I’ve got a review trip coming up, but there are still many pieces of the puzzle that have yet to fall into place. Today, I want to discuss what is booked and what is yet to be booked and solicit your help in how I should get to Asia and home from Europe.
Help Me Plan My Next Review Trip To Asia + Europe!
As I hinted in a recent post about Garuda Indonesia, I have a review trip coming up that is still in the planning stages. But as I get closer to departure, I figure now is the time to start locking in flights.
This review trip centers around a pair of first class flights on Singapore Airlines. I had some Singapore KrisFlyer miles that were expiring and so I booked this journey to use the rest of them on a routing that I hope will not only be a lot of fun, but also offer meaningful blog content.
While in Southeast Asia, I also want to review the new Hyatt Regency and Park Hyatt hotels in Kuala Lumpur and also review the Park Hyatt Jakarta, a hotel I’ve been meaning to review since it first opened in 2022.
From Jakarta, I’ll fly Singapore Airlines to Europe.
That’s really it in terms of what is set in stone…the question now is how to get to Asia and how to get home from Europe.
Some thoughts come to mind:
- Time for a Starlux review? I’ve yet to fly on the Taiwanese carrier, and perhaps using some Alaska miles before the next Atmos devaluation is a smart move.
- Speaking of Taiwan, it has also been several years since I’ve flown on EVA.
- Perhaps a trip on JAL on the A350-1000 to Tokyo?
- I’d love to fly Garuda Indonesia again and definitely want to fly on the new Malaysia Airlines A330-900neo in business class on this trip. Maybe something like KL to Bali on that, then KLM from Bali to Singapore on my favorite Fifth Freedom flight?
- Maybe fly Iraqi Airways with One Mile At A Time and spend the night in Baghdad?
- I’d love to do something exotic like Syrian Arab Airlines or Turkmenistan Airlines, but only if I could visit Syria and Turkmenistan, and I don’t see the time to do that on this trip.
- A Fiji Airways trip? I’ve never flown Fiji Airways!
- I’m open to coming back from Europe in Lufthansa First Class (it has actually been more than a year since I’ve flown in Lufthansa First), but I’d like to delay that trip to December so I can enjoy a Christmas goose dinner in and also get a Christmas duck in the First Class Lounge.
- Maybe a fresh review of British Airways First Class?
- TAP Air Portugal now flies nonstop to Los Angeles…I haven’t flown the A330-900neo on TAP in several years
- Austrian 787-9 business class or Lufthansa A350-900 Allegris business class, though award space on those flights is very difficult to come by.
There’s also the time element. As much as I’d love to fly from city to city in Asia and Europe, time is at a premium these days and I don’t want to be gone unnecessarily long from my family or from my work.
But I’m also super-excited to see how this trip pans out and bring you some fresh content.
Any thoughts? As always, I love the dysfunctional Live And Let’s Fly family and welcome your advice and input.
image: Singapore Airlines
Starlux seems like the most straight forward option especially with availability from LAX opening pretty consistently 1 week out
Given the number of Americans heading to Japan right now, I have to imagine a JAL A350 review will “get all the clicks” even if there are lots of reviews of that product already online. That said, a LALFxOMAAT crossover episode would be a fan favorite! Safe travels.
Baghdad with Lucky for sure
Not necessarily sure I’m on board with connecting in Baghdad, but a road trip with Lucky 100%
You might have to catch JAL award space, as it’s quite stingy on the A350-1000. I’ve been all over the web re. manipulating origin for cash rates and nothing seems to drive it down too much for J/F especially. There is some award space HND-CDG in First if you book close to departure, though I’d definitely plan the rest of the trip around that.
Definitely First on the JAL A350. I’ve done it twice, and find it to be far superior to any other first class product out there, period, bar none.
To Asia in JAL or EVA. To the US in British Airways First.
Do you tell us the dates? I am flying SIN-LHR on Nov 1… in F of course
TAP LIS-LAX for getting back home from Europe. It may not be First Class, but I believe even you can endure the sacrifice for your readers, Matthew. The alternate would be to go via the Azores with a 1-2 day layover; now that would be different.
If you’ve never flown the EVA Hello Kitty flight you should do so. It’s a little cheesy but a lot of fun.
You will not be disappointed by the PH Jakarta, it really is a fantastic hotel.
As for getting to Asia, if you somehow manage to get an award seat: The new CX Aria Suite is great, you won’t be disappointed.
If not, my vote goes to Baghdad with Ben!
Air Koryo?
I’d like to see Fiji Airways. Now that they’ve joined Aadvantage and OW they’re useful. I also feel like I’ve seen sporadic available out there.
Yes. Try Starlux and write a review. Good timing. I just booked Starlux for the first time TPE to SFO using Alaska Airline miles.
Just DON’T do it.
No reason to go there, stay here and do something with your kids they never did in this incredible country.
You are being selfish on these type solo trips. Plenty of time to do this nonsense when they are older and you are too.
You claimed those without kids are selfish. What about those who leave them for some solo adventure?
No clue what you make off these “reviews” but I’m guessing a lawyer like yourself with multiple businesses isn’t depending on them to live your life and prepare for their future. So that makes it a vanity trip. You know I’m no fan of Kyle but he seems far more down to Earth on his trips with his family.
If I’m wrong and it’s a family trip, feel free to call me out for making incorrect assumptions.
Matthew is a big boy and can defend himself but seriously? What is wrong with you. Do you think he likes being away from his family? He took his son on an SAS round-the-globe trip to be with his kids as much as possible.
Why are you on an aviation blog then attacking the means the author uses to keep material on here?
I’ve never met Matthew, but I can imagine it’s zero fun leaving his family but it’s a way he provides for them. Your comment just seems super rude and odd for someone that enjoys spouting his mouth so much on here.
The man recently called people without kids selfish. What’s more selfish than flying across the world alone while leaving your kids when he doesn’t financially need to? The man is a lawyer, he does this for FUN and money.
It’s a valid criticism based on his recent judgement of others.
@Matthew, I have yet to see a review of Alaska/Hawaiian Long Haul service from Seattle in premium cabin. Would love to see a review on 787 hard and soft product from SEA to ICN (or maybe Tokyo), Not sure where you are heading from there, but sure’ll find a way and cabin to review from there. There’s a ton out there on JAL new A350-1000.
I’ve also seen pretty critical Premium Econ and Econ reviews for CX recently, which is saddening. It’s enough to make me re-evaluate flying CX across the Pacific depending on price.
JAL or Lufthansa.
You’re gonna pass on a Mandarin Oriental or Pan Pacific hotel for $161 a night in KL and/or Jakarta ?
>Starlux review? YES, Very high priority.
>Speaking of Taiwan, it has also been several years since I’ve flown on EVA. YES, high priority
>Perhaps a trip on JAL on the A350-1000 to Tokyo? OK, medium priority
>fly Garuda Indonesia again and definitely want to fly on the new Malaysia Airlines A330-900neo in business class on this trip. Maybe something like KL to Bali on that, then KLM from Bali to Singapore on my favorite Fifth Freedom flight? OK, all medium priority
>Iraqi Airways with One Mile At A Time and spend the night in Baghdad? NO, interesting reading but some risk and not at all useful for readers
>Syrian Arab Airlines or Turkmenistan Airlines, but only if I could visit Syria and Turkmenistan, and I don’t see the time to do that on this trip. NO, another time
>A Fiji Airways trip? NO, low priority
>I’m open to coming back from Europe in Lufthansa First Class (it has actually been more than a year since I’ve flown in Lufthansa First), but I’d like to delay that trip to December so I can enjoy a Christmas goose dinner in and also get a Christmas duck in the First Class Lounge. OK, delay it for now
>Maybe a fresh review of British Airways First Class? OK, low priority
>TAP Air Portugal now flies nonstop to Los Angeles…YES, medium priority.
>Austrian 787-9 business class or Lufthansa A350-900 Allegris business class, though award space on those flights is very difficult to come by. NO, low to medium priority.
Thank you!
I’m sure there will be tons of obvious Starlux/Iraqi interest, but given TAP’s huge US expansion, and the lots of practical cheap business class availability from them, I’d really be interested to see a rigorous review of them
I would love to see a review of SEA-NRT/ICN on Alaska (Hawaiian), I haven’t seen anyone do this yet (even though it seems like everyone is waiting for the 787 to review?. You could then do a Starlux Review via TPE.
You could also try AC on YVR-BKK, I don’t know if you have ever done a long haul AC review.
On the way back, if you are wanting to go for yourself, yes do an LH or BA F review, however there are a ton of those on the internet. I would love to see a Norse review, La Companie, Air Tahiti Nui, or Level review. There are also a bunch of European leisure airlines that fly to the Caribbean that would be interesting to check out.
I also don’t believe you have ever done a Condor review, I had a really good experience when I flew them.
Starlux is a great experience (I really enjoyed their onboard coffee setup), but there’s a lot out there about them.
+1 for Fiji and TAP
Definitely Iraq. And I’d like to see Fiji.
No idea if you’ll be able to snag award availability last minute, but one of the few good uses of SkyPesos remaining is TPE to AMS/FRA/FCO in CI J. 80,000 miles for 15 hours in J. I’ve also seen connecting itineraries on VN J via SGN or HAN for the same price.
Without knowing your full itinerary, you can try a couple new airlines in Asia.
Air Premia in South Korea – hybrid LCC – their premium economy cabin is very reasonably priced.
They fly between ICN and HKG/NRT/BKK.
From Taiwan, I find their domestic flights quite interesting. Take a flight from Taipei Songshan TSA airport to Makung/Kinmen/Matsu! They are cheap and those ATR 72-600s are safe and pretty cool. Makung is a military hybrid airport, so go with Kinmen if needed for photos.
About flying MH A330-900Ns, they have plenty of last minute plane changes, even for Australia, so I will wait a bit longer.
Japan has a number of interesting domestic airlines too, and why don’t you give it a try too?
I hate Scoot, but they have some Scoot EMB-195E2 flight that not many people have reported on it. So you can look into it.
For EVA Air, unless you are flying the new Boeing 787s, I don’t think we need another 777 trip report.
Royal Brunei AIrlines has some oddly reasonably priced business class flights between KUL and HKG via BWN. You can look around and maybe that will fascinate your mostly US based readers. No alcohol is served but I don’t see you as obsessed with alcohol as other bloggers. So look into it too!
If you stop by HK, please drop me an email!
Why don’t you do a review of the Aeromexico flight to NRT? There’s a technical stop at MTY- more to write about than with a straight nonstop journey.
Couple of notes Matthew:
would love an adventurous country thrown in there. If only SE Asia, try out Myanmar currently here atm and it’s my 2nd favorite country in the world. No real reviews atm either of airlines in the past 4 years.
Or, you spoke about Mogadishu a long time ago and maybe could fly ET to ADD-MGQ, QR to DOH (usually award space), GA to CGK on the 77W (around 48K flying blue with lots of space). I have a great guide in the Mog
Syria is another good bet, was just there and to say it’s changed is an understatement.
Also might I add Four Seasons Jakarta you have to stay at even for 1 night. It’s my favorite city FS in the world and pennies on the dollar. Really the hotel is stunning…
Lastly, perhaps look at Aeroflot. You can get a visa to Russia in 2 days, but Aeroflot has upped its game big time. You could do TK to SVO, then SU A350 to BKK
Anyways whatever you decide, it’s going to be great! Have a blast and can’t wait for the reports
I couldn’t agree more with your comments regarding the Four Seasons. Matthew has a fascination for Hyatt. His choice. Asia is by far the best place in the world to stay at very high end hotels for prices you would pay for a Hampton Inn in the US. Mandarin, Raffles, Four Seasons, etc… I just checked a random date in October at the Four Seasons Jakarta and it is $170/night. Unreal!!
I love Four Seasons and have stayed at many of them (you’ve read the reviews here). But the (increasingly faint) heart of this blog is still miles and points, which is not an option with Four Seasons.
Fair point. Maybe a suggestion as miles and points are becoming less and less valuable, think about adding where the most valuable opportunities for travel are unrelated to miles or points but simply the best options for travel in general. I mean, the opportunity to stay at a Four Seasons for $170/night would be an amazing post for your readers that are probably not aware of those rates in Asia.
OMMAT has shifted from points and miles by publishing his reviews on extremely high ends properties that have no loyalty program BUT his reviews are unrealistic for normal people as most of his stays are under special fares as his partner gets preferred rates by being a travel agent.
It’s not just the cost, it’s the value. I’m sure that there are many more people who can afford to spend e.g. €1.5k a night for a stay at a nice hotel in Paris than people who are interested in doing it.
Just in case anyone’s got issues with reading comprehension, I’m not one of these people and don’t manage anyone else’s travel budgets, but the same logic can be deployed when choosing between mid-range and upscale hotels. If I am visiting a city and want to be seeing stuff for most of the day and I can get a modern, comfortable, spotlessly clean room at the Ibis Styles* for €75, I am not going to spend 3 times the amount for a base room at the Sofitel that’s barely any bigger.
*For anyone unfamiliar with the chain, Ibis Styles is the upmarket version of the Ibis brand, rooms tend to be 18-20 sq. metres and they usually come with walk in showers. It’s a legitimate mid-range hotel, they’re much closer to Hilton Garden Inns than Hamptons.
I miss the good ole days when bloggers would plan awesome trips for eye-opening & exotic trip reports.
Now they ask us to plan it for them.
Welp.
If I flush, will you go away?
Being called out for your double standard on kids has you a little testy buddy.
Wasn’t talking to you. I’ll respond to you later.
I realize this idea is a bit tricky but…
LAX-PPT-NOU-CNS-DPS-CGK (you may have to work on PPT-NOU since the nonstop isn’t back until December)
If your trip is earlier
LAX-PPT-RAR (this is a FUN flight) -SYD-CGK
Basically, your own Amelia Earhart flight skipping across the south Pacific
hmmm. NOU-CNS doesn’t line up with PPT-NOU but you get the gist. Lots of fun ways to get out of NOU that aren’t Cairns
let’s see. You can also do PPT-NAN on AirCalin (skip NOU) and catch an FJ widebody to SIN (though I think it’s just the old a330
though a PPT-NAN-HIR-POM-SIN would be an impressive trip review (flight safety of some of the carriers on these routes aside…)
I believe you could get an AirCalin, FJ (or Solomon Airlines), and Air Niugini review in there. Scheduling hell but fun!
Singapore to Mumbai or Delhi often has reasonable first class space on the Singapore a380. Then use aeroplan miles to get on an air India /vistara plane to Europe. I did this last year and loved the vistara flight (Delhi to Frankfurt).
I vote for Starlux.
I’m seriously hoping that you will include Iraqi Airways and write a trip report! I’m planning to do Kuwait and Baku in late 2026, and until you posted this was almost certain to take Dubai Air / Emirates between the two — now I’m heart set on doing Iraqi Airways, providing they resume service between Kuwait City and Baghdad, which appears to be off for a bit.
At any rate, really lookng forward to the possibility of a trip report. Seems I follow many of your itineraries, mostly by happenstance. Always enjoy reading your reports.
Whichever way you go, I’ll be curious to read about it. Haven’t made it over to Asia for several years but plan on prioritizing it more. Someone mentioned AC – YVR has some good options to many Asian cities, including, if I’m not mistaken, direct flights to SIN. Cathay Pacific via HKG would also be interesting to hear about, especially now that the unrest in Hong Kong has largely subsided. Still one of the world’s great cities.