In the past UA have been very ordinary at best. I've had some interesting experiences, once exceptionally bad customer service (as in none or very poor) - probably 30% of flights seem to have some "technical issue" that has us holding on the ground for some period - weather delays and once even diverted into Brisbane due stronger than forecast winds and low fuel - associated with lots of complaints from the ill-informed punters. In all cases except two, that I can recall, we were pretty much on time to the arrival gate.
I flew once with family in Y - SYD to LAX - the boy was a little less than 12 months old at the time. What a nightmare. Seriously!! As soon as I had an opportunity I upgraded the three of us to PE (paid) and put in a request for a J upgrade which came through and cost me nada (points or money). Since then any family trips have been in J - Y is just too hideous.
On 7 occasions I have been upgraded to F - which is no big deal on UA. One of those upgrades I had the family in tow.
Last August I flew UA MEL/SYD - LAX return and was very impressed with the "new" UA. Much different to the previous trash they dealt up. I also did around two dozen sectors in the states, albeit in F, and was generally impressed with the clear change of attitude of staff and product. Seems apparent to me, and I have spoken to a few others with similar experiences recently, that UA has finally put up and the rhetoric is more than just hot air.
I initially went with UA and *A because Qantas was cough and that was 10 years back now. The only unfortunate thing in that move was Ansett collapsed.
To be fair last year I thought I’d give Qantas a try again. I flew my leisure flying with them for 12 months . Did around 15 return flights to various ports out of MEL and in honesty I found the product lacking. I even took up QP membership for the year.
VA matched mine and my partner’s *A Gold status (we are no both Platinum with VA) and since we have done all our domestic flying and some international with VA. Sooner VA join *A the happier I will be. Qantas was a great airline once and I flew with them (TAA and Australian Airlines as well) for almost 20 years before I decided to abandon them for poor product, attitude and service reasons. In the 10 years since they have done nothing but nothing to improve their lot. By any measure those around are striving to improve. Perhaps Qantas should open their eyes, take a grasp of reality, pull their finger out and get with the plan for I am sure I am not the only one who feels this way.
In the past UA have been very ordinary at best. I've had some interesting experiences, once exceptionally bad customer service (as in none or very poor) - probably 30% of flights seem to have some "technical issue" that has us holding on the ground for some period - weather delays and once even diverted into Brisbane due stringer than forecast winds and low fuel. In all cases except two we were pretty much on time to the arrival gate.
I flew once with family in Y - SYD to LAX - the boy was a little less than 12 months old at the time. What a nightmare. Seriously!! As soon as I had an opportunity I upgraded the three of us to PE (paid) and put in a request for a J upgrade which came through and cost me nada (points or money).
On 7 occasions I have been upgrade to F - which is no big deal on UA. One of those upgrades I had the family in tow and they were upgraded as well.
Last August I flew UA MEL/SYD - LAX return and was very impressed with the "new" UA. Much different to the previous trash they dealt up. I also did around two dozen sectors in the states, albeit in F, and was generally impressed with the clear change of attitude of staff and product. Seems apparent to me, and I have spoken to a few others with similar experiences recently, that UA has finally put up and the rhetoric is more than just hot air.
I initially went with UA and *A because Qantas was cough and that was 10 years back now. The only unfortunate thing in that move was Ansett collapsed.
To be fair last year I thought I’d give Qantas a try again. I flew my leisure flying with them for 12 months . Did around 15 return flights to various ports out of MEL and in honesty I found the product lacking. I even took up QP membership for the year.
VA matched mine and my partner’s *A Gold status (we are now both Platinum with VA) and since we have done all our domestic flying and some international with VA. Sooner VA join *A the happier I will be. Qantas was a great airline once and I flew with them for almost 20 years before I decided to abandon them for poor product, attitude and service reasons. In the 10 years since they have done nothing but nothing to improve their lot. By any measure those around are striving to improve. Perhaps Qantas should open their eyes, take a grasp of reality, pull their finger out and get with the plan for I am sure I am not the only one who feels this way.
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