Airlines

Does anybody regularly use a carrier they would actually recommend these days?  DH has been flying American regularly of late, mainly because they offer the daytime flight from BOS to LHR and he's got quite a few airmiles with them now.  He flew back yesterday but the flight was delayed something like 3 hours.  First they had to de-ice (understandable).  Then there was a problem with the tank under the loos which was leaking (!)  They finally had to let people off again to use the terminal loos while they fixed it.  Then as they started taxiing they had to return to the gate as another warning light had come on.  Never said what that problem was.  Gives you a lot of confidence.
At Christmas both DD's flights had toilets out of commission (probably the same plane as above)  The food is increasingly atrocious and you can only order special meals by phoning in advance.  And they serve the coffee/tea in those crappy styrofoam cups.  I'm all for economizing but really! that's the last straw for me!   
Then there's the charges for baggage.  We only fly with carryon nowadays but I suppose they'll be charging for that too.  I wish they would if it would curtail people trying to cram their steamer trunks in the overhead lockers.
Has anybody had a good experience lately?

Does anybody regularly use a carrier they would actually recommend these days?  {snip} Has anybody had a good experience lately?

No, and no.  I've flown back and forth from the US to the UK on American and Continental, and neither one is anything to write home about.  My girlfriend swears that British Airways is appreciably better, but I haven't flown with them, so I can't say.  All the airlines seem to be racing to see which one can be the first to compete solely on price by cutting every possible pleasant thing about them.  Eventually, they'll just start gutting all the interiors and we'll fly on benches like in military cargo planes, but at least it'll be cheap. 

Carl

I've flown a lot in the past few years, all over the world, and my experience is that the Asian airlines (Cathay Pacific, Singapore Air) offer the best overall service, though they tend to be expensive.  Unfortunately, if you're going from the US to the UK, they are generally not an option.  I've had reasonably good experiences with Air Canada, Air France, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.  These days, I do my best to steer clear of the American carriers, their service has gone from bad to atrocious lately.  It's a shame, the first time I flew over the Atlantic in 1999, I went on American Airlines and was actually impressed.  Then I was on an AA domestic flight a few months ago, and it was awful.  Makes me sad.  

I had a good experience with Virgin not too long ago, flying UK-US.  Would fly them again.  I do like BA as well, but on the routes that I fly they're just too expensive.

I've also flown Continental and Delta transatlantic, neither is anything special, though (but not necessarily bad- I fly continental a lot and it's always been fine, but I'd rather fly Virgin or BA.)

We fly Virgin as well and love them!  I won't fly anyone else

I've had good experiences with BMI, Lufthansa and BA.

"OK" experiences with Continental

Bad experiences with Delta.  They seem to be able to find the rudest people in the world to be their staff.  Plus their luggage policy is ridiculous.  One case at 51lbs = $150+ fee.  Two cases at 50lbs, totally ok!!!

DS was flying back from LHR to make connection at Charlotte, US Air's hub and, although they landed in good time to make his connection, they were not allowed off the plane as there were too many people already in the immigration/customs halls.  When they were allowed off they had to go through security again before boarding the connecting flight -- hence he missed it.  He complained (something to do while you wait!) saying that the airline should have arranged the procedure better.  He actually said "What are you going to do to keep me as a passenger in future?"  They did offer him an upgrade on a future flight but not good enough IMO.

Well for me .. nothing flies direct from Edinburgh to Boston anyway.. soooooo
While i prefer Virgin Atlantic I usually end up taking KLM as it usually comes down to cost first then comfort/amenities. Saying that . I've had pretty good experiences with KLM.

I've had good experiences with BMI, Lufthansa and BA.

"OK" experiences with Continental

Bad experiences with Delta.  They seem to be able to find the rudest people in the world to be their staff.  Plus their luggage policy is ridiculous.  One case at 51lbs = $150+ fee.  Two cases at 50lbs, totally ok!!!

I LOVE BA...Good seats and free drinks during the whole flight. Staff friendly

Delta AND American staff are RUDE!!! Have flown with them about 5 times and never once have I had a good experience with them. I flew cause it was the cheapest option.


I agree Continental are just OK.

I've always flown with United...only issues I've ever had with them is some mis communication from the Reservations side and trying to sort out seats with our daughter who is under 2 (trying to make sure we had bulkhead seats).

Once when DH and I went back to California, we arrived at Heathrow at 9:00 am for our noon flight (1 stop) when we checked in the attendant looked at us and said how would you like to go non stop? Next thing we knew we were through security, to the gate and taken off within 45 minutes...poor hubby didn't even have time to go out for a fag before we left.

I did LHR to BOS on AA at Christmas and all I say is UGGHHHH!  I can't believe what a horrible service it was, especially as I've done that route a few times with Virgin and BA and they were good experiences!

Well for me .. nothing flies direct from Edinburgh to Boston anyway..

Uggh, this is also annoying...

My choice for over the pond is Virgin Atlantic.  Especially when I can do it for work and fly Upper Class!    But even their coach class is great.   

I LOVE BA...Good seats and free drinks during the whole flight. Staff friendly

Delta AND American staff are RUDE!!! Have flown with them about 5 times and never once have I had a good experience with them. I flew cause it was the cheapest option.

i agree. i was a bit appalled by delta staff on my last flight from man to atl. very loud and very rude. the inflight entertainment was archaic, but that wasn't a big deal as i always have my mp3 player and book to read. also, their food made me ill. don't eat delta pizza!

i flew with ba a few years ago, and it was heavenly. i'm also partial to ba because they have been the only airline to upgrade me. unfortunately i can't afford to fly with them on my uk trips anymore.

I always liked BA, but I went home for Thanksgiving and it was terrible.  The food was the worst I ever had on an international flight. 

I usually fly United and have never had trouble (knock on wood) on any trans-atlantic flights.  Note: BMI flights from US to UK are often actually United code share flights, so I'll recommend them too.  United (Star Alliance) air miles seem to rack up quite quickly as well.
My BF swears by Virgin, but I have never flown with them as they do not fly in/out of Denver.

I flew Air Canada last month to LHR and was extremely disappointed in every aspect.

Personally, I think American Airlines in one of the worst ever - your hubby could do much better

He used to do the Northwest/KLM run but you always have to go via Amsterdam or Detroit which makes for a longer journey.  They were fine at that time.  But all these airlines are merging or sharing so who knows where it will all end up.