Let’s dive into a recent travel experience, one that started out wonderfully but took a sharp turn for the worse! A Delta flight from check-in to landing was a dream come true, but then things took a nasty turn.
The wheelchair situation was the real kicker. After requesting assistance, the employee at Boston airport told me I had to pay for the service. This was a shock as I always assumed it was complimentary, and usually tip generously for good service. Feeling frustrated, I refused to pay. To my dismay, the employee then insisted on payment from my daughter when she arrived, claiming it was a new policy. Sadly, she paid him thinking it was a legitimate charge.
Splurging on First Class: A Mixed Bag of Experiences
To escape the regular economy hassles, we decided to splurge on first class. The seats were spacious, offering a comfortable journey. However, the flight crew’s late arrival caused a ripple effect, delaying our flight and leaving many passengers scrambling to catch connecting flights. We felt for them, as everyone was rushing to make their connections.
Baggage woes added to the stress. Out of four checked bags, one mysteriously vanished. The online help offered by Delta was less than helpful, but the baggage claim staff were incredibly kind and sympathetic. Unfortunately, it took almost two hours before our lost bag was found, and we had to make a return trip to the airport to retrieve it. This experience made me reconsider future splurges on first class, as the service wasn’t worth the extra cost.
Norse Atlantic: A Nightmare of a Flight Experience
Now, let me tell you about my experience with Norse Atlantic, an airline that quickly earned a spot as the worst I’ve ever flown with. It all started with the carry-on baggage fiasco. They insisted on checking my duffel bag, which fits perfectly under the seat and qualifies as a personal item. They then charged a whopping $125€ for the duffel and another $125€ for my wife’s checked bag!
Things didn’t improve once we boarded. A delay of 45 minutes ensued when the flight attendants gave a handicap passenger a hard time about his scooter, despite already giving him permission to bring it on board. They refused to believe it wasn’t battery-operated even after he provided the necessary paperwork. It was only after a long discussion that they relented, allowing him to store the scooter above his seat. Their lack of understanding and empathy was appalling.
A Flight Filled with Extortionate Costs and Uncomfortable Conditions
Adding insult to injury, everything on board was for purchase, even basic necessities like water, snacks, and blankets. Yes, you read that right – WATER. On an international flight, not even a single complimentary item was offered. This led to passengers lining up at the bathroom to fill their water bottles!
The cabin temperature was ridiculously cold, as if the airline intentionally jacked up the air conditioning to encourage blanket purchases. Passengers were resorting to changing layers in the bathroom or rummaging through their checked bags to find warmer clothes. Those without extra layers endured hours of discomfort.
The timing of turning on the lights was another head-scratcher. They decided to switch them on during the red-eye flight to sell duty-free items. Passengers grumbled about this during the wait to deplane and pass through customs.
This entire experience with Norse Atlantic left me with a firm conviction – I wouldn’t fly with them again even if they paid me.
Disorganized Boarding and Unresponsive Flight Attendants
The boarding process was another chaotic element. It was disorganized and added unnecessary stress to the already long journey. The airline promotes its reclining seats as a feature for comfortable sleeping in economy, but the passenger behind us didn’t seem to understand the concept. He kept shaking our chair, complaining that we were reclining too much. We requested the flight attendants to step in and de-escalate the situation, but they failed to offer any assistance. The passenger continued harassing my wife for the entire 8-hour flight.
The airline should definitely improve their flight attendant training to address these issues and better manage their business model, especially regarding reclining seats. They should do a better job of explaining their policies and ensuring passenger safety and comfort.
