FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Does poor in-flight sevice cause you to avoid USA airlines?
Old Jan 18, 2013 | 8:44 am
  #56  
monahos
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,673
Originally Posted by pinniped
One thing I hardly ever see discussed on FT: what are the best airlines out there that use a two-cabin service, with the forward cabin booking as J (whether paid or award), but a "near F" overall experience? Is there any J award in this world that would put me in a truly premium lounge and have a top-top-shelf liquor/wine list onboard?
NZ comes to mind: herringbone seats which I find spacious and very comfortable in bed position (plush memory foam mattress, turndown service), catering enjoyable (onboard cook, emphasis on NZ products), wines a discovery (all NZ once again), attention to detail refreshing (self-righting glasses, inflight map with historical POI's such as shipwrecks overflown), Koru Club lounges well above average, and quirky details (multicolored striped socks in amenity kit, safety announcement) fun if in the right mood. Technically it is a 3 cabin service however, with premium economy on offer.

Next would be OS's new biz class: acceptable if somewhat cramped flat seats, possibly the most elaborate food served in business class, both tasty, at times creative, always plentiful, once again with on-board cook, coffee menu with 10 selections, linens provided for the blanket and large pillow, and old-school service. However the lounges are at best average, and the wines no more than honest.

Those are two business class products which feel special in some respect, and obviously represent a carrier's best effort, something which cannot be said about most, which merely feel comfortable (just like US airlines' first class...)
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