I'm flying to Thailand soon and curious if any airlines are notably better than others. I care above all about in-flight entertainment (ie personal screen w freedom to select movies), secondarily about food/drink (do all US airlines charge for wine nowadays on int'l flights?!).

I loved Emirates but their fares aren't cheapest right now. Anyone flown on China Airways or United?

Thanks!

mp413

Premium Asian airlines win hands down when it comes to in-flight service, starting with Singapore Airlines (prob best in the world), but not the cheapest fare. Thai Air is good, as are Cathay Pacific and Japanese carriers JAL and All Nippon. Emirates has a good reputation, esp in business, and China Airways is also ok. United is a typical US carrier - ok service, nothing more.

I should have clarified - I will be flying economy class! So my question applies to economy. thanks!

I find Asian airlines superior in all respects compared to US based carriers for economy travel as well.

Oh and considering the free wine/alcohol alone,if you drink, more than worth the extra $$. Not to forget the superior service.

Cathay Pacific will suit your needs. Or if you're flying from the west coast of the US, Thai Air. We always fly economy and have found that the Asian carriers are far better than the US carriers.

If you are a tall person, like me, you might want something similar to United's Economy Plus, which gives you slightly more leg room.

I'm not sure which carriers named above have individual entertainment systems. Maybe someone can tell you about that, since you say entertainment is your biggest concern.

United is reconfiguring their 747s so that they have the "flat" seats in business class. I don't know if they are reconfiguring the entertainment systems into individual systems... anyone know if they are doing this? As far as I know, they are still the big screen concept, with one movie playing at a time.

you might also look at korean air, malay air and eva air....

Singapore Air. Happy Travels!

definitely Singapore--bar-none.

Thai Air has gone down the tubes in my opinion.

United's 777 have individual screens with 9 channels running on a loop in economy or economy plus. Their 747s have one big communal screen for everybody.

Check which type of plane they fly for your US-Narita flight. NRT-BKK (a 7 hour flight) is currently on a 747-400.

Singapore Air without a doubt.

Our favorite is Singapore Airlines.
Your choice though depends where you are flying from also.
If from the East Coast you have Emirates, Qatar and Etihad. They all offer 1 stop via their Gulf hubs. Qatar Airways also flys from Washington DC.

rkkwan
My UA flight from ORD to NRT was on a 777 for a couple of years; now it has changed back to a 747. That, along with the NRT to BKK trip, makes it an all-747 journey for me now.
The 747 is my favorite plane, as I like business class upstairs. But I like the 5-2-5 economy seating and the entertainment system on the 777. If I have to fly the long haul in economy, I'd rather it be on the 777.

ANA is my fave. A really great airline. The only negative- they used to have a bunch of goodies in the gally that I'd use to ruin my pre-trip weight loss of 15 lbs with. In mid-flight, they'd open it up and I'd gorge myself with Japanese cookies and chocolates. Perhaps due to me, they have lightened the load of yummies on flights

Asian airlines beat out all the US airlines ( hint -its the flight attendants they serve!)

5 x 2 x 5 seating ??????? Whats that?

Wooooops!!! That should be 2-5-2, obviously. I need some more caffiene. haha

Carol

That's nearly as bad as 8+1 seating

Check EVA's deluxe class. It's usually on par with other's economy, and last I few them you had your own screen and selection of movies.

EVA's deluxe class is on par with other airlines' economy class? What is their economy class like in that case?! I am considering flying with them...

EVA's Evergreen Deluxe is more like premium economy. Bigger seats, better food, better service. Of course you pay hundreds more for this than economy. Their economy is like like other airlines economy.