Category: money

Hi everyone!

**updated January 2018**

In an effort to assist with future flight recommendations for others as well as myself, I am working on creating an ongoing list of different airlines I have taken, when I flew with them, and how the flight went. I hope this helps in your travel endeavors!

JetStar Japan-2018: Compared to my last time taking JetStar, this time we flew out of Terminal 3 in Narita (Tokyo). Terminal 3 is much smaller and looks a little rundown at first, but once you’re inside, it’s all good. I didn’t experience any issues during this flight. We actually had a row to ourselves so we could spread out. I would fly with them again. PS – probably had one of the best landings I’ve ever experienced.

AirAsia-2018: This was not my first time flying with AirAsia (see below) and I can’t say I ever really had any difficulties. Our first flight from MNL to PPS was fine, nothing out of the ordinary… but on the way back – yikes. Our flight was delayed from PPS about 12 hours until 7 AM. This meant that AirAsia had to provide a hotel room and such for everyone. After waiting in line for about 45 minutes to reach the front and get a letter for our next flight (that we would miss), we then stood in line for about an hour as everyone was taken in vans to a hotel nearby. Once we arrived at the hotel, there were people sitting and waiting everywhere, another very long line at a very small hotel. After looking at the line, we decided it wasn’t worth it to wait for the free room (if they had any, that is), so we took a trike (tricycle) to a local hotel (which we found using the mall’s wifi). We stayed there for the next 6 hours, hopped on the shuttle to the airport in the morning and went back through with our original boarding pass. Our flight was 4241 to MNL. We sat near the sign at the Gate (only one gate for AirAsia because it is a small airport) and waited. Right around our boarding time, the flight sign switched to 4247 to MNL. Scott mentioned to me that it changed – but of course I always think I’m right (ha) and I figured it was just changed because it was the morning now. We lined up, they checked our boarding passes and sent us out to board the plane. The next lady checked our passes and told us to head to the back door where we got on. The flight attendant then checked my boarding pass and sent me to my seat but stopped Scott. She then told us we were on the wrong flight and that our flight left the night before. While we tried to explain to her that the flight was delayed last night and moved to this morning, she told us she would call the grounds crew. We waited but noticed there was another AirAsia plane directly next to ours that began to board. Yep, there were 2 flights to MNL about 10 minutes apart from each other.. both boarding out of the same door.. We tried to tell the flight attendant that it was our flight but she kept refusing and stating that our flight leaves at night. Clearly, she has never experienced a delay before or even understood what happened during one. After anxiously waiting, the grounds crew came up and immediately pointed and told us to go to the plane next door because, as we thought, that was our flight instead. No, this was not one person’s fault. Yes, it was very hectic and stressful. I am now a bit concerned how we slipped through so many people reading our boarding passes AND how this flight attendant was uneducated on what happens if there is a flight delay. I may fly with AirAsia again pending, but I did lose a bit of confidence in them after this situation.

Cebu Pacific-2018: This was my first time flying with Cebu Pacific. They are a newer airline based out of the Philippines. I didn’t initially book through them (it was just because of a delayed flight and a missed connecting flight.. see above), but I am happy that I had the chance to fly with them! They had a trivia game during the flight for people to win some “Cebu pacific gear” and their menu was pretty awesome! They even had a “unicorn bagel” – which my husband and I had to try, duh. It seemed very modern, plus I loved their outfits. The only downfall, which was all through Manila, was the customer service. The lady at the counter wasn’t rude, but she wasn’t exactly fully paying attention to us during check in. Regardless, I think I would fly with them again.

Delta-2017: On my flight from Tokyo to Singapore in October of 2017, I had no issues with Delta. I even thought it was awesome that they started to allow free messaging from iMessage and Facebook Messenger on the flight! Without buying wifi and everything — it was awesome! I would definitely fly again.

Delta-2017: The customer service with Delta, in my opinion, was better than my previous flights with American and United. Most of the flight attendants were also older, not that that makes much of a difference (I don’t think), just simple observation. The food was decent, nothing to complain about except on one flight we sat in the back and didn’t get a choice of food. That was just poor luck on our part, though. On one flight, there was an incident when a passenger passed out. All of the flight attendants were very calm and composed and handled the situation well. The one problem with Delta is that they don’t have as many alliances for frequent flier miles as compared to American and United. I would fly with Delta again, though.

United-2017 (round 2): The customer service seemed to be much better on this flight. I really had no complaints. There were no delays and everything seemed to run pretty smoothly!

All Nippon (ANA)- 2017: During my last flight back from Japan to the USA, I took this group. They are Japan-based, and overall, amazing. Everyone was so nice, great customer service. The best part about this was hands down..the FOOD! I had some sort of infused pancake with my breakfast. That alone sold me, but the rest of the food was great also. Everything was super organized and clean. I will definitely fly with them again!!

United- 2017: Comparing US airlines, I think the customer service I had with United was not quite as good as American, but again, that’s not saying a ton. I had delays on all of my United flights, so that was a bit of a bummer, but of course, you can’t necessarily control that. The food was okay, nothing spectacular. I would fly with them again, but if you’re looking for great customer service, I wouldn’t say they are at the top. The food was basic airline food.

Air China- 2017: They seemed to have a lot more restrictions on their flights than any other I had been on. We had to take our coins out of our purse to go through security, which was something I had never had to do at any other airport (was at Beijing) or with any other airline. We also had to go through security again at our gate just before boarding.. So I bought a fancy Starbucks tea and a bottle of water before the flight, after I passed through initial security, and then had to throw it away 😦 I was also not sure with what electronics could be used on the flight, so I didn’t use any because I was too nervous to mess up >_< BUT! The one great thing about this flight (from PEK to IAD) – it was non-stop, and I had a full row to myself. I think there ended up being 3 of us in the back that had a full row. So I was able to sleep more on this flight than any other!! I don’t completely remember the food being amazing or horrible, so that’s also good news I’d say 🙂

AirAsia – 2017: This is an economy line that really impressed me. To be honest, I loved this one more than most of the ones below. They don’t serve meals unless you pre-order or pick from what’s left once you get on the plane, but that’s part of what makes it cheaper. I felt completely safe the entire time and both of the planes I took were incredibly clean. Plus the safety routine completed by the flight attendants was perfectly synchronized (which might not be a big deal to you, but it looked really professional). Ultimately, I would hands down fly with them again.

JetStar Asia – 2017: Also an economy line. Although the planes seemed a little more outdated than AirAsia, everyone was extremely friendly and you can tell they are also very safe. I mean I think they told us to fasten our seatbelts 5 or 6 times before take-off. I would also definitely fly with them again.

Garuda Indonesia – 2017: This is Indonesia’s main line. I actually had no idea I would get a meal when I booked this flight, but I did for a 6 hour flight (pleasant surprise). Not to mention, this meal was pretty darn good (I had a Japanese breakfast). What I loved about this airline is that everyone was so nice and quiet almost. They left you alone unless you really needed something. They smiled, I felt safe, they talked quietly and respectfully. I
really enjoyed everything about it, no complaints at all. I would definitely fly again with them

American Airlines – 2016: Well, when I came back from Japan, not to my surprise, I encountered some flight attendants here that were a bit less than friendly. They were still friendly enough, but they are American (so am I, I get it). Everything definitely felt very safe and the plane was very modern and up to date, but again, just a little less friendly. Plus, the food looked like a microwaveable dinner compared to some of the other flights. I would fly with them again, but I would personally look into other companies first if possible.

Air Canada – 2016: Very clean and safe; however, very frantic. Once I got on the plane, I realized my seat was already taken by someone. I went back up and they very politely asked me to wait while they got me another seat. So they did. Then I went to that seat and someone was sitting there. So I went back. They, again, very politely, asked me to wait, which I did, also very politely. After about 10 minutes of standing and waiting, I watched the flight attendant move another man up to first class. He then escorted me to the economy class. Now, I’m young and I am totally capable of sitting in economy, and that is what I bought. But it just seemed a little silly to me that after waiting and walking around the plane like a deer in the headlights, maybe they should’ve just given me another seat? But it’s okay, I got a seat! Now from there, I liked it because they took individual orders for dinner before they brought it out, which was nice. Then, as dinner came around, they gave me the lady’s vegetarian meal next to me (totally fine, I’m not picky). Then they figured it out and switched them (luckily that lady spoke up!) Then they asked if I wanted chicken or beef. So I just responded chicken (now everyone else had gotten their meals). When they went back, they said they only had beef (again, totally fine because I’m not picky). It just all seemed a little unorganized and like communication was lacking a little bit. For me, it’s not a big deal, but for someone else, I think it might cause their anxiety to go up a little. After I got my meals, though, they were delicious! And they actually looked like meals instead of microwaveable dinners J I’m not sure I would fly with them again, just because I know I have other options. Again, totally safe and definitely polite, but the organization, teamwork, and communication was a little off for me.

Japan Airlines – 2016: Everyone on this airline was very polite, always smiling, and very helpful. The food was great also! Compared to Garuda Indonesia, they were equally as friendly, but I would say they were a little more “peppy” on this airline, which is definitely not a bad thing at all – just different! I felt very safe the entire time and the plane was very clean. I don’t have much else to say but I would definitely fly with them again!

*I recognize I have only flown on these airlines once or twice and maybe this is not how each one is! But, this is just my experience. Take it with a grain of salt 😉

I hope this helps in planning your upcoming journey! I plan on adding to this as the years continue 🙂 Happy travels!! I’m so excited for you!!

-Jen

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