Flights Gone Bad

Helicopter goes for a wild ride at a rodeo

2014-08-08T10:07:00.000-07:00

The following appears to be a low-altitude flight demonstration of an R44 helicopter at a rodeo in Brazil, and was uploaded in 2012. One can say many things about the this flight demonstration, but those statements would likely include words or phrases like 'unsafe,' 'completely nuts,' and 'what the hell were they thinking?' By luck or by skill, no aircraft or humans were hurt in the making of this video.

The rough translation of the title of this video is 'Puerto Murtinho Centennial Rodeo with Helicopter Waltz.' Indeed the background music includes 'The Blue Danube' waltz from Johann Strauss, though it is hard to hear it behind the play-by-play from the MC standing on one the helicopter's skids.

Puerto Mortinho is a small city in southern Brazil. The full tail number is blocked off, but it begins with 'PT,' which is one of the tail number prefixes assigned to Brazil. If you are tempted to see this demonstration in person, our suggestion is not do so.

Airlines make passengers wait days for lost bags

2013-08-22T06:51:00.000-07:00

Airline: Aerolineas Argentinas
Date: 2 July 2013
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Flight: AA1181 (Sydney to Buenos Aires)

Baggage did not arrive in Buenos Aires. Waited four days. No news. Have continually been contacting Aerolineas Argentinas. No satisfactory response. Had to replace necessary medication and purchase items after four days in same clothes. Have had to visit doctor again and alter travel plans and spend considerable sums on additional travel changes due to delays. Have heard from the airline once saying that they found my luggage, but they gave me the incorrect baggage loss number.

Finding luggage at this stage really is of no importance as I have had to replace and change all my plans because of this incident. Extremely unhappy with any dealings with Aerolineas Argentinas with any communication over this problem.

AirSafe.com suggestion As discussed on the Baggage Basics page, you should never put critical, hard to replace items in checked bags. That would include prescription medications and other items that you need to use immediately after arrival.

Airline: Singapore Airlines
Date: 10 August 2013
Location: San Francisco
Flight: SQ0016 (Seoul, South Korea to San Francisco)

I have checked in eight bags from VTZ-SFO on Singapore Airlines and when I landed in SFO on August 10th, one of the bags did not arrive in SFO. I was told that this bag was missing and will be traced and provide status to me. They provided me with a Property Irregularity Report form and asked me to follow up with them regularly. I called on 11th August and they told me that the bag has been traced and will be sent to my home that night. Until now, I have not receive that bag and whenever I call them no one answers the phone and when I leave a voice mail no one calls me back. It has already been 10 days since I landed in SFO, and I do not know the status of my bag .

What happens on the way to Vegas stays online forever

2013-08-19T11:40:00.001-07:00

Date: 20 June 2013
Airline: Allegiant Airlines
Location: En route Medford, OR to Las Vegas, NV
Flight: 557

On 6 August 2013, the US District Court of Nevada charged two Allegiant Air passengers with one count of lewd, indecent, and obscene acts on an airplane.

The defendants and the charges
In the criminal complaint, the US government alleged that two passengers on Allegiant Air flight 557, Christopher Martin and Jessica Stroble made and obscene and indecent exposure of Mr. Martin's genitalia, engaged in masturbation and a sexual act, all in violation a specific federal law, 49 USC 46506(2), and District of Columbia Code 22-1312.

What does Washington, DC law have to do with this?
The particular acts in the charges took place on a flight between Oregon and Nevada, and was thousands of mile from Washington, DC. However, federal laws are the ones that matter in an airliner flying on a domestic route in the US, and the first law basically says that certain criminal acts that happen on an aircraft under US federal jurisdiction will result in charges under the appropriate Washington, DC laws

The investigation
The FBI and the Las Vegas police were involved in the investigation, which included gathering statements from a number of eyewitnesses. The criminal complaint was filed because the investigation resulted in probable cause for charging the two passengers with a violation of federal law.

The gory details
For anyone who dreams of joining the mile high club, consider that if you try it and get caught, details like the following facts from the Allegiant air incident will show up in a criminal complaint, and will live online forever:

Christopher was in seat 16F (right window) and Jessica in 16E (middle right).
Two witnesses (both passengers) were seating in 16A and 16C
Two different flight attendants had asked the alleged perpetrators to stop.
The passengers in 16A and 16C observed a variety of activities during ascent and at cruise, activities that included a fully exposed and erect penis, and exposed breast, and several sex acts.

If you are interested in the salacious details, please feel free to read the criminal complaint.

Mysterious statements in the criminal complaint
There were two witness statements in the criminal complaint that are mystifying in that they seem to be out of place given the alleged criminal activity. The first was a statement made by a passenger who said to a fight attendant "this is not the sex education I wanted to give my teenage sons." The second, and perhaps the most perplexing statement was made by he witness in seat 16A, who observed the male passenger on the receiving end of an act of oral sex and noted that the recipient "was in his own world."

A careful review of both the federal law and the District of Columbia law by AirSafe.com did not reveal anything that was directly related, or even remotely related, to unlawful acts of unintended sex education or to illegal fantasies. Putting these kinds of statements into a criminal complaint on the surface seems to serve no purpose other than to humiliate the accused.

Recommendations from AirSafe.com
For passengers who may see suspicious acts on an aircraft, whether it is of a sexual nature or not, the best course of action is to contact a flight attendant to deal with the situation. Keep in mind that the laws may be very different depending on where you happen to be flying. On a domestic flight, the relevant laws will be those of that country. On an international flight, the relevant laws will typically be those of the country where the flight terminates, or where the alleged offenders are removed from the plane.

For passengers who wish to have sex on airplanes, AirSafe.com suggests that you either buy or rent your own aircraft, and hire someone to fly you around while you do whatever you wish with other consenting adults. If you can't afford your own personal sex flight, then restrict your in-air sexual activities to fantasizing about it, preferably while at home in private.

Delta defines a two-stop flight as a one-stop flight

2013-08-15T08:40:00.002-07:00

Airline: Delta Airlines
Date: May 2013
Location: Toronto, ON (YYZ)
Flight: DL268

Here is my story with Delta Airlines: In May 2013 I bought an e-ticket online, which says one-stop flight on the route Toronto (YYZ)- Atlanta (ATL) - Tel-Aviv (TLV). The first flight YYZ-ATL was delayed for three hours and I almost lost my connection for the next flight, but this next flight was not to Tel Aviv, it was back north in US to New York (JFK)! Then I was sitting for more than six hours before next flight with no food and I had to pass through all the security checking procedures again.

So in total I was "on the road" for more than 30 hours and it was very hard flight because of the wrong information provided by Delta Airlines. When I complained to Delta about this was actually a two-stop flights (with the same flight number between ATL-JFK and JFK-TLV!) and asked for any compensation - they just said "we're really sorry, but it's called a one-stop flight with "equipment change in JFK."

I'm a business client for many companies in the world and for the first time in my life I had wrong information and bad service from a famous airline company.

Thank you, - Alexander

Delta passenger loses luggage and is injured by wheelchair

2013-08-10T06:17:00.000-07:00

Date: 8 July 2013
Airline: Delta Airlines
Location: Orlando, FL (MCO)
Flight: DL2018

I am disabled and require a wheelchair. Delta furnished one and a skycap (Prospect) took me to security. Along the way, the wheelchair cut my leg twice. I was treated at the gate area by Delta and given ice and bandages. The flight was further delayed 4 hours/cancelled and my luggage lost.

The Delta wheelchair was defective with a rusty sharp clamp. Delta refuses to address the incident adequately and actually said that my ticket didn't show a wheelchair request so I am not entitled to any just compensation. What does that have to do with anything? My trip was started on May 13 and ended on July 13 with international and domestic trips involved, all with wheelchair assistance noted. Also in my passenger preferences.

Thai Airways has inconsistent change fee policy

2013-08-09T06:29:00.000-07:00

Date: 31 July 2013
Airline: Thai Airways
Location: Seoul, South Korea to LAX
Flight: TG692

When I made reservation drop down menu online did not have the return date I wanted. I called to verify and was told that arriving date change fee is $0. They only have $150 fee for outbound changes which states on their reservation confirmation. I was told to call back later after making the reservation to change the date I wanted. Now that I called to change the date, they're saying its $350 per ticket, total of $700.

Their terms and conditions / restrictions specify that ticket is good for one year but representative told me it is actually 6 months and that I have to pay to get an extension. None of their disclaimer links work either. Nowhere in the ticket or reservation confirmation state the fee of date change other than outbound flight. Consumers are deceivingly sold and unlawfully charged without proper notices.

American Airlines repeatedly ignores their own written baggage policy

2013-08-08T05:50:00.001-07:00

Date: 15 April 2013
Airline: American Airlines
Location: Denver, CO (DIA)
Flight: AA3613

I am seeking a reimbursement of $170, cash or airline credit, for an item that was pilfered from my checked bag.

On Apr. 15, I flew home to Chicago from Denver. When I retrieved my checked bag from the baggage claim, three of the pockets were splayed open and multiple items were coming out. One item was missing entirely: a pair of Black Diamond Sabretooth Pro Crampons (metal spikes you attach to boots for mountaineering and ice climbing, retail $170). They had been packed very securely.

I immediately filed a claim with the baggage department. My claim was initially denied. According to the documentation included with my checked bag stub, the airline has at least $3300 baggage liability per passenger, which does not cover 'photographic equipment, computers and any other electronic equipment, jewelry, cash, documents, works of art or other similar valuable items.' Crampons do not resemble anything in this list.

I was told that I could file a complaint online, which I did the following day. I received a reply, saying again that I was denied, with a similar list of non-covered items. Again, it does not seem that any of the non-covered items include crampons.

I wrote a complaint online once again, stating that my crampons are not included in their list of non-covered items. I received a reply stating that, ""It is our practice for personnel in our local offices to handle claims of this type. They have the full authority and responsibility in such matters. You will be contacted as soon as possible.

After three months, I still had not heard from the local office, so I called them directly. I was told that my file had been denied and closed out, that my item was not covered because, 'We only really cover clothes and stuff.' I was told there was nothing they could do.

I have been a regular American Airlines customer and would greatly appreciate the airline remedying this very unpleasant experience.

United Airlines makes it very hard to file a complaint

2013-08-07T06:07:00.002-07:00

Date: 3 August 2013
Airline: United Airlines
Location: Washington Dulles Airport (IAD)
Flight: 3740

I would like to be compensated for the cost of a car rental. The airline cancelled our flight due to crew issues & I was re-routed 2-hours away from my desired destination (home). I was told to go on line to get a form to file out by the airline--United. This is the only form I was able to access on-line. Please advise if there is another form that I should fill out. - Richard

Note from AirSafe.com
We checked out the United site to find their passenger complaint resources, and after an extensive search we did not find anything that looked like either an online or downloadable complaint form. We did, however, easily find a number of resources that described United's rules like the airline's 46-page contract of carriage by using the site's internal search engine.

Using Google's search engine, the closes things we found to a passenger complaint form was a property claim form for lost or delayed baggage, and a a generic form for customer feedback, but nothing that looked remotely like a comprehensive customer complaint form.

What's going on here
Our guess is that United wants to make it hard for customers to complain. If you have a complaint about United's service, we suggest that you take matters into your own hands by writing up your complaint and sending it to any United office that would accept your email or mailed in form. We also suggest forwarding your complaint to the US Department of Transportation, and to any other place that you think is appropriate.

We suggest that you visit AirSafe.com's complaint resources page at complain.airsafe.com for suggestions on how to file a complaint. You may also want to download the AirSafe.com Complaint Guide, which provides airline passengers with insights on how to effectively complain to their airline.

Understaffed US Airways means more business for Delta

2013-07-30T08:15:00.000-07:00

Date: 15 March 2012
Airline: US Airways
Location: Jackson, MS
Flight: 2526

Online materials printed after online check-in were not considered valid boarding passes by TSA. TSA then refused passage to the gate after a 15 minute wait in line at Jackson - Evers International Airport, Jackson, MS.

I presented myself to kiosk at ticket counter but kiosk was locked out at 30 minutes prior to flight. With 25 minutes left until flight, ALL TICKET AGENTS went to the gate. NONE of the agents would return to the ticket counter until AFTER the flight had left, even though there was still 25 minutes left before the flight. There were NO ticket agents available. ALL COMPETING AIRLINE TICKET COUNTERS HAD MORE THAN 3 TICKETING AGENTS AVAILABLE. There was no way to check for following flight since the flight scheduled was at 0551 (AM) and the customer service center was not open.

I bought a ticket on Delta. When the station manager returned with the ticketing agents to the US Airways counter, I was told, "that's our policy, call customer service." This business model is absolutely anti-customer service. The station manager only employs enough personnel to handle either the gate or the ticketing counter but not both. Any problems within 30 minutes of flight means that the customer cannot resolve that problem in time to make that flight. Luckily I was able to rely on Delta for my urgent business needs.

Request for hot water leads to a cold shoulder

2013-07-28T13:03:00.000-07:00

Date: 13 July 2013
Airline: United Airlines
Location: San Francisco, CA
Flight: UA1268 (San Francisco, CA to Houston, TX)

The worst in flight service 2 women (1 African older lady & 1 American older lady that work in the Economy class). The flight UA1268 Departed July 13, 2013 @ 10:41am going to Houston, TX , I'm sitting in the Economy class during the flight.

I went in the back to ask if I could have some hot water for my Cup Noodles, she turn around and gave me a face that look like don't bother me and didn't like to give me my hot water. I was so surprised, so I walk back to my seat. I try to see if I could see her name tag but she didn't have a name tag, she only had her badge but the badge was facing inward, so I couldn't see her name. So I told my family what had happen, so my brother went up with his cup noodles and ask if he could have some hot water to the African lady she also gave him a face like she didn't like giving us hot water. We all feel very sad that these two ladies didn't like their job and the services they both gave us were BAD and they both don't even smile. I hope they will improve their services in the future.

Flight delayed because of no flight attendant

2013-07-27T19:55:00.001-07:00

Date: 27 July 2013
Airline: Delta Airlines
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Flight: DL1352 (Salt Lake City, UT to Detroit, MI)

Our flight was delayed because a stewardess was pulled from our flight and put on a flight for Albuquerque, New Mexico. No replacement was made and consequently the Captain of the flight announced the problem shortly after the flight was to board.

A search was made for a substitute attendant but this was not done in a timely manner. We were just informed that an attendant should be at the gate by 2:15am! this means our flight will leave around 3:00am arriving in Detroit by 8am. This means a two and half hour delay!! This appears to be very poor management by Delta. This situation could have been avoided if appropriate action was taken as soon as the need for another flight attendant arouse. What procedures are in place for this problem which has impacted on over 140 unhappy passengers?

American Airlines plane ride turns into bus trip

2013-07-04T01:23:00.000-07:00

Date: 28 June 2013
Airline: American Airlines
Location: LAX
Flight: 3626 (LAX to San Diego)

I purchased (suprise) ticket for my wife to fly from Maui, HI to Los Angeles, CA to San Diego, CA. I find out from her that the flight from Maui, HI to Los Angeles, CA was great. However, after arriving in Los Angeles, CA she sits on a plane for 30 minutes and is then told she has to ride a bus to get to San Diego !! What? I paid for her to ride on a plane, made arrangements to be picked up, and this experience cost me more money!

I have called Amercian Airlines and the only answer I got was "sorry". No compensation what so ever! So with this.... is the best option when flying into Los Angeles from Maui, HI is to get a Greyhound bus to San Diego? NOT happy with this issue.

Delta promises free checked bags but does not deliver

2013-07-03T06:42:00.000-07:00

Date: 21 June 2013
Airline: Delta/Alaska Airlines
Flight: 7470

The most disappointing flight I ever had! Before my trip, I called Delta SkyMiles representatives to ask whether I could get a free check-in bag with the Delta Gold credit card. The representative said yes, and encouraged my family to carry bags for free check-in. I gave her my confirmation number and she said my itinerary was eligible for this offer. All the flights on my itinerary had Delta flight numbers.

Then, on my way back, I had Delta flight number, but it was operated by Alaska Air. Then Alaska said I had to pay for check-in bags! This is totally different from what Delta SkyMiles told me. After I came back, I called Delta customer care and asked for refund, they refused to take the responsibility of telling me the wrong information!!! I couldn't believe it.

Not happy with Spirit Airlines and their inconsistent flight schedules baggage scales

2013-07-02T06:34:00.000-07:00

Date: 19 June 2013
Airline: Spirit
Flight: 212
Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL to St. Thomas, VI

We were booked to go to St. Thomas on 6/19/13, our flight was to leave at 12:25pm. We left at 4:30pm because they decided to "swap out the plane." So we had to wait until the plane they wanted to swap for our scheduled plane arrived from Atlanta.

While waiting for our flight I observed a Spirit flight to NY cancelled, then re-established, then delayed. Nearly all departing Spirit flights were delayed that afternoon, and there were multiple gate changes. Our return trip was the same, instead of leaving St. Thomas at 4pm, we left about 5:20 because the arriving plane from Tampa was "late." This was after the desk clerk asked me if I would be willing to fly to Miami instead of Ft. Lauderdale. When I asked why, she said that the plane we were scheduled to leave on was late and there were adverse winds.

Well I guess nobody was willing to fly to Miami because our plane was nearly full. I have never seen an airline run in such a haphazard fashion. It appears that everyone is confused, and that changes are instituted at whim, not to mention the fees. Leaving I had to pay extra because my bag was over 40 lbs It was 42 lbs. Upon my return the same bag weighed 6 lbs more after we had purposely taken things out of it. Who says their scales are correct? All this to sit on a plane with approximately 6 inches of room between my 5'4" legs and the seat in front of me, unless of course, I was willing to shell out an extra $50 for a regular seat. This airline is unacceptable.

Poor coordination between United Airlines and Amtrack

2013-07-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Date: 24 June 2013
Location: Philadelphia, PA (train station)
Airline: United
Flight: UA6661/UA675

My wife and myself,[names redacted], had a pathetic experience traveling from Philadelphia to Seattle on June 24, 2013 on United Airlines. Ref confirmation code [redacted]. It was Flt # UA6661 from ZFW to EWR (train service) and then Flt # 675 from EWR to SEA. We booked through Expedia (Itinerary #[redacted]) and the reason we chose this option was that we were traveling with bags and it seemed very convenient to check in at Philadelphia train station.

With a Flt no. for the train service and indicating franchise operated subsidiary, this expectation seemed very much in line with norms of reason. It turned out at the time of travel that there was no United check in or flight no. at the Philadephia Amtrak train station. We had to carry our luggage (three check in bags) through train stations all the was to Terminal 3 at EWR.

Because of the check in bags we hired a porter service at Philadelphia train station and it turned out to be a saving grace because nowhere on the Amtrak flight system was UA 6661 displayed, which train service we were looking for, and it was because of the porter that we got to the right train. At the time of booking the way the whole thing was presented is tantamount to giving wrong information to the customer.

Had it been mentioned that our flight was from EWR to SEA and we had an Amtrak train connection from Philadelphia Amtrak station to EWR, we would not have opted for this United option and selected a suitable flight option from Philadelphia to Seattle on any airline.

Passenger wants compensation for delays and poor customer service

2013-06-30T13:24:00.000-07:00

Date: 25 June 2013
Airline: Spirit
Flight: 946; Cartegena, Columbia to Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Location: Cartegena, Colombia

Flight schedule to depart at 1:39 PM from Cartagena, Colombia to Ft. Lauderdale , FL left at 6:30 PM, after some passengers complaint about it just gave us a small snack. I missed my connection to Tampa schedule @ 9:36 well that flight was delayed too left Ft. Lauderdale , FL at 1:30 AM. so total delayed 9 hours. Company never keep passenger informed about situation only said sorry about delayed. I got home at 4:30 AM.

I travel with my daughter 8 years old. Customer service was horrible in Cartagena and in Ft. Lauderdale. Beside one of my suitcases handles has grease when I claim my bags my hands was all black. One of the agent from Immigration help me to clean my hands and offer me gloves that way I can take my bags to my next flight.

I demand a explanation and compensation for all my trouble my daughter and I we had with Spirit. We travel time was 24 hours since we wake up on Tuesday until we got home.

Passenger harassed by airline employee

2013-06-28T06:09:00.000-07:00

Date: 22 June 2013
Airline: American Airlines
Flight: 890
Location: DFW

An employee was helping me straighten out the flight confusion, another employee named BELLA (working gate C28 at approx 7 pm CST). I was both cursed at and yelled at regarding the way i was speaking (upset about my flight problem) in front of my children. she also told me i needed to learn how to "raise my children" ... after this interaction, i sat in gate, waiting my flight. i sent my 10 yr old daughter to read her name tag at which point, she enters the gate and in front of roughly 200 people, says to me ""if you want my name, don't send your kid, come get it yourself" i asked "what's your last name"" she responds "you don't need to know my last name" ..... i said nothing else. i intended to report her lack of professionalism with a frustrated customer, and so this is it.

Passenger needed bag loading help injured while loading bags

2013-06-27T18:57:00.001-07:00

Date: 28 May 2013
Airline: Korean Air

Dear whom or who may concern,

My name is Judy xxx, I would like to file complaints and report mishandling the situation. On May 28, 2013 while I was shipping the baggage from the Korean Air Counter, I had an injury to my face. I have a 4cm laceration on medial aspect of Left Eye which also penetrated to 0.5cm dermis. Which scarred-in and which needs a further medical attention.

As a customer to Korean Air, I am very furious about the situation that was happened and how was handled. We paid for the service and customer care however on May 28, 2013, the services from the Korean Air Counter agents were horrible and how Korea air agents handled the situation was unacceptable.

While I was shipping the baggage, I asked the Korean Air Agent to help me to load the bags into checking loading belt but the agent response was, "we cannot help you because it is our protocol." As mid-aged female with osteoporosis and arthritis, lifting the 50lb cargo bag was very hard. However, all the agents were just staring at me and no one offered to help. While I was loading my 3rd bag I fell to the floor because no one offered to help.

After the injury I had an unstoppable blood dripping from my forehead. I was in shocked and still no one offered to help. The blood was all over the Korea air counter. Still no one offered to help, I kneed down and I even cleaned the blood dripped the on the Korea air counter.

I finally boarded and was furious. After the incident the follow up with Seoul Korea air customer was horrible and terrifying. They did not offer any help and you are on your own.

Coach class passengers treated with no class by Korean Air

2013-06-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

Date: 28 May 2013
Airline: Korean Air
Flight: KE 0019
Location: Incheon, South Korea to LAX

Once my son and I boarded the airplane and settled in, the captain told us the airlines were having some difficulties and we would be leaving shortly. After waiting another 15 minutes, the captain again mentioned some struggles happening with the luggage. He also said he didn’t want to leave until everyone’s luggage was onboard. In essence, we were delayed numerous times before departing on our soon to be long and unpleasant flight.

During food service, my son and I requested chicken for our choice of dinner but was rudely denied by one of the flight attendants. She said, "There isn’t any chicken left, pasta is all that we have." Immediately I asked why this had happened and the [Steward] rudely replied, "I'm sorry but that’s what happens when you sit in the back." I explained that I paid just as much as everyone else for my ticket and deserved the same option for food.

During the second round of serving drinks, my son and I requested Ginger Ale and were told by another Stuart that the airlines had run out. Once more, this Stuart said, "This is what happens when you sit in the back of the plane."

My son and I didn’t ask to be seated in the last row neither deserve the treatment we were given. This was a very long, disturbing, and uncomfortable flight for the both of us. (Keep in mind; we flew 10 plus hours across the country)

Upon arrival at LAX we were soon notified our luggage hadn’t come in and had remained in London. We would not be receiving our luggage until the following day but was once again told it would not arrive until the day after the original date.

All in all, the treatment we received was unacceptable. I feel every customer should be received and treated with equal respect no matter where their seated, business or standard class. After speaking to a representative on the phone, we're still feeling those raw emotions from the flight. What a bad experience this was for the both of us...

Delta forces family into worst seats on the plane

2012-10-07T12:03:00.003-07:00

Date: 9 April 2012
Airline: Delta Airlines, flight 3482
Location: Atlanta, GA

My family of four flew Delta to Savana, GA for Easter vacation this year. On our return flight, our seats were changed at the boarding gate from rows fourteen and fifteen to row nine without explaination. Upon boarding the plane, our orginal seats and new seats were occupied. My family and I were forced to sit in the last row of the plane, row twenty. The flight attendents made no attempt to resolve the problem.

Overhead storage and leg room were occupied in two of our seats by "flight crew" baggage, no window seat, the last row was next to the engines and restroom where every passenger slammed the door and we were last to receive in-flight services. I contacted both Delta's president Ed Bastian and CEO Richard Anderson who arrogantly and insultingly sent me flight vouchers for future flights on their pathetic airline when I requested a refund of the flight.

-Jim

Note from AirSafe.com Unfortunately, in the US airlines are allowed to make these kinds of last minute changes without penalty, and are not required to provide passengers with any compensation. However, any reasonable person would agree with the passenger that this treatment was unacceptable.

While offering free flight vouchers was a good gesture, it would have been much more effective if the airline had also included a full refund as well as some some kind of apology or acknowledgement of the airline's role in ruining that family's flight.

Schedule changes causes shorter holiday

2012-07-06T08:43:00.000-07:00

Date: 18 June 2012
Airline: Spirit Airlines, flight 244
Location: Guatemala

I am requesting partial refund of my airfare. My return trip was changed just prior to my flight. As a result I had to alter my vacation plans and was forced to shorten my stay in Guatemala. I am only requesting partial compensation.

I called the customer service line on this matter prior to my flight and was told I had to make the request at the airport. I then spoke to the agent at the airport prior to my flight and was told I had to call the customer service line.

-Preston

Note from AirSafe.com: Typically, airlines are not required to compensate passengers for costs not directly related to the trip. While the schedule change may have affected their holiday plans, that is not covered by most airlines.

If a passenger is concerned about delays affecting other parts of the trip, consider options such as purchasing insurance.

United not honoring Continental refunds

2012-07-05T09:18:00.000-07:00

Date: 4 February 2012
Airline: Continental, flight 839
Location: United Customer Service

I spoke with my case manager Lida [redacted] who had authorised my refund from LA to Melbourne Australia for flight 839 on the 4th of February 2012, eticket [redacted] Confirmation Number [redacted] plus a further 30,000 points as a gesture of goodwill onto my Mileage Plus card.

Final confirmation was early April 2012 and I was advised all had been approved and the follow up for the refund would now be passed onto a different dept and that if I had any problems I could get back to Lida at her email address.

I had not heard anything further about my refund and attempted to email Lida but the email came back as this email address no longer accepts inbound messages due to technical changes to Continental Airlines changeover. I have tried to contact Lida on numerous emails address but all come back undeliverable.

I have filled in refund forms online numerous times but still no one contacts me. I have filed complaints on United website and I have yet to have any reply back. I filled out the status form online to check the status of my refund and it advised me to ring 1-800-WECARE2 and I wait on hold from Australia and when I finally get through the representative can't assist me or puts me on hold and I wait again and often times the calls drops out.

I am at my wits end trying to get a response from a United refund representative as this has been going on for months but just can't get through to anyone who can assist me. That is why I am now putting in a complaint with your organisation hoping you may be able to advise me where do I go from here or who i should be contacting.

- Marita

United almost causes missed overseas connection

2012-07-02T08:31:00.000-07:00

Date: 12 May 2012
Airline: United, flight 4148
Location: Atlanta, GA/Newark, NJ

We arrived at the airport three hours prior to our departure as instructed. We were booked on UA 4148 departing at 12:20 pm, arriving in Newark at 2:43 p.m. with connection with UA 0106 departing at 5:35 pm.

Our Atlanta flight had a mechanical problem and they had to fly a part in to repair it. I ask that they re-book us with another airline to make our connection; the gate agent told me we had a “bulk price” ticket and no one else would accept it, and that all they could do is leaves us on the flight that was scheduled to depart now at 5:45. I spoke with a supervisor and she said she would re-book us on another flight out of Newark.

When we arrived in Newark I went to United customer service, because I saw no United flight departing for Munich. The service representative told me they had no record of us having a flight. I ask where my luggage was and he had no idea. He said the only flight left was Lufthansa 1926. I should go see them because they (United) had no record of our travel even though I gave him the confirmed ticket number and reservation code.

We went down to Lufthansa and they had no record of our flight. I think the agent could see I was about to blow up and she decide to help as much as she could. It took her an hour to find the record, but she found it. United would not even look for it they just said it was non-existent. Lufthansa put us on standby. I literally begged them to please put us on the flight, and they did.

-George

Delta delays and luggage issues lead to changed wedding plans

2012-06-30T09:52:00.007-07:00

Date: 28 April 2012
Airline: Delta, flight DL2854
Location: Richmond, VA

I was traveling with my fiance to our wedding on April 28, 2012 from Richmond to Hong Kong. The flight was delayed from Richmond which caused us to miss our connecting flight in Detroit. Delta was unable to put us on another flight that day. We were forced to take a flight the next day with an extra connection.

We specifically paid more for our original ticket for one less connection. This also caused us to miss our transportation in Hong Kong because we arrived at a later time. We had to pay more for local transportation when we arrived in Hong Kong. Furthermore, we were unable to reclaim our baggage because it was already on the delayed flight to Detroit. We were without our personal belongings on Saturday night. Because of our delayed flight, we were forced to change our wedding plans.

We would like to be compensated for our rebooked and delayed flight, the extra connection in our travels, and not having our luggage.

United and US Airways Ruins Wedding trip to Puerto Rico

2012-06-29T10:34:00.000-07:00

Part 1 - Outbound Flights

Date: 29 December 2011
Airline: US Airways, flight 706
Location: San Francisco, CA to San, Juan, PR

Written on 2/1/2012 to the airline: On December 29th, my fiance and I were en route to our wedding in Puerto Rico via United Airlines, where he is a longstanding Premiere member. He surprised me with first class tickets and we were so excited to depart. After hours on the tarmac, they finally offloaded and cancelled the flight to to a computer glitch/ mechanical issues.

The stewards were really nice but had no information; the booking agent at the counter was very rude and pushy - she refused to walk me through multiple booking options and instead, tried to force us to take a red eye to Puerto Rico, leaving SF late at night. Finally, we were able to rebook with an agent on the phone who was helpful.

We were routed through Philadelphia, where we had to spend the night. We were given a very dingy room ar Four Points and two lame $10 meal vouchers that weren't even worth appetizers. This was not how we envisioned the beginning of our wedding trip. On top of this frustrating experience, we missed our first night in Puerto Rico at the Sheraton in Old San Juan, where we had booked with saved points for the occasion that have yet to be refunded. Overall, and despite nicely voicing our frustrations, the United agents we encountered failed to understand the unique circumstances of our trip-- which we had been planning and saving for since 2010.

We are disappointed with our United experience and hope that your customer relations personnel are able to address and respond to our concerns. As always, it is important to give both people and companies second chances, as long as we communicate our frustrations. However, this traveling experience was intolerable and without the appropriate response, I will hesitate to fly United again.

Part 2 - Return Flights

Date: 9 January 2012
Flight: US Airways, operated by United flights 700 and 975
Location: San, Juan, PR to San Francisco, CA

On January 9th, 2012, my husband and I returned from our wedding in Puerto Rico via US Airways, where he surprised me with First Class tickets. Our flight to Washington, DC was just fine, but after four hours of delays for our flight from DC to San Francisco (including hours in the terminal and on the plane and de-icing), our flight was cancelled due to mechanical issues.

A Premiere representative was able to help us re-book for a later flight the same day to San Francisco; however, the flights were not first class. She took our email addresses and old boarding passes and promised to arrange for first class vouchers for future flights. We have not heard from her since. We have tried calling and emailing through your online system. After two weeks, we still have heard no response and are feeling very frustrated. How do we resolve this issue and receive either monetary compensation or vouchers for our downgrade to the main cabin?

Our flight home was a miserable experience. After hours of traveling and exhaustion, our stewardess was horrible. She refused to give me a bottle of water, and I was at the onset of a panic attack. Luckily, an Air Force paramedic sitting next to me was able to help and my husband was able to get my medicine, but I spent a good portion of the flight in tears. The stewardess was very rude, until she realized what was going on- still, she didn't need to behave that way to begin with.

Upon arrival in SF, all of our luggage was lost. We were told it would arrive the following day on the next flight to San Francisco from DC. It did not. We got three out of four bags two days later and the fourth bag arrived 5 days later. The process for contacting US Airways about our bags was arduous, to say the least and extremely frustrating. It required hours of follow-up on our part. Overall, our experience on the second leg of our trip was horrible. We are looking forward to hearing your response to this situation.

I hope that US Airways Customer Service is able to appropriately address these multiple issues. Thank you for your time and consideration.