Best and worst of *A
Mar 11, 2005 | 12:14 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2002
Programs: QF Platinum (OW Emerald); QF Lifestime Silver; BD Diamond Club Gold (*A Gold)
Posts: 4,786
Best and worst of *A
Thought I'd kick of this thread based on my relatively limited exposure to *A carriers - in each cabin class - to provoke some discussion about what you think about each of the member airlines: both in the ground and in the air.
Here's some suggestions...
The best and worst:
Lounges
Reservations
Loyalty program
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating
Food / drink
Customer service
Baggage handling
Routes on own metal
In-flight entertainment / communications
Just a list to prompt comment (and no, I don't work for a marketing outfit)
Here's some suggestions...
The best and worst:
Lounges
Reservations
Loyalty program
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating
Food / drink
Customer service
Baggage handling
Routes on own metal
In-flight entertainment / communications
Just a list to prompt comment (and no, I don't work for a marketing outfit)
Mar 11, 2005 | 12:23 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LA
Programs: UA Lifetime Gold / BA GGL&CCR
Posts: 2,483
From my experience...
Lounges
Best - Silver Kris Lounge (Singapore)
Worst - Premier Lounge (Singapore)
Almost Nonexistant - Los Angeles International
Reservations
Best - United (well for Premier Executive at least)
Loyalty Program
For Regular J/F - Singapore Airlines PPS Club
For Mere Mortals - United Airlines Mileage Plus
Y / J / F Cabins and Seating
Best First - Singapore Airlines
Best Business - Singapore Airlines (though Air New Zealand might trump it later this fall)
Best Economy - Singapore Airlines (on A345s)
Food / Drink
Best - Singapore Airlines
Improving - United Airlines
Customer Service
No one really stand out. Maybe United because of my status.
Baggage Handling
No one stands out.
Routes on own Metal
Best - Singapore Airlines
In-flight Entertainment / Communications
Best - Singapore Airlines (hands down)
Lounges
Best - Silver Kris Lounge (Singapore)
Worst - Premier Lounge (Singapore)
Almost Nonexistant - Los Angeles International
Reservations
Best - United (well for Premier Executive at least)
Loyalty Program
For Regular J/F - Singapore Airlines PPS Club
For Mere Mortals - United Airlines Mileage Plus
Y / J / F Cabins and Seating
Best First - Singapore Airlines
Best Business - Singapore Airlines (though Air New Zealand might trump it later this fall)
Best Economy - Singapore Airlines (on A345s)
Food / Drink
Best - Singapore Airlines
Improving - United Airlines
Customer Service
No one really stand out. Maybe United because of my status.
Baggage Handling
No one stands out.
Routes on own Metal
Best - Singapore Airlines
In-flight Entertainment / Communications
Best - Singapore Airlines (hands down)
Mar 11, 2005 | 9:32 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Terra Australis Cognita
Posts: 5,353
Originally Posted by globetrekker84
Lounges
Best - Silver Kris Lounge (Singapore)
Best - Silver Kris Lounge (Singapore)
I agree with you on pretty much all other nominations, but for best *A lounge I'll cast my vote for the 2-level Thai lounge in BKK near gate 4X. 2nd prize goes to the SAS lounges at CPH thanks to the dayrooms & showers.
Mar 11, 2005 | 10:36 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: A3&O6 Gold,IC AMB
Posts: 14,219
The best
Lounges : Silverkris
Reservations : SQ
Loyalty program : UA
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating : SQ / SQ / SQ
Food / drink : SQ
Customer service : SQ
Baggage handling : SQ
Routes on own metal : LH
In-flight entertainment / communications: SQ
^ ^ ^
Lounges : Silverkris
Reservations : SQ
Loyalty program : UA
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating : SQ / SQ / SQ
Food / drink : SQ
Customer service : SQ
Baggage handling : SQ
Routes on own metal : LH
In-flight entertainment / communications: SQ
^ ^ ^
Mar 12, 2005 | 3:29 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK Gold, AY Gold
Posts: 13,675
Lounges
Not having had the pleasure of the SKL, I'd have to plump for The London Lounge, which I think is an excellent concept.
Reservations
Never use them directly.
Loyalty program
Best: BD Diamond Club, if only for Miles + Cash.
Worst: Don't really know.
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating
Best Y: NZ. The seat design and pitch make up for the worse IFE, and the cabin crew are fantastic.
Worst Y: LO. The cabin crew try hard, but the seats are awful.
Best J and F: SQ (although I'd like to try BD in J). The incline in Raffles is slightly annoying, but the seats are nicely designed. F is amazing.
Worst J and F: LO for J, they're just not in the same league as the other carriers. F, I don't know, I've only ever had the pleasure of SQ.
Food / drink
Best: OS (specifically NG). Although SQ had wonderful food, the Do&Co catering on OS is second to none. It's the closest to restaurant quality I've had on a plane.
Worst: UA/US. Where is it?!
Customer service
I can't say I've had particularly difficult dealings with any *A airline, so it's hard to judge.
Baggage handling
Best: SQ, easily.
Worst: No negative experience.
Routes on own metal
Best: LH has an excellent, expansive network for those based in Europe.
Worst: BD for its schizophrenic route strategy. And a slap to OS for using a 737 on VIE-DXB (and still selling C as a long-haul fare...)
In-flight entertainment / communications
Best: SQ by a country mile.
Worst: LO.
Not having had the pleasure of the SKL, I'd have to plump for The London Lounge, which I think is an excellent concept.
Reservations
Never use them directly.
Loyalty program
Best: BD Diamond Club, if only for Miles + Cash.
Worst: Don't really know.
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating
Best Y: NZ. The seat design and pitch make up for the worse IFE, and the cabin crew are fantastic.
Worst Y: LO. The cabin crew try hard, but the seats are awful.
Best J and F: SQ (although I'd like to try BD in J). The incline in Raffles is slightly annoying, but the seats are nicely designed. F is amazing.
Worst J and F: LO for J, they're just not in the same league as the other carriers. F, I don't know, I've only ever had the pleasure of SQ.
Food / drink
Best: OS (specifically NG). Although SQ had wonderful food, the Do&Co catering on OS is second to none. It's the closest to restaurant quality I've had on a plane.
Worst: UA/US. Where is it?!
Customer service
I can't say I've had particularly difficult dealings with any *A airline, so it's hard to judge.
Baggage handling
Best: SQ, easily.
Worst: No negative experience.
Routes on own metal
Best: LH has an excellent, expansive network for those based in Europe.
Worst: BD for its schizophrenic route strategy. And a slap to OS for using a 737 on VIE-DXB (and still selling C as a long-haul fare...)
In-flight entertainment / communications
Best: SQ by a country mile.
Worst: LO.
Mar 13, 2005 | 5:41 am
#8
Join Date: May 2004
Location: 7th planet on your right
Programs: BA[G], SQ[G], TK[G], DL[PM], EY[G], AF[S], IC[Amb], HH[G]
Posts: 1,641
The best
Lounges : Silverkris
Reservations : UA
Loyalty program : SQ (f/j) / UA
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating : SQ / SQ / SQ
Food / drink : SQ
Customer service : SQ
Baggage handling : SQ
Routes on own metal : LH
In-flight entertainment / communications: SQ
Lounges : Silverkris
Reservations : UA
Loyalty program : SQ (f/j) / UA
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating : SQ / SQ / SQ
Food / drink : SQ
Customer service : SQ
Baggage handling : SQ
Routes on own metal : LH
In-flight entertainment / communications: SQ
Mar 13, 2005 | 9:56 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: LH SEN, SPG Gold(SCI Gold), Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,482
Best:
Lounges SQ/NZ
Reservations
Loyalty program
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating TG/SQ,LH(New)/LH
Food / drink NG
Customer service
Baggage handling LH/SQ
Routes on own metal
In-flight entertainment / communications Y SQ/ C and F SQ/LH
Worst:
Lounges UA
Reservations SQ
Loyalty program M&M
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating SQ/?/UA
Food / drink UA
Customer service SQ
Baggage handling UA
Routes on own metal
In-flight entertainment / communications Y LH
Lounges SQ/NZ
Reservations
Loyalty program
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating TG/SQ,LH(New)/LH
Food / drink NG
Customer service
Baggage handling LH/SQ
Routes on own metal
In-flight entertainment / communications Y SQ/ C and F SQ/LH
Worst:
Lounges UA
Reservations SQ
Loyalty program M&M
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating SQ/?/UA
Food / drink UA
Customer service SQ
Baggage handling UA
Routes on own metal
In-flight entertainment / communications Y LH
Mar 13, 2005 | 11:19 am
#10
Moderator: LGBTQ+ Travel, India-based Airlines and India; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Asia
Programs: Yes!
Posts: 15,582
BEST:
Lounges:
for * Gold access: TG BKK
Otherwise: LH HON lounge/terminal
Reservations: LH SEN Line
Loyalty program: BD Diamond Club
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating:
F: NH
J: NH/SQ
Y: SQ
Food / drink: LH
Customer service: TG
Baggage handling: SQ/TG
Routes on own metal: LH
In-flight entertainment / communications: SQ
Lounges:
for * Gold access: TG BKK
Otherwise: LH HON lounge/terminal
Reservations: LH SEN Line
Loyalty program: BD Diamond Club
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating:
F: NH
J: NH/SQ
Y: SQ
Food / drink: LH
Customer service: TG
Baggage handling: SQ/TG
Routes on own metal: LH
In-flight entertainment / communications: SQ
Mar 13, 2005 | 12:21 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London & White River, South Africa
Posts: 24,668
My Best
Lounges - Silverkris F lounge, and of those for * Gold mortals, the London Lounge
Reservations - LH Senator line
Loyalty program - LH M&M still pretty good, but BD Diamond Club has some great awards. If you are N America based I can see the appeal of MP.
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating Y - TG though UA's E+ is rather nice, J - tie between NH and SQ, F - tie between NH and SQ
Food / drink - BD's The Business, followed by NZ
Customer service - OS
Baggage handling - SQ by a country mile
Routes on own metal - LH
In-flight entertainment / communications - SQ by a country mile again
Lounges - Silverkris F lounge, and of those for * Gold mortals, the London Lounge
Reservations - LH Senator line
Loyalty program - LH M&M still pretty good, but BD Diamond Club has some great awards. If you are N America based I can see the appeal of MP.
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating Y - TG though UA's E+ is rather nice, J - tie between NH and SQ, F - tie between NH and SQ
Food / drink - BD's The Business, followed by NZ
Customer service - OS
Baggage handling - SQ by a country mile
Routes on own metal - LH
In-flight entertainment / communications - SQ by a country mile again
Mar 13, 2005 | 3:40 pm
#12
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: CH / D
Programs: Amex, Avis, BA, BD, CX, FS, Hertz, HH, IC, LH, NH, RC, RCCL, Sixt, SPG, SQ, UA
Posts: 7,050
BEST:
Lounges:
for * Gold access: TG BKK
Otherwise: LH HON lounge/terminal
Reservations: Nothing good!
Loyalty program: SQ PPS Club, Miles and More
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating:
F: SQ
J: SQ
Y: SQ
Food / drink: SQ
Customer service: SQ
Baggage handling: SQ
Routes on own metal: LH
In-flight entertainment / communications: SQ
Worst:
Lounges: CAI for LH flight
Reservations: LH, UA
Loyalty program: SK Eurobonus
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating:
F: UA old on B763
J: LH old, TG
Y: LH, Varig
Food / drink: UA
Customer service: LH
Baggage handling: LH
Routes on own metal: TAP Portugal
In-flight entertainment / communications: LH
Lounges:
for * Gold access: TG BKK
Otherwise: LH HON lounge/terminal
Reservations: Nothing good!
Loyalty program: SQ PPS Club, Miles and More
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating:
F: SQ
J: SQ
Y: SQ
Food / drink: SQ
Customer service: SQ
Baggage handling: SQ
Routes on own metal: LH
In-flight entertainment / communications: SQ
Worst:
Lounges: CAI for LH flight
Reservations: LH, UA
Loyalty program: SK Eurobonus
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating:
F: UA old on B763
J: LH old, TG
Y: LH, Varig
Food / drink: UA
Customer service: LH
Baggage handling: LH
Routes on own metal: TAP Portugal
In-flight entertainment / communications: LH
Mar 14, 2005 | 1:38 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2002
Programs: QF Platinum (OW Emerald); QF Lifestime Silver; BD Diamond Club Gold (*A Gold)
Posts: 4,786
Originally Posted by flamboyant 1
BEST:
Worst:
Lounges: CAI for LH flight
Worst:
Lounges: CAI for LH flight
Mar 14, 2005 | 2:04 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,935
BEST
Lounges
SK *G lounge CPH
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating
NZ, SQ, SQ
Food / drink
SQ or BMI (both in C)
Baggage handling
SQ
In-flight entertainment / communications
SQ
WORST
Lounges
UA RCC lounges
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating
LO, LO
Baggage handling
SK
Lounges
SK *G lounge CPH
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating
NZ, SQ, SQ
Food / drink
SQ or BMI (both in C)
Baggage handling
SQ
In-flight entertainment / communications
SQ
WORST
Lounges
UA RCC lounges
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating
LO, LO
Baggage handling
SK
Mar 14, 2005 | 4:20 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: here and there
Programs: some
Posts: 3,475
Lounges: SKL, NZ lounge in Sydney
Reservations: never used
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating:
F: SQ (NH?)
C: SQ (NZ later this year???)
Y: SQ
Food / drink: NH
Customer service: SQ
Baggage handling: SQ
Routes on own metal: SQ
In-flight entertainment / communications: SQ
Reservations: never used
Y / J / F cabins incl. seating:
F: SQ (NH?)
C: SQ (NZ later this year???)
Y: SQ
Food / drink: NH
Customer service: SQ
Baggage handling: SQ
Routes on own metal: SQ
In-flight entertainment / communications: SQ