T+L's Best Airlines

[MrBill]

I know this isn't specifically an inside Thailand topic, but this morning I read about Travel & Leisure magazines 2012 Best Airlines Awards. Since so many of us do a lot of (at least to get to LOS) flying, I thought I would pass the info on. http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/world-s-best-airlines.html

[Rogie]

An airline called Virgin America is on that list at #7 but many of the comments are from Americans bemoaning the state of their nation's airlines, so I have to admit to being a bit confused.

 

Well done to THAI Airways for making the top 10.

[Guest thaiworthy]

One of the more popular airlines that didn't make it into the list is a special favorite among gay people. It is a new offshoot from parent company Air Italia. They will fly you anywhere you want to go, but all flights originate from Genoa and terminate with a happy ending. The airline is called GenItalia.*

 

Seriously, one thing common among the winners of this list is their level of customer service. This means that no matter what class you fly in, you will not be treated like cattle. Actually, in my experience, many of the Asian airlines already do have a superb level of customer service, especially when compared to some American counterparts. My favorite is Korean Airlines, which makes the passage of time seem almost instantaneous. While only 4th in the ranking, I wouldn't be surprised if they caught up to Singapore Air in no time at all.

 

--------------

*

Kokopelli: "Thaiworthy, your jokes are getting sicker and sicker."

Thaiworthy: "I know. I am seeing someone to get help."

Kokopelli: "Oh, you're seeing a psychiatrist?"

Thaiworthy: "No, a joke writer."

[Rogie]

I'm in a charitable mood today and would like to say I enjoyed your joke Tw.

 

Would it be too nosy to enquire if the joke was a collaboration with your joke-writer, or does it date from your pre-joke writer days. In other words, are the jokes going to get better, or not?

[Rogie]

Whoever would have thought it?

 

 

Have you ever clicked your fingers to get the attention of an air hostess while you are 10km above the ground? If the answer is yes, you annoyed your aircrew - whether you intended to or not.

 

According to Skyscanner website spokesperson Sam Poullain, cabin crew are in the unique position of meeting people from all walks of life, however, with nearly three million people flying every day, some regular habits and requests can understandably get under their skin.

 

The global travel search site conducted a survey of 700 international cabin crew members in 85 countries to find out that the most annoying behaviour of passenger was clicking fingers to get the attention of flight attendants (26%), followed by leaving seats after landing but before the seat-belt signs are switched off (13%), trying to stuff too many bags into overhead lockers (11%), and complaining of no space in the lockers (10%).

 

Other habits which did not please air crew included talking through the safety demo, stuffing rubbish into seat pockets, asking for more blankets or pillows, asking for a different meal, ringing the attendant bell to complain about the temperature, and asking for a specific brand of drink.

 

In addition, the survey also found cabin crew's dream passengers - males in their thirties who travel in economy class alone, for pleasure, rather than business.

 

"This is the first time we've surveyed international cabin crew and the findings give us a real [insight] into what they really think of passengers. The results were certainly not what we expected. Contrary to stereotypes, it's interesting to see that it's the men who get the vote for the perfect passenger, while cabin crews prefer to work in economy rather than premium class," said Mr Poullain.

 

http://www.bangkokpost.com/travel/travel-update/323641/cabin-crew-love-single-males

[TotallyOz]

I have flown 6 of the 10 and I agree Singapore is the best.

 

My disappointment with Thai is their new configuration in the A380. I wish they had the stand up bar area in the back like Korean Air has in Business Class. I find that a real treat on an International flight.

[firecat69]

Although I hate to say it because i despise DL's frequent Flyer program, DL international Business product is better then many on that top 10 list.

 

First DL has 2 classes only which means on many of their airplanes they have the staggered seating which is so far superior to many Business layouts where you have to climb over people to use the restrooms etc.

 

It is undeniable that the FA's on the foreign airlines are more attractive then the old women on DL. But I find the overall service in Business Class not to be that much worse then most of the airlines on that list. I have had some really good American type meals in Business. I can't comment on the wine selection or booze because I don't drink on flights.

 

I will be flying the Dreamliner next year on ANA which will have the staggered seating and 2 classes only and will report.

[MrBill]

Although I hate to say it because i despise DL's frequent Flyer program, DL international Business product is better then many on that top 10 list.

 

First DL has 2 classes only which means on many of their airplanes they have the staggered seating which is so far superior to many Business layouts where you have to climb over people to use the restrooms etc.

 

It is undeniable that the FA's on the foreign airlines are more attractive then the old women on DL. But I find the overall service in Business Class not to be that much worse then most of the airlines on that list. I have had some really good American type meals in Business. I can't comment on the wine selection or booze because I don't drink on flights.

I live in DL's largest hub city. They have reduced the number of passenger complaints in the past year so I think they're coming out of merger mode. My biggest problem with them in he past is that the FA's disappear after the service. Their fares from my home city tend to be higher as well. United is boasting they and their Star Alliance partners offer the most award seats and this just might be true. I flew business class for 120K and $131.20 taxes. DL wanted 380K for same dates. And by the way, that old woman flight attendant you refer to, his name is Fred

[firecat69]

Ha Ha Ha

 

Absolutely no contest between DL and UA as far as finding award seats at reasonable levels. UA is exponentially better and their search engine is far superior which means most of the time I don't have to call.

 

DL is usually a slight bit more expensive but its International BC seating is far superior to 3 Class United where you have to crawl over people in BC.

 

Too bad we can't merge the best of both!

[MrBill]

I've never heard of a "MegaDo" but sorry I missed this. Any airliner geeks on this board may enjoy this NY Times article on the new 787 Dreamliner: http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/12/02/travel/test-flying-the-boeing-787-dreamliner.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

[TotallyOz]

I've never heard of a "MegaDo" but sorry I missed this. Any airliner geeks on this board may enjoy this NY Times article on the new 787 Dreamliner: http://travel.nytime...ner=rss&emc=rss

 

Thank you for that link. I had never heard of this. I do admit, when I saw the term MegaDo, I was thinking it was a mega dodo (shit) on the plane or a major fuckup. LOL

 

Great article!

[Guest fountainhall]

Flyertalk is full of tales of frequent flyer junkies who find a combination of outrageously low fares for a complicated round-trip and then spend a couple of days on planes to rack up 20,000+ miles. I'll happily go a little out of my way to get a few extra miles, but that's about all.

 

As for the Dreamliner, I said I'd wait till it had been in service for a couple of years or so before taking it. I did the same for the A380 and now it's my favourite aircraft.

 

As for the world's best airline, I note that this ranks mostly economy class. It is right to highlight the 32" pitch on SIA and others, because some airlines are now reducing some of their long-haul fleet to 31" (e.g. British Airways and THAI).

 

But any ranking should compare like with like. As the notes re THAI make clear, T&L's customers are primarily based in the US. Frankly, for Qatar to come 8th makes no sense if you take European and Asian passengers into the poll. It has been awarded Airline of the Year (covering all classes) by Skytrax, the largest worldwide poll, for two years running, and its business class is frankly second to none - plus its 777 toilets are double the normal size (for what reason, I leave to your imagination!)

[fedssocr]

Frankly I am a little shocked at TG scoring so high.

 

Having flown on CX for the first time in the last couple of weeks I was mightily impressed.

 

Never been on SQ since they are so stingy with their award seats. Flying Emirates tomorrow night on the A380 F class. So I will get to experience the gaudiness first hand.

 

Apparently Virgin America is in big financial trouble. Everyone who flies them seems to love them, but I think their limited route network and lack of partners hurts them.

[MrBill]

Has anyone ever used this app? I just read about it this afternoon. http://www.expertflyer.com/

[MrBill]

As for the Dreamliner, I said I'd wait till it had been in service for a couple of years or so before taking it. I did the same for the A380 and now it's my favourite aircraft.

United will be rolling out their first 787s in a few months. They have opted for 9 across seating in coach rather than the 8 across favored by Asian carriers. Also, I just read that American is retrofitting all of their 777s from 9 across seating to 10 across, while suggesting that it will give the aircraft a "roomier feel." Right I plunk my butt into a seat that is now 18.5 inches instead of a previous 20.5 inches and it's bound to feel more roomier. I can't wait!

[Guest fountainhall]

Has anyone ever used this app? I just read about it this afternoon. http://www.expertflyer.com/

 

Never heard of it. I checked the Q&A and it sounds like an interesting tool. Judging by this site -

 

http://thepointsguy....ilability-tool/

 

- it may be a little difficult to work out the detail at first, but some time spent in familiarisation will pay dividends.

 

I haven't looked into the site, but I expect it will provide fare details mostly for US carriers or carriers flying out of the US. Does anyone know of a similar site that will provide up-tp-date award availability within Asia? I got very pissed off at Cathay Pacific this evening when I booked an award ticket HKG/Taipei/Tokyo/HKG in mid-May. I wanted to take another One World carrier - JAL - on the Taipei/Tokyo sector as it arrives in Tokyo much earlier and also gets in to the much more convenient Haneda airport. But I was told JAL has not opened their bookings for the flight I wanted! I know most airlines in alliances give preference to their own frequent flyers. Sometimes this can be for an exclusive period of several months and last up until about 6 months before a flight. But I've never heard of an airline withholding mileage seats at less than 6 months. The guy at CX told me each airline has different rules and he has no idea when seats on the flight I want will be released! What's the point of alliances, then, I wonder?