Asian Airlines

I have been a long time frequent flyer with American Airlines.  I learned years ago that it was better to consolidate my travel through one airline alliance to achieve elite status and build up a bank of miles.  American Airlines has served me reasonably well within the U.S. and I prefer them over the other domestic choices.  From O’Hare I can easily get to most any place I want, with numerous departure and arrival times, and competitive prices.  I have earned Platinum status allowing me easier upgrades, early boarding, access to airline lounges when traveling internationally, elite status security screening and other perks that I have become accustomed.

Over the past few years, I have also discovered that the Asian airlines were far superior to the North American and European airlines.   I have flown Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, EVA Air, China Airlines, Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Dragonair and probably others I can’t think of.  The Asian airlines have a significant advantage based on personalized service and often newer aircraft.

For trips between the U.S. and Asia I prefer Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines.  They fly 777-300ER aircraft or equivalents.  These aircraft have coach seats that lower and recline under the seat ahead rather than allowing the person in front of you to recline into your face.  All of the aircraft have personal entertainment centers which the U.S. airlines have too.  The differentiators are the flight attendants, and the food and beverage service.

On the U.S. airlines, a glass of wine comes from a small airline bottle that you must pay for and is pretty bad wine.  On the Asian airlines, they serve reasonably good wine from a 750 ml bottle, and give you all you care for at no cost.  The U.S. airlines have trimmed back the flight service over the years while the Asian airlines have twice the crew size.  The Asian flight attendants are young and eager to make sure your trip is enjoyable.  There have been trips I have taken on U.S. based airlines that seemed the rough flight attendants thought I worked for them.  I’m not sure how to say it without coming across totally sexist, however I prefer to be taken care of by a crew of young, attractive, smiling Asian flight attendants rather than Americans.

The meals are good on these airlines.  The food is typically Asian fare, which I enjoy, and it seems fresh, tasty and served with better utensils than other airlines.  Even short haul domestic routes serve meals, which the U.S. airlines abandoned many years ago.  The free meal on Asian short hauls are far better than the snacks and sandwiches available for a fee on U.S. carriers.  On long haul flights, you can get a cup of noodles or other Asian snacks in between meals and it is served with a smile.  Imagine asking a U.S. flight attendant for an unscheduled snack?

Years ago when I traveled to Germany frequently, I would sit in the lobby of the Frankfurt Airport Sheraton and watch the flight crews from Singapore Airlines walk over the connecting bridge.  Everyone was beautiful and seemed happy.  I told myself that someday I would travel on Singapore Air.  To date I have not, however I think the Asian airlines that I do travel with, probably come close to what I had envisioned long ago.  I enjoy Asia for many reasons and certainly the air travel is one of them.