Ah, Delta Airlines, a company that promises seamless travel. Well, at least that’s what they say. In reality, my experience was a roller coaster ride, starting with a pleasant check-in and ending with a mishap that left me fuming.
I had requested a wheelchair assistance upon arrival at my destination, Boston. As I disembarked, the wheelchair attendant, instead of assisting me to baggage claim, demanded payment for his services. I was shocked! I was under the impression this was a complimentary service, especially since I always tip generously. This employee’s blatant attempt to extort money from a disabled passenger was unacceptable.
My daughter arrived to pick me up, and the attendant, unabashed, continued his demands, this time directing them at her. Feeling pressured, she paid, believing it was a new policy. I was left feeling robbed and completely betrayed by Delta’s lack of transparency.
First Class Fail: Splurging on a Nightmare
We decided to indulge in a first-class experience on our return flight. While the seats were roomy and comfortable, the flight crew arrived late, causing a major delay. This resulted in a domino effect, forcing countless passengers to scramble for connecting flights. I felt terrible for them, especially those with tight connections.
The problems didn’t stop there. After checking four bags, we retrieved three from baggage claim. The fourth bag was missing. Online assistance was unhelpful, leaving us stranded at the baggage claim for nearly two hours. Finally, after countless calls and inquiries, they found the missing bag, but only after we drove back to the airport to retrieve it.
This “first-class” experience was anything but. We were subjected to subpar service, a delay, and the stress of a missing bag. I can safely say, this was the last time I’ll be splurging on first class with Delta. Their service, despite the exorbitant price tag, was disappointing, and honestly, I’m not a big fan of Delta in general. We only fly with them because of family in Atlanta. What should have been a relaxing flight turned into a stressful nightmare due to the flight crew’s tardiness and their incompetence in handling our luggage.
Norse Atlantic: A Budget Airline’s Nightmare
I travel extensively, but Norse Atlantic Airways was hands down the worst airline I’ve ever experienced. Right from the start, they forced me to check my carry-on duffle bag, claiming it was not a “personal item” despite fitting under the seat. They charged me a whopping €125 for the duffle bag and another €125 for my wife’s checked bag, a total of €250 for two bags. This was a blatant RIP-OFF!
The flight was riddled with issues. A handicap gentleman was subjected to harassment when he tried to board with his scooter, a device that had been previously approved. After a lengthy debate, they finally realized their mistake, but the entire process was humiliating and stressful for him.
And that’s not all. This airline charges for EVERYTHING: water, snacks, blankets – even water! On an international flight! People were literally lining up to the bathroom to refill their water bottles. The cabin temperature was freezing, as if they intentionally turned up the AC to encourage blanket sales. Passengers were forced to change into layers or suffer through the 8.5-hour flight.
To top it all off, they turned on the lights for a “duty-free” sales pitch on a red-eye flight. Imagine the annoyance of being woken up in the middle of the night to be bombarded with sales pitches.
I would never fly Norse Atlantic Airways again, even if they paid me. Their business model is cheap and unreliable, and their treatment of passengers is unacceptable.
An Awful Flight With a Rude Passenger: My Worst Experience with Norwegian Air
The boarding process was a chaotic mess, leading to unnecessary stress. The airline prides itself on their “more legroom” economy seats, but that was only true if you could ignore the passengers behind you.
The passenger behind us aggressively complained about our reclining seats and rudely shook our chair. We immediately called the flight attendants to de-escalate the situation, but they did nothing. The harassment continued throughout the eight-hour flight.
This is a clear example of how Norwegian Air’s business model fails to accommodate the comfort and safety of its passengers. If they advertise “more legroom” and “reclining seats,” they should also train their staff to handle these situations professionally and ensure a safe and comfortable experience for everyone. They need to take responsibility for promoting a business model that leads to conflict between passengers and provide better training for their flight attendants.