That's interesting because AFAIK MH doesn't have any lie flat horizontal business seats...in fact they appaer to be the same model used on most Thai planes. Oh, and beware Seatguru...it has a habit of often being very inaccurate.

Singapore for me are easily the best followed by Virgin and a few others. Most of the 'top' airlines nowadays are fine but Singapore are just a cut above.

Remember that of those discussed here only Emirates allows 30kg checked baggage - an important consideration for some

Another one for Singapore but to be honest it's 24 hours out of a lifetime. It really doesn't matter that much.

You might get some concerning PA announcements with BA

I love how something like this becomes newsworthy

Doesn't Cathy have a 'different' type of seat that I read was not very good? Apparently the seat reclines but the rear of the seat remains up-right.

I think they are replacing them on all their aircraft due to bad feedback.

Yes I think that is correct. Air Asia X had them too and got rid of them due to the complaints. Again though some people love the fixed back seats, others hate em.

Fixed back means you never get the seat in front falling back and cluttering up your face-space and presumably your dinner tray remains accessible regardless of the activities of the person in front of you.

However, reclining via sliding your seat forwards only works is you have no legs (normal people already have their knees jammed into the back of the seat in front so sliding forward and inch or two to get a recline angle is pure fantasy).

Perhaps thats the answer, cheaper increased comfort by a dual amputation?

I flew from London to Brisbane with my 3 kids on Singapore and they were brilliant. They helped me a lot since they knew I was travelling alone with the kids.

My FIL flies into Australia numerous times a year and also highly recommends Thai and Malaysian. I have flown Virgin numerous times but only between London and the US and I despise them.

I fly log haul a lot as i live in Perth and work in the Congo, which is about the same flight time as London to Perth.
I always chose Emirates. Find their service superior. The 30kg baggage allowance is also useful. The only down side is Dubai airport which i hate, though others dont seem as bothered by it. The points club is also worth joining. You wont get enough from one flight, but if you have a trip back to the UK you might.

Failing that, Singapore are excellent and has the added bonus of going via the best airport (in my opinion) in the world. If you opt for Singapore then do check out the Singapore Stopover that the airline offers. We did it a few years ago and it was $20 for a couple of days in a choice of 5* hotels including transfers.

Skytrax is the main airline and airport rating site.

Ones i would avoid. Quantas, South African - though not necessarily because of the actual flight.

I agree with you, i think people have become incredibly precious over the last decade when it comes to travelling and if the slightest thing goes wrong they freak out. If you travel with a relaxed attitude and try not to sweat the small stuff it's a lot less hassle.

Travel regularly with two young children with Malaysia Airlines who have always been excellent - as good as Cathay and Emirates IMO. Would never travel with Qantas/BA.

Bad experience with Cathay Pacific. Service was not good; planes felt old and tired. Next time we'll pay more and go with Emirates again.

Another vote for singapore. We travelled in October to Perth with them and 2 kids aged 5 and 8. They werent the cheapest when we looked for flights, but we heard they were good and they were, nothing was too much trouble and took the time to find out the kids names and have plenty of chats with them.

We had minimum stopover at singapore, about 2 hours, and its a lovely clean airport with lots of facilities and shops!! Even the toilets were something you would expect in a 5* hotel!