Airline reviews.
Turkish Airlines – business class. Check-in – generally efficient, as long as the business check-in is open. 4/5 Lounge – The relatively new Istanbul lounge is unfortunately design over substance. Poor food selection and poor seat comfort. 2/5 Seat comfort - Short-haul - airbus comfort and leg-room much better than 737, although the cost is, unfortunately, the same. 3/5 Seat comfort - Long-haul – as above, hopefully an airbus. 4/5 In-flight service – pleasant and efficient 4/5 In-flight entertainment – in-flight channel selection is not changed often enough for regular travellers. Poor selection of movies. Games available. 2/5 Food quality and choice – good selections and quality on long haul, short haul snack consists of ham, cheese and salad. 4/5 Other comments – entertainment system sometimes not available and often faulty. T.A. are now the largest airline in Europe and have recently been upgraded to a 4* airline by Skytrax. Overall ranking 3.5/5 Emirates - business class - updated March '08 Check-in – smooth and efficient. 4/5 Lounge - Dubai business class lounge is never quiet; its busy, congested, noisy, and the quality of food and choice is distinctly average 2/5 – Seat comfort – comfort of seats on older aircraft is irritating, new generation wide-bodies give good support where needed. 4/5 In-flight service – always good 4/5 In-flight entertainment – recent problems have bought their score down but generally good choice of movies. 3/5 Food quality and choice – see below. 2/5 Other comments – disappointing menu, tough beef, starters too cold, did not receive both starter and main course choice, selection; they had ‘ran-out!’ Overall ranking 3/5 Emirates, first class. NEW. Lounge – a peaceful haven. Comfortable leather seats; and a wide selection of food. 5/5 Check-in – very speedy and efficient. 5/5 Seat comfort – on the new ‘suites’ superb, old style seats pretty good, but these are all being upgraded soon. 5/5 for ‘suites’ In-flight service – Excellent. 5/5 In-flight entertainment – Excellent ‘ICE’ system, new ‘suites’ have 23in screen 5/5 Food quality and choice – disappointing on first leg, much better on second leg, even so, it should not be hit-and-miss for the money. 3/5 Other comments – the new ‘suites’ are excellent, worth the money for long haul. Overall ranking 4.5/5 Cyprus Turkish Airlines - no business class available Check-in – could be efficient if they had the enthusiasm. 3/5 Lounge – not available Seat comfort - pretty good on the airbus, tight on the 737 3/5 In-flight service – surly 1/5 In-flight entertainment – what entertainment! 0/5 Food quality and choice – adequate 2/5 Other comments – Skytrax rating is 2* which is determined as ‘poor and inconsistent service.’ The only positive note is that prices have been significantly reduced recently. Overall ranking 1.5/5
Lounge – large and comfortable, not self service, food limited. 3/5 Check-in – manic, looked totally disorganised. 2/5 Seat comfort – sadly lacking in an old seat; leg room a couple of inches above standard. 3/5 In-flight service – rushed. 2/5 In-flight entertainment – none 0/5 Food quality and choice (typical menu) – poor. 1/5 Other comments – not business class by any stretch of the imagination, squashed in like sardines with the rest of the other passengers. Overall ranking 2/5 Virgin Atlantic - Upper class. Check-in - Dedicated check-in as you would expect. Generally only a small queue, very friendly and efficient. 4/5 Lounge - The Virgin Heathrow lounge is one of the best of any airline. Breakfast cooked to order, smoothies available, excellent choice of food, drinks and very comfortable. Arrivals can use the revive facilities to grab a shower and have clothes pressed. 5/5 Seat comfort - A full flat bed in your own cocooned space. Sleep suits and duvets given. 5/5 In-flight service - Small first class cabins, and dedicated staff that are on hand at all times, live up to the Virgin service. 4/4 In-flight entertainment - a wide selection of the latest films, programmes and music on a great screen. 4/5 Food quality and choice - High quality, good selection, well-presented and tasty with a superb wine list. 4/5 Other comments - see below. Overall ranking - 4.5/5 Virgin Atlantic - premium economy. Check-in - Always efficient and friendly. 4/5 Lounge - non-dedicated lounge can be crowded and noisy. 3/5 Seat comfort - recently up-graded seats, now leather and wider, better than average leg room. 4/5 In-flight service - Nothing to shout about, but always pleasant and efficient. 4/5 In-flight entertainment - can be troublesome, good choice when working properly 3/5 Food quality and choice - Standard fare, 2-3 menu choices, good quality wine. 3/5 Other comments - Virgin flying club points are worth having, it is easy to upgrade and the gold card gives many other benefits. Overall ranking 3.5/5 British Airways - Club Europe **updated 08.07.08** Check-in - on-line check-in save time and queues, very tight on luggage allowances. 3/5 Lounge - heathrow terminal 5 now back to 'normal' service, the lounges are good, comfortable with a decent food choice. 4/5 Seat comfort - business class seating is not worth the cost, leg room is dismal and if the person infront reclines his chair, you are stuffed. (Loads of complaints apparently) 1/5 In-flight service - recently been excellent, cabin crew have made up for poor flight. 4.5/5 In-flight entertainment - if there is any! Tiny 4 inch screens you are meant to watch films on. Ridiculous! 0/5 Food quality and choice - choice on recent trips has been dire, quality ok. 2/5 Other comments - B.A. are very tight on baggage allowances, for both hold and cabin. Overall ranking - 2.9/5 |