[tanyak1]

I'm planning a trip to Europe next year for my 40th, flying into either London or Paris. So many airlines to choose from - what are your recommendations? I'm going without DHand the kids but hopefully with my oldest friend. We're hoping to go premium economy, and my friend uses a CPAP machine to sleep so needs an in- seat power point.

Also we're planning to spilt our time between Paris and London and do sme day trips - any recommendations for accommodation or good day tour companies?

[lsolaBella]

Singapore. Avoid flying into healthrow the taxes are more expensive. The Euro train between pause and London is good.

[Bek+3]

I worked as an international travel agent for 6 years. In that time I have never once had a complaint about Singapore Airlines. I had clients who would fly no one else regardless of price.

Personally I have never flown them, but to Europe I have flown:

Korean Airlines - absolutely fantastic
Japan Airlines - brilliant
Malaysian Airlines - also brilliant
Qantas - quite poor, never again unless they were the cheapest by quite a bit
British Airways - never again regardless of price, it was probably THE most dreadful flying experience I've had to date
Ansett & All Nipon via Osaka codeshared - no longer available but were also fantastic

We are flying to the UK in September and chose Emirates based on price and also the fact that they can get us into Gatwick instead of Heathrow. Singapore Airlines were the same price but only went into Heathrow and landed about 7:30pm as well so it will just be impossible to negotiate London then get to where we need to go (Brighton) at that hour.

This post has been edited by Bek+3: 19/01/2013, 09:46 PM

[Lindyloo28]

We flew to Paris with Etihad back in 2009 and could not fault them, it was a great flying experience, my SIL also flies to Europe alot and flys with Emirates and says they are great as well.

[lsolaBella]

Should add I have done Q'ass BA and Thai to the UK. Do not recommend them.

cathay with their older planes have really bad seats (my folks complaints). Emirates they were not too pleased with either.

My dad has done over 100 trips to the UK in 40yrs.... Singapore is his favourite.

This post has been edited by lsolaBella: 19/01/2013, 04:51 PM

[Apageintime]

I enjoyed emirates, but hated qantas, so it'd be ok if you could make sure you didn't get a code share flight.

Otherwise Virgin Australia - particuarly their premium economy is fabulous if you can stretch to that!

[blackcat20]

My sister flew Qatar last year, and I've heard good things from others.. Other options are emirates, Cathay, etihad...
Virgin aus don't fly their own planes to Europe afaik, they codeshare...

This post has been edited by blackcat20: 19/01/2013, 04:51 PM

[Blossom77]

I always go with one of the big Asian carriers for longhaul - Cathay or Singapore. Never had a problem with either.

[Justaduck]

We flew Thai, no issues there. I even asked (at 167cm tall) if I could have an exit row seat and got one no worries, no extra cash. Was a bad decision though as they are really cold!

Sorry one issue...I ordered a vegeterian meal (fussy eater so it is my safest bet) and they brought out a regular. But really, nothing major

I paid I think $1400 to fly Bne = Frankfurt in May, only booked it 3 weeks earlier

[greengoddess]

Singapore. I don't fly anything else between Europe and Australia.