Stephen Gray’s 5 Favourite Airlines

What are your favourite airlines? This is question I’m often asked as a card-carrying plane geek.

My answer would usually be “it depends”. Are we talking long-haul or short-haul? International or domestic? Economy or First Class? What criteria should I be considering… Service? Comfort? Food? Familiarity? Status recognition? Quirkiness? Lounges?

As you can see, there isn’t necessarily a “one-size-fits-all” answer when it comes to favourite airlines. But with all those factors in mind, here are my overall top five ranked from one to five…

1. Cathay Pacific

I have a real soft spot for Hong Kong. I love the energy of the city and its people. And I think Cantonese is one of the world’s finest and most sophisticated cuisines. Cathay Pacific epitomises all these things better than almost any other airline represents its home base.

The experience starts at Hong Kong International Airport, arguably one of the best and most efficient airports in the world. Cathay Pacific has several exceptional lounges at its home airport with distinct styles and ambiance. I’ve had many enjoyable lounge crawls in Hong Kong. Drawing a bath in one of the famous cabanas in the Wing First Class lounge is the epitome of luxury, far removed from the busy terminal outside. Then popping over to the Pier Lounge for excellent cocktails and dining in a refined setting.

On board, Cathay offers solid hard and soft products in all classes. I’ve always enjoyed their catering, cabin fit outs and inflight entertainment. In Economy and Premium Economy Class, the service is sometimes typically Hong Kong-style brusque. In Business and First I’ve received exceptional service on Cathay flights.

A particularly fond memory is from a First Class flight from New York to Hong Kong. A flight attendant saw that I was still awake mid-flight. She whispered to me to open my window shade. Outside I was treated to a dancing light show courtesy of the Aurora Borealis. She brought me a glass of vintage champagne and peered out of an adjacent window to share the magical moment.

2. All Nippon Airways (ANA)

Japan is notable for many things. Two that come to mind in relation to international flights are incredible cuisine and impeccable customer service.

I lived in Japan for several years and speak conversational Japanese, so I admit that I have a bias towards Japanese carriers.

Why do I place ANA on my list rather than Japan Airlines (JAL)? It comes back to those two notable features. In my experience, the catering on ANA is slightly better than JAL and the crew on ANA are more personable and engaging.

In Business and First Class, ANA has generally had seat hardware that is a generation ahead of JAL. JAL also suffers from having too many premium cabin products in service simultaneously.

On the other hand, JAL is the undisputed champion in international Economy Class – which is why Matt has included it in his top 5 airlines. They have stayed true to the Boeing 787’s original design for an 8-abreast configuration in Economy, while 9-abreast has become ubiquitous on every other carrier – including on ANA. But, because most of my international flights are in Business Class, I give ANA my vote among the two main Japanese carries, despite the fact I usually lean towards Oneworld rather than Star Alliance member airlines.

ANA offers two flights a day between Sydney and Haneda and flies between Perth and Narita a three times a week, increasing to daily over the southern summer months.

3. Qantas

Qantas-bashing is a national sport. And I do think that the Qantas experience of today is a shadow of its former self, thanks to repeated “enhancements” of food, wine, ground service and even the removal paper towels in the lounge.

But Qantas on a good day – which the majority of days tend to be – is still objectively a good airline in the air. I think most Australians take Qantas’ safety record for granted. We are just so used to feeling assured that the people in the cockpit are among the best trained professionals in the world.

The same can be said for many of the airline’s cabin crew. Two of my most memorable flights in terms of exceptional service delivery have been on board Qantas Business Class. One was a Christmas Day Boeing 737 flight to Nadi a few years ago and another was on a Boeing 747 to LAX. The crew were personable, engaging with passengers who were up for a chat, and delivering professional service to those who just wanted to watch the in-flight entertainment.

I struggle to think of any other airlines with the same balance of laid back, friendly and professional service. For this reason, Qantas makes it into my top five.

4. Qatar Airways

A Middle Eastern airline inevitably ends up on just about every “top five airlines” list. For me, Qatar Airways is the leader of the “ME3” pack. Perhaps it’s because Qatar was my first taste of Middle Eastern opulence in the skies and that impression has stuck with me.

I think Qatar Airways offers the best overall package in Economy and Business Class. Admittedly, the First Class gong needs to go to either Etihad apartments or to Emirates “Game Changer” First. But neither of those competitors has a Business Class product anywhere near Qsuite.

Admittedly, there are a number of other Business Class configurations in the Qatar Airways fleet. Thankfully, none of them have a middle seat in Business, something that Emirates is still only just starting to phase out on its Boeing 777s. Of course, if you book a Virgin Australia Business Class flight to Doha, you will almost certainly find yourself sat in a Qsuite as well.

I rate the in-flight service on Qatar Airways as a cut above its local competition. I find it more polished and personal than on other Middle Eastern carriers.

The Qatar Airways lounges in its home airport at Doha are cavernous, visually appealing and comfortable for the most part. Though overcrowding and long waits for showers can be an issue at particularly busy times. Closer to home, the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge in Singapore is a definite stop on any Oneworld lounge hop at Changi Airport (although, you need to be flying Business or First Class on a Oneworld airline to get in).

5. Regional Express (Rex)

From Qsuite to a 30 year-old Saab. You’ve got to be kidding right?

Actually, I think Australia’s beleaguered regional carrier is a gem to fly. I used to take quite a lot of intra-state flights in New South Wales on Rex and I always enjoyed them, believe it or not.

As someone who genuinely loves flying, being on a smaller aircraft offers a much more visceral experience of being airborne. And apart from one notably surly staff member I often used to encounter on the ground in Sydney, Rex employees have always been warm and genuine.

I love that the First Officer greets passengers at the foot of the stairs and I love the comforting familiarity of “Tea or coffee? Sweet or savoury snack?” as the trolley comes down the narrow aisle.

A special shout-out to Rex’s outstation staff who know many of their frequent passengers by name.

Favourites are subjective!

There are several other airlines I could have chosen for this list, and some notable omissions that some may question. At the end of the day, your favourite airline will be based on the aspects of the flying experience that you value most.

Which are your 5 favourite airlines to fly, and why? Share your thoughts on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum!