Comments on: A closer look at the best and worst airlines of 2007 http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-closer-look-the-best-and-worst-airlines-of-2007/ The travel troubleshooter. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:07:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Oby http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-closer-look-the-best-and-worst-airlines-of-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-26166 Oby Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:52:58 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-closer-look-the-best-and-worst-airlines-of-2007/#comment-26166 as far as airlines go, i really Really REALLY like Southwest especially for fast, relaiable, Cheap Cross Country Service, not to mention the obviousl Perks, Breeze thru Security, 2 Checked bags and 2 carryons at NO CHARGE, im not a heavy packer but i know many who are and it is really nice to be able to fit 2 weeks worth of clotes into 2 duffel bags and never have to worry about Laundry lol, also they are constantly upgrading their Fleet of B-737's to later and later models (EX their 100, 200, and 300 Series aircraft are being upgraded to 500, and 700 series aircraft) all in all i have been extremely pleased with SWA in how they compensate passengers and their professionalism/the fun they have on the flights, all in all i believe them to be the best US carrier, i do not know wnough about international carriers to ba a good Judge, but from what i have read, Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic are really nice, both to fly with and work for, another, US-Based airline that is supposed to be really nice to work for/fly with is Alaska, i have flown with them a number of times and have been very pleased with them though all in all i think Southwest is the Best, even to work for with their schedule adn comp time :) workin on my degree to fly for them :) SOUTHWEST ROCKS!!! as far as airlines go, i really Really REALLY like Southwest especially for fast, relaiable, Cheap Cross Country Service, not to mention the obviousl Perks, Breeze thru Security, 2 Checked bags and 2 carryons at NO CHARGE, im not a heavy packer but i know many who are and it is really nice to be able to fit 2 weeks worth of clotes into 2 duffel bags and never have to worry about Laundry lol, also they are constantly upgrading their Fleet of B-737’s to later and later models (EX their 100, 200, and 300 Series aircraft are being upgraded to 500, and 700 series aircraft) all in all i have been extremely pleased with SWA in how they compensate passengers and their professionalism/the fun they have on the flights, all in all i believe them to be the best US carrier, i do not know wnough about international carriers to ba a good Judge, but from what i have read, Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic are really nice, both to fly with and work for, another, US-Based airline that is supposed to be really nice to work for/fly with is Alaska, i have flown with them a number of times and have been very pleased with them though all in all i think Southwest is the Best, even to work for with their schedule adn comp time :) workin on my degree to fly for them :) SOUTHWEST ROCKS!!!

]]> By: Steve http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-closer-look-the-best-and-worst-airlines-of-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-10422 Steve Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:57:29 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-closer-look-the-best-and-worst-airlines-of-2007/#comment-10422 Skywest is the absolute WORST airline I have ever had the displeasure of Flying on. Extremely poor service, RUDE employees, dirty aircraft......Never again! Skywest is the absolute WORST airline I have ever had the displeasure of Flying on.
Extremely poor service, RUDE employees, dirty aircraft……Never again!

]]> By: Jason Zions http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-closer-look-the-best-and-worst-airlines-of-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-8828 Jason Zions Tue, 12 Feb 2008 19:21:36 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-closer-look-the-best-and-worst-airlines-of-2007/#comment-8828 Chris, I don't understand the "complaint" numbers. Are those "complaints per 100,000 passengers", or "total number of complaints"? If it's the latter, then the numbers are extremely misleading. For example, I suspect BA carries well over 10x the number of passengers carried by Alitalia. Chris, I don’t understand the “complaint” numbers. Are those “complaints per 100,000 passengers”, or “total number of complaints”? If it’s the latter, then the numbers are extremely misleading. For example, I suspect BA carries well over 10x the number of passengers carried by Alitalia.

]]> By: Doreen Szeles http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-closer-look-the-best-and-worst-airlines-of-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-8817 Doreen Szeles Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:40:01 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-closer-look-the-best-and-worst-airlines-of-2007/#comment-8817 Can you tell me why I never see any mention of Spirit Airllines in your reviews? I fly out of Detroit on Spirit all the time and have found it to be very pleasant with no problems. Great new planes also. Can you tell me why I never see any mention of Spirit Airllines in your reviews? I fly out of Detroit on Spirit all the time and have found it to be very pleasant with no problems. Great new planes also.

]]> By: Claire Walter http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-closer-look-the-best-and-worst-airlines-of-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-8801 Claire Walter Tue, 12 Feb 2008 12:39:23 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-closer-look-the-best-and-worst-airlines-of-2007/#comment-8801 My favorite airline USED to be Continental. Before I moved to Colorado, I lived in NJ and used to fly out of EWR all the time. I was impressed by how Continental managed to fuse one functioning airline out of several when it was in consolidation mode a couple of decades ago, and I remained a Continental loyalist when I moved to Colorado. At the time, my favorite airline still hubbed in Denver (that stopped when DIA replaced the old Stapleton). Now I find myself flying United more than I would like to, and I've never been especially happy with them. I do use Frontier when I can, but they don't have as many flights as UA, and I tend to go for convenient scheduling. I really like Southwest too, because they are unpretentious and efficient. However, they don't yet have service to all that many cities from Denver. Claire & http://travel-babel.blogspot.com My favorite airline USED to be Continental. Before I moved to Colorado, I lived in NJ and used to fly out of EWR all the time. I was impressed by how Continental managed to fuse one functioning airline out of several when it was in consolidation mode a couple of decades ago, and I remained a Continental loyalist when I moved to Colorado. At the time, my favorite airline still hubbed in Denver (that stopped when DIA replaced the old Stapleton). Now I find myself flying United more than I would like to, and I’ve never been especially happy with them. I do use Frontier when I can, but they don’t have as many flights as UA, and I tend to go for convenient scheduling. I really like Southwest too, because they are unpretentious and efficient. However, they don’t yet have service to all that many cities from Denver.

Claire & http://travel-babel.blogspot.com

]]> By: John Lucas http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-closer-look-the-best-and-worst-airlines-of-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-8720 John Lucas Sun, 10 Feb 2008 04:13:03 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-closer-look-the-best-and-worst-airlines-of-2007/#comment-8720 My argument to the top 5: For those of us who travel every week, we are schedule dependent and require non-stop flights. This is what we value, but it is hard to provide that value without sacrificing something. As well, we value airline points and status. Status on an airline with limited routes is pretty worthless for the road warrior. We are also dependent on our US Air hub in North Carolina. Choosing any of the top performance carriers out of Charlotte, Greensboro, or Raleigh is a poor option for us. If I were an occasional flyer, I would go for the top 5. Road Warriors value other factors. My argument to the top 5:

For those of us who travel every week, we are schedule dependent and require non-stop flights. This is what we value, but it is hard to provide that value without sacrificing something.

As well, we value airline points and status. Status on an airline with limited routes is pretty worthless for the road warrior.

We are also dependent on our US Air hub in North Carolina. Choosing any of the top performance carriers out of Charlotte, Greensboro, or Raleigh is a poor option for us.

If I were an occasional flyer, I would go for the top 5. Road Warriors value other factors.

]]> By: airline employee http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-closer-look-the-best-and-worst-airlines-of-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-8715 airline employee Sat, 09 Feb 2008 22:02:14 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-closer-look-the-best-and-worst-airlines-of-2007/#comment-8715 I happen to work for a legacy airline and one thing that I can tell you is that just because it is bright and sunny in MCO does not meant that there is not weather enroute. I hate when I am working a gate and I tell a pax that a delay is due to weather and they are going to tell me that they just spoke to someone at their destination and it is bright and sunny. Most times i have to pull up the weather radar and show them where the problem is. Most airports now have a weather radar screen so you can check it for yourself. IT is very frustrating for the agents at the gate when pax are expecting you to do the impossible. We understand your pain because believe it or not at some point in time we are pax also and experience the same things you do. I always tell a pax, "would you rather be grounded and safe or would you rather be airborne and risk getting a lightening strike among other things". Just give the poor agents a break. Their jobs are not as easy as you may think. As for JetBlue, the reason why they end up stranding customers on a runway in JFK for 12 hrs last year and having to cancel flights for a whole week is because of bad management. They knew the storm was coming in yet they did not cancel the flights ahead of time. They rather risk the safety of their pax and crews just because they did not have the balls to tell pax they were not going anywhere because of the storm. HOw about that for "great" customer service. I happen to work for a legacy airline and one thing that I can tell you is that just because it is bright and sunny in MCO does not meant that there is not weather enroute. I hate when I am working a gate and I tell a pax that a delay is due to weather and they are going to tell me that they just spoke to someone at their destination and it is bright and sunny. Most times i have to pull up the weather radar and show them where the problem is. Most airports now have a weather radar screen so you can check it for yourself. IT is very frustrating for the agents at the gate when pax are expecting you to do the impossible. We understand your pain because believe it or not at some point in time we are pax also and experience the same things you do. I always tell a pax, “would you rather be grounded and safe or would you rather be airborne and risk getting a lightening strike among other things”. Just give the poor agents a break. Their jobs are not as easy as you may think. As for JetBlue, the reason why they end up stranding customers on a runway in JFK for 12 hrs last year and having to cancel flights for a whole week is because of bad management. They knew the storm was coming in yet they did not cancel the flights ahead of time. They rather risk the safety of their pax and crews just because they did not have the balls to tell pax they were not going anywhere because of the storm. HOw about that for “great” customer service.

]]> By: Ally http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-closer-look-the-best-and-worst-airlines-of-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-8703 Ally Sat, 09 Feb 2008 16:04:24 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-closer-look-the-best-and-worst-airlines-of-2007/#comment-8703 A comment on Hawaiian air having the best on time record. They don't have weather or airport congestion to condend with! So duh......they are going to have a good record. As far as customer service - Definitely Delta is the best by far. They aren't bitter or underpaid or mean. US Air - awful just awful. Greyhound of the skies? Definitely Airtran, Jetblue and Southwest - Check out their maintenance records! Weather issues aren't necessarily 'on the ground'. It could be a sunny day but the winds are bad or the destination weather is bad. But if they cancel for weather? That is ok with me! I'd rather be safe on the ground then figuring out what to do at 30,000 feet in the air! It's not easy to run an airline especially when the major airlines are transporting hundreds of thousands of passangers a week! Delays are going to happen. Bags get lost and fat people sit next to you! Compare it to: Driving to work in traffic, losing your keys and a fat person on the elevator. It is called life! Passangers need to do their part and get to the airport on time, don't bring 5 overside carry-on bags and for crying out loud - stop complaining about the peanuts! Pack your own lunch! Happy flying! A comment on Hawaiian air having the best on time record. They don’t have weather or airport congestion to condend with! So duh……they are going to have a good record.

As far as customer service – Definitely Delta is the best by far. They aren’t bitter or underpaid or mean. US Air – awful just awful. Greyhound of the skies? Definitely Airtran, Jetblue and Southwest – Check out their maintenance records!

Weather issues aren’t necessarily ‘on the ground’. It could be a sunny day but the winds are bad or the destination weather is bad. But if they cancel for weather? That is ok with me! I’d rather be safe on the ground then figuring out what to do at 30,000 feet in the air!

It’s not easy to run an airline especially when the major airlines are transporting hundreds of thousands of passangers a week! Delays are going to happen. Bags get lost and fat people sit next to you! Compare it to: Driving to work in traffic, losing your keys and a fat person on the elevator. It is called life!

Passangers need to do their part and get to the airport on time, don’t bring 5 overside carry-on bags and for crying out loud – stop complaining about the peanuts! Pack your own lunch!

Happy flying!

]]> By: Ground Crew http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-closer-look-the-best-and-worst-airlines-of-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-8695 Ground Crew Sat, 09 Feb 2008 04:39:11 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-closer-look-the-best-and-worst-airlines-of-2007/#comment-8695 I work for jetBlue Airways and I have to say they among the best at treating their employees. When we fly on other Airlines, usually are treated well by the low cost lines and horribly by Legacy lines. One thing that no-one talks about is how Delays happen, on average less than 2% are mechanical or people error, the rest are due to weather and what's called "Ground Stop", it means that the receiving airport does not or cannot handle the incoming traffic so it will not allow more landings. This is why there is so many delays at airports like JFK and Newark. So when you are stuck for 2-3 hours at an airport blame the system and not the Air carrier, they are at the mercy of antiquated system and overloaded airports. But for good news, Airports like JFK are going to start rationing flights in order to reduce delays, what this will mean is less incoming and outgoing flights and possibly higher prices, and you can thank your Government for that. And as for Overbooking, this is done in order to maximize capacity at the expense of the customer. JetBlue does NOT OVERBOOK intentionally unlike others do. So if you are flying American, Delta, Continental or any of the other dinosaurs good luck because you will get exactly what you pay for, they will get you from point A to B in dirty, old, stinky planes, crappy service, rude people, lost luggage and your stuff will probable get stolen by underpaid and overworked employees, just so the FAT CATS on top can get their multi million bonuses and the Airline will still lose money. GO jetBlue!!!!!!!!!! FREE Snacks, FREE DirecTV, Leather Chairs, Awesome People. I work for jetBlue Airways and I have to say they among the best at treating their employees. When we fly on other Airlines, usually are treated well by the low cost lines and horribly by Legacy lines.

One thing that no-one talks about is how Delays happen, on average less than 2% are mechanical or people error, the rest are due to weather and what’s called “Ground Stop”, it means that the receiving airport does not or cannot handle the incoming traffic so it will not allow more landings. This is why there is so many delays at airports like JFK and Newark.

So when you are stuck for 2-3 hours at an airport blame the system and not the Air carrier, they are at the mercy of antiquated system and overloaded airports.

But for good news, Airports like JFK are going to start rationing flights in order to reduce delays, what this will mean is less incoming and outgoing flights and possibly higher prices, and you can thank your Government for that.

And as for Overbooking, this is done in order to maximize capacity at the expense of the customer. JetBlue does NOT OVERBOOK intentionally unlike others do. So if you are flying American, Delta, Continental or any of the other dinosaurs good luck because you will get exactly what you pay for, they will get you from point A to B in dirty, old, stinky planes, crappy service, rude people, lost luggage and your stuff will probable get stolen by underpaid and overworked employees, just so the FAT CATS on top can get their multi million bonuses and the Airline will still lose money.

GO jetBlue!!!!!!!!!! FREE Snacks, FREE DirecTV, Leather Chairs, Awesome People.

]]> By: Charly http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-closer-look-the-best-and-worst-airlines-of-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-8688 Charly Sat, 09 Feb 2008 00:32:49 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-closer-look-the-best-and-worst-airlines-of-2007/#comment-8688 I happened to be flying on United the day of the big computer crash and "weather problem" to the East Coast. Not only am I a minor under 18, but, because my global services father was trapped in Atlanta, I was stuck with the usual no-respect for a teen routine that people throw out. My flight was stuck in Denver and I BARELY missed my final flight. I'd planned ahead in Denver and booked the next flight to my destination, but it didn't leave until 9 the next morning. I arrived in W.D.C./Dulles airport at 11 at night. I spent three hours in the CS line (11-2am), got the ticket printed, and they were out of blankets and pillows, and the room for the minors was full. :[ (Sleeping on chairs SUCKS, especially when it is COLD in the airport!) I was turned away with: go over there, stay over there, don't leave the terminal until around 7. No compensation whatsoever. (anyone heard of a water bottle, at least? A cookie, maybe? Something? Make me feel acknowledged here!) In Denver, United refused to book me on another carrier that would have gotten me to Atlanta. In D.C., I got two hours of "sleep," had no money for food, but, thankfully, all my luggage was carry-on. For that, the lies, the poor service, and the lack of respect I got, United has ranked VERY poorly with me. Who the heck lies about there being bad weather on the East coast when the people you talk to say it's a sunny day? :[ I happened to be flying on United the day of the big computer crash and “weather problem” to the East Coast. Not only am I a minor under 18, but, because my global services father was trapped in Atlanta, I was stuck with the usual no-respect for a teen routine that people throw out. My flight was stuck in Denver and I BARELY missed my final flight. I’d planned ahead in Denver and booked the next flight to my destination, but it didn’t leave until 9 the next morning. I arrived in W.D.C./Dulles airport at 11 at night. I spent three hours in the CS line (11-2am), got the ticket printed, and they were out of blankets and pillows, and the room for the minors was full. :[ (Sleeping on chairs SUCKS, especially when it is COLD in the airport!) I was turned away with: go over there, stay over there, don’t leave the terminal until around 7. No compensation whatsoever. (anyone heard of a water bottle, at least? A cookie, maybe? Something? Make me feel acknowledged here!)

In Denver, United refused to book me on another carrier that would have gotten me to Atlanta. In D.C., I got two hours of “sleep,” had no money for food, but, thankfully, all my luggage was carry-on.

For that, the lies, the poor service, and the lack of respect I got, United has ranked VERY poorly with me.

Who the heck lies about there being bad weather on the East coast when the people you talk to say it’s a sunny day? :[

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