Best Airlines

[rdhopkins2]

Australia (domestic):- Virgin (cheaper than Qantas, reasonable service, hot hostesses

Long haul International:- Singapore Airlines (well was 10yrs ago)/Emirates (from what I've heard as never flown them)

Budget:- Air Berlin (Brilliant! Say no more!)

 

[Fire Storm]

Evidently Air New Zealand offers quite good service because of their upgrade to the 777 and re-fit of the 747-400's.

 

[Bombers_Forever]

Qantas

In the US, Alaskan is pretty good

 

[DoubleA]

Did anyone hear about that engine blowing on Qantas flight to LA? Loud bang, smoke, etc, they effectively flew on 3 out of 4 engines to LA....quite concerning.

 

[Bombers_Forever]

Did anyone hear about that engine blowing on Qantas flight to LA? Loud bang, smoke, etc, they effectively flew on 3 out of 4 engines to LA....quite concerning.

The media made that to be a huge story - if the "EXPLOSION" happened over sea, no one would have heard it. The media made a huge story out of a minor incident. The aircraft could have flown to LAX with 3 engines without a problem.

There is nothing to be concerned about

 

[danielcan]

Ansett International was brilliant when they first started and before Air New Zealand bought Ansett and destroyed it (great leg room even in economy class).

Swissair was also brilliant before they went bust. Can't beat Swiss efficiency.

 

[Aussie Joe]

The media made that to be a huge story - if the "EXPLOSION" happened over sea, no one would have heard it. The media made a huge story out of a minor incident. The aircraft could have flown to LAX with 3 engines without a problem.

There is nothing to be concerned about

Actually the 747 is designed for 2 out of 4 with no problems.

 

[Aussie Joe]

Qantas

In the US, Alaskan is pretty good

Alaska Airlines is only decent if you are an MVP Class customer, otherwise it is pretty ordinary.

 

[Aussie Joe]

My favorite airlines in the US (were I fly three times a week) are United and Southwest.

Alaska Airlines is OK, only because I am an elite customer and get bumped to 1st class.

Actually JetBlue are pretty good.

 

[Magnum27]

As i have only flown in Australia i prefer Virgin, everytime i have flown with qantas there has been a delay in take off time, where as i have never been delayed with Virgin.

 

[Papa G]

Thai and Singapore are easily the best I've flown - The planes are generally quite new and the stewardesses are generally hot, polite and actually do what you ask them to do instead of ignore you or glare at you if you ask them for a glass of water.

I can't believe that any one thinks Qantas are good. The service is shocking, the hosties are generally haggard middle aged women with far too much make up and an even worse attitude, or 50 year old steamers with gold bracelets/ necklaces.

But just when I thought Qantas was bad - I flew long haul Lufthansa. Everything as bad as Qantas, but the plane was even older and the service ruder. They even turned the heating on to 50 degrees to try to send everybody to sleep - thought my head was going to explode.

 

[stickman11]

Thai and Singapore are easily the best I've flown - The planes are generally quite new and the stewardesses are generally hot, polite and actually do what you ask them to do instead of ignore you or glare at you if you ask them for a glass of water.

I can't believe that any one thinks Qantas are good. The service is shocking, the hosties are generally haggard middle aged women with far too much make up and an even worse attitude, or 50 year old steamers with gold bracelets/ necklaces.

But just when I thought Qantas was bad - I flew long haul Lufthansa. Everything as bad as Qantas, but the plane was even older and the service ruder. They even turned the heating on to 50 degrees to try to send everybody to sleep - thought my head was going to explode.

I flew on Qantas from Canberra to Melbourne. They seemed to have a mixture of ethinic groups.

Prefer virgin.

Jetstar are sloppy. Even their uniform looks cheap with the casual poloshirts. They don't seem to clean the aircraft either from the previous flight. I thought I might end up with tetnus. I wonder if the checked the aircraft for security threats. I'm surprised I got to my destination alive.

Ansett were by far the best airline. A shame Howard blocked Singapore Airlines from buying a share in it.

 

[danielcan]

I flew on Qantas from Canberra to Melbourne. They seemed to have a mixture of ethinic groups.

Prefer virgin.

Jetstar are sloppy. Even their uniform looks cheap with the casual poloshirts. They don't seem to clean the aircraft either from the previous flight. I thought I might end up with tetnus. I wonder if the checked the aircraft for security threats. I'm surprised I got to my destination alive.

Ansett were by far the best airline. A shame Howard blocked Singapore Airlines from buying a share in it.

What did you mean about ethnic groups?

 

[stickman11]

What did you mean about ethnic groups?

Flight attendants he weren't your dried up middle aged white lady but a couple of different cultures. Asian and Italian by the looks. Could have been greek. Who cares. I guess it is a good thing. Mind you, they still serve ******** food.

 

[peejay]

Domestically Ozjet were by far the best airline ever to fly in Australia.

It's a pity more people did not use it.

My last flight with them was a melb - Syd for $99 . 2 -2 formation, leather seats and a great quality meal with drinks.

 

[peternorth]

Cathay Pacific

 

[nicky]

Australia (domestic):- Virgin (cheaper than Qantas, reasonable service, hot hostesses

Long haul International:- Singapore Airlines (well was 10yrs ago)/Emirates (from what I've heard as never flown them)

Budget:- Air Berlin (Brilliant! Say no more!)

budget?

 

[rdhopkins2]

Air Berlin were like 2 euros + tax to Nuremberg Germany from London Stansted! That budget enough for me and they feed you free! I'll always travel with them where possible rather than Ryan Air!

 

[nicky]

Air Berlin were like 2 euros + tax to Nuremberg Germany from London Stansted! That budget enough for me and they feed you free! I'll always travel with them where possible rather than Ryan Air!

I agree i've just never found them the cheapest.

 

[CrazyQ]

I've flown on the Singapore one, was taking a piss in the toilets and forgot to lock the door, one of the hot plane slaves opened the door, she was apoligising for AGES and turning so red.

 

[Aquamarinejewel]

My favourite international airline is Emirates great service and will definitely fly with them again.

Domestic - Virgin or Qantas

 

[peternorth]

I've flown on the Singapore one, was taking a piss in the toilets and forgot to lock the door, one of the hot plane slaves opened the door, she was apoligising for AGES and turning so red.

ive read stories like that....and seen movies like that!

 

[chooke]

Malev (Hungary) was great. Excellent food, friendly, big comfortrable seats with plenty of legroom. Sort of thing I imagine most overseas carriers were like 30 years ago.

 

[Rob]

Malev (Hungary) was great. Excellent food, friendly, big comfortrable seats with plenty of legroom. Sort of thing I imagine most overseas carriers were like 30 years ago.

I think they're joining oneworld soon as well, which gives you a bit more of an option on the RTW tickets through europe other than BA or Finnair, probably the 2 worst major airlines in the world.

 

[FrediKanoute]

Going to base mine pretty much on long haul since flights of 2-3 hours you really can't complain too much to complain about. Typically you get what you pay for. I fly between the UK and Australia quite a bit (about 4 to 6 times a year and yes I plant trees, recycle and don't own a car). I've flown quite a few different airlines on the leg and have basically come up with a tiered system for rating airlines (ie 1st tier, 2nd tier etc) My criteria is a combination of seat comfort, in flight service, in flight entertainment and the price of the flight. This is all based on economy flying too. Baically, mine comes out as follows:

Tier 1 - Singapore Airlines and Emirates - hard to fault these. Movies on demand, generally fly 777's which have more room, don't try to cram in extra seats, the entertainment system includes your own screen, and games as awell as movies and TV, the food and drink is both pretty good quality and plentiful. In terms of price they aren't the cheapest in the market, but they regularly have specials which means you can generally get a decent price for an economy ticket.

Tier 2 - Malaysian, Cathay, Austrian - not far behind the Tier 1 airlines. generally fail because their food is not as good and/or they are a bit tight on the drinks. Also their entertainment systrems may not be quite as good as Emireates and Singapore (ie no movies on demand in economy etc). Pricewise they are often a little cheaper than Tier 1, but not significantly so.

Tier 3 - British Airways, Qantas - pretty much overpriced for what you get. In BA they have this concept of "Special Economy" which is just a way of getting you to pay a bit extra for the things Tier1 and 2 ordinarily provide. Also, BA don't provide free games....and their controls to their entertainment system sits on top of the armrest meaning that the person next to you can stop you form using your entertainment system if they fall asleep. Qantas, well they have this great repuatation, but honestly their in flight service (unless you are Raph Fiennes) leaves a lot to be desired. They are pretty tight with the alcohal etc and generally the food is average.

Tier 4 - Korean Air, Thai - generally these airlines are rated here because they still (or the last time I flew them KA 2002, Thai 2005) didn't have individual display units for the entertainment system. yep they were cheap, but honestly 24 hours on a flight and the last thing I want to do is strain to see a movie.....worth paying a few quid extra for a Tier 2 flight.