BA economy v KLM and Lufthansa
#31
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold; FB Silver; SPG; IHG Gold
Posts: 2,985
I took KLM economy from AMS to YUL in June and it was quite good, new A330-300. Not sure what plane is flying to BKK. However there was small delay at departure and huge chaos at boarding. Food was worse than BA economy, but that's my personal opinion.
I would look into Middle East Carriers.
I would look into Middle East Carriers.
Another thing to bear in mind is flight times. KLM, like BA, have a day flight (i.e. leaving afternoon rather than late evening) which is awful and exacerbates the jet lag. If LH operate a night flight then that would be a big point in favour of flying LH, regardless of anything else.
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
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CWS and ptr120- thanks , will have a look. We have thought about ex eu options but avoiding them for the moment, unless it's worth the gamble. Our holiday times are pretty fixed as we both are tied to certain dates, and we always need to allow for him being stuck offshore.
#33
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London UK
Programs: All Expired... :-(
Posts: 410
For long haul, I fly more Y than not, and I find them much of a muchness.
Generally, I'd chose on route/schedule/price/number of stops to the destination and ignore any FF benefits (especially now discount Y gets few avios/TPs).
The only Y I have found to be significantly better than the norm was on Singapore, and I try to avoid AA if I can (partially because trasniting via the US to anywhere is a PITA, partially becasue they're just not as good as other airlines in my experience).
Generally, I'd chose on route/schedule/price/number of stops to the destination and ignore any FF benefits (especially now discount Y gets few avios/TPs).
- Seat Pitch. I'm sure they're all very similar.
- Food. Who flys Y for the food?
- IFE. Load up your iPad
- FFP Benefits. You might have lounge access if you fly with OW, but I'd chose first on route/schedule/price
- Avios/Miles earning. Most discount Y tickets get few avios and TPs, so I'd not use this as a factor in deciding who to fly with.
The only Y I have found to be significantly better than the norm was on Singapore, and I try to avoid AA if I can (partially because trasniting via the US to anywhere is a PITA, partially becasue they're just not as good as other airlines in my experience).
#34
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Join Date: Jan 2009
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I haven't flown KL in the last couple of years but my recollection is very dated equipment.
I fly LH fairly regularly and I like the Germanic efficiency of onboard, and I find the decor to be modern and calming, so I generally prefer it to BA (but only slightly). However, LH is prone to strikes and if you are unlucky enough to hit one of those you are hosed. And, FRA is a mess - conversely a connection in MUC is generally very easy.
I fly LH fairly regularly and I like the Germanic efficiency of onboard, and I find the decor to be modern and calming, so I generally prefer it to BA (but only slightly). However, LH is prone to strikes and if you are unlucky enough to hit one of those you are hosed. And, FRA is a mess - conversely a connection in MUC is generally very easy.
#35
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 6,111
Of course for a longer, loungeless transit the upstairs quiet seating is all gone now - that's where the central security is now. But most other airports don't have large quiet areas to sit in either.