Airline Review Archives - Benjamin J Travel

Trip Report: British Airways 777-200 Premium Economy | Houston to London Heathrow - World Traveler Plus - Blog Review

Trip Report: British Airways 777-200 Premium Economy | Houston to London Heathrow

2 October, 2018 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Making my way to London for a long weekend, my in-flight product would be British Airways on the 777-200 in Premium Economy from Houston to London Heathrow. I’ve reviewed the British Airways 777-200 experience in Club World but it’d been a while since I’d been aboard a British Airways 777. Premium Economy is branded as World Traveller Plus but I will refer to it as Premium Economy in this review. The Cabin: Configured in a four-class arrangement (First, Club World, World Traveller…

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Trip Report: TAP Portugal Lie-Flat Business Class | A330-200 | Lisbon to Boston Blog Review

Trip Report: TAP Portugal Lie-Flat Business Class | A330-200 | Lisbon to Boston

22 July, 2018 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Making the journey back home from Oslo, my transatlantic segment would be aboard an A330 in TAP Portugal Lie-Flat Business Class. In its long haul fleet, TAP Portugal operates A330s and A340s with their Business Class cabin current undergoing an retrofit. I selected my particular itinerary so that I could experience TAP Portugal’s new Business Class cabin on the A330 featuring it’s new lie flat seats. I left my Airbnb extra earlier to have a bit of time to hang out…

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Trip Report: TAP Portugal Intra-Europe Business Class | A320 | Oslo to Lisbon - Blog Review - Airbus - tap portugal a320 seat map

Trip Report: TAP Portugal Intra-Europe Business Class | A320 | Oslo to Lisbon

16 April, 2018 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Beginning my extended journey home from Oslo, the first leg of my journey would be in TAP Portugal Intra-Europe Business Class aboard an Airbus A320 from Oslo to Lisbon. Scheduled for an 6:55 PM departure, our flight time would be at 4 hours from gate to gate. Tap Portugal refers to their Business Class cabin as “Executive Class”. Boarding was slightly delayed and the gate area was packed but ultimately the boarding process was orderly with Business Class and Star…

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Trip Report: American Airlines 737 Business Class | Puerto Vallarta to DFW Blog Review First Class

Trip Report: American Airlines 737 Business Class | Puerto Vallarta to DFW

2 April, 2018 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Making the short 2.5 hour journey home from Puerto Vallarta to DFW, we enjoyed a lovely flight with American Airlines in Business Class on one of their workhorse 737s. We had originally booked a one way ticket in Economy Class, Chris and I were upgraded thanks to my Executive Platinum status. Our complimentary upgrades cleared about 4 days prior to departure. My upgrade was complimentary and Chris, who holds Gold AAdvantage status, redeemed two 500-mile upgrade “stickers”. Premium cabin seats…

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Trip Report: Alaska Airlines 737-800 Economy Class | San Diego to Honolulu Blog Review Legroom Airline Food

Trip Report: Alaska Airlines 737-800 Economy Class | San Diego to Honolulu

26 December, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Making the journey to Hawaii for a 10 day holiday, our final outbound leg would be aboard Alaska Airlines from San Diego to Honolulu. This was an award booking with American Airlines AAdvantage miles with the first segment form DFW to San Diego on American Airlines. We’d been upgraded thanks to my Executive Platinum status on the first leg but we wouldn’t be eligible for an upgrade not the Alaska operated flight. Award booking method for this flight: Economy Class…

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Trip Report: British Airways 747-400 Economy Class | Dallas DFW to London Heathrow LHR Blog Review

Trip Report: British Airways 747-400 Economy Class | Dallas to London

15 October, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 1 comment

Flying one of my most frequent routes, Dallas to London, I’d be flying aboard the Queen of the Skies aboard a British Airways 747-400 in Economy Class. While I prefer the upper deck on the 747, I snagged an off-peak award with British Airways Avios that I couldn’t pass up for only 16,250 Avios points one-way. Award Booking Cost Points Used: 16,250 British Airways Avios Taxes and Fees Per Ticket: 153.10 USD Total Cost: 16,250 BA Avios + 153.10 USD…

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Trip Report: LOT Polish Business Class | 787 | Warsaw to Chicago Airline Blog Review

Trip Report: LOT Polish Business Class | 787 | Warsaw to Chicago

17 September, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Making my way from Warsaw to Chicago, LOT Polish Business Class on the 787 would be my ride across the Atlantic. After a nice flight from Brussels to Warsaw on LOT Polish, I was looking forward to my firs long-haul flight with LOT Polish. I’d spent some time in the Polonez and Bolero Business Class lounges before heading to the boarding gate. The boarding process was a bit delayed and boarding commenced about 20 minutes late after the scheduled time….

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Trip Report: Cathay Pacific 777-300ER Premium Economy | Los Angeles to Hong Kong Airline Blog Review

Trip Report: Cathay Pacific 777-300ER Premium Economy | Los Angeles to Hong Kong

31 August, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 2 comments

Making my way to Singapore, my outbound transpacific leg would be in Cathay Pacific 777-300ER Premium Economy. After spending some time at the Qantas First lounge in the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), I decided to head to the gate a bit early. Our flight was to depart from Gate 153 although no boarding the time was published on my boarding pass or in the lounge so I decided it wouldn’t hurt to head the gate a bit early. As…

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Trip Report: LOT Polish Business Class | E190 | Brussels to Warsaw Embraer Airline Blog Review

Trip Report: LOT Polish Business Class | E195 | Brussels to Warsaw

26 August, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Continuing my journey home from the Côte d’Azur, my second segment would be aboard LOT Polish Business Class on an Embraer 195 regional jet. This would be my second time flying aboard LOT Polish after a trip to Krakow, Poland last year. The entire cabin of the E195 is in a 2-2 layout with a curtain separating the Business Class cabin from Economy. The first four rows were designated as Business Class but the seats in Economy Class are identical to…

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Trip Report: Brussels Airlines Business Class | A319 | Marseille to Brussels Airline Blog Review

Trip Report: Brussels Airlines Business Class | A319 | Marseille to Brussels

24 August, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Starting a very nontraditional routing home from Marseille to Dallas on Star Alliance carriers, my travels would begin in Brussels Airlines Business Class aboard the A319 from Marseille to Brussels. This would be my first time aboard Brussels Airlines and my second time at the Brussels Airport. As much as I hate early flights, my itinerary left me with little choice but a 6:40 AM departure from Marseille. I took an Uber from my Airbnb rental in Aix-en-Provence and arrived…

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Trip Report: British Airways Club Europe | A321 | London Heathrow to Madrid Airline Blog Review

Trip Report: British Airways Club Europe | A321 | London Heathrow to Madrid

10 August, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 1 comment

After a nice Business Class flight with American Airlines from DFW to London, the final leg of my journey would be from London Heathrow to Madrid. I’d be flying about British Airways in Club Europe aboard an Airbus A321, a workhorse of BA’s intra-Europe fleet. I had about a three hour layover at Heathrow and I spent most of my time in the Galleries First Lounge in Terminal 5. Although, ideally, I would have rather spent my time in the…

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Trip Report: British Airways 777 Club World | DFW to London Heathrow Dallas Blog Review

Trip Report: British Airways 777 Club World | DFW to London Heathrow

2 August, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Thanks to the joint transatlantic venture between OneWorld partners American Airlines and British Airways, there isn’t a shortage of flight options between Dallas (DFW) and London Heathrow (LHR). We had purchased tickets from Dallas to Budapest in British Airways Business Class cabin (branded as Club World) for a fantastic cash price. We were looking forward to the experience in 777 Club World and our trip to Budapest. Our journey started in the Amex Centurion Lounge at DFW but ultimately spent most…

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Making my way to Nice for a week in Provence, my the final leg of my outbound journey would be in aboard Swiss A320 Business Class. After a nice journey aboard Swiss' 777-300ER in Business Class from Los Angeles to Zurich, I was looking forward to another Swiss flight. My connection in Zurich was just under two hours so I spent most of my time in the SWISS Business Lounge in Terminal A. About 15 minutes before scheduled boarding time, I headed over to Terminal A and to our boarding gate, A81. Boarding started right on time and I boarded with the Priority group for Hon Circle, Miles & More Senator, Business Class, Miles & More Frequent Traveller, and Star Alliance Gold passengers. Boarding was orderly and I was the first passneger to board so I had a chance to snap a couple of quick photos of the cabin. Swiss' Business Class cabin on the A320 is standard for European Business Class cabins with a 3-3 layout just like the Economy Class cabin. However, for extra comfort, the middle seat is blocked in Business Class. The curtain between Economy and Business can be moved to adjust the size of Business Class depending on demand. On Swiss, the middle seat is not blocked with an extra tray table like it is on British Airways in Club Europe. We were served a light afternoon lunch for this short 90 minute flight. To be honest, I did't know exactly what I was eating as there were no menus distributed. It appeared there was an egg quiche, a pate with fish eggs, and a tiramisu style dessert. The food was a tasty but it also helped that I was quite hungry. Our final approach offered a lovely view of the Nice and the surrounding Côte d'Azur.

Trip Report: Swiss A320 Business Class | Zurich to Nice

29 July, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Making my way to Nice for a week in Provence, my the final leg of my outbound journey would be in Swiss A320 Business Class. After a nice journey aboard Swiss’ 777-300ER in Business Class from Los Angeles to Zurich, I was looking forward to another Swiss flight. My connection in Zurich was just under two hours so I spent most of my time in the SWISS Business Lounge in Terminal A. About 15 minutes before scheduled boarding time, I headed…

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Lounge Review: oneworld Business Class Lounge LAX | Los Angeles

Lounge Review: oneworld Business Class Lounge LAX

26 July, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

After a long light from Hong Kong, I found myself with a long layover at LAX. With time to kill, I decided to check out the oneworld Business Class Lounge LAX in the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). I had access to the more upscale Qantas First Lounge in the same terminal but I wanted to sample something new. Access to the oneworld Business Class Lounge LAX access is permitted to oneworld elites with Sapphire or Emerald status or those traveling in…

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Trip Report: Qantas A330 Economy Class | Sydney to Melbourne

Trip Report: Qantas A330 Economy Class | Sydney to Melbourne

24 July, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 1 comment

Making our way from Sydney to Melbourne, a Qantas A330-200 would be our ride for the short ride between Australia’s two largest cities. This trip report will cover our overall experience in Qantas A330 Economy Class on a domestic Australian route. I’d booked this particular segment with British Airways Avios as the cash price was bit pricey for such a short flight. British Airways (BA) Avios still represent a great value for short haul redemptions, especially outside on flights outside…

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Trip Report: Trip Report: Swiss 777-300ER Business Class | Los Angeles to Zurich Blog Airline Review777-300ER Business Class | Los Angeles to Zurich Blog Airline Review

Trip Report: Swiss 777-300ER Business Class | Los Angeles to Zurich

17 July, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 8 comments

Making my way to the the Cote d’Azur for a week long holiday, my outbound journey would be in Swiss 777-300ER Business Class. I booked an award journey on Star Alliance carriers via Aeroplan, Air Canada’s reward program. Aeroplan represents a great value for transatlantic premium cabin bookings with roundtrip Business Class bookings from North America to Western Europe for 110,000 Aeroplan miles. After spending the day in Los Angeles, I arrived at the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) at…

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Lounge Review: Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse & Upper Class Wing | London Heathrow Trip Report: Virgin Atlantic A340 Upper Class | London Heathrow to Atlanta

Trip Report: Virgin Atlantic A340 Upper Class | London Heathrow to Atlanta

21 May, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Heading back to to Texas after wrapping up a siblings trip with my sister, Virgin Atlantic A340 Upper Class from London Heathrow to Atlanta would be our transatlantic segment. I had recently flown both Virgin Atlantic Upper Class on the A330 and Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy on the 747 and you should know I’m already a fan of Virgin Atlantic. I have a love-hate relationship with the A340 with it’s roaring four engines. It’s a beautiful aircraft but most airlines haven’t…

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Lounge Review: Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse & Upper Class Wing | London Heathrow Trip Report: Virgin Atlantic A340 Upper Class | London Heathrow to Atlanta, Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy Lounge Access, Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy Passengers Receive Lounge Access

Lounge Review: Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse & Upper Class Wing | London Heathrow

12 May, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Wrapping up our siblings trip to Italy and the UK, Virgin Atlantic Upper Class would be our method for costing the Atlantic via Atlanta. While this wasn’t my first flight in Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, it would be my first time originating at London Heathrow with Virgin Atlantic. This would finally be my opportunity to experience the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse and Upper Class Wing! The only other Virgin Atlantic lounge I’ve experienced is the Revivals Lounge at London Heathrow. Virgin Atlantic always impresses me with…

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Trip Report: British Airways 747 Economy Class Boston to London Airline Review

Trip Report: British Airways 747-400 Economy Class | Boston to London

9 May, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 2 comments

Making our way to Florence for a siblings trip, my sister and I found ourselves in British Airways’ 747 Economy Class from Boston to London. A short hop just over 6.5 hours, the flight from Boston to London is on the short end of transatlantic flights. I flew in this same cabin and aircraft from London to Dallas just about 2 months ago. We had arrived from DFW on an American Airlines flight which was quite delayed. We had to move…

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Trip Report: Cathay Pacific A350 Premium Economy | Singapore to Hong Kong

Trip Report: Cathay Pacific A350 Premium Economy | Singapore to Hong Kong

6 February, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 11 comments

After a quick two days in Singapore, it was time to make the long journey back to Dallas. My itinerary was routed Singapore > Hong Kong > Los Angeles > Dallas with the fist two segments operated by Cathay Pacific. My segment from Singapore to Hong Kong would put me aboard one of Cathay Pacific’s brand new Airbus A350s. I’d flown all of my Cathay Pacific segments on this trip in Premium Economy but this would be my first time…

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