According to your experience, which airline is the best?

Charter · 04-25-2012, 12:09 PM

Hi friends. I have seen that this Forum is full of models, photos, airports but it lacks of real informations about airlines. For "real" i mean the flight prices, the inflight service, the fleet and type of airplane they use...everything you have experienced in your life (and "on your skin") and everything can be useful for us fellow members. I thought about this thread because i was having a look to the various airlines and flights for May DUS fair, and the "real" world of civil aviation is quite different from what we think it could be: "low cost" airlines who have nothing of low cost; scheduled airlines who have the best prices respect charters or, precisely, low costs; difficulties to find "multi flights", arriving to an airport and departing from another using different European airlines...
But let me do some real examples:
1) about May Dusseldorf fair i was searching for a good flight, and i tryed with Air Berlin. Air Berlin is one of the most important European airline: it was born as charter, then low cost, now it is a scheduled airline (member of Oneworld alliance). I flown with Air Berlin in May 2010, the first time i have been to DUS for the fair: the flight was beautiful, the service perfect, the price very competitive, and i remember that they have given us something to eat and to drink without paying, and i have bought Herpa Air Berlin A320 as inflight model.
Today Air Berlin is Oneworld member, it flies to and from Rome FCO airport but these are the prices for a flight to DUS in May (two adults):
- 2 x 149 euro = 298 euro
- taxes = 113,28 euro
- fuel surcharges = 240 euro

- ticket service charge = 34 euro
Total price for two adults = 685,28 euro!
It is just incredible! 240 euro of fuel surcharges! I think that this price is not competitive and i understand why, Air Berlin, start to have problems.

I will continue with more examples...

ahsan24 · 04-25-2012, 12:23 PM

The best experience I had with Vangurd airlines. I bought a round trip ticket from Pittsburgh to Chicago for $65. The flight was delayed, and the airline gave me a lunch coupon and a complimentary round trip ticket. When using the complimentary round trip ticket on the 2nd trip, returning from Chicago, flight cancelled due to weather, and got another complimentary ticket.

But I'm talking about 1999 - those golden days of flying are no more

. I used to fly with minimum excuse and didn't know anything about fuel, luggage, or security fees...

herpacollectorUK · 04-25-2012, 12:40 PM

I would like to talk about Turkish Airlines, not because it is my favourite airline - but because it is growing better and better all the time. Also I have flown on almost every aircraft type in their fleet so it is a pretty accurate opinion lol I have traveled with many airlines including Emirates, Cathay Pacific, KLM, Vietnam Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, Air Mauritius, Egyptair, SIA and Thai. Although I like these airlines... (except Air Mauritius

) Here is an overview of why I chose Turkish Airlines:

Fleet
Turkish have a modern fleet and are receiving deliveries of more great aircraft all the time. The new aircraft are great!

Inflight Entertainment and seat quality
If you are flying long haul with Turkish, you will either be on an A330, A340, or 777-300ER.
The economy seat quality on the new 777, and A330-300's is very good and is improved. I have heard that comfort class on the 777 is very good too. The IFE on the new aircraft is brilliant, with a wide selection of films

As for short/medium haul - I have used their 737-800 product many times, it is good, but not excellent.
The new A321's are brilliant - I was impressed! They even have IFE built in! I have also flown in one of their new A319's which are also very comfortable for a 1 hour flight.

Although all their aircraft have IFE - the systems are slightly better on the new aircraft (if i'm remembering correctly)

Catering
Turkish Airlines catering is excellent - much much better than Emirates and even, Cathay Pacific which is meant to be a 5* airline. It's the best food i've ever had inflight - I am always very happy with it.
As long as it's catered by DO&CO at IST... it will be good! It isn't so good if your returning to IST from a long haul destination, because they're reliant on the local catering.

Cabin crew/service
This is the only thing that isn't 'up to scratch'. The cabin crew don't always look very happy - and they should because they are representing the airline. They do their job - but especially on the long haul flights they look very tired and bored but I can understand why. Most airlines would beat TK for this on their economy product. The TK business class cabin crew are very happy and pleasant though even on a long haul flight (I was upgraded once). They have much less work though. They seem to be more pleasant to Turkish customers because they know how to be polite but with English speaking customers they sometimes say things like 'what?' rather than pardon. Maybe they need a little more training with communication in English

Other than this - the service is definitely improving...

Price
They may not be the cheapest - and sometimes it may be cheaper flying via Munich if your going to IST. Sometimes it's worth paying a little more for a better product and direct flight. I have been told by a friend that Lufthansa is not so good on medium haul and even long haul.

Conclusion
Overall, it's a great airline and their short, medium and long haul product is normally brilliant whether you are in Economy, Comfort or Business class on any of their fleet. I would recommend it to anyone who has the choice.
Sometimes there can be delays, but it happens with most airlines.

Charter · 04-25-2012, 12:44 PM

Continuing with my Dusseldorf fair research, i had a look to www.edreams.it site, and i have found a flight with two different airlines: going with Lufthansa and return with easyjet at a total price (for two adults) of 366 euro...not so good if you think that you will stay two days in DUS for the fair, and you have also to pay the hotel for one night (110 euro more or less)...so for two days you pay 500 euro (more or less). Too much!
If you go to easyjet site (a low cost), you have to go on May 18th (there aren't flights for the 19th) and, return on Sunday 20th, you will pay130,98 euro; but here you have to add two nights (200 euro)...the total price would be 330 euro, not so bad, but there is a problem for me: i don't like to fly with easyjet or Ryanair because, when i'm on holiday (also for just one day) i don't want to take a "bus" but i want to take an airplane with all the comforts.

But about easyjet and Ryanair i haven't experience, i have never flown with them, so i leave to you the judgement.

With Lufthansa the total price is 499,95 euro...too much!
About Lufthansa i have to say something: i have flown many times with Lufthansa, and according to my experience i can say that it is the best European airline, and one of the best airlines in the World! The airplanes are new, clean and the inflight service is perfect. Among my many flights with Lufthansa, there are Rome - Dusseldorf (May 2011) and Rome - Frankfurt - Buenos Aires - Santiago del Chile (2002): everything was marvellous.

Air Dolomiti: it is a "Lufthansa world" airline, i flown many times with it and i can say that it is a "first class" airline! Undoubtedly it has a Lufthansa "taste", its ERJ-195 are new, clean and the inflight service is perfect. I have flown from Rome to Munich and from Rome to Dusseldorf (one way).

Charter · 04-25-2012, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahsan24

The best experience I had with Vangurd airlines. I bought a round trip ticket from Pittsburgh to Chicago for $65. The flight was delayed, and the airline gave me a lunch coupon and a complimentary round trip ticket. When using the complimentary round trip ticket on the 2nd trip, returning from Chicago, flight cancelled due to weather, and got another complimentary ticket.

But I'm talking about 1999 - those golden days of flying are no more

. I used to fly with minimum excuse and didn't know anything about fuel, luggage, or security fees...

Quote:

Originally Posted by herpacollectorUK

I would like to talk about Turkish Airlines, not because it is my favourite airline - but because it is growing better and better all the time. Also I have flown on almost every aircraft type in their fleet so it is a pretty accurate opinion lol I have traveled with many airlines including Emirates, Cathay Pacific, KLM, Vietnam Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, Air Mauritius, Egyptair, SIA and Thai. Although I like these airlines... (except Air Mauritius

) Here is an overview of why I chose Turkish Airlines:

Fleet
Turkish have a modern fleet and are receiving deliveries of more great aircraft all the time. The new aircraft are great!

Inflight Entertainment and seat quality
If you are flying long haul with Turkish, you will either be on an A330, A340, or 777-300ER.
The economy seat quality on the new 777, and A330-300's is very good and is improved. I have heard that comfort class on the 777 is very good too. The IFE on the new aircraft is brilliant, with a wide selection of films

As for short/medium haul - I have used their 737-800 product many times, it is good, but not excellent.
The new A321's are brilliant - I was impressed! They even have IFE built in! I have also flown in one of their new A319's which are also very comfortable for a 1 hour flight.

Although all their aircraft have IFE - the systems are slightly better on the new aircraft (if i'm remembering correctly)

Catering
Turkish Airlines catering is excellent - much much better than Emirates and even, Cathay Pacific which is meant to be a 5* airline. It's the best food i've ever had inflight - I am always very happy with it.
As long as it's catered by DO&CO at IST... it will be good! It isn't so good if your returning to IST from a long haul destination, because they're reliant on the local catering.

Cabin crew/service
This is the only thing that isn't 'up to scratch'. The cabin crew don't always look very happy - and they should because they are representing the airline. They do their job - but especially on the long haul flights they look very tired and bored but I can understand why. Most airlines would beat TK for this on their economy product. The TK business class cabin crew are very happy and pleasant though even on a long haul flight (I was upgraded once). They have much less work though. They seem to be more pleasant to Turkish customers because they know how to be polite but with English speaking customers they sometimes say things like 'what?' rather than pardon. Maybe they need a little more training with communication in English

Other than this - the service is definitely improving...

Price
They may not be the cheapest - and sometimes it may be cheaper flying via Munich if your going to IST. Sometimes it's worth paying a little more for a better product and direct flight. I have been told by a friend that Lufthansa is not so good on medium haul and even long haul.

Conclusion
Overall, it's a great airline and their short, medium and long haul product is normally brilliant whether you are in Economy, Comfort or Business class on any of their fleet. I would recommend it to anyone who has the choice.
Sometimes there can be delays, but it happens with most airlines.

Thanks for your witness, it is very useful. I hope that many other members will share their experience, creating a kind of "knowledge network" to help us to find the best way (and the best airlines) for our trips.

DutchCollector · 04-25-2012, 01:13 PM

I have many, many airliners I really love, not only because of the livery but also because it means something to me.. I prefer: KLM, Transavia, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Asiana Airlines.. But if I combine all things together.. I have to chose for:

Singapore Airlines!

Why?

1. Fleet

Their fleet is a great modern fleet and good maintained.

2. Flying

When you fly SQ (especially first class) you will be very comfortable in your seat and the service is really good. The food is also delicious! I recommend flying with them!

3. Though..

The prices can be very expensive...

Charter · 04-25-2012, 01:45 PM

Something about Alitalia.
I have flown many times with the old Alitalia, before its "controlled default", and the service was awful. I remember a flight from Paris to Rome: my wife had eaten a battered sandwich and, while into the airplane (an A320), she felt sick during the take off; there were no bags for vomiting, and she had to vomit in a paper. When we asked to the flight attendant, a man with a uniform with "smears", exclaimed: "how disgusting", while my wife was vomiting in a paper... When i asked for help, for a bag, for a napkin (we were during the take off, so she could not get up and go to the bathroom), the flight attendants did not answer; they returned soon after the take off, to distribute some food and, when for the second time, when they were giving some cold pasta to my wife, a female flight assistant said "disgusting" to my wife, i got up and i took the neck of the male flight assistant...
From that day i swore to no longer fly with Alitalia!
I have flown again with the new Alitalia in 2010, Rome - Venice with an MD-80: the airplane was very old and the seats were moving but the inflight service was good and the flight attendants had a new "mind", a new education, a new and better sensibility. They were doing their job!
About Dusseldorf fair i searched also with Alitalia, and this is what i have discovered ( i share only the best prices):
- Rome - Amsterdam (code sharing with KLM)
Amsterdam - Dusseldorf...
... 11h 15' of flight for 336,74 euro;
- Dusseldorf - Amsterdam (code sharing with KLM)
Amsterdam - Rome...
... 14h 25' of flight for 324,56 euro.
Total price: 671,30 euro, for a total time of 35h and 40' of flights and airports!

Alitalia is improving its service and its quality: the old MD-80's are less, while there are many new A320's and A330's; the debt is being reduced...Alitalia is ready to be completely controlled, and bought, by Air France (2013)!

airport1-600 · 04-25-2012, 02:05 PM

From a passenger standpoint: jetBlue

They have a modern fleet of A320s and E190s. The E190 is truely a passenger's plane. Big windows, 2+2 seating, etc. Very nice IFE for an LCC, and drinks and snacks are complementary, as they should be. Fares are also very good, sometimes better than competitor Southwest.

Then again, you know something is wrong when you're getting better service from an LCC than on a legacy carrier. If I was posting this about a year ago, I would have said Continental, of course. I can't comment on New United yet, as I have yet to fly with them.

ahsan24 · 04-25-2012, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herpacollectorUK

Conclusion
Overall, it's a great airline and their short, medium and long haul product is normally brilliant whether you are in Economy, Comfort or Business class on any of their fleet. I would recommend it to anyone who has the choice.
Sometimes there can be delays, but it happens with most airlines.

I bought my sister-in-law a Turkish ticket for Dhaka to Washington, she wasn't impressed, anyway, I'll try Turkish this December for a family trip and check it out myself.

furryforest · 04-26-2012, 08:04 AM

My own favourite would be Singapore. I flew with them a few years ago and they left such a good impression that I made a point of emailing their customer service department. When I booked my flight to Australia this year I could have flown with another carrier for £200 less but I was happy to pay the extra from SIA

Southwest&Blue · 04-26-2012, 03:39 PM

Hands down. Southwest Airlines. 2009 first time flying by myself. Louisville to San Francisco via Phoenix and San Diego. Price was around $200 RT. First time flying, and I enjoyed it. Pick your seat. I was one of the last to board and got seat E8. (I think. It WAS a middle seat) FA's were very nice. When I landed in San Diego, I had a delay because of fog in SF. Pilots let me sit in the c o c kpit and told me about the 737-700. Southwest is my airline.

UA-DL-AA-US · 04-26-2012, 03:42 PM

Can't say I have flown on many airlines but overall I think WestJet was the best experience. There cabin crew is extremely attentive and kind and both times I flew with them you just get a nice vibe from the flight crew. There seats are comfortable but best of all is the In-Flight Entertainment system on the back of every seat. They even let you use it for the hour and half flight Toronto-Halifax. Toronto-Pearson is also a nice airport to fly out of, very modern and "hip", too bad the fares a WAY to high in Canada. Definately overall, WestJet is the best out my experience.

The worst would be the one CanJet flight I was on, but i'll leave that if there is a thread for worst airline experience

Conor · 04-26-2012, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charter

Something about Alitalia.
I have flown many times with the old Alitalia, before its "controlled default", and the service was awful. I remember a flight from Paris to Rome: my wife had eaten a battered sandwich and, while into the airplane (an A320), she felt sick during the take off; there were no bags for vomiting, and she had to vomit in a paper. When we asked to the flight attendant, a man with a uniform with "smears", exclaimed: "how disgusting", while my wife was vomiting in a paper... When i asked for help, for a bag, for a napkin (we were during the take off, so she could not get up and go to the bathroom), the flight attendants did not answer; they returned soon after the take off, to distribute some food and, when for the second time, when they were giving some cold pasta to my wife, a female flight assistant said "disgusting" to my wife, i got up and i took the neck of the male flight assistant...
From that day i swore to no longer fly with Alitalia!
I have flown again with the new Alitalia in 2010, Rome - Venice with an MD-80: the airplane was very old and the seats were moving but the inflight service was good and the flight attendants had a new "mind", a new education, a new and better sensibility. They were doing their job!
About Dusseldorf fair i searched also with Alitalia, and this is what i have discovered ( i share only the best prices):
- Rome - Amsterdam (code sharing with KLM)
Amsterdam - Dusseldorf...
... 11h 15' of flight for 336,74 euro;
- Dusseldorf - Amsterdam (code sharing with KLM)
Amsterdam - Rome...
... 14h 25' of flight for 324,56 euro.
Total price: 671,30 euro, for a total time of 35h and 40' of flights and airports!

Alitalia is improving its service and its quality: the old MD-80's are less, while there are many new A320's and A330's; the debt is being reduced...Alitalia is ready to be completely controlled, and bought, by Air France (2013)!

I pee'd myself laughing at that one. 'Alessandro saves the day'!

But, as you can guess, my best airline experience was with pre-merger Continental. DUB?EWR, great service, cabin staff couldn't do enough, only trip I've ever been on where both flights left on time, Newark facility phenomenal.
Just last year, though, I flew with mid-merger United (the flights were originally booked as Continental flights) and it was atrocious. Only one word could describe the trip, and that was disgrace.
Aer Lingus is my current favourite airline (along with American). Though AA doesn't have IFE, their service was second-to-none. If it weren't for them, in fact, I wouldn't have flown with EI - they changed our flights for us due to a slight delay!

//Conor

Charter · 04-28-2012, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conor

I pee'd myself laughing at that one. 'Alessandro saves the day'!

But, as you can guess, my best airline experience was with pre-merger Continental. DUB?EWR, great service, cabin staff couldn't do enough, only trip I've ever been on where both flights left on time, Newark facility phenomenal.
Just last year, though, I flew with mid-merger United (the flights were originally booked as Continental flights) and it was atrocious. Only one word could describe the trip, and that was disgrace.
Aer Lingus is my current favourite airline (along with American). Though AA doesn't have IFE, their service was second-to-none. If it weren't for them, in fact, I wouldn't have flown with EI - they changed our flights for us due to a slight delay!

//Conor

Well, after few seconds i have given back the neck to the steward, but it was an awful situation.

Charter · 04-28-2012, 11:25 AM

Air Tahiti Nui.
I flew with this airline in 2002, for a very long trip: Paris - Los Angeles - Tahiti. I went to French Polynesia (Moorea Island) and from Rome to Paris i flew with Air France; then i took an Air Tahiti Nui A340-300 full of French passengers and some Polynesian. The airplane was great, very comfortable seats and a wonderful service. The crew was formed by Polynesian and French flight attendants, and they had a great care of the passengers. During the flight from Paris to Los Angeles, i helped a woman with some health problems and i was "tanked" by a Polynesian steward with a bottle of French Champagne and...his telephone number because he was gay and i was very "nice" to him: very nice person indeed, and i discovered that he had an operation to his nose in my hospital, in Rome! What a small World!
After a long trip from Paris to Los Angeles, we had a stop to the Californian city; it was just a year after 9/11, and we had a long queue for the passport control, with many policemen with wolf dogs asking us something about out travel...Then we entered a long corridor, full of shops; of course many of us went to the bathroom and here...surprise: policemen with dogs also inside the bathroom! After a hour of stop, the second long trip over the Pacific Ocean up to Tahiti.
Everything was perfect, especially if you think that we have flown for many, many hours. But in the return trip i had some problems on the stop in Los Angeles: probably you know that the French are considered cousins of the Italians, and that between France and Italy there is not much sympathy. The ground steward in Los Angeles airport ( a French man), when we exited the plane after the landing from Tahiti, for a 1 hour stop, asked me (and only to me!) the passport: nothing to say, i gave my passport, asking myself what kind of control he had to do to a passenger after 8 hours over the Pacific Ocean...but i thought that it was his job! After the hour stop we had to enter again into the airplane and the same French steward asked me the passport again: i, amazed, asked him if there were problems with me, if, as a child, i had pulled his hair so him told me to show him what i had in my pockets; well, you have to know that i had a flew, so my pockets were full of kleenex full of snot, and it was an incredible satisfaction fill his hands of all those kleenex full of snot!
France 0 - Italy 1!

P.S. Those who knew me to DUS fairs know that i'm not unpleasant: perhaps i remembered him a classmate who stole the snak or pulled his hair!

By the way: Air Tahiti Nui is a great airline, wonderful A340-300, great livery; it has a great inflight service, and i'm amazed that during the long trip i have never seen a hostess with the hair or the uniform "out of place"! The Polynesian flight attendants had a hibiscus flower in her hair, and their small but perfect bodies...Really wonderful!!!