Most frequently used airlines?

[kpc]

kpc,
All I was then saying is that anyone can judge (and we do) from even a 45 minute encounter, even if that judgement may ultimately be changed.

Point accepted, straitman, if you are interpreting my statement literaly. I guess I should have stated something along the lines like "I don't think it's fair on an airline to judge / rate etc based on a series of short 45 minutes flights".

Anyway, we have wandered off topic. In case you think I'm a SQ apologist, I'm most certainly not...esp. now that they royally pissed me off by changing aircarft so that I will now be flying on their 747 instead of the A380 next year:evil:

On a separate note, I hope you have more than the needed numbers for the Hilton Premium Club corporate rate.

 

[straitman]

Point accepted, straitman, if you are interpreting my statement literaly. I guess I should have stated something along the lines like "I don't think it's fair on an airline to judge / rate etc based on a series of short 45 minutes flights".

Point taken and yes this is a bad habit of mine.

On a separate note, I hope you have more than the needed numbers for the Hilton Premium Club corporate rate.

Yes.

 

[JohnK]

I guess I should have stated something along the lines like "I don't think it's fair on an airline to judge / rate etc based on a series of short 45 minutes flights".

Personally I think the short haul, or domestic, flights are just as important as the long haul. Just like you don't judge an airline solely on good flights only or solely on bad flights only or solely on premium cabin travel only. Now with all that said it does not mean that I will not travel SQ again.

I have just had finished a return award booking BKK-SIN on TG and to be honest I would have to say that it was a good experience. For the return flight SIN-BKK a few weeks ago I was allocated bulkhead aisle, I called them when I made the booking but did not know it was bulkhead, and the flight was good overall. The alcohol was flowing freely for both myself and the person sitting in the window seat. At checkin the bag was just under 23 kgs and not a word was said.

 

[thegurio]

Getting back OT

Stats from the last year

Top Ten Airlines

# Airline Amount %
1 Virgin Blue 30 83.3 %

2 Qantas Airways 5 13.9 %

3 British Airways 1 2.8 %

 

[stuartfaz]

for flights i've logged and future flights i've booked:

DJ 34.60%
UA 23.07%
AN 15.39%
TG 15.39%
TT 3.85%
JQ 3.85%
US 3.85%
QF 0.00%

 

[whats_the_question_now]

A couple of years ago.. we changed from Qantas to Singapore Airlines for all our international flights. All our flights are in Y... so I can only make comparisons from that angle.

Part of the reason we made the change was we both felt that Qantas long haul flights and service was really ordinary and poor and as we carry a lot of excess luggage Singapore Airlines was open to negotiation unlike Qantas who didn’t want to work anything out. So I managed to secure a great excess arrangement with SQ and we have flown with them ever since. I just retuned from a QF Long Haul Flight 2 weeks back so making a comparison of SQ versus QF was easy.

Here are the differences I find with Qantas Versus Singapore.


The SQ difference:
Food you can eat.
Airline staff who smile and are happy to help you.
Toilets that are cleaned regularly – love that!
Fantastic selection of movies
Hot Towels that are actually hot
Good overnight amenities with a toothbrush.
I can email SQ staff in BNE and ask for help with an overseas office of SQ and they will direct me the right way.

Qantas:
Real hit and miss with long haul staff. Most are rude and not willing to help you. Even getting a drink seems a real inconvenience
Some food is edible (never ever order a QF pasta dish… how my memory failed me as my last London leg where I tragically ordered some tomato pasta disaster)
Toilets stink and are never cleaned on long haul flights
Bins overflowing
Toilets roll holders empty
Fair selection of movies (if the system doesn’t fall over)
Hot Towels that are not hot.. not even close to Luke warm.
Amenities bag doesn’t have a toothbrush anymore.. whats the go there?

My QF J flight last year from BNE to LAX summed up generally how most QF staff come across. The guy just returned back from holidays and said to “I don’t know why I am here”

You know I would really like to say that I am proud of our Australian Airline.. and it was always real nice to get onto a plane and hear some Australian voices after weeks o/s. But I soon got over that.

On the domestic front though I will always go Qantas… they are consistent domestically.

 

[kpc]

A couple of years ago.. we changed from Qantas to Singapore Airlines for all our international flights. All our flights are in Y... so I can only make comparisons from that angle.

Part of the reason we made the change was we both felt that Qantas long haul flights and service was really ordinary and poor and as we carry a lot of excess luggage Singapore Airlines was open to negotiation unlike Qantas who didn’t want to work anything out. So I managed to secure a great excess arrangement with SQ and we have flown with them ever since. I just retuned from a QF Long Haul Flight 2 weeks back so making a comparison of SQ versus QF was easy.

Here are the differences I find with Qantas Versus Singapore.


The SQ difference:
Food you can eat.
Airline staff who smile and are happy to help you.
Toilets that are cleaned regularly – love that!
Fantastic selection of movies
Hot Towels that are actually hot
Good overnight amenities with a toothbrush.
I can email SQ staff in BNE and ask for help with an overseas office of SQ and they will direct me the right way.

Qantas:
Real hit and miss with long haul staff. Most are rude and not willing to help you. Even getting a drink seems a real inconvenience
Some food is edible (never ever order a QF pasta dish… how my memory failed me as my last London leg where I tragically ordered some tomato pasta disaster)
Toilets stink and are never cleaned on long haul flights
Bins overflowing
Toilets roll holders empty
Fair selection of movies (if the system doesn’t fall over)
Hot Towels that are not hot.. not even close to Luke warm.
Amenities bag doesn’t have a toothbrush anymore.. whats the go there?

My QF J flight last year from BNE to LAX summed up generally how most QF staff come across. The guy just returned back from holidays and said to “I don’t know why I am here”

You know I would really like to say that I am proud of our Australian Airline.. and it was always real nice to get onto a plane and hear some Australian voices after weeks o/s. But I soon got over that.

On the domestic front though I will always go Qantas… they are consistent domestically.

Hmmm.... this has been my experience in the past as well. Anyway, 2008 is a new yaer and I have both QF and SQ long haul trips in Y coming up, so I'll be able to gauge for myself I really hope I can disagree with your post then....

 

[coco50]

Flying AA has made me realise how good QA is
Whereas flying CX made me thing QF was quite average.....

All in all I agree QF do better than most.

I would rate AA (domestic in US) way below JQ - similar in-flight conditions and the uniforms of the female FAs make them look worse than the buff girls on the Spirit of Progress

 

[JohnK]

I really hope I can disagree with your post then....

There is not too much wrong with QF long haul. So what if the meal is not fantastic or the FA is grumpy when you ask for more beverages. As long as you get more beverages and the IFE is working, which it has on the majority of my flights, then no real drama.

I am sure you will enjoy the QF flights, as do most people, and the experience will be even better as you have exit rows pre-allocated.

 

[Keith009]

So what if the meal is not fantastic or the FA is grumpy when you ask for more beverages.

Whilst the majority of my meals on QF have been palatable and I've yet to experience the infamously indifferent FAs, these things do factor heavily when evaluating the overrall inflight experience.

 

[dajop]

As long as you get more beverages .

Aaah, that's the thing, they aren't always forthcoming. If a good beverage service is what ur after in Y, IME, SQ seem to come through with the goods more often than the Q (not to say the SQ's beverage service is always perfect). But it is the only airline (in the Y cabin) that where I've had the following beverage experiences:
- already had two beverage services before getting the meal, consistently (instead of waiting for a beverage service with the meal) (and complete with coughtails in the form of singapore slings - whereelse in Y can you get a coughtail?.
- refilled glass (or rather plastic cup) of water several times thru the night whilst sleeping, without requesting.
- the moment I finished my cointreau and ice (with maraschino cherries that were offered but not requested) , it was replaced with another.
- frequently passing through the cabin offering drinks.

I think the beverage service on the Q is (comparatively) stingy by management design to control costs, not because of any grumpy or surly FAs.

Having said that when I've been welcomed on board as a higher tier member on the Q they have obliged requests for various non standard beverages - but only predeparture.

 

[NYCguy]

... I finished my cointreau and ice... With maraschino cherries...

:shock:

Is that Kosher?

 

[dajop]

:shock:

Is that Kosher?

Probably not, but it seemed to be alright at the time!

 

[Evan]

Your right SQ never does disapoint for drinks services (must try a Singapore Sling on one of there fligths one day) but i have also had no issues in QF whY drinks service, even to the point of one FA forgot my drink but saw me down the back of the plane having a break a little later on and brought me 2 without me even seeing her notice me.

I am sure status does make a little difference.

E

 

[whats_the_question_now]

There is not too much wrong with QF long haul. So what if the meal is not fantastic or the FA is grumpy when you ask for more beverages. As long as you get more beverages and the IFE is working, which it has on the majority of my flights, then no real drama.

I am sure you will enjoy the QF flights, as do most people, and the experience will be even better as you have exit rows pre-allocated.

Why accept ordinary service and meals?

Possibly could accept if their fares were considerably cheaper than other airlines. But when QF is generally more expensive for the same legs.. nope not on.

And with SQ I can choose my exact seat and location anywhere on the plane. While I do I have higher status with QF and do get the spot/s I like to sit near... you can not choose your exact seat online.

You know I was prepared to give QF another go.. and the flight out of BNE was good.. but the return home was exceptionally ordinary. Enough for us decide that we will always try and secure SQ flights.

 

[Keith009]

Has anyone experienced the new SQ coughtails in J? Been hearing some negative feedback from mates, but regardless - they came up with some of the naffest names in the world for the new drinks...:mrgreen:

SQTalk - View Single Post - Some Changes On Board That I Just Noticed

 

[JohnK]

Whilst the majority of my meals on QF have been palatable and I've yet to experience the infamously indifferent FAs, these things do factor heavily when evaluating the overrall inflight experience.

Agree but there are other factors just as important.

Aaah, that's the thing, they aren't always forthcoming. If a good beverage service is what ur after in Y, IME, SQ seem to come through with the goods more often than the Q

While it is important I don't see it as a problem that I received my 3rd drink 5 minutes later than when I expected to receive it. Service is OK but I am comfortable and content.

Why accept ordinary service and meals?

I can understand your situation but I don't pay for a WHY airfare for the food or the beverage. I have complimentary lounge access so it more than makes up for it.

Now in saying that I have never had beverages refused on any airline. Yes it may take a little longer on QF and BA but I still get them when I want. Generally I will have one drink before the meal and one with the meal and depending on whether I am awake or not I may have another couple of drinks.

I don't know of any other solution. Fly SQ? Fly TG? Why? QF is the only airline I want to fly domestically so it stands to reason that as much as possible I will try to fly them internationally or at least Oneworld. I do many short haul domestic trips and only 3 international trips to Thailand a year. It is not enough to maintain status in *Alliance so again QF is the logical airline.

I have Platinum status with QF and within the next few months I will extend this status through to May 2009. I have enough FF points for a RTW award which I will be planning for travel sometime next year.

As I mentioned earlier to me these other things are a little more important than ordinary service on a 9 hour flight. Please don't get me wrong it is not acceptable but I am prepared to put that aside to try and achieve the goals I have set myself.

And with SQ I can choose my exact seat and location anywhere on the plane. While I do I have higher status with QF and do get the spot/s I like to sit near... you can not choose your exact seat online.

But I can call the QF service centre and choose the exact seat I want that is not already pre-allocated. OK so it is not online but is not a major hassle to call them.

 

[whats_the_question_now]

.


I can understand your situation but I don't pay for a WHY airfare for the food or the beverage. I have complimentary lounge access so it more than makes up for it..

Yep so do I ... have lounge access.

.
Now in saying that I have never had beverages refused on any airline. Yes it may take a little longer on QF and BA but I still get them when I want. Generally I will have one drink before the meal and one with the meal and depending on whether I am awake or not I may have another couple of drinks...

Funny thing is I dont drink at all when flying at all.. except Coke and Water.
But it ****s me that to get a water in the middle of the night seems a big hassle. As someone else highlighted SQ come around all the time with fresh water. When were still Flying Q.. I would make sure I got the BA planes ex-LHR.. cause I found there food and service better.

.
I have Platinum status with QF and within the next few months I will extend this status through to May 2009. I have enough FF points for a RTW award which I will be planning for travel sometime next year.
...

That is excellent. That is where I come unstuck in that I have points sitting in two programs... lots with Oneworld and a fair chunk with StarAlliance.

I keep clocking up QF points and use them for upgrades on international flights over 9 hours. But last time I blew 96k on a LAX trip.. while it was nice to sleep flattish... was really dissapointed with the service.

.
But I can call the QF service centre and choose the exact seat I want that is not already pre-allocated. OK so it is not online but is not a major hassle to call them.

Well there you go.. didnt know that. Will keep that in mind.. thanks for the tip.

 

[dajop]

As I mentioned earlier to me these other things are a little more important than ordinary service on a 9 hour flight. Please don't get me wrong it is not acceptable but I am prepared to put that aside to try and achieve the goals I have set myself.

I think this is probably the best summation of the situation, I am sure those that design the service on QF know this, they don't have to try as hard as foreign airlines because of the FF program and tier benefits (for the more frequent flyers), the safety record and a sense of national pride.