What is the best international airline?
May 23rd, 2003, 10:10 PM
#5
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From US to Europe - American. Seat pitch is great. I could easily cross my legs in coach and I'm not a small guy. 777's have a video screen and several movie channels in the seat back in front of you.
From US to Australia and NZ - Air New Zealand. No more room than the usual crowd, but the seats themselves are ok comfort-wise. Service is why I prefer them, plus being able to book the exit aisle, although I still wish AA flew to Aus for the extra room.
From US to Australia and NZ - Air New Zealand. No more room than the usual crowd, but the seats themselves are ok comfort-wise. Service is why I prefer them, plus being able to book the exit aisle, although I still wish AA flew to Aus for the extra room.
Jun 4th, 2003, 05:39 PM
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El Al without a doubt. Most pleasant 10 hours I ever spent on a plane. Good food, polite attendents, clean, and you better be sure it's safe. When I was waiting to use the bathroom there was someone ahead of me who'd been in there for awhile and before I went in, the attendent said "excuse me please" and went in a sprayed air freshner!
I wish they went everywhere. Probably not going back to Israel anytime soon.
I wish they went everywhere. Probably not going back to Israel anytime soon.
Jun 7th, 2005, 10:57 PM
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I think JamesA and MichaelHD have it pretty accurate based on the 2005 Sytrax Survey which is based on around 12.5 million reponses.
This can be seen at www.airlinequality.com, it also gives the airlines a ranking and as can be seen the US airlines do pretty badly which is in line with my views of their service levels.
In fact, there are no US International carriers with a ranking above 3 and therefore I think that speaks volume when trying to find a good airline to travel internationally.
Geordie
This can be seen at www.airlinequality.com, it also gives the airlines a ranking and as can be seen the US airlines do pretty badly which is in line with my views of their service levels.
In fact, there are no US International carriers with a ranking above 3 and therefore I think that speaks volume when trying to find a good airline to travel internationally.
Geordie
Jun 8th, 2005, 03:18 AM
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Note to Clifton--American has done away with the "extra room." Every airline now seems to have between 31 and 33 inches in coach so everyone says the seating is tight in coach unless they have an isle seat.
British, Virgin, Luft., Iberia, Scandavia still offer free alcohol in coach. The bottom line is check the prices. If you drink and these airlines are only $30 more than the others, go with the free drinks and save money. Also, according to www.airlinequality.com, these airlines are four star airlines.
I personally like British Airways because Ten minutes after take-off they turn off the fasten seat belt sign and usually don't put it back until ten minutes before landing. This way if there is a crying baby next to you, the mother can get up and take care of the problem. Also, individual tv's with many channels.
British, Virgin, Luft., Iberia, Scandavia still offer free alcohol in coach. The bottom line is check the prices. If you drink and these airlines are only $30 more than the others, go with the free drinks and save money. Also, according to www.airlinequality.com, these airlines are four star airlines.
I personally like British Airways because Ten minutes after take-off they turn off the fasten seat belt sign and usually don't put it back until ten minutes before landing. This way if there is a crying baby next to you, the mother can get up and take care of the problem. Also, individual tv's with many channels.
Jun 8th, 2005, 04:26 AM
#17
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wally, yep that's true. This is a pretty old thread though and I hadn't come back to modify the recs I've made over the last few years.
I'm pretty disappointed with their decision and domestically have been flying with whoever is lowest cost lately. Haven't decided whether to stick with AA or not internationally yet or jus use up the FF miles and move on.
I'm pretty disappointed with their decision and domestically have been flying with whoever is lowest cost lately. Haven't decided whether to stick with AA or not internationally yet or jus use up the FF miles and move on.
Jun 8th, 2005, 12:58 PM
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I would say any non-US airline is pretty good. Virgin Upper Class Suite was phenominal from LA-London. BA Club was ok but nothing special from PHX-London. BA economy was pretty rough but then so is Virgin economy. SAA are very good in both business and economy.
Jun 10th, 2005, 07:33 AM
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I haven't flown overseas much, but I did fly Northwest Detroit to Paris and had a very nice experience. The food was good (wonder of wonders...), the personal entertainment center in the back of the seat front was unexpected and delightful, and the flight staff was extremely attentive. I was a bit cramped in coach, but for the little amount I paid it was worth it.
I'm sure there are good and bad experiences with every airline, but I would fly with Northwest overseas again in a heartbeat.
I'm sure there are good and bad experiences with every airline, but I would fly with Northwest overseas again in a heartbeat.
Jun 10th, 2005, 08:45 AM
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1. Cathay Pacific
a)First - nothing comes close
b)Business - very nice
c)Coach - tight seating, still great service and food
2. Qantas - just a notch below CX
3. JAL - Outstanding in First, great in business. Coach is just coach, although the FAs are just sooooo cute.
4. Swiss - Probably the best European transoceanic airline at this time.
5. LAN - the best for South American destinations.
6. Emirates - wonderful cabin, beautiful, international FAs, lacking in the finishing touches.
7. BA/AA/LH/UA/CO - in so many ways similar, yet different. Over all a decent experience.
The above is based on personal experiences only. I have not tried Air New Zealand, Air France, South Africa Airlines, which I hear good things about.
The rest - well??? who knows?
a)First - nothing comes close
b)Business - very nice
c)Coach - tight seating, still great service and food
2. Qantas - just a notch below CX
3. JAL - Outstanding in First, great in business. Coach is just coach, although the FAs are just sooooo cute.
4. Swiss - Probably the best European transoceanic airline at this time.
5. LAN - the best for South American destinations.
6. Emirates - wonderful cabin, beautiful, international FAs, lacking in the finishing touches.
7. BA/AA/LH/UA/CO - in so many ways similar, yet different. Over all a decent experience.
The above is based on personal experiences only. I have not tried Air New Zealand, Air France, South Africa Airlines, which I hear good things about.
The rest - well??? who knows?
