Flying in the United States with the major airlines has become so underwhelming. A 2-3hr flight in most other parts of the world with the major carriers of the area comes with newer, CLEANER aircraft and significantly better in flight service in terms of both staff attitude and a actual meal service.
I am writing to share detailed feedback regarding my recent journey with American Airlines on the New York (JFK) to New Delhi (DEL) sector, which was ultimately diverted to Jaipur (JAI) due to weather conditions. At the outset, I would like to acknowledge that this was a full long-haul flight of approximately 14–15 hours, and while the journey fulfilled its primary transport objective, several aspects of the experience warrant both recognition and constructive feedback. 1. Cabin Crew Conduct and Service Consistency While the majority of the cabin crew maintained a polite and professional demeanor, one flight attendant’s conduct was notably inconsistent with expected service standards. The tone was often directive and lacked the warmth and guest-centric engagement typically associated with long-haul service. This created a perceptible imbalance in the cabin experience. Although other crew members acknowledged and apologized for the behavior, it highlighted a gap in service standardization and supervisory oversight. 2. Inflight Experience (IFE & Comfort) The inflight entertainment system was unreliable, with content failing to load consistently throughout the journey. Seating comfort in economy class was below expectations when compared with other international long-haul carriers. Cabin environment management at times felt unsettled, with noticeable noise and movement in the aisles. 3. Disruption Handling and Communication (DEL Diversion to JAI) The diversion to Jaipur due to weather was understandably beyond the airline’s control. However, the handling of post-diversion communication and guest management was an area of concern: Information during and after the diversion was fragmented and lacked clarity Limited guidance was provided upon disembarkation regarding next steps (transport, accommodation, onward travel) Ground coordination appeared inconsistent, with hotel partners and passengers receiving incomplete or delayed updates Communication the following morning remained unclear, including last-minute changes to transfer timings This resulted in avoidable uncertainty during a critical disruption phase. 4. Positive Acknowledgment – Ground Recovery Arrangements It is important to recognize that despite the initial communication gaps, the overall recovery framework was eventually well executed: Hotel accommodation was arranged efficiently Meal vouchers were provided appropriately Transfers between airport and hotel were organized in a structured manner Given the sudden and large-scale disruption, these arrangements were commendable and reflect the airline’s ability to operationally recover once systems were in place. 5. Recommendations for Improvement In the interest of strengthening the overall customer experience, I would respectfully propose the following: Service Delivery Reinforce consistent cabin crew service standards, particularly for long-haul sectors Enhance supervisory presence to address outlier behaviors in real time Inflight Product Improve reliability of inflight entertainment systems Reassess economy seating comfort for ultra-long-haul routes Disruption Management Establish a more visible “Care & Coordination Team” during irregular operations Ensure clear, centralized communication (single source of truth) for passengers and ground partners Provide structured briefing points to hotel and transport vendors to avoid information gaps Introduce proactive guest engagement (clear next steps, timelines, reassurance) Closing Reflection: While the journey was impacted by both controllable and uncontrollable factors, the overall experience would have been significantly enhanced through greater consistency in service delivery and more structured communication during disruption. I appreciate the efforts made by the broader team in arranging accommodation and onward logistics under challenging circumstances. With improved coordination and alignment, the experience can be elevated to match the expectations of a global long-haul carrier. Thank you for your attention to this feedback. I trust it will be received constructively and contribute to ongoing service improvement. Warm regards, Soosnata Chowdhury Convert effective for airlines) Or tailor tone
Wifi was spotty. Tray table was very dirty when I sat down.
Flight was extremely hot and they made us check our bags when the space was nowhere near full
Same plane as RDU to LGA — internet not working. Pilot issue of some sort at end of prior flight - I was on same plane for my connection. Late/delayed —
For an international flight the seats were smaller than most flight I have been on in economy. I don’t know the size of the seats or perhaps it was the size of the seat dividers that made the seats feel smaller and little amount of space to even turn your body if you needed to
My flight from LGA was cancelled and my rebooked flight from JFK was delayed numerous times. I will now be getting home after 2am.
Flight was delayed half hour before boarding, but when I checked flight aware the plane that would Pick us up had a delay of more than an hour. AA should let us know in advance to avoid waiting several hours in the airport
Not really sure I enjoyed the flight at all. The flight attendants seemed a little tired and rude at times. The snacks were lacking in taste and sustenance. The flight was incredibly turbulent for three plus hours and the pilot had to do a second pass to land at our final destination because he was coming in so fast. He must have taken a short cut and because of it we had to suffer the violent turbulence and the dropping down. It had to be one of if not the worse flights I have ever been on and have traveled vastly all over the world.
Aging planer and NO wifi on a 14 hour day flight. Unless you are retired or don't need to work or be in touch with the world... The lack of Wifif really ruined the flight. And the old plane - really showing it's age, wasn't great
I don't think there were entertainment options (short flight) - which is why I gave the 'ok' sign. Didn't make a diff in my flight experience either way, however
tray table was inclined by 30 degress so could not use it
Flight was cancelled by air India. There was no explanation provided why the flight was cancelled. Found out that the flight was cancelled because the Iran air space was closed. Meanwhile, all other flights passing through that region were operating without issues. When asked to refund money for the tickets, being told that “ As checked, we wish to share that Flight AI 116 on 15 January 2026 from New York to Mumbai was cancelled due to Iran airspace closure, which were beyond the airline’s control. While such events can disrupt travel plans, we appreciate your understanding and patience. Our team remains committed to ensuring the safety and comfort of all passengers and takes all necessary measures to minimize any issues. However, we must inform you that compensation is not applicable under these extraordinary circumstances, in accordance with the relevant regulations.” Completed unacceptable and unprofessional behavior!
Needs lots of improvement starting from crew/staff attitude, cleanliness, better quality food & in flight amenities.
Flight was delayed in phases from 84ppm to 2am. And at 2am it was cancelled. Only refund option provided and no stay was provided. Poor communication throughout and shameless behaviour from the airline with no regard for seniors citizens and those travelling with children.
The boarding experience was very organized and easy to follow. The flight was pleasant and the food provided was also very good. Both Delhi and Mumbai airport have metro connections which make getting around much easier.
Horrible flight. No entertainment or WiFi for a 14-hour flight. No explanations either. I’ll never fly Air India again.
Food, choice of menu and quantity were poor. Crew services were even poorer, not attending call bittons
Several seats in business class were broken. Some would not recline, others had other problems. They need to really update the seats and AV.
I reached the check in counter 1 hour before take off and was denied boarding because the luggage could no longer be transferred to the flight. I was aback when throughout the world(including India) for a domestic flight, you need to report 1 hour before boarding. Then on top of that i was made to buy a brand new ticket. I had paid $350 for a business ticket between delhi and mumbai and then was made to buy another economy ticket for $100, No concessions/discounts were made for the airline's own inefficiency! The reservation counter was also extremely rude and unapologetic about making me pay a second time. For such a mediocre airline, there seems to be zero focus on providing good service to their customers and providing a pleasant experience.
