What airlines do you prefer? (Long Haul Flights)

[AnythingCanHappen]

Recently used Virgin and it was fine for what you get in economy.

Didn't really enjoy their selection entertainment system that much. Wished they had more marvel films.

DP has experienced business class quite often for work though but I've not yet.

I mostly base my choices on aircraft rather than airline but in economy I don't mind

Virgin
BA
Thai
AA
Turkish

I won't fly on a shitty aircraft or on routes that go over the top of the world because it freaks me out

Only flown BA & emirates in business
Virgin premium is very good

Singapore Airlines
Emirates

Both make long haul more bearable

To go to America I prefer American carriers as there tends to be a little bit more room and 2-4-2 configurations which I prefer when flying with my husband.

But after COVID, honestly, the soft product is worse with all carriers and that's where Virgin used to really shine. Before COVID, I would have gone with Virgin, but now I avoid if I can. Virgin's entertainment is crap though - always had been lol.

Big fan of Jet Blue for Transatlantic / Trans-continental: the food is pretty good (especially in Mint), really good luggage allowance, unlimited wine. I’m easily pleased, really.

Air China
Thai Airways
Turkish Airlines
Malaysia Airlines

I never use the entertainment systems though so it's not based on that.

Delta always if flying to the US.

Qatar Airways if I can when heading in the opposite direction.

I've flown with quite a few now and try and stick to those two long haul. BA if not. I'm not a huge fan of Virgin, American, or Emirates.

Emirates or Qatar.
I'd actively avoid Turkish.

If I am flying with small DC transatlantic I prefer US carriers as they allow dc car seats without a big song and dance like UK carriers..but that was a while ago and maybe things have changed.

More recently I fly with a medical condition that needs pre approval and the BA medical clearance unit are absolutely awesome, cant be beaten for helpfulness and efficiency, so I always try and fly BA just because of that.

What long haul route are you asking about OP?
DH flew Virgin to Cape Town a few years ago. He said he could feel the metal through the seat and it was absolutely dreadful.
I've never travelled with China Eastern or China Southern, due to poor safety records and poor reviews- although they have very good prices!

We've done long haul 25hrs+, on BA, Qantas, Emirates, Cathay, Malaysian, Thai and China Airlines (its Taiwanese owned and the food was fantastic) and don't recall any vast difference in them. The actual aircraft has more of a baring.

My in-laws use Emirates business class and 1 perk is that they get picked up from their home and chauffeured to the airport, then dropped back when they return.

This site is handy for reading reviews on certain routes, certain airlines, choosing a seat etc.
www.seatguru.com/

Singapore Airlines - so so good, hospitality and food both perfect.

Avoid American Airlines like the plague. Their staff are incredibly rude (and loud during dark time on long haul flights)

Anything but virgin, it was pretty dire - worse leg room than Ryan air, disinterested and rude staff and food was ropey one way (though that I know may be down to that airport).

Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific.

Emirates is OK.

I wouldn't fly Qatar if they paid me.

Air France and aer Lingus are pretty good.

of note Air France are the only airline we found that has an “allergen free” meal- so no gluten, dairy, nuts in the same meal. Every other airline separates it out, so a gluten free meal is no good for my gluten AND dairy allergic child. Neither is the dairy free meal.

most are much of a muchness though. Virgin/Air France/delta/lufthansa are the same consortium so even if you book virgin, you may be on an Air France plane. Same with BA/air lingus/American Airlines.

if you’re flying US long haul it’s also worth noting if you go via Dublin you can do your immigration in Ireland. Makes things much easier, especially if you are connecting in the US.

Singapore are excellent. Brilliant cabin service.
Emirates was very good (been a couple of years since I LH with them)

Everyone else was much of a muchness.

Singapore airlines, Qatar, and ANA.

Emirates are fabulous. KLM were awful, seats just way too small.

Just flew Turkish out to Thailand and Singapore airlines in way back. Wouldn’t go Turkish again - they were awful and surly compared to Singapore who couldn’t do enough

I love Air New Zealand.

To the US BA. Same for short haul in Europe.
Virgin has the worst seat pitch in economy.

But BA to India is terrible and they are super rude. To Asia and beyond I fly Singapore and Emirates. Emirates has the best entertainment system and Emirates and Singapore have decent food.
Within the US I fly a combination of JetBlue, Delta and United.

I have flown Business Class on Emirates and it is top notch as is Singapore. Much much better service than BA.

I like going 'over the top of the world' with the struggling, straining engines as the climb up to the top of the globe and then the great whoosh after the North Pole as you zoom on down to San Francisco (be sure to wear some flowers in your hair).

Mind you, I'll have been through a few tiny, weeny bottles of wine by then.

I like BA and Emirates. TUI are actually alright for long haul too.

Virgin are awful, and I’ll never fly with Aer Lingus again.

Singapore airlines
Qatar
Air New Zealand
Top three for long haul in my opinion. Qatar business is second to none.

Emirates
Qatar

What is interesting is that some people are recommending airlines that others hate! It just shows that experience on board isn't universally good or bad and we all lean towards different things when thinking about parts of the overall experience that matters (bar touching down safely and your luggage being on board which I think we all appreciate is most important in order). TUI we have found as being good btw, considering it's for package holidays, the pitch was better than virgin