Crankyflyer is right. This is all all subnjective, but BT still insists on running lame stories like this. There is no such thing as "best". My best isn't your best, isn't the other guy's best. How long does it take people to figure this out?

Posted By Chris J on November 2, 2010, 10:59 PM

Hi Chris,
Thanks for your comment. I agree that everyone has their own criteria for what makes an airline worth flying. No two fliers are alike.

But few of us gets to travel as much as we might like. If we all pool our resources together, we can learn from each other. If BT or Cranky hear about nonstop bad experiences with a particular airline -- like with, say, Alitalia --then it's useful to hear it.

While I can't speak for BT, I'm personally a big fan of "Top 10" lists and "how do you research Topic X" stories. These types of stories help filter down the overwhelming information online into something manageable. Small communities can find the site that provides lists they tend to agree with, and talk to other readers who gather on those sites, and talk back to the editors to help improve the lists.

It's a big Internet out there. I'm sure you'll find someone who's filtering the world's info in a way you like. Sorry that BT's style doesn't fit yours.
Best to you,
Sean O'

Posted By Sean on November 3, 2010, 3:30 AM

I would encourage you all to check out eezeer.com (+app). Air-Valid has launched the new (eezeer) brand to tackle this exact airline-search-review problem. It's still in beta obviously, but looks pretty promising!

Posted By Sondra on November 3, 2010, 5:33 PM

This is not a lame story. Some airlines are better than others--the list of 196 "banned" airlines is useful even if you ignore everything else. But, in addition, some airlines do have better service, maintanence, cleanliness, equipment, seat room, food, etc. than do others. Some of it is subjective, some of it isn't. No rating system is perfect, but that doesn't mean that rating systems can't be useful IF used with judgement.

Posted By Paul on November 5, 2010, 6:44 AM

Some airlines on the "196 Airlines You Should Avoid" list are perfectly safe but are blacklisted because EU officials find their governments' airline regulators not up to EU standards. If the government can't get its act together, it doesn't necessarily mean the airlines are unsafe.

For example, all carriers based in the Philippines are banned in the EU due to failed international audits of the government's Civil Aviation Board. However, the two largest airlines, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific, have young fleets and good safety records. In addition, Philippine Airlines aircraft are maintained by Lufthansa Technik Philippines which serves as a regional maintenance hub doing light and heavy checks for many airlines (you will often see aircraft from other airlines in their hangars, such as Turkish and Virgin Atlantic). Cebu Pacific aircraft are maintained by SIA Engineering (owned by Singapore Airlines) and its Philippine facility is one of six around the world.

This list is misleading and I wouldn't let it determine which airlines not to fly. There are better sources on the internet.

Posted By Andrej on November 12, 2010, 1:56 PM

Some think that Singapore Airline is the best airline in the world. However, I have a different opinion. I think it is the worst airline because it rips offs off its customers. I tried to make an airline reservation on its web site, which was not working after I entered my husband's and my personal information including passport information, but could not proceed because of errors. The airfare that I was tryig to book was from Singapore to Maldives, 4.5 hours flight, which had a cost of a little over $ 800 per person on-line. When I called the airline directly the representative was willing to help me to make this reservation on the phone. But she forgot to tell me that the price was twice the amount that was posted on the web sire, i.e. $ 1614 per person! I got a 'suprise' bill and called the airline. I talked to 2 representatives and they were not willing to give me a full refund until they investigate the incident. I think credit card dispute filed by me might get them started a little faster!

Posted By Nadia on January 29, 2011, 12:16 AM

Purchasing 4 tickets to San Jose Costa Rica was a disaster, American airlines response has been form letter responses in email format to both email contact and in response to regular hardcopy post offfice mail only to dismiss my concerns.This is a short description of what happened.
-Tickets were purchased online on their site
-During process (probobly when the page refreshed)the destination changed from San Jose Costa Rica to San Jose California, The ariport codes are very similiar (SJO and SJC). I didn't notice the change so I share some responsibility but believe the airline is responsible for their point of purchase. I am sure I am not the first person to have this confusion between these 2 codes
-Mistake was discovered at boarding, The boarding staff was great but the change fee was an additional 200% of the ticket price in addition to price paid. Should have bought another ticket on another airline which would have been cheaper and more direct but had to reticket with AA in 5 minutes or lose my flight.
- American Airlines was less than helpful and their support for problems or customer complaints is truthfully non existant. I am not even convinced that my problems were even considered from the perfunctory responses recieved from an email address without an address that can be replied to.
-I travel internationally 2-3 times a year for the past 30 years and have always purchased my tickets fron the Airline web sites since this option was made available.
-This is the first time and only time I have had the experience of NO customer service from a major corporation. BTW you cannot call them if you have a problem only email or hardcopy.
-I will NEVER again fly American airlines and caution others if they plan on using them. Most are bus services that are more responsive.

Posted By andy s on March 2, 2012, 11:30 AM

Purchasing 4 tickets to San Jose Costa Rica was a disaster, American airlines response has been form letter responses in email format to both email contact and in response to regular hardcopy post offfice mail only to dismiss my concerns.This is a short description of what happened.
-Tickets were purchased online on their site
-During process (probobly when the page refreshed)the destination changed from San Jose Costa Rica to San Jose California, The ariport codes are very similiar (SJO and SJC). I didn't notice the change so I share some responsibility but believe the airline is responsible for their point of purchase. I am sure I am not the first person to have this confusion between these 2 codes
-Mistake was discovered at boarding, The boarding staff was great but the change fee was an additional 200% of the ticket price in addition to price paid. Should have bought another ticket on another airline which would have been cheaper and more direct but had to reticket with AA in 5 minutes or lose my flight.
- American Airlines was less than helpful and their support for problems or customer complaints is truthfully non existant. I am not even convinced that my problems were even considered from the perfunctory responses recieved from an email address without an address that can be replied to.
-I travel internationally 2-3 times a year for the past 30 years and have always purchased my tickets fron the Airline web sites since this option was made available.
-This is the first time and only time I have had the experience of NO customer service from a major corporation. BTW you cannot call them if you have a problem only email or hardcopy.
-I will NEVER again fly American airlines and caution others if they plan on using them. Most are bus services that are more responsive.

Posted By Andy S on March 2, 2012, 11:31 AM

Purchasing 4 tickets to San Jose Costa Rica was a disaster, American airlines response has been form letter responses in email format to both email contact and in response to regular hardcopy post offfice mail only to dismiss my concerns.This is a short description of what happened.
-Tickets were purchased online on their site
-During process (probobly when the page refreshed)the destination changed from San Jose Costa Rica to San Jose California, The ariport codes are very similiar (SJO and SJC). I didn't notice the change so I share some responsibility but believe the airline is responsible for their point of purchase. I am sure I am not the first person to have this confusion between these 2 codes
-Mistake was discovered at boarding, The boarding staff was great but the change fee was an additional 200% of the ticket price in addition to price paid. Should have bought another ticket on another airline which would have been cheaper and more direct but had to reticket with AA in 5 minutes or lose my flight.
- American Airlines was less than helpful and their support for problems or customer complaints is truthfully non existant. I am not even convinced that my problems were even considered from the perfunctory responses recieved from an email address without an address that can be replied to.
-I travel internationally 2-3 times a year for the past 30 years and have always purchased my tickets fron the Airline web sites since this option was made available.
-This is the first time and only time I have had the experience of NO customer service from a major corporation. BTW you cannot call them if you have a problem only email or hardcopy.
-I will NEVER again fly American airlines and caution others if they plan on using them. Most are bus services that are more responsive.

Posted By andy s on March 2, 2012, 11:32 AM

United charged $100 for a bag being 4 lb overweight. Rude personnel. I had better experience with Continental and even US Airways. Usually they will be a little more considerate to the consumer. These excess airline fees are getting out of hand - consumers should have some kind of control over this. They can enjoy their $100 because it will be the last time I will fly with them. DO NOT RECOMMEND UNITED AIRLINES.

Posted By Annette Bojewski on April 28, 2012, 11:20 AM