Originally Posted by
orbitmic
Which destination do you have in mind when you mention this?? Most KLM flights I took in Y even longer ones had a meal and a snack while AF was offering two meals on the same length so wondering if this is on like to like destinations?
Like others, I would say there is little difference between the two and it is mostly a matter of personal taste and/or luck. I have absolutely not the same experience as you with regards to AF crews for instance which I find extremely personable most of the time (I have had exceptions but I have had exceptions with KL as well). If you book in classes which earn miles, I would recommend KE which is better than both AF and KL (but check, some buckets earn 0 miles). CI can be very good too and SU is fine if you don't mind the no-free-alcohol policy (and have very cheap fares to China too most of the time). Of course, all this assumes you want to stick to Skyteam, as johan rebel mentioned, depending on your home airport there may be other possibilities amongst Asian or Middle Eastern airlines. EK also has 10 abreast 777s but most other carriers don't.
My main destination is Tokyo where KLM offers a hot breakfast compared to AF. Love KE too for its legspace and service, but connection time in CDG is usually slightly too short unfortunately.
As for middle east hubs and other airlines, I simply wish to limit the number of connections and thus journey times. My home city (NTE) has very few flights beyond AF (a couple of Iberia flights to BCN and MAD but no direct flights to Asia then), BA gave up a few years ago with the arrival of Ryanair and I can't trust low cost for connections. We've been waiting for LH for years but no news except insisting rumors.