Virgin - every time.

As long as you're in "Sardine Class" (a/k/a 'economy'), there's not a significant difference among airlines. I've found my best experiences are when the plane is less than full, the flight attendants are in a good mood --- essentially Bob & Kevin have captured the reality. Aren't any consistently good airlines, rather most have their bad days & better days. <BR> <BR>Recently flew to Italy using American frequent flyer miles on their code-share partners. Went over on Sabena Airlines & came back on Swissair. Best I can say about each of those carriers is that you did get a chocolate (Belgian on Sabena & Swiss on SwissAir) --- and those Airbus planes (SwissAir flight) are quite cozy. You'd think the carriers would figure out that cramming folks in is probably a factor in escalating air rage (and that's another thread topic altogether). <BR> <BR>Bottom line --- just take the cheapest fare & bring along your zen attitude to survive the flight. <BR>

I'm surprised noone has mentioned SAS. I flew them coach on a 10 hour flight with not one empty seat in coach. But the crew couldn't have been nicer, went up and down the aisles once an hour with drinks etc. Ran on time and a good value.

Hey Big Bill- When was the last time you flew Continental? Your expereince is the exact opposite of everything I've had in the last five or six years. The crews have been universally terrific, and seem quite happy with their jobs. Coach is coach, but CO's seemed a bit better than most - more comfortable seats, video at each seat. When I was able to upgrade to BusinessFirst - tremendous! They've really done their homework about what makes a great flight over the pond. Not the stiffly formal, "let's pretend we're not in an airplane" service I've had on other carriers, but world class food and impeccably friendly but not cloying service. <BR>So, I'll respectfully but heartily disagree with your evaluaiton of Continental. They've become my carrier of choice to Europe - and that's just on service, not even considering that they usually have the best fares, too!

Because of where we live, it is usually more convenient to fly United, although their service has not always been great. However, when they were still partner airlines, we flew on Air France to Paris from San Francisco. Great flight, wonderful service from the cabin crew, and very good food. In particular, I couldn't believe how the cabin crew went out of their way to be helpful to everyone, finding seats, stowing luggage, even in coach. On the way back, we flew Air France to New York. Again, we marveled at the same great service that was provided. In New York, we had to change back to United. After we took our seats, I commented to my wife, "Well, there goes the great service." About that time, an older gentleman took the seat in front of us. When one of the cabin crew came by he asked, "Could I please have a magazine?" She gave him a cold stare and said, "They're in the bin in the front of the plane, and you can get one after the plane takes off." My wife and I couldn't stop laughing when I said "Welcome to the friendly skies of United."

Topping

Virgin business class

we flew alitalia in march. after i booked, i read & heard horror stories. the good news was we had no problems as far as delays and safety, they even gave my son a little kid-friendly activity kit both ways. bad news, to get a human being on the phone borders impossible. the food was the worst (not edible at all going, tolerable returning). also the seats are jammed in there, not much room for legs.

Just completed LAX to London roundtrip on Air New Zealand, flight starts in Auckland,and London and stops in LAX. Great experience once airborne, groundstaff could learn from cabin crew. Food with the usual, but pleasant attitudes and neither flight was more than 3/4 full. The BA London to Lisbon, was one of the worst cattle car flight ever, at least it was only 2.5 hours long, I'll avoid BA if possible.

to the top

British Airways- Pleasant, efficient, food almost as good as Air France's and they are constantly serving water to you all night long. Guess I'll have to forgive them for shutting the door in our faces when we were one minute late to connect in London due to their plane from Paris being delayed.[They knew that we were in the terminal running as fast as possible].

British Airways gets a thumbs up from our family! We flew them for the first time in May from LAX to LHR and were upgraded from World Traveller Plus to Business Class. It was a complete surprise, we hadn't said anything to anyone at the check in desk about upgrades, and at the gate they called our name to come to the desk and basically apologized for having to change our seating. What was most surprising was that they had no qualms about upgrading a family with a 3 year old. Everything about that flight was great; service, food, seat that turns into a bed, etc. On the flight back we didn't get an upgrade and sat in our Plus seats. One negative was that the armrests in Plus class don't lift up so you can't take advantage of an empty seat next to you to spread out. We will definitely fly BA again!

We also had a positive experience with BA. Good food, helpful attendants, exit row or bulkhead the whole way. We left Charlotte a bit late on the way over because the crew was caught in traffic going to the airport. But, we still arrived on-time in London. I definitely would fly BA again!

Just back from my trip to Europe with airfrance. The food was horrible and the flight was delayed one hour and a half. No extra leg room. first and last trip with airfrance.

I found the flight from IAD to Paris on United very good. Good service, OK food, good movies, new plane, lots of toilets, on time. What more could you want from a cheap coach flight?

Here's another thumbs up for BA. We amost missed our international flight because of weather conditions. (Our domestic flight landed 1/2 hour after the scheduled departure of our BA flight, but fortunately BA was delayed, too.) BA staff at the gate were looking for us - had known that our flight just landed. Our teenage daughter reached the gate first and was asked where the rest of the family was. (Mom and dad move a litte slower.) Unlike Daphne, we made our flight though our luggage didn't. BA hired a taxi to drive our luggage to Bath the next day. We found everyone at BA most helpful. Love BA 777.

Had a great flight on US Airways to London this summer. The airbus seemed to have extra leg room and we enjoyed the individual entertainment systems to help pass the time.

Anyone else fly Air France to Europe recently. Thanks for the relpy.

ttt

Here's another vote for USAirways Airbus 330 from PA to London. Very comfortable, the individual entertainment system was a great plus for those of us who are used to traveling in steerage with no perks. Food was plentiful, edible but not memorable. And the earphones and soft blankets came in nice clean sealed plastic bags!