Airlines

[Rohais]

Hi,

DF and I are going to be booking our 2012 flights soon-ish and we've been considering going elsewhere than Virgin Atlantic.

Does anyone have any reviews for:

- Virgin Atlantic's new airbuses (both economy and premium)

- Aer Lingus (either economy or business)

- British Airways

- Any other airline anyone can recommend. We're not too bothered about which airport we fly from. We live in the East Midlands but are up for travelling, as we go the day before we fly

Thanks

 

[queendisney]

we always go with VA nowadays just because it's the easiest for us. But we have gone BA as well and thought the plane (a 777) was nice and seemed to have more space, we did not like the service. Have also been with a charter airline into Sanford, can't remember who, but it was nothing to write home about and we much prefer landing in MCO to Sanford. Tobe honest we think that your flight is only as good as the cabin crew! Both BA and VA have the best luggage allowance as well, the Sanford flights don't seem to have much of a baggage allowance at all. Its all much the same really and we tend to stick to PE with VA. For everybody who loves VA another will have a horror story as will they with BA and the rest of them. Also I would only ever do a direct flight, its long enough without having to change!

 

[wayneg]

There is no perfect airline, all have good days/bad days, most have poor food unless flying in a better class, IFE is dependant on which aircraft you get on the day, all have good and bad staff.
I prefer the American carriers they have been consistantly better for us over the years, plus we get immigration done before getting to Florida. MCO immigration is OK if 1st off plane and no other planes landed at same time but if you are last off a 747 and another 747 has just landed before you its a nightmare.
Its all down to price to me, cheapest way possible

 

[jen_uk]

The new VA planes are really good, the entertainment syestem is brilliant as you basically have your own on demand system.

 

[Kath2003]

Go as cheap as you can. They'll all have some form of IFE (even on the cheap carriers like AA there's a decent degree of interactivity and choice) and the food will be distinctly average on all of them. Go with whoever will get you there cheapest (in the school holidays this often means going indirect) because you can spend the money on something more meaningful once you're there!

 

[Hilary]

Go with whoever will get you there cheapest (in the school holidays this often means going indirect) because you can spend the money on something more meaningful once you're there!

This is our philosophy, too - but we also look at the convenience of the route / time, etc.

I'm sure that, if you took away all the identifying elements, such as uniform, logos, etc., I'd struggle to tell you which airline I was on at any one time (schedule and charter alike).

As Wayne says, every airline will have good / bad days, and you only need one magical / miserable member of the cabin crew, or an unavoidable delay to leave a lasting impression that might not be an accurate reflection of the rest of the airline.

 

[mackay_j]

I've left them too for our next trip july 2012- asnd I'm trying charter for the first time- The price was just too good to walk away from £545 includding luggage from east mid airport (we usualy choose man as from scotland but east mid not to much further) also that was flying on a sat which suits us. We will treat ourselves to a nice table service breakfast before we board, and can eat a light diner after we arrive if the food on board is really bad. Looking at last years direct flights for july (price watched them all year long) this is quite a saving when its for 4 of us.

I may be back to say never again!