Thanks someotherguy--read Flyertalk, loved photos and details.

I now plan to do detailed comparison of Asiana and ANA planes for my flight as well as checking Thai airway. Of course the hope is that by 11 months from now, more planes will have been updated. I do LOVE 180 lie flat.

I have now done my homework on planes of 2 choices I think I may have (Asiana more likely, but in past few days both Asiana and ANA have been popping up.


Asiana SF0-Seoul Flatbed, new business class Boing 777-200 55 min connection
Asiana Seoul-BKK 28 angle flat with 168 degree recline 777-200LR

OR

ANA SFO-Narita angle flat 170 degrees 2 hour connection
ThaiNarita-BKK Flatbed . A380-800

Both arrive in BKK about 10 at night, leave SFO around noon.

Suggestions from those of you who are experienced? Asiana has cool new business flatbed for longer flat, but at time we would usually be awake. Thai has cool plane and flatbed for shorter flight but when we would usually sleep...but we should be trying to sleep when we get there.

If you could pick, which one would you take?

Mille grazie

I would definitely take NH7 to TG677 with the 2hr 5m connection. That ANA flight is a 300ER and it has the lie-flat seats. The seat map at fly-ana (for Monday) shows it is 1x2x1 and labeled as their "Business Class Staggered" product which is this:
https://www.ana.co.jp/wws/us/e/asw_c...ess_staggered/

Where did you come with the 170-degree for the ANA flight?

Seat Guru :)

Thought so. Then I think you were looking at the 200ER info, not the 777-300ER (77W) - that is what NH7 is right?

Can't really trust seatguru 100%. There are three versions of 77W shown on seatguru for biz class:

V1 = 62" x 21", 52 flat bed, 1x2x1 in a row
V2 = 62" x 21", 68 flat bed, 1x2x1 in a row
V3 = 62" x 21", 77 flat bed, 2x3x2 in a row

Maybe that is accurate, I don't know. But same sized seat in all three versions. On V1 and V2 they are four in a row, but V3 it is 8-across. How/why is that possible? Same seat, same plane, but one version has twice as many seats in a row than the other two? I don't believe it.

So, ANA shows two types of seats on 300ER:
https://www.ana.co.jp/wws/us/e/asw_c.../guide/c/seat/
ANA Business Staggered and ANA business. The latter is probably the 170 recline, probably the seat on V3, and surely of different dimensions than what seatguru shows.

I've looked into NH7 before. I don't know enough to say that you won't get the 170-degree, 2x3x2 77W. But I think it is the no-brainer choice for my miles.

Did you know that your connection time could be up to 24 hours? You could spend a night in Tokyo (or Seoul) at no additional charge.

Hi Mr W,
Thanks--you are really living up to your name. I do know we have the option of staying overnight (often do so in Munich, on our way to Genoa), but hadn't considered it yet for this trip but will. My plan has been to spend 2 nights in BKK--mostly resting and for security, before then leaving for KTM, where we will spend 5 nights with heritage sites before going on to Bhutan.

So you too have concerns about the 55 minute connection? I am sold on ANA if possible. Unfortunately I went back many Saturdays last night and it has not been available once on that day. I will call United as well as looking online at 10:01 on Nov 28 and see if there is something possible not on the screen. Am thinking of reserving with Asiana if that's all that's open, then paying change fee if ANA opens up.

The pictures of the staggered business are beautiful!

WOW! Great news! It looks like I can take Asiana flighst to BKK getting in at 10 at night, then fly out at 10 the next morning for KTM-- all business for the same 80,000 miles it would take to get to BKK alone. Tiring but we heard that that BKK-KTM leg is expensive!