I travel a great deal and like most business travelers I am required to fly coach. When the boss flies coach so does the employees. Which gives me a chance to evaluate services across multiple airlines as the booking agent looks for the best deal possible.
Last night I left Honolulu in the early evening as most mainland bound flights do. I had requested a window seat so that I could more easily sleep. But I noticed one thing from the get go American Airlines still is a winner in my book with the extended leg room. The leg room on the 777 was the narrowest I have ever encountered to top it off the seat in front of me has some mechanical apparatus taking up 1/2 the foot room in front of me and was generating heat.
It took the flight attendants nearly 90 minutes from the time of takeoff to the first time they came thru with refreshments which was actually dinner followed by a drink cart 10-15 minutes later. The meal consisted of a tiny salad a mass produced breaded chicken breast sandwich in a plastic bag and a brownie. This was by far the worst food I have eaten in a number of years. But at least they fed us unlike United which on my last flight did not feed us.
The flight attendants only came through with the drink cart one more time during the 7 hour flight. Most of the other carriers at least walk thru with a pitcher of water no ice and offer water. But I have learned over the years if you do not bring your own water your screwed.
On my Houston to Indianapolis leg I flew a small aircraft that you have to check your laptop bags etc.. I always take my laptop out and give them the empty bag. But some poor soul learned the hard-way today as they where loading I was in direct view of the baggage handlers and I cringed every time a gate checked bag was thrown onto the conveyor. To top it off while we where waiting for the gate checked bags to be put on the jetway a obvious laptop bag took a 8-10 feet plunge off the conveyor. I informed the group that someones laptop just got toasted and sure enough when the bag was reclaimed the screen was blew.
He was pissed but good luck getting a penny out of these inconsiderate bastards. I have always wished that airlines would secretly film baggage handlers and fire those that are treating our luggage like sacks of potato’s.
I am a paying customer and these jerk-offs are there to take care of there customers. The customer with the smashed laptop will surely take his business someplace else but I will continue to report her my findings of my flight experiences for those of us riding in the cattle car section.
To date here is how I rank the Airlines I have flown in the last 2 years based upon my experience riding in coach.
1. Japan Airlines
2. ANA Airlines
3. Singapore Airlines
4. American Airlines
5. Northwest
6. Delta
7. United
8. Continental