It’s always exciting to embark on a journey, and my recent Delta flight was no exception. From check-in to arrival, everything went smoothly. The flight was comfortable, and the crew was friendly, making the journey enjoyable. However, a jarring incident marred my otherwise positive experience.
Upon disembarking in Boston, I requested a wheelchair to assist me to baggage claim. A wheelchair attendant approached me, and to my surprise, he demanded payment for his services. I was under the impression that wheelchair assistance was complimentary, as I’ve always tipped generously for such services in the past. Feeling taken aback by his unexpected request, I declined his offer. To my dismay, when my daughter arrived to collect me, he repeated his demand for payment, this time to her. Feeling pressured, she reluctantly paid, assuming perhaps there had been a recent change in policy. This unpleasant encounter left me feeling deeply disappointed and frustrated.
Splurging on First Class, But First Class Frustration
We decided to treat ourselves to a first-class experience on our subsequent flight. The generous legroom was a welcome perk, but the flight crew’s late arrival at the airport led to a frustrating delay. Many passengers faced the stressful task of rebooking connecting flights, which saddened me. To add to the ordeal, one of our four checked bags went missing. While Delta’s online help wasn’t particularly useful, the baggage claim staff were kind and sympathetic. After a long two-hour wait, we finally located our lost bag and had to drive back to the airport to retrieve it. It was a stressful experience that left me questioning the value of splurging on first class.
A Nightmare Flight with Norse Atlantic Airways
I travel frequently, but Norse Atlantic Airways is hands down the worst airline I’ve ever encountered. From the moment we arrived, things went downhill. They insistently made me check my carry-on duffel bag, despite it fitting comfortably under the seat. They claimed my backpack wasn’t a “personal item” and charged an exorbitant €125 for each bag, a total of €250 for two bags! This felt like a complete rip-off!
The flight itself was plagued with issues. We faced a 45-minute delay due to an unnecessary and disrespectful confrontation with a handicapped gentleman and his scooter. The airline had initially granted him permission to bring the scooter onboard, but they later changed their minds, causing unnecessary stress and delay. After a lengthy and heated discussion, they finally realized their mistake and allowed him to stow the scooter above his seat, which his wife struggled to maneuver for over a minute before they finally helped her.
But that was just the beginning of the woes. Everything on this airline is for purchase, including water, snacks, and even blankets! Imagine an international flight with no free water! Passengers were seen lining up to refill their empty water bottles at the bathroom sink. The aircraft was frigidly cold, as if they intentionally cranked up the air conditioning to encourage passengers to buy overpriced €7 blankets. People resorted to changing into layers in the bathroom and digging through their carry-on luggage for warmer clothes. Those who had checked their bags or didn’t pack layers had to endure an agonizing 8.5-hour flight from Rome to JFK.
And to top it all off, they turned on the lights in the middle of the night (a red-eye flight), just so they could walk down the aisle with their “duty-free” items for sale. The timing was appalling and caused a heated debate amongst passengers. I wouldn’t fly with Norse Atlantic Airways again, even if they paid me.
A Flight From Hell: Disorganized Boarding and An Uncooperative Flight Attendant
The boarding process was completely disorganized, adding unnecessary stress to our journey. Norse Atlantic Airways boasts of tight spaces but seats that recline further for better sleep in economy class. Unfortunately, the passenger behind us didn’t understand the concept and aggressively shook our seat, claiming we were reclining too much. We promptly requested the assistance of a flight attendant to mediate the situation, but they offered no help. The passenger continued to harass my wife for the entire eight-hour flight. The airline should provide better training to their staff, especially considering their business model and the importance of reclining seats for passengers like us who consider this factor when choosing an airline.
