What's your favorite...or least favorite.... airline?
I've had pretty good service on most airlines, but all my horror stories have been on United. It is the only airline I avoid.
While escorting an elderly (90), arthritic aunt to DC, we got our airline tickets months early on United to make sure she would have an aisle seat.
The layover was in Chicago. United cancelled our flight "due to weather in Chicago". Surprisingly, they didn't cancel a flight leaving a few minutes later to Chicago, so we boarded this one and, of course, lost our seat assignments. (Methinks they were just filling up one plane to save some money.)BTW the weather was great in Chicago. In Chicago we caught a flight to Dulles and barely made that flight. The ticket agent told us to grab a seat in first class. Once settled in, we were booted out of first class! I could have lived w/ all this if I hadn't been with my aunt and witnessed their total disregard for her. This is not the first time I've had nightmares w/ United and have been treated w/ total apathy. I wonder how they stay in business. There is no customer service. (Their sister airline, Lufthansa, has the smallest, least comfortable seats. Didn't expect this from the Germans!)
On the other hand I love Southwest. (My nephew, who flies F-15s) says that SW has the toughest criteria for pilots of all the airlines. SW is smart, has a sense of humor and has drastically brought down the cost of flying. While they don't have the fanciest set up, their customer service has been superb.
kat
parkdale 8/23/12
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Favorite: Virgin. Least Favorite: United.
Southwest would be a favorite. I agree with the critical comments about United. That Continental, which had really improved, became United is amazing.
Favorite: Probably Singapore Airlines.
Least favorite: USAir. I wouldn't fly them if they paid me to go.
Greatest disappointment: Lufthansa. I'm still shocked at how tiny the coach seats are - and I was expecting them to be pretty awful.
We have had great service from USAIR. I enjoy BritishAir, too. And the 2 flights I've had on Quantus were awesome. Austrian Air is excellent. The one airline I don't enjoy is Southwest. I feel like they treat passengers like cattle.
Favorites: Virgin Atlantic, Delta, Southwest (domestic)
Least favorite: American
There can be a difference in how flights are run (cancellations, policies, amenities, etc.) between domestic and international flights, so to not distinguish between them doesn't really tell you a lot. Someone could dislike, say, Aer Lingus because of their luggage policy, when that policy doesn't apply on a long-haul flight, only for a regional one. I like Delta's international flights, but not necessarily their domestic flights.
Unfortunately, I don't think any of the airlines offer particularly stellar service these days when you are traveling economy. I honestly don't have any favorites. I tend to choose based on the best route, times, and price.
I travel a lot for business, and when a flight gets cancelled or delayed, I've learned that you just have to lower your expectations, be polite, and have a lot of patience. I'm happy if I arrive at my final destination on the same day and my luggage arrives at the same time that I do.
Stuff happens. I waited for hours in London City Airport when the UK's entire air traffic control system failed. Sat in Milwaukee waiting for the airport to reopen after the runways flooded due to 7 inches of rain in just 1 hour. Had winter flights cancelled due to blizzards. Had luggage lost multiple times. Got stuck in a middle seat on a transatlantic flight after my original flight was cancelled. Got stuck in Missouri for a week after 9/11. Got stuck on a plane sitting on the ground with no water or working toilets after a closure at National caused us to reroute to Richmond where they had no stairs for our type of plane. I could continue, but you get the gist. Air travel is just not particularly fun.
I think United is average. I've had minor problems, but they've always gotten me to my destination on the same day and have never lost my luggage.
I don't have a favorite airline - if they can get me to where I'm going with no or minimal delays and no lost luggage, I'm happy.
Least favorite: US Airways. To echo David - I wouldn't fly them again if they paid me, or if they offered free flights.
Second least favorite: Delta
SAS did a pretty good good job on my last trip. Even in middle seats on transatlantic flights were quite comfortable.
Domestically, Westjet is the best , no contest. Internationally only having only flown on Air Canada, Air Transat, Zoom( now extinct), Delta, Hawainna (spelt wrong), British Airways, Easyjet, Vueling, Air New Zealand, and AirFrance, , would say they are all about the same.. crap nowadays( ok, I thought Air New Zealand was probably top of those) .. I remember when even in economy you got metal forks and knives and HOT meals,, not package lunch boxes I would be ashamed to give to people in jail, lol
I just want to get where ever I am going SAFEFLY and hopefully same day, so now I shop by price and basic reliability. In seat entertainment and hot clothes do not sway me, but have to say, Air Canada and Delta economy seats seemed the least comfortable for long flights.
Interesting to read the thoughts of people living in the USA re their domestic carriers. We are hoping to travel to the US in September 2014 and would be flying to Milwaukee from either LA or SF. Looks like South West gets the vote.
I have flown, Singapore, Qantas, Air Canada, Emirates, Air New Zealand, BMI, Easy Jet, Ryan Air, British Airways. We wouldn't fly with anyone else but Singapore Airlines.
I feel so un-Australian, but Qantas were the worst.
I don't really have too many complaints about any of the airlines and that includes Ryan Air. All of them were on time, I have never lost any luggage, meals haven't been too bad, and well, economy seats are what they are. Worst airline was Turkish Air. Worst seats ever, horrid food, we had to stop and refuel in Istanbul, during which they turned off the A/C and opened the doors, which meant all that lovely smell of jet fuel filled the plane. Nasty, just plain nasty.
Flying with Air Canada for the first time in Oct. so keeping my fingers crossed that this goes well. The one thing I did notice, was that on my flight back to Germany, that leaves at 17:30 & lands at 07:00, the only meal scheduled is a continental breakfast? I am finding it hard to believe there is no dinner. Can you order food or should we bring something with us? Can someone clue me in about whether or not we will have to pick up our luggage in Toronto and recheck it for the flight to Columbus, or will be checked through. Having never flown this route with a stop in Canada, am feeling a bit unsure about any difference in rules.
Favorites: Hawaiian, Emirates, SAS, Asiana, British Airways (BA has my undying loyalty after our 747 pilot skillfully avoided a runway collision 10 seconds before landing at Heathrow-there was another plane sitting on our runway!)
Dislikes: pretty much any US legacy airline. United, Delta, USAir all indistinguishably bad. How hard can it be to teach flight attendants some kind manners? Alaska and American slightly better.
Worst for me is by far United. My last flight to the US with them was such a nightmare that I will never fly them ever again.
Best for me is Air Emirates. We fly them once a year from Venice to the Philippines, have never had a single delay and always have a nice, comfortable flight.
Interesting how some people's reaction to an airline can be overwhelmingly positive, and the next person's reaction to the same airline can be overly negative.
Worst- US Air. They've lost my bags, they've stranded me at lay-over points and have been useless at re-booking a flight, and they've canceled flights and scratched me from the manifest without notifying me. I will gladly pay far more to fly with another airline.
Best- SAS. Nothing particularly stands out except that I've never had any problems with them, they've always been proficient and professional. The sort of airline you'd expect to come out of Scandinavia.
Honorable mention to Turkish Airlines. I've only flown with them once, but they had by far and away the best on-board breakfast I have ever eaten.
most overrated - Lufthansa
I've flown Southwest so often and they haven't done me wrong, especially regarding the price.
Worst experience - Frontier
It doesn't much matter anymore. I have flown the Atlantic regularly for 9 years and some days it's rotten no matter what. That being said rotten is universal in coach. I have gotten upgrades on Pan Am, (a long time ago!!!)American and USAIR and arrived very relaxed despite the conditions in the back. I've been on 1/2 empty USAIR flights across the "pond" and had a wonderful flight.
RYANAIR and SOUTHWEST as airlines for the common man with bargain prices and great service is a myth especially RYANAIR. SOUTHWEST is basic transportation but nothing special.
I'm happy with a nice basic flight with a moderate load of people or the luck to be upgraded. USAIR, UNITED, AMERICAN, LUFTHANSA, SPANAIR,JAL, ICELANDIC, BRITISH AIRWAYS, AIR FRANCE, TURKISH AIRLINES, NORTHWEST, DELTA & EGYPTAIR have all provided that at one time or another and most of the US carriers named there have also provided a ride from hell. I place RYANAIR and TAROM as the two I won't fly again for any number of reasons.
Airline travel for the most part has become a homogeneous experience that often now takes the fun out of "getting there".
Dislike: Southwest.
Favorite European: Swiss International Airlines and Icelandair
Favorite Domestic: Southwest and AirTran
I used to hate Northwest, because they would cancel flights for essentially any reason at the last minute when it was apparent the flight wasn't going to be full. An inch of snow at MSP? Cancel the incoming flights from MCI if they're not full. That happened more than once...and I was always pretty sure MSP could handle just a tad more than an inch of snow. Crazy.
Best overall flights ever: Worked for one company for years and flew on company-owned Gulfstream Four aircraft a few times. Talk about comfort...bar, leather swivel recliners, couch, fancy bathroom, flight attendant, dinner served on fine china, etc. I'm far from an executive type, but I got lucky and nabbed a spot on one of the planes a few times.
Arnold's point is well-taken. Singapore, Emirates, Korean, etc. - these are among the best in the world by all measures.
I tend to disagree with those that says it doesn't matter anymore or that it is all the same.
2 weeks ago I flew back from Japan on the upper deck of a Singapore Airlines A380 (economy) and the service was fabulous as always. The Asian and Middle Eastern carriers service in general is far superior to most of the US/European carriers.
I will add positive Southwest comments. I often take the 45 minute flight from Burbank, CA to Oakland, CA or as we LA residents say, from the Valley to the Bay Area. One flight sticks out. Around 3am one morning we had an earthquake, one of those which as a native Californian, makes you wonder, "should I get out of bed and stand in the doorway, or just roll over." That means it was 4.0 rocker or above. No damage but a good shake. Get to Bob Hope airport for the first flight of the morning. Boarded the plane. Doors shut. Ready to taxi. Capt. comes on the radio and announces there has been a breach of security. We need to de plane and go thorough security again. Not a full plane so we deplaned quickly and started the whole screening process again. As we waited this one middle aged woman in a Boston University sweat shirt was pacing back and forth like a mad woman. Very anxious. The rest of us, were texting, reading newspapers, or listening to head phones. She was pacing. Finally, she screamed aloud, "What is wrong with you people? The ground shakes and now a security breach and you're just standing here. Aren't any of you freaked out." A man in a Hawaiian print shirt, shorts, flip flops with sunglasses atop his head, looked over his newspaper and calmly replied, "Lady, Californians don't panic. Chill." Lots of smiles, nods and smirks. The funniest part of all this was we were only 10 minutes late in arriving in Oakland. No coffee service. Betting our pilot was a Navy man. We departed, fly up over the Valley, hit cruising speed, which was full throttle, ( I swear. Attendants never got out of their seats) and landed in Oakland like it was the flight deck of the USS Nimitz. 37 minute flight time. Still chuckle. Southwest Rules!
For domestic flights : I use to avoid Southwest at all costs, now they are about the only airline I fly. Us Airways and United could learn something from them.
International, my favorite is British Airways.
Best - Air Canada. Roomiest seats and terrific service. So far the only airline I've had seatback entertainment with.
Worst - Sunquest. It was years ago but a woman sat down in front of me, reclined all the way and flipped her long, frizzy, dirty hair over the seat onto my tray. She was reclined and sleeping the whole time: takeoff, mealtime, touchdown. I complained and was told they "don't disturb important people". This was economy, how important could she be???
I like Air Transat not for the planes (very tight fit!) but for the variety of European places they fly non-stop from Toronto. My friend's daughter just became a flight attendant with them and I hope to have her on one of my flights one day.
Air travel is so difficult and time consuming now and there isn't one airline that really stands out in my mind as smooth sailing and comfortable. I will say that my flights with Air France were pleasant. I loved being greeted with "Bonjour Madam"; personal video screen; decent food; efficient boarding. I also like Hawaiian Airlines. It always seems like a party while flying - I guess that the travelers are so looking forward to sun and sand that they all are pretty giddy. I think that makes a difference with the flight attendants' attitudes too. You can sometimes tell the atmosphere on a flight as soon as you board - whether it is going to be pleasant.
Linda
Many years ago, when my parents were alive and living in Florida, I joined Delta's FF program, because they had the best flights from SFO to Ft. Lauderdale. Other things being equal, I have continued to fly with them, so as to keep the points growing; and usually I have no complaints. There have been a few occasions where some problem arose, and their people have dealt with our needs in an exemplary manner. Price is my #1 criterion for choosing an airline, with convenience, a close second. In the last few years, Delta has been the best in both categories from where we live. In 2010, we traveled to Turkey - - Lufthansa to FRA and Turkish Air to IST, Lufthansa back from Athens. To echo a couple of previous comments, I was astonished at how narrow and cramped the seats were on Lufthansa. In addition the food was horrible, even for airplane food; and the service was indifferent, at best. Turkish Air, on the other hand, managed to serve us a tasty, hot meal on their short flight segment; and the service was friendly and efficient.
Best experiences: Air France and SAS
Worst: Delta - I hate dealing with Delta Airlines from start to finish.
I have heard that KLM is one of the best, but haven't heard a comment about them, which surprises me, since Amsterdam is such a big hub.
While I love Germany, I should also mention that Frankfort is the worst place for a layover. If that's your destination, fine. However, it took me over an hour to change planes there (and I wasn't changing airlines). After rushing up & down stairs and going up & down elevators in this labyrinth, I inadvertently discovered that the gate had been changed. I was with a large group and still the first to get to the proper gate an hour later. Good thing I had a long layover, because I was ready for my farewell German beer! Now layovers in Frankfort are something I try to avoid...or give myself at least a couple hours to decipher their convoluted rules & layout. (And, yes, I do speak German.)
Really? I have found FRA to be sort of a really big MUC or ZRH...modern, clean, and very efficient...just a lot bigger. Now had you said CDG sucks, that would have made more sense to me, because while many think it's great, it always get low marks as one of the worst in various surveys. But everyone has different opinions on this sort of thing. I had read about how bad Barajas was in Madrid...one of the worst. My own experience was completely opposite...Barajas was fine. Cheers.
Currently my favorite carrier for international travel is AirFrance/KLM for in-flight service, seat pitch, timeliness and professionalism of the flight attendants. Delta gets my vote for domestic travel... they could do more to improve in-flight service internationally. I avoid United but I guess I'll be flying with them sometime since they bought my bank of Continental miles :).
Singapore Airlines is excellent but rarely travel with them. BA gets an honorable mention. EasyJet is my favorite discount airline within Europe.
Peruvian Airlines is the ABSOLUTE worst airline I've ever done business with. Delayed and canceled flights from Cusco to Lima in 2011 caused our bags to go missing for 2 weeks on the return to the US. We traveled via Mexico City on AeroMexico. When the bags were returned, a lot of clothing was missing including underwear! Go figure. So, which airline is to blame I'll never know but in fairness to AeroMexico they took responsibility and compensated.
Most of by business goes to the SKYTEAM Alliance, as you've figured by now... it's where I'm a somebody :).
Never, ever, EVER take XL airlines. NEVER. The tiniest seats I have ever seen, ridiculous charges on CHECKED luggage, even crossing the Atlantic.
And at CDG on the way back, there was a sit-in of passengers whose flight had been canceled the day before. It blocked the entire check-in desk, keeping us all from checking in and delaying the flight by a few hours. Now, the sit-in was very French not necessarily the airline's flight, but we were never informed of what was going on and why we were in a huge line. All we heard was gossip, and we saw many shrugging officials when questioned. Anyway, they were finally promised enough to move out of our way so we could check in. Top the tiny plane and the charges for our luggage (you'd think they'd waive it after our ordeal, but nope). We were bringing back liquor, so we had to check. Grr.
NEVER AGAIN.
That being said, just had a great experience with KLM, and Swiss Air was great. Both have excellent food, plus plenty of space.
United prior to the merger was actually very nice, especially if you had any level of status with them. Since the merger, it's been a nightmare. Continental took over and all they care about is money. The biggest issue behind the scenes is that they opted to use Continentals ancient computer system over United newer, better, but more expensive version. In the old system, if you were about to miss a connection, the computer would book you on the next flight but keep the seat on the first in case you made it (tailwind, etc). Now there is a chance that you can show up to the gate, boarding pass in hand, and be told that you were bumped off the flight because the Continental computers are incapable of handling any sort of bump in the system. It's a mess. Their customer service phone lines are a joke as well. During an emergency, don't bother calling. In three different situations over the last year and a half (as recently as April), I've had hour plus wait times to talk to someone to try and handle rebooking. That's not much good when you are trying to get on a flight that leaves in 45 minutes.
Most consistent for me right now is Lufthansa. They run it as cleanly as possible and managed I like SAS, but they are stingy with frequent flyer miles.
Turkish is also very nice.
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