u/banter062

I recently flew American Airlines business class from Los Angeles to Sydney. and the experience was ‘ho-hum’. The flight was delayed by about an hour, and the flight attendants were a motley crew, and like the aircraft we were on – they were old and tired.

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Any request was bothersome and rebuked.

When I was handed the glass of champagne I requested after take-off, I made the mistake of asking, what is it? This response was savage – ‘Champagne! To which I replied – Yes, I know, but what champagne is it?

The meal came with 2 salads (I can’t work that out). I had pre-ordered the main dish of beef. This came with a side of mac 7 cheese – so pedestrian.

The wagyu beef sliders offered as an in-flight snack sounded great, but were served at room temperature and tasteless.

When I asked for an additional pillow, I was told there was only one extra pillow on the aircraft and that it had already been given to another passenger.

Breakfast was a lacklustre affair – given America’s obsession with coffee and proper coffee making machines are readily available - why is this airline still serving that terrible brewed stuff that tastes like dishwater.

Maybe a fresh intake of flight attendants will do the trick.

There was a time when British Airways was the pinnacle of air travel. Remember, this is the airline that was first to offer business class travellers a flat bed. But according to the most recent reviews by airline bloggers; the shine appears to have worn off.

Rather than a decline, I think it's more likely that the BA experience has remained largely unchanged, while competitors have stepped up their game.

The most common complaint in the reviews of late is that there is no difference between Business Class and First.

However, based on my experience - I think they are wrong. Fly out of Sydney and the difference starts before you even get on board. As a BA First Class passenger, you get access to the iconic Sydney Qantas First Class lounge. It remains one of the best in the world and I made sure to enjoy the restaurant prepared salt & pepper squid – a signature dish.

The First Class cabin features 3 rows of private suites in a 1-2-1 configuration. Each has a privacy door and window seats have electronic blinds.

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The crew were fantastic. They were attentive, warm and genuinely friendly. While the menu options were limited – the quality and presentation were great.

But the real stand-out was the seat comfort and bed linen. I had the best sleep I’ve ever had on an aircraft and fear my snoring may have prevented everyone else from achieving the same.

The only disappointment is that they ran out of the first-class champagne.

They tell me back in the day, Air India was one of the best airlines in the world. If so, then all I can say is oh how I wish I could turn back time.

I flew business class from Male (capital of the Maldives) to Delhi with Air India to connect with a flight to Singapore and then on to Sydney. This was my first flight with the Indian flag carrier and I can tell you it was my last.

The trouble started even before I was onboard - as I approached the stairs to the aircraft, I was told by one of the ground staff that contrary to my booking and boarding pass, I was no longer seated in 1A. When I asked why he just ignored me. So, I boarded and sat in 1A and watched the circus erupt around me as people began arguing about who was sitting where.

There was the traditional offer of a pre-flight beverage - water, juice or champaign. I chose the option of alcohol because I felt given how things had started, I might need it. I was then handed a glass of warm champaign. This wasn’t just room temperature, but at least it was served with a smile. Although the bubbles along with my enthusiasm went flat very quickly.

Not long after take-off, lunch was served. Putting aside the meal itself, I don’t know of any other airline that serves a business class meal without even a glass of water and if there was ever a meal that needed something to wash it down, it's on Air India.

Now, let’s talk about the aircraft. Although fairly new, they use a single aisle A320 for this sector – that’s a 4-hour international flight in a seat that barely reclines when for the same amount of money their competitors offer a seat that becomes a lay flat bed.

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But all this pales into insignificance when it comes to the arrival into Delhi. After driving around the airport taxiways for over 30min to reach a gate with an aerobridge, we sat waiting for another 20 minutes to then be told by the pilot that the aerobridge was broken.

The door at the galley opened and a set of stairs were wheeled up to the aircraft so we could finally deplane.

Unfortunately, I suffer from metastatic grade 4 terminal cancer. I’m ok with short distances but need wheelchair assistance to get around airports. This is something I confirm with airlines when I book my flights. The service was provided with my departure from Male and the cabin crew assured me there would be a representative from ground support at the bottom of the stairs with a wheelchair.

So, after all the other passengers had left I stood at the top of the stairs and to my surprise, they were true to their word - he was there! However, I was wheeled all of about 2 metres then asked to get out of the chair and climb onto a bus. That was the last time I saw him or the wheelchair.

Other than the driver, I was the only person on a bus as we drove around the perimeter of the terminal. The bus arrived at a dimly lit doorway where I found 3 ground staff, each with an empty wheelchair. When I asked if one was for me, they looked rather dumbfounded and politely replied ‘no’.

Not one to surrender easily, I pushed the point and informed them a wheelchair has been arranged and without it I was unable to get to my next flight. It was at this moment that one of them asked to see my ticket. Now, when was the last time you saw an actual airline ticket? Naturally, I thought I must have misheard him so I asked him to repeat the question – but no, I had heard him correctly the first time.

To cut a long story short, my patience by this stage had evaporated and let’s just say I was soon being wheeled through the chaos of Delhi International Airport to my next flight. I can’t begin to describe my sense of relief when I was greeted with the smiling faces of the Singapore Airlines crew.

I was next in line to check in for my flight with Qatar Airways when the airspace across most of the Middle East suddenly closed. While it cost a small fortune, required 4 separate flights and took 3 days, I managed to return to Australia. The trip home included flying business class with Turkish Airways from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur.

If like me, you haven’t been to Istanbul for a few years, then prepare yourself. Istanbul International Airport is now the largest privately-owned airport in the world, and the second busiest in Europe (after London Heathrow). It is massive.

Turkish Airlines Lounge Options

International business class passengers with Turkish Airlines have the choice of 2 separate lounges. The Turkish Airlines Business Class Lounge opposite Gate E1 is the primary location. The second option is the Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles Lounge opposite Gate C1.

Both occupy an area of 5,600 m2 and can accommodate 765 guests.

To enter, you simply scan your boarding pass at one the turnstiles. Then you can stow your carry-on baggage in an all-glass locker and join the fray. There are street-style cooking stations where chefs serve hot pide breads stuffed with meats and cheeses and fresh pasta dishes or head for colossal salad bar where you’ll find a remarkable selection made from fresh produce.

There’s the typical barista station, self-serve selection of local and French reds and whites as well as prosecco in gold bottles. Plus, there are soft drinks, water and beer available from open fridges. If that’s not convincing enough there are roving masseurs giving free 10-minute massages to weary travellers. If you haven’t got the time or patience to circle around in search for a seat, I recommend you head for the Miles & Smiles Lounge were there are usually much smaller numbers.

Inflight Experience

The aircraft was a modern and new A350-900 with business class in a 1-2-1 configuration. While they don’t have suites with sliding doors, the seats offer reasonable privacy and convert to a fully flat bed with the press of a button. Each has a password-protected lockable storage area, an illuminated magazine rack and much more. I was initially disappointed to learn they don’t provide bedding like many other airlines, but the seat was surprisingly comfortable in the fully flat position.

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Unique to Turkish Airlines is the dedicated onboard chef responsible for the business class meals. It’s their sole responsibility and they are dressed for the part. I have to say the meals were well presented, tasty and cooked to perfection.

Now for the level of service – the cabin crew were exceptional. They were friendly and engaging and nothing was too much trouble. I managed to get a decent amount of sleep and woke to discover at some time during the night, one of the crew took the initiative to cover me with a duvet to keep warm.

The experience with Turkish Airlines was 5 stars all the way. It was my first time flying with this airline, but it certainly won’t be my last.