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I dunno if this is your style Altair, but Saudi Arabian Airlines has some pretty lax rules, and IME lots of empty seats. If you don't mind the kids crawling over the seats during take off and landing, then you can go stretch out back in coach. I've had a row of center seats to use at my leisure and it REALLY helps the knees. Even when sitting in First class. Wearing a Thobe helps with comfort, but not security. I'll never do that again.

I've done it several times going from Jeddah to Frankfurt etc.

I think you're saying you get air miles for credit card transactions? Maybe those are more valuable than frequent flyer miles I earned with UA? All I know is apparently UA's allocated free flights from frequent flyer miles are available only a few days/flights a year, and NEVER in the months I need to travel in 2 years of trying

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a few Pams...

That was me in 2002



It seems an expensive way to spend three and bit hours but really given the fact I probably won't fly supersonic commercially in my lifetime (and I'm 26) it's superb value for money, even from a novelty perspective. Sure it's more cramped than business class, let alone First. But I've got my little certificate and boarding pass and shall remember that flight over and above and even the best first class flight I've taken...

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2000 Emergency - Orbiter 3 Edition
2001 Chrono Colt Quartz SQ
2003 Navitimer Olympus
2008 Navitimer

Oh don't even get me started on the flying thing guys....OMG! Here is an example of how it goes for me getting back to the States from Iraq.

Leg 1
First I have to wait until after 1130PM to find out what time the Military flight for the next day is to Baghdad (no problem there except that it could be as early as 0300 in which case you are screwed and are going to be doing the flight of the bumble bee getting ready;or it could be later in the afternoon which is good so you can sleep before you fly).
Leg 2
The next day we have to run the gambit of get off the military base by going through all the checkpoints....hoping you make it to BIAP (Baghdad International Airport) without incident. Go through all the screening and security there and finally board your plane bound for Dubai in the UAE.
Leg 3
De-board in Bahrain because there were no direct to Dubai flights....ride the shuttle bus to the terminal/go through security again/get to your gate/get back on bus/get on new plane to Dubai.
Leg 4
Ahh! finally made it to Dubai after 2 days and now to pass through customs and immigration and then be whisked off to the hotel to spend a day with the boss or prepping for the next day's flight over the pond.
Leg 5
Back at the airport the next day and pass through all the security/immigration/customs.....and stop by the Duty Free watch shop (Ling AD) to look over all the nice shiny toys. Spend the better part of an hour boarding the plane with all sorts of folks that don't believe in deodorant and that you get to spend the next 8-15 hours with enclosed inside a long aluminum tube at 36,000 feet. The 8 hours is because you may have the opportunity to split your long flight up in either wonderful Charles Degaul Airport in France or Heathrow in England....neither are fun airports. The 15 hours is if you are lucky and get a straight shot to the States.
Leg 6
Land in Atlanta or Minnesota depending on the flight and go through customs & immigration, claim your bags. Back through security again drop of check baggage, go to gate and wait for your next flight that lasts about 4.5 hours.
Leg 7
Land in Denver or Salt Lake City and usually do your impression of the old OJ Simpson commercial of him running through the airport hurdling chairs in the process in order to reach your connecting flight.
Leg 8
After about 1.5 hours finally touch ground in Montana....ahhh home sweet home! Now you try to enjoy your time and try not to think about having to repeat this whole process in reverse at the end of the 2 weeks.

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Montexn -- Pretty sure you win the prize for worst horror story, that's horrific. I don't understand why there aren't any direct military flights to the UK or USA from there?

Longest I've done is Dublin > Holland > Tokyo, but even the last leg was only 11 hours. We did consider first class, but to be honest, I couldn't bring myself to pay it. The difference was something like 2.5x the price of the coach flight and around the 5k mark I think-- that's a watch or two, or a massive upgrade at the hotel for the duration of the stay. 11 hours of being more comfortable than you would be otherwise, or eleven nights of being more comfortable than you would be otherwise? I know which I'd prefer.

Yes mam it is quite an ordeal to say the least, but frankly I would rather fly commercial than Mil Air all the way back stateside. I can have a few drinks on the plane and it's a tad nicer accommodations. As for the prices of the first class/business class....the differences are so out of line that it's totally out of the question. Plus you don't get there any quicker and for what the difference is, it's just not worth the thousands more that you pay IMO.

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Well actually you do. Although not by much.

Sorry Montexn, I just couldn't resist.

Actually, those distances are better covered using a Global or, even better, a G550 (until the G650 arrives in 2012 of course):wink:

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- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

Maybe it's just me but I don't pay for business or first class to get there any quicker (although Concorde was a LOT faster )....I pay to get there in some form of comfort so that when I get off at the other end after a 7hr+, perhaps overnight, flight I don't feel like crap. My current holiday time is few and far between so I want to hit the ground running and make the most of my time wherever I happen to be.

However, I can understand that not everyone can justify the additional cost...

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2000 Emergency - Orbiter 3 Edition
2001 Chrono Colt Quartz SQ
2003 Navitimer Olympus
2008 Navitimer

This is interesting, because my wife and I (and our baby) have had the exact opposite experience - But using American Airlines. We go from Kansas City, Missouri to San Jose, California frequently bc its the easiest way to get to Carmel, California/Pebble Beach. We probably go 3 to 5 times a year depending on our schedule. We always use points and if we can book far enough ahead (roughly 1.5 months) we can get first class seats for 25,000 points. This is the same price (in points) as coach or business 2 weeks before the flight. We have never had an issue with their service, and often book so far in advance that we end up moving our departure date forward/backward a day or two or move our return date forward/backward a day or two and the American Airlines customer service people simply bend over backwards for us. Granted, there is usually a fee (approx $50 per ticket), but when you consider that 2 first class flights cost $100 and some points, its well worth it.

On a side note, this will be our first flight with our daughter (she will be 6.5 months old when we fly). Anyone have any words of wisdom??

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Rock Chalk!

Kuslamb, at this time I wouldn't be surprised if just abt any other Airline has better frqnt flyer program than UA...

On the baby flying tip, my only advice is to try to time takeoff and landing with nursing. Swallowing helps tremendouly to equalize pressure and reduce discomfort during takeoff n landing. If your baby uses pacifier, get extras (of the exact same make/model). We lost a pacifier once... OMG!!!

If the flight is longer, you might want to check with your pediatrician (some doctors ok to give a dose of over-the-counter cold medication to help the baby sleep -- but again, check with your baby doctor!)

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a few Pams...

Well actually once I hit the states I am upgraded to 1st class free due to my frequent flyer status, but coming over the pond is the spendy part. I can buy a round trip coach ticket from Dubai to USA for $1500-$2000...when you jump up to business class/1st class, the price jumps to around $4000-$6000....that is a significant difference that IMO is just not worth the difference. If it was just a matter of maybe around $500 or so, then I would not mind using my miles to upgrade .

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i hate flying! i get bored quick. anything longer than 3-4 hours is torture. I once flew from Vancouver to Australia with a layover in hong kong to refuel. From vancouver to hong kong took 13 hours and then 2 hour lay over and then 10 hours from hong kong to autstralia. wanted to rip my hair out.

Once internet access becomes available on long-haul flights (let me dream, guys), it won't be nearly so unpleasant, I think...

That already exists, just have to pick the right airline

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- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.