Your choice of airline

Everynamestaken

Do you go by the cheapest airline, or do you remain somewhat loyal to who you have flown with before?

For example, I've been looking at a flight to Buenos Aires. Now, there's some cheaper flights than BA, but having flown with them a fair few times and never had a problem, I pay that extra more. (plus a non stop flight would sway it for me)

Also, My friend went to China on an Italian airline, but with me having Etihad frequent flyer miles, and knowing the service they provide, I would probably pay that extra to go with them.

I also have loyalty points with Jet 2 and having no problem with them whatsoever, when I go to Spain, I always use them.

Is there certain airlines you avoid? I'm presuming Ryanair and Air France will be the first ones mentioned.

stoneman

Depends how much cheaper than BA they are, and if the schedule suits you. If BA are only a bit more expensive and you have flown with them a fair few times, you will have accumulated a few BA miles, so would be an advantage to stack up on them with a flight to South America.

richardw

I went to BA on BA, considered the other airlines and routings, but the inconvenience wasn't worth the small saving.

Badger_Lady

No, there are none I actively avoid... I fly Ryanair every year to visit my family because they have the best routing for my journey. For transatlantic flights I balance up the cost against the value of adding airmiles to my various loyalty schemes! Of course, it is worth looking for a bit more luxury on a longer journey.

But then you're talking to the girl who happily takes a National Express from Cardiff to Edinburgh to save a few quid

Nobjocki

I try to use any airline except British Airways whenever possible.

Arrogant staff, poor levels of service and total contempt for the customer as evidenced by their constant threats to strike at peak times inconveniencing the public all in pursuit of maintaining their already generous conditions of employment at whatever cost to the company.

BA has long since fallen from its position as one of the great national carriers - almost all Middle or Far East airlines are far superior in every way.

As for my favourite airline I'm with Bob The Saver - Ryanair has transformed cheap air travel in Europe, led by one of the sharpest businessmen Ireland has ever produced.

neilbond007

Cost and number of stops (and length of stop overs) are a big factor.

Saying that, I'm a tight ar5e. I'd go for cheap every time!

There are no carriers I actively avoid. Had good and bad experiences with most carriers I've used.

richardw

Nobjocki wrote: »

almost all Middle or Far East airlines are far superior in every way.

BTW Emirates are starting flights to BUE http://www.emirates.com/english/about/news/news_detail.aspx?article=658200&offset=0

malkie76

I always fly BA - staying faithful due to the quality of the ground product at LHR, and the hard business product in the air. However, it's really the depth of the route network which appeals, there are rarely places I need to get to which aren't served by BA.

Staying faithful has genuinely given me personal benefit in terms of premium cabin flying on personal holidays.

bobajob_1966

Primarily BA for the same reasons as malkie76, but I am looking forward to trying Air New Zealand's business product in the near future. I do also use Ryanair because they are convenient ... and I am able to read and understand what I am agreeing to! I also like Air France and KLM, far more than I do Virgin Atlantic. The only airline I will actively avoid is American Airlines, due to their poor handling of a recent situation where they lost a cat that was in their care.

Bob_the_Saver

bobajob_1966 wrote: »

Primarily BA for the same reasons as malkie76, but I am looking forward to trying Air New Zealand's business product in the near future. I do also use Ryanair because they are convenient ... and I am able to read and understand what I am agreeing to! I also like Air France and KLM, far more than I do Virgin Atlantic. The only airline I will actively avoid is American Airlines, due to their poor handling of a recent situation where they lost a cat that was in their care.

I'll have to paws whilst I think about that one, what about all those poor birds that all the airlines suck in to their delicate and expensive engines
does that mean you wouldn't fly with anyone.

bobajob_1966

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

I'll have to paws whilst I think about that one, what about all those poor birds that all the airlines suck in to their delicate and expensive engines
does that mean you wouldn't fly with anyone.

I'm a cat lover, I take anything feline related very pawsonally!