Stinking Airlines

I've flown United, BA, and Air France and out of the three, AF was the worst (funny, they've also merged in with Delta I think). 

United I flew business class, so I've got absolutely no complaints there. Food was great, complimentary stuff was great, staff was wonderful.  BA was in economy and fine, and I appreciated the little kit with socks, a toothbrush, etc.  Air France? Nothing.  You get an eyemask and earplugs.  No socks, no complimentary toothbrush, just an eyemask and earplugs.  The food wasn't the greatest, either.  They passed out menu's and there was a fish dish, so mom was going to get the fish...and we just got handed the pasta dish without being asked what we wanted!  They never came around with extra water, and when I rang my bell to ask for some, I got told it was self serve and I shouldn't bother them!  Sorry, but no one told me it was self serve!  It was just horrible and I'm never flying AF again.

Uggh. I've got AA for my flight home for Christmas because it was the only thing remotely close to my price range and I'm dreading it- I've flown them overseas before and ugghhhh

My preference order if I have a choice is- 
Virgin then BA

When I fly on my dime though, its cost over comfort...  When I fly for work, its cost over comfort as well, but we get Virgin route deals so its win win.

They're all in a race to the bottom, and as life gets more diffcult for flight crews - longer hours, lower pay, fewer perks - I think flying is just going to get worse for all of us.  RyanAir is already like a big flying bus, and I think the rest of them are varying degrees along the same downward slope.

That said, we flew Emirates for our honeymoon, and they were great.  Even though we were back in steerage (haha), we got hot towels, we got menus (menus! on an airplane!), and the entertainment systems were so good I didn't get through any of the books or magazines I'd brought along.  I will forever have a small warm place in my heart for Emirates. 

The Bristol-Newark was always a 757 on Continental.

I did Cleveland-Heathrow and Heathrow-Newark this summer, both were 757s.  I don't think Continental has 777s going to the UK at all, if I remember my research correctly.

That said, we flew Emirates for our honeymoon, and they were great.  Even though we were back in steerage (haha), we got hot towels, we got menus (menus! on an airplane!),

Oh, I remember menus -- you used to get them on BA (or was it BOAC then  ) My mother used to save them all. And towels too -- I think that was Virgin.

I've flown United, BA, and Air France and out of the three, AF was the worst (funny, they've also merged in with Delta I think). 

United I flew business class, so I've got absolutely no complaints there. Food was great, complimentary stuff was great, staff was wonderful.  BA was in economy and fine, and I appreciated the little kit with socks, a toothbrush, etc.  Air France? Nothing.  You get an eyemask and earplugs.  No socks, no complimentary toothbrush, just an eyemask and earplugs.  The food wasn't the greatest, either.  They passed out menu's and there was a fish dish, so mom was going to get the fish...and we just got handed the pasta dish without being asked what we wanted!  They never came around with extra water, and when I rang my bell to ask for some, I got told it was self serve and I shouldn't bother them!  Sorry, but no one told me it was self serve!  It was just horrible and I'm never flying AF again.

Water and additional beverages are always self serve on every transatlantic flight I've ever been on.
They're always back there with water and additional soft drinks if you need them, they tend to limit their water service on transatlantic as it wakes people up.

I think flight crew (well actually my best mate is flight crew for BA, so she told me) think it's rude if you bell them for water when you could walk down and get some, but if you did bell them they shouldn't be rude about it, just point out you could go get it yourself.

TBH I don't think you're supposed to bell them about anything unless you're dying, also don't ever catch hold of their clothes to get their attention, my friend HATES that, which I can understand - it's flipping rude!

Emirates is by far the best airline I've ever flown with, economy is great, and the entertainment is the best I've ever had. Also on the way back from Dubai I was upgraded to First, which was out of this world good. I got the best steak ever! And lobster.

I've also flown the new BA Club class flat bed and Virgin Upper class, virgin is really good and I always get a hair cut, love being picked up from home and the freebies, but BA is pretty good also, the lounge at LHR T5 is great.

A hair cut?! On a plane? That's risky! lol

I flew business/first class (sort of the same thing at the time) on United once coming home from Germany. It was awesome! But that was only cos I was on a buddy pass and could pay just $100 for the upgrade. This was pre-911. I can hardly afford economy these days with the prices thy have gone up to... as nice as it would be to fly more comfortably, I have a hard time justifying double (or more) the cost!

A hair cut?! On a plane? That's risky! lol

In the lounge before hand 

Virgin used to give massages and nail treatments and things on board for upperclass, but they've stopped

In the lounge before hand 

Virgin used to give massages and nail treatments and things on board for upperclass, but they've stopped

Oh! That makes more sense. I've never been in the lounges, either. Sounds like fun!!

A hair cut?! On a plane? That's risky! lol

I flew business/first class (sort of the same thing at the time) on United once coming home from Germany. It was awesome! But that was only cos I was on a buddy pass and could pay just $100 for the upgrade. This was pre-911. I can hardly afford economy these days with the prices thy have gone up to... as nice as it would be to fly more comfortably, I have a hard time justifying double (or more) the cost!

That's why I was on business oclass on my trip

My friend is gifting me the flight as a wedding gift, so I get to be in Business again

Water and additional beverages are always self serve on every transatlantic flight I've ever been on.
They're always back there with water and additional soft drinks if you need them, they tend to limit their water service on transatlantic as it wakes people up.

I think flight crew (well actually my best mate is flight crew for BA, so she told me) think it's rude if you bell them for water when you could walk down and get some, but if you did bell them they shouldn't be rude about it, just point out you could go get it yourself.

I'm fine with going and getting it myself, but then they have to actually tell you that that is what you need to do. Make an announcement after dinner, print it in the in-flight magazine next to the menu, whatever they need to do.  I've never been on a flight where at least once an hour someone wasn't walking around with the water bottle asking the people still awake if they wanted a refill, so I had no idea it was self-serve, or even where the self-serve bottle was located.

I've been on flights recently where they walk around giving out water. But I know they usually have drinks available somewhere whenever you want, so I wouldn't bell the attendant for water. (Well, maybe I would if I was stuck in the middle of a row and would have to climb over sleeping people to get out)

We did have water dished out. The attendants just walked through the aisles holding up a bottle of water and some cups and if you wanted one you just raised your hand.

I miss freebies too. BMI used to give out a fantastic little pack with toothbrush and paste, paper and pen, socks, eye mask and ear plugs. We didn't get anything on this flight. It was very bare bones. However, it was only £495 each from Leeds to Phoenix, so in the scheme of things it was very cheap.

I'd like to try some of the nicer airlines like Virgin but I know Jon would totally balk at the price. However after this flight he may give in next time...

That's why I was on business oclass on my trip

My friend is gifting me the flight as a wedding gift, so I get to be in Business again

Ooh! What a nice friend! Can I be friends with your friend, too?