Can anyone say something good about US Airways? Update - I can! Update post 37

[mykidsand_i]

I am sure this thread could be posted again and again, replacing it with a different airline and EVERY SINGLE AIRLINE would have people on here that have some bad story, some bad experiance.

I, myself, have taken several trips on USairways. Six times in about 10 years. I've had problems with the flight TWICE...Once because they scheduled my connection flight too close and I missed my connection (they not only upgraded me to first class on the next flight they put me on, the next flight was only another 20 minute wait!!! AND, I pretty much got a free ticket out of the deal. It was taken care of!)

the second time I had problems while fling with them didn't have ANYTHING to do with the airline, it's employees or it's plane. It had everything to do with other rude people not showing respect. Two mid-30's guys were on the plane and drinking like a bunch of fish. They were drunk, disrespectful and they brought their own liq. on the plane, so it's not like it was the flight attendents fault for serving them OR for allowing them to board drunk.

I've always been pleased with the service I've received while on US air. Everyone's experiance is so different with ANYTHING that could be asked about on here. They fly thousands upon thousands of people every year to and from their destinations. MOST People don't really speak up if their service is 'average' or nothing bad happened...they only complain about the bad- that's why we only hear about the bad. People have HORROR stories about EVERY SINGLE THING, doesn't mean you'll experiance the same.

 

[laurie31]

I'm a travel agent and I've heard horror stories on all of the airlines, included the much beloved Southwest Airlines. I've not flown USAirways personally (I live near a United hub) but from all the clients I've spoken to over the years, I can say that as far as I can tell, USAirways isn't any better or worse than any of the other airlines. All airlines have problems with delays and cancealtions, the food is so-so at best, and given the sheer number of bags they deal with everyday, it's a wonder more of them don't get lost.

I think you'll be fine, no one else wants to sit next to your kids on a nine hour flight either, if if your seats do get moved around, I can just about guarantee that the other passengers will be willing to switch so they won't be next to a strange child the whole flight.

Also, seat assignments tend to get moved around because of schedule changes. They change the equipment (the type of plane) or they cancel the flight you were booked on and put you on another flight. When this happens the seats of course have to change. It's all done by computer so sometimes the new seating gets a little goofy. If you are notified of a schedule change, double check your seats ASAP, if you did get split up it will generally be easier to deal with it right when it happens rather than trying to get a busy gate agent to do it at the airport.

We aren't checking luggage, so that's one less thing to worry about.

Thanks for explaining why seat assignements get changed. I truly had no clue why this would happen. Now at least it makes sense, and I will be watching for it to happen. Forewarned is forearmed and all that.

I am also counting on the idea that no one would want to sit next to a stranger's child, but I would also like for DH and I to be near each other as well. With the carry-on liquid limits, we'll have everything divided amongst us, and it would be very inconvenient to be separated, since it's such a long flight. A shorter flight would be less of a big deal.

We travel frequently. I've given up completely on USair and won't consider flying them as an option.

And wow - you basically described our Very Bad Experience with Delta.

My experience with US Airways has been nothing but positive. That is the only airline (in the US) that I really like and I actually am willing to pay more to fly with them. I don't remember the planes being dirty at all and the flight attendants on US Airways have been the nicest I've experienced. Also, I find that US Airways is one of the most accommodating airlines for people with disabilities.



Don't worry about US Airways. Like the previous poster said, most American airlines aren't that great. They aren't trying very hard to impress customers anymore. You can have a bad experience with a great airline or a good experience with a bad airline, it's pretty much a gamble whenever you fly. You just never really know. But as far as comfort goes, I like them. Many of their planes even have slightly wider seats, which I like a lot. Some of them are 18.25 inches...most other airline's seats are about 17 inches. I love the extra room! You can check that info seatguru.com Seat Guru is great, it helps you find the best seats on your plane!

Thank you for your post!

You couldn't pay me to fly US Airways. The last time DH and I flew with them it was the most stressful and miserable flying experience I have ever had.


OP - I sincerely hope that you have a better experience with US Airways than I did. In this case, I'd be happy to be proven wrong in my generalization of them. I wouldn't wish a bad travel experience on anyone.

Wow, that's horrible. We do have VERY long connections (4 hours going over, 6 hours comng back) so they shouldn't be able to claim we don't have time to make it.

And thank you. I wouldn't wish a bad travel experience on anyone either.

my DH travels often for work and he has had no major problems with USAir. We also use them for personal travel. We use them 99% of the time.

We have been really happy with them. One time our seats did get moved and we were separated from our DD - I think she was 9 at the time and needed help with earplanes and bad pain in her ears. DH had no problem getting it fixed at the gate! Only one minor delay in over 18 years and never any lost/delayed luggage - knock on wood!!!!!

US Air has made a real effort in the past year or two to improve custom service - especially with the attendants - and it shows!!! My DH says he has seen a major improvement.

Food - probably not the best, but we don't set our expectations high for airline food anyway.

The only airline we have had problems with is Delta - won't use them again unless necessary.

I think you will be fine!

Thank you! We also have VERY low expectations for airline food these days. It's good to know they are making improvements in customer service.

My last experience with them was terrible but before that everything was OK. However, as long as I have a choice, I will never, ever fly US Airways again. I much prefer Airtran, Allegiant or Delta.

Good luck. I think the chances of you getting separated from your kids is slim. Even if it happened, wouldn't most people change seats with you to allow you to be next to them? I would. But maybe not.

Last time I flew them a mom was separated from her kids--well, 2 of them. She had the other 2 next to her and was pregnannt with another! AND, she was ALONE!! ugh. So, I sat with her boys (I was separated from my dd but she was older--12, maybe and was put close to her cousin). I did entertain this ladies boys and felt sorry for the youngest. He'd left the Taxi at the airport W/O his souvenior bag so all his little Disney goodies were gone! They were pleasant kids and probably the best part of that horrible flight, lol.

That was nice of you to help out. I can't imagine flying alone with 4 kids!

I would rather walk to my destination than fly on USAir!

We had a horrible experience with them a few years ago, and we're done with them.

We could've handled the missed flight, but they lost our dog! The idiots in luggage services would only tell us that they had "misplaced" him, there was nothing they could do, and that he would turn up eventually. Then they asked us to leave the office, and when we told them we wanted to stay, they threatened to have us arrested for trespassing. We told them they could call the police, because we weren't leaving.

Of course, they never called the police and our dog miraculously turned up shortly after that. That was the end of USAir for us!

They lost your DOG??! And then they wanted you to go away so they could sit there and not do anything about it????? OOoooOOOOOOH! Trespassing????? The NERVE!!! Wow, I'd be done with them too. I'm happy your dog was found safely, when they realized they were going to have to get off their butts and look for him. Otherwise, yeah, they would need to call the police...

I have flown USAirways for many years and I have had generally good service. They are my airline of choice for flights from Washington to Orlando since they have the best schedule. I am flying USAirways for my September Disney trip.

I have not been pleased with the service I have received from USAirways at their Philadelphia hub and I try to avoid flying through Philly.

If you get separated, tell the person sitting next to your child that she usually gets airsick & you want to sit with her so you can help her if she does.

I actually won't have to make this up. My younger one has issues with motion sickness. Usually planes don't bother her the way cars do (and yeah, that's her having a ball in the tea cups - lol) but we travel with empty zip loc bags for a reason.


Thank you all for your responses. You have confirmed what I was thinking - there are no really GOOD American airlines anymore, and it's just the luck of the draw whether you have a good, bad, or horrible experience. We'll just hope for the best and be prepared for the worst. (and we'll be watching for any emails alerting us to flight changes!)

 

[Hillbeans]

Sully Sullenberger

My DH just flew them from Phila to Louisville - no problems at all.

 

[marthachick]

I actually won't have to make this up. My younger one has issues with motion sickness. Usually planes don't bother her the way cars do (and yeah, that's her having a ball in the tea cups - lol) but we travel with empty zip loc bags for a reason.

Here's hoping it STAYS empty!

 

[DebbieB]

I have flown US many times, not my first choice but they are not that bad. They used to have a hub here at PIT and there wasn't much choice. Once they cancelled most of their flights here I started flying Delta, they treat their elite frequent flyers better. You don't have to worry about the movie or tv because they pulled them a couple of years ago. I only had my luggage lost/delayed once, that was on a connection through Philadelphia (avoid PHL).

 

[bettymae1121]

We'll just hope for the best and be prepared for the worst.

...and that is the very best thing you can do to minimize any potential problems! Just by keeping a good eye on things, planning ahead, getting to the airport early, those long layovers you have - that goes a long way into preventing a lot of problems, or just having enough time to deal with anything that pops up.

I'll give you another tip. Keep the toll free phone number for the airline handy while you travel. If something happens while you're at the airport, and the line to speak to a ticket agent is a mile long, get in line and while you're waiting, call the airline on your cell phone. Generally the customer service rep can do as much for you as the airport personel. If it's a question of a canceled flight and you want to be re-booked, it can mean the difference between getting on the next available flight, and really being stuck for a long time. The airport personel do have a bit more authority to "bend" the rules so if you need something out of the ordinary, you may still have to speak to someone in person, but for run-of-the-mill issues, calling can save you a lot of grief.

 

[DebbieB]

...and that is the very best thing you can do to minimize any potential problems! Just by keeping a good eye on things, planning ahead, getting to the airport early, those long layovers you have - that goes a long way into preventing a lot of problems, or just having enough time to deal with anything that pops up.

I'll give you another tip. Keep the toll free phone number for the airline handy while you travel. If something happens while you're at the airport, and the line to speak to a ticket agent is a mile long, get in line and while you're waiting, call the airline on your cell phone. Generally the customer service rep can do as much for you as the airport personel. If it's a question of a canceled flight and you want to be re-booked, it can mean the difference between getting on the next available flight, and really being stuck for a long time. The airport personel do have a bit more authority to "bend" the rules so if you need something out of the ordinary, you may still have to speak to someone in person, but for run-of-the-mill issues, calling can save you a lot of grief.

That's great advice. I mentioned the one time my luggage got delayed at PHL, it was a bad scene. I got off my first plane which was about 3 hours late due to thunderstorms. The airport was in chaos. I asked the gate agent about my connection, he said that it was cancelled (I had hoped it was delayed also). He said to go to the customer service desk down a few gates. I went there and there had to be 50 people in line. I checked the flight board and it showed 3 flights to PIT still there. So I found a quiet spot (which wasn't easy) and called the 800#. I found they had automatically rebooked me on one of those flights. I found that gate and got my boarding pass (and was upgraded). That flight was about to board. If I had got into the customer service line, I would not have made it. My luggage did not make it but it was delivered to my home the next day.

 

[Imzadi]

Sorry, I can't give a positive review. OMG! I hope to never have to travel with US Airways again, if I can help it. They are out of Bizzarro World or something. A few of us were laughing about them on our flight, (because we'd go mad otherwise,

) saying they owe us money back for what they consider "flight attending and customer service." They made up some stupid excuse so they wouldn't even go down the aisle & give us WATER -- BUT we could pay for a drink if we wanted anything.

My airline of choice is American. They aren't the friendliest bunch, (you know you are not flying the "friendly skies of United,") but they have the most non-stop flights for comparable fares, and in my experience, they have been pretty much on time.

 

[DarthKTrava]

They're a hub airline for us, we fly them regularly, and never have had any problems (at least, no problems that weren't satisfactorily handled).

I didn't have any problems with them when I flew with them once 3 years ago. Flights were on time (and this was right before and just after the Labor Day weekend) and nice flight attendants. I didn't check any luggage though; mine was carry-on only (the majority of my stuff went with a friend).

 

[laurie31]

...and that is the very best thing you can do to minimize any potential problems! Just by keeping a good eye on things, planning ahead, getting to the airport early, those long layovers you have - that goes a long way into preventing a lot of problems, or just having enough time to deal with anything that pops up.

I'll give you another tip. Keep the toll free phone number for the airline handy while you travel. If something happens while you're at the airport, and the line to speak to a ticket agent is a mile long, get in line and while you're waiting, call the airline on your cell phone. Generally the customer service rep can do as much for you as the airport personel. If it's a question of a canceled flight and you want to be re-booked, it can mean the difference between getting on the next available flight, and really being stuck for a long time. The airport personel do have a bit more authority to "bend" the rules so if you need something out of the ordinary, you may still have to speak to someone in person, but for run-of-the-mill issues, calling can save you a lot of grief.

This is great advice! We need to make sure that number is in our phone before we go! That might possibly have averted our Very Bad Experience with Delta, but who can know for sure.

We did purposefully choose super-long layovers as we didn't have the option of a direct flight (a "normal" 90 minute layover contributed heavily to our Very Bad Experience) and we aren't checking luggage so therefore they can't lose it. (it's FREE on international flights, we aren't saving money by not checking, but free isn't good if you never see it again. If we have to repurchase all our clothes and toiletries upon arrival, that's a LOT of wasted time as well as $$$$. BTDT)

Imzadi, experiences like yours are why I'm making sure to bring plenty of my own food and drink aboard.


DarthKTrava, that's good to hear. Basically, all I'm hoping for at this point is a plane free of mechanical problems that will take off when the ticket says it should, land when and WHERE the ticket says it should, and let us sit together. Not really a whole lot to ask, all things considered.

 

[DarthKTrava]

The flights I were on didn't serve food. So I ate at the airport. I made sure I had an hour or so layover just in case. I think the only thing I took on the plane was a bottle of Coke. I didn't have to deal with any rude people at all. Only once did I have to put my bag further away than where my seat was.

The only gripe I might have is that in Charlotte, the USAirways gates went OUTSIDE. And that they were ALL at the very end of the terminal, no matter whether it was Greensboro, Charlotte or Atlanta....

So make sure you have good walking shoes!

 

[Micca]

I am sure this thread could be posted again and again, replacing it with a different airline and EVERY SINGLE AIRLINE would have people on here that have some bad story, some bad experiance.

I, myself, have taken several trips on USairways. Six times in about 10 years. I've had problems with the flight TWICE...Once because they scheduled my connection flight too close and I missed my connection (they not only upgraded me to first class on the next flight they put me on, the next flight was only another 20 minute wait!!! AND, I pretty much got a free ticket out of the deal. It was taken care of!)

the second time I had problems while fling with them didn't have ANYTHING to do with the airline, it's employees or it's plane. It had everything to do with other rude people not showing respect. Two mid-30's guys were on the plane and drinking like a bunch of fish. They were drunk, disrespectful and they brought their own liq. on the plane, so it's not like it was the flight attendents fault for serving them OR for allowing them to board drunk.

I've always been pleased with the service I've received while on US air. Everyone's experiance is so different with ANYTHING that could be asked about on here. They fly thousands upon thousands of people every year to and from their destinations. MOST People don't really speak up if their service is 'average' or nothing bad happened...they only complain about the bad- that's why we only hear about the bad. People have HORROR stories about EVERY SINGLE THING, doesn't mean you'll experiance the same.

I dunno...I agree with you in prinicple, but I've seen more complimentary remarks about colonoscopies on these boards. At least most people don't seem to remember those.

 

[N&B'smom]

US Airways in our airline of choice...we have flown with them at least once a year for awhile now and have not had a problem.

 

[DebbieB]

The flights I were on didn't serve food. So I ate at the airport. I made sure I had an hour or so layover just in case. I think the only thing I took on the plane was a bottle of Coke. I didn't have to deal with any rude people at all. Only once did I have to put my bag further away than where my seat was.

The only gripe I might have is that in Charlotte, the USAirways gates went OUTSIDE. And that they were ALL at the very end of the terminal, no matter whether it was Greensboro, Charlotte or Atlanta....

So make sure you have good walking shoes!

I've been through Charlotte many times and they are not all outside. All of the mainline jets have regular jetways. The RJ's do go outside. Given the choice of CLT or PHL, I would always take CLT to connect, it usually is pretty easy, unless you are going from mainline to RJ. Love their rocking chairs.

Speaking of CLT, that reminds me of a couple of trips I had probably about 3 years ago. Both times I was come off evening connections to the last flight of the day to PIT. The first week we had about a 2 hour delay, plane was there, crew was in Syracuse. A week or two later I was connecting again to the same flight. Guess what? Plane was there, crew was in Syracuse.

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

I haven't read the other responses, but I flew U.S. Air for two international flights and they lost my luggage BOTH times.

One time, the luggage arrived about 6 hours after me. So not too bad.

The other time, the luggage arrived 2 DAYS later. After Christmas. And my suitcase was soaking wet, dirty, and completely torn up from spending hours on the Philadelphia tarmac in the rain. This was after they canceled my connecting flight from Philly to my home city, on Christmas eve, and told me that there was no way I would get on a flight in the next 2 days. Uh, I don't think so!

The flights themselves were fine, though.
Edited to add: the long international flights were totally fine. It was once I had to actually make a connection when it fell apart!

 

[AnnetteF]

We flew them from Bradley in Hartford CT to Orlando about 2 1/2 years ago. We had beautiful flights and it was a very pleasant experience. I had also read the bad reviews at that time and was concerned, but in the end we were very happy and would fly them again without hesitation.

 

[laurie31]

I was thinking about our trip today and decided I should belatedly update this thread, since now *I* have something nice to say about US Airways!

Our departure flight was uneventful. The flight attendants were nice, and the food was...airline food. No better or worse than other airlines, IMHO. However, the seats were VERY small, as in, thank goodness my DD was next to me, as I had to have the armrest up. I am overweight, but I am NOT that large! I've never had that problem before. There was no middle seat, just the window and aisle, so having the armrest up wasn't a problem, but it was unexpected.

Coming home, I did NOT have the problem with the seats, I fit just fine, in fact I had "wiggle room." I don't know what the difference was. It was still a plane with no middle seat, just a window and aisle.

The flight attendants were VERY nice, and moved us to better seats (we were on the back row and got moved almost to the front of coach) without us asking. They even helped us move our stuff. We were also offered water more frequently than on any other flight I've been on; I was impressed.

We'll fly US Airways again.