Absolutely agree. The layover is the most strenuous part of the trip.Originally Posted by scottish-guy
I flew recently with the Swiss/Lufthansa combination. Hated Lufthansa but rated the return with Swiss.
I used to enjoy a break in the journey but now favour sitting back, getting a few beers down me and enjoying some red wine with the meal, instead of worrying about the change midway!
When I consulted in the industry I had access to various airline computers and it was easy to check flights but the new online systems, usually, make one thing easier - seeing the total duration. I have flights offered from the US to Bangkok from 23 hours total to more than 40!!! Yipes, sure the fare is cheaper but goodness.
One thing people forget, and the way I look at it, is total door to door travel. I suspect that if you are far enough from an airport with a non-stop flight it might make sense to accept a connection from a local airport.
When I just entered retirement I booked a Thailand trip to use up United miles. The United system allowed me to book a flight AND secure a seat. I flew UA to Zurich and when I got there the Thai flight did not operate that day - I HAD A SEAT NUMBER. Had to be a glitch since there was an airline employee sitting at the, otherwise empty, check in - just waiting. They booked me on a new flight that was, blessedly non stop - but, I had to wait about 20 hours.Total hell - if you're ever stuck in Zurich buy a reasonably priced day pass to the lounge. Free food and wine - it made it bearable
poshglasgow (August 8th, 2018)
I tried to use the business lounge at Dubai the other week when I upgraded to Business Class for the second leg to BKK from the UK. The upgrade said I wasn't entitled..but nothing ventured nothing gained.
They wouldn't allow me in but did say I could go inside for U.S. $150! Did they think I was American!
When I said reasonably priced it was more like $30 - I think - but, if it were much over that I would certainly remember.
?? Like you I think that's weird as I too would have genuinely believed I'd be entitled to that. I've used that same lounge and got caught the other way on the first leg of the flight out, where they then denied my access on landing in Dubai, that I can just about understand / swallow, but surely your entitlement should have started with your arrival at the airport - whether by car at Dubai or plane from Dublin ! Yep another way of them saving a few quid, BUT for all it would have cost them, dont know about you but my attitude was screw them and I'll simply not do that upgrade again now ( probably).
paborn (August 8th, 2018), poshglasgow (August 8th, 2018)
That's an interesting one. Business class not allowing you to use the business lounge. What next, business class only allowing you into economy ? Unless the upgrade was very cheap, I would be tempted to boycott them after that. An abnormally low upgrade cost would soften the blow.
In Heathrow, you can pay up for lounge access for about £35. Am not sure if the Taliban offer such perks in the middle eastern airports.
Fare economy £580. Upgrade on check in, about £370 EACH leg. So, correct NOT cheap at all! I only upgraded the Dubai to BKK leg and the return BKK to Dubai leg (because it was an A380, and very very nice too...with a bar on board). The outbound steak was awesome, I have to say. Even our gourmets would have approved, but maybe not at the price!
Quite clear on booking that there was no entry to Business Class lounges or free pick ups.
This is the kind of thing that pisses me off. They treat coach like trash and even if you pay for an upgrade they still want to make you feel second class.
Just as a counter balance to the above I’m pleased to report that on my Malaysian Airlines flight from Bali to Phuket ( stopping over and changing in KL) I paid around £100 -130 roughly ( can’t recall the exact figure) for the actual flight but then got an email inviting me to “bid” fir an upgrade so myself and my travel companion both agreed to bid no more than 120 US dollars each (in total) and see what happened.
We both were successful and got full lounge access and business class travel on BOTH legs only our flight and as the first leg was on a brand new A380 I think that’s the best value I’ve ever had and am ever likely to score on ANY airline - ever ! :-)
paborn (August 8th, 2018)
Why not contact the head of customer relations? His Name? Al Ka-Aida (loves a great Italian opera). He has an alcoholic brother who surfaces, bleary-eyed, each morning a few minutes before noon. His name? Al-Caseltzer!
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