This is going to sound a little like bragging, and yeah it maybe a little, but it’s my blog and I’m allowed too!
Over the last year I’ve spent a lot of time in the air. Two trips to Asia and after Christmas in London it’s 13 to Europe with more to come to both in the next few months. In the last 6 weeks alone I’ve spent almost 75 hours at 36,000 feet. For me one of the signs that it’s starting to be too much is I dread going to the airport. While the novelty of flying has certainly worn off, I’m not at that point yet.
While not many people will call the whole flying experience pleasurable, I don’t find actually being on the airplane too bad. I don’t have to worry about email, my blackberry is quiet and I can watch bad movies staring The Rock that we all skip past when renting a movie. It’s not a secret that’s going to get me on Jerry Springer, but I like it.
The second part is the airport, that’s the piece I don’t enjoy. It’s not just the security lines (as bad as those are), it’s the whole experience. There is so little to enjoy with over priced food and expensive bars. The airport lounges become something of an oasis with free internet, food, drinks and quiet not found elsewhere in the airport.
One of the big bonuses to all this flying is the appreciation shown by the airlines. Today I got a complementary upgrade from the cheap seats straight to business class on British Airways to Seattle. This allows me to do a direct comparison of the expensive seats on four airlines. SAS, British, Delta and Alitalia.
So here are my thoughts…
Best food – actually very straightforward, British out of Heathrow. The orange cheesecake was awesome and the lobster cakes with fresh vegetables was about as good as it could be on an airplane.
Best comfort package – SAS, not only the usual socks/toothbrush/eyeshade in a nice package, but also a packet of mints, mouthwash, moisturizer, shoe polish and a shoe bag.
Best seat – perhaps unfair as it was an almost new airplane, but Alitalia had very nice pod seats on its A330.
Best staff – tough choice between British and Delta. Delta edges it on keeping up informed about the delay in departing, British just kept quiet. In flight British provided the perfectly discrete service you’d expect.
Lounges – These become very important when traveling a lot. The BA lounge in Heathrow T5 is impressive, the Delta lounge in Narita has lots of Macs, sushi and the awesome beer-pouring machine, but the best was the Alitalia lounge in Rome. Great food, the best service and a fine wine selection.
Best in flight entertainment – this does not change much between business and economy, the system is the same, the TV’s may be a little bigger, but that’s about it. Delta takes this one, it was a current video on demand system with a good selection, what more could you want?
Program – Delta has been very good with their Skymiles program, plus now I’m in the top tier I’m seeing the benefits. Upgrades on domestic flights and a phone number where they look after me.
