View Full Version : Cheap(ish)/Value for money First Class fares.
Cymmon
13th Jan 2010, 20:49
I´m hoping to take my girlfriend on her first ever First Class flight. We need to fly from Manchester or London.
Has anyone any idea´s? Probably looking at end of July 2010.
Thanks in advance.
PAXboy
13th Jan 2010, 21:11
Where are you going?
How long are you staying away for?
How much do you want F, as opposed to J?
How flexible is your budget?
Do you have any carriers you WONT travel on?
Do you mind changing planes en route?
etcetera ...
Cymmon
13th Jan 2010, 21:13
Anywhere, 3-6 days, F would be preferable, pretty flexible budget, and I want to make it special for my girlfriend.
GrahamK
13th Jan 2010, 21:51
Singapore Airlines are starting 5 x weekly MAN-MUC flights sometimes, I believe these flights contain first (only F route out of MAN possibly?) and seem to be reasonably cheap
TOM100
13th Jan 2010, 22:11
Try Americana Vacations......
How about Virgin Upper Class from Manchester to Orlando.
Rush2112
14th Jan 2010, 01:20
Singapore Airlines are starting 5 x weekly MAN-MUC flights sometimes, I believe these flights contain first (only F route out of MAN possibly?) and seem to be reasonably cheap
28 March as it happens, 777-300ER so it will have First Class. However, it will leave MAN around 9am and MUC around 6am so getting stuck into the Dom might be a bit inappropiate... :{
CornishFlyer
14th Jan 2010, 08:53
How about Virgin Upper Class from Manchester to Orlando.
He said First Class not that pretend stuff VS do :ok:
Businesstraveller
14th Jan 2010, 11:59
'He said First Class not that pretend stuff VS do' - that's aside from the fact that VS flights out of MAN/GLA/LGW are inferior to the LHR product.
You could try Air New Zealand to Hong Kong or LA. Their business class cabin is basically what you get in VS 'Upper Class' - only the seats are an updated version and you don't have the bar with noisey people yabbering away all night.
manintheback
14th Jan 2010, 12:11
For what its worth I actually think Virgin Upper is better than BA First
Given the awesome cost of First, I guess its a trade-off between time to enjoy it on the plane and time at destination. Dubai and Abu Dhabi seem to give about the best value at the moment and choice of carriers at around 5 to 6 grand or so for 2 people
apaddyinuk
14th Jan 2010, 12:35
Would you not go J class and use the savings to spruce up for a far superior hotel room???
strake
14th Jan 2010, 13:54
If you really mean First and not Business, there are no cheap (or cheap'ish) or value for money First Class fares. If you want to go BA or any other premium carrier that offers such a service the minimum will about £4500 return. You are paying for exclusivity. Yes the seat is comfortable and the food/drink better than most but in no way is the cost relative to what is provided. You are actually paying for a few discounted seats down the back.
However, it's your party and you can decide what you want.
First BA to New York £17,000 return for two or, Air France La Premiere £21,000 return for two. With a US Carrier, you might get it for £12/13,000 return for two.
At those prices, perhaps think about First out and the Queen Mary back.
jetset lady
14th Jan 2010, 14:12
Or you could always go to Bermuda! I've just managed to find LGW-BDA-LGW in First with BA, arr 6/7 - dep 11/7, for £7995.00 return for the both of you! And for a shortish trip, it's not too far to travel either with fairly quick flight times.
It's a case of shopping around, but the deals are there to be had if you look hard enough.
Jsl
PAXboy
14th Jan 2010, 15:13
GrahamK mentions 'MUC' but that is the IATA code for Munich and I got the impression he meant somewhere else.
I would agree that going Biz for a medium distance and then spending more on the hotel will still be a VERY fine treat for the lady. If you are going long haul (HKG etc) then a proper biz class is still such a change from Y that she will be seriously impressed.
I recall the first time I treated a lady to biz, it was with JAL from HNL to NRT and she said that I had ruined her for life as she couldn't face Y again!!
UniFoxOs
14th Jan 2010, 15:21
I recall the first time I treated a lady to biz, it was with JAL from HNL to NRT and she said that I had ruined her for life as she couldn't face Y again!!
Very true, found the same. Cymmon - you could be storing up trouble for the future here.
UFO
The SSK
14th Jan 2010, 15:30
28 March as it happens, 777-300ER so it will have First Class. However, it will leave MAN around 9am and MUC around 6am so getting stuck into the Dom might be a bit inappropiate... :{
Ordering champagne at that time of the day in Economy will get you some funny looks. In First, the crew won't bat an eyelid. Start your day with a Buck's Fizz or two.
Start your day with a Buck's Fizz or two.
...or three or four or five or six, and before you know it you'll be on Ryanair - and she will neither care nor even notice !
Avman
14th Jan 2010, 18:37
Look at KLM's discounted Business Class fares to various long haul destinations. Try Singapore for instance. Yes, you will have to fly via AMS, but that's why it's cheaper than direct flights from the UK. As for KLM's Business Class & service, it's not the BEST in the world but I find it more than adequate. If she's never experienced long haul Business Class before she'll be suitably impressed. There is better out there but it will cost more. If you book well in advance, I think that you will find some competitive Business fares. I don't work for KLM, just fly with them.
July 7/13: MAN-AMS-SIN-AMS-MAN £2740 p/p or via CDG (booked through KLM) £2206 p/p.
If you insist on 1st Class, have a look at Emirates. I believe they offer cheaper 1st Class fares than most.
Try emirates 1st class on the A380 LHR-DXB, not too long a flight that it gets tedious and the suites are the way to do it if you really want to impress. If you are patient the odd discount for companion tickets will also reduce the costs.
ConstantFlyer
20th Jan 2010, 20:04
Saudia flies 777s with first class from Manchester to Geneva twice a week, though I believe the route operates only until March. This would be a relatively cost effective option, though you may have to forego the champagne...
AircraftOperations
21st Jan 2010, 16:57
The MAN-MUC-SIN route with SQ is something that I've looked to book on already, but I could only find availability of seats in Y Class for the MAN-MUC and MUC-MAN sectors if not travelling to/from SIN.
I get the impression that the F and J class seats might be reserved for the passengers booking MAN-SIN and MUC-SIN and vice versa.
El Grifo
4th Feb 2010, 19:14
Binter do a good first class service from Arrecife to Gran Can.
Free seating, chocolate biscuit, and free flowing agua sin gas all of the way.
You'd be hard pushed to find a better service amigo :}
firstchoice7e7
4th Feb 2010, 21:53
How about BA to Cairo? they use a 747 and the cost per pax for first is £2275. Most dates in july available.
silverelise
5th Feb 2010, 13:00
How about Virgin Upper Class from Manchester to Orlando.
Flying to Orlando when the schools have just broken up is not my idea of a romantic break but YMMV. :p
Virgin Upper is a nice compromise if you are looking for a VFM "first class" experience, but only if you can go the whole hog with the limo service and the Heathrow Club House.