Airline Reviews
Review: Virgin Australia A330 domestic business class (“The Business”)
Virgin Australia completed its transformation from a low-cost carrier to a full-service airline long ago, but I still encounter people whose perceptions of the airline are tainted by its 'no frills' past. The fact is, Virgin Australia is competing directly with Qantas in the premium leisure and business travel markets, and doing so very well. Its fleet has grown [...]
Review: Malaysia Airlines A350 Business Class
Before my recent Malaysia Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney, I didn't know what to expect. I'd never flown long-haul with the airline before and my only prior experiences with it were a couple of short flights within South East Asia: not exactly good reference points for a long-haul trip. I was hoping for a high level of [...]
Review: Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER first class
Singapore Airlines is renowned for offering some of the most stylish and comfortable experiences in the air, chief of which are its first class services onboard Boeing 777 and A380 aircraft. On a recent trip from London to Melbourne via Singapore, I was able to try first class on a Boeing 777-300ER and an A380, both of which are seen [...]
Review: Thai Airways 737 domestic business class (“Royal Silk Class”)
When booking a trip from Bangkok to Koh Samui recently, I had the choice of flying with Thai Airways or the boutique airline Bangkok Airways. I ended up choosing the former as it's a Star Alliance member and I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was offering business class seats for only $100 more than economy (~AUD$300 in business [...]
Review: Emirates A380 First Class – one of the most luxurious ways to fly
Emirates is one of only a handful of airlines to bring first class to Australia, and on the carrier’s flagship A380 that means enjoying one of the world's most luxurious ways to fly. Emirates is a popular airline in Australia due to its extensive network and partnership with Qantas. It flies not only from Australian capitals to Dubai and beyond, [...]
Review: Qantas Boeing 737 Business Class
The Boeing 737 is the workhorse of Qantas' fleet, making up more than half of all the planes that Qantas operates. If you fly with Qantas on a domestic or short-haul international route, chances are you'll do so on a 737. I've flown in both economy and business class on a Qantas 737 many times. While the business class experience [...]
Review: Qantas A330 domestic business class ‘Business Suite’
Qantas set a new benchmark for domestic business class travel in 2014 when it launched the 'Business Suite' on its refurbished A330s. I often fly between Perth and Melbourne in the Business Suite and, when it’s coupled with good meals and service (as it usually is), it's a fantastic experience in the air. Upgrading or booking an award seat [...]
Review: Emirates A380 Business Class
Emirates provides one of the best business class experiences in the air on its flagship A380s, with great service, dining and comfort on board. Flying with Emirates is a convenient and popular choice for travellers around the world, and in Australia we have the added benefit of the airline's partnership with Qantas. If you are a Qantas Frequent Flyer [...]
Review: Japan Airlines Boeing 787 Business Class (Sydney to Tokyo)
Japan Airlines (JAL) is a highly regarded airline and expectations were high before my first ever business class flight with JAL, from Sydney to Tokyo. The airline didn't disappoint. The advanced Boeing 787 Dreamliner that JAL operates on this route, together with the airline's excellent customer service, dining and seats, made for a stylish, comfortable and memorable flight - one of the best [...]
Review: Qantas A380 Business Class, Dallas to Sydney
Qantas provides a comfortable business class experience on its A380s, but not at the standard set by some of its competitors. The key problem is the outdated seat design - something the airline will address with an A380 refurbishment program starting in 2019. Despite this, I quite enjoy flying Qantas business class, mostly because the crew tend to be quite friendly, [...]