Consumer Reports rates airlines
Jun 21st, 2007, 05:43 AM
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Consumer Reports rates airlines
Consumer Reports rates airlines and JetBlue and Widwest topped surveys. US Airways and America West Airlines rated among the lowest.
The survey finds smaller and newer airlines treated customers better. The exception being AirTran Airways and ATA Airlines, which delivered only average and below-average satisfaction rates, respectively.
The article also offers tips for low fares. http://www.chathamjournal.com/weekly...es-70621.shtml
Keith
The survey finds smaller and newer airlines treated customers better. The exception being AirTran Airways and ATA Airlines, which delivered only average and below-average satisfaction rates, respectively.
The article also offers tips for low fares. http://www.chathamjournal.com/weekly...es-70621.shtml
Keith
Jun 22nd, 2007, 07:24 AM
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History has really relevance. Continental has gone through two bankruptcies, and during the Lorenzo era in the mid-80s to early 90's, I will be chased out of here in no time if I recommend people to take CO, which is one of the worst in the industry.
Jul 6th, 2007, 07:17 PM
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Just fly US Air Philly to Rome/Zurich to Philly. They truely earned their ranking with the Philly airport at the same level. Both the Philly airport and US Air are on my list for never, never use again.
Jul 8th, 2007, 06:31 AM
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Sure, no problem but it will have to be a multi-page report.
And it started early, arrive at the Denver airport about an hour early than plan for a 11 AM US Air flight to Philly to connect with a 6 PM flight to Rome. Went to check in -- no flight. But that is OK because we have been rebooked on the 1PM arriving in Philly at 7. When asked if the 6 PM Rome flight had been rescheduled, the attendent suddenly realized that we had real problem. With a great deal of effort we just made a 10am United flight to Philly. If we had not come to the airport earlier than planned, we would have been stuck. I know I should have rechecked my schedule a couple of weeks earlier but US Air also could have notified me of the change.
We have probably made two dozen transaltantic crossing in the past fifteen years or so. One of my very mild irrations with food service is the tendency to drag it out forever just to killing time. Not a problem with US Air. Shortly after airborne the announcement came that they would charge for everything except soda and water -- not unexpected. The beverage came by I ask for water. That is what exactly what I received. A short plastic cup and a couple glugs for a luke warm water bottle. She was so quick that when I realized how warm the water was and asked for ice she was serving the row behind. The response to the ice request was in minute --- it never came.
After fifteen minutes later I was asked if I wanted chicken or pasta. A card box was quickly produced with a relative marginal portion of pasta. It went well with the half glass of warm water that I was nursing. Another 15 minutes or so and someone came by with a trash bag and picked up everything. That was it. The interior lights were turned off. No addition beverage service or anything. At least no one bother my sleep and it may have been the longest sleep period I ever had on a flight.
Less than hour prior to landing, the lights came up and they very quickly distributed a single cellophane package containing a log shaped cake donut and coffee. Cannot say for sure what it was because I didn't open it.
The return trip from Zurich to Philly was not much different except the chicken in the box lunch was slightly better than the pasta and I remembered to ask for ice with the water. And I got it. And there was a second run of the beverage cart midway through the flight.
When we checked in at Zurich we could not get boarding passes for the Philly to Denver leg. When we finally got our boarding passes in Philly we found ourselves in separate middle seats. I complained and showed our reservation indicating two adjouning seats, I was told there was nothing that could be done, the plane was full, and there must have been an equipment which is my our seats was cancelled. I continued my complaining with I got to the boarding gate and did get moved to an asile seat but my wife was still stuck in a middle seat. The plane was full and it was the same type of plane list on our reservation. I guess they much have had an equipment change back to the original equipment.
I know the service levels have declined and I don't except the same treatment as we have received in past years but the US Air was at the bottom.
The Philly airport is a whole another story for another time.
Will be on British Air flight to London in Sept so will see if BA's service level has sunk. It has been two years since I was on BA.
And it started early, arrive at the Denver airport about an hour early than plan for a 11 AM US Air flight to Philly to connect with a 6 PM flight to Rome. Went to check in -- no flight. But that is OK because we have been rebooked on the 1PM arriving in Philly at 7. When asked if the 6 PM Rome flight had been rescheduled, the attendent suddenly realized that we had real problem. With a great deal of effort we just made a 10am United flight to Philly. If we had not come to the airport earlier than planned, we would have been stuck. I know I should have rechecked my schedule a couple of weeks earlier but US Air also could have notified me of the change.
We have probably made two dozen transaltantic crossing in the past fifteen years or so. One of my very mild irrations with food service is the tendency to drag it out forever just to killing time. Not a problem with US Air. Shortly after airborne the announcement came that they would charge for everything except soda and water -- not unexpected. The beverage came by I ask for water. That is what exactly what I received. A short plastic cup and a couple glugs for a luke warm water bottle. She was so quick that when I realized how warm the water was and asked for ice she was serving the row behind. The response to the ice request was in minute --- it never came.
After fifteen minutes later I was asked if I wanted chicken or pasta. A card box was quickly produced with a relative marginal portion of pasta. It went well with the half glass of warm water that I was nursing. Another 15 minutes or so and someone came by with a trash bag and picked up everything. That was it. The interior lights were turned off. No addition beverage service or anything. At least no one bother my sleep and it may have been the longest sleep period I ever had on a flight.
Less than hour prior to landing, the lights came up and they very quickly distributed a single cellophane package containing a log shaped cake donut and coffee. Cannot say for sure what it was because I didn't open it.
The return trip from Zurich to Philly was not much different except the chicken in the box lunch was slightly better than the pasta and I remembered to ask for ice with the water. And I got it. And there was a second run of the beverage cart midway through the flight.
When we checked in at Zurich we could not get boarding passes for the Philly to Denver leg. When we finally got our boarding passes in Philly we found ourselves in separate middle seats. I complained and showed our reservation indicating two adjouning seats, I was told there was nothing that could be done, the plane was full, and there must have been an equipment which is my our seats was cancelled. I continued my complaining with I got to the boarding gate and did get moved to an asile seat but my wife was still stuck in a middle seat. The plane was full and it was the same type of plane list on our reservation. I guess they much have had an equipment change back to the original equipment.
I know the service levels have declined and I don't except the same treatment as we have received in past years but the US Air was at the bottom.
The Philly airport is a whole another story for another time.
Will be on British Air flight to London in Sept so will see if BA's service level has sunk. It has been two years since I was on BA.
Jul 8th, 2007, 07:20 AM
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You should have been notified of the schedule changes, but in this day of traveling, it's prudent to check your itineraries regularly before your trip.
They screwed up on the seats for your return domestic. That's clear.
Service seems kind of normal to me. Alcoholic drinks usually cost money on US carriers, and water usually don't come with ice. For E. Coast to Europe flight, it's really the proper thing to get meal service finished ASAP so people can go to sleep and a super quick breakfast before arrivals. Water don't come with ice unless asked.
But most importantly, you were stranded anywhere, and you got to your destinations. So, sorry, but if you say you'll never fly them again, you may never fly a lot of airlines either.
They screwed up on the seats for your return domestic. That's clear.
Service seems kind of normal to me. Alcoholic drinks usually cost money on US carriers, and water usually don't come with ice. For E. Coast to Europe flight, it's really the proper thing to get meal service finished ASAP so people can go to sleep and a super quick breakfast before arrivals. Water don't come with ice unless asked.
But most importantly, you were stranded anywhere, and you got to your destinations. So, sorry, but if you say you'll never fly them again, you may never fly a lot of airlines either.
Jul 8th, 2007, 12:42 PM
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Oh, British Airways...
That's the airline that had problems with its caterer in 2005 and served no food on many trans-Atlantic flights?
The same one that canceled all UK domestic flights out of Heathrow for almost a whole week just before Christmas 2006 due to fog, when all other airlines operate normally out of all London airports?
The same that is having a baggage meltdown the last few days?
news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=1060332007
That's the airline that had problems with its caterer in 2005 and served no food on many trans-Atlantic flights?
The same one that canceled all UK domestic flights out of Heathrow for almost a whole week just before Christmas 2006 due to fog, when all other airlines operate normally out of all London airports?
The same that is having a baggage meltdown the last few days?
news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=1060332007
Jul 8th, 2007, 05:36 PM
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rkkwan --- Service seems kind of normal to me. ----
Your kidding !!! right !!! Just how many international flights have you been on? I can get close to 30 real quick and probably a few more if I did some counting. Will admit that the service has been declining but US Air was rock bottom. Come on, I have never had to ask for ice on an US based airline. Obviously your standards and mine for expected airline services are a bit different. And I will cross my fingers for British Air. They were fine three years and Luftsan was very good last year.
Your kidding !!! right !!! Just how many international flights have you been on? I can get close to 30 real quick and probably a few more if I did some counting. Will admit that the service has been declining but US Air was rock bottom. Come on, I have never had to ask for ice on an US based airline. Obviously your standards and mine for expected airline services are a bit different. And I will cross my fingers for British Air. They were fine three years and Luftsan was very good last year.
Jul 8th, 2007, 05:49 PM
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In my experience:
Water don't come with ice on Continental either. Soft drinks/soda do.
In Europe, soft drinks/soda don't necessarily come with ice. You have to ask or they'll ask you.
I am sorry, but I really don't see any serious service problems on your flights. FAs often forget to bring you stuff. Don't just sit there. Go ask.
Water don't come with ice on Continental either. Soft drinks/soda do.
In Europe, soft drinks/soda don't necessarily come with ice. You have to ask or they'll ask you.
I am sorry, but I really don't see any serious service problems on your flights. FAs often forget to bring you stuff. Don't just sit there. Go ask.
Jul 8th, 2007, 06:01 PM
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rkkwan, you must be an US Air employee. I will go back to the op. US Air was ranked dead last by CReport. From my recent experience, the ranking is earned. By the way, I missed how many international flights your have flown.
Jul 8th, 2007, 06:11 PM
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I have only flown USAirways a couple of times, and I certainly don't work for them. I hardly ever recommend them to people I know.
But I'm just commenting, based on your story. The inflight service just doesn't sound that bad to me and not that much different from many other airlines - US-based on otherwise. No, it's definitely not great service, and I definitely didn't say that.
Anyways, that's strictly my opinion. Which is that some travelers need to lower their expectations.
You can see the routes I've flown on my.flightmemory.com/rkkwan
I've not flown as many trans-Atlantic flights as you have.
But I'm just commenting, based on your story. The inflight service just doesn't sound that bad to me and not that much different from many other airlines - US-based on otherwise. No, it's definitely not great service, and I definitely didn't say that.
Anyways, that's strictly my opinion. Which is that some travelers need to lower their expectations.
You can see the routes I've flown on my.flightmemory.com/rkkwan
I've not flown as many trans-Atlantic flights as you have.
Sep 13th, 2007, 10:51 PM
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We have flown Lufthansa to Germany twice and British Airways once. Food was quite nice on all the flights. But British Airways separated my husband and me on a translantic flight and the flight attendant said it was up to me to get someone to change with me. Who would opt for a middle seat between two strangers. No one in our large group would and I don't blame them. It is nice to sit with your own husband on a long flight. Our request originally had been two seats together (made a long time ago ...reservation). I find airline food so far quite nice and drinks overseas were free, orange juice and water offered frequently, wet towels to wash up beforehand (all this in coach).
Sep 14th, 2007, 03:52 AM
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fmpden is hardly the only person, or even the only poster here, who hates USAir. In addition to CU's findings, there was a NYT article someone else posted here in the last few weeks that also said USAir has gotten down to abysmal status.
(Sidenote: this business of pulling out number of flights taken to see whose list is longer is getting tedious, people. The implication is that only million-milers are qualified to say anything here -- and it does seem that there are a couple of "expert" posters who rarely ask, but always answer at great length. We can appreciate the help, but no need to browbeat others with how much flying you've done -- begs the question of why you have so much time otherwise in front of the computer. It's entirely possible that people who fly less often than you nonetheless have something valid to say.)
(Sidenote: this business of pulling out number of flights taken to see whose list is longer is getting tedious, people. The implication is that only million-milers are qualified to say anything here -- and it does seem that there are a couple of "expert" posters who rarely ask, but always answer at great length. We can appreciate the help, but no need to browbeat others with how much flying you've done -- begs the question of why you have so much time otherwise in front of the computer. It's entirely possible that people who fly less often than you nonetheless have something valid to say.)
