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.

Where am I going? What class?

I’ve had great experiences on Qatar, Emirates and Vietnam Airlines

going to NYC I favour Virgin

Virgin, every time.
Then again we only fly premium/upper class nowadays. Yes we get rinsed, but flying economy anywhere long haul is pretty grim.

@getahhtmapub

BA have never done a direct flight to Aus.

Yes they have and yes they still do.

People are getting “direct” and “nonstop” confused.

Nonstop is what it says on the tin, e.g. PER-LHR without stopping.

Direct is going somewhere where there is no change of flight number or aircraft but there might be an intermediate stop.

The BA 15 operating LHR-SIN-SYD is a direct flight.

I won’t fly on routes that go over the top of the world…

What???

Emirates, Qatar & Singapore
have long been and continue to be the best.

My experience of long haul is nearly all UK-NZ/Aus and back but Singapore Airlines are by far and away the best imo.

BA yes unfortunately - we actively avoid unless we really have to as the staff are so often terrible

Would prefer Singapore, Qatar, JAL

Had good experiences in business with AA and United

We have enjoyed BA and Qantas, Singapore, Cathay Pacific and Thai.

I won’t fly Delta again to the states. They were awful. Also, Virgin haven’t been great on the US flights we’ve taken but better than Delta.

We flew Emirates (economy) recently and honestly didn't rate it at all.
First time flying with them and had been looking forward to it because they seem to be well recommended, but of the 4 flights we did, one was very nice (modern plane), one was genuinely awful (shabby plane, nothing worked, toilet out of service) and the other two were just OK.

I would never fly with Qatar after what they did to the women on the flight about 4 years ago.
I Like Singapore airlines, Qantas, Thai, and really enjoyed Finnair which I had never considered before but they were great.

Jesus Christ, I really have no words.

I've flown twice with them long haul - Gatwick to Shanghai & Beijing to Munich. Food was good and not stingy, snacks and water were frequent, seats comfortable (but I always book extra legroom, DP & I are 6ft plus,) cabin crew were very patient and friendly (though limited English.) I travel with oversized sports equipment and check in were brilliant, though I will say that in general the level of service is better for that kind of thing with Asian carriers in general - politeness and service is always better than European or US carries imo. I've flown lots of SE Asian and Far Eastern carriers, and in all honestly they are all good, even the budget ones. Not to do with your question, but are you flying direct? Because transiting through China is a nightmare, and I would avoid that at all costs - not that has anything to do with the airline.

I think if one of the criteria for ruling airlines out is loosely speaking political ( some of the Gulf states, one in particular has been mentioned) then it’s maybe pointing out most if not all Chinese carriers (and some other Asian ones) are still quite happy to route through Russian airspace.

Some people might be comfortable with that, some not so much, but it might be something worth being aware of.

@Sherararara like this! (The HND-LHR flight)

I want to fly across the land even if it takes 3hrs more (which is why I've tailored my next trip to accommodate this)
I know it's weird but it's just my 'thing'

I’d love to know how you fly into LHR without crossing water…

Agreed, I don’t think there’s much option but TBF depending on time of year a big chunk of that route could be over sea ice…

Pre-sanctions/closure of Russian airspace to many carriers HND-LHR flights usually went north west westbound out of Japan and often routed at up to 80 north, so out over sea ice again and in twilight even at midday local time….that was really an interesting route..

Plus free WiFi!

Well not no water, I'll fly home via HKG then over bits of China. Kazakhstan etc
All that vast area of nothing-ness is not for me

Thanks all for the replies. And especially for the clarification between direct and non stop

Qatar and Emirates definitely. Turkish used to be ok but too many bad experiences of delayed/cancelled flights. Used to like Fly Baghdad when living there but the Americans got involved and they stopped flying to many places.

Cathay, Singapore, Thai.
EVA is pretty good.
Emirates and Qatar both good.
Turkish hit and miss: can be excellent.

For the Chinese airlines long haul: check the aircraft and the route reviews. Sometimes they are great for a much cheaper price.

Chinese airports often have horrible delays. Flying from the airline's hub can be an advantage --- often get prioritised. Eg China Eastern for Shanghai.

One that's not been mentioned - WestJet business class is really decent, and reasonably priced. Only 16 seats so feels very private.

The type of plane makes a difference. I flew Virgin Upper to Barbados a few weeks ago on a 330 and came back on the 350. The 350 was lovely - really comfortable and loads of space. The 330 was cramped and old - nowhere near as comfortable. I would actually choose a time less convenient in order to avoid the 330. Both flights had excellent staff and food. Also excellent choice of films etc. And the take home with you pyjamas ...

Loved delta. KLM and United were also good. Lufthansa was fair. The time I flew with BA was not great...

PPs would you prefer to fly on an Airbus instead of a Boeing plane?