Delta Airlines provided a pleasant travel experience right from check-in until landing, leaving me feeling optimistic about the trip. However, my elation was short-lived. A jarring incident unfolded during the wheelchair assistance process. Upon disembarking in Boston, the wheelchair attendant demanded payment for helping me reach baggage claim. I was stunned, as I had always assumed this was a complimentary service, offering tips out of courtesy. His forceful demand left me upset, and when my daughter arrived to pick me up, he repeated his request, this time successfully extracting payment from her. I was left wondering if this was a new, unwelcome policy.
First Class Fail: When Splurging Goes Wrong
Our decision to splurge on first-class seats yielded spacious comfort, providing a welcome respite from the usual cramped quarters. But the joy of a comfortable ride was marred by a disappointing delay, caused by the flight crew’s late arrival. The delays, coupled with the loss of one of our checked bags, left me questioning the value of our first-class investment. While Delta’s online support proved unhelpful, the baggage claim staff displayed genuine empathy and assistance, but finding our misplaced luggage took almost two hours. Despite the eventual retrieval, the experience was undeniably stressful, casting a shadow on our journey. This experience has certainly dampened my enthusiasm for future first-class flights.
Norse Atlantic: A Nightmare from Start to Finish
Norse Atlantic Airways has easily earned the title of the worst airline I’ve encountered, and that’s saying something considering the sheer volume of my travel experiences. My carry-on bag, a perfectly acceptable duffle bag, was deemed unsuitable and forced me to cough up an exorbitant €125 for a checked bag. The same fate befell my wife’s luggage, resulting in a total of €250 for two bags. This ludicrous pricing scheme is nothing short of a rip-off.
The in-flight experience was just as unpleasant. An unnecessary delay occurred due to a heated exchange between airline staff and a disabled passenger who was attempting to board with his scooter. Despite possessing the required paperwork and having previously been granted permission, the airline staff inexplicably created a scene, ultimately forcing the passenger to endure an excruciating 45-minute delay.
And if that weren’t enough, the airline’s business model revolves around charging for every single necessity. Even water! This is unheard of, especially on an international flight. Passengers were seen lining up to fill empty water bottles in bathroom sinks, highlighting the blatant disregard for basic passenger comfort. To add insult to injury, the aircraft was frigidly cold, seemingly intentional to force passengers to purchase overpriced €7 blankets. The airline’s blatant disregard for passenger well-being is truly shocking. I would not fly Norse Atlantic again, even if they paid me.
A Disorganized Boarding and A Harassment Nightmare
The boarding process for our Norse Atlantic flight was chaotic and disorganized, contributing to an already stressful atmosphere. The airline boasts of spacious seats with increased recline, aiming to enhance passenger comfort. However, the passenger behind us failed to grasp the concept of respecting personal space and proceeded to aggressively shake our seat complaining about our recline. Despite our efforts to address the situation and request mediation from the flight attendants, they failed to intervene. The harassing behavior continued for the entire eight-hour flight, creating an utterly unbearable experience. The airline’s lack of proper training and its inability to effectively handle such situations leaves passengers feeling vulnerable and unprotected. This unfortunate experience has left me with a profound sense of disillusionment with Norse Atlantic Airways.
