America West Airlines?

[TimNDansMom]

Has anyone flown with this Airline before? Especially on a longer flight?

I'm considering it from Detroit to John Wayne Airport and would appreciate any information or comments. It's quoting the cheapest fare I've found so far, for July.

 

[icekdz]

I have flown Am West Chicago to Phoenix and Chicago to Las Vegas. Dh says the planes are usually A320 (airbus) and are newer. In 2002 he flew every single week Chicago to Las Vegas. We have always been satisfied. Good service. Great to work with. I'd not hesitate to book an America West flight. In fact we are flying America West in three weeks to Orange County Airport.

 

[lap3]

If it's a direct flight, then I would consider it. If not, I would think twice about it. The 2 times I've flown with them, we were either late on arrival, we missed the connecting flight on their part, or a combination of the two. Mind you, on both flights, there was no inclement weather, no freaks of nature, or acts of God that prohibited the delay of the flight. For whatever reason, we were late. Even worse, my DW and I had our 2 infants with us. So, we had to carry them plus the strollers and carry-on baggage while running through the terminals. Believe me, we were not very happy. We got a great deal but were not happy at all. When we got back, I did a search and come to discover that America West had the worst rating for on-time arrival! I would suggest looking into other airlines...

Again, this is just my experience. Others may post otherwise but this is what I tell everyone that mentions "America West"...

 

[TimNDansMom]

That's exactly the thing that is worrying me, lap3. We would have to connect in Las Vegas or Phoenix.

icekdz, is that a non-stop flight from Chicago to Orange County?

 

[Judy from Boise]

we have flown them about 4 times, they are famous for overbooking, twice i have had them track me down in my hotel to offer me deals to give up my return seat! We have also had them be late for every segment. We put up with it because when flying during the winter it is a sure thing that phoenix won't close for bad weather like Salt lake city or Seattle will, and we almost always have to route through one or the other.

 

[crzykid]

I have heard people call America West "AMERICA WORST" for there on time record.

 

[icekdz]

Julie,
No, our flight is not non-stop. We change in Phoenix. Dh flew over 100,000 miles with America West last year and never had any probs. He said sometimes they were late coming into O'hare but so is every other airline he has flown. We even flew to Maui in November using America West and their partner Hawaiian airlines and travel was easy and no problem. I guess he/ we have always been lucky.

I would be upset if I were lap3 though and had to run with two babies through an airport. I have been there too. When I was pg with #4 I and my children (then ages 6, 5, and 2) flew to meet dh at one of his jobs and we had to get off the plane, re-board, and then sit at McCarren for two more hours after we reboarded in our seats as we had pulled back. Can you say N-I-G-H-T-M-A-R-E! That caused us to be on the plane six hours vs four. My two year old was not a happy camper just sitting in his seat! I had to use every trick in the book and he was still unimpressed. I have never flown with kids without dh since. That was America West too but we were delayed due to weather in Chicago.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[lap3]

That's exactly the thing that is worrying me, lap3. We would have to connect in Las Vegas or Phoenix.

Let me tell you that our layover in Phoenix wasn't any better. There were so many pissed off passengers because of all the delays. They offered anyone vouchers for a free trip and overnight stay(if needed) if they would give up their seat. We thought about it then we came to our senses..."Why on earth would we ever subject ourselves to this ordeal with this airline again?". We got home and were just glad to it was over.

Let me conclude and say I'm trying not to push you into another airline. This was all based off our experience. Maybe America West got better? For us, we gave them 2 chances and they blew it big time! I would suggest looking for another airline...even if it means paying more. Just my 2 cents...

Danny(lap3)

 

[lap3]

Julie,
No, our flight is not non-stop. We change in Phoenix. Dh flew over 100,000 miles with America West last year and never had any probs. He said sometimes they were late coming into O'hare but so is every other airline he has flown. We even flew to Maui in November using America West and their partner Hawaiian airlines and travel was easy and no problem. I guess he/ we have always been lucky.

I would be upset if I were lap3 though and had to run with two babies through an airport. I have been there too. When I was pg with #4 I and my children (then ages 6, 5, and 2) flew to meet dh at one of his jobs and we had to get off the plane, re-board, and then sit at McCarren for two more hours after we reboarded in our seats as we had pulled back. Can you say N-I-G-H-T-M-A-R-E! That caused us to be on the plane six hours vs four. My two year old was not a happy camper just sitting in his seat! I had to use every trick in the book and he was still unimpressed. I have never flown with kids without dh since. That was America West too but we were delayed due to weather in Chicago.

Good luck in your decision.

Consider yourself EXTREMELY lucky! I don't think I've ever met anyone that had a pleasant experience using America West.

 

[TimNDansMom]

Thanks for all your comments, Kim(icekdz) and Danny(lap3). I wish choosing a flight was simple!

I'm also looking at a non stop flight from Detroit to LAX on Spirit. Anyone have any experiences on Spirit?

I just read that Southwest is coming out with their summer schedule around February 12. I've flown on them 3 times with no problem but Dh recently flew to Baltimore and his flights were delayed both ways. Not good to hear if going to LAX which includes one stop along the way.

 

[lap3]

Thanks for all your comments, Kim(icekdz) and Danny(lap3). I wish choosing a flight was simple!

I'm also looking at a non stop flight from Detroit to LAX on Spirit. Anyone have any experiences on Spirit?

I just read that Southwest is coming out with their summer schedule around February 12. I've flown on them 3 times with no problem but Dh recently flew to Baltimore and his flights were delayed both ways. Not good to hear if going to LAX which includes one stop along the way.

Well, I'll go out on a limb and say that I think any other carrier would be better than America West...even if that means connecting flights. Hopefully you'll be able to locate one that has direct flights. Best of luck to you!

 

[carmel]

As a person who had trouble on America West. We were late on arrival, had mechanical delays and the staff was not nice.

I fly a lot and my usual airline is Continental. AW is not very good compared to them.

 

[icekdz]

WOW! You are all making me glad that dh is flying east (Washington DC) now and using United Airlines! I love frequent flyer miles!!! More Disney trips!

I shared everyones posts with dh (as I mentioned he flew over 100,000 miles last year with AW) and he was surprised everyone had such bad experiences. I told him he must be lucky as no one else had a positive experience to report! The trip I mentioned in an earlier post where I flew alone with the kids I was even upgraded to first class as dh knows the agents at check in at O'hare. Although it was nice first
class was not the place for a two year old!

Good luck to all of us in arriving at our desinations no matter which carrier we use. And a magical time to us all!

 

[lap3]

Kim, definitely tell your DH to count his blessings. I was telling my DW about this thread and the minute I mentioned "America West", she had a chill sent down her spine. Our bad experienced was a few years ago we both remember it like it was yesterday...

 

[TimNDansMom]

Well, I think I've more or less crossed America West off my list of potentials! Not sure I want to risk a problem happening.

That's not to say that the others are perfect but at least that narrows it down a bit!

Have a wonderful trip, in 3 weeks, Kim! Let us know how your AWA flight was, too!