Advice wanted

[mandragora]

I'm looking into booking a flight to Chicago for Z-con and it basically comes down to three choices. I want a direct flight, because there's less can go wrong on a direct flight (remembering how it once took me 37 hours to get from Heathrow to Oklahoma City, due to delays on each leg of the flight, and I had to change 3 times). I want to fly from Heathrow because, Gatwick... *spit* (Heathrow is much easier for me to get to is the real reason, I've got nothing against Gatwick as an airport).

So, flying from world's busiest international airport (Heathrow) to world's busiest airport (O'Hare) unsurprisingly there's a wealth of choice. Naturally I'm looking at the cheapest options. But there's not much in it (about £20) between American Airlines, United Airlines and British Airways (BA).

BA I know. I've flown BA to various destinations round the world quite a few times. I've also flown United to the US in the past and don't recall having any complaints. Don't think I've flown American, but am not sure.

So, anyone got any comments on whether either United or American have a bad or, hopefully, good reputation?

Comments

[yonmei.livejournal.com]

I flew American Airlines once. I'd forgotten to pack a bottle of water, and they served a small cupful halfway through the flight. When I got off the plane I was actually dehydrated - I mean, I could feel it. The first thing I requested from my host who met me at the airport was that she take me somewhere I could get a drink of water.

[mandragora1.livejournal.com]

Crikey! Was this long haul? Because serving so little water long haul could be actively dangerous.

I've got no qualms at all asking for additional water on even short haul flights and have never not got any water. So, if you asked and didn't get, well that makes it even worse.

[yonmei.livejournal.com]

I didn't think to ask. It's the only time I've ever been on a transAtlantic flight where there hasn't been a drinks trolley every so often (well, except Virgin Atlantic, and there they just have glasses of water and fruit juice available for pickup in the galley). It was also only my second transAtlantic flight (my first one had been with BA three years earlier) and it's only since then that I've realised how exceptionally bad their inflight service was.

[thermidor.livejournal.com]

dude! that's awful! was that a recent transatlantic flight?

Because of school, I've had the chance to fly across the pond a bunch ( 6 or 8 times) on several airlines and they've all been very good about bringng around several rounds of juice or water! In addition, I've noticed that each flight they keep pitchers of cold water in the galley areas near the lavs so thirsty people can come get them and sleepy people won't be interruptedby constant flight attendant service.

I also dehydrate easily and feel no compunction about hitting my call attendant button; I've been pleased with the service every time.

Finally, I've become a real squeaky wheel about service since I've logged so many miles lately. Yonmei, if this was recent, I would encourage you to call or email American's customer care office. I have had splendid results (apologies & coupons!)

[yonmei.livejournal.com]

No, this was five years ago. Too late to complain. (And I had no problems getting enough water on the flight back: I suspect that on the flight out that plane must have been short of water.)