We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

2017: Best business class USA to Europe

Las Vegas
Level Contributor
82 posts
246 reviews
822 helpful votes
2017: Best business class USA to Europe
Save

A 2010 forum question was posed and I have added the year 2017 to keep it current. Surely, none of the posts from 2010 and 2011 are relevant today and the thread should be archived.

Last year, I flew SAS Business, LAX - CDG (Las Vegas to LAX on United), and United Global First CDG to SFO (SFO to LAS on United).

The SAS flight was as incredible as the UGF return was pathetic. Unfortunately, as I try to bleed out the rest of my Miles on United (They treat me horribly and when the miles are gone, so am I), I am not seeing many opportunities to fly SAS Business. Currently, there is only 1 available SAS flight in my week of flexibility: out of LAX, 20 hours (not counting LAS to LAX flight) with a stupid time frame that pretty much guarantees 6 days of jet lag!)

Therein lies the question:

Which airline offers the best Business Class in the Star Alliance?

Lufthansa has abused me even more than United, so I am done with them.

I've heard bad things about Air Canada, especially Rouge. Americans can't have carry-on bags? Really? I called AC when I heard this a few years ago -- and they confirmed this! I don't know if that policy has changed, but why bother. Who knows what inane inconvenience they will slap me with.

The airlines that are available for super-saver business to my chosen destinations are (Air Canada and ACRouge most -- 80%?) Swiss, Polish and Turkish. Can anyone compare these?

I'm moving to AA/British for most of my cash-paid flights, so evaluating their network with Star Alliance can be helpful to others as well as me.

Fsr
Washington DC...
Level Contributor
1,858 posts
76 reviews
33 helpful votes
1. Re: 2017: Best business class USA to Europe
Save

I actually like UA Polaris on the 787 and 757. I have not yet tried the new 777-300. I like the hard product and have been treated well and prefer it over LH.

I have not had a chance to try them but I hear Austrian and Swiss are good. I also think UA is much better than AF or British Airways.

2. Re: 2017: Best business class USA to Europe

This post was determined to be inappropriate by the Tripadvisor community and has been removed.

Munich, Germany
Level Contributor
123 posts
47 reviews
13 helpful votes
3. Re: 2017: Best business class USA to Europe
Save

I'm amazed to hear your comments about SAS. I tend to fly Global First for long distance and coach for short hops. I've been so let down by SAS that I've sworn to avoid them at all costs - one time I booked short-haul business class on SAS, checked in, and only when I got to my seat noticed that the (smallish) plane didn't even have business class!!

Swiss I find to be very similar to Lufthansa - since Lufthansa took over Swissair in 2005. I find LH economy really good, global first OK but completely outdated (in terms of service style) and dreadful in business class.

Of your three I'd probably go with Turkish. The lounge in Istanbul is really fantastic but usually pretty crowded, but certainly worth a longer stay.

I actually did the switch from One World to Star Alliance a few years ago so my views may be a little out of date.

The first thing I noticed was that when I checked in for my first long trip - something like MXP - FRA - BKK - SYD, the check-in desk could NOT give me all my boarding passes - whereas with One World it was never even an issue. I also prefer the different status levels on One World more than Star Alliance - I felt One World Emerald gave much more rewarding priveleges - superior lounges etc. compared to Star Alliance Gold. Hopefully your switch will still be a very positive experience. On my most recent trip to Aus/NZ I was again frustrated at check-in, being told they couldn't access the next airline's part of my booking, arguments over luggage allowance etc. With One World they all have to use the same booking system, so on longer trips any airline can access any other airline's flight segments.

Kansas City...
Level Contributor
1,916 posts
226 reviews
125 helpful votes
4. Re: 2017: Best business class USA to Europe
Save

ANA and Asiana Airlines.

London, United...
Level Contributor
826 posts
27 reviews
16 helpful votes
5. Re: 2017: Best business class USA to Europe
Save

#3 OneWorld don't all use the same booking system most use Amadeus but not all. One exception that I know of is AA who use sabre.

As far as best business class - this is a really subjective question, what one person likes another will not .

Dallas, Texas
Level Contributor
1,623 posts
9 reviews
8 helpful votes
6. Re: 2017: Best business class USA to Europe
Save

I like American Airlines business clsss.

Phoenix, Arizona
Level Contributor
87,101 posts
2,908 reviews
2,796 helpful votes
7. Re: 2017: Best business class USA to Europe
Save

I am surprised, and sorry to hear that UA let you down on GFC.

We fly SFO to/from LHR often, and in GFC/BFC often. Those products are, for the time being, Polaris FC, and Polaris BC. Just did one each on a 772 (Polaris FC), and an older 744 (Polaris BC), and the first was excellent, with the latter very good. Only issues that I had were with my personal choice of seats in the "bubble," on our BC flight, but that plane, and all 744's, are going away. The Polaris soft product has been very good, and I did Reviews on TA for both of those flights.

Have to admit, that we have only flown UA for all of our long hauls, over the last decade, soannot comment on either Other Star Alliance carriers, or others. Maybe we just have been fortunate, or have low expectations?

Good luck, and I will be interested to read others' suggestions.

Fly safely,

Hunt

Las Vegas
Level Contributor
82 posts
246 reviews
822 helpful votes
8. Re: 2017: Best business class USA to Europe
Save

SPG JJ:

When did you fly SAS last? They revamped the Business Class and completed the program in early 2016; my experience was in March 2016 (see my reviews on both SAS and United.) I was so thrilled with the SAS flight that I was raving about it at the wine event I was at and the woman next to me hands me a card an says, "I'm glad you liked the wines I chose."

SAS offered me 2002 Charles Heidsieck as i sat down ($140/bottle) and UGF offered me an unknown-to-me Cava ($10). That summed-up the relative experiences across the board from food on the plane to service on the ground (except for the First Class lounge at SFO, which was finally worthy of the "First Class" moniker.)

On my way out of the First Class lounge at CDG, I stopped in the Business Class lounge for a comparison: The Business Class lounge was better (again, see my review of United).

Las Vegas
Level Contributor
82 posts
246 reviews
822 helpful votes
9. Re: 2017: Best business class USA to Europe
Save

The_Loup_Garou:

I like the two final thoughts, "fly safe" and "hunt." I don't do either, enough. My dog wishes I would fly less and hunt more!

My experience with UGF was terrible and I wouldn't pay Business Class rates for UGF (food and bev were particularly bad, compared to SAS), let alone UGF rates. (See my reviews for lots of details on both flights)

Seattle, Washington
Destination Expert
for Seattle
Level Contributor
10,748 posts
10. Re: 2017: Best business class USA to Europe
Save

>> The airlines that are available for super-saver business to my chosen destinations are (Air Canada and ACRouge most -- 80%?) Swiss, Polish and Turkish. Can anyone compare these? <<

Of those I've only flown Swiss in business class, and found it to be quite acceptable. FWIW here are some trip reports you might want to look at -

LOT - http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/07/12/review-lot-polish-business-class-787-new-york-warsaw/

Swiss - https://thepointsguy.com/2016/08/swiss-777-business-class-review/ . Note that on the LX 777s the business class seating is 1-2-1, so everybody has aisle access.

Turkish - https://www.travelcodex.com/2014/05/trip-report-turkish-airlines-business-class-los-angeles-to-istanbul-boeing-777-300er/ . Note Turkish 777s have 2-3-2 seating in business, a much higher density than on either LOT or Swiss.

Personally I'd go with Swiss or LOT, depending on inward or outward connections. ZRH is a much busier airport than WAW, although it's an easy one to navigate.

As with all things, asking for "best business class" recommendations is subjective. It's also a bit pointless unless you indicate where you're flying from and where to, and what limitations you're facing. If your question was really, "which is the best Star Alliance airline from the three or four available for award flights from the west coast to Europe," then you'll get more precise answers.