My Thoughts on Airlines 🛫

I fly a lot. I have flown many airlines around the world. Most people book flights based on price and convenience which is fair. I think most people just suffer through their flights to get to their destination. I would argue that flying is actually a significant part of your travels. If you can, it may be worthwhile to splurge for that upgrade. 

I'm just going to ramble and list some of my favorite airlines based on certain criteria. This is completely subjective. I also want to point out that I do usually fly business class and sometimes first on international flights. So these thoughts on based on premium seats. 😁

*Best Customer Service 

Delta definitely has the best customer service out of all US airlines. They answer questions and address concerns quickly and usually in favor of the customer. 

*Best App 

United has the best app! It has all the information you will need for your flight. The status is updated in real time. It will even tell you when your group is boarding. It also has a really complete Apple Watch app so even on your watch, you have all the info you need.  

*Best Food 

This is a really tough one. Lots of airlines, especially Asian ones, have excellent food. But I think I'm going with Iberia (based out of Spain) for best food. Before 2023, I had never heard of them and we just randomly found sale tickets. I was completely blown away for how good the flight was. Everything was excellent but the food (ALL the food) was exceptional. They serve these garlicky olives with your welcome drink that are the most delicious olives I have ever eaten. My sister hates olives and even she liked them. The flight was so good that we went to Madrid the following year just so we can fly Iberia again. This is the power of a good airline. 

*Favorite Amenity Kit

The amenity kits are usually toiletry bags. Most of the airlines partner with a famous designer or cosmetic company or store and they create special bags for the flight. Most of them come with lip balm, lotion, eye mask, ear plugs, toothbrush. The most unique thing I got out of a kit is a USB cable that has heads for A and C. I've also gotten mirrors, brushes, phone stand, pens. I have a few that I really like but my favorite is this one from Starlux (based out of Taiwan). It's made in partnership with Bric's Luggage. It looks like a little luggage! *So starting in 2025, Starlux no longer gives these amenity kits.  

*Favorite Gift 

KLM (based out of the Netherlands) gives each business class passenger a Delft miniature house. Each one is filled with gin. They release a new house every year. It's become quite a collectable item for passengers. Flight attendants just walk through with a huge tray of them at the end of the flight and you can pick one. We have five so far. My favorite is the middle one in the top photo. It's the Anne Frank House. I didn't know that was what it was when I picked it. I just thought it looked familiar. But I'm so glad I grabbed it. 

   

 

*Favorite Airline 

I think it's a tie between Japan Airlines and Starlux. JAL has been my favorite for a few years now. The service is exceptional, the food is amazing. Some of the air crafts have older seats but not horrible. 

Starlux is a new airline and we flew them a lot on our last trip through Asia. The food and service is really excellent and all the planes are new so that's a huge bonus. Starlux gives PJs to their business class passengers which is really awesome. You usually only get PJs in first class. And not just any PJs, these are really warm and soft. I wear them all the time at home. 

Both airlines give really nice slippers and amenity kits. I think JAL wins a bit more on the food while Starlux wins in the amenities department. So it's a tie.  

 

What are your favorite airlines? Drop a comment!