I have a FC award ticket to BKK. It goes IAD to ORD to PEK on United and connects to TQ to BKK. Would have the United First Suite seat on the ORD to PEK segment.

Other option is to take ANA from IAD to NRT, connecting to Thai. This would save me the trouble of connecting at ORD and the trouble of expediting a transit visa for travelling through PEK. The only drawback is that (according to fly-ana.com) the ANA flight from IAD - NRT doesn't have there NEW First Class seat, the individual coccoon type. It does have a flat seat, though.

Trying to decide if the Suite seat is significantly better than older ANA FC seat. What do you think?

I switched it. No connection at ORD, 1 connection instead of 2, no Chinese visa necessary, cute ANA FAs, and the option of using the luggage service at NRT made it an easy choice. Am still interested in your opinion, though.

I've never flown 1st class internationally, but I think you made the right choice. Exactly the reasons you listed.

is this for your trip next week? you were able to change your iti this late? how much did it cost? agree with rk. less stops better. don't know about the cute ana stews? been awhile since i flew them, but most asian stews are much much better looking, and younger than their us overweight, tired, grouchy, elderly counterparts. hope this don't open a can of worms, just stating a frequent and common observation, and. .

It will cost $100 to make the change. BUT, I would have had to go to the Chinese embassy this week and pay $50 for a transit visa and another $30 for the expedite fee and at least $10 for parking. Didn't realize until two days ago that a visa was necessary when just making connections at PEK.

I called on Saturday and Sunday to find alternative routing but there were no seats available for the 25th or 26th. When I booked the trip in October I was hoping to get the ANA flight but was told that it was ANA blackout dates.

This morning the ANA seat was available on the 25th, so I am heading out a day earlier than planned. Am looking forward to the kaiseki meal.

lucky you. i think fc is worth it coming from iad. very long trip. hai, oishii kaiseki ryori, itadaki masu.

bon voyage, have a great time, and tell us about zanmai, maguro hito, and the other places that you will go to. i am especially interested in your evaluation of bkk, which will be a mark contrast from the cities you have visited in jp. ps... don't forget to try the raw geso(baby octopus) that is famous to korea.

Oh, yeah, I'm going to load up on the raw baby octopus
I imagine it must stick to the roof of your mouth.

you are right, but worse yet, if you have dentures, down the hatch they may go with the geso. maybe you just better stick with the kimchee sandwich. kamsa-hamnida.

I have flown ANA First Class more than a dozen times over the past 3 years - mainly from JFK on 747-400 service with the "New Style" seats, but also on 777's and the "old" seat as you will have from IAD. I think you will be very, very happy with your decision as even the "old" style seat is very comfortable and has a great pitch of about 80".

The FA's are great and the catering is really quite excellent. I've flown First Class on almost every major world carrier and ANA's delivery is right up there with Cathay and Singapore in my opinion. Only drawback are the very underwhelming lounges at Narita which are pitiful in comparison to something like Cathay's "Wing" lounge in Hong Kong. Have a great trip!