United Airlines Questions

[suzanne]

We have never flown with United before. Can some one please tell me how they compare to American and Delta? Those are the only airlines we have ever flown with.

Suzanne

 

[x3 skier]

IMHO, there is no real difference between major carriers anymore. The only difference that matters to me is a) do they have lie flat seats for overseas flights or b) do they have "real" airplanes on my flights or just commuter planes.

You can have great or lousy experiences on any major these days so it really is just the roll of the dice. That has been my experience in some 3 million miles in the air and around 50000 miles annually these days.

I fly Delta and American and no recent experience with United. I avoid USAir like the plague.

I would suggest you choose whatever airline meets your needs.

Cheers

 

[Hobo1]

Today, unfortunatly, the airlines are all providing the same lack of service except for Southwest, Virgin America, and some of the Asian carriers.

I've flown over ten million miles collectively on American, Continental, Delta, and United and since 2001 they have all morphed into the same type of airline, increased fares with fewer perks and non-existent service.

It's all going to depend on the flight crew. Some do an outstanding job and others just don't care. With United, if you draw a Continental crew you have a better chance of good in-flight service than if you have a United crew.

Also, keep in mind they are all operating with overworked equipment and flight crews and fewer flights. So delays due to maintenance and crew shortages are more common rather than the exception.

 

[dougp26364]

Other than I like United's FF program better than Delta's and, I'm not certain the future of AA with the bankruptcy, there's not a lot of difference IMHO.

Right now we're flying United because of the Chase Explorer card. We pay $95/year for the card but we get up to two bags free per ticket purchased (I'm sure there's a limit but, it's always just the two of us flying). We've already paid for the annual membership fee and will pay for it a couple of times over by the end of the year.

So that's were we're at now. A couple of years ago I was putting miles on Delta because they had the best fares, good flight times to our destinations and a reasonable FF program. Then they trashed their FF program. I currently have 80,000 miles and the best I can do is two tickets at 40,000 each. Add to that the fact Delta's fares have grown higher than everyone elses from my airport and, we stopped flying Delta.

I still like American but, their fares have climbed higher and now it's questionable who AA will become. I have no FF miles with them anymore so there's little incentive for us to fly with them until we see how everything shakes out. If AA becomes a part of USAirways, I won't be to thrilled with that........until things change again.

 

[linsj]

I can't compare since I've flown United or--for international trips--Star Alliance exclusively for years. Even with the merger problems, I continue to have good experiences with UA. But like the others have said, you'll get good and bad experiences on most airlines. I avoid US Air like the plague after reading too many horror stories and experiencing the worst customer service I've ever had a decade ago.

I can tell you this. After recently booking a dozen flights for my conference faculty this summer, UA had the best fares for the days and times I was looking at.

 

[pedro47]

I can't compare since I've flown United or--for international trips--Star Alliance exclusively for years. Even with the merger problems, I continue to have good experiences with UA. But like the others have said, you'll get good and bad experiences on most airlines. I avoid US Air like the plague after reading too many horror stories and experiencing the worst customer service I've ever had a decade ago.

I can tell you this. After recently booking a dozen flights for my conference faculty this summer, UA had the best fares for the days and times I was looking at.

Have you use UA to fly from Dulles Airport to Rome and what was you experience ?

 

[WinniWoman]

Have you use UA to fly from Dulles Airport to Rome and what was you experience ?

I flew United last Sept from Newark to Denver and then Bozeman, Montana - no problems both ways. On time and all that. I was pleasantly surprised! I must say, the stewardess's are not friendly these days. They barely crack a smile.

I am using United to fly from Newark to Edinburgh this June- direct flight economy. I was originally booked with Lufthansia through Travelocity, but they cancelled the flight - (long Story - nightmare to resolve). So, I ended up going directly to the United site and booking (Lufthansia is affiliated with them somehow and, of course, they have now merged with Continental) but our tickets are for United Airlines. Lufthansia was more expensive at the time I re booked.

 

[pedro47]

I flew United last Sept from Newark to Denver and then Bozeman, Montana - no problems both ways. On time and all that. I was pleasantly surprised! I must say, the stewardess's are not friendly these days. They barely crack a smile.

I am using United to fly from Newark to Edinburgh this June- direct flight economy. I was originally booked with Lufthansia through Travelocity, but they cancelled the flight - (long Story - nightmare to resolve). So, I ended up going directly to the United site and booking (Lufthansia is affiliated with them somehow and, of course, they have now merged with Continental) but our tickets are for United Airlines. Lufthansia was more expensive at the time I re booked.

Thanks for your quick response. Enjoy your flight.

 

[bobpark56]

Airlines do differ in their baggage fees. You may want to check this out before you book. As just one example, Delta has first bag free when flying to Mexico, US Air does not (last I knew). Also, some Airlines in Europe limit you to 20 kilos (about 44 lbs) for checked baggage. If you don't weigh yours before you leave, you may get a nasty surprise.

FWIW, we weigh our bags as you would weigh a dog. First step on your scales with no dog, then weigh yourself with your dog in your arms and note the difference.

--bp

 

[pedro47]

Airlines do differ in their baggage fees. You may want to check this out before you book. As just one example, Delta has first bag free when flying to Mexico, US Air does not (last I knew). Also, some Airlines in Europe limit you to 20 kilos (about 44 lbs) for checked baggage. If you don't weigh yours before you leave, you may get a nasty surprise.

FWIW, we weigh our bags as you would weigh a dog. First step on your scales with no dog, then weigh yourself with your dog in your arms and note the difference.

--bp

We also weigh our baggage before flight with a scale I purchase just for flying.

 

[clsmit]

We fly United a lot since we fly out of CLE. I agree with the poster that the crew makes all the difference. Continental had nice planes and a great crew training and customer service program. United, not so much. We recently flew from HON to DEN business/first. The crew was Continental, and were not happy with the small snack they had to serve the passengers -- the Continental food would have been much more substantial. I got that same snack flying DEN to CLE. I think I'm done with pasta salad with chicken for a while.

 

[Carolinian]

As to ff program, UA are better than DL but not as good as AA. UA is having lots of glitches these days with the merger with CO.

On TATL flights, AA and DL give you free wine and beer in coach, but UA and US do not, if that matters.

 

[Luanne]

United Airlines pulling out of OAK

meant to start a new thread

 

[linsj]

Have you use UA to fly from Dulles Airport to Rome and what was you experience ?

Not to Rome; but I had wonderful service to London, Paris, and Zurich and from Munich.

 

[winger]

It seems to me UA has newer equipment than AA.