It was very hot on the plane and it wasn’t acknowledged by the crew. This whole trip was one of the worst flying experiences I’ve had in a while. We sat in that hot plane on the tarmac in SLC for 45 min (after being delayed for 33 min for crew). 4 hours in the air in a barely cooled cabin. Over 30 min sitting on the tarmac in CLT waiting for a gate. I missed my original connection but was fortunate to get on the last flight out to RDU so I can make my 2 hour drive home. I know these things happen. But it’s frustrating nonetheless.
My flight was delayed several hours, which is to be expected (American never fails to disappoint me!), but the parts that really bothered me are as follows: 1) I was unable to add myself to the standby list for another flight in the app, nor could the gate agents figure out how to help me do so (the app is difficult to work with and simply did not allow me to perform the action of adding myself to the list) 2) When I asked the gate agents to add me to the standby list, the agent said that he had added me, but I was not able to confirm that I was on the list in the app; as it turns out, I had NOT been added to the list after all. He had lied to me and/or failed to add me to the list. 3) I figured out I had not been added to the standby list when I spoke to the (rather rude, snippy, and dismissive) other gate agent, who finally did add me to the list after giving me some pretty unnecessary attitude. I understand that gate agents experience the worst of stressed travelers every day, so I appreciate that I was eventually able to make it onto the standby flight with their help. However, the app needs some SERIOUS attention!
Flight was on time and the flight crew was exceptional.
Both directions of our trip were befuddled by massive delays, one of which led to our connecting flight being grounded mid air due to storms that we’d have missed if we were on time. The other our originating flight was delayed repeatedly until it arrived at our connecting airport later than our final leg was even supposed to have arrived. American cannot seem to manage rebooking s for a family party… both directions we had to come up with a plan to get to Boston stay overnight only one night each direction was covered by the airline -and take a bus to or from our destination. Missed an entire leg of our trip, hotel cancellation fees, expensive stay in Boston and bus ticket expenses are unlikely to be comped and the meal vouchers are worthless.
I was downgraded from first class to coach due to an airplane change. They pulled me out of line and I was the very last person to board the plane stuck in the middle seat with no overhead place to put my carry-.on. Very poor customer service.
We hoarded. Then we deplaned. Then we waited for 10 hours in the MSP airport due to a wheel misfunction. We understand safety but communication between crew and airport staff was horrible. When we did finally board, we were rushed on and because we were waiting for a “fresh” pilot and crew, we sat in a roasting plane with no A/C for an hour. My question is why was this flight not cancelled right away when they knew this would be a huge issue OR, why did AA not get a substitute plane, considering this was already a full flight? To me, this appears to be a complete breakdown in leadership and utter systems failure. The compensation for completely disrupting travel plans for hundreds, which we paid dearly for, was measly. While we appreciated the lodging for the night, $12 in meal vouchers isn’t going to sustain anyone for over 12 hours. “We apologize; our hands are tied” is no longer an acceptable explanation. We are so completely turned off by this experience and will definitely seek alternative avenues when we need to fly.
American Airlines was great and worked very hard to change my ticket so I could get an earlier, direct flight back to Dallas. However, I was informed that Kayak made mistakes with my itinerary and classified my ticket as desiring to be on the earlier flight instead of taking the necessary step of calling AA to get me on the standby list. This ended up keeping me from being added to the standby list and delayed me getting home by 6 hours. I am happy to discuss this further with Kayak so they can correct their procedures so this won't happen again.
the trip to madrid was uncomfortable with my legs touching the seat in front of me
Was able to get on early due to being short of breathe. Agents very helpful.
this is starting to seem like an american airlines standard. delayed flights and fake apologies… getting tired of it
