Posted on 11/14/2012 3:27:03 AM PST by Cronos
..On a recent trip to New York to see family and friends, I was at first pleased to discover that a U.S. carrier had a direct flight from Beijing to Newark International Airport. The fare was reasonable and the schedule suited me perfectly. Thirteen hours on a plane? Perfect time to catch up on Ben Stillers oeuvre.
Less than an hour into the flight, I was regretting my choice. Flying coach, I expected uncomfortable seats, lackluster food and surly service, but what I hadnt counted on was being turned away from the toilet. As I reached out to open the door, a flight attendant preparing a drinks cart two feet away barked, You cant go in there. Im busy. Go to the one in the front. When the other toilets turned out to be occupied, I turned back to discover the occupied sign was on. Im not letting you in, the flight attendant insisted.
Its no secret that American carriers lag far behind their Asian counterparts when it comes to service and amenities. None of the big three U.S. airlines Delta Airlines, United Airlines and American Airlines cracked the top 50 in airline consultancy Skytraxs annual poll of the worlds best airlines, which was released this summer.
..Meanwhile, six of the top 10 carriers hailed from Asia, with Asiana earning second place, followed by Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and All Nippon Airways. Even Chinas big carriers fared better than the American big three.
..There is one survey where American airlines beat Asia carriers. A recent study showed airlines raked in $22.64 billion last year in ancillary chargesthose annoying fees for checked baggage, food, drink, pillows and blankets. Not a single Asian full-service carrier was mentioned.
(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.wsj.com ...
Why are there still U.S. carriers?
Korean Airlines (KAL) treats you like a Sultan. And that’s in coach, I can’t imagine what first class is like.
Could some of it have to do with the mannish, more aggressive attitude of many modern American women? And let’s not get started on the influx of weird/homo-acting stewards.
My flights from Vienna to Cebu were all on Qatar, one of only
six five star carriers. Cathay and Asiana also service Cebu.
They are another two of the six five star airlines.
I do not think any American carrier has over three stars.
I recently flew United on a 14 hour flight from Asia. I flew coach (in the rear with the infants).
I think what prevented me from going crazy was the movies. I must have watched at least four.
Most Americans buy flights based on price. You get what you pay for.
Rent Catch Me if You Can sometime. It has a scene where the new Pan Am stewardesses (not “flight attendants”) are selected - classy, beautiful, poised and they had to speak a foreign language. Seemed like another world, compared to the nasty bats (female and male) we encounter on flights today.
Have never flown Korean. Cathay and Singapore were business class and those were worlds better than Lufthansa or British Air or Air France (forget about Continental) — most of my US flights have been coach.
The best flight I ever took was on Japan A/L. Singapore A/L and Malaysia A/L were also good.
Article is dead on—US airlines suck big time. Much of that is due to heavy union involvement.
I don’t fly much so this may not mean much, but I’ve never seen the staff be anything but professional (Delta and American)
Some of the passengers on the other hand.....
Watched a little old lady physically assault a man for letting his feet wander into the aisle while he was asleep.
Recentlly used KLM to Tanzania, Africa. They are exceptionally good.
everything unions touch gets destroyed.
Faggies are huge in the flight attendant ranks and often show attitude toward hetero couples. My wife & I were on a flight where the male flight attendant was treating us with such courtesy & pleasantries that we asked how does he deal with being separated from his own wife on long flights.
He replied, “I’m not married!” We pointed to the wedding band on his left hand.
He laughed & said, “That’s my `fag deflector’. Lots of fags work in the airlines and this keeps me from getting hit on.”
Yeah! Just look at Detroit!
Flew with an infant lately and US Airways they did not have any baby seat belts, they said to just hold the child on your lap. This is not safe and should not be allowed. I'm still contemplating filing a complaint with the FAA but they owe me a refund for bag fees so I'll wait until that plays out first.
On the second leg of the journey we switched to Lufthansa (original carrier but flight was canceled) and they had baby seat belts plus bassinets.
I was allowed two bags for my flight but when we were re booked on US Airways they made us pay and said to get the money back from Lufthansa.
I avoid US carriers, sorry service and too many fees.
Singapore is top luxury and quality food.
Us airlines are now looking at getting rid of seatbelts to offer standing areas.
Fly Asian and middle east airline you will refuse to fly any other .
Or just due to the fact they're union workers, and simply don't have to give a damn.
Mark
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