[ChicagoFire]

I'm using Qatar Airways in a couple weeks. Based on Youtube videos I think this will be my best experience overall. The airport in Qatar is beautiful. Very smart business model with personalized greeting service and lounge experiences.

I've flown on Southwest, Delta, United, and probably several others like Cathay Pacific. All were mediocre. Nothing to rave about but nothing that would have made me file a complaint. Delta's Skyclub is a nice touch since I had a card that gave me that benefit but it wasn't worth the annual cost. As most know the Skymiles rewards program is pathetic.

The worst airline I have ever flown in is Spirit. I highly recommend you read the rules because they entice you with a sweet offer and before you know it it's double the initial.

[Tail Gunner]

(02-27-2019 10:10 PM)ChicagoFire Wrote:  

The worst airline I have ever flown in is Spirit. I highly recommend you read the rules because they entice you with a sweet offer and before you know it it's double the initial.

That goes for most airlines in the U.S. these days, except for Southwest. I always look up baggage costs before booking. I just booked a flight on Spirit. It was the only airline that offered a non-stop flight to my destination. I thought that it was cool that the airline separately lists the government's tax costs:

"Flight Price $94.00
Bags $90.00
Government's Cut $120.00"

More companies should call out the government's high cost of taxation. The Spirit telephone customer service was terrible. I have never flown on Spirit before, so I guess I will see how they are. Spirit does charge for everything. I accepted a random seat assignment, instead of paying extra.

[Korrupt]

(02-27-2019 10:10 PM)ChicagoFire Wrote:  

I'm using Qatar Airways in a couple weeks. Based on Youtube videos I think this will be my best experience overall. The airport in Qatar is beautiful. Very smart business model with personalized greeting service and lounge experiences.

I've flown on Southwest, Delta, United, and probably several others like Cathay Pacific. All were mediocre. Nothing to rave about but nothing that would have made me file a complaint. Delta's Skyclub is a nice touch since I had a card that gave me that benefit but it wasn't worth the annual cost. As most know the Skymiles rewards program is pathetic.

The worst airline I have ever flown in is Spirit. I highly recommend you read the rules because they entice you with a sweet offer and before you know it it's double the initial.

I really like Qatar Airlines, but it does depend on which kind of aircraft you get.On one of the legs of my last trip I was on the Airbus 340-600 and it is a little cramped, especially if you get a window seat (as a part under the seat in front is boxed off, which reduces your ability to move your legs/feet).

If you have more than 3/4 hour layover at the airport, I highly recommend jumping into an uber and heading to the Souk Waqif ($6/7 in an Uber) - stroll around, try some food and maybe buy a souvenir.

[ChicagoFire]

^^

That's a great idea. I have so much stuff on my plate at the moment but will see if I can get that done. Layovers suck but you can use them to your advantage

[Tail Gunner]

(02-28-2019 09:33 AM)ChicagoFire Wrote:  

I have so much stuff on my plate at the moment but will see if I can get that done. Layovers suck but you can use them to your advantage

Although not publicized much, Panama City's Tocumen International Airport -- which is a hub for flights into much of South America -- offers a free shuttle to the large MetroMall, where you can spend time during a long layover.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g2...vince.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_R...vince.html

[Poseidon]

Aeroflot. I really hate that airline after a terrible flight with them.
Felt like I was in a damn sauna, and my forehead looked like it was burned when I woke up. The overhead lights were permanently on, and were tanning booth grade.

[TigerMandingo]

I will have a long layover in Beijing in March (12 hours).

Any suggestions?

[ChicagoFire]

I'm currently reading Decoding Air Travel by Nick Krelov which some posters on the board have recommended. It's a very dense read but if you understand the industry and the codes (VERY IMPORTANT!!!!) the liners use you can game the system. I'm not going to give the book away but you will learn that airlines care more about making money than making sure their customers are satisfied. At bare minimum I know for sure the airlines isn't going to ruin my vacation by pulling the rug on me. Once I get the time I will be making an account to Flyer Talk.

Here's to hoping Qatar Airways upgrades my seat to First Class. From there I'll network with some people and hopefully change my life around.

[Off The Reservation]

(02-28-2019 03:38 PM)ChicagoFire Wrote:  

I'm currently reading Decoding Air Travel by Nick Krelov which some posters on the board have recommended. It's a very dense read but if you understand the industry and the codes (VERY IMPORTANT!!!!) the liners use you can game the system. I'm not going to give the book away but you will learn that airlines care more about making money than making sure their customers are satisfied. At bare minimum I know for sure the airlines isn't going to ruin my vacation by pulling the rug on me. Once I get the time I will be making an account to Flyer Talk.

Here's to hoping Qatar Airways upgrades my seat to First Class. From there I'll network with some people and hopefully change my life around.

Instead of hoping, when they email you a few days before the flight with a price for a business upgrade, know that that is the best price you will ever achieve for long haul business on Qatar and buy it.

[TravelingBodybuilder]

I hate the Avianca airline.

I had a flight with Avianca. The plane was delayed by 2 hours. So I missed my flight that I had with a different airline in another city. So I booked a last minute flight with a different airline and paid for a hotel due to Avianca's delayed flight. They will not give me a refund and tell me they only guarantee flights with their airline if there is a delay. So I lost about $600.

[RoadTo100]

That’s normal. If you want to book cross-airline itineraries with a tight connection time, use a site like Kiwi where you can do so with a guarantee (for a small markup):

https://www.kiwi.com/en/pages/guarantee