For me at least, deciding factors would be the following (incl. when a stop in another airport) - what are the clinchers?
Date of the flight (fairly obvious)
Time of the flight
Good service (change of seat possible so you can stretch your legs, etc.)
No ridiculous discussions on "the rules are ...." on 2 cms wider or longer luggage
free wifi at the airport
free wifi on board
free lunch / dinner
free drinks
free newspapers onboard
price
If I knew how to convert his into a poll, would do :-)
Any other suggestions - safety record not mentioned as in Europe would think this is not really problematic.
Being able to choose your own seat?
Being able to sit together?
NO kids allowed policy :-) ?
on choosing an airport:
free wifi
no ridiculous security arrangements (Brussels is pure hell)
no long distances between check-in and gates
good connections
As said before, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines are gorgeous though into the UK Norwegian wins on the free wifi on board ... (though a bit slow). In airports, Alicante, Madrid and Munich win hands down. In Munich you can even have free papers, free wifi and free drinks while you wait at the Lufthansa section. On the other hand, the transit section of Istanbul is horrible.
