Delta’s flight from Boston to Atlanta started great, but the journey took a turn for the worse. The initial check-in process was smooth, and the flight itself was comfortable. But my positive experience was quickly shattered upon arrival.
My request for wheelchair assistance was met with an infuriating demand for payment. Despite my belief that this service was complimentary, the employee insisted on charging me. When I refused, he pressured my daughter, who was there to pick me up, into paying. It was a terrible experience, leaving me feeling cheated and frustrated.
Splurging on First Class, But Second Class Service?
We decided to treat ourselves to the luxury of first class. The spacious seats were a welcome change, but the flight crew’s late arrival caused a substantial delay, forcing many passengers to scramble for connecting flights. We felt terrible for those affected by the inconvenience.
Our experience wasn’t limited to the flight itself. We checked four bags, but only three made it to the baggage carousel. Despite the helpful and compassionate staff, we spent nearly two hours searching for our missing bag. It was eventually located several hours later, forcing us to drive back to the airport to retrieve it. This added stress and inconvenience significantly diminished our enjoyment of the trip.
Our “splurge” on first class ultimately felt like a downgrade. I’m not sure we’ll be opting for first class on Delta anytime soon, especially considering their baggage handling issues.
Norse Atlantic: A Flight to Forget
Norse Atlantic Airways takes the crown for worst airline I’ve ever flown with – and I’ve flown a lot.
From the very beginning, I encountered unreasonable demands. They insisted I check my carry-on duffel bag despite it fitting perfectly under the seat. Not only was this a surprise, but the cost was outrageous: $125€ for the duffel and an additional $125€ for my wife’s checked bag, a total of $250€ for two bags. That’s a price that stings!
But the problems didn’t end there. A disabled gentleman was unjustly hassled over his scooter, which he was already approved to bring on board. After a long, frustrating discussion, the airline finally recognized their error and allowed him to stow the scooter above his seat. But the whole ordeal was unnecessarily stressful and caused significant delays.
And then there’s the matter of the airline’s exorbitant fees. Every single thing is for purchase, from water to snacks to blankets. Yes, you read that right: WATER. On an international flight, you’re expected to pay for even a sip of water. Passengers were resorting to filling empty water bottles in the bathroom sink, a situation I’ve never encountered before.
The air temperature was also a source of discomfort. It felt as though they intentionally cranked up the air conditioning to encourage passengers to buy their $7€ blankets. This led to several passengers changing into layers in the bathroom and digging through their luggage for warmer clothes. Those without additional layers had to endure the freezing temperatures for the entire 8.5-hour flight.
And to top it off, the lights were turned on during the red-eye flight just so the crew could sell duty-free items. This sparked heated debates among passengers waiting to disembark.
Norse Atlantic Airways was an uncomfortable and unpleasant travel experience from start to finish. I wouldn’t recommend this airline to anyone.
Disorganized Boarding and Unhelpful Flight Attendants
The boarding process was chaotic and disorganized, creating unnecessary stress before the flight even took off.
The airline advertises spacious seats with extra recline for economy passengers, but this led to conflict. The passenger behind us took issue with our reclining seats, despite the airline’s commitment to increased recline. He harassed my wife throughout the entire flight, refusing to respect the airline’s advertised comfort features.
We appealed to the flight attendants for help in mediating the situation, but their response was disappointing. They failed to de-escalate the situation and failed to address the passenger’s harassing behavior. This is a clear example of the airline falling short on its promise of a comfortable and safe flight.
If Norse Atlantic Airways truly wants to prioritize passenger comfort and provide the amenities advertised, they must train their staff better. Their failure to handle this situation adequately created a hostile environment and significantly marred our travel experience.
