I went with option two. I’ll be flying home via Dhaka, London, and Madrid on Biman and Iberia.
In all honesty, option one (flying with Kenya Airways and Korean Airlines) made so much more sense, but I looked beyond this trip alone to make my determination.
Korean Air is a low hanging fruit. First class award space is amazing to/from Los Angeles (and just about anywhere) and while I fear a devaluation, I’ll risk that we’ll receive some notice before it is done. I’ve got another trip to Asia later in the year and will certainly use Korean Air for one direction of that.
With Biman and Iberia, I figured if not now, never. Certainly I would have found another time to visit Bangladesh, but the itinerary just made so much sense in order to connect to the Iberia trip already booked.
I searched online but other than some photos from Sam Chui, I found no business class trip report of Biman. I do not regret flying Pakistan Airlines, but I simply cannot recommend it. The value is not there for the product received. Perhaps the same will be true of Biman. But perhaps not.
Biman offers paid business class on a one-way and especially round-trip basis at a compelling price point. If it turns out that Biman offers a great onboard experience as well, travelers will be aware of a cheap way to travel between London and Asia in business class. Thus, I do see value in providing this review (even if just to warn people about it if the experience turns out poorly).
A Unique Iberia Opportunity
A schedule change on the Iberia trip gave me the power to cancel it without penalty, but I don’t think I’ll be able to book it again at the 42,500 Avios price. Plus, the carrier is extremely stingy with award space to Los Angeles and this flight combo will avoid a dreaded domestic connection after a longhaul flight.
So two new airlines coming up: Biman and Iberia. Both longhauls are over 11hrs and neither carrier offers onboard wi-fi. That’s going to mean a late night trying to schedule posts for tomorrow.
It’s time to start the journey home.
Great choice. That’s what true travelers do, make each journey an adventure, so kudos to you Matthew! I look forward to the trip reports & pics of the flights home!
Any chance we could get a review of the London-Madrid leg? I know it’s pretty uneventful and short, but I always find those legs to be interesting since they’re rarely reviewed.
Sure, not a problem!
So you complained to Ethiopian about not having had a room Sunday night, yet refuse to swallow your pride and fly home in Y on that flight…and now you’ve spent two more days in BKK just figuring out how much money/miles to waste to get home? Why would have any faith in your judgment when it comes to reviews and recommendations?
I’d do the same. No way am I flying all that way in Y. I’d rather just start living in bkk than fly back in Y