Ac-cent-tu-ate the Positive: Isn't there ANYTHING you like about flying?

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by Tol7tuy on Thursday, August 13, 2009

Leaving in northern Canada, I fly a lot just to go down south. I also fly to Europe regularly and has tried many different airlines. By far, the best I have the pleasure to travel on are Canadian North and First Air. Their service is always perfect and their meals are fantastic, sometimes almost gourmet. What other airline serves you caribou or bison meat with a free glass of wine? Not plastic cutlery either! On Canadian North, passengers are even offered a hot towelette before supper is served! Their staff are always friendly and willing to help in any way. On those two airlines, everyone is treated as a first class passenger!

by northerngirl on Saturday, April 04, 2009

Living in northern Canada, I fly a lot just to go down south. I also fly to Europe regularly and has tried many different airlines. By far, the best I have the pleasure to travel on are Canadian North and First Air. Their service is always perfect and their meals are fantastic, sometimes almost gourmet. What other airline serves you caribou or bison meat with a free glass of wine? Not plastic cutlery either! On Canadian North, passengers are even offered a hot towelette before supper is served! Their staff are always friendly and willing to help in any way. On those two airlines, everyone is treated as a first class passenger!

by northerngirl on Saturday, April 04, 2009

Guess what is missing fr all these comments: someone posting that they had a great or wonderful airline flight experience "after getting mad, pouding the counter, and threatening all the employees who looked my way." People often get back what they dish out.

I recall a red-eye flight fr Portland to Wash, DC a few years ago. I merely thanked the ticket agent for working New Years Eve when I was sure that, after a hectic holiday travel season, she probably would have enjoyed the night off. WE had a brief exchange about whether NYE was a good holiday, or only a so-so one-- we agreed on so-so. Later, at the gate, I responded to a call fr the gate agent, who asked for my boarding pass and handed me a first class upgrade boarding pass in return. THe only explanatino I have is that the first agent was so surprised at someone extressing thanks that she decided to upgrade me to an empty seat. I was not angling for an upgrade, so it made the night's sleep en route even better.

by quebecster on Wednesday, April 01, 2009

In September 2005, I was to fly home on Alaska Airlines from Vancouver, BC to San Francisco, then connect to an American Airlines San Francisco to Chicago flight. It became clear to me in Vancouver that I would not make my connecting flight in San Francisco because the connection time was tight, plus the flight from Vancouver hadn't even boarded yet and it was already one hour past the scheduled departure time. Without saying one thing about my situation to anyone, a gate agent paged me and said she could see that I was going to miss my connection in SF so she handed me a boarding pass for a nonstop Vancouver-Chicago flight on United Airlines and I quickly hustled to the gate. My sister, who was flying home on that same flight (we'd traveled to Vancouver separately on separate airlines), was shocked when she saw me walk past her down the aisle on her same flight. As a result, the return trip home for both of us was effortless! If I ever get the chance to do so, I'll absolutely fly Alaska Airlines again. They are first rate in terms of customer service!

by Alaska Airlines Fan on Tuesday, March 31, 2009

We just returned from a weekend trip to Atlanta. We were delayed about one hour each way due to bad weather at the destination (keeping track of the weather kept this possibility from being much of a surprise). The crews on Delta were friendly and helpful. Most outstanding was the pilot of the return flight to LaGuardia airport in New York City. Not only did he constantly apologize for factors beyond his control. When he found that an additional delay was imposed after the plane was loaded and we were on the tarmack, he had the cabin crew distribute headphones for free and then had them run a first run move at no charge. By the way, he also landed the plane in fog that was as thick as pea soup and put the plane down very softly and smoothly.

by kalbah on Sunday, March 29, 2009

We flew American Airlines to California last June. My daughter brought her Nintendo DS to occupy her on the plane. When we arrived in San Jose, I told her to gather all her things. I was busy gathering my own things, plus getting our carry-ons out, and I didn't double check her seat pocket, although I checked mine.

It turns out, she left her DS on the plane! We were in California for 19 days, doing a lot of driving in the National Parks, and she needs to do something or she will get carsick. Also, just replacing it would mean she would have to start over from the beginning on all her games. She was very upset. We went back to the airport, but the plane had already left for LA. I called LA and explained what happened, and gave my daughter's seat number. When the plane landed, the AA employee went aboard, found my daughter's game, and overnighted it to us. We were so grateful!

by laurie31 on Sunday, March 29, 2009

Hmmm..what's my best travel kudo? Well, I have a few....KLM refunding me by check their $150 change fee + INTEREST!!!!!!! (and I booked with a NYC bucket shop!!! Got sick, couldn't make the flight) And a few months ago AA "held" (sorry....) the plane at the gate so that "NY passengers" could make the last flight from DFW to PHX...there were 6 of us! And CO bumped us up to Bizz Class in FRA to EWR because we were "dressed nice" Ja wohl!

by on Friday, March 27, 2009

I was returning from Tokyo/Narita on United Airlines through Washington Dulles. The line of passengers going through customs was SO L-O-N-G .. it was taking forever! I was watching the time, as I had a connecting flight to make the final leg of my journey home. As luck would have it, by the time I made it to the front of the line, my next flight was already closed. A quick phone call to the United customer service center and I was greeted by a pleasant voice, and was booked on the next flight out. This meant some delay, but I was greatly impressed by the helpfulness and courtesy extended by this particular customer service agent. I have always been treated extremely well in all my encounters with United personnel -- by phone, in person at the airports, at the gates, and on the flights. United continues to be my first choice of airlines when making plans to travel.

by lea1201 on Friday, March 27, 2009

I travelled on a Lufthansa transatlantic flight to Munich with a head cold and cough. I was the trip leader of a group of 35 skiers and had no choice but to fly. I wore a medical mask for most of the flight to protect those around me. Near theend of the flight the stewardess approached me with medicine put up my nostrils a half hour and just before landing. She said it would relieve the congestion and without it I might experience severe pain in my ears. She advised me to get a stronger version from a doctor before I flew home. Thanks to her intervention, I suffered only modest discomfort with the descent. The Lufthansa flight aboard the 300-30 plane was smooth, with comfortable legroom (in economy), had great entertainment choices and very good food and beverage selections included. Best of all was a friendly and competent crew. American airlines might take a few lessons here.

by carolandbob on Friday, March 27, 2009

Like Nice 1, my story started as a horror story but had a happy ending. I had first gone to the Grand Canyon and then was flying to California for a visit with my sister. I flew out of a very small airport in Arizona -- so small that security was a small portable building outside. I am slightly handicapped, so am slow, and was the last passenger to go through security. They were rushing me, and they made me put my glasses, my watch, and the cross I always wear into a dish (this despite the fact that I didn't go through the x-ray machine because of my pacemaker). I was so rushed, I didn't get my glasses, watch, and cross, although I realized just as they were closing the door that I had left them behind. The crew on the plane was great -- they called the airport and I was sure I would soon be reunited with my possessions. Unfortunately, I don't think the people in the airport went out to the security building -- they just said, nope, we couldn't find them.
Once I got to my destination, I made my own phone calls, to no avail. I had to go out and buy new reading glasses and a new watch, and was heartbroken because my favorite cross was gone. Ultimately, somebody finally looked in the security building and I did get my glasses, watch, and favorite cross back, so my story has a happy ending.

by Texas Songbird on Friday, March 27, 2009

My husband and I had been vacationing in the Manzanilla and Puerta Vallarta areas on my Alaska FF miles. When departing from PV we were booked on a flight to LAX with a connection to SFO. I heard other travelers around me talking about their non-stop to SFO so when we got to the counter I asked if there was a earlier flight available with maybe non-stop to SFO. The agent said yes and booked us on it and said those non-stops are not usually offered to FF's. We were thrilled and very appreciative of his gesture as we home in bed that night before our original flight even got into SFO.

by sherryk on Friday, March 27, 2009

I was taking my grandmother to a flight from SJC to Oklahoma. She was moving slow so we arrived late. The people on Southwest helped me get her to checkin. Helped her through security and onto the plane. They had to hold the plane and they did. They also got her to baggage claim at the other end so her son could pick her up.

On another note, everytime my family or I have ran late on Southwest and they warn our luggage might not make it, It always has. Southwest has always treated us well.

by Connie on Thursday, March 26, 2009

Oh here's another one. I was on an Air New Zealand flight, boarding, and struggling to fit my carryon in the overhead. The flight attendant approached me and said, "Oh no you don't!..... That's MY job." Can you believe it? Well, it's a true story.

by on Thursday, March 26, 2009

This sounds like one of the horror stories and I was tempted to post it there the other day, but I did have a happy ending, so........

This past fall I had to make an emergency trip to visit my mother who was hospitalized. Short notice on a Wednesday, I needed to fly out on Friday and come back on Monday. I booked through Travelocity (sorry, guys!) for a flight on USAir and a rental car and headed out. Got to Las Vegas very late and found out my car rental was for 9 days-yikes! Checked my plane reservation and-yikes again!-I'd booked the return for the following Monday, a week away. Called travelocity to try to correct my error, to no avail except to pay more than double for the ticket-which as I pointed out, it would have been cheaper to just book a 1-way back on Southwest and forget the whole rest of the deal.

Forget Travelocity. I called USAir directly and explained the situation that the nature of my trip was for my mom's emergency, that I know I'm responsible for my mistake, but was in such a panic to get to Las Vegas that I didn't check the return date carefully enough before buying the ticket, and I'd pay whatever fees to change the ticket (but not double+, yikes!). The customer service lady was so helpful and understanding, I lost a few hours with my mom b/c of the re-arranged flight but the cs lady did all she could to let me stay with my mom as long as I could and still get me home on time. And she waived ALL of the re-booking fees and penalties which just blew me away. Great customer service, and I know how hard that is to say about ~any~ airline these days!

by Nice 1 on Thursday, March 26, 2009

I had a wonderful experience on Frontier. My parents bought my 6 week old and me tickets to fly into Omaha from Portland so we visit. The flight to Omaha was on United and it was terrible. I called ahead to ask about the size of the seat and if my daughter's carseat would fit. They told me it would but then it didn't and I had to check it after boarding. It was a complete waste of a ticket. I also asked at baggage check if I could board the plane early, then again at the gate and was told both times that I could but when they stared boarding they did not let me get on early. So, I was feeling pretty pessimistic when it came time to fly home. However, the flight home was on Frontier. They called me to the front and helped me board early on both flights. The flight attendant found out that I had a short connection time, so he stowed my baggage in the front of the plane in his personal compartment, then told everyone on the plane to wait when it landed until I got off, and then he personally carried my baggage off the plane and made sure I got on my way. I made my connecting flight thanks to him. On the connecting flight they moved me to the front of the plane b/c it was not full and they could see I had a baby and a ton of stuff. It was my first time flying with a little one and I learned some valuable lessons from the whole thing. But Frontier made a loyal customer out of me that day.

by geminigoddess on Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Husband and I were off to Ireland to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We were scheduled to fly from XNA (Fayetteville, AR) on US Air via Charlotte to Shannon. We are the original weather jinxes. Hurricane Isabel made her appearance on the east coast that day, specifically rolling right over North Carolina. The agent at the desk told us that she was very concerned that we would be stuck in Charlotte so she worked and worked, got us on an American Flight to Chicago, then to Shannon. Great! No, not great. American made us check one bag and then bumped us at the gate. They scornfully refused to even try and retrieve our bag. Back we went to the US Air desk. They couldn't get us out at all that day but booked us on Delta through Atlanta the next day, upgraded us to First Class and gave us 2 round trip vouchers... international vouchers! US Air definitely did not have to do that for a weather issue! When we got to Atlanta on Delta the next day, they started calling for volunteers to be bumped out of First Class. We were happy to take the $400 vouchers, especially when they made sure that our seat assignments were in the middle of the plane where there are 3 seats rows and we were the only 2. That left room for one of us to lay down- priceless. I think that it helped that we never lost our patience, we were completely appreciative of all the effort on our behalf. I did write letters to Delta and US Air citing names of those most wonderful employees.

American, on the other hand, lost the one bag that we were forced to check. It was a good thing that we did lose a day of vacation because we had time to go home and repack, knowing that bag wasn't going to make it. It didn't. It sat in Chicago the entire 2 weeks we were in Ireland even though we made multiple efforts to get it back.

by edhodge on Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Virgin America superseded my expectations! I bought a ticket to a city for work then I found out my meeting was canceled. It was a nonrefundable fare and the change fee was more than the cost of the one-way ticket. At the check-in location, they credited me the flight for future use and gave me drink tickets. The plane was so cool, sort of like a lounge. I wrote the CEO about my experience, and he wrote me back.

by West Coast Style on Wednesday, March 25, 2009

My best friend was dying of Leukemia in late 2007. He and his wife wanted to take one last vacation while he was still able to travel. I called USAirways to see if I could use my miles ( I am a platinum preferred frequent flyer with 276,000 miles currently) to upgrade them to first class on their flight from Maine to Las Vegas. The agent on the phone told me that that was not allowed, but given the circumstances she would see what she could do. Not only did they fly First Class in both directions, but the 60,000 miles that it should have cost me was never deducted from my account. he later told me it brought tears to his eyes when he realized what I'd done for him!! They took that trip in mid January 2008, my friend Hank died on March 4, 2008.

by vincentvan on Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Never lost luggage...ever and I pack loads of stuff as a presenter and lecturer, as a Silver Medallion Delta flyer. Never had a problem that was not solved.

by Dave the Flyer on Wednesday, March 25, 2009

I had to cancel 2 American Airlines tickets to go to a convention because my father was very ill and we had called in Hospice. These were non-refundable tickets so they classified them as unused and said I could reuse them but I would have to pay $150 for each ticket to change the ticket. My father passed away. I went thru American's main web site and posted a concern to see if I could get a refund or something. They issued me a voucher for the price that I paid for the tickets and I won't have to pay the $300 fee! They made it so easy on me. I'll be glad to use that voucher when I can enjoy it. Thanks American Airlines!

by booklady on Wednesday, March 25, 2009

My daughter is a graduate student at Montana State University, and had major knee surgery just prior to Christmas break, intending to fly home for her recuperation during the break. Due to bad weather, Horizon Airlines determined the night before her departure that her flight was going to be cancelled. They were kind enough to re-book her on another airline, notify me of the change, and even sent a car to transport her to the airport. They provided special assistance in SLC and wheeled her all the way to my car upon arrival in Portland. I was one appreciative dad!

by Forrest on Wednesday, March 25, 2009

I had to catch a short flight from London to Paris in order to board my flight home to S.F. There was plenty of time between the two Air France segments, but fog in London (big surprise) kept delaying and delaying takeoff. The plane remained on the ground, while my blood pressure entered the stratosphere! When we finally took off, it was clear that there was no way I was going to make my connection. I asked the flight attendants if they could help, but was told that they don't do that kind of thing. We arrived at CDG well after the scheduled departure time of my flight home. At the bottom of the steps stood a man with a little van. He was holding a sign with "San Francisco" on it. He popped me into the van and roared off across the tarmac, right to the steps of my plane. No security, no building, nothing! I ran up the steps, they closed the door behind me, and we took off for home. Gotta love Air France!!!

by Travel Insurance Lady on Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Twice in the last 2 years, my wife and I encountered travel delays. Arriving from Bangkok, we discovered our flight from LAX home had been canceled. American put us at the end of the line to find us a flight home. A China Airlines agent went with us to the AA counter and assisted in rebooking us on a flight for that evening. The 2nd time we were delayed in both Omaha and Denver enroute to LAX for a flight to Taipei. Our travel agent called ahead to inform China Airlines that we were arriving late but were on the way across the airport; we had only 35 minutes to change terminals. The ticket agents were able to get us on the flight; missing that flight would have incurred at least a 9 hr delay. We plan to always fly with China Airlines as they always appear to go the extra mile to help.

by George on Wednesday, March 25, 2009

In 2005 I was flying Airtran from Newport News to Atlanta. Our flight was canceled due to a malfunctioning door (the door of the plane would not shut properly because it was bent). No worries, the very friendly airport staff booked me on the next flight out with no issues. A month or so later, I received a very nice apology letter in the mail from Airtran along with a voucher for a COMPLIMENTARY flight... with no restrictions or black out dates. I was floored!

by Kbrielle on Wednesday, March 25, 2009

My fiance was flying from DC to Dubai in early 06 and her flight from DC to JFK was cancelled in the morning by Delta. There was no way for her to get to JFK even while she begged and pleaded Delta to find a way to get her back home (she was going for wedding preparations). After much cajoling, DL finally booked her on a Continental flight to EWR - and she only had 40 min between her plane landing at EWR and Emirates taking off from JFK onto Dubai. That day, I got onto Emirates reservations helpline and practically talked to their representatives for at least an hour in the early morning. They were so helpful that when my wife drove up to JFK airport, there were Emirates agents waiting for her at the gate who helped take her luggage, put it through customs, took her passport and helped/escorted her all through immigration all the way to the gate. Needless to say, EK held the flight for 10-20 min extra for all these passengers to get on boad and did not strand them at JFK. Kudos to them. I would recommend anyone to fly Emirates just for their wonderful customer service.

Just last December, my wife and I (along with our son) landed in Dubai at 8pm local time and our original ticketed flight was at 7 pm the next evening. Not relising the prospect of 23 hours at the airport terminals, we checked with Emirates and they were able to put us on standby and take the 1am flight out. Again big help and wonderful customer service.

by Ali on Wednesday, March 25, 2009

After a week of skiing in Colorado we checked in for our flight home on Air Tran. They asked if we were flexible as flights were heavily overbooked. Long story short: we were given 12 round trip tickets each plus food & hotel vouchers and flew home business class 3 days later. The staff at the podium were super nice.

by JOLA on Wednesday, March 25, 2009

I was coming back from Hong Kong on a direct flight to Chicago, and before boarding, I headed to the boarding gate counter to try my luck at upgrading.
Usually it's very hit or miss, since my Premier Executive status has to wait before all the 1K and Global Services check in. I knew it wasn't a full flight so I thought they would let me use some system wide credits to upgrade.
Unfortunately, the lady at the counter told me that my ticket class was non-upgradeable, not even with miles. She told me all this while giving me that "I'm so sorry but if only you weren't such a cheap-ass and bought an actual regular priced ticket we could possibly help you" look. I could, however, upgrade by paying US$800. Ummm...no thank you...so I resigned myself to Economy Plus and cringed when I got to my seat and found myself sitting next to a bratty 5 year old and his mom, who had apparently decided to use my seat as a footrest. Call me elitist, but on an almost 15 hour non-stop flight I really do not care for other humans in such close proiximity to me, especially those of the age group that still cry for attention and could still pee their pants just for peeing's sake.

Just as I was sitting down, a flight attendant, or in this case she was more like the Angel Gabriel, tapped my shoulder and said that I could move up to 9C in business class - the newly remodeled business class where all the seats can fully recline 180 degrees. And food actually served on plates with real silverware. I even had some white wine to toast to my own good luck. It was smooth sailing from then on...

All of this, without me having to pay any money or upgrade with miles. All for free. Thanks United. Thanks for probably overbooking in Economy and therefore being forced to upgrade Premier Execs and Premiers to business.
But thanks, nonetheless. I definitely appreciated it!

by Bee on Wednesday, March 25, 2009

I was flying out of Tucson on America West / USAir. I was supposed to change in Phoenix for a flight to Philadelphia.
My Tucson deaprture was "on hold" due to thunderstorms in PHX (it rains in PHX?!) and it was obvious that I was going to miss my connection. The gate agent somehow squeezed my onto a later flight at an adjacent gate to ensure that I at least made it to PHX that day. So there I am on the new flight waiting to leave and just before they closed the door, the gate agent appeared on the plane and pulled me off. She had seen that my original flight had just been cleared to leave and she had re-booked me back onto it. She came and retireved me and put me back on my original flight.
Happy ending - I made my connection and made it to Philly on time.
Wow - talk about "Above and beyond" !!

by YellowDog on Wednesday, March 25, 2009

I was going to see my elderly parents and had cooked and frozen 30 meals for them, loaded them into a heavy duty styrofoam cooler. I called ahead to see if this was permissable, and was told yes it is. When I arrived at the check in desk they spotted me and immediately told me that I was unable to check this as luggage. I explained the situation. Some one from SWA went down into the basement of the airport, found a giant box, cut it down to size and loaded my meals cooler and all into it. It reached Detroit safely. They were great!

by sdg on Wednesday, March 25, 2009

I love the fresh baked cookies and comfortable seating of Midwest Airlines!

by mhw on Wednesday, March 25, 2009

I was 23 and on my way home to Virginia after having lived in India for a year. I was traveling alone, and made it all the way to JFK before a thunder storm made the airline cancel my final flight to Norfolk. Since the cancellation was due to weather, I got no hotel and had to spend the night on the floor in the airport - the next flight with space on it was 24 hours later! I had a total of about $15! I was told that if I waited around the gate, I might be able to get on a 6 am flight to DC and then maybe they would find me a flight to Norfolk from there.
Long story short, I did get the 6am flight and was in DC waiting around another gate around noon. They booked me on a flight to Norfolk that night, but another, much earlier flight had just had a seat open up, but they said there was no way they could get my luggage moved to it in time so there was no point in me getting on it. Exhausted and craving home, and in the first genuinely assertive moment of my life, I politely and insistently, with a touch of desperation, told them that it absolutely could happen and that it had to happen. Some airport/luggage guy with a walkie talkie took pity on me and asked me for a description of my bag. Not 5 minutes later the gate agent smiled at me and told me to get on the plane, that my luggage would be waiting for me. I could have hugged them all. Two hours later I was home.

by EVE on Wednesday, March 25, 2009

#2 - came back to France for an internship (via Geneva) - booked British Airways JFK-LHW-GVA. Bad weather (I am never flying out of the northeast in winter AGAIN!) caused delays at JFK, on top of us being stuck in the JFK queue. As we waited for a de-icing, and de-icing AGAIN, I realized I wouldn't make my connecting flight at Heathrow. Arriving there, everyone was thrown into the chaos - lines, crowds, and very little information. Only until the last minute call for passengers to a Geneva flight - my name was NOT called- did I learn that the connecting flight existed. I was very, very upset as my boyfriend was waiting for me in Geneva - but he had a return train ticket for that night to get back to Lyon, where he lived - and worried I might not get to see him (and wouldn't for weeks). I gave a BA employee my printed itinerary and then he disappeared into the crowd. (Only after he left did I regret that.) The line for coach class customer service went way beyond the ropes, but first class was fairly empty - so I decided to give it a shot. I was scared I'd be redirected to wait in the other line, and when I finally got to the counter, I broke down. The lady there was fine and called the same colleague who had left with my itinerary. Turns out I WAS scheduled on the flight that had just left - only they didn't call my name (?) so it was their fault. They didn't say anything about my 2nd-class status and moved me to the next available flight, and took me to the quick-thru-security line. Finally got to Geneva and had a few hours with my boyfriend, thankfully. So the good news is, they didn't discriminate based on passenger status and they move quickly and kindly - though the bad news is, Heathrow T5 is still really, really disorganized.

by genevoise on Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Both of my "good" stories have come out of "bad" situations (of course). The first was at the end of my study abroad experience in France in December 2008. Imagine 10 students, after spending all their money after 3.5 months in Europe and just wanting to get home for the holidays, arriving at Amsterdam at midday for their connecting flight to Boston... only to find their flight has been rescheduled for the next morning. We were tired and none too thrilled about sleeping at the airport. Fortunately, the KLM customer service helped us out by booking us on a Continental flight - also the next day - and giving us vouchers for a 4-star hotel and two amazing buffet meals! So while we didn't get to go home right away (major storms in the northeast would have prevented it anyway), we all got Christmas/Hanukkah presents: a nearly free trip to Amsterdam including a stay at a 4-star hotel! (Just a few Euros for a train and a beer.) Plus we were given awesome kits with toiletries, socks, and shirts... and vouchers for food, phone time, KLM discounts, and frequent flier miles!

What I didn't realize is that the KLM rep did NOT book me on our Continental flight along with my friend (we went up in pairs)... fortunately again, Continental solved the problem and put me on standby, and I got a seat.

by genevoise on Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Several years ago my husband and I were traveling to Costa Rica from Seattle on America West Airlines. We had some delays in leaving Seattle resulting in our arriving later than expected in Phoenix for our plane change. When we exited the plane from Seattle, we could see people already boarding the plane for Costa Rica. We were one of the last to board and I commented to the attendant that I was concerned about our bags making the quick connection. The attendant stated calmly that the plane had not left yet so to have faith in American West. I had my fingers crossed and was quite concerned wondering if I would be wearing my same clothes for the next 2 weeks since it would have been almost impossible to deliver bags to us in some of the places we were going to. American West certainly pulled through and our bags were there as stated.

by PamelaW on Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Years ago my sister and I took a trip to NY from the Southwest. We spent the night in Cleveland due to routing and the next flight we took, (unfortunately I don't remember which airline) into JFK was fabulous. We were the only passengers and the flight attendant came and chatted with us. The pilot gave us a great aerial tour of NY and all sights. It became better than first class.

by ALA on Tuesday, March 24, 2009

I fly quite often within Canada and to the U.S.. We have the greatest airline, Westjet, that flys across Canada and to U.S. destinations and they can do no wrong. The greatest staff with the finest service you could ask for. They have never lost my luggage and I have never been on a flight yet where it has not landed ontime. Kudos to Westjet! Always a pleasant experience. They always have a good joke to tell, and they even give hugs to mothers on Mothers Day. I will always go out of my way to catch one of their flights if at all possible. A lot of Airlines could learn something from this one.

by Ted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Last summer, I missed two connections to an overseas flight to New Zealand.What stared out as a ten HOUR layover in LA, tuned in to 35 minutes to get from one concourse to another on opposite sides of LAX.

I needed to go across LAX, through security, find my gate, etc.
When I approached Air New Zealand desk, the agent was calling out my name. They were actually looking for me. When I answered, he jumped over the counter, grabbed my wrist and said " Run, your flight leaves in five minutes". He called ahead to security, took me to the head of the line, ran me through (incl x-rays, etc) , ran me through customs and to my gate. The plane doors closed behind me and I experienced the luxury of Air NZ new planes, with big plush seats, individual TV sets with a huge choice of movies, unlimited open bar, restaurant style meals and empty seats around me, so I could lay down to sleep for my 12 hour flight. And , the staff came by often to ask how we were "coping".

by Pamela on Tuesday, March 24, 2009

I was in the gate area at the Atlanta airport waiting for my Delta flight when the microphone at the gate was passed over to a gentleman. He announced that he was the Captain Greg of the upcoming flight and we would be boarding soon. He appologized for the delay in boarding and said he would get us on our way as quick as possible. It was a very pleasant surprise and much appreciated by everyone at the gate.

by BeckyJ on Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Travelling with my wife on Singapore Airlines from YVR to Den Pasar in Bali. My wife had requested vegetarian meals. Needless to say, they did not have her on the veggie list. There was some consternation on the part of the air hostess which brought the air crew chief. She determined what was wrong, asked "Western or Eastern" gave her a big smile, then the food started coming. The rest of the passengers in our section were reconsidering our meat lovers diet. It carried on that way on the 6 segments we were on with Singapore. The "boss" confided to my wife that she was a vegetarian as well. That minor incident made our trip. Best airline; Singapore by a mile!

by Mikey on Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Several years ago 15 adults embarked on a trip to NYC with 150 high school choir students. We flew Continental from Houston, and knew we had an appearance shortly after landing. After hearing that the kids were discretely trying to warm up their voices before landing, the cabin staff invited them to do a full-out concert for the other passengers. They were thrilled to perform at 25,000 feet, the passengers whooped and applauded, and we arrived on time, fresh, rested, and ready for the challenges of a competition week. Ironically, we were lucky enough to have some of the same crew traveling home 5 days later, and they just POURED praise on the kids, and made sure all 10 of the huge trophies the students won were stored carefully and safely.

by davesmom on Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Some years ago, I was flying from LAX to Singapore on Singapore Air Lines in Business Class -- the flight stopped in Tokyo on the way. Somewhere over the Pacific, I began to have very bad eye pain. The crew radioed ahead, and when the plane landed in Tokyo, a SIA ground staffer came on board, escorted me through Immigration and Customs to the airport medical clinic, translated between English and Japanese for me and the doctor, covered the cost of the medication and the clinic fee, escorted me back through security and immigration, and walked me back to my seat on the plane. She also advised the cabin crew not to serve any alcohol to me because I'd been given antibiotics (not that I would have asked for any). I looked at my watch and realized that they'd held the plane's departure for 20 minutes so I could get back on the flight. When the plane landed in Singapore, at about 1:45 AM, a SIA ground staffer escorted me to that airport's clinic, which was normally closed at that hour -- they'd called in a doctor to see me there. Waaaaay above and beyond the call of duty!

by garrym on Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Wy wife and I flew Delta last summer from Venice to Atlanta. The flight attendants were great, realized we were returning from our honeymoon, and even treated us to a nice bottle of champagne even though we were sitting in coach.

by on Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Glad you gave the chance for good news. I personally have had so many wonderful flights and flawless attendants in the past 15 years of traveling at least once overseas every year and several times a year flights home to family on top of that. I think I can remember one rude person who was at the front desk in the airport. I mean it - one! Maybe it's because we don't check bags, even when going overseas each year or maybe it's the respect and genuine appreciation I show those that take care of me when flying. People are people everywhere, greet them with a smile, take your turn, be polite, and really all of us go out of way to be helpful when the other guy tries first. IT WORKS, I know it. I love to travel. Most of my flights have been on America West, Southwest, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Air France, KLM, Northwest, FinnAir and Swiss Air. Always in coach, because I use mileage rewards, although a couple of times I've been extended the generosity to move up to business class - yippee to American and FinnAir on that - but really have always enjoyed the air, the hotels, the cabbies (one time in Edinburgh I was sick, cabbie was Russian, and said "Two shots Vodka, go to bed.") It's all good. Get out there and travel!

by Travel bug on Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Thanks, George, for giving us the opportunity to put some good energy out into the universe!

On a very short flight from SFO to Las Vegas, I became quite ill and got up to use the bathroom because I thought I was about to vomit. I never reached the lavatory because I fainted in the aisle! Of course, I don't remember what happened after this, but I'm told the United flight attendants immediately came to my assistance and called for doctors. I awoke with an oxygen tank and mask over my face and lots of juice cups offered to me, with two doctors standing by. The flight attendants had already called the ground crew and had arranged an ambulance to stand by and also for a wheelchair to bring me into the terminal. None of this was needed, but I felt so taken care of by the entire crew (and fellow passengers!), and I wrote a letter to United to thank them. I was very impressed with their professionalism, their quick and calm action, and their compassion.

Never did find out what made me faint on the plane, though (low blood pressure aggravated by the descent?), but now I take lots of precautions. :)

by LaurenL on Tuesday, March 24, 2009

The folks at American have always gone---pun intended---the extra mile for me...from getting me on a group tour at the flight academy in DFW on a planned layover (which resulted in one on one tour when the group cancelled--they INSISTED), to personally escorting my elder father on the same tour and making sure he made it safely back to DFW. During the chaos of 9/11, I could not get out of Toronto via Air Canada for days. Talking to another stranded hotel guest 3 days later, I discovered the problem might be with AC....so I called AA and asked if there was anything they could do...I was so worn out I couldn't even think straight...the kind person on the other end of the phone told me I had enough award miles for a free flight...that she would make a reservation for me, and I should worry about being reimbursed by AC once I was home; that the seat on AA could be held till the last minute, and I should try for AC first. I should add that since 9/11 every day I was told I was booked on the flight for the next day, but to call back and confirm first...which meant using a pay phone in the hotel hallway with a cord too short to sit with, and being on hold for long periods, and disconnected after it taking up to 20 tries to get the airline number in the wee hours of the morning. As it turned out, I did get out that Saturday on the AC flight, though I didn't believe it until we were airborne. I called AA as soon as I was outside the plane, and cancelled and was always grateful.

by maliesmom on Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Recently, on a trip with US Airways, we sat in the back of the plane, as we normally do. One of the flight attendants came to us before meal service, letting us know that they had limited choices and would we like to order now. He didn't want my 4 year old to go without eating. Definitely a positive story!

by AnyasMomma on Monday, March 23, 2009

I had a seat on a completely booked Virgina Atlantic flight from London to NYC when a woman appeared with a ticket for the same seat. She went ballistic while I sat there and waited to see what would happen. The door was already closed. One of us was to be moved to 1st class, and guess who was NOT chosen. Right. I was moved up there, and on Virgin Atlantic you get a cubicle with a huge lether chair and ottoman that makes into a completely flat bed with sheets, and a gorgeous cabin attended asked if I wanted a full massage. Dinner was rack of lamb. I don't know what the screaming woman had for dinner.

by LuckyMe on Monday, March 23, 2009

We were flying United from LAX to CDG via JFK a couple of years ago. I got up early and checked our flight. The LAX to JFK was canx but the JFK to Paris was ok. I called United and the agent saw there was a flight from LAX via Dallas to CDG. It was coach but she got us on it. Dallas was having repercussions from the frozen eastern airports and we were now on a standby list to get to Dallas. One flight departed and we were far down the standby list for the next flight. I finally went to the gate where the third plane was to leave and the agent there did some stuff in the computer then said to me: Hurry over to the gate and the agent should be just calling your names. I looked surprised and she said I moved you up the standby list for the flight. We had been 23rd! As I ran over there I heard our names being called to board! I yelled to my husband to get tot the agent fast...which he did. In Dallas we were booked on First and we made it fine to CDG. Also fortunate, the original check in agent for United let us go thru first class security even tho we were now in coach...she had to argue with the security gal to get us thru...because we had paid for first in the beginning. ALso she went ahead and sent our luggage on the 1st standby flight so when we arrived at CDG our luggage was waiting. It would have NEVER made it onto the flight in Dallas with us otherwise.
So a grand symphony of good United agents got us to Paris. If we had gone to JFK we would have been there for 3 days! before we could have flown.

by gomac on Monday, March 23, 2009

My husband and I have traveled overseas for about 20 years--and have had so many wonderful, thoughtful experiences on domestic and international airlines. In the past few years, we have made it a point to carry Starbucks gift cards to hand to a particularly thoughtful flight attendant or to someone who went out of their way to help another. Spread the love!

by gmallon on Monday, March 23, 2009

Several years ago, I was stranded on a stand-by flight in a small Central American city. The airport was closing for the night, it was far out of town and I'm a petite blonde woman. This was not a good combination. The crew from a Southwest flight (not the airline with which I was on standby) noticed that I was the only Gringo left in the place and one of them asked if I was OK. I confessed to being stranded and next thing I knew I was piled into a taxi with them (and I mean PILED - as in stacked!) After that I attended a birthday party of one of the crew members and was piled into a bed in someone's house. Not sure who my bedmate was but I do know that the guy sleeping on the floor next to me sure did snore - but then, I was probably occupying his place in the bed! The whole crew was wonderful and the next day I was on my way. I should add that all the crew were 20-somethingish and I was 40-somethingish - which made it even kinder of them to scoop me up from the deserted airport!

by Elsabae on Monday, March 23, 2009

had two great experiences with United flying San Francisco to Boston and return. Flight oversold on the inbound, so they put us on a 747 passenger plane that was contracted to fly cargo; could only take 30 passengers. We had practically the whole plane to ourselvers, plus great service. On the way back, flight again oversold; airline put us up for the night in a great hotel and gave us good seats (1st class on one leg) on the return flight , plus wonderful value in coupons for future air travel. --Historian08

by Historian08 on Monday, March 23, 2009

A few years ago, traveling on Continental to Germany from Kansas City, incoming Continental flight delayed on east coast. By time it got to KC and turned around to LaGuardia, I would miss my connection to Frankfurt. There were alot of very upset, rude passengers the agents were dealing with. When it was my turn, I said why don't you just give me my bag (which they had not sent to baggage, knowing of the delay), reschedule me for tomorrow and I'll go home and get a good nights sleep. The agent was working furiously on the computer when I asked, what are you doing? He said, I'm putting you in first class! I then said, you know, I am missing a whole day of vacation, how about first class all the way to Frankfurt? He checked availability and said...I can do that! So I flew all the way in first class! What a treat from Continental! And what an absolutely nice way to "make it right."

by LadyCee on Monday, March 23, 2009

My connecting flight from West Palm Beach was cancelled, and I was to meet my friend at a certain time in London. By renting a car and hustling to Miami I was able to catch an AA flight there. When I was checking in, I must have looked really tired and frazzled. The agent took some time, then smiled and said, "You're going to like this flight." He had rebooked me in first class all the way, my first time ever in first. And I was right on time for my date!

by carolee on Monday, March 23, 2009

The best experience we ever had with an airline was with Emirates on our flight from the UK to Dubai to Kenya. We had to keep looking around to make sure we were really sitting in economy! We had extra leg room, a screen on the head rest in front of us with over 200 on-demand movie choices, sat-tv, games, plus more for our viewing pleasure. We were given a menu to make meal choices. Our food was served on a tray with a white linen cover and napkin with real metal silverware and individual s&p shakers. The flight attendants were the most polite we had ever encountered. What a dream airline!!

by debinator on Monday, March 23, 2009

I took my family on a two week trip to Mexico a couple of years back. To get the cheapest flight we had to make several conections. On the flight from Cancun to Guadalajara our preassigned seats were not existent and our family of four was scattered throughout the plane. On our way home I asked the lady at the ticket counter if she could see if it was possible to make sure we were seated together according to the preassigned seats we had. She worked on her screen for a few minutes and gave me our boarding passes. When I looked at the I realized she bumped us all up to first class. A very nice treat for our flight home.

by jaystergreen on Monday, March 23, 2009

I'll add one of my own. I bought an official "Crew" plastic luggage tag with a Delta logo on eBay for $1 and slapped it on my bag (being a collector of airline memorabilia). Got on board a US Air flight, sitting in coach. The flight attendant noticed my tag just before take off and asked, "Are you crew? We have room in first class." I answered that I was not, just a collector. After take off, the FA came back to me and moved me to first class anyway (I guess for being honest!).

by on Monday, March 23, 2009

Oh, another one. Flying on Virgin Atlantic from JFK to London a few years back, I (stupidly and never do this) put my passport in the seat pocket in front of me. As we were landing, I went to grab it. Could not find it no way no how. I nearly tore that seat pocket apart. Went through passport control at Heathrow sheepishly explaining that I had no passport. They let me in anyway. I called Virgin when I got to my hotel. Three days later, the passport, which had traveled to Miami and who knows where else, showed up at the front desk, saving me further pain.

by on Monday, March 23, 2009

Earlier this month, my wife and I took a Hawaiian Air trip from San Francisco to Lihue, Kauai. The entire trip was an absolute pleasure, and the airline really goes out of its way to extend the Aloha spirit from the moment you board until the moment you de-plane. We were treated to Hawaiian POG (pineapple-orange-guava) juice, snacks from the Islands, and excellent service from the flight attendants. We also were treated to video programs which highlighted various aspects of the Hawaiian culture. All in all, it was a wonderful trip and we plan to fly Hawaiian next year when we return!

by WalnutBaron on Monday, March 23, 2009

Have had 2 really cool results. When returning from WI to OR, our first flight, on Northwest, wouldn't get there in time for the connection in MN. Not only were we rebooked, the agent noticed that my husband wears a leg brace & uses a cane. We were delighted with first class seats, meal vouchers & a discount coupon for a future flight. Second one was US Airway had too many people (weight) for a really small plane because of the extreme heat in San Luis Obispo and had to turn away 10 passengers. I was rebooked on AA & after a 1.5 hour cab ride to Santa Barbara airport, a short 20 minute ride, ended up in LAX. I was supposed to catch a Horizon flight back up to Eugene. I asked if I could put it off 24 hours. Yep!! I grabbed a shuttle, called a motel on my cell in route & an hour later I was in Disneyland in time for the fireworks. Got on the plane the next day and was a happy passenger all round.

by disnoid on Monday, March 23, 2009

I had booked tickets through Travelocity to Albuquerque to see my brother before he died. Unfortunately, he died sooner than expected. I attempted to change the flight through Travelocity, but they were not helpful at all.

After the third or fourth call, they finally connected me with a supervisor who contacted a supervisor at United. United not only changed the reservation, but charged me less than the fare through the consolidator! United really came through!

by Bobby on Monday, March 23, 2009

We have been able to fly Jet Blue only twice, but both experiences were exceptional. On our first flight, we'd booked at the last minute to go home for my mother's funeral. Two adults, two kids, spread out all over the airplane. When we got to the airport, they volunteered to seat us together. And on the flight home, when my 2 kids clearly could not stand each other one moment longer, they volunteered to separate them! Flight attendants who double as psychologists.

by chris on Monday, March 23, 2009

While flying Delta on a return from Rome, Italy..my gold ring slipped off my finger and fell in back of my seat. I was against a bulkhead. Myhusband and I tried to find it to no avail. When we landed at our final stop , Atlanta, two lovely flight attendants waid they would help us look. They had already been standing and working fr over 8 hours on this flight and must have been dead-tired and ready for rest. They stayed with us after the plane emptied and did their vbbest to locate my ring, even taking apart the seats!!! it was all to no avail....but I will always remember their kindness to me .......above and beyond the call of duty. Thank you very much. Marydallas

by marydallas on Monday, March 23, 2009

While I have had luggage lost, lately I've noticed great improvement and not had a bag go missing in almost 2 years - despite flying more often and often having to take connecting flights.
About six months ago, I was on an American Airlines flight that ended up delayed due to an equipment problem. I had been upgraded to first class and had accidentally left my brand new Bose Comfort 3 headphones on the plane when we disembarked to wait for a new aircraft. I didn't realize my headphones were missing until I boarded the new plane. The flight attendants had rescued my Bose headphones and happily returned them to me. I've noticed that in general most flight attendants these days are glad to have a job and work very hard. That "Southwest spirit" of good humor seems to have crossed the boards to Delta, American and other carriers.

by Terrygard on Monday, March 23, 2009

Back in the day when we used to check in with real gate agents, I used to regularly get upgraded to first class. They had a certain number of upgrades to give out and seemed to give them to people who treated them like fellow human beings instead of servants.

by frequentflyer on Monday, March 23, 2009

I gave up my seat on an AA flight while on the way to a convention, because the plane was overweight. I realized that I would not make my connecting flight, and the gate agent told me if I was willing to wait five hours at the connecting airport she would upgrade me to first class on the second portion of the trip. There was an angry man who was going to be bumped if I didn't volunteer, and so that might have motivated her. I agreed, for first class I'd wait for longer! However, someone screwed up at the connecting airport, and they gave my first class seat away to someone else, even though I had a boarding pass with an assigned seat :(

However, an agent at my arriving airport saved the day. She called the manager and he upgraded me for the flight back, and that time, everything went smoothly :)

by tracker on Monday, March 23, 2009

May 2008 I was flying last-minute United to Phoenix from Seattle on an extremely early flight, and was caught in unusually early bad traffic. A 30 minutes drive became over two hours, and I missed by flight. I had booked via Priceline, and they were unable to assist me. On a chance I called United's customer service, and discovered that I'd already been rebooked to San Francisco on a flight leaving in less than an hour and from there to Phoenix, arriving only about three hours later than my original flight.

I never found out who rebooked me on their own initiative, but it made my day, and my trip.

by Archon on Monday, March 23, 2009

i do have a very positive experience with Air Tran Airways. i was going to Disney World for the first time and checked in for my flight from Pittsburgh to orlando 24 hours ahead of time. This was back when Air Tran had everyone select seats at check in. I looked at the cabin diagram and noticed that it gave me the business class cabin as an option. I had a coach seat but i clicked on 4 business class seats(one for each in my family) and sure enough it gave me those seats and printed out my boarding passes with seats 2A 2B and 3A 3B. i was shocked i called air tran and told them and she put me on hold for 15 minutes cam back and said that they could not change it and to enjoy the flight. So we flew business class for coach class prices.

by flyerpit on Monday, March 23, 2009

My husband and I were delayed in getting to LAX to catch a connecting flight to Honolulu. As we were running to the gate for our American Airlines flight, the flight attendant was closing the door. She saw us coming and stopped. As we approached, I started coughing badly. When we got to the gate, she asked me if I had a cold. I was so stopped up, I could hardly breathe! She had my husband go and get me an inhaler before we got on the plane. After we were seated, in the middle of a crowded plane, she came and got us to move to an area where I could lay down after the plane took off. Later in the flight she brought us a bottle of champagne!

by phlew on Monday, March 23, 2009

I was supposed to be taking an early morning flight out of St. Louis on Southwest, and I'd intended to take Metrolink to the airport. However, the train never came, and I had to call a friend at 5:30 in the morning to take me to the airport. By the time I got there, it was 6:10, and I was sure that they weren't going to let me on the plane. They did, and they even let me check my bags (no fees, of course), warning me that my bags might not make it out on that flight. I rushed through security, and the gate attendant was waiting for me. He addressed me by name, and then told me I was fine, there was no problem. When I got on the plane, the flight attendant took my carry on and stowed it for me, then told me to relax. The best part was that when I landed in Seattle after making a Chicago connection, my luggage came right off the carousel with everyone else's. Southwest must have rushed my luggage through security too. Our flight attendant from Chicago to Seattle was fantastic, repeatedly refilling our beverages whenever they got a little low. And of course, the snacks were way better than the peanuts normally served on other airlines. Southwest certainly won my loyalty that day.

by mathgeek on Monday, March 23, 2009

It was a perfectly ordinary flight -- American Eagle from Lawton, OK to DFW, then catching a AA flight from DFW to San Juan. No delays, no problems, no reason for anyone to give that extra attention. So I was very pleased after waking up from my nap on the American Eagle flight to find my flight attendant's business card attached to the seat in front of me so that I would see it when I woke up -- with the information for the terminal for my connecting flight written on it!

by Susan of Rio Grande on Monday, March 23, 2009

My husband and I, our son and daughter-in-law and their three little ones (4, and 2.5 yr. old twins) sat 4+ hours awaiting in Columbus OH awaiting our delayed Delta flight to Atlanta. The Delta rep not only gave us a "back-up" reservation on a later flight from Atlanta to San Francisco in case we missed our connection (which we did), she also booked all seven of us into First Class for that later flight to SFO. Additionally she waived the extra baggage fees for the bags carrying the 3 car seats and the two pack 'n' plays for the twins. We were in transit a total of 16 hours that day--and ever-grateful for the what our grandson called "Front Class" on the long leg from ATL to SFO. Delta won positive points for our family that day!

by Mim on Monday, March 23, 2009

Having flown into Miami to get connecting flights to the caribbean with AA. I know they often cancel. So when my husband and I were flying to Barbados with two grandchildren(teens) I stuck to the desk. Sure enough our flight was canceled and AA signed off and we got (by running) a flight with BWIA. Great flight, we were elated not to have to put off a day of our trip. They thought grandma was pretty smart.

by tlhanger on Monday, March 23, 2009

Was flying on American from O'Hare to Phoenix a couple of years ago and was seated in first class on the window. In the aisle seat next to me was a 40ish guy in a white sox hat. A young soldier got on the plane and was about to walk by us when my seatmate got up and stood in front of him nd said, "Sir, do you have an aisle seat?" The soldier looked sheepishly at his boarding pass and responded tht he did. The guy took his boarding pass and told the soldier to sit down in first class and he went on back to 25 a in the back. After the plane pulled away from the gate, the Purser went to the back of the plane and brought the guy back to first class where he recieved a polite ovation from the passengers. Pretty cool. Would a Cub Fan do that?

by mainframe on Monday, March 23, 2009

Positive comments. My wife and I flew Azores Express (Grupo SATA) Boston to Azores Islands in the Atlantic. Round trip. We connected via NWA out of MSP. We needed wheel chair attention. The people on Azores Express were extraordinary, service exceeded expectations, meals were terrific and inter island service
was fun.

by Phillip on Monday, March 23, 2009

have been flying for years, have never had an experience that extended beyond the normal delays, cancellations and 2 experiences w/ misplaced luggage that was located and delivered within 24 hrs. USAir is flown most often w/o any significant issues. Most delays, cancellations have involved Delta.

by retired teacher on Monday, March 23, 2009

Last summer my husband and I had a great trip to Ireland. The flights over (with US air and Aer Lingus) were smooth and uneventful. On the trip home, half way across the Atlantic on an Aer Lingus flight, an announcement asked if there was a doctor on board. A little while later we noticed them moving a woman up into the first class cabin. Eventually the flight was diverted to Nova Scotia because of a medical emergency and the passenger was taken off the plane. As we continued on to Boston we realized that we were not going to make our next connection in time. We were thinking about what we would need to do to book another flight with US Air. As it turned out we needed to do nothing. As we disembarked we were escorted to customs and then told to go to a certain desk if we had another connecting flight. Aer Lingus aready has us booked on another flight, we had plenty of time to spare and were treated with the utmost care. The moral is try to remain calm, take a trip to Ireland (you will love it) and fly Aer Lingus to get there. I am not an Irish Tourist Board or an Aer Lingus employee, just a lover of all things Irish, including their Airline!

by Jan on Monday, March 23, 2009

In April 2008, I was returning to Indianapolis from San Francisco on Frontier Airlines. I missed the BART in Berkeley, and had to wait for the next train. I arrived at SFO with 40 mins to spare, and was not checking any luggage, just needed to get through security. When I went to check in and get my boarding pass, I was told that I was NOT getting on that plane and it had already closed, despite the fact I had a seat assignment.

The gentleman at the counter called in as many favors as he had with all of the other airlines at SFO - he got me on a USAirways flight from SFO to Las Vegas, but was still trying to get me a flight to Indy when I had to get to the gate for my flight.

He called me just before I boarded the Vegas plane to let me know that he was able to get me a seat on an AirTran flight from Vegas to Indianapolis! He absolutely went above and beyond to make sure I got home that day/night.

I will always consider Frontier first, based on that experience. Totally impressed!

by mr pratt on Monday, March 23, 2009

I was stuck in Bangkok due to the airport protests back in November. I went to the United Airlines city ticket office to rebook. There was no line when I arrived and the ladies at the desk there did all they could to rebook me. My original ticket was an award booked on ANA using UA miles, but ANA punted me to United to work out arrangements. I had to rebook the ticket a couple of more times because the airport was closed ultimately for a week and it was always handled quickly and professionally. In the end I had to pay my own way to get to Phuket and for my own ticket from there to Singapore but United got me home from Singapore on my original ticket. And due to all of the changes I ended up in a booking class that allowed me to buy an upgrade to First for part of the trip home which was nice. So, the ladies at United's Bangkok ticket office definitely get my kudos. Not so nice were the rules at Singapore airport's Kris lounge which wouldn't let me in without a boarding pass which I couldn't get until 4:30 AM the next morning. That was very frustrating.

by Glenn on Monday, March 23, 2009

When flying from Bagkok, within Thailand, it was discovered I still had my penknife in my pocket, my bags were already checked. I was afraid that I was about to lose my favorite Leatherman again, it had happened before, but to my surprise they put it in an envelope and returned it to me at my destination (admonishing me not to do it again, in a friendly manner) Seems like a no brainer, but the rule in the US and the UK is strict - it goes into the trash!

by silver fox on Monday, March 23, 2009

I had a GREAT experience in 05 with United Airlines. My 6:am out of Eagle/Vail was canceled the night before because of no pilot. United had ALL my contact numbers but no one called me! The morning of I get to the airport early and the ticket agent said can I help you and I said Iam here for my 6:am, the other agent is on the phone. After a short talk they figured out no on called me, So thy sent someone to get me coffee, refunded my ticket, bumped me to 1st class, gave me a $50.00 meal ticket good at wolfgangs. I will always fly United they they always treat me well !!!

by daniel10519 on Monday, March 23, 2009

My recent Air France transAtlantic flight from Paris to Philadelphia was fantastic. Great plane, very gracious service and excellent food, besides. My US Airways flight in the opposite direction was, well, opposite. Next trip to Europe I'll definitely be trying for Air France!

by la viajera on Monday, March 23, 2009

Last week I was flying from Philadelphia to Portland, OR via Atlanta. After everyone had boarded the captain told us that there was a mechanical error that could take anywhere from fifteen minutes to three hours to fix. Knowing that I'd miss my connection in Atlanta, I called Delta from the plane and was able to get re-routed through Salt Lake--IF the flight attendants would let me off the plane. They had to check with the agents on the ground and to my surprise, they actually let me off and even got my bag transferred to the new flight. Not over-the-top kind, but certainly better than other stories of being stranded on plane for hours!

by lamaggi on Monday, March 23, 2009

Weather caused my originating fligt to be delayed, causing me to miss my connection and having to rebook for the next day- 2 days in a row. I was on my way to Okinawa to visit my son in the Marines. Because it was a long trip and my husband wasn't able to go with me he was not too happy about me going. I knew if I went home again he would make me cancel the trip. I hadn't seen my son in over a year and was almost in tears on the 2nd day. Many people were saying they were being told too bad, come back tomorrow and we'll try again. However, The USAir agent (Marie) in Philadelphia worked for almost 20 minutes and patiently checked every combination of flights possible. With a big smile she told me she finally found one on Lufthansa- going through Germany, to Osaka and finally to Okinawa. It was a long trip but because of her I got to see my "Baby".

by PC_Chick on Monday, March 23, 2009

When I was traveling with a Victrola horn it was too large to put in my checked luggage so I wanted to carry it on the flight from Istanbul to Paris. They refused to check it in a carrier box because it was an 'antiquity' and they could not guarantee it's safe passage.

The pilot hearing the problem put it in the cockpit for me.

When changing planes in Paris I encountered the same problem, this time a friendly airport employee walked it through security (it would not fit in the x-ray) and got it on the flight for me.

While these are not examples of the Airline or the security drones being decent humans, they are good examples of how strangers working for the airline will go out of the way to help.

by Wilder on Monday, March 23, 2009

On February 23, 2009 I took my daughter to Las Vegas for her 21st birthday present. We took the Southwest Airlines from Jacksonville arriving about 4:30 pm. When we arrived at our hotel my daughter realized that her wallet with her ID and over $600 was missing. Shortly thereafter I received a phone call on my cell phone that her wallet was found on the plane and was waiting for us at the airport. We went back and retrieved it and not a dollar was missing. The honesty and customer service of Southwest's employees saved my daughters dream vacation from becoming a nightmare.

by Moose on Monday, March 23, 2009

I was 3 months pregnant and flying with 24 hour "morning sickness". My plane was slightly delayed due to mechanical issues and moreso delayed due to freaked out passengers. I told the flight attendant that if it was delayed anymore I would have to get off the flight to eat or I would be sick again. Since getting off the plane would delay the flight even longer, they brought me over as many "snacks" as I needed and check on my constantly. Again, not too much, but it was appreciated.

by maxsmom on Monday, March 23, 2009

This is the second time my grandson has flown - Southwest - alone.
The crew was great and even though he ran to me at the gate upon arrival - I had to show ID and the whole experience was positive!
He is 11 years old.

by tedsmimi on Monday, March 23, 2009

When my 87 year old mother was returning to Seattle after visiting us in Orlando for three weeks, I asked at the agent at the gate if they would provide assistance to get to her to the appropriate gate on the second leg of her journey. The attendant asked her to wait a moment, then he reissued her a new boarding pass, putting her in first class. It was a Northwest flight, and my mother was tickled, having never been in first class before. When she got home, she called and told me they offered (and she accepted) a glass of champagne and she was fed a real meal.

by on Monday, March 23, 2009

My wife and I were on a Northwest flight delayed by weather and missed our connection for the last flight out of Memphis that night. While waiting in line to rebook, I heard several others being told that they couldn't get their baggage. I asked for our bags anyway while being polite as I could. I was told that it could be half an hour or more, but our bags were on the carousel by the time I got there. I couldn't believe they would try to withhold people's baggage in the first place. It's not that great of a story, but at least we didn't lose it to never be seen again. However, they did halfway destroy one bag on our flight the next morning. I guess that was payback.

by EEHog on Monday, March 23, 2009

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