Is there really any difference in the ECONOMY CLASS flyer experience between airlines
#16
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: UK
Programs: Emirates Silver, BA, Flying Blue, Virgin, IHG
Posts: 950
On an upcoming trip to Europe in 2015 we had the choice of a number of airlines to fly to London. Our friends and relatives all had their suggestions which one we should go on. Many of them really liked one airline over another.
I told them we would be flying coach and have no status or airline miles on any of them so a upgrade was out of the picture. Each of the choices were about the same price and had 31 inch pitch and 17.5 inch width. All offered food and video monitors and wide body planes.
So do you think our experience will be any different on one airline or another in economy class non stop from NYC to London?
I told them we would be flying coach and have no status or airline miles on any of them so a upgrade was out of the picture. Each of the choices were about the same price and had 31 inch pitch and 17.5 inch width. All offered food and video monitors and wide body planes.
So do you think our experience will be any different on one airline or another in economy class non stop from NYC to London?
I would pick based on route (convenience & timing)and price....
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: SAN
Programs: Nothing, nowhere!
Posts: 23,223
If it were me, I would choose based on;
Price
Departure and arrival times that best suited me
Whether the plane was 2-X-2 or 3-3-3
Terminal of departure
I mention terminal of departure as on a short flight such as NYC-LON, I would probably eat on the ground before departure and choice of eaterie is important to me. T4 at LHR for example, is bad. I would then skip the food on the plane.
The rest of the experience is going to be fairly similar whatever airline you choose in terms of seat, food, service & IFE.
Price
Departure and arrival times that best suited me
Whether the plane was 2-X-2 or 3-3-3
Terminal of departure
I mention terminal of departure as on a short flight such as NYC-LON, I would probably eat on the ground before departure and choice of eaterie is important to me. T4 at LHR for example, is bad. I would then skip the food on the plane.
The rest of the experience is going to be fairly similar whatever airline you choose in terms of seat, food, service & IFE.
#19
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MEL
Programs: DL, QF, QR Gold, MR Lifetime Gold
Posts: 6,989
You indeed covered the most important aspects.
When comparing Y products the most important aspects IMO are:
1) seat width
2) seat pitch
3) seat configuration (e.g. I find a 2-x-2 config much more bearable than a 3-x-3 config and will even include a connecting to avoid the latter)
4) AVOD
5) free alcoholic beverages
6) ability to pay for a preferred seat (if relevant)
7) quality of food and drinks
8) service
7 and 8 obviously are rather subjective. None of the airlines that fly NYC-LHR offers great food or service in Y IMO.
When comparing Y products the most important aspects IMO are:
1) seat width
2) seat pitch
3) seat configuration (e.g. I find a 2-x-2 config much more bearable than a 3-x-3 config and will even include a connecting to avoid the latter)
4) AVOD
5) free alcoholic beverages
6) ability to pay for a preferred seat (if relevant)
7) quality of food and drinks
8) service
7 and 8 obviously are rather subjective. None of the airlines that fly NYC-LHR offers great food or service in Y IMO.
I would also add the noise factor somewhere in there, which for a long flight does contribute to the comfort. Airbus planes are considerably quieter than Boeings.
#21
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BOS-TLV
Programs: Lots of them, no status
Posts: 1,318
For international, I agree with some of the other issues mentioned:
1. Attitude of flight staff
2. Availability of free alcohol
3. Food quality
4. in-flight entertainment
5. Other small perks that may or may not matter to you, such as electrical outlets at the seat
and then one I don't think I saw mentioned (but may have missed it):
6. Luggage fees.
1. Attitude of flight staff
2. Availability of free alcohol
3. Food quality
4. in-flight entertainment
5. Other small perks that may or may not matter to you, such as electrical outlets at the seat
and then one I don't think I saw mentioned (but may have missed it):
6. Luggage fees.
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,565
Luggage (both checked and carry on allowances) matter to me.
The other thing that I am very conscious of is that on that route, there is at least one airline that you cannot pre-select your seats (free) when you book, so that is another consideration (I don't want to be stuck with a rubbish seat at T-24 hours).
The other thing that I am very conscious of is that on that route, there is at least one airline that you cannot pre-select your seats (free) when you book, so that is another consideration (I don't want to be stuck with a rubbish seat at T-24 hours).
#23
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,210
As a leggy tall chick married to a tall dude, I'd look into how much it costs to buy an Economy Plus or Economy Comfort sort of seat to get that little bit of extra leg room and factor that into ticket prices. For some airlines, buying the extra leg room turns out to be more reasonable than with others.
#24
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
As a leggy tall chick married to a tall dude, I'd look into how much it costs to buy an Economy Plus or Economy Comfort sort of seat to get that little bit of extra leg room and factor that into ticket prices. For some airlines, buying the extra leg room turns out to be more reasonable than with others.
#25
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,857
On such flights eat before getting to the terminal. Even a pasty at Liverpool St Station is better than the drivel you get at airline terminals. Same in New York (well obviously not pasty from Liverpool Street station). There's a pretty good Jamaican take away in Penn Station.
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
I fly on AA (now), getting upgraded to business class on most of my jfk-Europe flts.
Several years ago I flew Air France (always in economy) from jfk-Paris.
AF's meals in economy were better than AA's in bc (I've wondered what AF bc is like.)
One interesting contrast: On an AF flight the FA offered as a suggestion (at the end of dinner) "would you like some Cognac"...on all the bc flts. on AA, a FA NEVER suggested Cognac at the end.
Several years ago I flew Air France (always in economy) from jfk-Paris.
AF's meals in economy were better than AA's in bc (I've wondered what AF bc is like.)
One interesting contrast: On an AF flight the FA offered as a suggestion (at the end of dinner) "would you like some Cognac"...on all the bc flts. on AA, a FA NEVER suggested Cognac at the end.
#27
On such flights eat before getting to the terminal. Even a pasty at Liverpool St Station is better than the drivel you get at airline terminals. Same in New York (well obviously not pasty from Liverpool Street station). There's a pretty good Jamaican take away in Penn Station.
Though, you're on to something. Right by the Jamaica subway/AirTrain station in Queens, well within a few blocks anyway, you can find Salvadoran food. Next time I'm going to JFK, pupusas will come with me.
#29
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver
Posts: 2,067
TATL economy does not vary a whole lot, except for Virgin Atlantic. Check seat size and pitch, and avoid the A380 (just too many people in econ). Food varies widely, though. I prefer AF economy on food. I have not had bad service on AF. (I've had unpleasant economy experiences due to other flyers, though, such as drunk/odiferous seatmates, and people not wanting me to recline on overnight flights. One of the main reasons I work desperately to get upgrades.)