Long haul flight -- who would you choose & why?

tellmeaboutit

Hi all - looking at my options for a flight to Tokyo... these seem to be the airline choices :

AirFrance, KLM,Virgin, British Airways, Etihad

Which airline would you go with and why? they are all around similar prices

Minier81

would personally avoid BA, purely because you would be flying via Heathrow, which is prone to delays. Presumably virgin is via Heathrow also?

Love KLM for longhaul, plus schipol airport is a nice spot for a transfer. I don't find air france great. I would go for etihad, they have a good rep, but have no personal experience with them.

Fr Tod Umptious

Flown Air France, KLM and BA long haul economy and to be honest I found very little difference between them.
All were very good, decent food, decent entertainment section

Id base my selection on price and times OP

rainbowdash

tellmeaboutit wrote: »

Hi all - looking at my options for a flight to Tokyo... these seem to be the airline choices :

AirFrance, KLM,Virgin, British Airways, Etihad

Which airline would you go with and why? they are all around similar prices

What part of the country are you in?

If you are in west Clare or west cork for example then ba / ei from Shannon / cork is probably the best option as Etihad involves a trek to Dublin followed by 2 flights anyway.

All the airlines tend to offer the same thing really, which is to get you from A to B or in this case probably to A to B to C, stuff like menu options and in flight entertainment would be down my list, itinerary would be the main thing, minimum hours wasted in the air.

seven_eleven

KLM all the way.

Air France are a bad, and I dont think I know anybody that has enjoyed flying with them.

Have a read of this op http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056694498

Fr Tod Umptious

Minier81 wrote: »

would personally avoid BA, purely because you would be flying via Heathrow, which is prone to delays. Presumably virgin is via Heathrow also?

Love KLM for longhaul, plus schipol airport is a nice spot for a transfer. I don't find air france great. I would go for etihad, they have a good rep, but have no personal experience with them.

That's a good point about the airport you will be transferring in.

Been to Schipol loads of time and it is class.

However I was in CDG , terminal 2e last year on a 5hr layover and there was nothing there only high end shops, a single coffee shop and a restaurant that was more like a factory canteen but priced for downtown Paris
And I see that flight to Tokyo depart from that terminal too

cassi

I've done the BA flight from Tokyo. It's very comfortable, food and entertainment are good. Heathrow is a pain but not the worst

Did KLM long haul from seoul and the airplane was horribly cramped, single tv for a few rows and I can't really remember the food due to the sleeping tabs I took just to make it bearable. Saying that I've ward that if it's a better plane, it's fine! Schipol is a great airport to transfer through.

Also did air France long haul from seoul, the flight was fine. That's considering they actually fly and aren't on strike.

Eithead are good to fly with. New planes, good food, entertainment etc and Abu dhabi airport is fine.

Looking back if I was to choose them again, I'd take the BA flight despite heathrow!

I've never flown virgin but I've heard great things about them.

Enjoy Tokyo its a great city.

athtrasna

seven_eleven wrote: »

KLM all the way.

Air France are a bad, and I dont think I know anybody that has enjoyed flying with them.

Have a read of this op http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056694498

I'd go the complete opposite. Since KLM & AF merged, KLM has been set up as the lower end of the partnership with AF being at least theoretically superior. I've flown long haul with both and would agree with this.

dominatinMC

I've flown long-haul with BA on numerous occasions, def recommend them. All their 747's are in good condition and there is good room & comfort on these planes. Food & entertainment is good and of course there is the free drink!

BuffyBot

I ike Schiphol, but am not that fond of KLM. AF are good in some respects, but CDG can be a hole of a place. BA via Heathrow (which I don't mind) would be my choice, and Virgin not far off if you go that way. Virgin got a little cruddy, but are getting better again.

Etihad, if the times work also have a decent level of aircraft and service.

As above though, I'd look at what times the connections involved as much as anything else.

Yamanoto

Heathrow is an awful lot better nowadays and I'd far rather transit there than CDG.

Schipol remains the best hub in the EU but as others have mentioned, KLM can be hit and miss - good assistance on the ground but a lot of their fleet appears a little tired.

I've flown to Narita twice with BA and once with Lufthansa. Both BA flights were great (I've never had a bad flight with BA tbh).

If you're flying economy, it's worth asking for a bump to premium economy on the return leg.

FruitLover

I usually use Lufthansa or Virgin, both of which are grand (although Virgin have the upper hand with in-flight entertainment). I'll be going the other way (Tokyo to Dublin) next month, and I'll be looking at these two primarily.

I'd advise flying to Haneda instead of Narita if you have the option. Haneda is actually in Tokyo city, whereas Narita is in Chiba (an hour away from central Tokyo).

Dermoth

There is very little difference between them IMO. Heathrow better now with new flight transfer buses and policy. Also ba and aer lingus code share so you get ba baggage allowance. One thing worth looking at is which airport in Tokyo you want to fly into. BA serve both narita and haneda. Haneda is less of a commute at least based on where I stay (shinjuku).

tellmeaboutit

Thanks for all the responses! Very helpful -- it seems like Air France is the only one I should rule out as general consensus is this is the least favorite (I know there are exceptions).

I had not really considered the layover airport so good call on that! I have been to all except Abu Dhabi and would agree that Schipol is my favorite as well... I don't really mind Heathrow but have had my fair share of issues there.. the only reason I was considering Etihad was because it may be nice to stay over there for a couple days on the way back, as have never been and might be nice to add some sun time onto the end of the trip to Japan... still thinking that one over.

We are leaving from Dublin, by the way...

It seems like there are several people on here who have been to Tokyo and I really need some advice about my trip planning in general so I'm going to open a new thread for that...

Thanks again !!

smurfjed

Its worth mentioning what type of aircraft are operating on the route, there is usually a big difference between the interiors of a B747-400 and a much newer B777.

smurfjed

ardmacha

For Asia transitting the Middle East is different than in Europe. A Europe - Asia flight gives you a long leg where you can sleep, via the middle East you get two medium length legs, neither long enough for a decent sleep.

steve-o

Also, the Middle East is not really on the way to Tokyo; it's a big detour adding 4 or 5 hours to the journey.

jjbrien

Another BA fan here I always fly BA when I go long haul.

Long Haul from Dublin to the States Id go with United or Delta

Air Transit I found cool too they have on the new planes and are rolling it out across the whole fleet the new mood cabin made for a very enjoyable flight from Canada to London Gatwick

http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120517_C8551_PHOTO_EN_13902.jpg

Gatica

Emirates wasn't listed there. We've flown with them to SE Asia and loved the space, the service and the food. Heard Etihad is even better.

poisonated

Flew with Delta to Orlando - it was average at best. No movies which was a bit annoying. This was the same with Aer lingus when I was going to New York.

Flew with Lufthansa to Manila - This was great but only because I got upgraded to business class. I had a look at economy and it looked fairly bad(cramped seats, no movies).

Flew with British Airways to Delhi - Again this was great but only because I got upgraded to business. British Airways is much better than Lufthansa.

Flew with United Airlines to Seattle - This was pretty good. Good movies, nice food, friendly staff.

Flew with Virgin Atlantic when I was going to New York again - This was one of my favourites. Good food, good entertainment, friendly staff. The Virgin trains in England are good too but some of the staff are a bit narky.

roundymac

BA are very good. Virgin are excellent but can be pricey. Food on Delta doing a T/A is very good but the planes are a heap of s**te, internally that is.

Stinicker

smurfjed wrote: »

Its worth mentioning what type of aircraft are operating on the route, there is usually a big difference between the interiors of a B747-400 and a much newer B777.

smurfjed

If it a Boeing 747-400 then that is a plus; if it is a Boeing 777 with 10 a-breast seating then it will be a horrendous journey to endure with limited legroom and space. British Airways 747 service was bad enough last time I flew them though with tiny 4:3 IFE screens and very limited legroom due to the IFE box.

Gatica wrote: »

Emirates wasn't listed there. We've flown with them to SE Asia and loved the space, the service and the food. Heard Etihad is even better.

Emirates are not so good, there Boeing 777 service is an ordeal in itself and Dubai Airport is far worse than the Heathrow of old which incidentally is not so bad anymore. Emirates are fine if on the A380 all the way from somewhere like Heathrow but they only fly the 777 from Dublin, plus Emirates are very expensive nowadays for what is an inferior offering.

Amsterdam Airport is a lovely place to fly from, and less congested compared to Heathrow or Dubai it even has an art gallery there, expensive for food & drink there though, I remember buying a bottle of water cheaper from Aer Lingus than at the airport there.

Considering your choices for me if given those choices I'd fly with Etihad from Dublin as Abu Dhabi airport is non problems and Etihad give you a 30kgs baggage allowance in Economy compared to the other airlines. I would definitely rule out Paris and Air France as I have only ever heard negative things about both Airport and Airline although I've never flown AF myself so can't comment but their A380 service from Paris to Tokyo would be a sweet trip too, have you considered Lufthansa from Frankfurt to Tokyo by A380 either? A380 for the long haul really is the best way to do it, having flown for 16hrs from Sydney to Los Angeles by A380 with Qantas I found it makes a big difference to my tolerance of long haul flights.

roundymac

If flying with BA on a 744 in economy try and prebook your seats. I'm flying in sept and have booked the twin seats at the rear for myself and my "owner". We were charged €38 each single flight but it is worth it IMOP as it is a 12 hour flight.

tellmeaboutit

Thanks again for all the replies -- the trip is coming together - got the itin down and preliminary hotel bookings...

I see a flight with SAS changing in Copenhagen -- I have never used this airline or changed there -- any thoughts on this option?

BuffyBot

I've flown with them to Tokyo via Copenhagen before. Perfectly fine, nice enough food. Entertainment isn't on-demand, but everyone has their own screen. Copenhagen airport is a nice one to transit in.

Tipperary animal lover

Flew with sas once very good, etihad are the best I think .....

seven_eleven

Stinicker wrote: »

Amsterdam Airport is a lovely place to fly from, and less congested compared to Heathrow or Dubai it even has an art gallery there, expensive for food & drink there though, I remember buying a bottle of water cheaper from Aer Lingus than at the airport there.

I bought a magazine for €13 there. The same magazine is €5 in Ireland. :eek:

I've never flown AF myself so can't comment but their A380 service from Paris to Tokyo would be a sweet trip too

I think I'm one of the only people who really didn't enjoy their a380. I found it cramped and uncomfortable. I hope its not like this with all airlines a380's
Their entertainment was mediocre at best, but I find this to be the same for most IFE to be honest. However, it was cool that you got to watch landing and take off from a camera mounted on the tail and you could switch through 3 camera's on the plane throughout the flight.

Has anybody got experience of SAS and their a340's or Lufthansa on the Tokyo route?

Stinicker

seven_eleven wrote: »

I bought a magazine for €13 there. The same magazine is €5 in Ireland. :eek:

I think I'm one of the only people who really didn't enjoy their a380. I found it cramped and uncomfortable. I hope its not like this with all airlines a380's
Their entertainment was mediocre at best, but I find this to be the same for most IFE to be honest. However, it was cool that you got to watch landing and take off from a camera mounted on the tail and you could switch through 3 camera's on the plane throughout the flight.

Has anybody got experience of SAS and their a340's or Lufthansa on the Tokyo route?

Which airline did you fly the A380 on? I've flown on both Qantas and Emirates on their A380's and found both to be excellent. I read somewhere before though of Air France of having the least best A380 service, but can't say as I've never flown on Air France myself, but still you'd think their A380 should be as roomy as the other airlines.

seven_eleven

Stinicker wrote: »

Which airline did you fly the A380 on? I've flown on both Qantas and Emirates on their A380's and found both to be excellent. I read somewhere before though of Air France of having the least best A380 service, but can't say as I've never flown on Air France myself, but still you'd think their A380 should be as roomy as the other airlines.

I said it was with AF.

Stinicker

They really made a dogs dinner on the screen there adding the controller alongside, they should have a bigger IFE screen and place the controller in the armrest.

seven_eleven

Stinicker wrote: »

They really made a dogs dinner on the screen there adding the controller alongside, they should have a bigger IFE screen and place the controller in the armrest.

The colour of the cabin is unpleasant on the eyes, its too cramped, the seat material is horrible, the legroom is tiny and I just hate everything about it.
The only upside to airfrance, was their food.

jadie

I flew with Lufthansa last year to Bangkok, their seats were really hard and uncomfortable I thought plus no screen on the back of the seats. The food was okay though and staff were friendly. I didn't manage to get a wink of sleep though on either flight

seven_eleven

I'm considering going to Taiwan sometime in the next year or 2. I was looking at flights last night, and they're actually pretty cheap around now, around 700-800.

Main choices of are China Airlines, China Eastern, Malaysian Airlines, and then EVA airlines (eva costs a bit extra).

Anybody got any experience with these? I've heard EVA are amazing, but its a hundred or so more expensive and to be honest their premium economy doesn't look that great.