Anyone flown with US Airways?

[ukeeyorelover]

Hi,

We're flying with US Airways in July. Never flown with them before. Just wondering if any1 has?

If so, what did you think? What was on the menu?

Thanks::MinnieMo ::MickeyMo

[martina857]

They are a good airline, they fly into Charlotte and Phillie (I think) I always fly to Charlotte then its a short hop down. Don't really remember the food as I tend not to eat on planes. The plane itself was an Airbus, lots of room (comparativly) and great entertainment, you get to pause rewind films etc. and a great choice.
Highly recommended!
Martina

[vernon]

IMHO USAirways is one of the better American carriers. The food and service are reasonably good. Their fleet is mostly relatively new planes, although they do still run some older planes that have a pulldown screen at the front of the section as opposed to individual screens and controls. Charlotte is, IMHO, the easier airport to connect through, but Philadelphia isn't too bad either.

[juliebro]

Flown indirect thru Philly three times with US Air. They were really good. Be aware that they (like all US scheduled airlines) overbook their flights at busy times on the assumption that some passsengers will not turn up for the flight. They then ask for volunteers to be 'bumped'. The compensation is very good - if your plans are flexible.

Julie

ps Their Envoy Class and First Class are excellent - especially the food!

[onlyholly]

We're flying US Air in August and just wondered if you volunteered to be bumped or did they ask you.

Is it worth mentioning to check-in, and do you actually use the term 'Bump'. Do they 'bump' on both legs, wouldn't fancy being delayed going out.

Is three hours enough time to check in before departure ?

I also read somewhere that the leg room in economy, from the wings towards the front, is a couple of inches greater than from the wings to the back of the plane. Which seats did you have ?

Sorry to bombard you with so many questions.

Thanks
Holly

[juliebro]

Holly,

The first time we were bumped (which was on our second trip), they asked us. It was on the way out. At first we said no, but the offer was so good, that we changed our mind and said yes. You only actually find out if you are going to be bumped once all the passengers are boarding. It's only then that they know how many passengers they actually have.

The term they use is 'volunteers'. When we were checking in at Manchester on our last trip, we saw that the screeens above the check-in desks were showing 'volunteers required'. We offered, and they said we were the only ones who had at that point. Once everyone was boarding, they came over to us at the gate and said they did need us to travel the next day.

We usually arrive at the airport about 3 1/2 hours before the flight. However on the last trip, when we arrived the queues were massive. The plane is large and does hold a lot of passengers and although there are usually 4 desks for economy check-in, everyone joins one long queue. It's fairer that way.

If you expect the flight to be busy (you can ring them and check a few days before), then I would advise arriving at least 3 1/2 hours before flight, especially if there are more than 2 of you and you want to sit together.

Re the seats, we have been mostly very lucky. On our first trip with US Air, I asked if it was possible to have extra legroom, and amazingly, they gave us bulkhead seats - loads of room. The internal flight seats can be a bit on the tight side, though. But the flights are reasonably short. On the return flight the first time, we couldn't get seats together and my husband ended up with a seat right at the back of the plane which wouldn't recline.

On the second trip we had been bumped, so it was Envoy Class - and fully-adjustable massive seats. Free champagne, fab food, etc

The trip back was a bit of a mixture. For some inexplicable reason, they upgraded us to first class on the internal leg. But the transatlantic flight was a nightmare though. We did have seats together but were sat next to a toddler and her dad. the toddler was crying and wriggling on and off all through the flight. Not the airline's fault though.

Third trip (in April) we volunteered again, and it was Envoy class again transatlantic, then (sheer luck again!) First class for the internal flight. Also, we had pre-arranged upgrades on the return trip.

The trouble is that we are quite spoilt now - and have got quite used to travelling in style! Just wish we had the means to do it all the time!

One minor point - I think the US Airways staff in the UK tend to be more helpful than their counterparts in the US. Some of the staff at Philly can be a bit off-hand. The air crew seem pleasant enough, though are usually older than the ones you would get on Virgin etc

Let me know if you want any more info. Their website is very good and gives you the layout of the aircraft etc, and you can even find out what films are showing.

Julie

[onlyholly]

for taking the time to answer all my questions. We wouldn't mind being 'bumped' on the way back. Not so sure about going out though, but saying that if the deal is hard to refuse maybe we'd change our minds. We've got a night at an Orlando Airport Hotel (not booked yet) before we head off to Marco Island the following day, so going 24 hours later would'nt make much difference I suppose - wouldn't be missing anything too exciting !

We have just 2 hours at Philly airport, do you think we have ample time to catch our connecting flight to Orlando ? We missed our flight at Washington last August but were upgraded to first class so no complaints there.

Thanks again for your valued info.

Holly
;)

[juliebro]

Holly

Two hours should be enough at Philly airport - but you won't have time to look around. It is a very big airport and you may have to walk quite a way between the gates - you also have to go through immigration and customs at Philly - but it does save time when you arrive at Orlando.

Who did you fly via Washington with? Was it BMI/United? If so, we are flying with them for the first time next March.

Julie

[onlyholly]

Thanks for the Philly Airport info - just as I thought.

Yes we did fly with BMI/United via Washington last August and it was a terrific flight - seat pitch greater than Virgin/BA, food good and the crew had smiles. We did have a couple of hours delay leaving Manchester for whatever reason which meant we missed our connection but that had nothing to do with the airlines. We would definately travel with them again. Air ticket prices always rule with us and US Air via Philly were the most competitive this time round.

Holly

[juliebro]

Holly,

Thanks. Know what you mean about flight prices. We wanted US Air when we go next March, but the prices were too high. BMI worked out much cheaper.

Have a great time.

Julie