sciencemonitor

Etihad - often the most competitive on prices (we flew LHR to SYD Jan 08), good leg room, good service, went via Abu Dhabi non-stop (not a very large airport, ok if you're only there a few hours stopover) and allow 30 kgs hold luggage / 7 kgs hand luggage per person.

paul30

hey nic long time no hear. blackpools been good. should have been in aus in August but my dad had a heart attack and had to have a bypass so waited till he was better and I fly out on 18th nov land in melbourne on 20th been a long time coming but looking back seems like no time at all

LiseM

Hi, I flew Cathay Pacific earlier this year - London to Melbourne with refuelling in Hong Kong. They have a good website for picking what seat you want in advance, any dietry requirements & online checkin. The 1st leg of the trip - on a 747 - wasn't packed & they've introduced the fixed-back shell seat meaning people can't recline into your space - instead the bottom of your seat adjusts so you're in a reclined position (of sorts!). I found it alright & well padded. The in air entertainment options were fantastic - really great new movies etc all when you wanted to watch - not on a timer........then it came time to reboard onto a new plane at Hong Kong & it was a shi**y little airbus aircraft where the seats were tiny (& I'm a small person!!!), the seats hardly padded & really uncomfortable, full flight, entertainment channels at a minimum & timed to start at set intervals & it was really like being trapped in cattle class for the 9 & half hours - just horrible.
This time around I'm flying with Qantas......here's hoping they're better (& don't crash by the sounds of things!!)

The O'Neills

Really sorry to hear that Paul. Heres wishing him a full and speedy recovery.

Be sure to let us all know how your first couple of months in Ozland work out. All the best,

Nic

Wol

I usually fly BA and, like all airlines, 99% of the rating depends on the cabin crew that day. Mostly they have been fine.

juleschap

Hi ya

Have flown Cathay Pacific who were excellent when travelling with a small baby they couldn't do enough for us. The flights were on time and the food was nice as far as plane food goes.

2 years ago flew Qantas, they upgraded us to Business Class as they'd overbooked the economy class which was fantastic. We flew home in economy though which was good but obviously the seats weren't as comfy. The staff were lovely, the films were good and the food ok.

Am flying out in Feb so will either go with BA or Qantas.

Have a great trip.
Jules

Damson

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES FLY WITH B.A. UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE RIPPED OFF, PATRONISED AND TREATED LIKE CATTLE (EVEN IN TRAVELLER PLUS). ALSO, ONLY IF YOU WANT YOUR KIDS TO BE TREATED AS A MAJOR HASSLE BY INDIFFERENT AND UNCARING STAFF. Over and out!

brewer

We flew the first time with Singapore Airlines and they could not do enough for us. On our second visit though we went with Quantas as they were considerably cheaper. Quantas were great from Heathrow to Singapore but then we had to go with BA (although we'd booked with Q) and it was awful. Same on our return. The BA staff we're grumpy and unhelpful and it was not a pleasant experience at all. So when we finally get our visa (sometime this century hopefully!) we will pay the extra and go with Singapore. Well worth it!

ponyrama

First time I went I travelled with Malaysia Airlines (from Manchester via KL without a europe connection too - what happened to that?) and they were fabulous.

Last year I went Air France/Qantas - Air France ok, nothing to write home about but wasnt impressed with Qantas really.

Next time (six weeks today) I am flying Singapore Airlines. Have heard so many good things about them and they also came out cheapest one way from Manchester, with only one stop too!

Iando

Flown Emirates twice and Singapore as far as SIngapore -both good
Downside with Emirates is having to spend any time at all in the awful Dubai airport - although I think they are building a new terminal at the moment

sciencemonitor

Check out:

www.airlinequality.com

oliver1982

How much is the total return trip costing you for one ticket and where are you stopping off ?

sr71

I can't speak highly enough of Air New Zealand. Plenty of leg room, one of the best IFE systems and going via the US you can take 2 x 23kg bags each.

Grayling

....and have to put up with all the crap at LA airport.

sr71

I've heard that, but in my experience I've never had a problem and even found the terminal to be reasonable, certainly no worse than many European airports.

You could always stop in LA which I find to be a very enjoyable city.