In a world of dismal air travel there are few airlines that stand out. So if you’re planning any last minute summer trips or mapping out Labor Day, here are two airlines I recommend for the long haul jaunts to Europe or Asia. And if it’s local, you might just consider driving since domestic carriers just seem to be getting worse for the wear these days.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa was recently reported as having one of the best on-time schedules with 78.65 percent, second only to Finnair’s 81.36 percent. But even if you do get there on time, what about the in- flight experience? My most recent flight on Lufthansa was in March and while I did get upgraded on the way to Germany, I was in economy on the way home. No worries, it was still a pleasant experience.
However, the food in the upgrade cabins make the cost well worth it since the airlines Star Chef program has been taking its passengers to new culinary heights for a few years now. The latest name in good food is Roland Schmid, the 2011 Swiss Chef of the Year and known for his combination of traditional Swiss cuisine and modern creations. He’s indulging Lufthansa passengers in First and Business Class with his creative dishes and he’s also the chef of the “Äbtestube” gourmet restaurant in Bad Ragaz in Switzerland.
To whet your appetite a few of Schmid’s dishes include a mille feuille of air-dried Grison beef and Alpine cheese with fig chutney as amuse-bouches. Starters include king prawn confit with strawberry salad and green pepper; jellied veal with chervil, snow pea salad and lime vinaigrette; and zucchini and bell pepper terrine with basil sour cream. As a main dish, passengers have the choice of a medium-rare saddle of lamb with a Gorgonzola cheese and herb crust; vegetables au gratin and potato blinis; Pizokel (Swiss-style noodles) with mushrooms, Savoy cabbage and Appenzell cheese sauce; or pigeon strudel in port sauce served with broccoli and mashed Jerusalem artichokes.
Business Class passengers can look forward to Schmid’s Swiss delicacies like pike terrine wrapped in carrots, trout tartar, kohlrabi salad and parsley crème fraîche and Appenzeller Mostbröckli (a Swiss beef speciality with melon and chanterelles). As a main dish, passengers can choose either fried cod on lemon sauce with spring onions, orange segments and mashed green peas or Älplermagronen (macaroni and potatoes with Alpine cheese) served with apple wedges and fried onions.
So now, not only are you pretty sure to get there on time when flying Lufthansa, but you can eat first-class too. Is your mouth watering yet?
Who can beat these luxuries in this day and age of missing flights and stressed out airport experiences.
For more information visit www.lufthansa.com.
EVA Air
I am a big fan of EVA’s premium economy cabin (or Elite as it’s called now) and it rivals any business or first class seat on a domestic carrier for sure. One of the first too roll out the premium economy cabin in-between economy and business this option gives passengers an affordable and very comfortable travel experience and who can’t appreciate that these days. EVA introduced this cabin choice aboard its first flight to North America in 1992 and further upgraded it as Elite Class in 2005 with the launch of the airline’s first brand-new Boeing 777-300ER. Fares are also competitive and lower than international business.
Can I just say, thank you!
For information on size, it’s 18.5 inches wide and equipped with seat cushions two-inches deeper than those in economy class. Seats have personal leg and footrests plus tray tables that fold into extra-wide armrests. Today’s Elite Class passengers also get to take advantage of all the features and amenities of EVA’s original premium economy with the improvements that come with the latest technology - think personal interactive Audio/Video on Demand (AVOD) entertainment systems that have expanded 8.4-inch touch-screens and offer movies, features, music, video games and shopping. The seats are also fully adjustable with ergonomic cushions and backs plus moveable headrests and added conveniences such as coat hooks.
Final answer; flying to Asia means you don’t have to break the bank, but you can still travel in style.
For more information visit www.evaair.com.
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