Welcome to my next trip report series, which will recount my recent, very brief trip to Germany to pick up my kids from their summer holiday with Oma and Opa. This report will include flights on the new AA 787-9 Flagship Business Class product, a regional flight on SAS, and a longhaul SAS A330-300 flight from Copenhagen to San Francisco.
Picking Up My Kids In Germany With AA Flagship Business Class And SAS A330
When my kids had an unexpected opportunity to spend a couple weeks with their grandparents in Germany, my wife and I agreed it would benefit them immensely. Heidi took them over and spent a week with them; unfortunately, I was too busy with work to get away. But I did manage to slip away for a few days to pick them up and at least got to spend two nights and one full day in Germany before we returned to California.
On the way out, I could have flown British Airways First Class from Los Angeles to London, then connected to Basel in business class for 85,000 AA miles and about $759 in taxes, but I instead chose to fly business class on AA from Los Angeles – Chicago – London before connecting on the same BA flight to Basel. Why would I possibly do that?
Because AA has a brand new business class product on the 787-9 that I wanted to try…plus, the taxes and fees were less than $40…it just made sense for this particular trip, though I will try British Airways First Class out in the future (it has been many years).
For the trip back, I again scored saver business class seats with Scandinavian Airlines. I’m sitting on quite a few miles after my son and I did a trip around the world to each earn a million miles last year, but my policy is to only use them for saver space. While I was hoping to fly directly into Los Angeles, I was able to book Zurich – Copenhagen – San Francisco in business class (“Plus” class on ZRH-CPH flight) for 100,000 miles. My ticket was 50,000 miles and the kids were 25,000 each. I love how SAS EuroBonus offers generous discounts for children under the age of 13.
This trip report will include:
- Alaska Airlines Lounge Los Angeles (LAX)
- American Airlines 787-9 Flagship Suite Business Class Review (LAX-ORD)
- American Airlines Flagship Lounge Chicago (ORD)
- An Incomplete Review Of American Airlines 787-9 Flagship Suite Preferred Business…
- American Airlines 787-9 Flagship Suite Business Class Review (ORD-LHR)
- British Airways Galleries Lounge London (LHR – T5 North)
- Afternoon Tea On British Airways A320 Business Class LHR-BSL
- Photo Essay: Summertime In Germany
- SAS Embraer E190 Plus Review (ZRH-CPH)
- SAS A330 Business Class Review (CPH-SFO)
- Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge San Francisco (SFO)
I’m looking forward to getting this trip report out and then we can finally move to last year’s Ethiopia trip. Once Ethiopia is done, I’ll be all caught up on trip reports just in time for my next big trip…
In the meantime, if there is anything specifically you would like me to highlight in this series, do not hesitate to let me know.
Thank you for reading!
How did you get to ZRH from Germany ? The SBB rail ? Was it scenic ? $1000 for BA F is steep ; at that point it doesn’t sound like much of an award.
I know Matthew focuses more on plane trips, but the train reviews, while few and far between, are always welcome.
Granted, assuming he took the train instead of his wife and/or in-laws driving over to pick him up.
We drove…just a rather boring drive on A3 motorway.
When you going on a trip to the West Bank, Palestine?
RAMALLAH is an interesting city.
I’ve been there…
https://liveandletsfly.com/walled-off-hotel/
https://liveandletsfly.com/is-bethlehem-safe/
Can you pre-order meals in Business Class on SAS intercontinental flights and are you limited to the 3 options on the menu (other than special meals)?
Good that you mentioned that. Unlike my last trip out of Los Angeles, pre-order was a nightmare…and you would have thought it would have been easy out of CPH.
Yet another sexy click bait photo!
I’d like to hear about how there’s a new plane, but there is no improvement to service, meals. Plus new plane with more duties for the crew, but not increasing crew size. In fact, American airlines got approval to reduce the crew size. Creating a bigger hardship on the crew.
Well, I found the meals to be quite decent.
I rode the initial ORD-LAX and return inaugural flights in June. The new plane’s sprawling two sections of business class are vast.
In Augusr I flew ORD-LHR and return. The Flagship Lounge at O’Hare is well-run and relaxing, albeit quite busy by afternoon as travelers arrive for long-distance flights. This club is far superior to the work-in-progress PHL club.
I found the on-board crews to be enthusiastic about the new plane(s) and service was commensurate with expectations. I believe all 787s now fly with one fewer flight attendants, correct? Service was not as attentive as Aer Lingus, but far ahead of BA with its ghoulish offerings of bizarre fish.
Looking forward to seeing how you saw the new AA suites. I just flew them from PHL to LHR on Saturday evening and have mixed reactions. The service and food was better than I have had in the past on AA Biz class. However, the new suites seem to give a claustrophobic feeling. While the closing doors do add privacy, the suite itself felt tight. The entire cabin felt very cramped. I was in 10L which is one of the suites with more foot space. There was a duvet, 2 pillows and 2 different types of blankets which is nice but I’m not sure why 2 blankets. Anyway, I really can’t wait to read your take.
I’m absolutely mystified why people want the very best seats (business class ) the best good. The best wines. The very best service. Yet they dress like they’re going to a beach BBQ. I’m not saying you need a suit and tie, but show a little class.
Matthew is as handsome as ever.