Having blogged this week about the appalling levels of customer service we increasingly have to endure in Britain it is only fair that I record the third-rate service forced on those of us stupid enough to fly with American Airlines. I only fly with AA because of their airmiles programme. Like many travellers I dare say I am trapped: I get regular upgrades which just about - and I mean just about - make up for the otherwise crap service I have endured since I first flew with them regularly in 2004.
On my return journey from LAX to LHR via JFK we landed at 8.45pm in New York - and then sat on the tarmac. And sat. And sat.
No refreshments. Irregular updates. Rude stewardesses. For two and a half hours we sat on the bloody tarmac, not permitted to leave our seats. It wasn't raining. There were no storms. There was just "congestion". If this is customer service then I'm a Dutchman (no offence, Steve McLaren).
2 comments:
Of course, at least half of this is due to the dreadful ATC at New York area airports, an ATC version of the NHS (long waiting lists...)
Doesn't excuse AA not breaking out the coke and pretzels, though. Shows how the "not my fault" attitude of government can infect the private sector.
I fly to the US on a regular basis and first flew AA about fifteen years ago and never did it after that, they are truly appalling funny to see people still moaning about them.
I honestly think it's down to the essentially Government funded and legally protected nature of the US airline industry.
Post a Comment