After flying with 40 different airlines, one consistently stands out as my favorite
After flying with 40 different airlines, Qantas stands out as my favorite.
In my opinion, the airline offers great customer service and in-flight perks.
Overall, I think Qantas offers the best combination of value, service, and reliability.
When I first started traveling internationally, I wasn't loyal to any one airline. I simply chose whichever flight could get me to my destination at the lowest price.
However, in my 30 years of flying with 40 different airlines in seats ranging from business to economy, I've learned that the cost of a ticket isn't everything.
Oftentimes, the key to having a great trip is booking with the right airline. And after hundreds of flights, I have one carrier I'll choose every time I can: Qantas.
From the friendly staff to the included perks, here's why I love flying with the Australian airline.
When flying with Qantas, I always find the staff to be friendly and welcoming.
In some cases, they'll even go out of their way to make my trips even better. Once, after a long layover in Europe and a delayed flight with another airline, I was feeling exhausted and disheveled.
When a Qantas crew member came by my economy seat with water, we started chatting and I explained my situation. Later, they returned with a first-class amenity kit and pajamas so I could freshen up and change out of my travel-worn clothes.
This small, thoughtful act made a big difference for me on a tough travel day, and is something I'll always remember.
I love that even on the shortest domestic flights, Qantas offers a free meal or snack and nonalcoholic beverages. This means I never need to arrive early to buy overpriced airport food.
Qantas also provides complimentary beer and wine on domestic flights after 12 p.m. — a nice touch that makes even short flights more enjoyable.
One of my favorite perks, however, is that baggage is included in the ticket price on all domestic and international flights. This isn't the case on most major airlines (even Southwest famously ended its free baggage policy earlier this year).
In my opinion, it's just another thing that makes flying with Qantas pretty great.
Another significant advantage of flying with Qantas is the airline's membership in the Oneworld alliance — a global network of 14 airlines that makes connections easier and offers benefits across carriers.
The perks are especially great for passengers who have a frequent flyer account with one of the participating airlines.
For example, my Qantas gold status grants me priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, and access to over 600 Oneworld lounges globally.
The lounge access is one of my favorite perks, since I can grab a decent meal before boarding a meal-free US domestic flight.
Sometimes, I even shower after a long-haul journey from Australia, arriving at my final destination refreshed and for the day.
No airline delivers perfect service 100% of the time. After all, delays and cancellations happen.
However, after hundreds of flights, I've found that Qantas offers the best combination of value, service, and reliability.
Although I may occasionally find cheaper fares elsewhere, the overall experience makes Qantas my go-to option whenever possible.
Read the original article on Business Insider
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Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
After flying with 40 different airlines, one consistently stands out as my favorite
After flying with 40 different airlines, Qantas stands out as my favorite. In my opinion, the airline offers great customer service and in-flight perks. Overall, I think Qantas offers the best combination of value, service, and reliability. When I first started traveling internationally, I wasn't loyal to any one airline. I simply chose whichever flight could get me to my destination at the lowest price. However, in my 30 years of flying with 40 different airlines in seats ranging from business to economy, I've learned that the cost of a ticket isn't everything. Oftentimes, the key to having a great trip is booking with the right airline. And after hundreds of flights, I have one carrier I'll choose every time I can: Qantas. From the friendly staff to the included perks, here's why I love flying with the Australian airline. When flying with Qantas, I always find the staff to be friendly and welcoming. In some cases, they'll even go out of their way to make my trips even better. Once, after a long layover in Europe and a delayed flight with another airline, I was feeling exhausted and disheveled. When a Qantas crew member came by my economy seat with water, we started chatting and I explained my situation. Later, they returned with a first-class amenity kit and pajamas so I could freshen up and change out of my travel-worn clothes. This small, thoughtful act made a big difference for me on a tough travel day, and is something I'll always remember. I love that even on the shortest domestic flights, Qantas offers a free meal or snack and nonalcoholic beverages. This means I never need to arrive early to buy overpriced airport food. Qantas also provides complimentary beer and wine on domestic flights after 12 p.m. — a nice touch that makes even short flights more enjoyable. One of my favorite perks, however, is that baggage is included in the ticket price on all domestic and international flights. This isn't the case on most major airlines (even Southwest famously ended its free baggage policy earlier this year). In my opinion, it's just another thing that makes flying with Qantas pretty great. Another significant advantage of flying with Qantas is the airline's membership in the Oneworld alliance — a global network of 14 airlines that makes connections easier and offers benefits across carriers. The perks are especially great for passengers who have a frequent flyer account with one of the participating airlines. For example, my Qantas gold status grants me priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, and access to over 600 Oneworld lounges globally. The lounge access is one of my favorite perks, since I can grab a decent meal before boarding a meal-free US domestic flight. Sometimes, I even shower after a long-haul journey from Australia, arriving at my final destination refreshed and for the day. No airline delivers perfect service 100% of the time. After all, delays and cancellations happen. However, after hundreds of flights, I've found that Qantas offers the best combination of value, service, and reliability. Although I may occasionally find cheaper fares elsewhere, the overall experience makes Qantas my go-to option whenever possible. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business Insider
After flying with 40 different airlines, one consistently stands out as my favorite
After flying with 40 different airlines, Qantas stands out as my favorite. In my opinion, the airline offers great customer service and in-flight perks. Overall, I think Qantas offers the best combination of value, service, and reliability. When I first started traveling internationally, I wasn't loyal to any one airline. I simply chose whichever flight could get me to my destination at the lowest price. However, in my 30 years of flying with 40 different airlines in seats ranging from business to economy, I've learned that the cost of a ticket isn't everything. Oftentimes, the key to having a great trip is booking with the right airline. And after hundreds of flights, I have one carrier I'll choose every time I can: Qantas. From the friendly staff to the included perks, here's why I love flying with the Australian airline. I always feel at home on Qantas flights When flying with Qantas, I always find the staff to be friendly and welcoming. In some cases, they'll even go out of their way to make my trips even better. Once, after a long layover in Europe and a delayed flight with another airline, I was feeling exhausted and disheveled. When a Qantas crew member came by my economy seat with water, we started chatting and I explained my situation. Later, they returned with a first-class amenity kit and pajamas so I could freshen up and change out of my travel-worn clothes. This small, thoughtful act made a big difference for me on a tough travel day, and is something I'll always remember. I never worry about hidden costs — or pay for airport food I love that even on the shortest domestic flights, Qantas offers a free meal or snack and nonalcoholic beverages. This means I never need to arrive early to buy overpriced airport food. Qantas also provides complimentary beer and wine on domestic flights after 12 p.m. — a nice touch that makes even short flights more enjoyable. One of my favorite perks, however, is that baggage is included in the ticket price on all domestic and international flights. This isn't the case on most major airlines (even Southwest famously ended its free baggage policy earlier this year). In my opinion, it's just another thing that makes flying with Qantas pretty great. The Oneworld alliance makes US travel more seamless Another significant advantage of flying with Qantas is the airline's membership in the Oneworld alliance — a global network of 14 airlines that makes connections easier and offers benefits across carriers. The perks are especially great for passengers who have a frequent flyer account with one of the participating airlines. For example, my Qantas gold status grants me priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, and access to over 600 Oneworld lounges globally. The lounge access is one of my favorite perks, since I can grab a decent meal before boarding a meal-free US domestic flight. Sometimes, I even shower after a long-haul journey from Australia, arriving at my final destination refreshed and for the day. When I'm able to, I always book with Qantas No airline delivers perfect service 100% of the time. After all, delays and cancellations happen. However, after hundreds of flights, I've found that Qantas offers the best combination of value, service, and reliability. Although I may occasionally find cheaper fares elsewhere, the overall experience makes Qantas my go-to option whenever possible.
Yahoo
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Analysis-Southeast Asia's budget airlines bet on travel demand, despite competition woes
By Lisa Barrington SEOUL (Reuters) -Southeast Asia's biggest budget airlines are pursuing a bruising capacity expansion race despite rising cost pressures that are squeezing profitability and led Qantas Airways to shut down Singapore-based offshoot Jetstar Asia. Low-cost carriers have proliferated in Asia in the past two decades as disposable incomes rise, supported by robust travel demand from Chinese tourists. Demand for air travel in Asia is expected to grow faster than other regions in the next few decades and carriers like Vietnam's VietJet Aviation and Malaysia-headquartered AirAsia are to buy more planes to add to their already large orderbooks as they seek to gain market share. But margins are thinner than in other regions. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), an airline industry body, this year expects Asia-Pacific airlines to make a net profit margin of 1.9%, compared with a global average of 3.7%. Airlines across Asia have largely restored capacity since the pandemic, which has intensified competition, especially for price-sensitive budget travellers, and pulled airfares down from recent high levels. International airfares in Asia dropped 12% in 2024 from 2023, ForwardKeys data shows. AirAsia, the region's largest budget carrier, reported a 9% decline in average airfares in the first quarter as it added capacity and passed savings from lower fuel prices onto its customers. Adding to challenges for airlines, costs such as labour and airport charges are also rising, while a shortage of new planes is driving up leasing and maintenance fees. This shifting landscape prompted Australia's Qantas to announce last week that its loss-making low-cost intra-Asia subsidiary Jetstar Asia would shut down by the end of July after two decades of operations. Jetstar Asia said it had seen "really high cost increases" at its Singapore base, including double-digit rises in fuel, airport fees, ground handling and security charges. "It is a very thin buffer, and with margins this low, any cost increase can impact an airline's viability," said IATA Asia-Pacific Vice President Sheldon Hee, adding that operating costs were escalating in the region. Aviation data firm OAG in a February white paper said Asia-Pacific was the world's most competitive aviation market, with airfares driven down by rapid capacity expansion "perhaps to a point where profits are compromised". "Balancing supply to demand and costs to revenue have never been more critical," the report said of the region's airlines. 'GO BIG OR GO HOME' Southeast Asia has an unusually high concentration of international budget flights. Around two-thirds of international seats within Southeast Asia so far this year were on budget carriers, compared to about one-third of international seats globally, CAPA Centre for Aviation data shows. Qantas took the option to move Jetstar Asia's aircraft to more cost-efficient operations in Australia and New Zealand rather than continue to lose money, analysts say. Budget operators in Southeast Asia were struggling for profits amid fierce competition even before the pandemic and now there is the added factor of higher costs, said Asia-based independent aviation analyst Brendan Sobie. Low-cost carriers offer bargain fares by driving operating costs as low as possible. Large fleets of one aircraft type drive efficiencies of scale. Jetstar Asia was much smaller than local rivals, with only 13 aircraft. As of March 31, Singapore Airlines' budget offshoot Scoot had 53 planes, AirAsia had 225 and VietJet had 117, including its Thai arm. Low-cost Philippine carrier Cebu Pacific had 99. All four are adding more planes to their fleets this year and further into the future. VietJet on Tuesday signed a provisional deal to buy up to another 150 single-aisle Airbus planes at the Paris Airshow, in a move it said was just the beginning as the airline pursues ambitious growth. The deal comes weeks after it ordered 20 A330neo wide-body planes, alongside an outstanding order for 200 Boeing 737 MAX jets. AirAsia, which has an existing orderbook of at least 350 planes, is also in talks to buy 50 to 70 long-range single-aisle jetliners, and 100 regional jets that could allow it to expand to more destinations, its CEO Tony Fernandes said on Wednesday. "At the end of the day, it is go big or go home," said Subhas Menon, director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
