Flying-which airline do you use?

So, the husband and I just returned from a weeklong trip to the states for our big formal wedding. The trip was a complete nightmare.

I won’t bore you with too many details but it started with the first flight out of Aberdeen delayed 2 hours because of French ATC strikes from the previous day. This eliminated our connecting flights as we couldn’t make them in time.

Delay->rebooked->security search->bad flight crew on long haul->another security search->more delays-all return flights canceled by ‘helpful’ BA ticket agent->1 hour phone conversation to get it resolved->more delays->finally home.

We had so many issues with both American Airlines and British Airways that I (a very faithful customer of them for years) don’t want to fly with them again.

So my question, when you travel, who do you fly with? I’ve read a lot of good things about Virgin but wanted some feedback. 

I was gonna say American, but I see that they're the problem airline.  I know I had a surprisingly uncomfortable flight the one time I went with Continental (now part of United since 2012).  And we've all seen the press United have been getting lately, so I would probably avoid them.  Sorry I don't have any constructive advice. 

Airlines are one of those things that everyone will have a different experience with.  There will be positive and negative stories about each and every one.

Personally, my overall best experience has been with British Airways - without question.

Personally, my absolutely worst experience overall has been with Virgin.  But they have many faithful followers.

I always try to aim for a direct flight.  But I've got kids and it's worth extra £££ for direct and DONE.

I was gonna say American, but I see that they're the problem airline.  I know I had a surprisingly uncomfortable flight the one time I went with Continental (now part of United since 2012).  And we've all seen the press United have been getting lately, so I would probably avoid them.  Sorry I don't have any constructive advice. 

It’s ok  I want to know who else not to fly with

I have loved flying with American and British until last week. It was so bad that the husband (who never complains) was angry and complaining about it. That’s when I knew, no more flying with them. 

I tend to go with the airlines I can get best prices with. My relatives live in the Deep South, which is expensive to get to (no direct flights from the UK) and not all airlines fly there, which means I usually have to shop around.

However, I've had good experiences with Delta, British Airways, Virgin (booked through Delta but operated by Virgin), Aer Lingus and Cathay Pacific (when travelling to Asia)

I've had okay experiences with Continental and United.

I've had bad experiences with American Airlines, United and Air Transat.

However, I do get airmiles with United, so sometimes I fly with them just for the airmiles (I've managed to get a couple of free domestic US flights with them in the past).

I tend to go with the airlines I can get best prices with.

Always this!     For me, anyways.

I think American must have had issues last week, another friend had major issues getting home from the UK with them.

I avoid United and Air Transat for their disability policies, but sometimes its impossible to come close to their prices so I deal if stuck with them I just bring tons of extra meds and pray. I won't fly out of T3 at Heathrow if I can avoid it too, because to use a wheelchair they drag you through the perfume section of duty free on leaving and arrival and that's hell for me.

Have heard good things about alaska and Norwegian. I've also had luck with air Canada.

I think American must have had issues last week, another friend had major issues getting home from the UK with them.

I usually give companies another chance but flying back from the states was no picnic yet an improvement from flying over lol. I hate going anywhere near duty free at any airport. That perfume fog triggers migraines with me. 

We've flown Lufthansa and Iceland Air and the flights were great. In the States Alaska Airlines was quite good.  American we had no problems with. Aer Lingus was ok for long-haul, but we had some issues flying them out of Dublin to the UK in the past. 

We avoid Heathrow, as the Daughter has had several major nightmare scenarios flying into Heathrow, and try to come into Edinburgh or Glasgow, whichever one is cheaper.

I recently flew to Atlanta on Turkish Airlines and it was really good but there's those stupid restrictions on ipads and laptops.  SAS was good as well. 
I wouldn't pee on BA if they were on fire,

I wouldn't pee on BA if they were on fire,

😂 My husband and I laughed way too hard at that.

I flew Thomas Cook from Manchester-Boston-Cleveland last year for about $400, and I plan to do the same route this summer. I'd be paying nearly $1000 for a similar flight on a different airline! Unfortunately, there are no directs to Cleveland so that's the best I can do.

Thomas Cook is very no frills (couldn't adjust my seat, no in flight movies, etc.), but their customer service was fine. They also only offered the flight on certain days. I had a five hour layover in Boston (both ways) and didn't get into Cleveland until 11pm. It was a long day. However, I'm really cheap and refuse to spend a fortune on flights, so I'd rather have a no frills flight and a long layover. I just think of all the money I can use during my trip versus splurging it all on the flight!


I've had bad experiences with United and flight delays. One flight delay caused me to miss my second flight altogether. Another delay caused me to run like a crazy, sweaty person through JFK airport. I was THIS close to missing my flight that time. Delta was good.

Yeah, I think airlines are one of those things which really all depend on what you've experienced before and how you were treated.

I was a gold frequent flier status holder with Virgin for a long time (lots of work travel in the past), and they partnered with Delta, so even if I was flying coach, I'd get upgraded on both airlines. So hey, no brainer for me to book with them because of perks.  And once I got a stomach puke bug midflight, and Virgin were nothing but helpful.

I've also had good long haul flights with BA (and one of the only ways for me to not have to do an airport shuffle in London to get to the US), Aer Lingus, and Air France.
KLM, hit or miss.
Short haul, I like EasyJet, I really do.

Short haul, I like EasyJet, I really do.

Me too!  Zero hesitations booking with Easyjet!

British Airways.  It has to be really really cheap for me to even glance at a non-direct flight or a partner airline.

But I've had good and bad experiences with British Airways, Continental, Delta, AirFrance, Virgin, American, and Air Canada for long-haul flights.  It completely depends on the day and what the airline and airport are dealing with.  I try to fly mid-week and only direct where possible.  I'm lucky, I'm London -> Atlanta is easily direct.  I may never leave London and I'd bribe my parents not to leave Atlanta unless they move to another hub city on the East Coast.

American Airlines is my personal worst (BA partner nonetheless!), and I don't see the hype about Virgin.

Last Spring I flew London -> Orlando -> Atlanta when I booked a flight 4 days before travelling.  The airline was fine, Virgin, but the Disney goes next to me just about drove me mad with their singing, which seemed to be happening throughout the plane, so I'm thinking that's a no for the future.