Flying-which airline do you use?

British Airways.  It has to be really really cheap for me to even glance at a non-direct flight or a partner airline.

But I've had good and bad experiences with British Airways, Continental, Delta, AirFrance, Virgin, American, and Air Canada for long-haul flights.  It completely depends on the day and what the airline and airport are dealing with.  I try to fly mid-week and only direct where possible.  I'm lucky, I'm London -> Atlanta is easily direct.  I may never leave London and I'd bribe my parents not to leave Atlanta unless they move to another hub city on the East Coast.

American Airlines is my personal worst (BA partner nonetheless!), and I don't see the hype about Virgin.

Last Spring I flew London -> Orlando -> Atlanta when I booked a flight 4 days before travelling.  The airline was fine, Virgin, but the Disney goes next to me just about drove me mad with their singing, which seemed to be happening throughout the plane, so I'm thinking that's a no for the future.

I lived in Orlando for 8 years.  Imagine, every single flight you take in or out being that.  Eight years......

I lived in Orlando for 8 years.  Imagine, every single flight you take in or out being that.  Eight years......

I'm so sorry.  How's your PTSD?

The thing is, I don't want to say it was a horrible flight.  Service was good and I was fine physically with all my basic needs taken care of.  But I feel emotionally scarred by the experience.  I was in such a state of shock that I coped by texting my family photos of the paraphernalia of the two British early 20 somethings sat next to me who were headed to Disney to work for the summer.  I'd describe it, but I believe you probably understand, I don't wish to have further flash-backs, and I don't want to traumatise you.

I'm going to make tea and sit in a quiet and dark room for a bit.

Virgin really sucked at dealing with my allergies. I've only flown them once. On my flight to NYC someone in premium economy, right in front of my seat, sprayed perfume mid flight causing the closest to anaphylaxis I've ever had. I made sure for the flight home they had it all over my passenger record that it was noted and the friggen lead flight attendant was wearing their "signature scent" in quantities that could overwhelm a large gym. When I got home I learned they plan on pumping that scent through all their planes... I'll probably never fly Virgin again!

I'm so sorry.  How's your PTSD?

The thing is, I don't want to say it was a horrible flight.  Service was good and I was fine physically with all my basic needs taken care of.  But I feel emotionally scarred by the experience.  I was in such a state of shock that I coped by texting my family photos of the paraphernalia of the two British early 20 somethings sat next to me who were headed to Disney to work for the summer.  I'd describe it, but I believe you probably understand, I don't wish to have further flash-backs, and I don't want to traumatise you.

I'm going to make tea and sit in a quiet and dark room for a bit.

LOL!  I'm fine.  It was just "one of those things."

I worked at Disney for awhile.  The college program students gave me PTSD more than the people on the flights.   

I've been on the Virgin London-Orlando route before. That was frightening....

I'm glad it's not just me.  When I initially shared the experience my family thought I was being my typical grouchy self.  My feelings and emotional well-being were definitely invalidated.  I know, somewhere deep down, that there are diehard Disney fanatics out there.  What I hadn't realised was that I was voluntarily committing myself to sharing a small enclosed space for 9 hours with over 300 of them.

What I hadn't realised was that I was voluntarily committing myself to sharing a small enclosed space for 9 hours with over 300 of them.

I just snort-laughed.   

My kids have given up asking to go to Disney.  I worked at theme parks long enough that the magic has been beaten out of me. I've seen things no person should ever see.

 

I like rides, but there's something very else about Disney.  I've never been, but I still believe it's in the Best to Avoid category.

I was discussing short-haul flights last night.  Ryan Air is in on my Not on My Life list.  Seriously, worst few flights I've ever been on, more delays and cancellations that I can shake a stick at.  And one can shake a stick at a lot of things.  Easy Jet is always easy peasy.

This is a hot topic in our household as I am a certified Airplane Geek and probably know way too much than I should about this.

For short-haul in Europe we typically will use British Airways, but only redeeming with Avios. Easyjet at a push, but no to Ryanair (I hate Stansted). Norwegian is also usually a strong contender, although Gatwick is rather gross. Otherwise I am usually pretty open to trying new carriers across alliances.

Long-haul - it depends on route/time i have to spend/desire for higher class of service. You can get better fares with better service flying out of any major EU city for the most part, even doubling back into London on BA. SAS premium economy was a fantastic product that we took last year to Los Angeles and are considering again this year for trip home to Chicago area (actually going north of Milwaukee, but there is never a good fare into MKE). Sure its an extra leg into Stockholm (again, using Avios) but it works for us given family situation as we can see both sets of parents on one trip.

I just flew Virgin (economy) this week for the first time in 15 years after an awful experience and declining standards and found it quite decent with an excellent crew and service pattern, better inflight entertainment and cleaner aircraft than BA. Food wasn't much better, but their bar service sure was. But - they don't fly to where I need to go in the US.

Delta is the only US carrier I would consider, although partner had a good experience with AA more room in coach thing. United is a hard pass.

Going east - ABBA - anyone but BA. Trying Qatar in the fall to Singapore and partner just had a really good ride in economy on ANA to Japan.

For me, getting on a plane is part of the fun/experience and I want to try new things rather than just get to where I am going as fast as possible (with some exceptions). Its a bit difficult given Fortress Heathrow to avoid BA, but we sure try our darndest! 

Hi,

I agree that it's how that particular airline, the crew, the plane, the service overall is on that trip is and how it'll affect you and your experience.

That said, I'll avoid flying with Br(sh)itish Airways as much as I can. Had an absolutely terrible experience with them on a Heathrow to NYC visit back in 96'ish. Didn't fly with them again until 2011 I think it was and, I thought let's give them a try again. It was even worse! delays, lost luggage, frustrating trying to get information, in flight service was lousy etc.

Going to start building up points with an airline or alliance I've yet to decide on, have about 40,000 avios currently and will use those up in conjunction with the airline/alliance I do choose.

Used to get discounts from friends who worked at Heathrow and at various airlines there, but they've all left now! I need to make some more friends!

Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!

From Seattle we have flown Condor (direct to Frankfurt and then connected to Edinburgh) Business Class and it was affordable and we were very happy with the service.

We have also flown Delta from SEA to LHR. Again, no problems what-so-ever.

Norwegian now flies direct from SEA to LON and I think our trip next year we'll be trying them.

We've had good luck with Iceland Air.

For direct flights to the US I have always had good experiences with Virgin.  When things have gone wrong they've done well to correct them in my experience. 

However, the best flight I've ever had transatlantic was Icelandair, sitting in premium economy, which was actually cheaper than regular economy on Virgin and BA that week.  I would fly that again.

We had a great experience with aerlingus on our Ireland/Scotland holiday last summer and it was really cheap to fly them to NY this summer (stopping in Dubling there and Shannon on the way back) so that's what we're doing.  I liked being able to choose our seats for free at the time of booking.  A friend of mine from the US lives in Ireland and swears by aerlingus for transatlantic flights so we will see; she is pickier than I am for sure.

I've only had eh experiences with BA going to the US.

I do think easyjet is fine, we pay a few extra pounds to choose our seats and that eliminates the whole pushing at the gate thing.

Little late replying and haven't read all the comments but we used to only use BA exclusively....but the last few years we now use either Aer Lingus or Norwegian as the pricing is just sooo much cheaper and the flight itself is perfectly fine Only differences is that we don't get free drinks on A.L. & Norwegian like we do on BA lol