My recent Delta flight was a mixed bag of experiences. The journey itself was smooth, from the initial check-in to the arrival. But my troubles began when I requested a wheelchair assistance upon landing in Boston. The wheelchair attendant, instead of providing the expected free service, demanded payment. I was taken aback, as I’ve always understood this to be a complimentary service, and I typically tip generously.
The attendant’s insistence on payment left me frustrated, and when my daughter arrived to pick me up, he turned his attention to her, demanding payment from her as well. My daughter, unsure of the policy, reluctantly paid. It was a frustrating experience, leaving me with a negative perception of the service.
First Class Flight, Second Class Service
We decided to splurge on a first-class flight, hoping for a luxurious experience. The seats were spacious and comfortable, but our flight was delayed due to the late arrival of the flight crew. This unfortunate incident resulted in many passengers scrambling to catch connecting flights. We couldn’t help but feel sorry for them, especially considering their potential missed connections.
Adding insult to injury, one of our four checked bags went missing! Delta’s online support was unhelpful, and while the baggage claim staff were kind and empathetic, it took nearly two hours to locate the missing luggage. It was eventually found, but we had to drive back to the airport to retrieve it, further adding to the stress of the trip. This experience made us rethink the value of first-class travel, and I’m not sure we’ll be splurging on it anytime soon.
Disappointing Journey: From Paris to Mumbai
The first leg of our journey from DC to Paris was exceptional, with a friendly and attentive crew. However, the Paris to Mumbai leg was a far cry from what we expected. The flight was jam-packed, leaving little room for personal belongings in the overhead compartments.
The crew was unresponsive to passenger requests, and one crew member even spilled water on me while serving a drink, offering no apology. It was a frustrating experience, especially considering the long flight duration. The lack of legroom combined with the overflowing flight made for a cramped and uncomfortable journey.
Unprofessional Check-In and Uncomfortable Flight
The agent checking in my luggage at the airport was displeasingly unhelpful. Despite knowing the weight limit was 23 kilograms, she insisted it was 50 pounds. When I corrected her, pointing out the 23 kilogram limit, she shockingly replied “No, it is 22 kilograms!” Her ignorance or lack of training was unsettling.
The boarding process was decent, though the inconsiderate passengers continued talking over the announcements, making it challenging to hear. During the flight, a teenage girl sitting behind me repeatedly pressed her feet against the back of my seat. Despite turning around multiple times to subtly signal her, she ignored my attempts. I decided to endure it, hoping to avoid a confrontation.
A Frustrating Cancellation
The second leg of my flight was unexpectedly canceled, leaving me stranded at the airport for the entire day. The flight, originally scheduled for the morning, was rebooked for the evening. For some fellow passengers, this was their second cancellation, as their original flight was supposed to depart the day before.
While the rebooking process was relatively quick, I was disappointed by the lack of explanation for the cancellation. The only compensation offered was a £10 voucher for airport food. Eventually, I arrived at my destination, but the cancellation made for one of the most frustrating travel experiences of my life.
A Boarding Pass Disaster
I didn’t even get to board my flight! British Airways had a system crash, causing a ripple effect that invalidated many boarding passes, including mine. This prevented me from boarding my connecting flight, even though I arrived well in advance.
When the shift changed, the new staff member accused us of being liars, claiming we were too late for our flight. However, I was an hour and ten minutes early for my connecting flight when my boarding pass was rejected. We waited for hours, only to end up booking a train home, which was a four-hour journey! The staff was unhelpful and the entire experience was a huge inconvenience. After months of travelling, this chaotic experience was the final straw, and I will avoid flying with British Airways in the future.
