Stop Noodling Around – Many Asian Business Class Fares Have Dropped

May 2023
Read Offline

The status of FCF’s 2023 predictions to Asia and where to get $8,000 fares for up to 51% Off

For those looking for a pot of gold at the end of the Asian rainbow, we have good news, as with almost no mileage award availability and high fares, Asia has been off the radar for many.

So imagine the K-Pop dance moves that we busted out on FCF’s research floor when fares to Asia started to be cut in half. Not only that, our Crystal Ball Team weighed in with, “we told ya so!” after correctly predicting this would happen in our 2023 prediction article.

I think this shift is driven by the economy, as well as by the opening of China, which greatly increased the number of flights into the region. Whatever the reason for a fare fall, there will be happy travelers who previously looked at Business Class fares in the $6,000 to $10,000 range and said, “not right now thanks.”

Asian Banquet Back on the Menu

Have you checked out Asia lately? From Hong Kong to Hanoi, Seoul to Singapore, and Tokyo to Thailand, the region is buzzing. There’s so much cultural diversity to experience. Old and new cohabitate together in exciting cities. And the food! Each Asian country has a rich tradition of delicacies. And I don’t have to tell you about Thailand, Japan, and China’s contributions to those few stubborn pounds we carry. Temptingly, too, it’s much more affordable nowadays. Not to mention that history buffs get endless treasures to explore.

The Start of the New Trend

In February we told you about the special Cathay Pacific fares from Los Angeles for under $4,000 to destinations such as Cebu, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Osaka, Seoul, Singapore; and Tokyo from Boston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco to many destinations in Asia for under $5,000.

Anything sub-$4,000 round-trip to Asia in Business Class is newsworthy, given fares are typically $6,000 to $10,000. So we’re happy to spread the news.

Discounted Fare Trend Proliferates

We’re now seeing new fares in the same ballpark on many major airlines. As you’d expect, since Los Angeles flights are closer to the Asian action, fares are lower. This starts with Delta to Tokyo for $3,570 in July and August, or just $3,130 if you apply the Amex IAP discount. Other Business Class fares on major airlines to destinations all over Asia are from Montreal, New York, San Francisco, San Diego, Toronto, Tucson, and Vancouver.

Also, consider positioning flights if you don’t live in a low-fare city, as you can fly to Tokyo from Los Angeles for $3,570 on Delta, as opposed to $7,737 from Atlanta!

Speaking of great places to visit, here are some great fares that caught our wandering eyes.

Premium Fare Needles in the Haystack on Major Airlines by Alliance

Oneworld

The lowest Business Class fares we found are from Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, San Diego, and Tucson from $3,398 on American, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and Qatar airlines.

[table_opt id="6794" style="gray-header" header_rows="1" width="default" alignment="thcenter" heading="thcenter" rows="tdcenter" responsive="no" /]

SkyTeam

The lowest Business Class fares are found from Los Angeles, San Diego, and Tucson from $3,569, on Delta and Korean airlines. While not nearly as good as oneworld fares, there are a few good ones.

[table_opt id="6795" style="gray-header" header_rows="1" width="default" alignment="thcenter" heading="thcenter" rows="tdcenter" responsive="no" /]

Star Alliance

The lowest Business Class fares are found from Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, San Diego, and Tucson from $3,488 on Air Canada, All Nippon, Asiana, Eva Air, Singapore, Thai, and United.

[table_opt id="6796" style="gray-header" header_rows="1" width="default" alignment="thcenter" heading="thcenter" rows="tdcenter" responsive="no" /]

Under $5,000 Round-trip in Business Class

Crossing the $4,000 threshold, more exotic possibilities light up across Asia. If you didn’t see your destination above chances are the fares are still in the sub-$5,000 range which is still low for Asia. If you ever wanted to visit this sprawling and fascinating continent, now’s the time. Here are some samples:

Atlanta to Bangkok, Cebu, and Manila on Qatar Airways

Boston to Bangkok on Qatar Airways

Chicago to Singapore on Japan Airlines

Dallas to Singapore on Japan Airlines

Houston to Guangzhou on All Nippon Airways

Los Angeles to Hong Kong on All Nippon; Seoul on American, Bangkok, Cebu, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh on Asiana; Jakarta, Manila, and Phuket on Cathay Pacific; Chiang Mai on Singapore Airlines and to Singapore on Qatar

Miami to Bangkok, Manila, Phuket, Singapore on Qatar

New York to Hong Kong on Asiana, Osaka, and Singapore on United

San Francisco to Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Ho Minh, Hong Kong, Manila, Osaka, Seoul and Tokyo on Asiana.

Seattle to Cebu, Hanoi, Hong Kong, and Singapore on Asiana; Chiang Mai and Phuket on Korean

Washington, DC to Denpasar, Jakarta, and Singapore on Qatar

Some of the Lowest Fares Are from Canada

The lowest fares from Canada are from Toronto to Osaka on United for $2,911 and Vancouver to Osaka from $2,993 on Japan Airlines with many other destinations under $4,000. Americans: Remember the positioning flight strategy. Best oneworld fares…

[table_opt id="6797" style="gray-header" header_rows="1" width="default" alignment="thcenter" heading="thcenter" rows="tdcenter" responsive="no" /]

*Oneworld airlines: Cathay Pacific, and Japan Airlines.

Best SkyTeam Fares

[table_opt id="6798" style="gray-header" header_rows="1" width="default" alignment="thcenter" heading="thcenter" rows="tdcenter" responsive="no" /]

*SkyTeam airlines: Air France, Delta and Korean.

Best Star Alliance Fares

[table_opt id="6799" style="gray-header" header_rows="1" width="default" alignment="thcenter" heading="thcenter" rows="tdcenter" responsive="no" /]

*Star Alliance: Air Canada, All Nippon, Asiana, and United.

ZIPAIR

In January 2022, we told you about ZIPAIR, which offers seasonal service to Tokyo’s Narita airport from Los Angeles daily from June 10 through October 28; from San Francisco June 18 through October 27 (no Thursday or Saturday service); and from San Jose July 1 to October 28 (no service on Tuesday or Friday). Fares from Los Angeles range from $2,228 to $3,069; San Francisco from $1,667 to $2,557; San Jose from $1,925 to $3,451 round-trip.

Elsewhere in this May edition of FCF’s Upgrade Advisor, Asia-bound or Asia-considering travelers will love finding an easy discount via Amex’s International Airline Program.

more FCF intel about visiting Asia

Yearning for Asia and wondering where to park your miles? Cathay Pacific offers tasty dumpling deals in First and Business Class using miles and cash.

The first thing Asia-bound travelers think about is…Canada. Not! But you really should and we’ve got the why all laid out. Hint: you can grab up to 54% savings.

I’ll keep this real simple: Tokyo in First Class, NOT for $25,100, but for $2,880 R/T. Done.

And while we’re on the Tokyo topic, we have no fewer than 9 ways to slice Business Class prices, samurai-style. Hai!

[["From","To","Oneworld Sale Fare","Regular Published Fare","Travel Months"],["\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLos Angeles","Fukuoka","$3,874","$6,349","\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJuly, August"],["#rowspan#","Hiroshima","$3,873","$6,248","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Nagoya","$3,754","$6,175","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Osaka","$3,463","$5,947","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Sapporo","$3,878","$6,246","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Tokyo","$3,461","$5,744","#rowspan#"],["\n\n\n\n\nNew York","Denpasar","$3,398","$5,056","August to March"],["#rowspan#","Hanoi","$3,548","$5,038","September to March"],["#rowspan#","Ho Chi Minh","$3,540","$4,494","July to March"],["#rowspan#","Kuala Lumpur","$3,523","$4,762","\n\nSeptember to November, January to March"],["San Francisco","Bangkok","$3,934","$5,157","#rowspan#"],["\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSan Diego","Fukuoka","$3,874","$7,129","July"],["#rowspan#","Nagoya","$3,754","$6,738","\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJuly, August"],["#rowspan#","Okinawa","$3,876","$6,925","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Osaka","$3,463","$6,645","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Sapporo","$3,878","$6,363","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Tokyo","$3,453","$5,744","#rowspan#"],["\n\nTucson","Osaka","$3,632","$7,436","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Tokyo","$3,629","$7,248","#rowspan#"]]
[["From","To","SkyTeam Sale Fare","Regular Published Fare","Travel Months"],["\n\n\n\nLos Angeles","Fukuoka","$3,870","$5,238","\n\n\n\nAugust"],["#rowspan#","Osaka","$3,586","$5,734","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","\n\n\n\nTokyo","$3,569","$5,251","#rowspan#"],["San Diego","#rowspan#","$3,958","$6,649","\n\nJuly, August"],["Tucson","#rowspan#","$3,631","$6,845","#rowspan#"]]
[["From","To","Star Alliance Sale Fare","Regular Published Fare","Travel Months"],["\nLos Angeles","Nagoya","$3,731","$6,129","\nJuly, August"],["#rowspan#","Tokyo","$3,488","$6,519","#rowspan#"],["\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNew York","Bangkok","$3,652","$5,930","November, January to March"],["#rowspan#","Cebu","$3,593","$5,375","October, November, January to March"],["#rowspan#","Denpasar","$3,645","$5,605","\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNovember, January to March"],["#rowspan#","Hanoi","$3,690","$5,529","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Ho Chi Minh","$3,833","$5,675","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Jakarta","$3,941","$6,112","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Kuala Lumpur","$3,904","$5,881","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Manila","$3,808","$5,548","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Phuket","$3,835","$6,433","#rowspan#"],["San Francisco","Cebu","$3,980","$5,677","#rowspan#"],["San Diego","\n\nTokyo","$3,948","$6,243","\n\nJuly, August"],["Tucson","#rowspan#","$3,629","$7,246","#rowspan#"]]
[["From","To","Oneworld Sale Fare","Regular Published Fare","Travel Months"],["Montreal","Manila","$3,771","$5,607","August to November, January to April"],["Toronto","Seoul","$3,699","$5,385","August, September, January, February"],["\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVancouver","Fukuoka","$3,836","$5,639","\n\n\n\nAugust to April"],["#rowspan#","Jakarta","$3,607","$5,803","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Manila","$3,896","$5,230","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Nagoya","$3,807","$5,320","July, September to April"],["#rowspan#","Osaka","$2,993","$2,966","September"],["#rowspan#","Sapporo","$3,784","$5,763","August to April"],["#rowspan#","Tokyo","$3,684","$5,197","July to April"]]
[["From","To","SkyTeam Sale Fare","Regular Published Fare","Travel Months"],["Montreal","Seoul","$3,896","$5,454","September to November"],["\n\n\n\n\nToronto","Beijing","$3,598","$5,054","\n\n\n\nSeptember to April"],["#rowspan#","Guangzhou","$3,645","$5,790","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Jakarta","$3,776","$5,746","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Seoul","$3,344","$5,385","\n\n\n\n\n\nNovember to April"],["\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVancouver","Bangkok","$3,883","$5,366","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Beijing","$3,141","$5,540","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Busan","$3,388","$3,359","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Cebu","$3,934","$5,417","September to April"],["#rowspan#","Chiang Mai","$3,829","$5,590","September, October"],["#rowspan#","Guangzhou","$3,707","$5,634","\n\n\n\n\n\nSeptember to April"],["#rowspan#","Hanoi","$3,993","$6,329","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Jakarta","$3,894","$5,983","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Kuala Lumpur","$3,870","$5,352","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Macao","$3,848","$5,108","September, October"],["#rowspan#","Manila","$3,823","$5,453","September to April"],["#rowspan#","Phuket","$3,913","$5,498","September to January"],["#rowspan#","Seoul","$3,241","$5,966","\n\n\n\nSeptember to April"],["#rowspan#","Shanghai","$3,485","$5,745","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Singapore","$3,910","$5,392","#rowspan#"]]
[["From","To","Star Alliance Sale Fare","Regular Published Fare","Travel Months"],["\n\nMontreal","Osaka","$3,265","$6,142","July to September"],["#rowspan#","Seoul","$3,997","$5,582","May to October"],["\n\nToronto","Osaka","$2,911","$5,511","July to September"],["#rowspan#","Seoul","$3,668","$5,342","May to October"],["\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVancouver","Fukuoka","$3,885","$5,416","September, October"],["#rowspan#","Manila","$3,997","$5,750","July to March"],["#rowspan#","Osaka","$3,013","$4,766","July to September"],["#rowspan#","Seoul","$3,145","$4,747","May to March"],["#rowspan#","Tokyo","$3,686","$4,753","July to March"]]