This is it, the truth about my recent travels. I’ve experienced both the highs and lows of air travel, and let me tell you, it’s been quite the adventure. From pleasant flights with friendly crews to frustrating delays and downright awful customer service, I’ve seen it all.
Delta: A Mixed Bag
My Delta flight from Boston to Atlanta started off well enough. The check-in process was smooth, and the flight itself was enjoyable. However, my experience with wheelchair assistance at the airport left me feeling quite disappointed. The attendant who was supposed to help me from the plane to baggage claim demanded payment for his services. I was under the impression that this was a free service and typically tip for good service. However, his forceful insistence on payment left me upset, especially when he demanded payment from my daughter after I refused.
We decided to splurge on first-class tickets for this particular trip, hoping for a comfortable journey. The seats were spacious, but our flight was delayed due to the crew arriving late. This caused a cascade of problems for other passengers who had connecting flights to catch. We checked four bags and were dismayed to find that one of them was missing. The Delta online help system was unhelpful, and we waited for nearly two hours at baggage claim before it was found. This entire experience has left me hesitant to splurge on first class again.
A Flight to Forget: Paris to Mumbai
The first leg of my flight from Washington D.C. to Paris was pleasant, with attentive and friendly staff. However, the second leg from Paris to Mumbai was a disaster. The plane was crammed full, leaving no space in the overhead compartments for luggage. The crew was unresponsive to passenger calls, and one crew member spilled water on me while serving a drink and was completely unapologetic. With such a long flight and limited legroom, the airline shouldn’t be overbooking flights to the point where it impacts the comfort and experience of its passengers. The long lines for restrooms also added to the misery. This second half of the journey was a pathetic experience.
A Disappointing Encounter with American Airlines
My experience with American Airlines was equally frustrating. The check-in agent was unprofessional and seemed poorly trained, refusing to acknowledge the correct baggage weight allowance. I was baffled by her insistence on 22 kg instead of the advertised 23 kg. The boarding process was alright, although inconsiderate passengers continued to talk loudly during announcements. During the flight, the teenager behind me kept pressing her feet against my chair despite me turning around multiple times. I decided to avoid making a scene and simply tried to lean forward to minimize the discomfort.
Unexpected Delays and Frustrating Compensation
The second leg of my flight was unexpectedly canceled, leaving me stranded at the airport for the entire day. Instead of flying out in the morning, I ended up leaving in the evening. For some of my fellow passengers, this was their second cancellation, as their original flight was supposed to depart the day before. While rebooking was quick, I would have preferred to be on an earlier flight. The compensation offered was a £10 voucher for airport food, which felt inadequate considering the inconvenience. Despite eventually arriving at my destination, this canceled flight has left me with one of my most frustrating travel memories.
BA: A Flight Never Taken
My journey with British Airways was a complete disaster. Their system crashed, leaving me unable to board my connecting flight despite arriving on time. A shift change led to the new staff member accusing us of being liars and claiming we would be too late for our flight. Despite being an hour and ten minutes early, we were denied access to the gate. After waiting for three hours, we were forced to book a train home, which took an additional four hours. The staff were unhelpful, and the entire experience was a huge inconvenience. It’s safe to say I won’t be flying with BA again.
