How's United been lately?

[RysMomma]

We haven't flown United in about six or seven years. We had a bad experience when they were making the change from Continental to United and it was a mess. But, coming home this August, it was the best price we saw and the rest were going up. I know you pay for baggage no matter what, it's no longer in the cost of the ticket. Any info? Thanks! (I know about the stories with the pets lately and I'm happy to say we're NOT traveling with our pup-as sad as he is about that).

 

[dmaxphil]

So far I after many United flights I have yet to be physically assaulted (knock on wood) or bumped off a flight due to overbooking. I read they will negotiate up to $10k in airline credit if you get bumped and start posting about it on Twitter. Hopefully one day.

Seriously though, they did lose my luggage for 2 weeks a year ago on a Charlotte to Detroit flight. Only problem so far.

 

[RysMomma]

Oh my gosh, I saw that on the news the other night! And to think that when I got bumped years ago with a 1.5 year old and a 4 year old, I barely got what I was originally promised and had to write a letter to the President and was finally given the amount. That was NOWHERE near $10,000 though!

 

[writerguyfl]

I know most people don't take comfort in math or statistics, but that's what I'll offer. United and their regional carrier United Express operates about 4,500 flight each day. That's over 1.6 million flights carrying 148 million people every year. They serve 338 airports across five continents.

Chances are strong that you'll have an uneventful trip. The biggest risk of problems is always going to be weather delays.

If you're specifically worried about being on a flight where something weird/newsworthy happens, don't even bother because they are exceedingly rare. If 0.001% of flights had an incident, that works out to be roughly 16 flights every year. That's once every 22 days. But, really bad things (like the sad dog incident) aren't happening every 22 days on United.

 

[cedricandsophie]

United is the only airline I fly. I have had no problems or lost luggage for many years.

 

[gwb]

United is $200- $300 higher out of my airport compared tp Delta. They were also supposed to upgrade from the small 50 seater to a 100 seater as the other airlines did but hasn't yet after it being 6 mos of saying they would. And their departures are horrible. We fky Delta now.

 

[rwdavis2]

United is the only airline I fly. I have had no problems or lost luggage for many years.

Ditto. Flew them monthly for 2 years for work and never had a problem. We always fly United from the DC area to the west coast. Mainly they have (relatively) inexpensive first class seats and a good choice of flights.

 

[fgnghg5821]

We fly United all the time and love it. It’s our preferred airlines. Never had issues with luggage, always have been on time or early and love choosing our seats ahead of time.

If you have the Mileage Plus credit card, you and one other get free checked bag.

 

[Shanti]

We haven't flown United in about six or seven years. We had a bad experience when they were making the change from Continental to United and it was a mess. But, coming home this August, it was the best price we saw and the rest were going up. I know you pay for baggage no matter what, it's no longer in the cost of the ticket. Any info? Thanks! (I know about the stories with the pets lately and I'm happy to say we're NOT traveling with our pup-as sad as he is about that).

Well, I am biased because of the fact that they recently killed someone's dog when a stewardess forced the family to place it in the overhead bin...and because a few months ago a passenger was assaulted because he argued with the crew about being bumped...and because the last time we flew with them, there was an hour+ delay as we sat on the plane before take-off as we waited for some food service issue to be straightened out (even though no food was to be served on our flight)...Considering all that, I really can't recommend flying with them.

 

[disneyag]

Well, the dogs dying is disturbing; however, we frequently fly United and don't have problems any more often than when we fly Delta, or Southwest, or American. EVERY airline sometimes faces delays. EVERY airline sometimes mis-routes luggage. If you don't collect miles from a specific airline, I would say fly with whoever has the best connection or lowest price.

 

[RysMomma]

Thanks everyone! Like I said, years ago when they were merging with Continental, we had an awful experience. I was trying to fly Jet Blue home but their flights didn't work for us time wise (and their prices, as well). United was a bit cheaper and I didn't want to do Spirit or Frontier, so we decided to try it again.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Flown them a couple of times this year and it's been fine so long as you aren't a dog.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Well, I am biased because of the fact that they recently killed someone's dog when a stewardess forced the family to place it in the overhead bin...and because a few months ago a passenger was assaulted because he argued with the crew about being bumped...and because the last time we flew with them, there was an hour+ delay as we sat on the plane before take-off as we waited for some food service issue to be straightened out (even though no food was to be served on our flight)...Considering all that, I really can't recommend flying with them.

That is just silly. All airlines have similar issues. UA is fine.

 

[shoes99]

Flew home yesterday from Mco to Ewr. Flight was full, left on time and arrived 30 min early but had to wait for a gate to open up. I saw a lap dog at the gate and got a little nervous but didn’t hear the dog in the airplane. I did have a lap toddler kicking my seat but the dad tried to keep her quiet. Good flight and I was able to take the air train to the terminal to make a connection to my train home on NJT.
I would consider it a good experience.

 

[MillauFr]

That is just silly. All airlines have similar issues. UA is fine.

Yes but United has been continually at the bottom of customer satisfaction surveys. As opposed to Alaska Airlines which has been the #1 legacy airline according to JD Powers for the last 10+ years.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Yes but United has been continually at the bottom of customer satisfaction surveys. As opposed to Alaska Airlines which has been the #1 legacy airline according to JD Powers for the last 10+ years.

Maybe, but United has a far larger flight schedule, especially if you live on the east coast and as a 1K, UA treats me very well.