United Airlines-anyone fly UK to USA recently?

I am flying United Airlines from Manchester to Dulles in November. My mom is convinced that any checked luggage incurs a fee, while it seems to be that I get one free checked bag from what I read online.


I usually fly Delta, anyone that has flown United care to enlighten me (and hopefully prove my mom wrong?)

Why don't you check the baggage allowance on the United website?

http://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/travel/Pages/CheckedBaggage.aspx

If I remember correctly, international flights between the UK and the US allow 1 free checked bag (50lb) and then you have to pay $100 for the second bag, but for internal domestic flights you have to pay for all checked bags... something like $25.

I just flew United Airlines in July, from the US to the UK, and then from the UK to the US.

Yes, you do get one free checked bag.

Thanks! I did go to the United page but had trouble finding my confirmation number to use their allowance calculator.

Means I can bring home more treats for Christmas! Result!

I just flew United Airlines in July, from the US to the UK, and then from the UK to the US.

Yes, you do get one free checked bag.

What was your flying experience flying United?
We flew British Airways in June/July and it was poor.
Son in law flew Atlantic Virgin, or is it Virgin Atlantic, during the same period and he loved it. Virgin is now owned by Delta in large part I think.

I'm always interested in any impressions of the airlines flying the Atlantic. I could check the reviews for the different airlines but passengers tend to like them or hate them.

Can't comment on United (well, not until I go in November) but I just got back to the UK from the USA.  We flew with KLM/Delta.  Out of the 5 flights, I think just one was actually a Delta crew/Delta run.

My flight from Amsterdam-Chicago with KLM about a fortnight ago was one of the best that I have ever had.  Despite booking the tickets ages ago altogether, my 3 year-old-son, infant in arms, husband and myself were not seated together.  I phoned and asked but was told nothing could be done.  KLM flight attendants on-board were incredibly helpful.  In the end, it was a very nice passenger who obliged so we could be together but the staff the rest of the flight kept coming round asking if our kids needed anything, making faces to entertain the kids, etc., making it super tolerable.

Same things both times Manchester-Amsterdam, KLM run-super nice staff.   Also able to check-in online with an infant ticket (not sure if that's an issue with you.) By contrast, not able to with Delta and then had a problem when I went to their partner KLM flight, as Delta hadn't inputted something into the computer correctly.

Every Delta transatlantic flight that we've been on I've found the flight attendants to be really sarcastic and pretty much rude to most people. I've not found any of their online/checking in things particularly convenient and the planes seem to be older and not have the onflight entertainment you sort of expect these days (no individual tv screens?Really??!!)

Sorry-I just flew and am jetlagged and up, so typing away!

But I got there (mostly) on-time or early and safe, so good in that respect!

I recently flew BA from Heathrow to Chicago, and American coming back.
The BA flight was wonderful-great crew, and the food (especially my daughter's gluten free dinner) were tasty.  In flight entertainment kept the girls (ages 10 and 12) happy without  having to get out the nook/ds/ipad.   
The domestic flights on American Eagle were alright, but the staff in Chicago weren't very nice. The flights were a little over an hour each.
Coming back to Heathrow on American was not enjoyable.  We sat in Chicago for almost 2 hours on the plane while they were correcting a maintenance issue.  My in flight entertainment wasn't working and the girls were not impressed with the choices on offer. Both the 'typical' and the gluten free food wasn't very good.
Keep in mind we were in cattle class-I'm sure those in business and first class had a much better time of it. 

I flew BA to the US last week and haven't ever had an issue on a BA flight.  My entertainment worked, the food was decent, service decent.

I flew Virgin Atlantic for the first time in May/June and was not impressed.  I always heard great things about Virgin and my first experience left me feeling I would only fly them if necessary.  The food was awful and I usually don't mind airplane food (my husband agreed and he also doesn't mind airplane food).  Also, even though all of our flights were purchased through Virgin, they did not "link" the tickets so we had to clear immigration, collect our bags, recheck our bags in the main terminal, reclear security, and proceed to our gate for an international transfer (on the way there and on the way back).  On the way back, we did not have enough time as the immigration queues were HUGE and were running for our lives through the airport to try to make the connection.  (we did but only as the flight was late and when we arrived at the gate, we were the last ones to board).  Meanwhile fellow passengers were able to skip immigration as their tickets were linked and they just proceeded to the new gate and their bags were moved for them.

I honestly think every single airline is going to have good stories and bad stories.  I think they are all pretty much the same.

Every Delta transatlantic flight that we've been on I've found the flight attendants to be really sarcastic and pretty much rude to most people. I've not found any of their online/checking in things particularly convenient and the planes seem to be older and not have the onflight entertainment you sort of expect these days (no individual tv screens?Really??!!
But I got there (mostly) on-time or early and safe, so good in that respect!

Oh I don't want to read this! I am flying Delta next month! 

I recently flew BA from Heathrow to Chicago, and American coming back.
The BA flight was wonderful-great crew, and the food (especially my daughter's gluten free dinner) were tasty.  In flight entertainment kept the girls (ages 10 and 12) happy without  having to get out the nook/ds/ipad.   
The domestic flights on American Eagle were alright, but the staff in Chicago weren't very nice. The flights were a little over an hour each.
Coming back to Heathrow on American was not enjoyable.  We sat in Chicago for almost 2 hours on the plane while they were correcting a maintenance issue.  My in flight entertainment wasn't working and the girls were not impressed with the choices on offer. Both the 'typical' and the gluten free food wasn't very good.
Keep in mind we were in cattle class-I'm sure those in business and first class had a much better time of it. 

I like flying with BA, the flight staff is professional and polite, the food is decent and the entertainment is up to date. BA is my first choice when flying 
 I have flown with American twice and hated every single minute of it, when I am booking flights on BA, I refuse to book the American operated BA flight!

I flew BA to the US last week and haven't ever had an issue on a BA flight.  My entertainment worked, the food was decent, service decent.

I flew Virgin Atlantic for the first time in May/June and was not impressed.  I always heard great things about Virgin and my first experience left me feeling I would only fly them if necessary.  The food was awful and I usually don't mind airplane food (my husband agreed and he also doesn't mind airplane food).  Also, even though all of our flights were purchased through Virgin, they did not "link" the tickets so we had to clear immigration, collect our bags, recheck our bags in the main terminal, reclear security, and proceed to our gate for an international transfer (on the way there and on the way back).  On the way back, we did not have enough time as the immigration queues were HUGE and were running for our lives through the airport to try to make the connection.  (we did but only as the flight was late and when we arrived at the gate, we were the last ones to board).  Meanwhile fellow passengers were able to skip immigration as their tickets were linked and they just proceeded to the new gate and their bags were moved for them.

I honestly think every single airline is going to have good stories and bad stories.  I think they are all pretty much the same.

I have flown Virgin in the past and was quite pleased with the flights, but the last time I used Virgin, I was not too very impressed  either

I agree KFdancer, for the most part (except for American  ) there are good & bad stories from each passenger, the flight that I was miserable on, the person across the aisle from me could have thought it was the best flight ever!

IAlso, even though all of our flights were purchased through Virgin, they did not "link" the tickets so we had to clear immigration, collect our bags, recheck our bags in the main terminal, reclear security, and proceed to our gate for an international transfer (on the way there and on the way back).

I fly direct point to point and don't have to make a connection but I thought it wasn't possible for airlines to check passengers and luggage through to their final destination.

It's not the fault of the airline, the US requires people to go through immigration first, collect their bag, go through customs and then recheck for their connecting, domestic flight. I always thought what a huge hassle, especially since you can be checked-in through to your final destination on the way back.

In order of preference I usually fly Virgin, American, British Airways. I don't know why but I never bother checking United or Delta.

Virgin's food is awful, but the entertainment options are stellar and I found them to be generally reliable in terms of being on time.

If American is having a sale, and I can save some money on a seat I'll go with them. The one positive I can say is that they fly 777s usually and the legroom is very good.

I used to fly BA more often but their prices are always the highest so I haven't bothered.

 

I fly direct point to point and don't have to make a connection but I thought it wasn't possible for airlines to check passengers and luggage through to their final destination.

It's not the fault of the airline, the US requires people to go through immigration first, collect their bag, go through customs and then recheck for their connecting, domestic flight. I always thought what a huge hassle, especially since you can be checked-in through to your final destination on the way back.

Yeah, that's what normally happens with a connecting, linked flight (where you are given boarding passes for both flights when you first check in in the UK)... it's usually just a case of picking up your bags from baggage claim, walking through customs and then depositing them on the conveyor again before going through security. This has happened every single time I've flown to the US with connecting (linked) tickets.

If you don't have linked tickets, you are only given a boarding pass for the first flight and then you have to completely leave the arrivals area when you land and then go back to departures and start the entire check-in process all over again to get new boarding passes and everything.

My international transfer wasn't in the US.  And yes, we only got the initial boarding card and therefore had to completely enter (South Africa) and go through everything.  The ticketing agents were very surprised that the tickets were not linked as they are able to, allowing you to bypass all of that mess.  Oh well.  That's a big reason why I will try to avoid Virgin Atlantic in the future (or at least not use their holiday booking agents and book the flights myself).