Introduction: A circle tour around Asia
I like to take a big trip abroad at least once every year. It gives me some time away from the chaos of life but also gives me an opportunity to flex my points muscles and use some of the many points I've acquired over the years. So when my friends first mentioned a trip to Japan and Korea, I couldn't say no (well, in reality, I'm third-wheeling hard on this trip...sorry Hannah and Michael...)
Posts from this Trip Report:
Where I'm Headed
When I say "circle tour", I really mean it. This trip will take me on a grand journey on 8 flights with 5 airlines across 5 countries. Though my main focus was East Asia, I'll be making a pit stop in India for a few days on my way home. I'll get to review 6 Business Class products and fly the long way across continents, twice.
My trip really consists of three flight journeys: one to get to Asia, one to get to India, and one to get back to the US. This trip was booked exclusively with Star Alliance carriers, split between Aeroplan and United miles. Below are the routes that I'll be flying and the cost of each.
For the first segment, I will be flying Swiss from Boston to Seoul through Zurich. My first leg is on the A330-300 (with an unexciting product where you still have seatmates) while my second is on the treasured new A350-900 (with the all new Swiss Senses Business Suite product):
- 05/11 LX53 BOS-ZRH 2140-1055(+1) [Business (J)]
- 05/12 LX122 ZRH-ICN 1315-0730(+1) [Business (J)]
- Total: 87.5k miles + $77.70
In between the first and second segments, I'll be flying T'Way Air from Busan to Tokyo in Economy class. Jury is still out on whether I'll review the product, so stay tuned.
For the second segment, I will be flying ANA and Air India from Tokyo to Bangalore through Delhi. My first leg is on ANA's B787-9 (I've been wanting to fly ANA's business class forever!) and my second leg is on Air India's A320neo (not the most exciting, but still a new product nonetheless):
- 05/21 NH837 HND-DEL 1100-1630 [Business (J)]
- 05/21 AI2152 DEL-BLR 1900-2155 [Business (J)]
- Total: 60k miles + $53.64
For the third segment, I am flying Air India and United from Bangalore to Boston through London and Newark. My first leg is on Air India's legacy B787-8 product (known to be bad and uncompetitive, but it's just for a daytime flight). My second leg is United's B787-9 Polaris product (which I haven't flown in 8 years). My final leg is connecting onto a domestic United flight back to Boston.
- 05/24 AI133 BLR-LHR 1330-2020 [Business (J)]
- 05/25 UA123 LHR-EWR 0745-1030 [Business (J)]
- 05/25 US2630 EWR-BOS 1522-1638 [Economy (Y)]
- Total: 88k miles + $93.29
What I'm most looking forward to
There's a few things I'm really excited about on this journey.
- First, like I mentioned before, I'm very excited to finally fly ANA and see how they stack up with Japan Airlines.
- Second, by pure luck, I'll be flying Swiss in their exclusive "Throne" and "Business Suite" seats. Lufthansa Group Business Class is otherwise not that competitive, especially if you end up in a middle section stuck out in the aisle next to a stranger.
- Finally, I'll be spending plenty of time in the Polaris Lounge in EWR. The Polaris product was way ahead of its time when it first released, but the highlights are the Polaris lounges themselves. They are among the absolute best lounges out there (up there with the new Delta One lounges). Plus, they're getting more restrictive, so I feel like it'll be a while before I'll get to visit again.