways first class. Oh my gosh! The bed...the champagne...the food thoughout the flight etc. I was so happy I was smiling & laughingfor the full flight. Only disappointment, it didn't last long enough. If there would be deals on business & first class, count me in,you bet I would buy.

two2go

[kboojd]

This is a tough question, as I tend to upgradeon my international vacationswith miles earned from business travel. That being said, FC or Biz air tickets to less frequently traveled destinations (or destinations that are hard to upgrade with miles on a oneworld or Star Alliance carrier) would be terrific!



Here's a few:



NYC or West Coast to -



Asia: Hong Kong, Tokyo, anywhere in India, Beijing/Shanghai



Tahiti (it's very difficult to find first or business class tickets with miles on Air Tahiti Nui)



Africa - virtually anywhere!



I don't think East Coast to Europe makes too much sense unless it's a steeply discounted fare on one of the new all-business airlines (Eos, Maxjet) as there seems to be too much competition there. I have gotten business class tickets to London for as low as $1300; another time, I bought coach and upgraded - even with the surcharge it was somewhere between $1000-$1500.



Virgin Atlantic would be terrific too.



As for departures from other airports - including those in Europe - I guess it depends on demand?

[enewseven]

It seems that some of the long range flights would be something I would definitely be interested in (Australia, New Zealand, and Asia) from the US.I Would also have to agree with Julian that some of the jet share airlines would be VERY attractive, that is the way to travel especially if you can on the LL discount !!!

[akeithjm3]

I would definately be interested. We have been fortunate enough to fly Club Class with BA the last three times we have flown to the USA, using a combination of frequent flyer miles and companion tickets. It really has spoilt me, I would be very difficult now to consider a long haul flight in economy.

[bdsouza]

I think it's a good idea, but not all LL-ers are necessarily travelling from the USA, so it would be "unfair" unless the business/first offer was available from anywhere - difficult to organise, I imagine. Maybe, and given the response to this thread, LL might be able to negotiate a volume discount with "preferred" suppliers. Perhaps LL could conduct a poll of people who have purchased more than one package, in the first instance and gauge the level of interest. If there is a high level, then it could be an opportunity to attach business class fares to packages.

[jashermd]

Hi Bd,

It seems to me that the greatest savings (and greatest interest) would be on long-haul flights as no one wants to sit in coach for 8-12 hours (or, God forbid, 24 hours or so to get to Australia) -- the number of packages purchased is probably a less important indicator than where the destination is located relative to the purchaser's home address. After all, even if I purchase a package to a European city every two weeks, I live in the UK so those packages don't indcate a high demand for long-haul business class fares to Europe (business class on short-haul flights is rarely worth the expense). However, I'm sure they could work this out using the data they collect from buyers, and find out which airlines fly those routes.

Maybe LL could strike a deal with one of the airline alliances -- in exchange for being the 'official airline alliance of Luxury Link' they would offer discounted first / business class fares.

Cheers,
Julian