recommendations for airlines

I'm hoping to buy my ticket for australia next week and i'm needing to do research on the different airlines.

which one would you most and least recommend while travelling to australia?
any of perks that others don't?

I've heard air canada is terrible
I was also told qantas doesnt charge for the alcohol on board and that they even have given out free bottles of wine once you've arrived to your destination.

any help would be greatly appreciated

ALSO!
i was told that when you are checking in, you can ask if there's anything avail. in first class and it's only a $100 charge to exchange the tickets.
does anyone else know about this?

Lastly, i've read the thread on how to get cheap flights, but would i get a better deal if i went down to the specific airline counter at the airport to get tickets?

I went through travel cuts and it was heaps cheaper then anywhere else I had found! under $1000 before tax! They lay over in San Fran was super long but I had time to eat lunch in Chinatown so it was too bad It was air Canada for the first part and the Air New Zealand for the second but it wasn't bad. I have no complaints and if I remember correctly alcohol was free. Hope that helps.

We've booked several trips with this travel agency:
http://www.downunder-travel.com/

They always been great and have had the cheapest tickets I could find. Way cheaper than Air Canada. Definitely worth a call to see what they can do for you.

Enjoy your trip.

The biggest complaint I have with Air Canada is just that their attendants on board are grouchy and serve in the most bare minimum way possible. I'll never forget my Lufthansa / Air Canada joint flight (attendants from both airlines) and there was absolutely no comparison. The Air Canada crew could really take a few lessons from more cusomer-oriented airlines.