Airnorth

DWN-TSV then GCA-DWN - April 2014. Flight down was direct on time and with good inflight service. Return flight via MT ISA less pleasing mainly because the FA's jammed us all together despite a number of rows of empty seats at the front of the plane. I hate having to ask to move once seated and with carry on in the o/head lockers. There was no need (that I can see) to stack us that way and it just left a bad taste in the mouth. Food on the return flights was similarly 'bad' in the mouth. 1st leg was a beef curry (very boarding school type muck) and 2nd leg described as a chicken wrap which turned out to be a beef wrap. Too bad if you were allergic and took a bite (surprise!).

TSV-DRW-TSV: We chose to fly with Air North because of good connection flight times when returning from our overseas holiday. We arrived in Darwin at 4.50am after being in transit for 12 hrs from an overseas destination we were scheduled to fly back to Townsville on the 7.00am flight which was perfect. Air North changed the flight schedule our new departure time was 1.45pm. An increased wait of 6.45 hours at Darwin airport. I contacted Air North and inquired if any assistance could be given to us meal voucher half day accommodation etc. I received an email from the Marketing and Communications Manager who sighted their rules of carriage and provided us with details of a local motel for us to contact no assistance was offered not even a coffee voucher! We were very disappointed in Air Norths lack of customer care and would not recommend using Air North especially when connecting to/from International flights.

TSV-DRW-TSV flight out on time the aircraft was clean and comfortable certainly more personal space on the Embraer 170 then you get on other economy flights in Australia. The cabin wasn't full so after take off it was a matter of grabbing a pair of seats to myself. A light morning meal of sandwiches water coffee/tea and a small chocolate was complimentary. The return flight was delayed 7 hours and advice was received about this the afternoon before by email and SMS. Two hot meal options offered on that flight one vegetarian the other sausages and mash. Beer wine and spirits were complimentary on this leg perhaps owing to the long delay I didn't ask I just enjoyed having two seats to myself again and kicked back with a fee Jim Beam and cola's. Flight attendants professional and attentive.

Return DRW-DIL. Efficient boarding on-time helpful cabin attendants. Flight out provided minimal catering though this was a late afternoon flight. Return flight was early morning good breakfast akin to what I would normally have at home. In-flight magazine had really interesting articles and was adequate reading for the one hour flight. No complaints at all. No charge for exceeding baggage allowance by 1kg on return flight.

Broome to Kununurra then Kununurra to Perth on ERJ 170. All flights on time fairly basic food but professional cabin service with 2 FA's keen to please. Seat rows are 2x2 and the seat pitch seems to be greater than economy in the newer 737's operated by Qantas mainline. A neat little aircraft. Love their direct service now three times between Perth and Kununurra - the only airline providing this service and also appreciate their 'milk runs' which allow easy connections several times a week between Karratha Port Hedland Broome Kununurra and Darwin. A dependable airline serving the remote bits of WA and other carriers could learn a lesson or two.

Kununurra-Broome in an ERJ-170. A very pleasant flight. The seat pitch and light refreshments were fine for such a short leg. The seats have comfortable adjustable headrests. The service was friendly and the flight departed and arrived 20 minutes early.

DPS-DRW on Embraer E170. This is a great little airline and a great little plane. Comfy seats with plenty of legroom free alcoholic drinks and a hot snack. They even served double drinks which is something I hadn't encountered in economy in a long time. Meal was a choice of hot meat or chicken pie plus cheese and crackers and a Twix. Service very friendly. Being such a small plane getting through immigration in Darwin was a breeze and the luggage was already on the belt when I got there. Customs was also easy. Unfortunately Airnorth are ceasing operations this route at the end of January 2009.