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Best SkyTeam Airline?
Hi All!
I just completed travel on Korean Air JFK - ICN, which means I've travelled on all SkyTeam airlines. How many of you have done this? And what do you think is the best one? I think for consistent service, ease of getting upgrades (domestically in the US) even as not a member in their FFP, I would award it to Northwest. Maybe we should have some kind of vote - best business class, most attentive FAs, best amenity kits, etc... What do y'all think? Take care, Arie |
Consistent service? Yes.
Ease of getting upgrades systemwide? Yes. Complimentary food and beverages on all flights? Yes. Pleasant, convenient hub? Yes. That'd be Czech Airlines. Case closed. (I'm sure somebody will be coming along shortly saying CSA don't do lots of longhauls etc...So what? At what they do, they 're brilliant) |
In my mind I rank them as follows:
AF, KE, KL, OK, AM, CO, then a gap to NW, then a yawning chasm to AZ and last (and definitely least) DL. Sample size for my rankings are at least 8 sectors on each carrier with the exception of AM (2) and OK (3). I'm reasonably happy flying any of the first 6, happy enough on NW (although please bring back the A330 into London and give those venerable DC-10s the rest they deserve) but will lie, cheat and feign illness to avoid AZ and DL which, I believe, should both be allowed to die off. Wouldn't you know it, but all my status is on DL. Doh! |
Everybody has a different taste.
I have flown with all skyteam member airlines except for AM.
My ranking is as follow: Y class Long-Haul 1. KE(B744,B777,A330) 2. AF(B777, A340) 3. KL(only if you do not fly long haul with b767) 4. NW(only if you fly A330) 5. CZ(Airbus 310 is shabby looking, though) 6. DL 7 AZ Y class short-haul 1. KE(B744, B737) 2. KL(B737,F70,F50) 3. AF(EMB-145, A320) 4. Cz(B737,Atr-72) 5. AZ(Emb-70) 6. DL(M80) 7. NW(DC-9, I hate this plane) C class Long haul 1. AF(B777, A340) 2. KE(B777) 3. KL(B747M) 4. NW(A330) 5. AZ(B777) 6. CZ(A310) 7. DL(B777) Based on meal service, Friendly cabin crew, In-Flight entertainment, condition of the aircraft, punctuality. ground service, in case you miss the connecting flights. |
Ooops
I forgot to mention Co.
It is better than NW, DL, but still somewhere in the middle. |
No disrespect intended, but when I saw this thread title, I thought it was meant to be humorous (and poking fun of SkyTeam). SkyTeam is, for all intents and purposes, the "leftovers" alliance. If it can bring in Malaysian, that would be a huge improvement; until then Czech (CSA) wins for what they do.
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Originally Posted by GUWonder
No disrespect intended, but when I saw this thread title, I thought it was meant to be humorous (and poking fun of SkyTeam). SkyTeam is, for all intents and purposes, the "leftovers" alliance.
I seem unable to understand this claim. Star Alliance have been signing any and every orphan airline without giving a damn about how good they are, while OneWorld's coverage is full of holes and its already small network includes a LCC and the miserable excuse for an airline that is IB. These alliances sound far more leftover-ish to me than Skyteam. |
Originally Posted by graraps
??
I seem unable to understand this claim. Star Alliance have been signing any and every orphan airline without giving a damn about how good they are, while OneWorld's coverage is full of holes and its already small network includes a LCC and the miserable excuse for an airline that is IB. These alliances sound far more leftover-ish to me than Skyteam. NW, CO and DL are not better than AA and/or UA for the Americas. KL and AF are superior to BA? AZ is certainly a laggard. KE seems to be not as good as CX or SQ. CZ is limited. Aeromexico I don't know much about; just a few flights and no experience vis-a-vis Mexicana. |
Originally Posted by GUWonder
NW, CO and DL are not better than AA and/or UA for the Americas.
Originally Posted by GUWonder
KL and AF are superior to BA?
Originally Posted by GUWonder
AZ is certainly a laggard.
Originally Posted by GUWonder
KE seems to be not as good as CX or SQ.
Originally Posted by GUWonder
CZ is limited.
Originally Posted by GUWonder
Aeromexico I don't know much about; just a few flights and no experience vis-a-vis Mexicana.
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Originally Posted by graraps
They are- because there's more of them (i.e. more flights), and because CO is soon bringing in COPA which will open up more LatAm destinations.
They of course are. Just ask anyone who wants to go from Europe to Caracas, Guangzhou or even Zagreb. Or anyone who's been told by BA to collect their stuff at LGW and find (and fund) a way to get to LHR (or vice-versa) for their connecting flight. Or anyone affected by their no through check-in policies. Or anyone who's had to pay £1600 for a LHR-DME J return and sit in a middle seat. Or anyone who's had to endure a 30" longhaul economy pitch in a cabin without exit row seats (!!!). True, but nowhere near as bad as EI and IMHO better than IB. And no reduced earnings. That's true. Without being atrocious, KE is neither as good nor as convenient for Asia /Australia travel as offerings from other alliances. It's not CZ (CZ is China Southern, another potential Skyteam member). OK is the code for CSA. And it is limited but it does cover pretty much every destination in Europe, with a very friendly and efficient hub. IMHO it's the absolute best airline for intra-Europe travel (unless you're going to/from Portugal where they have no flights for some reason). I've never flown them...their service and FFP are said to be good, but they don't fly anywhere apart from Mexico and the USA (IIRC they have two destinations in Europe and two in South America). Hopefully they will eventually merge with MX and bring it to Skyteam. Aeromexico's service was reasonably good; and the new additions to Skyteam (as Skyteam "associates" or whatever term is being used) is a welcome addition. However, I'd still like to see at least one Skyteam carrier that generally rises to the level of Singapore and Cathay. |
Originally Posted by GUWonder
I see your points and your fondness for Skyteam.
Originally Posted by GUWonder
I'd still like to see at least one Skyteam carrier that generally rises to the level of Singapore and Cathay.
It's true that none of the 3 best Asian airlines (that also happen to be among the best globally) belong to Skyteam. But I'd rather fly an alliance with no award-winning super-luxury airlines than one that boasts one of them but forces me to fly LCCs every so often. |
I am based in Sofia (I sinned in a previous life I guess!) and often have to travel back to the UK.
A recurring theme is as follows :- OK charge 400 Euro economy 700 Euro Business BA charge 900 Euro Economy 1400 Euro Business OK offer me automatic upgrades, so no need for the business fare. Never been upgraded on BA - stopped asking 10 years ago!! OK's business seats are proper business seats, with proper legroom. BA very variable. OK's food is great, although I fly with them so often its getting a bit repetitive. BA variable. OK's staff treat me well on the aircraft. BA extremely variable. OK give me silver and gold status on cheap flights unlike BA generally. Downside with OK is that I have to transit in Prague (not a disaster). Lose 3 hours max to save at least 500 euro!! I am a BA shareholder I have to add so I have every incentive to fly BA!! |
Originally Posted by graraps
...but forces me to fly LCCs every so often.
I haven't seen the fantasy alliance thread yet, but I'm sure we all have a wish list of the perfect alliance that spans the whole globe, hands out loads of great benefits and offers reasonable prices. Something like SQ,CX,NH, VS,QF,KL (for intra-Europe network), maybe CO in North America, EK, SA for Africa and someone like Lan for South America. I can't ever see it happening (sadly) but it never hurts to dream. |
Originally Posted by Flyer_Tuck
AZ? All the disadvantages of a low cost carrier but without the low cost.
They've certainly got problems, but a LCC they are not. |
Originally Posted by graraps
AZ are usually quite good about handling irr ops.
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