In this post:
BA offers an extra £200 off sales fares
You can now save up to an additional £200 on top of sale fares, on selected first and business class return flights to the USA, Canada and Mexico when two passengers book and travel together. The offer ends on 21 March along with the sale.
Best business class sale fares comparison
There are a number of sales out of London currently. I thought it would be useful to do a comparison of the different fares on offer.
| Finnair | BA | Qatar | Etihad | |
| Beijing | £1,315.00 | £1,752.00 | n/a | £2,275.00 |
| Bangkok | £1,389.00 | £1,759.00 | n/a | £1,919.00 |
| Dubai | n/a | £1,495.00 | £2,009.00 | £1,845.00 |
| Phuket | n/a | n/a | £1,989.00 | n/a |
| Shanghai | £1,315.00 | £2,296.00 | n/a | £2,225.00 |
| Seoul | £1,379.00 | n/a | n/a | £2,219.00 |
| Singapore | £1,449.00 | £2,260.00 | £2,279.00 | n/a |
| Vietnam | n/a | n/a | n/a | £1,984.00 |
| Book by | 13-Apr-17 | 21-Mar-17 | 19-Mar-17 | 31-Mar |
| Travel by | varies | varies | 09-Jan-18 | 22-Jan-18 |
Other than price, the other factors to take into consideration are journey time, product and Avios/Tier points. Below is a list of the pros and cons of each airline and a score out of 10. With the scores I have taken into account all the listed factors. It is, of course, very subjective.
BA
- Tier points and Avios but less tier points than Qatar or Finnair.
- Avios will vary according to your BA Executive Club status.
- Business class product is flat bed but without direct aisle access for many seats.
- Most of those with direct aisle access will be stepped over by adjacent seat to access aisle.
- Flying time will be the quickest as flights direct.
- Service is very variable, wines generally good and food OK.
- Due for enhancements to bedding and food shortly.
- My personal score overall 6/10
The sale page is here
Finnair
- Tier points and Avios with more tier points than BA.
- Business class product is the reverse herringbone flat bed with direct aisle access on the A350.
- Flying time will usually be the 2nd quickest depending on transfer times.
- Service is good, wines good and food OK.
- My personal score overall 7/10
The sale page is here
Qatar
- Highest tier points at 560 for a return Far East flight and earn Avios too
- Business class product is reverse herringbone flat bed with direct aisle access on A350, A380 and B787
- B777 is flat bed without direct aisle in the window seats
- Flying time will be longer but a great lounge to enjoy in Doha and efficient transfers
- Service is usually fantastic, wines great and food excellent with dine on demand.
- On board amenities are good with pyjamas on night flights
- On board lounge on A380
- New Qsuites due on some London flights from June 2017 – a first class style enclosed suite
- My personal score overall 9/10
The sale page is here
Etihad
- No tier points or Avios but you can join their own scheme which allows you to use miles and money for small amounts of miles
- Business class product is excellent with lie flat seats. The Business Studio is probably one of the best seats currently in business class
- Flying time will be longer but a great lounge to enjoy in Abu Dhabi
- On board Lounge ‘the Lobby’ on A380
- Service is usually fantastic, wines great and food excellent with dine on demand.
- On board amenities are good with pyjamas on night flights
- My personal score overall 8/10 (loses a mark for no Avios or Tier Points)
The sale page is here
