What is your favourite airline?
March 2nd 2008 18:24
Mine's NOT Lufthansa, that's for sure.
I returned to Germany a couple of weeks ago after a pleasant summer visit to my hometown, Sydney. On my long journey back to Europe I flew with Lufthansa (the German airline) from Singapore to Frankfurt for the second time in my life. And I was surprised and disappointed to find that (four years after the last time I flew them), the plane STILL didn't have personal screens and a personal entertainment system for every passenger in economy class. Instead, small and widely separated screens hung high above the aisle, showing some dull nature documentaries that practically no-one was watching.
Now, I might sound like some kind of spoilt, whinging brat, but after numerous journeys across the world I have a very firm opinion that a good entertainment system on a plane plays a great role in making a 13-hour flight a lot more pleasant.
After an exhausting day/night of packing your suitcase and a stressful check-in queue at the airport (not to mention teary farewells), there is nothing nicer than sinking into your plane seat and relaxing with a good movie. Alas, this time I did not have this opportunity.
And how about Lufthansa's in-flight magazine? Dull as powder. Even the safety instruction sheet was a more exciting read. This was yet another disappointment, because I am always keen to devour a good in-flight mag from cover to cover. However, in this particular instance, I got from cover to cover in about 30 seconds, after not finding a single article that caught my attention. Yawn.
To top everything off, I woke up groggy and with a queasy stomach two hours before landing, only to be greeted with a breakfast that included a seemingly artificial (or repeatedly reconstituted) sausage, which forced me to slam the aluminium lid back in horror.
Poor Lufthansa. I'm being so mean. To be fair, I can admit that the flight attendants were very friendly, which is at least something positive.
And what are my favourite airlines, you ask? I haven't flown with all the airlines in the world, of course, but from the ones I have, here are the highlights:
ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM:
Qantas and Scandinavian Airlines
FOOD:
Thai Airways and Scandinavian Airlines
SERVICE:
Singapore Airlines and Scandinavian Airlines
IN-FLIGHT MAGAZINE:
Scandinavian Airlines ("Scanorama") -- best by far!
OK, there is obviously a recurring name in there.
And you have probably guessed what my favourite airline is by now. And maybe this airline is one of the reasons why I prefer to enter Europe through Denmark.After all, where else can you enjoy a delicious smoked-reindeer wrap in the middle of the night (while most of the other passengers are asleep), served by a smiling stewardess who comes around one hour later and also gives you chocolates? That's Scandinavian service for you!
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Comment by Anonymous
A
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
I like Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Thai Air for service. I didn't mind British Airways either, though every time I've been on one of their flights the cabin is REALLY stuffy like the air con isn't working properly. So they get points off for that.
Emirate is great for the entertainment system too!
I've heard that the Argentinian and Brazilian airlines are really bad with their service.
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
My favourite airline is probably Thai Airways or Singapore Airways... both the food, service and entertainment is good. Japan Airlines is also quite good.
I have never been given chocolates except whilst flying with Swiss Air. I have never flown with Scandinavian Airlines but I look forward to it!