Airline preferences for international travel?

[Cioccolato]

H and I took AA this time to the US. The plane was ancient, no PTVs and what appeared to be sticky putty holding things together in the bathrooms. I'm dreading the flight home.

I prefer BA or AF when flying to the US.

[VillainV]

We've been flying United and Air Canada a lot lately for trans-atlantic travel, and they have been fine (no complaints). I did an AA fight a few years ago that was good, and H has done Delta a few times with no issues.

[Cioccolato]

Delta is good too. I prefer them from the American companies.

[dorothyinAus]

I've flown Qantas, Air New Zealand, and United to/from Australia. Of those, I prefer Air New Zealand. But I am picky and prefer to fly through San Francisco, rather than the hell-hole that is LAX.

Edited: I've only ever flown economy or premium economy. Premium economy on United gets you nothing but more legroom. It gets you priority boarding and a glass of champagne, as well as extra legroom on Air New Zealand. Ohh, and as far as I can tell United only has old planes with a single entertainment screen.

I've flown Air Canada and United/US Air to Montreal/Quebec, and surprisingly, my experience was better on United/US Air, even though they left my luggage sitting on the tarmac in Pittsburgh.

[wise_rita]

Jan 3, 2013 10:37:20 GMT -5 Cioccolato said:

no PTVs

WTMF.

What century is this?!

Sent from my Nexus 4 using proboards

[Deleted]

I cannot stand AA! I always fly BA, my favourite, although SwissAir is also very good.

[frlcb]

We can fly either Delta or BA direct to the UK, where we go most often, and prefer BA, but it is pricier and their frequent flier redemption SUCKS so we generally fly Delta. I love Singapore Air.

[Cheesecake]

It really depends on the actual plane they use. On our last trip on the way to the US we had a great plane, crew, food was awesome, super comfy flight really, as far as economy ever is comfy. The way back was hellish. no PTVs, food was sucky, crew was unfriendly and screaming children around us that did not stop screaming for the full 10 hours (and parents that didn't even try to comfort/occupy them).
Based on the flight to the US, I highly recommend Delta, based on the flight back home I'd say I prefer different airlines. There's really just no way to tell unless you've done the exact same flight a bunch of times with different airlines.

My favorite airline used to be TWA, but they were bought by northwest, which merged with Delta and flying from Amsterdam you never know whether it's a Delta or KLM operated flight. Oh well...

[Cioccolato]

Jan 3, 2013 13:34:31 GMT -5 Cheesecake said:

It really depends on the actual plane they use. On our last trip on the way to the US we had a great plane, crew, food was awesome, super comfy flight really, as far as economy ever is comfy. The way back was hellish. no PTVs, food was sucky, crew was unfriendly and screaming children around us that did not stop screaming for the full 10 hours (and parents that didn't even try to comfort/occupy them).
Based on the flight to the US, I highly recommend Delta, based on the flight back home I'd say I prefer different airlines. There's really just no way to tell unless you've done the exact same flight a bunch of times with different airlines.

My favorite airline used to be TWA, but they were bought by northwest, which merged with Delta and flying from Amsterdam you never know whether it's a Delta or KLM operated flight. Oh well...

TWA was bought by AA.

[crimsonandclover]

Jan 3, 2013 13:34:31 GMT -5 Cheesecake said:

It really depends on the actual plane they use. On our last trip on the way to the US we had a great plane, crew, food was awesome, super comfy flight really, as far as economy ever is comfy. The way back was hellish. no PTVs, food was sucky, crew was unfriendly and screaming children around us that did not stop screaming for the full 10 hours (and parents that didn't even try to comfort/occupy them).
Based on the flight to the US, I highly recommend Delta, based on the flight back home I'd say I prefer different airlines. There's really just no way to tell unless you've done the exact same flight a bunch of times with different airlines.

This. There's a direct flight from Stuttgart to Atlanta that I avoid because the plane they use doesn't have the PTVs, let alone on-demand movies. And it's a 10 hr flight, so even though if we fly through Atlanta we only have 1 layover to the airport 5 min from my parents' house, it's not worth it. Any plane that doesn't have PTVs kind of makes me feel like it's too old to still be flying...

Recently I flew United on a former Continental plane and it was a single aisle. That was awful with a toddler because I kind of rely on the bathroom area as a place to let her run laps (not where people are sitting, of course).

The Paris-Chicago flight with AF was a fabulous plane with a bajillion movies and great food, but I've only flown that route once, so who knows. Otherwise I used to like to fly Swiss Air before they jacked their prices up, and I like United's Economy Plus option.

[allibally]

I've done an AA flight from Zurich. I didn't mind it because the flight attendants were mostly friendly and helpful. They never have PVT's because try definitely fly there old planes on that route. Most of the American carriers do sadly.

I always go with who ever is cheaper. There hasn't been a carrier that's blown my usual expectations. United was helpful when they caused me to be stuck overnight in JAX. I had the kitten with me and I could of easily been screwed over.

[Cheesecake]

Jan 3, 2013 13:57:10 GMT -5 Cioccolato said:

Jan 3, 2013 13:34:31 GMT -5 Cheesecake said:

My favorite airline used to be TWA, but they were bought by northwest, which merged with Delta and flying from Amsterdam you never know whether it's a Delta or KLM operated flight. Oh well...

TWA was bought by AA.

Seriously? My mind must be going then. I could've sworn I transferred my TW miles to NW back then.

[mouseinlux]

We refuse to fly American air lines of any distcription. We will fly BA, AF or KLM. The issue with BA is the lay over on the way home, it's hours.

[bail229]

Jan 3, 2013 11:27:47 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

Jan 3, 2013 10:37:20 GMT -5 Cioccolato said:

no PTVs

WTMF.

What century is this?!

Sent from my Nexus 4 using proboards

Make sure you don't fly United back to the states!

V Australia is pretty good and delta was ok.
We are flying Korean air in July. I'm interested to see how they are.

[elenetxu]

We've always flown Iberia because I had read bad things about BA and AF. What do you think of them in comparison to Lufthansa? Iberia is doing strange things lately and Lufthansa and AF are two other options we have.

(IB and BA have joined),

[Cioccolato]

Jan 3, 2013 14:29:16 GMT -5 Cheesecake said:

Jan 3, 2013 13:57:10 GMT -5 Cioccolato said:

TWA was bought by AA.

Seriously? My mind must be going then. I could've sworn I transferred my TW miles to NW back then.

Yes, AA. I grew up in STL, TWA's headquarters, it was major news when AA bought them out. End of an era for St. Louis. Sad times .

[Cioccolato]

Jan 3, 2013 16:24:26 GMT -5 elenetxu said:

We've always flown Iberia because I had read bad things about BA and AF. What do you think of them in comparison to Lufthansa? Iberia is doing strange things lately and Lufthansa and AF are two other options we have.

(IB and BA have joined),

I've only flown Lufhansa within Europe and always impressed. The planes seem new, very clean and the flight crew is always friendly. I imagine their international service is as nice.

[Cioccolato]

Jan 3, 2013 15:52:10 GMT -5 bail229 said:

Jan 3, 2013 11:27:47 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

WTMF.

What century is this?!

Sent from my Nexus 4 using proboards

Make sure you don't fly United back to the states!

V Australia is pretty good and delta was ok.
We are flying Korean air in July. I'm interested to see how they are.

I flew an old United 747 ORD-FRA this past summer, no PTV's but it didn't seem as bad as AA. United flies nonstop from GVA-Newark, a 767, but with PTVs. It's not so bad, but the flight crew isn't the nicest.

[GilliC]

I like Lufthansa for economy. The old 747s don't all have personal TVs and some have 2-prong headphone jacks. I carry an iPad and a headphone adapter, so neither is a big issue for me. I like Lufthansa's service and the German no-nonsense approach to annoying travelers who cause problems. Also, in-flight WiFi on a 10-hour trans-Atlantic flight indefinitely worth €20 to me.

On overnight flights, the US airlines are my least favorite, because I like a glass of wine to help put me to sleep.

Business in Lufthansa kind of sucked though. I'd go for anyone with flatbed seats or even the old biz seats over Lufthansa's weird angled flat seats. Aside from my luggage debacle, TAM's business class was the nicest I've flown (United, Lufthansa, TAM).

[americaninoz]

We stopped flying united because of that 1 big screen on the planes they use to aus, we usually fly delta or virgin now, both are good, I'd like to try qantas intl, but their flights have always been double the price .....

[singingpilgrim]

Okay so I've only done it once but I did Virgin Atlantic and it was great. Just cheap seat coach but private tvswith good movie and tv selection the meals were goodand there were unexpected extras. On the overnight flight e they gave out kits with face masks and toothbrushes and paste. And they gave out candy for the descent. It was pleasant, and flying that long isn't so pleasan

[singingpilgrim]

Ugh sorry guys using my phone and touchscreens aren't my friend.

[stever]

We usually fly Virgin.

[Shreddingbetty]

We always fly United since we are frequent flyers with them and we have generally liked them (they are good for flying East, especially to Maine and also flying out of our little airport in Colorado Springs). But since their merger with Continental they've gone downhill. A lot of the continental planes suck and our premier status (which is the lowest with benefits but still) is losing a lot of benefits: no more economy plus at booking, only 1 suitcase instead of 2 are the big ones. I must say thought that we have had PTV on all our transatlantic flight for the last few years. Not that I really care because I don't get to enjoy it anyway with a toddler all over me for a good part of the flight :-)

[Deleted]

Jan 3, 2013 13:17:19 GMT -5 frlcb said:

We can fly either Delta or BA direct to the UK, where we go most often, and prefer BA, but it is pricier and their frequent flier redemption SUCKS so we generally fly Delta.

This.

I really like Asiana too. That was a great experience.

Admittedly, I got a kick out of the new Zealand air safety video.

[crimsonandclover]

Jan 3, 2013 16:24:26 GMT -5 elenetxu said:

We've always flown Iberia because I had read bad things about BA and AF. What do you think of them in comparison to Lufthansa? Iberia is doing strange things lately and Lufthansa and AF are two other options we have.

(IB and BA have joined),

I flew Iberia to the US and back once, and it was one of the worst planes/flights I've been on. There were no PTVs in the plane, and on the way to the US, the sound in my row didn't work so none of us could listen to the movies. On the way back, nothing on my seat worked and we had 4 straight hours of turbulence where the attendants were very strict about people getting up. But awesome, I couldn't call for them because my button was broken.

So in comparison, my experiences with Lufthansa have been much, much better!

[irish]

Jan 3, 2013 15:52:10 GMT -5 bail229 said:

We are flying Korean air in July. I'm interested to see how they are.

I flew Korean Air, nearly 10 years ago though (yikes! can't believe it's that long ago!!) and they were fine. That was London - Sydney with a layover in Seoul. Not a great selection of food (a western meal or a Korean meal). From what I remember, London - Seoul had PTV, Seoul - Sydney didn't. Same on the return leg.

Like I said, that was 10 years ago so maybe they all have PTVs now...

[potatopie]

Nothing compares to Emirates or Etihad. Those airlines are always great. I just don't love the ten hour layover in Dubai we often have to do.

I had a bad trip with Lufthansa from Frankfurt to Cape Town. No PTVs and only showed two terrible movies during a 10 hour flight.

[Wanderista]

Of the airlines I've flown, Virgin Atlantic is my favorite. I haven't done any Asian or Middle Eastern airlines yet though. I agree that it depends tremendously on the specific plane that you get though, even so, I still like Virgin. I love the "goodies" like the flight pack, the food, snacks like ice cream, the fun vibe and style. I'm a frequent flyer with them. I've never flown Delta but with the recent merger, I may be doing that in the future. My biggest complaint about Virgin so far has been a weak selection of partner airlines, so hopefully this merger will help that.

I do not like United. I'll fly them if I have to but I'd rather not. I find the staff very rude, the food to be gross, and yeah the entertainment sucks compared to Virgin. I did get a free upgrade to Economy Plus (I'm pretty good at getting free upgrades and stuff from airlines, it happens to me a lot), it was ok but yeah, I prefer Virgin.

I am willing to try other airlines for a change as well, but I really like how fun Virgin is and I'm a traveler who gets bored easily on planes so the entertainment and little perks are important to me. If Virgin were to cut back on that stuff, I would get so irritated that I probably would not be as loyal as I have been.

[GilliC]

For some reason, I was thinking trans-Atlantic. I'm not sure why.

Overall, Singapore has been my favorite hands-down. The service was wonderful! I also liked Emirates a lot. I've only flown Cathay Pacific short-haul, but I would definitely give them a chance on a long-haul.

Otherwise, I almost always prefer a 777 over just about anything else (short of a 787 Dreamliner, which I haven't flown yet). They're almost always newer and well-equipped, so I'll usually choose a 777 even if it means no 2-seat configurations and I can't reach the overhead bins. I actually like the 777 more than the A380 because I like to lean against the bulkhead, and it's a bit too far away on the A380. 747s are usually my last choice, because it seems like they're the last planes to be upgraded, since a lot of airlines are trying to move to newer options.