How Do We Choose Airlines - Travel Q&A - Wolters World
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Date: 2022-02-04
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Comments and reviews: 10
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I dont fly that often but have limited experience having flown 7 times in the last 12 years to Israel from Chicago. I flew with Lufthansa/United through Frankfort, Alitalia through Milan (twice, Iberia through Madrid, Delta through JFK, United/Air Canada through Newark and Air Canada through Toronto one way, Swiss through Zurich on return. All those flights were booked through online agencies and were not too bad. I found however that going through certain airports was a hassle JFK: some areas/gates are dingy and have downright holding cell feeling while waiting in them. Zurich Airport is vast and sterile, has very few places to get food, none have any vegan options, the bathrooms are far away and have only stairs to get up to the second level, and customer service is hard to find and are not very pleasant.
I have found Air Canada to be the best way to go for several reasons:
The flight to/from Pearson in Toronto is only 1. 5 hours, the airport is modern but pleasant and the best thing is the long flight leg is on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The big difference with this plane compared to others is that it is 80% composite materials which means that the humidity level is 20% vs. 4% in other planes. You will notice the big difference in how you feel after 10, 12 hours in the air. Its as if you drove with the window open for just 3 hours. The difference is very noticeable and makes the flight much more pleasant. So if your international flights airline uses the 787, choose it. You may have to pay more by choosing instead of letting the travel agency choose for you but the difference in price is not that much and the experience will be worth it.
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I dont fly that often but have limited experience having flown 7 times in the last 12 years to Israel from Chicago. I flew with Lufthansa/United through Frankfort, Alitalia through Milan (twice, Iberia through Madrid, Delta through JFK, United/Air Canada through Newark and Air Canada through Toronto one way, Swiss through Zurich on return. All those flights were booked through online agencies and were not too bad. I found however that going through certain airports was a hassle JFK: some areas/gates are dingy and have downright holding cell feeling while waiting in them. Zurich Airport is vast and sterile, has very few places to get food, none have any vegan options, the bathrooms are far away and have only stairs to get up to the second level, and customer service is hard to find and are not very pleasant.
I have found Air Canada to be the best way to go for several reasons:
The flight to/from Pearson in Toronto is only 1. 5 hours, the airport is modern but pleasant and the best thing is the long flight leg is on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The big difference with this plane compared to others is that it is 80% composite materials which means that the humidity level is 20% vs. 4% in other planes. You will notice the big difference in how you feel after 10, 12 hours in the air. Its as if you drove with the window open for just 3 hours. The difference is very noticeable and makes the flight much more pleasant. So if your international flights airline uses the 787, choose it. You may have to pay more by choosing instead of letting the travel agency choose for you but the difference in price is not that much and the experience will be worth it.
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earth
All dead right. What airline actually gets you to where you want to go, what's the customer service like, and getting air miles isn't going to be a consideration unless you fly a lot.
Don't talk to me about Ryanair. They don't go to main airports for the very simple reason that they don't fly anywhere with significant landing charges. Airports make some of their money by charging a fee to land there and Ryanair will always avoid airports with higher landing charges to keep their fares down.
For an example of this, back in 1994 I went on a package trip from London around the Canadian Rockies. We flew to Seattle and joined the coach tour from there because it worked out cheaper for the tour company than flying us to Vancouver, which has notoriously high landing charges. It also meant we got to go up the Space Needle and see that incredible market on the Seattle seafront as well, so am I complaining? Course not!
Yep, London Heathrow is old and ideally it would be great to rebuild the whole thing from scratch, while Amsterdam Schiphol is newer and it's all one big building so changing terminals there is not so big an issue. I live close to Heathrow and the way it has just growed and growed has been a massive problem for years. It has been described as the only building site in the world with its own airport and that's the kind of joke that is true enough to make it funny.
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All dead right. What airline actually gets you to where you want to go, what's the customer service like, and getting air miles isn't going to be a consideration unless you fly a lot.
Don't talk to me about Ryanair. They don't go to main airports for the very simple reason that they don't fly anywhere with significant landing charges. Airports make some of their money by charging a fee to land there and Ryanair will always avoid airports with higher landing charges to keep their fares down.
For an example of this, back in 1994 I went on a package trip from London around the Canadian Rockies. We flew to Seattle and joined the coach tour from there because it worked out cheaper for the tour company than flying us to Vancouver, which has notoriously high landing charges. It also meant we got to go up the Space Needle and see that incredible market on the Seattle seafront as well, so am I complaining? Course not!
Yep, London Heathrow is old and ideally it would be great to rebuild the whole thing from scratch, while Amsterdam Schiphol is newer and it's all one big building so changing terminals there is not so big an issue. I live close to Heathrow and the way it has just growed and growed has been a massive problem for years. It has been described as the only building site in the world with its own airport and that's the kind of joke that is true enough to make it funny.
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ESUSAMEX
Normally, I choose by price unless the difference in price is not that great. I also check to see if there are bonus mile offers on certain airlines. I belong to several frequent flyer programs so I am not limited to just one airline. It's important to point out that most major airlines belong to one of the three alliances: Skyteam, Star Alliance and Oneworld. In Latin America I stick with the major airlines because I know many retired pilots who have told me about some scary stories with their airlines. The same goes for Asia and Africa.
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Normally, I choose by price unless the difference in price is not that great. I also check to see if there are bonus mile offers on certain airlines. I belong to several frequent flyer programs so I am not limited to just one airline. It's important to point out that most major airlines belong to one of the three alliances: Skyteam, Star Alliance and Oneworld. In Latin America I stick with the major airlines because I know many retired pilots who have told me about some scary stories with their airlines. The same goes for Asia and Africa.
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itsnotme07
Mine are simple, for US (and some international) travel. I'm a JetBlue fan (since 2005. If I can't get JB. I'll go with American. course the new smaller coach seats WILL influence that. I will never again fly United. my last flight for me on them was 17 years ago, so it's not a new thing. I may start adding in Southwest. because I'm no longer a COS. HA!
For my international travel? I've flown American and Aer Lingus. Hoping to try Emirates, Etihad Airways, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines in the next few years.
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Mine are simple, for US (and some international) travel. I'm a JetBlue fan (since 2005. If I can't get JB. I'll go with American. course the new smaller coach seats WILL influence that. I will never again fly United. my last flight for me on them was 17 years ago, so it's not a new thing. I may start adding in Southwest. because I'm no longer a COS. HA!
For my international travel? I've flown American and Aer Lingus. Hoping to try Emirates, Etihad Airways, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines in the next few years.
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Hans
I just came back from Germany. I do not enjoy flying at all, but I must say SingaporeAir is the best airline for international flights. and if you book early enough the price is comparable to other NYC - FRA flights. the service in Economy is second to none. they give you sock/slippers to wear on the plane, Toothbrush and paste, the bathrooms are stocked with more toiletries, hot moist towels for your face, better than average food and a great entertainment system with music, movies, tv shows and video games.
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I just came back from Germany. I do not enjoy flying at all, but I must say SingaporeAir is the best airline for international flights. and if you book early enough the price is comparable to other NYC - FRA flights. the service in Economy is second to none. they give you sock/slippers to wear on the plane, Toothbrush and paste, the bathrooms are stocked with more toiletries, hot moist towels for your face, better than average food and a great entertainment system with music, movies, tv shows and video games.
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Nauggers
On the topic of customer/flight service I have flown both Qatar airways and Qantas (Australia's primary airline) recently. Both of them were good experiences for me. Friendly cabin crew, no issues checking in, and clean new planes. Qatar especially had brand new Airbus's flying from Aus to Qatar last year. The only thing I dont like about Qantas is their flights all go via Sydney which is an extra stopover for me. So if I fly anywhere like Asia or Europe. Qatar or Singapore Airlines is a better option.
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On the topic of customer/flight service I have flown both Qatar airways and Qantas (Australia's primary airline) recently. Both of them were good experiences for me. Friendly cabin crew, no issues checking in, and clean new planes. Qatar especially had brand new Airbus's flying from Aus to Qatar last year. The only thing I dont like about Qantas is their flights all go via Sydney which is an extra stopover for me. So if I fly anywhere like Asia or Europe. Qatar or Singapore Airlines is a better option.
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Nauggers
I choose my airline based on both cost and the route they take. I try to save money where I can but sometimes I just don't feel the savings are justified if the route you take has too many stopovers. Last year when I was looking at going from where I live (Australia) to Europe there was a good deal with China Southern but there were two stopovers in China itself bringing the total up to 5 stopovers. Sure wasn't worth the saving of a mere $60 in my mind.
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I choose my airline based on both cost and the route they take. I try to save money where I can but sometimes I just don't feel the savings are justified if the route you take has too many stopovers. Last year when I was looking at going from where I live (Australia) to Europe there was a good deal with China Southern but there were two stopovers in China itself bringing the total up to 5 stopovers. Sure wasn't worth the saving of a mere $60 in my mind.
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Alvaro
First time flying with EasyJet and I am not a fan of theirs. Two weeks ago, flew from Madrid-Barajas to London-Gatwick, my flight was scheduled to depart at 21: 45pm but it was delayed almost 2 hours and ended up departing almost at midnight. The plane and seats were not that bad for a low cost carrier and way better than Frontier or Spirit here in the States, but again that wasn't a good first impression they gave me with a delayed flight.
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First time flying with EasyJet and I am not a fan of theirs. Two weeks ago, flew from Madrid-Barajas to London-Gatwick, my flight was scheduled to depart at 21: 45pm but it was delayed almost 2 hours and ended up departing almost at midnight. The plane and seats were not that bad for a low cost carrier and way better than Frontier or Spirit here in the States, but again that wasn't a good first impression they gave me with a delayed flight.
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Jaypoo
Hi Wolters World. I love the content and been mostly traveling throughout China lately. I've used Air Canada, Air China and Hainan Airlines for my trips. They have been absolutely great. I must say being a Canadian traveling through the USA with a connection is abysmal. The ticket agents, baggage handlers are great and provide invaluable advice for your trip. TSA seems to not understand that there are connecting flights to other countries.
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Hi Wolters World. I love the content and been mostly traveling throughout China lately. I've used Air Canada, Air China and Hainan Airlines for my trips. They have been absolutely great. I must say being a Canadian traveling through the USA with a connection is abysmal. The ticket agents, baggage handlers are great and provide invaluable advice for your trip. TSA seems to not understand that there are connecting flights to other countries.
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Athlon
Delta? Really? I think any travel agent (those that still exist) would tell you to fly foreign airlines, rather than U. S. based airlines. There's a reason for that, as can be seen by what happened to that Asian doctor who almost got beat to death. Moreover, U. S. based airlines have stewardesses who have been with the airline since the 1960s (old bettys. Usually not not polite or nice!
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Delta? Really? I think any travel agent (those that still exist) would tell you to fly foreign airlines, rather than U. S. based airlines. There's a reason for that, as can be seen by what happened to that Asian doctor who almost got beat to death. Moreover, U. S. based airlines have stewardesses who have been with the airline since the 1960s (old bettys. Usually not not polite or nice!
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