Delta Airlines has a good reputation for smooth check-in and on-time arrivals. But my recent flight had a terrible twist. I requested a wheelchair assistance for my arrival in Boston. The wheelchair attendant, however, demanded payment for his service. I was shocked, as I thought this was a free service. I usually tip generously, but his insistent demand left me upset. My daughter arrived to pick me up and the attendant pressured her to pay as well, claiming the service was now chargeable.
This experience was disheartening, but what followed was a stressful ordeal. We decided to splurge on first class for a better experience, but the flight crew’s late arrival delayed the flight, impacting connecting passengers. Adding to the disappointment, we lost one of our checked bags. Delta’s online help was unhelpful, but the baggage claim staff were kind and understanding. We waited for nearly two hours, and the bag was finally found several hours later. This whole experience has put a damper on future first-class travel, and it’s hard to be a Delta loyalist when you’re facing such inconveniences.
Norse Atlantic: A Nightmare in the Sky
Norse Atlantic Airways is the worst airline I’ve ever encountered. From the very beginning, there was a constant barrage of fees. My carry-on duffel bag was deemed “not a personal item” even though it fit comfortably under the seat. I was forced to pay a hefty €125 for it and another €125 for my wife’s checked bag. Price gouging, plain and simple.
The problems continued on the flight itself. We were delayed for 45 minutes because the staff harassed a handicapped gentleman about his scooter, even though they had previously granted him permission to bring it onboard. They insisted it was battery operated even though it was not, and the passenger had all the necessary paperwork. The ordeal ended with the staff finally recognizing their mistake and allowing him to stow his scooter above his seat. But even that was a struggle, with his wife being forced to lift the heavy scooter for over a minute before the staff assisted.
The lack of basic amenities added insult to injury. Norse Atlantic charged for everything, from water to snacks to blankets. I’m talking about an international flight where even water is a paid extra. Passengers were seen lining up at the bathroom sinks to fill their empty water bottles! To top it off, the cabin was frigid, as if they were purposely making it freezing to force people to buy blankets for €7. Passengers were wearing layers in the bathroom or rummaging through their checked bags for warmer clothes.
A Reclining Seat Nightmare: Disorganized Boarding and Uncooperative Staff
The boarding process was disorganized, causing unnecessary stress. The airline’s model is to offer tight spaces but reclining seats to promote sleep in economy class. Unfortunately, the passenger behind us didn’t understand this and started shaking our seat, accusing us of reclining too much. We brought in the flight attendants to mediate the situation but they were unhelpful. The passenger continued to harass my wife throughout the entire eight-hour flight. This incident highlights the airline’s failure to properly educate passengers on their seating policy and properly train their staff to deal with such conflicts.
