The last time I flew the 8 hour flight from Atlanta to london, I thought I had a very good deal pricewise. My ticket was $60 US below all the others, and $80 below British Airways. I wish I had paid the $80.
First I was rushed through check in, even though I was over an hour early. Then I got to watch the other airlines leaving for my destination, while mine was delayed over an hour. They merely announced it, and offered no recompense, nor did they make any attempt to call our connections for us. My connection was with them, so I approached the counter and was told it would be sorted at that end, and was dismissed. The delay then stretched out another half hour.
When finally the flight was ready to board, they rushed us through rather like livestock. I barely had enough time to walk down the aisle, frantically look for my seat designation, and stow my carry on luggage. Because of the knock-on effect of the airline’s delays, we ended up sitting there yet another half hour before we could take off. No apologies or refreshments while waiting were offered. A nearby passenger asked, and was told that it was not the correct time.
I missed my connection, and was told that I should have had them call. I explained. I discovered that I now had a 4 hour wait to catch a flight to London on their airline. I asked about a partner airline, or could I trade for another airline as I had now been severely delayed. I was refused. Again, no offer of refreshment was offered, and I later found under compensation rules for airline delays this is not in the least acceptable in either case. The four hours went by, and I was now not only hungry, but tired. It began to rain. This began a delay on departing flights. Now I had to wait a further two hours. They kept us waiting at the gate, telling us not to leave as departure was ’’imminent’’. I would hardly call two hours imminent. Finally we got to board the plane. Again the cattle herding took place. We sat at the gate another hour waiting for clearance. Again no explanation or offer of refreshment.
During the actual 9 hour flight time from the US to the UK, I became aware of how uncomfortable the seats on this airline were. I am a very tiny person, and I found the seat to be very snug. I should have worn trousers with a padded seat, as their seat pad was not very thick, and I could feel a metal bar running sideways beneath it.I had less than 2 inches between my knees and the seat before me. I felt sorry for the normal human sized passenger. If a person the size of the average 11 year old finds this confining and uncomfortable, what about the averaged sized human?
The food when served was very tasty, but rushed. And you were limited to refreshments during the ’’appropriate times’’ and there was a limitation on snacks. You were allowed 2 bags in total. Yes, on a 9 hour flight.
I came off that flight incredibly exhausted and vowed never to fly international with US Air ever again. Especially since that bar left a mark through the pad on my skin. Seriously. not to mention the original 8 hours it usually took had turned to over 20.