Airline experiences

[bstar]

Originally Posted by moggy

For Singapore, this is not the case if you are only staying in the transit hotel, you, we had alcohol bought in the UK.

I am afraid I think this has now changed as of the 8th May 2007 due to international hightened security. In Singapore, you go through security checks at your gate, not before you enter the duty free bit (as you do in the UK)...they were confiscating EVERYTHING over 100ml at the gate (I do wonder what happens to all those items)...the stupid thing was in Changi duty free they were freely allowing people to buy perfume and alcohol (as you have to present your boarding pass), and then confiscating it at the gate...so beware!!!!

[Dawn]

Alison, we're flying AirNZ in a few weeks so we'll let you know. We didn't do the Malaysian or Singapore thing simply because I and the kids are really funny about their food and we wanted to recognise what was on our plate and I am vegetarian to boot. I had read comments from quite a few people about the food being a bit strange but if you're like Gary and will eat anything if it stands still long enough then I guess that's not going to be a concern for you

[bstar]

A further point to that may be useful is that on Air NZ via LA (not on the HK route though) you get a larger luggage allowance in economy than on other carriers......may help to move some stuff over?! they allow two checked in bags per passenger

[Alison]

Thanks Dawn, would be interested to know how it goes

And yup I read that as well about the luggage through LA, but had also read that going through the US is a bit of a nightmare because of security checks etc, anyone been through the US recently?

[MotherBear]

This doesn't look too promising if you're flying via LA .

[jimnshov]

Emirates is good.
Pretty comfortable seats for economy, and extensive entertainment (which your need to stave off the boredom!). Friendly and efficient cabin staff.
We flew to NZ there and back last year with them and will use them again this year.

[Bermy Girl]

I flew through LA in March to NZ from Bermuda and I didn't have any hassles whatsoever. Everything went very smoothly, no flight delays on the way there, and Air NZ was an excellent airline I found. I was flying with my 20 month old son and they were very helpful on the flight with meals and trying to juggle eating and holding onto Luke. On the way back we had a delay, but it was from LA to New York, but we didn't miss our connecting flight back to Bermuda, so it was ok. I also didn't have to go through US customs in LA on the way there as we go through US customs and immigration in Bermuda before we fly out. We are very fortunate with this because it means we can check our luggage all the way through to NZ, which is wonderful...

MB...I hope you're not trying to jinx my trip though LA to NZ in July...if we get delayed you know who we'll be digging a hole for...

[MotherBear]

I'll sneak this in here while Taffy's not looking as it's quite topical .

Aussies vote Qantas worst airline, prefer Air NZ
1:15PM Tuesday May 29, 2007


Source: Choice magazine

Qantas has been voted the worst international airline in an Australian consumer survey.

Singapore Airlines was voted top international airline, with Air New Zealand in third place behind Emirates.

The survey of 4000 subscribers to consumer magazine Choice also found Qantas's low-cost subsidiary Jetstar to be the worst domestic airline.

Choice asked subscribers to rate airlines for value for money, booking processes, convenience, the check-in procedure, inflight service, including food and entertainment, as well as seat comfort, leg room and cleanliness.

Qantas scored 63 per cent compared to Singapore Airlines's 78 per cent.

On the domestic front, Qantas fared little better with a 67 per cent rating, with consumers labelling the service "arrogant and aloof", while Jetstar scored just 62 per cent.

One respondent described Jetstar staff as "uniformly surly, unhelpful and most definitely unwelcoming".

Minnow Regional Express was the favoured Australian domestic operator. It won a survey-high rating of 79 per cent followed by Virgin Blue with 71 per cent.

"Virgin Blue staff attempt to make what is a reasonably unpleasant experience flying with a no-frills service, light-hearted and enjoyable," one respondent said.

One possible reason Qantas may have fared so poorly is that people may be more critical of their national carrier, the magazine suggested.

Travellers said they continued to fly with Qantas to earn frequent flyer points even though they rated the airline significantly lower than average.

- AAP

From here .

[Bermy Girl]

Thanks MB...Shellbda and I are flying Qantas this July for our visit...

I shall give you an honest appraisal after the fact...

Tickets are bought and paid for, so we are stuck with them...as long as they get us to NZ we'll be happy...

[MotherBear]

I'm sure it'll be absolutely fine, BG. No worries.