Qatar is nice…but I much prefer Emirates if flights fit my schedule. No comparison as far as staff is concerned.

Like a first class cabin on a trans-Atlantic ocean liner in days of yore.

Hey! If you can afford it go for it. A comfortable flight makes for a great beginning of your safari.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Hey! If you can afford it go for it. A comfortable flight makes for a great beginning of your safari.

Mark

Exactly!

With all the hassles one gets to face at airports, it is wonderful to just have a comfortable and quiet place in the plane.

I've been to Africa 5 times either by myself or with one of my kids. Taking my wife for the first time this summer. She keeps asking how long the flight is from Newark to Cape Town

I usually book economy plus (using United this time and their intermediate class is better than domestic first). On my last few trips I also negotiate at the counter and get upgraded to first/business for a great deal (usually $500-$1K per person).

I mustn't let her see this article!

BTW - very fortunate at work over the last 30 years - always able to travel business/first international. My favorite route was always on Cathay riding business class in the bubble up top in a 747. Like your own airplane and a better ratio of flight crew to passengers.

One downside to retiring is that I won't earn the points that I used to. I have only been to Africa five times, but for the first four I was able to go first class and the last time it was business. I must say that Qatar business with Q-suite put the other first class flights to shame.