I’ve observed that there are generally two different types of travelers within award travel circles in which I mingle. One type is concerned primarily with convenience. If there is a nonstop flight, they book it. Another option might be considered if it saves them serious cash or miles, but convenience is paramount. Comfort is also a large part of the equation, and they’re more than willing to shell out additional miles for a more comfortable experience.
Then there is another type of traveler. This traveler will route through Salt Lake when flying between Detroit and New Orleans, just for the MQMs. Or they’ll fly Emirates and Etihad (first class or bust, right?) via the UAE on their way to Europe. It doesn’t matter if this takes an extra 24 hours. They love airplanes and/or the flying experience, just for their own sake.
If you haven’t guessed it, I belong in the second camp. I may not be the geekiest of avgeeks, but I can identify plenty of aircraft, and airports are one of my favorite places. A flight for the thrill of it? Sign me up. Even in economy sometimes, but preferably in business class. And most preferably on a new aircraft or carrier.
Booking An Unnecessary Cross-Country Trek
I’ve penciled in a trip for later this year to Seoul and Shanghai. It’s not until September, and I am going to play it by ear with the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. I expect the worst to be past us by then, and/or the disease to be better understood. But who really knows how far this will spread and how long travel will be affected.
In any case, I’ve already locked in my outbound flight. I was originally looking to fly Korean Airlines nonstop from San Francisco to Seoul using Delta SkyMiles. This seemed like the most time and cost-effective option. Awards priced at 85,000 SkyMiles, which is consistently the cheapest non-sale price I’ve seen.
But then I found a better option. Well…it is one that I consider better. On one potential date, I noticed that I could actually fly from San Francisco to Atlanta and then catch a flight to Seoul. Why is this appealing? For a single reason: Korean Airlines operates a Boeing 747-8i on the ICN-ATL route.
San Francisco currently only sees Korean Airlines 777-300ER aircraft, which are fairly blah at this point. I’ve flown the 777-300ER with Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, and United, along with 777-200 on a few more carriers. There are lots of 777s soaring through the skies these days.
The 747-8 Intercontinental is a different story. I’ve yet to set foot on one. Flying a 747-8i has been on my list for quite a while. The trip requires an extra six hours of flying and a total of ten extra hours of travel, but this doesn’t phase me one bit. The idea of flying across the country, even on a red-eye, for this experience is totally fine. Even better: I’m booked in a window seat on the upper deck. It’s about the best result I could possibly have asked for!
Conclusion
I’m sure those who value their time and convenience think that this is completely nuts. I understand the point of view. However, I’m sure there are plenty of other avgeeks who would choose the same award as I have in a heartbeat. If you’re reading this, please identify yourselves and let me know your own crazy routing stories!
Been in this hobby for a few years now and in the beginning I was racking up so many points but never really had a chance to use them (the job that affords all the spending and the high income also takes up most of my time and limits my vacations).
Finally one year I Was casually looking up award space for Singapore suites and was able to find one from jfk to fra to sin in the suites departing on Black Friday, so I immediately booked that as well as sfo to jfk in jetblue mint and then sin to tpe to sfo in Eva biz. The entire trip took 5 days (I couldn’t get award space for the sin-tpe-sfo legs so I had to stay in Singapore for 2 nights on my Marriott award certs).
Didn’t get the best value for my points the entire way but thoroughly enjoyed the experience and was happy that I made it all work since it was quite a lot of booking to be made.
That’s such an awesome redemption! Glad you got to experience it for such a good value.
If I had the time, would definitely do so. If time was of the essence, may prefer an alternate option.
True. Sometimes this is the case. But I’m typically looking to make the flights part of the experience.
Done the same. Instead of flying MNL-LAX non-stop, opted for MNL-SIN-LAX to experience the new SQ A350 way back… and its worth it! (and wished the flight could have lasted even longer)
I’d almost certainly opt for that as well!
I’ve done it many times, MIA-EYW for AA’s ATR back in the day, LAX-PSP on an EMB Brasilia, IAD-RIC on a Commutair Dash-300. No av-geek wouldn’t!
Yet some people think we’re crazy for it! 😉
I’m thankful I got to experience the Brasilia on my regional route from ACV to SFO a few years back. We’ve since “graduated” to the horrible CRJ-200. 🙁
I’m doing something similar later this year – routing through HND on the way to Seoul in order to fly on JAL’s 787 rather than taking the faster AA flight. Having flown both 787s to Asia before the difference in those two products is HUGE (and totally worth the detour IMO)
I’d do the same! I haven’t flown JAL, but their business class is supposed to be excellent (as I’m sure you know). The seats (maybe not the service) on the AA 787-9 aren’t bad, but I would absolutely AAvoid if it is the 787-8!
Just last week I flew YVR SFO LIS BRU OTP so that I could fly 330 NEO on TAP and their new business class and to cross off Brussels Airlines from my Star alliance roster.
I’ve purposely gone out of my way twice to fly 380 with Asiana and Thai.
Unless you’re like a hardcore BA or LH flyer from their hub regions, you kinda HAVE to go out of your way to fly some specific types. Those 2 carriers operate almost everything at this point.
Dang, that is a lot of connections! But I get it for a new business class/aircraft.
One of my favorite flights was ICN-SYD on an OZ A380 in J. Fantastic business class experience on the heels of United 747 First Class back in 2017.
I’ve done the same for in the past. All for 747s, on United, Air New Zealand, Canadian Pacific and TWA (upper deck Ambassador Class !). Will do the same this year to ride the Lufthansa 747-800i.
So sad there are fewer and fewer 747s. Want to hit my bucket list ones before they start getting pulled. BA 747-400 upper deck and first are both still on the list.