Worst Airline Service

[World Traveller]

We all know which airline gives the best service in Business Class (for 10 years running) but can anyone comment on the worst?

I recently flew Lufthansa to a few destinations - the seats in Business Class made me wonder whether they had card-board boxes to sit on in economy!!!

On one occasion, I had to keep pressing the bell button for 45 minutes after which a visibly upset stewardess arrived and it was clear from her attitude that they would have thrown me off the plane if it had stops like a bus when I asked for a glass of water!!!

Food was reasonable though - do not expect any choices...

Why does Singapore Airlines spoil those who fly with them?  Must be because they do not know how to run a business...

[Happy PPS Brit]

Lufthansa is CRAP

[KatyF]

For the more poverty stricken amongst us (me included), does anyone know who gives the best service in cattle class?

[Essex Girl]

You get more leg room with Singapore Air sitting in the back, and they are generous with the drinks!
Recently did the 14hrs to the UK in the back with them and it was fine. Plenty of room and a painless flight. I've done that length of flight(or equivalent) in the front with BA, Cathay and Virgin, and was dreading sitting in the back for so long. However, I was pleasantly surprised, so they'd get my vote  
EG

[Advance]

Sorry fellow Aussies, but to me the worst service, the worst attitude and the most thrifty airline has to be...........

Qantas

Never, ever, ever again

[Snaffled]

A friend told me that the new mission statement for Qantas is

'We're not happy until you're not happy'

[abc]

Qantas are great service compared with their Europeam counterparts, esp. BA, LH, AF, etc.
Having monopoly in a reasonably big mkt doesn't enhance the service. Of course the Asian airlines (esp. the ones with crashes - majority) should offer better service to compensate.
Worst service: BA in London (not abroad) and
LH in general, of course. I fly all of them regularly and QF is a breath of fresh air among the mastodonts.

[DK]

I would have to Malaysian Airlines the big thumbs up for cattle. Did a couple of Syd-KL-Syd and it was very pleasant.

I would have to agree with the postings on Qantas, but I thought the motto was:

We're not happy until we have a monopoly, increase our prices and total screw everyone!

[This message has been edited by DK (edited 20-05-2002).]

[Vineeta]

First on my list is China Airlines, then Lufthansa followed by Qantas. With Qantas I think it depends on what route one's flying. I've found them to be quite good on some routes and not so good on other routes.

[Dill the Dog]

To Essex Girl

In fact, you are quite wrong about the amount of room in economy on SQ.

SQ has one of the worst seat pitches in economy of 31-32", depending on the plane. That's the same as BA. If you want room on your flights to London, you should go for Malaysian or Thai, both of which have 34" seat pitch. Doesn't sound like much, but on a 14 hour flight that extra few inches means the difference (to me) between total discomfort and something a little more tolerable.

Add in the fact that Malaysian's cabin staff are the best in the world (according to latest Skytrax survey - which I agree with), and a short layover at KLIA becomes acceptable.

And SQ tickets are more expensive!

[Lester25]

For value for money I do not think you can beat Malaysian. Their economy return ticket to London is only SGD890 + tax. This is less than half the fare charged by SIA / Qantas / BA, etc. As mentioned above, the planes are quite nice, service is fine, food OK. Layover at KLIA less than 2 hours and flight timings are good with 2 day flights every day to LHR.

Think Cathay are quite good two. You can fly to London or elsewhere in Europe for SGD999 including 2 night stopover in HK.

Agree that Qantas is very poor both in economy and business.

[not too bad]

I've flown SG to Melbourne on Qantas a few times and they have been all right.  Not exceptional or anything but not tragic either.

I flew SQ the last time to see if there was a major difference justifying the higher price... no difference to me.  In fact, had a real she-dog of an air hostess who didn't quite live up to the so-called excellent service in SQ.

Back on Qantas now.

[Puzzled]

Could not understand the post that said "Asian airlines (esp. the ones with crashes...) should offer better service to compensate"...compensate  for what? Or is it one more frustrated ranting by someone from a service-less world?

There has  to be better reason than emotion why SQ is voted 11 years running as the Best Airlines in the world.

[Advance]

(RE: Airline Awards)

It really all depends on which magazine, or website or Tv show you watch when it comes to the best airline.

In the past 4 weeks there have been 3 worlds best airline awards.

Emirates got one
Singapore got one from another magazine (oag)
and
over the weekend, SWISS (the old CrossAir) got voted as best.

And in news just to hand

The Mongolian Travel Monthly has voted Mongolian Airlines the worlds best airline, which is in direct dispute to the day befores Tanzania Travel Times Airline of the Year (Tanzanian Airlines)

See what I mean, there are so many awards these days that it doesnt really matter.

When it comes down to it, an airline is only as good as the last flight you took.

[Expat-123]

Although a german lady, I avoid to fly with Lufthansa whenever possible due to the lack of service and the mostly rather unfriendly or arrogant air-hostesses.

Within Asia I do prefer SQ or Cathay Pacific, within Europe my favorite is still British Airways.