Latest news with #longhaulflight
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
I flew on the best low-cost airline in Northern Europe – the price for a flight is crazy & we slept nearly the whole way
THE best airlines in Europe have been revealed - and I was lucky enough to fly on one of them during a long-haul flight. Norse Atlantic Airways was awarded the Best Low-Cost Airline in Northern Europe by this year's Skytrax World Airline Awards. 3 3 Not only that, but it also came in fifth place for the World's Best Long Haul Low Cost Airlines. And after a recent 11-hour flight with them, I definitely agree. I boarded the budget airline for a flight from London Gatwick to Cape Town. I splashed out on premium economy costing £3,583 - that may sound like a lot but it was nearly £1,500 cheaper than other rival airlines. Doing the long flight with my five-year-old son, it was worth every penny. He slept nearly the whole way from from 10pm to 7am, while I snatched a manageable 5ish hours. It might not have been a full night sleep but it was more than I had ever slept in standard economy. Premium seats also include ear plugs, eye masks, pillows and blankets at the start of the flight, as well as headphones and two meals. I was impressed with the food (after all, plane meals are notoriously hit and miss) with a tasty tortellini and cheesecake. But even the economy flights are pretty good, which we tried on our return home. Budget airline to launch brand new long-haul flights from the UK this year 3 While the seats are slimmer, we booked bulkhead seats which felt just as roomy (even for my 5ft10 self). We were happy with the paid-for snack options too, with hot sandwiches and ready noodle pots. It also felt much easier seeing as it was a day flight, and didn't need the blankets and pillows as much which were extra. Along with friendly staff, I was more than impressed with Norse - and they are next on my list to fly with again to Orlando. Other award-winning airlines include Qatar Airways, named the world's best airline for the ninth time. The Sun's Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey and the Sun's Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski both tried it out. And are some of our other airline reviews, including the airline with the best food.
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
World's longest flight was the worst 18 hours of my life – here's the only reason I'm tempted back onboard
BACK in 2018, I spent 18 hours trapped in what felt like a flying sardine can on Qantas' inaugural Perth to London route. Seven years later, the airline is finally fixing everything that made me want to never fly direct again - and launching an even longer Sydney to London route that could actually be worth doing. 11 When Qantas launched the world's longest flight from the UK back then, I was the first journalist to test it out in economy - crammed into cattle class for every excruciating minute of the 17-hour fight (nearly 18 hours including tarmac time) from Perth to London. It was supposed to be a game-changer for British holidaymakers heading Down Under, cutting out those tedious stopovers in Dubai or Singapore. Instead, it felt more like an endurance test. The problems started before we'd even left the ground. Unable to check in online, I was saved from a dreaded middle seat only by the kindness of a fellow passenger who wanted to sit next to her boyfriend. What followed was 18 hours of pure misery. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner might sound fancy, but in economy it was anything but dreamy. Squeezed into seats just 17.2 inches wide - narrower than most other long-haul aircraft - I spent the flight feeling like I was wedged into a child's chair. The 32-inch seat pitch meant my knees were practically kissing the seat in front, and that was before we hit turbulence from Tropical Cyclone Marcus that had us bouncing around for the first hour. Flying away from the sunrise into total darkness for the entire journey, the route also holds the depressing honour of being the world's longest flight without daylight - adding an extra layer of misery to an already brutal experience. While the food - designed by nutrition experts to be intentionally bland and keep you hydrated - was largely tasteless. But the real killer? The complete lack of WiFi on what was supposed to be Qantas' flagship route. For someone used to being constantly connected, going offline for nearly 17 hours felt like stepping back into the Stone Age. Why The Route Exists The Perth-London route isn't just about convenience - it's about cold, hard economics. When the "kangaroo route" first opened in 1947, passengers had to endure seven stops over four days to reach Australia. Even modern connections through Dubai or Singapore add hours to your journey and the hassle of changing planes. 11 11 For Aussies living on the west coast, Perth is their natural gateway to Europe. The city is closer to London than Sydney is, making it the obvious choice for the first direct connection between the two nations. Plus, it opens up Western Australia's pristine beaches, vineyards and wildlife to British tourists who might otherwise head straight to Sydney. The fuel-efficient but cramped Dreamliner made these ultra-long routes commercially viable for the first time, though my inaugural flight had 23 empty economy seats - suggesting passengers weren't immediately convinced by the direct option. Game-Changing Upgrades? Fast-forward to 2025, and Qantas has finally listened to feedback from passengers like me who endured that maiden voyage. After multiple delays - the airline is replacing those cramped Dreamliners with brand-new Airbus A350-1000s that promise to transform the ultra-long-haul experience. The numbers tell the story: where the old planes had economy seats squeezed to just 17.2 inches wide, the new A350s will feature 18-inch seats - actually wider than the airline's double-decker A380s used on their stopover routes. That might sound like a small difference, but when you're trapped for 17 hours, every millimetre counts. Even better, seat pitch increases from a knee-crunching 32 inches to a much more civilised 34 inches. It's still not business class, but it's the difference between agony and merely uncomfortable. The Wellness Revolution Perhaps most importantly, the new planes will feature something completely unheard of in economy: a dedicated "Wellbeing Zone" where passengers can actually get up, stretch, and move around during the flight. Anyone who's done a long-haul flight knows that desperate dance in the aisles trying to get blood flowing back to your legs. Having a proper space to stretch could be the difference between arriving in London feeling human versus feeling like you've been folded into a suitcase for a day. The entertainment system gets a major upgrade too, with 13.3-inch touchscreens (bigger than many laptops), Bluetooth connectivity for your own headphones, and modern high-speed USB-C charging ports. Most crucially, there will finally be WiFi - because who wants to go offline for nearly a day in 2025? 'Project Sunrise' 11 Qantas isn't just fixing the Perth route - they're launching the ultimate endurance test: direct flights from Sydney to London that will take over 19 hours, plus a Sydney to New York route. "Project Sunrise," as they're calling it, will offer the same spacious cabins and wellness zones, but for an even longer journey. The Sydney routes will benefit from flying in the opposite direction around the world over the South Pole, potentially offering truly direct flights both ways regardless of the geopolitical complications that have plagued the Perth route. When it launches in early 2027, the Sydney-London service will claim the title of world's longest flight, surpassing Singapore Airlines' current record-holder from Singapore to New York JFK, which covers 9,537 miles in about 18 hours and 50 minutes. The Sydney-London route will stretch over 10,500 miles and could take up to 20 hours. It's either the future of air travel or absolute madness - I'm genuinely not sure which. Worth The Premium? Qantas says Sydney-London passengers will pay an estimated 20% premium over connecting flights, but the airline has said that early feedback suggests people are willing to cough up the extra cash to avoid stopovers. That 20% price hike is the big question. On a £800 return ticket to Australia, you're looking at an extra £160 to fly direct. For many, that's a small price to pay to avoid the hassle of connections, especially if you're traveling with kids or lots of luggage. The maths gets even more compelling when you factor in potential hotel costs during long layovers, airport food, and the sheer exhaustion of navigating multiple airports. Plus, with the new cabin features like free Wi-Fi, you're getting some of the premium economy experience at economy prices. Business travellers will likely snap up the direct option without thinking twice. For leisure travellers, it depends whether you value the time and convenience over saving a few quid. My Verdict Seven years ago, I would have told anyone considering the Perth-London route to book a connection instead. The cramped conditions, lack of amenities, and general misery made it feel like paying extra to be tortured. But these new A350s sound like a completely different proposition. Wider seats than even the A380 which operates on stopover routes, WiFi, and space to move around could actually make 17+ hours in economy bearable - maybe even preferable to the hassle of connections. I'm genuinely tempted to give it another go when the new planes start flying. That's something I never thought I'd say after my inaugural flight experience. The real test will be whether Qantas can deliver on these promises. Airlines are great at talking up new cabins, but the proof will be in the flying. If they get it right, they might just have revolutionised ultra-long-haul travel. If they don't, well, at least Singapore and Dubai have the world's best airports for stopovers.
News.com.au
7 days ago
- News.com.au
Thai Airways business class review: I found the friendliest flight attendants in the sky
I feel like I've just been reunited with a long-lost dear friend. She's standing inside the door of a Thai Airways plane, dressed head-to-toe in a stunning purple and gold Ruean Ton and sporting the warmest smile I've ever seen on a stranger. 'Welcome aboard, Mr Molloy,' she smiles, gently escorting me to my seat in the pointy end of the Airbus A350-900. As we walk and I settle into my temporary home in the sky, we chat about how beautiful the weather is in Sydney at the moment, where I'm headed – Copenhagen via Bangkok – and the flight time, which is a touch under 22 hours. I don't know this person, but she is so effortlessly personable and kind that it feels like I do. Moments later, I'm approached by another delightful member of the cabin crew, carrying a tray of juices and water. 'Thank you for joining us, Mr Molloy,' she gushes, as though I'm bestowing some kind of honour on the airline. In reality, I'm on a work trip and I've scored an upgrade, otherwise I'd probably be down the other end of the plane – a million miles from this slice of nirvana I find myself in. 'Could I possibly have a glass of bubbles?' I ask, trying my luck. It's not the standard offering right before takeoff, but she nods gently, smiles and floats away, returning moments later with a flute of Laurent-Perrier. Over the years, I've been lucky to fly long-haul a lot, and on a dozen or so different airlines. Some have been bad, most good, but very few great. I don't know it for sure just yet, but this one is about to fall into the latter category. Sure, the business offering on big-name carriers like Emirates and Qatar is flashier, but the Thai Airways experience still punches above its weight. The business cabin on this aircraft is a one-two-one configuration, meaning everyone has direct aisle access. On the first leg of my trip, I'm in a window seat, which offers a bit more privacy. The middle seats have a raiseable partition separating you from your next-door neighbour. The cabin is bathed in lavender and gold tones, which is a nod to the official colours of Thailand, while seat pods have wood accents for an extra touch of class. Cabin mood lighting in dazzling shades of purple, orange and pink mixes perfectly with the subtle scent of aromatherapy lingering in the air. The seat is a lie-flat bed measuring just under 190 centimetres when fully extended and it comes with a soft pillow and warm blanket for bedtime. When it comes to reclining, passengers are in full control of its orientation from start to finish, offering a host of combinations to get your head, neck, back, legs and lumber positioning just right. I'm using much of my flying time to Europe to smash out some writing, so I'm impressed by the size and orientation of the fold-out tray table. There's room for my laptop, dictaphone and notebook, and handy USB and power outlets in proximity. Dotted throughout my pod are a few storage nooks and cubbies to stash my belongings, including my shoes, which I swap for a pair of supplied cotton slippers. There's a large screen offering 150 movies and 200 television shows, absorbed via noise cancelling headphones. In-flight Wi-Fi is available on most services for a charge, but I'm choosing to disconnect from the ground for a while. The amenities kit, a beloved staple of business class flying, is one of the best I've seen. Even the satchel itself is beautiful – a silk pouch made by the famed brand Jim Thompson, named after the American art enthusiast credited with reviving Thailand's silk industry in the 1950s onwards. Inside are a selection of high-end Erb cosmetics including an intense hydration hand cream, moisturising lip balm, and aromatherapy relaxation oil. There's also a toothbrush and toothpaste, eye mask, earplugs, warm socks, and a biodegradable shoehorn. And as a preview of the delicious treats to come, I'm gifted a KanVela chocolate bar. Once we're at our cruising altitude and settled in, the first meal of my journey is served – and it's spectacular. An amuse bouche of chilli and lime prawn skewers with goats cheese and onion jam on crackers, followed by smoked salmon and chive crème fraiche with a mixed salad. For the main course, I select the braised beef short ribs with porcini mushroom, serviced with horseradish mashed potatoes. A basket of breads makes its way through the cabin and I opt for a garlic loaf, which is warm and buttery. For dessert, I'm blown away by a raspberry and coconut mousse dome with caramel crunchy pearls. Throughout the flight, there are a range of snacks and drinks on offer, and it seems like the cabin crew can read my mind. Just as I start to think about ice cream or a packet of chips, someone appears to check if I need anything. Magic. The second meal a few hours out from Bangkok is just as tasty as the first. In a sign of how basic I am, I skip past the duck breast and hoisin crispy pork belly bao buns and go for the lamb shepherd's pie, which has one of the fluffiest mashed potato tops I've encountered. It's accompanied by fresh fruit, more bread, and finished with a jaw-dropping white chocolate brownie with crème anglaise. I've absolutely gorged myself silly and before I know it, it's time to prepare for landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. The transit is an absolute breeze, with friendly ground staff on hand to point me in the direction of the Royal Orchid Prestige Lounge, where I can freshen up before my next flight. I'm on the ground for three-and-a-bit hours before it's time to make my way to the gate. The Bangkok to Copenhagen services is on an older Boeing 777 and the business class fit out is a more dated style. But it's still fairly comfortable – and the service is just as top-notch. I can barely keep my eyes open given I've not yet slept and I'm slipping in a food coma, so my memories of the 11-hour journey are a little hazy. I'm asleep for the vast majority of it, which means I can jump-start my whirlwind trip to Europe with ease. Thai Airways flies twice daily from Sydney and Melbourne to Bangkok, and once daily from Perth, with connections to Europe and beyond.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Man Abandons Grieving Partner in Economy After Getting a Free Upgrade to Business Class on 14-Hour Flight
Her partner and his brothers were upgraded to business class on a 14-hour flight, but she was left alone in economy She was already grieving and anxious, but no one offered to switch so she could sit with her partner Now, she's questioning whether her emotional reaction was fair or a red flag about the relationshipA woman is seeking support from the Reddit community after a distressing experience on a long-haul flight with her partner and his two brothers. In her post, the woman explained that the group was traveling overseas using staff travel benefits, thanks to her partner's mother, who works for an airline. 'We check in for our flight home and are told the only staff travel option is economy, which is fine by me and his brothers,' she shares, explaining that they had arranged seats so she and her partner could sit together. However, as they waited to board, everything changed when the airline worker announced that her partner and his brothers had been upgraded to business class, leaving her alone in economy. 'My partner asked if I could be upgraded too, but there wasn't space,' she recalls. She insisted she didn't care about flying economy, but told them that she "didn't want to sit alone for a long flight.' She was already feeling fragile, having just learned that a friend's child had died. On top of that, she was stressed about work obligations after landing. 'I told my partner I was anxious and didn't want to sit alone. He felt bad but didn't offer to stay with me,' she explains. Her discomfort grew when neither of her partner's brothers offered to swap seats so she could stay with him. 'Being the only one not upgraded also sucked. Even though his brothers didn't mind flying economy, neither offered to swap so I could stay with him,' she writes. As boarding time approached, she found herself overwhelmed with emotion. 'We boarded soon after, and I was in tears telling him I didn't want to sit alone,' she admits. However, he didn't listen. She spent the lengthy flight reflecting on her partner's decision. 'I had 14 hours to stew over the fact that my partner didn't even consider staying with me,' she says, adding that sitting together was a big part of the travel experience for her. Trying to keep perspective, she messaged him during the flight that she "was comfortable and grateful for the staff travel, but still upset I was alone." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. When they landed, she struggled to put her emotions into words. 'I didn't want to speak to him when we landed, but I told him it was a big deal to me,' she writes. She told him that she "never wanted to travel with him again" if it meant she had to fly "alone.' "I knew I was being irrational and admitted it, but was genuinely upset," she writes. "Even if he'd offered to stay, I would've insisted he take the upgrade, but he didn't.' While she decided to drop the issue, her partner brought it up again later, leading her to second-guess herself. 'He said my reaction ruined his flight. I get that - I could've just accepted it,' she admits. Now, she's left wondering if her feelings were justified or if she was in the wrong for being so upset. Read the original article on People
