Which airline is better?

[lost*in*cyberspace]

......It [Lufthansa] is DS's favorite airline by far because of the personal TV screens at each seat. .....

FYI, many airlines have personal video screens at every seat on international flights, including UA. When you are booking your ticket, check out the plane type and look it up for your airline on seatguru.com or your airline's website to see available entertainment options.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

UA is not always late! You can see this yourself if you check arrival/departure statistics.

Ironically, our local paper (SF Chronicle) just had an article about problems with United today. I fly them when there isn't another choice, but they are my least favorite airline due to many of the problems mentioned in the article and by PPs. http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/United-terminal-made-over-customer-gripes-still-5190617.php The article mentions that of the 9 US airlines, United was ranked last and "scored particularly dreadfully in the rate of bumped passengers, canceled flights, mishandled bags and customer complaints."

 

[sayhello]

FYI, many airlines have personal video screens at every seat on international flights, including UA. When you are booking your ticket, check out the plane type and look it up for your airline on seatguru.com or your airline's website to see available entertainment options.

Personally, it really depends on the airline and their system. I've had those individual video screens where there was a huge box under the seat in front of me taking up most of the space, and you couldn't start/stop the videos when you wanted to, you just joined them when you wanted, and if you left to go to the bathroom or whatever, you couldn't pause it. Not worth the loss of legroom. I much prefer my iPad, loaded up with videos.

Sayhello

 

[carpenta]

Ironically, our local paper (SF Chronicle) just had an article about problems with United today. I fly them when there isn't another choice, but they are my least favorite airline due to many of the problems mentioned in the article and by PPs. http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/United-terminal-made-over-customer-gripes-still-5190617.php The article mentions that of the 9 US airlines, United was ranked last and "scored particularly dreadfully in the rate of bumped passengers, canceled flights, mishandled bags and customer complaints."

Trash I tell you or at least some would say on this board! What I am surprised is that they (United) can still be considered a major airline. Even Ryan Air thinks "at least we are more popular than United".

 

[tiggersam00]

FYI, many airlines have personal video screens at every seat on international flights, including UA. When you are booking your ticket, check out the plane type and look it up for your airline on seatguru.com or your airline's website to see available entertainment options.

Great tip about seatguru.com I learned about that site from being on the boards, it's a great tool especially when you are considering a long haul flight overseas

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Personally, it really depends on the airline and their system. I've had those individual video screens where there was a huge box under the seat in front of me taking up most of the space, and you couldn't start/stop the videos when you wanted to, you just joined them when you wanted, and if you left to go to the bathroom or whatever, you couldn't pause it. Not worth the loss of legroom. I much prefer my iPad, loaded up with videos.

Sayhello

Never depend on the airline for entertainment! In December, I was on a long, non-stop flight IAD-GVA and the entertainment screens in my seat and my husband's seat, as well as the passenger in front of him, did not work. No problem; we had our iPads and the flight attendant kept us supplied with wine from first class. We also got 15,000 frequent flyer miles, so we made out well!

If anyone is interested, you can go to this website for objective airline performance statistics:

http://apps.bts.gov/xml/ontimesummarystatistics/src/index.xml

For example, for the period of January 1, 2012 through November 2013, United Airlines had 21.8% of their flights arrive late; 1.43% of their flights were cancelled. For the same time period, 21.24% of American Airlines flights were late, 1.82% were canceled; 16.03% of Southwest's flights were late, .84% were canceled.

 

[Bobo912]

Never depend on the airline for entertainment! In December, I was on a long, non-stop flight IAD-GVA and the entertainment screens in my seat and my husband's seat, as well as the passenger in front of him, did not work. No problem; we had our iPads and the flight attendant kept us supplied with wine from first class. We also got 15,000 frequent flyer miles, so we made out well!

If anyone is interested, you can go to this website for objective airline performance statistics:

http://apps.bts.gov/xml/ontimesummarystatistics/src/index.xml

For example, for the period of January 1, 2012 through November 2013, United Airlines had 21.8% of their flights arrive late; 1.43% of their flights were cancelled. For the same time period, 21.24% of American Airlines flights were late, 1.82% were canceled; 16.03% of Southwest's flights were late, .84% were canceled.

If there is only one entertainment system on the entire plane that doesn't work, it always seems to be at my seat. On my last three overseas flights I've either had no picture, no sound or neither. But no airline has ever offered me any compensation. Which airline gave the frequent flyer miles? Did you ask or were they freely offered? I guess I need to complain more.

 

[carpenta]

.....American was in bankruptcy / merger and the pilots were pretty POed.....United....not the same situation......Just crabby and not good overall period. At least Southwest are friendly on board,

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If there is only one entertainment system on the entire plane that doesn't work, it always seems to be at my seat. On my last three overseas flights I've either had no picture, no sound or neither. But no airline has ever offered me any compensation. Which airline gave the frequent flyer miles? Did you ask or were they freely offered? I guess I need to complain more.

Sometimes (on United Airlines), I have received an email right after the flight apologizing for problems (this usually happens after significant flight delays) and providing a link to their website where I can chose what compensation I want, FF miles, discount or travel certificate. For things like a broken seat, tray table or entertainment system, you need to email a complaint to the airline. The appropriate address can be found on their website. It's always worth a try!

 

[BrianL]

Icelandair is my vote Direct to Reykjavik from Boston (4.5 hr flight), plus they allow you to stop and stay up to 7 nights in Reykjavik without paying extra flight fees. Great way to adjust to the time difference and see an AMAZING country. We are doing the Germany ADB in August and stopping a few nights in Iceland. The seats do not feel as cramped as other airlines, you do pay for food and drinks, but on a 4.5 hr flight, how much food do you really need (Drinks yes, foor not so much lol)? Friendly staff, well equipped cabins and seats, very underrated airline, but awesome experience

Oh and the airport in Iceland you connect through is easy to navigate, signs in English and small enough to manage with luggage without issues

I can second you on Iceland being an amazing pace! I went last year and it was like visiting another planet. The people were very friendly too. I had a great time. I also flew Icelandair, and can't say there was anything remarkable about it, but nothing bad either. I did get to sit in the emergency exit row with tons of legrom without requesting (or paying extra) for it.

 

[tiggersam00]

I can second you on Iceland being an amazing pace! I went last year and it was like visiting another planet. The people were very friendly too. I had a great time. I also flew Icelandair, and can't say there was anything remarkable about it, but nothing bad either. I did get to sit in the emergency exit row with tons of legrom without requesting (or paying extra) for it.

Now I just have to get through the rest of this awful winter so I can get on my tropical vacation to Iceland

It's a pretty short flight from Boston too, so Icelandair is our go to for this one