Which airline offers the most comfortable Economy class seat for a flight London to Sydney return?

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Which airline offers the most comfortable Economy class seat for a flight London to Sydney return?

BA, Virgin and Emirates were ideas but all seem to be cramped !?

Hi mikkie. Done this trip twice a year for last 5 years, and worked through various airlines.

Most comfortable in my experience is Malaysia Airlines (34 inch seat pitch), and they also have good inflight entertainment, stopover/transit time in Kuala Lumpar is also not too long. Thai Airways is also very comfortable, but quite old-fashioned and no personal entertainment screens. Last year also used Asiana from Korea - comfortable and great service, but connection does not work out on way home and had to spend a night at Seoul airport hotel. Have a great trip!

I think Malaysian Airlines is the best option. Seat comfort is really great (I'm 186cm), IFE and food are better compared to many other airlines.

I'd agree with others - go for Malaysian or Thai Airways.

Singapore good but only on 777s, which you wont get London-Singapore (tighter on 747s). BA, Virgin and Qantas all have tight 31" seat pitch, Emirates varies between 31" on A340s to 33" on 777s but narrow seats (one extra seat in the row compared to Singapore and Air NZ), and one extra stop for some flights (London-Dubai-Singapore- Sydney).

Royal Brunei Airlines is another option. The seats are spacious and comfortable, connections in BWN are good, IFE and food are better than some I have experienced on other carriers. They fly B767 throughout, stops over in DXB and a transit in BWN. So give them a try. Oh and the fares are very competitive.

I think Malaysia Airlines is the best option, they have great service, food and the best economy class seat in the world. they have a very generous 34" pitch as well.

Thai Airways have revamped their planes to offer comfy seats with PTV at 34" pitch and a stopover at BKK; a good option if you belong to Star Alliance.

Malaysian Airlines also offer comfy seats, PTV, 34" pitch, and stopover at KUL; I dont think they belong to any of the big three alliances?

I've flown Virgin to Hong Kong which then continues to Sydney. IFE was great "when" it worked, however the seats are most uncomfortable I've experienced on a long-haul flight. I wrote in and complained to Virgin and to be fair they gave me 10,000 frequent flyer miles - quite decent compensation. Just one more thing, the food is not great on Virgin - better off on an Asian carrier.

Try Thai Airways (TG), most legroom and best service; but no personal IFE.

Agree with others above. Malaysia Airlines offer the best all round deal in Economy class..

Can also suggest Air NZ via HKG and AKL on 747-400 newly refitted with seatback PTV, 34 inch legroom (same as Malaysia and Thai), good food and wine. friendly and efficient FAs. Air NZ longhaul aircraft now sport new cabin interior and great IFE. You could also go via LAX/AKL (with possible stop in Tahiti/ Cooks or Samoa if you want something exotically different) but aircraft is 777-200ER LHR-LAX-AKL and you have to deal with US immigration. Better to go via an Asian airport where people inately understand great service. So there you have it for long haul comfort in economy MH, TG or NZ would be my bet. .

I agree Malaysia Airlines has good seat pitch, and great service and crew. Singapore Airlines has very good service but seat pitch is tight. Thai also has good seat pitch and service but most of their long-haul aircraft are not fitted with personal TV screens. Forget British Airways – very cramped..

I can recommend Air NZ, I have used them several times LHR to MEL always great service & good aircraft. Economy is very good with at least 2-3 inches more leg room compared to BA/QF/EK. Air NZ seating is so much better for such a long flight, and they have some great deals at the moment too which are worth lookin into.

Malaysia Airlines is particularly comfortable with a 34" seat pitch in Economy & excellent cabin service. Have flown with them from Australia to Seoul via Kuala Lumpur twice in the past 18 months & been very satisfied both times.

I can confirm what Alan said on his reply of 7th Feb. Recently did the same flight with Virgin and encountered the same problems! Completed my round trip to Auckland-London with Air NZ far better, and they fly London - Sydney. Suggest you give them a try 34" legroom.

Etihad recently announced flights to SYD. Have flown them, excellent seat pitch (about 33" but slim seatbacks which results in even more legroom) and entertainment system. Besides, choice of 3 meals. Try them. You will not be disappointed.

Have flown Air NZ to Australia and NZ from London a few times with no complaints at all. Good leg room from a 6'2" guy and some of the best crew in the air. Glad to hear recommendations for Malaysia Airlines as we have booked them for a trip to Brisbane later this year - chose them for price and reviews here. Used Singapore once, never again, felt cramped and not a famous smile to be seen, food acceptable though.

From my experience of flying several aairlines on this longest of long haul routes, claimed seat pitch is not the only criteria you should use. Some airlines have thicker seats that take away some of their claimed advantage; and other issues such atype of head restraint have an impact. Qantas - Only 31" pitch but slim seat gives better knee room; good winged head restraint; comfortable seat cushion/shape. Malaysia Airlines - 34" pitch but eaten into by thick seats. Seat comfortable to sit in; head restraint poor. Cathay - 32" but thick seat (especially on A330s). poor head restraint. Singapore Airlines - 32" head restraint good. Footrest more annoyance than help - can hit shins. Uncomfortable cushion/shape. BA - avoid, 31" pitch but thick seat, poor leg room. Poor head restraint. All in all, economy is economy. No airline these days lets you spread out. Other tips, regardless of airline - try and get asle seat; and get a seat without a VOD box taking up half leg room.

I must agree with zay about RBA. Thier new retrofit economy is excellent, and the cabin service on my flight was brilliant. Also, the prices are incredibly cheap. RBA are introducing the B772 on these routes soon, so look out for that.

I would recommend Air New Zealand too. I live in New Zealand and Air New Zealand have a great seat pitch (34 inches) and the inflight entertainment on their longhaul aircraft is now top class with audio-visual on demand (including the ability to rewind, pause, fast forward etc.) The food is great too.

I tend to agree with Bernie - economy is economy but MH certainly has been identified as one of the best option for a comfortable economy flight.