Ask the Seat Expert » business class

How best to find full-flat business class seats on Emirates flights

The Seat Expert — Sat, 02 May 2009 22:41:21 +0000

The best way to find the answer is perhaps on Emirates web site: http://www.emirates.com/ca/English/flying/service_finder/service_finder.aspx

Currently, only some of Emirates’ B777-300ER, and their B777-300 (new) and B777-200LR have the full-flat seats in business class.

The best business class seat to Thailand?

The Seat Expert — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:05:05 +0000

I am sure you can understand that this is a very complex question, as it involves much more than the actual seat, such as:

Cost of airfare
Number of connections
Frequent flyer benefits
Total time in transit
Reliability of on-time performance
On board service such as food and beverage
Land service such as priority immigration lines, priority baggage service, VIP lounges
There are many other factors, but I think you get the idea

Perhaps a general answer would be more appropriate. In general, we prefer airlines that offer full flat (180-degrees) beds in their business class. This list include BA, VS, SQ, CX, NZ, EY, EK, and perhaps a few other airlines. In general, we prefer the service on Asian carriers, with Singapore Airlines being our top choice. However, (we assume you are originating from Ireland), taking Singapore Airlines will most likely require you to make two connections, and only some of SQ’s flights offer full flat beds in business class, and certainly not all the way to Bangkok. So you will have to choose between a better seat vs a more convenient connection.

This is probably just the beginning of being able to get to the answer to your question. I welcome your feedback so that we could engage in a meaningful discussion of the merits of the different available choices.

Where are the seatmaps for Asiana and Air France and which seats for Business and First class?

The Seat Expert — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:00:39 +0000

We have received a number of requests for these two airlines, and our research team has been gathering data. At this point the team feels that they need more information before creating the seat maps for them.

I was able to find some relevant information to share with you regarding your Asiana flights. Asiana’s service between SFO and SIN connects in ICN, with the SFO-ICN portion served by a Boeing 777-200, and the ICN-SIN segment typically served by an Airbus A330-300. Do be aware that equipment substitutions do sometimes occur, so please check with Asiana.

The 772 Business class is equipped with slanted flat seats, configured in a 2-3-2 layout. The pairs along the side of the fuselage are our preference, as there is no middle seat. However, on a relatively empty flight, the aisle seats in the middle block might be better, since the middle seat is usually the last to be occupied. You might end up having a vacant seat next to you, and therefore no one climbing over you to get to the aisle. For non-bulk-head seats, there are a few storage bins at the back of the seats in front of you. The slanted flat seats are enclosed in cocoon-style hard shells, so the seats in front of you reclining do not affect your personal space.

One of our staff recently flew on this plane in Business class, and we were able to find a few pictures of the business cabin of the Asiana 772 for your reference. She recommend the bulk-head row as there is slightly more room in front of these seat.

Asiana's Boeing 777-200 Business class

As for the A333, it is configured in 2-2-2 layout. We would choose the middle two seats, as they have direct aisle access, and no one climbing over you. The bulk-head row is our top choice, but all seats should have recline up to about 170 degrees, and reportedly in a lay-flat bed design.