Reliable Airlines (if there is such a thing!)

DHs son came over at the last minute for a 2 week visit...last minute because he was starting college on 20th August so had to be back in the state by at least that date and by the 25th July he hadn't received his passport (which he'd applied for in April and paid the additional fee to expadite it) so it didn't look like he'd receive it in time to make the trip and be back in time for college.

Anyway, he got his passport and we booked a flight that day.

Because it was sooo last minute we just went onto the usual websites looking for the best flight and we managed to get one on the Orbitz site which had great connections, timings and a great price.

On his way over, he landed in Glasgow on the Saturday morning without luggage.  It eventually turned up in Milan and he got it at 10pm on the Tuesday - so 4 full days without his own clothes and toiletries.  (the lack of toiletries didn't seem to matter to a 19 year old bloke  )

As if that wasn't bad enough, on his way back he was due to leave Glasgow on the Friday morning at 10.45am and eventually left on the Saturday morning at 11.15am!!!

This was his first visit (and first time on a plane, out of the states etc) and we want him to come back again and again.  We've decided that now that he has his passport, we will be planning his trips well in advance and will pay a bit more if need be to fly with a 'reputable' airline.  I've travelled extensively and found that i experience more delays on budget airlines than the likes of Virgin, BA, Air Canada etc...

Obviously folks on here will have travelled to and from the states a number of times and i wondered if there was any airline that you would recommend over another...any opinions would be greatly appreciated...right now he's off flying for life so next time we'd like to give him at least a shot at a trouble-free journey!

(PS: travel insurance sucks!!!)

in my experience, delayed baggage can happen on any airline.  this is because it is the airport operator that's responsible for the transport of luggage from a to plane, plane to baggage carousel.

i fly a lot.  i've never had a delyaed or missed bag on any budget airline (ryanair, easyjet, bmi baby).  however, i had had delayed bags on Air Canada & delta.  in fact the delta bags were never found.

i think he may have had problems becuase of the connections. 

if the baggage is delayed for more than a certain amt of hours, you can claim back on the airline or travel insurance.  why do you say trave linsurance sucks?

I'm saying it sucks because i didn't read the small print! 

Things like reporting it to the booking agent within a 72hour deadline which expired 24hours before you read the very very small print...the baggage handlers saying they wont issue a report stating when the bag was returned whilst the policy insists that you have to have such a report to support your claim...Trip cancellation maximum of $200 when easily our out of pocket expenses were £140/$280.

Lesson learnt, mostly my fault, just having a moan...

I take the point on the connections, i think that's why i'm thinking of using the bigger airlines, they seem to have more direct flights.

what was his routing?

Coming:

San Luis Obispo, CA
San Francisco
Philadelphia
Glasgow

Returning:
Glasgow
Philadelphia
Phoenix
San Luis Obispo, CA

He flew with US Airways.

Sorry to say we still haven't found a good airline...and we fly alot because of the bi-continental nature of our family. We have tried United...I don't want to even remember that one. Most recently we have tried BA. They doubled charged my credit card...and messed up the unattended minor instructions that I had so carefully made.

The luggage issue is why I always fly non-stop.  And the one time I didn't, I paid for it.  Ick.

Between the US and the UK, we always use Virgin.  That's because we can get direct flights and they've been very good to us.  We missed a flight coming back from the US once and they rescheduled all four of us without any extra charges - and we were flying on discounted fares!

Thanks, Virgin is my current favourite but i've only used them for one trip so wanted someone else to back them 

Yep,
Everyone will have differing experiences - budget or mainstream airline or not.

I'm only just 'thinking' of possibly using Br(sh)itish airways again after an 11 year boycott of them and 'only' becuase of their extended advancements in use of automated systems to make checkin easier. Just hope their efficiencies stretch to a decent cabin experience and no lost luggage and non bookings on flights even though I'd confirmed 72 hours earlier etc etc.

during my boycott of them, I have used Virgin mainly on trips to the US -  and found them to be great for what I paid, so thumbs up for them from me. I've not persoanlly experienced delays on budget airlines, Easyjet and BMI - they've both been satisfactory. A good mate of mine always had terrible delays with them coming back from working in Amsterdam - it was a running joke when he said 'im flying over X evening' I'd respond and say so we'll see you the following morning !

Cheers! DtM! West London & Slough UK!

We use Virgin.  Always.  And they have a nice points program too.  I've only had good flights with them.  Even using them to fly to India this winter!

Virgin is OK if you are a midget.
On the last trip, about 5 years ago, if we dropped something on the floor we couldn't pick it up without standing up going in the isle and then we could bend down and pick it up.
I'm also thinking BA next time.
I think it is Global that has extra leg room.
I read that the airlines are going to a menu system were you can customize your amenities on board and pay the extra fees. Leg room, food, beverages.

We just flew out on a BA through ticket..but the actual airlines used was Flybe to Gatwick and BA to Dallas...and then AA onto Tulsa....

Well our luggage didn't make it to Dallas..the snotty man there said we should have presented ourselves to the BA ticket desk.. I said why we haven't ever had to before. Our luggage had been interlined all the way thru to Tulsa. Anyways we didn't get our bags for 48hrs...... 

I have never flown Virgin, but several others.  I agree that my trip with United is one I will try to forget, same with Northwest.  Air India was alright, but nothing came to the treatment and flight I had with Continental.  They are just a smidge more than other airlines, still reasonably priced though, and they got me safely to the UK and my little dog too.

i genuinely believe that all airlines have their faults.  if i choose my airline by my family's & my personal experience i wouldn't be flying: virgin, ba, delta, united, continental.  doesn't leave me with much.  i choose who i fly based on connections, airports, price. 

We typically fly Virgin for several reasons - We have a majority of our miles on there, they have the best inflight entertainment, I usually find it to be cheaper anyway.

A 19 year old boy will love the inflight stuff! 

I've never had any trouble with baggage no matter which airline, but we also usually fly direct as we travel mostly from New York to London.  I agree with the previous poster that the chances of lost luggage increases exponentially with the number of connections!

I also quite like BA and have flown United and Continental - which can sometimes be cheaper.