Emirates vs KLM vs BA

[MGYoung]

I live in Abu Dhabi and fly back to the UK 4 or 5 times a year. I have always used Emirates and found their service to be excellent. The only issue is that I have to drive to Dubai from Abu Dhabi (approx 1.5 hours away) and then drive from Glasgow to Edinburgh (approx. 1 hour) on arrival in the UK.

Both KLM and BA fly from Abu Dhabi to Edinburgh but with a connection in either Heathrow (BA) or Schipol (KLM). The prices for all flights are similar (within GBP 60 of each other) as are the overall journey times Those of you that have used BA and KLM in the past, how do you rate their service?

Thanks and all the best.

Martin.

Edited by MGYoung on Thursday 14th August 07:28

[siscar]

Depends on what class you fly. In economy neither are near to Emirates, BA World Travellor is IMHO dreadful, haven't flown KLM in economy but have heard it's not good. In business BA Clubworld compares well with Emirates and KLM is actually pretty good these days.

So I'd say if in economy stick with Emirates, if in business try the others and see what you think.

[burriana]

I would not fly BA unless First. I flew back from Hong Kong in their World Traveller plus which is like premium economy and the service was rubbish and the plane was a bit tatty. But that could just be down to the cabin crew and that particular plane.

I would love to give Emirates a go as they have a great reputation, but on our usual Shanghai run the flight times are rubbish.

[parakitaMol.]

Don't ever give BA your luggage.

Unless you'e having a clear out and can't be bothered with a trip to the local tip.

[siscar]

burriana said:

I would not fly BA unless First. I flew back from Hong Kong in their World Traveller plus which is like premium economy and the service was rubbish and the plane was a bit tatty. But that could just be down to the cabin crew and that particular plane.

I would love to give Emirates a go as they have a great reputation, but on our usual Shanghai run the flight times are rubbish.

World Traveler and World Traveler Plus are crap. Club World is good and First is very good.

[pikey]

I think Etihad go there - which are certainly worth consideration.

Comparing Emirates business with Etihad business (Pearl), Etihad are a long way out in front. Looooong way.

[MGYoung]

All my flights are economy. the company pays for one flight per year and I pay for the rest. Sounds like I should stick with Emirates. The drive at either end isn't that bad and at least I don't have to worry about connecting flights. I'm also a member of skywards (Emirates scheme) which allows me to select my seat when booking and check in on-line.

thanks for the replies.

Martin.

[cjs]

BA every time for me, I always get good service and reliability and a free drink! Going to be flying to NY next week and again chose BA. I do collect Miles, something you need to consider if you are flying 5 times a year. A plane change at LHR is not too bad as long as you don't have to change terminals and with BA teher is usually a later flight if you miss your connection.

[MGYoung]

pikey said:

I think Etihad go there - which are certainly worth consideration.

Comparing Emirates business with Etihad business (Pearl), Etihad are a long way out in front. Looooong way.

I've heard Etihad are good but they don't fly to anywhere in Scotland and the cost of the flight to London is quite a bit more than any of the other airlines I've looked at. I might consider paying the extra is there was a direct flight from Abu dhabi to edinburgh. hopefully this is something that Etihad may introduce in the future.

[emicen]

KLM Ecconomy really isnt that bad. I flew them from Glasgow - Amsterdam - Tokyo and had no aches etc. Granted, not as good as I remember Emirates being flying to Dubai, but not bad in any respect.

Wouldn't even consider BA.

[ALawson]

Used Ethiad and Qatar Airways both this year between LRH and Abu Dhabi, Economy was fine.

In fact the mid week early afternoon flight with Ethiad on the way back only had 10 of us in economy, whilst first etc was full. The crew said it wasn't that unusual!

[black1]

ba never never never !!

klm yes yes yes !!

[emicen]

ALawson said:

Used Ethiad and Qatar Airways both this year between LRH and Abu Dhabi, Economy was fine.

In fact the mid week early afternoon flight with Ethiad on the way back only had 10 of us in economy, whilst first etc was full. The crew said it wasn't that unusual!

Love it when that happens. My flight back from Tokyo was half empty so just commondered myself a full 4 seat middle section and sprawled out.

[Blue Meanie]

Emirates > KLM > BA

[JMGS4]

MGYoung said:

I live in Abu Dhabi and fly back to the UK 4 or 5 times a year. I have always used Emirates and found their service to be excellent. The only issue is that I have to drive to Dubai from Abu Dhabi (approx 1.5 hours away) and then drive from Glasgow to Edinburgh (approx. 1 hour) on arrival in the UK.
Both KLM and BA fly from Abu Dhabi to Edinburgh but with a connection in either Heathrow (BA) or Schipol (KLM). The prices for all flights are similar (within GBP 60 of each other) as are the overall journey times Those of you that have used BA and KLM in the past, how do you rate their service?
Thanks and all the best.
Martin.

IMHO I'd ALWAYS drive the extra miles instead of chancing a connection in either LHR or Schipol. You run a serious risk of them losing your baggage, and you have to put up with officious little (s)hitlers doing another needless "security" check and wasting your time and hassling you.
ALWAYS fly as direct as possible with no transfers nowadays!!!

[Blue Meanie]

Never had a problem with KLM and baggage. Oh, and Schipol is, in my opinion, the best Airport in the worl, (that I have been to anyway). Flights tend to be on time, and being a single terminal there is none of that jumping buses and traisn to get to your gate.

[Saskia7]

I'm flying Emirates to Dubai this evening. Out of the three it's definitly the best. I've flown KLM before but never long haul, and they are ok. BA once before and never again, the plane was scruffy and the service was terrible. Emirates is a great airline to travel, for 7.5 hrs on a plane, definitly better than BA

[mcgus]

MGYoung said:

All my flights are economy. the company pays for one flight per year and I pay for the rest. Sounds like I should stick with Emirates. The drive at either end isn't that bad and at least I don't have to worry about connecting flights. I'm also a member of skywards (Emirates scheme) which allows me to select my seat when booking and check in on-line.

thanks for the replies.

Martin.

i would opt for what you are currently doing rather than chose to go via Heathrow....the drive from Glasgow to Edinburgh isn't usually too bad.....unless you hit the rain we've been having recently!

[havoc]

Emirates aircrew are very good. Emirates ground staff (@ Dubai anyway) don't seem to give a ****!

But as you only deal with the ground staff when things go wrong, and as 90% of your contact should be with the cabin staff, then fly Emirates!

Oh...and stopovers are just another chance for the airline to lose your luggage, IMHO!

[Asterix]

Not much help given that you want to go to somewhere called Scotland - but I only fly Emirates if I have to as they tend to be more expensive and have a habit of taking the piss (look at the cost of flights the week before Ramadan!).

I don't like BA for purely historical reasons - always found the service crap and the staff arrogant. BC isn't too bad but in cattle you are treated as if you are the lowest of the low.

So... I usualy fly Virgin back to the UK and go for Premium Economy and get the odd upgrade to Upper Class when lady luck happens to shine in my direction.

I've been given no reason to complain with Virgin so far.