Are there ANY good airlines left?

[DS1]

I just booked a flight to Phoenix and back, the price was really good, as well as the departure times.

However, I googled the name, USAirways with 'reviews' and it looked like I made a serious mistake and am in for 13 combined hours of hell. But then I googled the other carrier names with 'reviews' and they all suck.

So, am I screwed in particular, or is the flight going to suck no matter what? I haven't traveled in about 9 years, so I'm guessing things have changed a lot...

[Connonym]

1. Midwest Airlines

mmmmm cookies

[MrCoffee]

2. I've never had a problem with USAirways/America West

I've flown with them maybe 10 times, counting connecting flights; good on-time rate (from what I recall, all flights were +/- 5 minutes of schedule); relatively quick at baggage claim; Spartan accomodations on the plane (typical)

Bring a snack and pick up a bottle of water before you board. You'll be fine.

[DS1]

3. thanks

While you have to keep in mind that happy customers rarely bother to comment, the reviews were downright brutal.

Will be traveling with fingers crossed

[Midlodemocrat]

5. Same here. No trouble.

[Initech]

36. I'm flying US Airways on Thursday.

So far I haven't had any problems with them. Hell, I got bumped from a flight in August and got free coupons for it.

[SoxFan]

4. I've had good luck with AirTran

I've flown them a few times and they seem to be on the ball. Cheap fares, decent service, and they didn't lose my luggage.

The only problem is that the fly into Logan, not Manchester, which means I have to drive an hour to the airport instead of ten minutes.

[DS1]

6. I was going to take Southwest out of NH

but this airlines prices were about $100 less each way. I'll probably jump on the train to get down to Logan by 8:30

[Hand]

14. Cripes! I read that as AirIran!

Couldn't be any worse than Continental, though... :grr:

[Kali]

24. continental

ok if you are legless - they are all bad but continental is the bottom

[SoxFan]

26. At least I'd know what country my luggage was in

[Hand]

38. HAR!

Well said!

[SteppingRazor]

7. Czech Air.

Swear to God. Czech Air is the greatest airline ever. I was only on a flight from Paris to Prague, just a couple hours, and they served a meal, put on a movie, stopped by to make sure we were doing OK, handed out cookies, gave away drinks, and did it all with an over-the-top friendly attitude that, as an American traveler, I found utterly bizarre. It's amazing what we put up with on airlines in this country simply because none of them offer an alternative. Flying in Europe was a huge eye-opener.

Of course, none of that helps you on your flight to Phoenix. But good luck with that! ;)

[Parche]

8. The Best Airlines Out There

Midwest


Alaska


Southwest

Cathay Pacific


EOS


Virgin Atlantic


:hi:

[CTyankee]

19. I remember the glory days of Midwest

Wine, free, with your meal. Real cutlery, china plates and cloth napkins. Wide leather seats. Lots of legroom.

Only the leather seats remain, at least I think they remain. We fly Midwest Express from Hartford to Green Bay each summer for our trek up to Wisconsin's Door Peninsula, a beautiful place.

I like Southwest, also. I can get a fairly convenient flight from Hartford to Burbank where my daughter lives, to see my little grandson.

Abroad recently I have only flown Alitalia. It's ok.

[fudge stripe cookays]

50. I just read something the other day...

about Midwest not using Midwest Express anymore. They're going to contract out their short hop plane stuff to another small carrier or something.

When I lived in Texas (essentially owned by American, with the hub at DFW), I'd never even heard of Midwest. But got bumped a few years ago during some bad weather, and they got me on a Midwest flight. Now I live in Milwaukee, so I always check both of them to see which is better price-wise.

[harmonicon]

42. I think southwest is the worst

I'll only fly them if the price is incredibly lower than the next. I've been on many cleaner and more pleasant public buses.

[barb162]

58. I like KLM. Also Singapore Air is supposed to be excellent

but I haven't been on it.

[spinbaby]

9. I've heard there's a good airline in Thailand

Just a rumor, mind you.

[terrya]

10. I've never had any problems with American Airlines

[Madrone]

21. I'll go you one further Re: American -

*first let me note that airlines are like cellphone companies. They ALL suck, depending on who you're asking. You will find scathing reviews for all online.

Back to American --- LONG stories, but the short of it is I've had to make 2 emergency flights back to Michigan for serious family medical issues. The first time my mom found out she had a tumor and needed brain surgery. Long story as short as possible - every airline out there wanted around $1200 for BEREAVEMENT fares - AND, since she wasn't in the hospital yet they wouldn't give me even that. Someone at United even told me that I should just wait - if she had complications with surgery or DIED ... THEN I should go home. Seriously...wtf? Then I called American - GENUINELY caring and nice from the get go. Also extremely accommodating. Gave me bereavement fare at about $600, AND let me have it even though she wasn't in the hospital yet. I just had to provide them with the name of the hospital she was going to, and the doctor she was seeing. This was a huge deal since I hadn't been home in over 3 years, and we honestly weren't sure what would happen when she had her appointment. Whisked off to emergency surgery IMMEDIATELY? Or told to come back in two weeks? Being an only child I thought it would be a good idea to go BEFORE her appointment and see her - just in case she did have surgery and something happened, or she didn't know who I was afterward. American was AWESOME, I flew into Kalamazoo late on a Friday night, a friend picked me up and I stayed the night with her - and she drove me to my mom's Saturday afternoon. My mom didn't know I was coming. Her appointment was on Tuesday, and sure enough, they scheduled her for surgery the next day.

#2 - Mom's husband had a major heart attack. Mom was really "not there" mentally (stress/denial induced), as she didn't seem to think it was *that* serious when she called to tell me, but an aunt got me on the phone later and told me to COME HOME NOW as the doctors had told her not to let my mom go home alone as she could be expecting the "he's gone" phone call in the middle of the night. Longer story as short as possible - I didn't even screw around w/ anyone else. Called American directly. They were AWESOME, once again. Flight into Chicago delayed due to Chicago's weather. Finally we board, but then we're told there's been another delay so we can't take off. I get up to proceed to the front of the plane (I was in the very back row) to ask the attendants what I can do. I'm given the 1-800 number and go back to my seat. Call again - AGAIN, the person I talked to was amazing. Unfortunately, my flight to Kalamazoo was the last one for the night, we weren't going to make it, and another wouldn't leave until the following afternoon. I get off the phone and sit there with huge tears rolling down my face - too much sleep deprivation, stress and worry. Attendant that gave me the # comes back to ask if I worked anything out. (I had told her I was trying to get home for a medical emergency, but no details beyond that) I look at her with what have to be the hugest sad, teary puppydog eyes ever and tell her that there's nothing that can be done. She tells me not to worry, I'll get home if she has to take me there herself. Later in the flight they start handing out meals - I didn't specify at the time of reservation that I needed a veg meal because, well, that was the last thing on my mind. When they came with drinks I asked for a V8, the whole can since I blew my dinner by not specifying veg. Same attendant gives me the can - comes back to me later and says they have an extra first class meal - a pasta salad w/ grapes, cheese, and crackers - would I like it? I said if it weren't any trouble or problem.... so she comes back with this HUGE tray covered in a white cloth napkin. So here I am, in the BACK row, with this big first class tray... :) Flight attendant I've been dealing with and her male co-worker come to the back with the cart to collect trash, etc - male co-worker sees my tray, starts to question and is immediately shut down by the female. She must have explained it to him later..... Anyway, later in the flight she comes back to me again. She tells me to grab my stuff from the overhead and follow her. I don't question, I just do. She leads me to first class and seats me in the very first seat in first class and tells me to sit. She comes back a moment later with a napkin that has a number written on it - she handed it to me and told me that the Kalamazoo flight had been delayed and that there was a small chance I could still make it. She told me to be the first one off the plane, (why she placed me in the front) and find the American person as soon as I got off and have them point me to my gate, then RUN. If I didn't make it, I was to call her cell phone which was the number on the napkin she'd handed me.

When we land and are standing and waiting for them to open the door some pushy woman on a cellphone crowds in front of me. The male attendant that had earlier questioned me eating first class was positioned directly in front of the door. He looked at me, then shoots the woman the dirtiest look I've ever seen. He leans in and says to me "Don't you worry! YOU are getting off this plane FIRST!" Then shoots her another dirty look....LOL True to his word, he got me off first and I got to the American person at the gate, only to have her tell me that the flight had been cancelled. I flopped down in a chair in defeat. The female flight attendant eventually exited - and I explained to her that my flight had been cancelled. She instructed me to go to baggage claim immediately and see if I could get my bag pulled - then to stand outside and wait for her. SHE was going to DRIVE me to Kalamazoo. And she DID. A 3 hour drive each way for her - after working all day. UNBELIEVABLE. I got into Kalamazoo at around 12:30am. Seriously, I can't say enough about American
after these experiences.

Edit: I suppose I should mention that my mother's husband did NOT die - although none of us are really sure HOW that happened. He was on life support and it was a horrible few weeks, but somehow he's still out walking around!

[Haole Girl]

25. That is a great story

There are airline employees, out there, who almost live for moments like that... to make a difference... to make someone's life a little easier at times when tbe passenger(s) would be lost, otherwise. Thank you for sharing something positive in this thread. :hug:

[Madrone]

32. No problem!

As difficult as that story is to tell ... because there's really no SHORT way of telling it... I always TRY to tell it because it's just so amazing. Talk about above and beyond!

I forgot - that's the kind of work you do, isn't it?

[Haole Girl]

34. I do work for an airline, yes.

And, we were just talking - in a meeting - about people who care. And, I remembered some stories that... well... get me through. They make a difference to us, too (making a difference). People may not believe that... but they do.

[BarenakedLady]

30. Wow

What an awesome story!

[fudge stripe cookays]

52. THAT is amazing service.

My husband and I had amazing service like that from an American desk attendant at San Juan's airport down in Puerto Rico when we missed our flight to St. Kitts and she had to scramble getting us on something else. Very professional, knew she was dealing with stressed out people, and kicked BUTT. Seriously. When we missed our flight BACK to Dallas, and had to stay in San Juan overnight, American put us up at one of the nicest hotels in the Condado with vouchers for dinner and breakfast, and I wished we'd gone THERE instead of St. Kitts! It was THAT nice!

And for the most part, being from Dallas, that's all I've ever flown. I was all over the country the last 2 years, and have always had amazing luck with American. I had some problem with my bags once (coming in at a different terminal, when 2 flights from Chicago were coming back to DFW, both delayed, so they threw a bunch of our bags on the other flight, which came in at a different terminal), but other than that, I'll give them the thumbs up. :thumbsup:

[CreekDog]

11. What do you get when you combine America West with US Airways?

choose no more than one of the following:

a) your luggage gets to your destination
b) you get to your destination

[DS1]

12. carry-on only for me

So I guess I'll see you in Detroit

[qb]

13. Sun Country is excellent. They even serve food!!!

It's microwaved crap in a plastic bag, but food nonetheless :)

[krispos42]

27. Second Sun Country

Although I think the food is oven-heated crap in a plastic bag. The while chocolate macadamia nut cookies are tasty, though.

They're on time if the airports let them be and the seats are decent.

[tigereye]

15. Midwest Air?

really small, but very courteous and they give you fresh baked chocolate chip cookies on the plane.

I think they are out of Wisconsin or Minnesota somewhere, but we flew them to San Francisco last summer and they couldn't have been nicer.


I haven't flown US AIr for years, and I LIVE in Pittsburgh, where their hub USED to be. :(


America West was fine, too.


I like SW, but boy their landings in Chicago are extremely bumpy. :scared:

[AlCzervik]

16. i pretty much always take United, i know people have had trouble with them

but for me, so far so good.

[kwassa]

28. the lines at the United counters are monumental at Dulles

I hate 'em. Longer wait than the security lines, then you have to go through those, too.

[AlCzervik]

31. the lines are really bad in San Francisco as well and Sacramento can be no bargain either

but i haven't had any mojor problems with them, hopefully when i fly out next month all will be cool.

[Catchawave]

17. I think people tend to post more negative views/news than positive ones

Just looky in GD-P :silly:

I only check reviews for more information and helpful hints, not whether some prissy-pants said the attendant was mean to her. On Time, lost luggage whiners usually don't mention weather factors and peak travel times. You never know if the reviewers are competitors either.

My personal rule....lst flight of the day....always! Southwest is my favorite.

[DS1]

18. I can't get up that early and function

I'd be better off staying up all night and crashing while onboard, but I don't think the airport people like that.

[Catchawave]

20. LOL...neither can I, but once I get to the airport

usually 4 a.m for a 6 a.m. flight, to a glorious empty/no line airport....it's pure heaven. I see people sleeping all over the place at that hour, mostly from being bumped from the night before.

There's a travel forum here at DU, you should check in there for feedback, those are the guys with ALL the experience :hi:

[BOSSHOG]

22. Express Jet

My wife flys Express Jet several times a year and really enjoys their service. It is a small service but she says they treat the customers well and serve food on their short flights. And the price is reasonable.

[Kali]

23. Luftansa or however you spell it

[Shell Beau]

29. Hooters Air!

[DS1]

33. *headslap*

:argh:

[kwassa]

35. It's not the airlines, it's the airports themselves I can't stand.

The security lines at Baltimore-Washington International make me want to give up air travel forever.

[Runcible Spoon]

37. Aerolineas Argentinas

FREE WINE/BEER/LIQUOR! AS MUCH AS YOU WANT!

[SKKY]

39. In my opinion, here are my best...

1. Virgin Atlantic
2. British
3. JAL

[fizzgig]

40. i have always been impressed with frontier

their prices are pretty low and the service is always good

i like jet blue as well, but their flight times are damn inconvenient for where i fly

[IronLionZion]

41. The greatest airline: Jet Airways of India,

also check out Kingfisher of India


one of my favorites: sun country


I've had good experiences with AirTran


I've heard great things about Emirates and Qatar airlines. You can go non-stop to the middle east from Washington-Dulles. I am going on Qatar airways this summer.

Air India has the best food...if you like Indian food.

[DS1]

43. I like Indian

and it largely eliminates the veggie question, since they can make really good veggie food.

Still, I don't think I'll be flying their airlines this trip.

[IronLionZion]

45. One of the cheapest ways to get to Europe from the US

is Air India to Frankfurt. Frankfurt is Air India's hub.

[Fran Kubelik]

44. Quantas never crashed.

[Haole Girl]

46. Don't believe everything you see in movies....

http://www.avweb.com/news/news/184281-1.html

And,

http://www.airdisaster.com/cgi-bin/airline_detail.cgi?airline=Qantas+Airways

[Fran Kubelik]

48. Ahhh.

It was mostly meant as humor, but thanks for the link! ;)

[Haole Girl]

49. I know....

it's just funny how many people actually believe it. :hi:

[no name no slogan]

47. As long as it's not Northwest, you're okay

Flying NWA is like flying in a cattle car with wings. Maybe the upcoming rumored merger with Delta will change that, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

I hate living in a hub x(

[fudge stripe cookays]

56. I MISS living in a hub!

Everything is so convoluted flying out of Milwaukee instead of Dallas! Be thankful you have fewer steps! The more steps the more $. Even if it IS Northwest.

:D

[Rabrrrrrr]

51. Not in America, no, except Midwest.

You have to go foreign to get airline service that treats people like human beings.

[LaurenG]

53. Southwest Airlines

I heard they never crash! I have to drive 100 miles to fly them though and I have no clue if they fly into Mass either.

[Thirtieschild]

54. Delta was once great

I understand not so much any more. I once booked a Delta flight, thinking it would be great if Mr. D. and I could both have a window seat. When I realized what I had done (at the airport) Mr. D asked if we could be moved so we could sit together, Delta bumped us into first class. We now fly out of El Paso and pretty much fly American.

[GOPisEvil]

55. You know, I complain about American a lot, but...

...their customer service is usually very good. Now, they have SERIOUS on time troubles, but most of that is weather-related. However, when there is a problem, I find the people on the other end of the phone to be very helpful. They have gotten me out of a few jams.

[Skittles]

60. never had a problem with AA

fly them a lot too

[GoneOffShore]

57. You're flying Scareways?

Gaaah!

[Skittles]

59. mostly it's people with bad experiences who post them

I've really never had any problems on any of them because I prepare well

[ScreamingMeemie]

61. I flew Continental and United yesterday. My problems aren't with the

airlines themselves, they are with my fellow passengers. Those who feel it is okay to be rude and take up four seats in an overcrowded gate during a wait for a delayed flight...those who feel it is okay to not check bags that should be checked and stow their stupid rolly wheeled monstrosity above my seats, thereby ripping the lining of my coat...those who feel that they deserve to stomp on my son's foot in order to get ahead of him and all of the others who are patiently waiting their turn to disembark...those who don't care about anyone but themselves. Note to them: Check your freaking baggage already. Note to the airlines: Make them check their freaking over limit baggage already...they are not "special" even though they think they are. F*ck them. and their stupid egos. Also, don't tell me that I should "thank the pilot because he has already logged 15 hours today and is not supposed to be working and is exhausted and is making this flight just for you" when I have paid a goodly sum to ride and you have just, in effect, told me that he is taking my and my children's lives into his tired hands.


Thank You...and check your damned bags already.


***both airlines were fine in terms of service etc. Continental had better service though.

[SoxFan]

62. Oceanic

[TrogL]

63. Westjet

just ignore the jokes.

[ZombieNixon]

64. Take any domestic airline in India.

May not help your current situation, but if you ever go there, an hour long flight gets you a full hot meal (with real coffee and after dinner mints and a fucking *carved* pattern toothpick (:wtf:), and inflight cartoon). They have a curtain between first class and economy that they keep closed during the flight, probably so the economy passengers can't see the people in first class getting hot massages. :crazy:

[idlisambar]

65. Kingfisher Airlines

Great airline.....

[JCMach1]

66. US airlines are THE WORST: I hate to fly them

a partial good-list: Emirates, Singapore, Sri Lankan, Turkish, Etihad, Qatar, Air Arabia,