Flight Reviews

Read the first-hand experiences of the AFF editorial team as they fly around the world on different airlines and cabins. Our honest reviews will help you when deciding which airline to book with.

Air New Zealand A320 at Auckland Airport

Review: Air New Zealand’s Longest Domestic Flight

A few weeks ago, I reviewed Jetstar’s domestic service within New Zealand. The other main option for domestic travel in New Zealand is the national carrier and Star Alliance member Air New Zealand, which operates an extensive domestic network using Airbus A320 jets, as well as ATR72s and Dash 8 Q300s on regional routes. I recently … Continued

30 Jun 2021 Flight Reviews
Jetstar review

Jetstar A320 Economy Review (Auckland-Wellington)

When flying domestically within New Zealand, there are two main airline choices: Air New Zealand or Jetstar. As you’d expect from a low-cost carrier, Jetstar offers typically low fares and a no-frills service. I recently found out what the Jetstar Airbus A320 Economy class experience in New Zealand is like on a short flight from Auckland … Continued

9 Jun 2021 Flight Reviews

Qantas Trans-Tasman A330 Business Class Review (May 2021)

With the trans-Tasman bubble now open, Qantas has resumed regular Airbus A330 and Boeing 737 flights between Australia and New Zealand. But the trans-Tasman travel experience isn’t quite the same as it was before COVID-19. Australian Frequent Flyer recently flew from Sydney to Auckland in Qantas A330 Business class to find out what to expect across … Continued

23 May 2021 Flight Reviews
Lamb and rosemary pie with a pumpkin and feta smash

Review: New Virgin Australia 737 Business Class (March 2021)

Since April 2020, Virgin Australia had been offering a significantly scaled back Business Class service on its domestic flights. But this has now changed, with Virgin relaunching its Business Class menu and on-board service last Thursday. Gone are the days of instant noodles and snack boxes in Business class! Virgin has also now reopened all … Continued

28 Mar 2021 Flight Reviews

Rex Boeing 737 Business Class Review

When Rex launched Boeing 737 jet services last week in direct competition with Qantas & Virgin, it also introduced Business Class for the first time. Rex’s Business Class fares are priced sharply, but what’s the new Rex Business Class experience like? I found out on a flight from Melbourne to Sydney… Flight Details Flight number ZL102 … Continued

7 Mar 2021 Flight Reviews
QantasLink 717

QantasLink 717 Economy Class Review (January 2021)

All airlines have made changes to their on-board service during COVID-19. So, what’s the service like in Qantas domestic Economy class in January 2021? I recently found out on a QantasLink Boeing 717 flight from Rockhampton to Brisbane. Flight Details Flight number QF1795 Route Rockhampton (ROK) to Brisbane (BNE) Aircraft type Boeing 717-200 Class of … Continued

27 Jan 2021 Flight Reviews
Virgin Australia Business Class meal in January 2021. Photo: Matt Graham.

Virgin Australia 737 Business Class Review (January 2021)

With Virgin Australia now out of voluntary administration, lounges are slowly reopening and the onboard service is beginning to improve. Unfortunately, Virgin Australia’s Business Class product still falls short of expectations in 2021, as I recently discovered on a flight from Brisbane to Rockhampton. Flight Details Flight number VA1235 Route Brisbane (BNE) to Rockhampton (ROK) … Continued

16 Jan 2021 Flight Reviews
FlyPelican Jetstream 32 Flight Review (Newcastle-Dubbo)

FlyPelican Jetstream 32 Flight Review (Newcastle-Dubbo)

Qantas & Virgin Australia dominate much of the Australian domestic market, but they don’t fly on many of the thin routes between regional locations and country towns. This is where smaller airlines like Regional Express, Alliance Airlines, Link Airways and Newcastle-based FlyPelican can come in handy. FlyPelican operates a fleet of five British Aerospace Jetstream … Continued

22 Nov 2020 Flight Reviews
Qantas Retro Roo 737 livery

Qantas 737 Business Class Review (during COVID-19)

Virgin Australia may have scaled back its domestic business class service at the moment, but not Qantas. The flying kangaroo has already reinstated hot meals and drinks in business class, and the current service during COVID-19 is not all that different from normal times. In this review, find out what it’s like flying in Qantas’ Boeing … Continued

25 Aug 2020 Flight Reviews
Alliance Airlines Fokker 70 with Virgin planes in background

Alliance Airlines Review on a Little Fokker

In addition to mining, charter and some scheduled flights, Alliance Airlines operates a range of routes on behalf of Virgin Australia using Fokker 70 and Fokker 100 aircraft. This review will give you an idea of what to expect when booking a Virgin Australia flight operated by Alliance Airlines. Flight Details Flight number VA2911 Route … Continued

16 Aug 2020 Flight Reviews

Virgin’s COVID-19 Business Class Experience Disappoints

I’ve previously written a fairly positive review of Virgin Australia’s Boeing 737 Business Class. But during COVID-19 it’s a very different experience. As I discovered on a recent flight from Canberra to Brisbane, Virgin Australia Business class passengers are no longer receiving even close to the full Business class experience during COVID-19. Flight Details Flight number … Continued

1 Aug 2020 Flight Reviews
Lufthansa Premium Economy

Lufthansa Boeing 747 Premium Economy Review

Many airlines now offer Premium Economy on long-haul flights. But the Premium Economy product can differ substantially between airlines. On some airlines, it’s a slight upgrade over Economy. For others, it’s more of a “Business Lite” experience. So, what’s the Premium Economy experience like on German Star Alliance carrier Lufthansa? We found out on a … Continued

4 Jul 2020 Flight Reviews