What little-known airline pleasantly surprised you?

[jase05]

Any recent experience with Phillipine Airlines?

Not since Covid but before that several times thought they were great and far better than QF in many regards

 

[karen blancfield]

Not since Covid but before that several times thought they were great and far better than QF in many regards

That makes me feel better. TripAdvisor reports made us totally reconsider just as we were going to book our flights today to Japan. Thank you.

 

[jase05]

That makes me feel better. TripAdvisor reports made us totally reconsider just as we were going to book our flights today to Japan. Thank you.

As others will probably attest to they can be difficult if things go wrong but comfort wise I always got decent sleep back into Australia and found the seating comfortable. Food is tasty enough and service whilst attentive can seem scratchy at times. There fares ex Asia in J are often comparable with Y on many others so I can forgive a few little flaws. Some people hate transiting through MNL too but I don’t mind it even if their lounges aren’t super special

 

[AIRwin]

Flew Korean air from Busan to Jeju island and return to Seoul. From memory it was the bad old days before they improved their safety.

Korean Air says jet overran runway in Philippines, no injuries reported

A Korean Air Lines Co Ltd jet with 173 people on board overshot the runway at Cebu International Airport in the Philippines late on Sunday, the airline said, adding that there were no injuries and all passengers had evacuated safely.

www.reuters.com

 

[jase05]

Thought I would revisit this thread after undertaking my first ever Vistara long haul flight in J. Flew DEL-CDG and must say it’s one the most enjoyable and comfortable flights I’ve been on and the food tasted so fresh and amazing. Really great crew that were only too happy to assist you in making the flight great. The transit in DEL was a bit of a debacle but glad we chose to try them rather than stick with our original option via SIN with SQ.
I just hope when Vistara are swallowed up,by AI they don’t completely lose their identity as I really want to travel with them again.
I will get around to writing a TR and include some pics and more in-depth reviews but it was a winner for me

 

[Daver6]

Thought I would revisit this thread after undertaking my first ever Vistara long haul flight in J. Flew DEL-CDG and must say it’s one the most enjoyable and comfortable flights I’ve been on and the food tasted so fresh and amazing. Really great crew that were only too happy to assist you in making the flight great. The transit in DEL was a bit of a debacle but glad we chose to try them rather than stick with our original option via SIN with SQ.
I just hope when Vistara are swallowed up,by AI they don’t completely lose their identity as I really want to travel with them again.
I will get around to writing a TR and include some pics and more in-depth reviews but it was a winner for me

I've only used Vistara domestically in India in Y+ and really rate them for the exact same reasons as you. I'll be trying them for medium haul internation from SIN to PNQ next month (also Y+). I also really hope the bring AI up and not the other way around.

 

[Mattg]

I would like to add the Brazilian airline Azul to this thread.

I’ve had a few terrible experiences with some of the other Brazilian carriers - GOL and LATAM Brasil in particular. But I’ve never had any problems with Azul.

Flew them again this week, just a short domestic flight. Check-in was seamless, the flight ran on-time, there were IFE screens on the back of all the seats and the E190 was very comfortable. Free Wi-Fi for all passengers too. This will be my preferred airline for domestic flights in Brazil going forward.

 

[Forg]

"There is no Dana, only Azul!"

 

[danielc]

I travelled PER-MRU-CDG Return Y on Air Mauritius back in June 2023.

Obtained a great fare of $1800+, outstanding for high-season to Europe, booked in late-February through their website.

Smooth check-in at all locations. Luggage checked through to final destination.

Excellent in-flight service and friendly bi-lingual crews. Special-ordered meals for the four segments and all were delivered (served first before regular meal service) fresh and tasty.

Comfortable and modern aircraft: A330-900 NEO for PER-MRU segments and A350-900 for MRU-CDG segments.

All flights operated on time. I would definitely fly them again.

 

[jrfsp]

Nile Air, short domestic flight from Sharm to Cairo, about an hour but got a snack box with sandwiches, chocolate and drinks. Had expectations of no service.

 

[AIRwin]

Nile Air

Going the extra Nile

 

[Forg]

Going the extra Nile

Which one is extra, Fred or Rodgers?

 

[RooFlyer]

I travelled PER-MRU-CDG Return Y on Air Mauritius back in June 2023.

Excellent to know. Planning to fly them PER-MRU and then within region sometime soon.

Nile Air, short domestic flight from Sharm to Cairo, about an hour but got a snack box with sandwiches, chocolate and drinks. Had expectations of no service.

I used them CAI-ASW-CAI. Inedible, horrid 'snack' on the way down (post #29) and extremely cramped seat (post #29 and #71)
Dipping my toe back in the Nile