Let’s face it, most of us love a smooth flight. Delta usually delivers, but my recent trip had a few bumps in the road. From check-in to arrival, things were running like clockwork. However, a terrible experience involving a wheelchair assistant soured the whole trip. I requested a wheelchair to help me get from the plane to baggage claim in Boston. To my shock, the wheelchair attendant demanded payment for his services.
I was under the impression that wheelchair assistance was a complimentary service. I always tip generously, but this felt like an outright demand for payment. I refused, expressing my displeasure at being forced to pay for something I thought was included. My daughter came to pick me up and the attendant, seeing another potential customer, repeated his demand. This time, my daughter paid, fearing the service was now a paid option.
First Class Flight with First-Rate Problems
This trip started with a splurge: flying first class! The seats were spacious and comfortable, a welcome change from the usual cramped conditions. But our journey took a turn for the worse when the flight crew arrived late. This meant a delay, impacting other passengers who were trying to make connecting flights. I felt awful for them, especially since we had our own woes.
We checked four bags, but only three made it to the carousel. The fourth bag vanished! Delta’s online help was unhelpful. The baggage claim staff were kind and sympathetic, but after waiting two hours, the missing bag was still MIA. Fortunately, Delta found it a few hours later, but we had to drive back to the airport to retrieve it. This experience made me rethink any future first-class plans. We definitely got worse service despite the extra cost. Frankly, I’m not a huge fan of Delta, but we have family in Atlanta, limiting our options. What should have been a simple flight turned into a stressful ordeal due to tardy crew and missing luggage.
Norse Atlantic Airways: A Nightmare from Takeoff to Landing
My worst airline experience ever? Norse Atlantic Airways takes the cake. From the moment I stepped on board, I knew I was in for a bumpy ride. They made me check my carry-on duffel bag, claiming my backpack wasn’t a “personal item.” My backpack fits comfortably under the seat, making it a true personal item! They charged me a whopping €125 for the duffel and €125 for my wife’s checked bag – a total of €250 for two bags! I was shocked by the rip-off pricing.
On the flight, our journey was delayed by 45 minutes because the flight attendants were giving a wheelchair user a hard time about his scooter, even though they had previously given him permission to bring it on board. The gentleman, visibly upset, stressed that this had never been an issue before. After a long and unnecessary argument, they finally realized their mistake: the scooter wasn’t battery-operated, and he had all the necessary paperwork. They reluctantly allowed him to stow the scooter above his seat. They even watched his wife struggle to lift it for over a minute before offering to help!
Get ready to pay for EVERYTHING on Norse Atlantic. Water, snacks, blankets – everything comes with a hefty price tag. Even water! On an international flight! People were lining up to use the bathroom sinks just to refill their empty water bottles. The temperature on the plane was freezing, as if they intentionally cranked up the air conditioning to force passengers to buy the €7 blankets. People were changing into layers in the bathroom and digging through their checked bags for warmer clothes. Those without extra layers or checked bags endured an agonizing 8.5-hour flight from Rome to JFK. To add insult to injury, they turned on the lights (during a red-eye flight) so they could sell “duty-free” items. This caused a stir among the passengers who were just trying to get some sleep before landing. I wouldn’t fly Norse Atlantic Airways again even if they paid me.
A Flight of Discomfort: Reclining Chairs and Harassment
The boarding process was chaos, adding unnecessary stress. Norse Atlantic advertises tight spaces with reclining seats to improve comfort for economy passengers. Unfortunately, the passenger behind us didn’t understand this concept. He shook our seats, complaining that we were reclining too much. We immediately called over the flight attendants to mediate and de-escalate the situation, but they failed to intervene. This passenger continued to harass my wife for the entire eight-hour flight. Norse Atlantic should train their staff better to manage these situations, especially since they tout their reclining seats as a key feature. This airline needs to improve its customer service and communication skills. Passengers like us, who carefully consider legroom and seat recline before booking flights, shouldn’t have to endure such a stressful and uncomfortable experience.
