www.CostaRicaTicas.com

And the winners are…

http://www.worldairlineawards.com/Award ... r-2008.htm

Gee…no North American airlines in the top 10…surprise, surprise…

Continental was voted the “Best North American Airline”, seems to follow what is generally posted here. EVA was voted “Best Premium Economy Class”, I would definitely second that…

Mendo

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"It takes a lot of good beer to make a great wine"

Good find Mendo. It's interesting that no US based airlines are in the top ten. Fortunately, I do fly CO, and prefer them above other airlines in the US. I don't think I've ever flown the highly ranked airlines, such as Cathay or Singapore, so I don't really know what I'm missing.

Ciaociao

Cathay and Singapore are leaps and miles ahead of any other carrier in Asia. In absolutely every aspect of the airline business. You thought US carriers were bad with customer service; wait until you have to deal with a Taiwan based carrier

Is Taca mentioned?

I'm guessing not, their on-board service is great, but their customer service sucks.

Jmac wrote:



While not as good as Singapore or Cathay, I would put China Air and EVA (the two Taiwan carriers) miles above ANY North American Airline. I had a lost ticket with China Air in TPE, and they were fantastic. EVA FA’s are always top notch. Both EVA and China Air’s FA’s are trained in Japan by ANA, and it shows in their attitudes and exceptionally polite on-board service. But as always YMMV ...

Jmac, I know you are a big Cathay fan, so how are Cathay’s Economy seats for long haul? The only thing that has scared me away from them is their seats that slide forward instead of reclining.

Mendo

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"It takes a lot of good beer to make a great wine"

Cathay's economy is nothing to write home about. It works though.
Actually, they have the new seats that recline/slide but don't actually affect the person behind you. Im sure you know what Im talking about, but it makes it a hell of a lot better then having someone recline on you for 16 hours or whatever.

The inflight is great, IMHO better then Singapore airlines for movie variety ( but YMMV ), and the food top notch for economy class.

For me though its alot of the small things. I check in, my bags make it on time and come off FIRST like they are suppose to, and I dont have to fight through a mob of people situated all over the place to get on the aircraft. Nothing pisses me off more then gate attendants who allow people to board as they please and disregard the boarding procedure ( first, business, back to front of economy).

The lounges are top notch, and on numerous occasions have came up to me personally and told me my flight was about ready to start boarding.

Another cool thing. Ive had the head flight attendant come over and personally say hello, explaining how she had served a flight with me on it before and welcomed me back. I dont even know if she did, but its a small detail that in 99.9% of scenarios would go unnoticed and makes you feel more comfortable.


EVA simply pissed me off on far to many occasions. The flight attendants were good, but everything else sucked and the flight times, connections and price are always much worse then Cathay Pacific now.

I understand its a preference thing for everyone. After all I know guys who make 5-6 trips a year and fly like United economy class
Everyone is treated different, and has different expectations on a flight.

Mendo;

You might be the first guy who doesn't live in Seattle to say China Air has any level of customer service
Only been with them once, on a TPE - BKK route, and had no complaints, but the horror stories I have heard from very good friends and the boards are enough to put me off.

But you are right, a bad day on a Taiwan based carrier is far better then a good day flying with a US carrier. I fear even when comparing economy (Taiwan) to business or first (US). Customer service has totally gone out the window in the US, its now your causing them a hassle, and you must make the sacrifice if you want to continue on.

Actually, I lie. The exception would be Virgin America would has always been a superb experience for me. But that is cheating the system a bit.

Good thread Mendo. Thanks.

Has anyone flown to SEA on Japan Airlines? If so, how are they? Apparently, they're a One-World Alliance partner with AA, and since my tickets are being bought with FF miles, I'm not paying anyways, but it's be nice to get some first-hand info on them.

I've got a flight out of LAX on Japan Airlines, as we fly through Tokyo (NRT), then onto Bangkok. But I'm on Cathay Pacific for my return flight thru Hong Kong (for a 3 day lay-over), then onto LAX.

Any info on Japan Air is appreciated.

MG

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

They are pretty good MG. I cant see you having any problems at all.
They had some of the hottest flight attendants I have ever seen! Most of their aircraft, and definitly the ones servicing LAX and NRT have been recently modified and have the in-seat flight entertainment very similar to what Singapore air uses.

The biggest knock on JAL is the food. The Asian dish's are very well done, but the western stuff is pretty damn average. Not that its a big deal, but if your a picky eater it might be of some concern.

The boarding procedure sucks a bit, as Japanese people tend to carry a ton of stuff with them on board, and take full advantage of the carry on rules. Worse case you will have some person next to you with 40 new handbags, and a bunch of random gadgets, and theyll feel the need to get out of their seat every 2 minutes to stand up and stretch.

Other then that, NRT is a really cool airport, you get to take advantage of the OneWorld lounges there and perhaps "prime" yourself for the landing in BKK. Its a highly efficient airport as far as getting around.

Are you flying in economy or business?

Business. Plus, my wingman is sitting next to me, so shouldn't be a problem.
Thanks for the info!

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Absolutely true. Only Singapore Air has consistently hotter flight attendants. JAL is generally a very good airline. The flat sleeper chairs are well done, and it's not too bad back in steerage either.

The biggest problem I had was the annoying transfer in Narita which sometimes can cause you to almost miss your connection.

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"All them women gonna make me,
teach 'em what they don't know how..." TMIB

I have flown JAL 8 times roundtrip. Las Vegas to Tokyo. Tokyo to Jakarta. Buy your JAL tickets through a travel agent.Thier website is ridiculously expensive.The best agencies are usually in asian neighborhoods.So go to your China town or little Korea to do your shopping. Plenty of agents there that have a relationship with JAL and can get much better deals.Plus your travel agent will be a cute sample of what is available when you get there.

As an airline, thier service is top notch.Very friendly. Good food. You will be getting welcome drinks and hot towels before the plane takes off.In coach. An excellent airline. If you have a long layover, be careful on buying food in Narita. I got off the plane one trip and had a craving for M&M's. $20 later it was the most expensive snack I ever ate. There is a cheaper noodle shop a few minute walk from the international gates.