Well, I guess it’s review trip “season,” because I’m heading out on another review trip shortly, to check out some products that I think y’all will enjoy! I just recently took a trip to Iceland, and then tagged on a fun review trip from there. Now I’m heading back out on the road (or in the skies, I guess!). So you can expect some live updates, and then upon returning home, I’ll publish the full review series from all of these trips.
Given the upcoming holidays, I feel like this is the second to last trip of the year that I’ll manage to squeeze in (with one more between Thanksgiving and Christmas). Let me explain what I have booked so far, in chronological order.
I’m first flying PorterReserve on the Embraer E195-E2
I’m kicking off the trip with a product I’ve been curious about for some time. Canada’s Porter Airlines has massively expanded in recent years, including operating Embraer E195-E2s on transborder flights. So I’m starting the trip by flying PorterReserve, the carrier’s premium product, from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Montreal (YUL).
This is the carrier’s premium product, and think of it as basically being an extra legroom seating option with improved service (even though Porter has very high service standards already). I can’t wait to give the airline a try, as I last flew with Porter when it was an all-turboprop operator.
By the way, this is such a spectacular use of Alaska Atmos Rewards points — we’re talking just 10,000 points for a one-way premium cabin ticket!
Then I’m flying Air France’s Boeing 787-9 business class
From Montreal, I’ll by flying Air France’s Boeing 787-9 business class to Paris (CDG). Okay, I’ve flown Air France business class many times before (on the Airbus A350-900, Boeing 777-300ER, etc.), so why am I flying the airline again? Well, several reasons.
For one, I haven’t flown the Air France Dreamliner in many years, so I think it’s time to see how that product is holding up, since it’s a different seat than on Air France’s other planes. Second, I’m curious to check out Air France’s new business class bedding, which was recently rolled out. Third, it gets me where I need to go, with interesting segments on both ends. Fourth, there was actually saver award availability!
Lastly (and perhaps most importantly, at least to me), I have Flying Blue Platinum status, and my status qualification period ends in a couple of weeks, and I’m a small number of XPs short of requlaifying for status. So by purchasing sustainable aviation fuel for the flight, I’ll get the XPs required to get me over the edge, and to keep the status.
Next I’m flying Aircalin’s Airbus A330-900neo business class
Okay, here’s a really fun one. From Paris, I’ll be flying Aircalin’s Airbus A330-900neo business class to Bangkok (BKK). How fun is that?! For those not familiar, Aircalin is the airline of New Caledonia, and the airline has greatly adjusted its route network in recent times, now flying between Paris and Noumea with a stop in Bangkok.
So I’m taking the first segment of the journey, which I managed to book in business class with Flying Blue miles. I’ve been wanting to fly Aircalin for so long, so I can’t wait to finally check this out!!
I’m returning in Thai Airways’ Boeing 787-9 business class
From Bangkok, I’ll make my way back to the United States, but via Europe. I’ll be flying Thai Airways’ Boeing 787-9 business class to Milan (MXP), as that’s the only European route operated by that specific plane, which has what I’d argue is Thai’s best business class product.
I haven’t flown Thai’s long haul business class in a long time, and I managed to book this as part of a larger itinerary, where I’m paying just 87,500 Air Canada Aeroplan points to fly from Asia to the United States via Europe. You can’t beat that value, eh?! These redemptions used to be so common for me back in the day, but with how award availability has evolved, it’s tougher than in the past, so this got me downright giddy.
I’m finishing with SWISS’ Airbus A350-900 business class
For the final portion of my trip, I’ll be flying SWISS’ brand new Airbus A350-900 business class from Zurich (ZRH) to Boston (BOS). This plane recently entered commercial service, and I’m looking forward to being among the first people to experience this on a long haul flight. It features the new SWISS Senses experience, based on the Lufthansa Allegris concept.
Quite honestly, this segment is what motivated the entire trip. When I saw award availability on this sector, I figured “okay, I have to review this.” And then I worked backwards. “Well, if I’m redeeming Aeroplan points from Europe to the United States, I might as well originate in Asia, since it’s a better value.” And that’s how the whole trip planning started.
The hotels I’m staying at on this trip
I do have a few hotel stays on this trip, so what do I have planned? Truth be told, I have so many of these Amex Platinum $300 hotel credits to burn through, which are ideal for one night stays, so I’m more focused on luxury properties than anything, given the good value available on short stays:
- In Montreal, I’ll be spending a night at the Four Seasons, which I’ve heard great things about, and which is regarded as the best hotel in the city
- In Paris, I actually potentially have a couple of nights (but maybe not — more on that in a separate post); should I review the Park Hyatt again, check out Hyatt’s Hotel du Louvre, stay at Hilton LXR’s SAX Paris, or check out one of Marriott’s Luxury Collection options (Hotel de Berri or Prince de Galles)?
- In Bangkok, I’m leaning toward staying at the Ritz-Carlton, though I’m open to other ideas for points properties (I’ve reviewed the Park Hyatt and Waldorf Astoria in the past); I’d like to return to Bangkok again soon for a proper visit, so I’m saving the Aman, Capella, and Four Seasons, for when I go with Ford
Bottom line
I just planned another review trip, where I’ll be flying a variety of products that have been on my list. I’ll be experiencing Porter’s E195-E2 PorterReserve, Air France’s 787-9 business class, Aircalin’s A330-900neo business class, Thai Airways’ 787-9 business class, and SWISS’ A350-900 business class.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for live updates! Then when I return home, I’ll have a lot of full review series to publish!
Any predictions for how these flights will go, and any thoughts on hotels?
