I’ll shortly start live-blogging a colossal journey with premium cabin flights on a handful of East Asian carriers in what I hope will be another epic review trip.
Colossal Review Trip To East Asia In Business Class, First Class
Review trips give this blog character and help give me hands-on, first-hand insight into the industry. My duties as father and husband, as well as my other professional duties, have kept me mostly tethered to the ground this year. I simply do not have the time or capacity to explore the world in this season as much as I’d like to, even though these trips tend to be profitable in terms of the amount of content they give me.
But for months, I had set aside a bit of time on the calendar to make a trip to Asia and that time has arrived.
Yet up until the last-minute, all I had booked was Singapore Airlines from Singapore to London, a Suites Class redemption…I wasn’t sure I’d be able to make the trip at all, but thankfully, everything worked out such that I could get away (with work, I have to take things day to day). Suddenly, I was out of time and had to quickly cobble the trip together with actual bookings, not just theoretical stops.
The Objective And Plan
When I take these review trips, the point is the product more than the destinations. That includes both airlines and hotels.
I knew for this trip I wanted to fly premium cabin products I have not previously reviewed and also check out the new Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur.
I had thought about flying Iraqi Airways to Kuala Lumpur with a night in Baghdad, but chose to fly Starlux this time, thanks to award space opening via Alaska Airlines. I like the folks who run Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards, but I don’t fully trust them when it comes to unannounced devaluations. Therefore, when it came to paying cash for Iraqi Airways versus points for Starlux, I spent the miles.
Ideally, I would have flown from Los Angeles (LAX) – Taipei (TPE) – Kuala Lumpur (KUL), but there was no space from TPE-KUL, so I booked into Bangkok (BKK) instead. I also booked a one-night stopover in Taipei…it has been a decade since I visited, and once the People’s Republic of China invades, that opportunity may no longer be present.
In Taipei, I’ll stay at the W Hotel and in Bangkok at the St. Regis…again, just a little something different than my usual Hyatt reviews.
From Bangkok, I’ll fly to Kuala Lumpur on a Thai Airways 787-9. The timing works (not too early, not too late) and a business class ticket was 20K Aeroplan (versus $740).
After checking out the new Hyatt Regency and Park Hyatt in Kuala Lumpur, I’ll fly to Bali (DPS) on a brand new Malaysia Airlines A330-900neo in business class (20K British Airways Avios versus $597).
Then from Bali I can stay a night in Bali or fly directly to Jakarta and relax at the Four Seasons and Park Hyatt…or I can go to Dili, Timor-Leste, as I was wondering about last week. It’s a rather expensive one-day side trip to Dili, but it would be a new country and a new adventure. I’m leaning toward it, but it will probably be a very last-minute decision. I will fly Garuda Indonesia domestically from Bali to Jakarta.
I’ll eventually make my way to Singapore for a 14.5-hour nonstop flight to London in Suites Class.
Maybe I’ll stay a the Park Hyatt in London, maybe I’ll stay with family.
From London, I have Aer Lingus booked home…London to Dublin on an A321neo and Dublin to Los Angeles on an A330, both in business class. These days, that’s a decent use of 85K United miles and I paid the high premium to depart the UK because I figured it would be worthwhile for the A321neo review and I also saved money on not having to buy that segment separately.
However, if British Airways First Class on the 777 opens to Los Angeles, I’m going to move flights (likely booking Dublin – London – Los Angeles to avoid the UK Air Passenger Duty).
So join me as I travel. I’ll be posting frequent updates along the way, live-blogging this as much as possible with my first impressions as this trip unfolds.
Check to make sure the LHR-DUB segment isn’t cheaper to buy as a separate segment – I see that flight going for £168.
Check to make sure the LHR-DUB segment isn’t cheaper to just buy as a separate ticket – I see it going for £168 some days.
It’s a.shame you can’t book a longer trip of GA. A really fantastic airline. I flew them yesterday SYD – DPS. A very enjoyable trip, their business class soft product is outstanding.
Enjoy your time!
Yowza, quite the journey. Looking forward to reading about it.
Give kaffe_24 a try in Taipei. Was there this summer – just a lovely phenomenal place. I surely hope you are wrong and Taiwan will remain independent (as I know you hope as well).
Oof, Matt going with ‘when’ not ‘if’ with his “once the People’s Republic of China invades”… that hurts. It seemed like Trump basically ‘sold’ Taiwan to Xi when they met in S. Korea this past week. Tragic. Moronic. Total dotard.
It’s been nearly 6 years since my last visit to Taipei, and I hope to return again soon, too. But, more importantly, I hope that it remains a free, independent country for the benefit of its people and the world.
Amen.
I suppose I should also recommend my namesake Peter Better Cafe in Taipei. Local chain, amusing logo, not a bad place to get a cup!
Looking forward to your trip report as always! Sorry to see you’re not giving Iraqi Airways a try.
Have fun on Starlux! I will be waiting for the review…
Once again, will be living vicariously through this adventure. Safe travels.
If you’re spending the night in Taipei, do you dare to try a night market? Those Michelin-starred food stalls are certainly unique (and tasty).
I’ll consider it!
For your Park Hyatt review in KL, please also review the area the hotel is located in. I don’t think it’s the best location for the first time tourist to KL, and apparently the area is not very walkable.