Use STA travel is much cheaper for students or young people under 26. For example, if I book for identical trip and airline, I save $200-$300 per seat.
@DrGoogle STA prices vary from time to time, and destination to destination. When our kids were booking, they never found a less expensive flight on STA. but they had friends who did.
YMMV.
I have a cousin who was a pilot for Singapore Airlines for years. He had been a victim of many strikes and closures before that (remember Eastern Airlines? TWA?). He loved working for them and they provided his family with a big house in Singapore. Try it if you can!
"PizzaGirl - why avoid Aeroflot? "
I just have a perception of it being held together by chewing gum and duct tape!
Almost all of the Asian flagship airlines are excellent for safety and service. I’ve been told by someone who recently flew Korean Air that the service was excellent, as well as the inflight entertainment system, in economy. Any of the Japanese airlines offer excellent service, as does Cathay Pacific. Singapore Airlines is known for its great service. Coming from flying US carriers, it can be night and day, especially in economy.
Aeroflot international routes, especially those to western cities and Asian capitals, are usually on Boeing aircraft. The really dicey Russian and former Soviet airlines are the ‘other’ second or third tier domestic airlines.
I think my daughter also flew Tahiti Airlines coming home from Sydney a few years ago. It was a little bit circuitous in terms of the routing, but the price was terrific…and she says…service great.
I just booked Qatar, for 1270. I could get a combo of ANA and United for 1150, but it sounds like Qatar may be considered a little better? It gave him a 3 hour layover, and only one stop, which seemed long enough but not too long. It seems like if multiple airlines are involved, if there’s a problem it could be more difficult to solve? Singapore air is $300 more.
I can cancel within 24 hours, but figured I better get something since my first choice went up $300 while I was considering options.
My last experience with Virgin wasn’t that great. The least amount of legroom I have EVER seen. I literally did not have enough room (I’m 5’-9" and have long legs, but still!!). I will avoid Virgin in the future when flying overseas.
I’d just pay the extra and go Singapore Airlines.
Aeroflot flies newer Boeing and Aerobus planes on their international and most domestic routes. The old Soviet jalopies are long gone! The only reason I would avoid Aeroflot if the itinerary had a plane change in Moscow - that place is a zoo, and the “zookeepers” are mean and nasty. Transaero is another good Russian airline, per my kiddo who flew them back home.
I won’t fly any Indian airline. I’m partial to my flights being flown by actual pilots:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/indian-arrests-reveal-corruption-in-granting-of-pilot-licenses/2011/04/13/AFTaIkvD_story.html
Post #28, I’m a lot shorter than you. But some of these airlines are changing. I must admit I only fly Air Newzealand now to London and then make connecting fly from there. Other preference for domestic is Hawaiian Airlines. Will be reluctant to fly United or American. The last time we flew with United, we had 9 hours delay. I don’t have that patient anymore.
" It seems like if multiple airlines are involved, if there’s a problem it could be more difficult to solve?"
Especially if you buy from Expedia etc. The airlines will punt your issue to the ticket seller. I have had to deal with this twice, but both times I was here in the US and was managing kiddo’s flights. Having a gold status with Expedia definitely helps.
The problem with booking through STA is that is the particular flight you have selected through them is cancelled or the departure time for that flight changes from the time of your booking and no longer works for your needs then they have limited options as opposed to if you book through a major airline directly as opposed to third party like Expedia. I do all my research on Kayak and Expedia and similar sites but I always book directly on the airline, especially if it is one in which I have frequent flyer points or alliances.
ANA, Qatar, united are all great. United is probably worst of that whole bunch. Major Asian carriers usually have better service than major American carriers. I would avoid Malaysian airlines.
Post #34, my daughter did change her mind about returning date, I called STA for rebooking and they charged $75, I picked the flight that was the same price as the one I booked. I think if you book on the airline, you get charge some fees too. But I rarely change once I book the itenaries so I don’t know the specifics. I rarely book through Expedia, just directly with the airline. I think for Southwest there was no fee.
I booked using cheapoair. I was going through travelocity, but the flight went up as I was considering it, and could get it for cheaper, but not as cheap as a little earlier, on cheapoair. I’m hoping it will be fine, since it’s just one airline.
Never book through anything except the carrier itself! Kayak, Expedia etc are only for finding routes and prices.
Which airline?