Travel to SFO on J class (self funded)

[acey]

Hi folks,

Planning to go to SFO next year (private, self funded trip).
Any recommendations from the experts here for a airline on J class ?
SQ is too expensive.
TH ?? ANA ??

cheers
Acey

[17august]

I haven't flown with ANA on their business class but walking through it, it looks brilliant and very private, especially if you get one of the seats next to the window. I have friends who do it regularly on the 77W to Europe and say it is great so I think you have a good bet with NH.

I'd avoid United like the plague unless the price is obscene. I have also done DL before on the new business elite in the 77L and that is very good and normally has incredibly low prices so if you aren't too fussed about getting *A miles then that could be a good bet.

[Kyo]

Having just completed one UA J SFO-ICN and NH J NRT-ORD, I'd have to say I was more pleasantly surprised with the UA offering. The seat was more comfortable than NH J (even though I was surprised with being seated backwards), so I would not discount it entirely. Very tolerable.

[coffeeblack]

I would not discount it entirely. Very tolerable.

But IIRC UA's SIN-NRT route is operated by a 737? NH Operates a 767, which is a widebody, at least there'll be some room to move around at least. Personally this is a strong factor against for me, but I'm not sure about you.

[Kyo]

But IIRC UA's SIN-NRT route is operated by a 737? NH Operates a 767, which is a widebody, at least there'll be some room to move around at least. Personally this is a strong factor against for me, but I'm not sure about you.

I don't disagree with you - I didn't fly that segment. I also don't tend to move around that much/run laps around the plane, but it does depend on the individual

The problem with NH is quite a few of their routes do not employ the new J product. The food, however, was outstanding! Definitely the best gourmet experience for a Japanese food lover, and a very robust Western selection also!

[lingua101]

But IIRC UA's SIN-NRT route is operated by a 737? NH Operates a 767, which is a widebody, at least there'll be some room to move around at least. Personally this is a strong factor against for me, but I'm not sure about you.

UA SIN-NRT is operated by 777-200. Only SIN-HKG is operated by 738

[17august]

Another option would be to have a look at the prices for SQ HKG-SFO. I'm sure people have found with most airlines that their fares are cheaper when not leaving their home airport. You could get a cheap flight to Hong Kong then go from there?

ANA uses the 77W on NRT-SFO and that has the new biz product. UA uses both the 744 and 772.

I personally would go for the ANA option as I'm a big fan of the new seat especially if your on the window side. I haven't tried UA new business so I'm not the best person to give an opinion on that but I generally always find service better on the Japanese airlines and SQ than most others.

[9V-JKL]

Dont know when next year you're going but if its Q4, BR will be in *A by then and their new C certainly looks nice and you get the 77W from SIN-TPE-SFO so it'll be a flat bed seat all the way. They plan to refub all their 77Ws by Q3 so it'll be guaranteed.

Alternatively, OZ. But you'll need to overnight in ICN on the return as the timings are a bit off...

[9V-SIA]

BR sounds interesting. NH SIN-NRT J is cradle style though

[HUGE AL]

NH SIN-NRT J is cradle style though

I was just going to mention this.

UA's hard J product is quite good. Their soft product, is lacking as usual. I would go NH, OZ, CX, UA, BR -- in that order.

[Kyo]

I was just going to mention this.

UA's hard J product is quite good. Their soft product, is lacking as usual. I would go NH, OZ, CX, UA, BR -- in that order.

Yup. The NH J cradle is just unable to surpass UA's lie-flat J, and therein lies the problem...

[acey]

Hi all,
Thanks for replies.
Have decided to bring two boys along. So J class is out of question (family of 4, 2 adults, 2 kids). Thinking of going during May 2013.
Checked SQ SIN-SFO (via HKG). $7800 for family of 4.
Eva Air is about $7000.
On SQ, cheaper by about $500, if buy SIN-HKG and SFO-HKG separately (any implications ???)

cheers
Acey