Which Is Your Choice Of Airline?

Britishraj

Flying is hours of boredom sprinkled with a few seconds of sheer terror. To add to our misery, airline food is not intended for human consumption. It is intended as 'in-flight entertainment,where the object is to guess what it is,starting with broad catergories such as 'mineral' and 'linoleum.'
I must admit when it comes to flying I'm a Whimp! I like my terra firma, the more firma, the less terra. In this respect, I tend to choose a'Brand name airline' hoping they don't use rubber bands!
Ultimately, I guess the choice of an airline is relative not only to the destination but also the price of the ticket. Although, I'm sure at sometime you had the experience of flying with the well known 'Brands.'
I think Your Choices and experiences could act as a Guideline for us when weighing up all the pros and cons before making a final choice. Is it worth paying that little bit extra for those 'creature comforts.' Non-stop or Stop-over?

Your choices and experiences Pleeze.

Let me get you off to a Flying start.
Gulf Air...good.
Emirates...good, with 'Free air miles'thrown in.
BA.........good.
Thai Airways..Very Good
JetAirways....good.
Biman..OK
Indian Airlines...Scarery!
AeroFlop! (Russian )...Scarery! with stewardesses who could 'Kick start Jumbo Jets.'The food was terrible..and the portions were so small.
Air Deccan..I arrived at the airport 2 hrs. early so that, in accordance with airline proceedures, I could'stand around.' However, there was a technical hitch and the annocement said the flight will be delayed 6 hrs! Obviously ther were no Rubber Bands available to fix the problem. At this point those passengers that I assume lived / stayed locally, headed back to their abodes. Fortunately, I hung around for a little while (20 mins.)deciding whether I too should go back to my apartment. I decided to check what would be a good time to return. I was then informed the flight was now Departing! My thoughts were for all those passengers that had left! To coin a very well known Shobiz phrase: Elvis Has Left The Buildig !

My top choice: And the Oscar goes to SRI LANKA Airlines...excellent with plenty of food served non stop. Free Air Miles. It was voted 3rd Best Airline in the world.

Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answerbut wish we didn't.

Thanks for your interest.

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Elvis Has Left The Building

Nick-H

I don't have a choice.

BA is the only airline that flies direct, and 10.5 hours is more than long enough for me, without having to spend another few hours wandering the Duty Free shops of some Arab Nation's airport. Even I'm not that much of a shopaholic!

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Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Mickey S

If British Airways flies to a destination, I will use them. They are reliable, and their online check-in and fast-track security minimises the misery of airports. When I'm travelling on business (or splurging on myself) their flat beds cannot be beaten. Furthermore, I can bump up my BA Miles considerably by shopping in Tesco (which I do anyway).

Other excellent airlines are Emirates, Qantas and Singapore Airlines.

I did once use Air India, and would never, ever do so again. A miserable, frightening experience and not worth the (significant) cost saving.

I never use the so-called "low-cost" airlines. In my experience, their fares are not significantly lower than the legacy airlines, and are bumped up by the cost of getting to and from remote airports and the additional costs they add on luggage and even checking in. And the unruly fight to board first and get the "best" seats is, frankly, beneath me.

Nick-H

I'd certainly like to try the competition, if there was any.

BA's online booking is good, and their online booking management and checkin works pretty well --- and enables one to use their fast check-in desks. But the flying experience is not much better than being on a bus. But, for economy-class travellers, is any airline much better?

I've tried Sri Lankan a long time back, I'd like to give Lufthansa a try, but, of course, I'd be stuck with at least one change.

kidsan

From my one experience of flying to delhi last year with Lufthansa Nick, i'd say you're far better sticking with BA.

Lufthansa weren't particularly bad, they just weren't all that good either. Massive check-in queues in that awful cave-like hall at Heathrow terminal 2, pretty cramped seating, forgot my veggy meal and then served me what has to have been the worst airplane meal i've ever had! And, as if that wasnt bad enough, the inflight movie was the execrable RV 'starring' Robin williams...why oh why do i always end up with films starring either Mr Williams or Leslie Nielson when i fly???

Britishraj

I usually fly BA into Delhi. Flight duration 7 hrs.40mins. Great!Modern air travel means less time spent intransit. That time is now spent in the transit lounge!

I was in Vancouver a couple of weeks ago when a Polish guy who had just arrived at the airport went beserk for some unknown reason. He was 'tasered' to restrain him but unfortunately, he died.

anar

never - ever - fly syrian airlines!

drewsky

tops: singapore, thai air, cathay pacific, emirates. kingfisher

I am taking Air India this year from Los Angeles.. It was about 200 dollars cheaper than all others. I have read some horror stories about them but I like some excitment so we shall see.. wish me luck!

I took Cathay Pacific last year and it was amazing..and we're talking economy class here folks.

fly safe!

Brisso

My one experience with Air India - the 747 looked like it should have been in a museum - worn, sagging seats and general signs of wear - however they did bring the drinks trolley round within minutes of take-off, maybe to allay first time IA flyers worries. Hope things have improved.

vandy

Singapore Airlines,Hard to beat.

vandy

Aishah

Air India - definitely bottom of my list although I think far worse airlines around the world. Absolutely tops would be Air New Zealand for international flights - naturally a bias here but the food is SO GOOD and seats are comfortable etc. Up with them are Singapore Airlines and Thai Air - both excellent.

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"Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

edwardseco

Both SIA and MIA have supurb service and some neat perks. MIA, however, flys into that great city Hyderabad. Besides I could spend a lot more time (and money) in Malaysia..

crvlvr

My order of preferance or flights from LAX to BLR:

1. Singapore Airlines
2. Malaysian Airlines
3. Lufthansa
4. British Air

mairangi_vice

I will second that. again though I am biased, but the food is good, the seats are big and the entertainment system helps allay the boredom.

Also Malaysian and Singapore airlines are super. for Indian domestic its obviously kingfisher.

Indian are bad, always delayed and once when I had a seat that was BROKEN! the cabin attendant just gave me a disinterested 'meh..' and went about her business. They have always got me to my destination in one piece though. Also Lufthansa didnt impress me, small seats, bad food and some of the rudest crew ive ever had.

robotvoice

always given five star treatment on Singapore...