Job Discussion Forums

[Spinoza]

[deessell2]

I have always been very happy with thai airways.

Worst Airline in the world: Food and service is Garuda Airlines, avoid at all cost.

[Gordon]

[Joachim]

The best food I have found was on BA. I also like the way on Qantas night flights they give you a bag with bottled water, fruit, chocolate bars etc in case you get peckish. Singapore wasn't too shabby either.

I was echo the Garuda comments of another poster - and SAS long haul leaves a lot to be desired!

[Perpetual Traveller]

A few years back I was served the dodgiest cheeseburger I have ever had on a United Airlines flight from Oz to US. I was sick for the rest of the flight and have rarely touched airline food or hamburgers (even on the ground) since. I do like United for their Economy Plus class and have had some exceptional service from some of their in-flight staff but their entertainment system needs upgrading, I like Singapore and Thai for that. I flew Continental years ago and found them pathetic in all areas, my brother was really sick and the staff did nothing to help, acted like it was his fault or something (it wasn't due to overindulgence or anything he's just a lousy traveller) would take a lot to make me fly them again. Lufthansa were nothing special I'll agree. BA I've only taken short haul. Actually when it comes to catering I think I like the easyjet/ryanair style the best, that is BYO!

PT

[ls650]

I would think that it just depends on whomever is the local catering service at the departing airport.
Best service: hmm, can't say I've ever had a meal worth remembering on any flight. Though when I flew Air New Zealand ten years ago, they did serve a pretty good kiwi wine as I recall.
Worst: I ate on a domestic airline in Indonesia called Lion Air. The food was some hideous fried fish with cold lumpy rice. Ugh. I couldn't touch it.

[Will.]

What is the wine list like? is always the question after the price.

[jr1965]

Hands down the best airline food has got to be on Air France. In coach, from Madrid to Paris (only about an hour and a half flight), they served fresh croissants & pastries from a basket (not pre-packaged), coffee or tea, and yogurt for breakfast.

Transatlantic flights included two lovely meals, and again, a lot of the food wasn't pre-packaged. With dinner, you had a choice of four different French wines all served from the bottle (not in those little minibar bottles).

Juices, water, coffee, tea, and soda were available in the rear of the plane for people to help themselves to throughout the flight.

Very civilized!

[gordogringo]

Got to agree on Japan Airlines and Korean Airlines for best food and service.I love asian airlines service and hate the lazy,snotty US airline employees.On a rush flight to Tokyo once I was forced to take Northwest.I had a bad flight,usual rude service,etc.On the way back at Narita airport I encountered a unusually rude Northwest person at the ticket counter.After getting my ticket I recall saying to her "Just because you work for a US airline does not mean you should act like the employees do in the US.You are better than that, you are asian".

[yaramaz]

Turkish airlines has the loveliest, freshest bread-- probably because Turks wouldn't tolerate the usual stale lumps of carbon. The minimalist long, skinny green pepper and kasar cheese on olive bread sandwiches that they served on regional flights were lovely.

Flying from Johannesburg to Cape Town on Sun Air (I think that was the name) was my most lucrative flight, freebie wise-- on a 45 minute flight I was given a gorgeous freshly barbecued meat sandwich (yarım ekmek sized, to the turks out there- not small at all), a half litre can of beer, some assorted pastries, a bunch of grapes, and a full sized chocolate bar. Since I had just come off a 13 hour Lufthansa flight from hell from London via Frankfurt where I was served what appeared to be an omelet every hour and nowt else, this was a fine bonus.

Most alcoholic flight: Balkan Airways. Their beer was 12% alcohol, served in 500ml tins, and limitless. My flight companion on that journey to Ghana was legless by the end and god only knows how I got her out ofthe airport and into a trotro minibus.

[sojourner]

THE BEST SERVICE

A number of years ago, I flew Economy Class with Air India, from Bombay to Harare. Excellent service.The flight attendants were very helpful and friendly A few months later, I flew Business Class with SAA, from Jo'burg to Harare - even though it's a short flight, the catering was excellent. I wonder whether SAA has retained its excellent service since the advent of the 'New South Africa' ?

Over the past 20 odd years, I have flown frequently with Thai International - it has always been one of my favourite airlines - good service - although, I 've noticed in recent months that, occasionally, the (female) flight attendants have been a bit curt.


I have heard that the catering provided by the Argentine international carrier is supposed to be quite good


THE WORST SERVICE

Undoubtedly, El Al ! I once flew Business Class with them, from Naraibi to Tel Aviv.The food was absolutely terrible ! The fish dish was full of bones ! Also, the BC seats did not seem to be any different from those in Economy. I also found the Greek airlines, Olympia, to be far from satifactory.

I know that Air NZ has a good reputation. Have flown BC, from Brisbane to Christchurch - quite good service. But I once flew Economy with them, from Auckland to Singapore.The food was passable - but those cranky (male) flight attendants . . . ! Never again !

Peter

[counpk39]

A great resource for airline meal ratings is here. It's considered to be the authoritative repository of airline repast.

[Don McChesney]

For a quiet flight with good food Royal Brunei are great.
Why a quiet flight? No booze, so no football crowds coming home, or business convention types. Nice friendly cabin crew as well.
In addition, on the tv screens is a little arrow that points to Mecca at all times, just in case!!!

[workingnomad]

I think Malaysian Airlines food is excellent - in fact I think the whole airline is cool!

[DesertStar]

Even when starving hungry, Emirates' food sucked!