Best economy class flight experience

[Dyslexic traveler]

Hi all it's been many years since I have flown economy, and was you wondering what you all feel is the best economy class experience ( world wide ) and why. You never know I may end up in the economy section when I'm a poor pensioner, the way the government keep taxing me

Wayne
The Dyslexic Traveler

 

[harvyk]

I don't mind QF's Y at least internationally on their A330's / B747's / A380's. Or their B737's (the BSI's)... Some of their dom cabins on things like the B734's are looking pretty tired.

NZ in Y isn't too bad (although can't say anything since they have turn LCC on TT routes).

AA is horrible, even their 777's with IFE it's a pretty ordinary experience.

CX isn't too bad although last time I flew with them (last month) I had one of their shell seats which was pretty ordinary, at least their AVOD had improved since the time before.

Been a while since I've flown with VA (It was back in it's DJ days), but again it was standard LCC experience, that said it's been a while since I've flown with them.

 

[Brisbane Flyer]

QF 12 LAX-SYD, row 34 to myself.
A few drinks, dinner, next I knew it was time for breakfast and then landing.
On a very discounted fare originating in USA, was around US$1000 return.

Return leg was QF15 via BNE, cant remember the flight except take off and landing worked perfect.

 

[sergeyvzn]

QF International is pretty good (not on A330 though). The hard product is good but service is a bit of hit and miss. I have flown them to Narita a few times when I had a middle row of 4 seats on B747 (this was prior to A330 being put on this run) to myself and had a lovely flat bed.

Asian carriers are pretty good, generally, like Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Thai and the like. American airlines (not AA) but all of them with a notable exception of Virgin America are rubbish, just plain awful! European ones are hit and miss, I had a good experience with Air France and Finnair but hated Lufthansa and KLM

 

[yohy?!]

CX New Y has the best seat and IFE going at present

 

[harvyk]

CX New Y has the best seat and IFE going at present

Yeah, but whats the odds of getting new Y vs getting shell seat? I was happy my CX flight the other week was only 4 hours long thanks to that seat.

 

[Alanslegal]

Some positive experiences I have had:

1. When QF allowed me to sit with my girlfriend in 5A on the A380 for a little bit, drinking champagne, and giving me a F ammenity pack.
2. When BA op-upped me 4 out of 5 times out of Y to Y+ or J within 18 months.
3. Flying KL for the first and only time as a status matched AF WP, and the CSM coming to greet me on board thanking me for my loyalty and to see if I needed anything.
4. Any Y flight where I get three seats to myself.
5. Seat 80A/K or 71D on the QF A380.

I guess the similar theme is space. With good space, it is usually a decent flight when flying Y. We all know that Y food can't be fantastic so the next best thing is being not too cramped, espcially for such long travel.

 

[harvyk]

Some positive experiences I have had:

1. When QF allowed me to sit with my girlfriend in 5A on the A380 for a little bit, drinking champagne, and giving me a F ammenity pack.
2. When BA op-upped me 4 out of 5 times out of Y to Y+ or J within 18 months.
3. Flying KL for the first and only time as a status matched AF WP, and the CSM coming to greet me on board thanking me for my loyalty and to see if I needed anything.
4. Any Y flight where I get three seats to myself.
5. Seat 80A/K or 71D on the QF A380.

I guess the similar theme is space. With good space, it is usually a decent flight when flying Y. We all know that Y food can't be fantastic so the next best thing is being not too cramped, espcially for such long travel.

Y food can be pretty good and I've had some pretty decent meals whilst flying Y... I've also had some pretty ordinary ones.
I agree about the 3 seats thing though. I still remember one flight on a B747 in Y where the plane was virtually empty so every single pax in Y had a row of 3 or 4 seats to themselves...

 

[smeacs]

I have been very impressed with an Air Canada Domestic Y flight. Although QF have almost caught up as the older 737's have been replaced.

As for long haul Air NZ 747 San fran to Auckland. Half empty, was sitting with family didn;t feel squished was very nice and generally quite relaxed.

Although it wasn't brilliant United in the states was beter than what I expected.

 

[smit0847]

SQ A380 Y. There's a reason they'e one of the most popular and awarded airlines in the world. Row 80 upper deck is some seriously good real estate and that whole upstairs Y mini cabin rocks.

My only complaint was that I wasn't in J or F!

 

[UP4014]

Any empty row on a full service airline.

 

[ellen10]

I mainly fly Y but have a few trips in Y+.
QF Y is my preferred carrier. Although surprisingly I have had some nice experiences on BA.
On a 747 in Y I do like the set of 2 seats at the rear.
Have not flown on a half empty plane for 30 years. They are always very full.

 

[Dyslexic traveler]

Have not flown on a half empty plane for 30 years. They are always very full.

Yes I must say I have not seen a lot of international flights that are not Jam packed, even First lately as been full.

 

[Zulaiha]

Auwwwwwwwwwww 180 degree opposite with the OP, I find that I need to start looking at J when my time is come. I do travel quite a bit and always on Y, as I find it difficult to justify J class from my own pocket for the reason that I can pretty much sleep in any condition and any positions, and tend to sleep on the plane, thus J or F is meant nothing to me if I ended up sleeping. In Fact I flew once in F with my husband and I think I never felt so lonely as I could not even talk to him throughout the time when I am not asleep, thus I ended up sleeping from the minute I entered my cubical to the landing time

However, having said that, due to my age and shamelessly weight problem that seems to like to increase it's limit along with every candles I blew each year, I fear I might need larger sit in the future to make my sleep more comfortable :'(

The thing about flying is always sleep capability and food (for those who like to eat airlines food). If both are no problem, then no Y class can be intimidating

 

[OATEK]

SQ A380 Y. There's a reason they'e one of the most popular and awarded airlines in the world. Row 80 upper deck is some seriously good real estate and that whole upstairs Y mini cabin rocks.

My only complaint was that I wasn't in J or F!

Agree that SQ A380 Upper Deck Y is great. Haven't been on QF upper deck Y yet, but snagged 71D last year which was very good.

 

[jetlagger]

Have not flown on a half empty plane for 30 years. They are always very full.

I recall an SQ flight SIN/CAN last year approx 40% load. I managed to enjoy the choice of at least 120 spare seats in Y.
This scenario rarely occurs on QF though.

 

[serfty]

Once of the best was the 4 middle seats to myself on the second row of 744 economy when QF31 used to leave MEL around 2AM for SIN.

There were about 10 passengers in the first 5 rows of 3x4x3 seating - did not look further back ...

 

[Shelf]

Any Int Y flight where I can sleep!

 

[seanpodge]

Have flown SQ long haul twice in the last 6 months (total of 8 sectors) and would put them pretty high on the list. The A380 upstairs with the 2-4-2 formation is great, although the angle of the fuselage is a bit of an issue for taller passengers (such as myself) who like the window seat (again, such as myself). Also like the rather newish A330s they have also in a 2-4-2. The old 772s they run aren't so great though. Certainly not up to date with the A380/330s and really starting to look old and tired. Hopefully they'll either be updated or palmed off to TZ soon.

OZ was pretty good too. Quite roomy for economy and the food was genuinely good. AVOD was a little meh though. Not enough range of programming. TK also deserves a mention for its food offerings. Actually quite nice food.

 

[casanovawa]

I think the best food offering i have gotten in Y was on Qatar Airlines, KUL-DOH-ATH so would definitely consider them in Y... Think I have had a QF flight in the past on the 747 with spare seats to spread out but pretty rare... Long time since i flew on SQ but they are good in most things...