Why are US based airlines so useless when it comes to inflight services?

Question

The US based airlines like United, Delta, Alaska, NW, American etc have such bad inflight services with absolutely rude flight attendents, bad inflight services, bad or almost no food. This is not limited to just domestic travel but also when travelling internationally. These airlines fare so poorly when compared with other airlines like Cathay, Thai, Singapore, Malaysia, British Airways, KLM, Emirates etc.

Answer 1

American consumers have nickle-and-dimed the airlines into cutting way back on services and amenities. I'm sure you've noticed that half of the posts on the Travel board are about getting cheap fares! The American consumer is more interested in getting the cheapest travel possible instead of the most comfortable flight and the only way to achieve that is by cutting services and amenities.

Foreign carriers are much more flexible in price for a couple of reasons, primarily fuel and labor. Both US and foreign airlines contract fuel prices annually (or under long, multi-year contracts like Southwest has, which is why they can keep their fares so low) but the foreign airlines are paying less per gallon for jet fuel than the US carriers are. That's due to buying power/volume as well as global politics. And labor is cheaper because foreign airlines are not carrying the overhead that the US legacy carriers are, like union workers which cost significantly more than non-union workers.

So there's noplace to cut back except on service and amenities. I personally hate it--- I would much rather pay a little more on every flight and get consistently good service and amenities. Now if we can just convince the rest of the country...

Answer 2

When I started traveling in the mid '70s - I would regularly pay $300 for a flight from Chicago to L.A. or New York. And this with 2 weeks or more advance reservations.

Now today, 30 years later - I can do those same flights for same or less. Sometimes much less.

The competition in the airline industry has made air travel pretty cheap. Now the younger generation does not realize, because they don't remember the days when air travel was considered a luxury. (OK - I'm an old guy)

At this point - I'm happy to get a drink, and maybe even little bag of pretzels. If I need more - buy it and bring it on the plane.

I agree with the Continental flight attendant. They are not rude. But some may not be quite a cheerful as we may expect.
But they have to put up with a great deal of crap also. Ever see that passenger who thinks they are the most important person on the plane? You know - - the one who continues to talk on his cell, well after instructed to turn it off.

And ask a flight attendant how they get paid. Not only have many had to take pay cuts, or loss of benefits. But as I understand, they only get paid from gate departure, to arrival.
(Not positive about this -- learned from a flight attendant I know)

Answer 3

I am a flight attendant. You didn't mention Continental. We are not rude. We really are concerned mostly for the safety of all passengers. We are governed by the FAA regulations. If we do not comply, we will be fined as well as the airline.

We were voted no. 1 for best Inflight Services for 2006; best Business Class by Conde Nest Magazine. If you fly out of Newark, Cleveland or Houston, that would be a non stop trip and cheap prices too. We still have food (Gourmet food in first class), pillows and blankets and they are all free.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

there's no longer lots in the way of inflight provider at present. very very nearly no person nevertheless has nutrition on relatives flights different than Continental, so it would not lots count who you p.c... Given a decision, i'm going to take Continental. in the event that they do no longer fly the direction, I take whoever has the backside fare on the main direct flight. If it particularly is a flight to Europe, I many times prefer ecu airways. P.S. Southwest isn't a small airline. this is between the main important airways in the country in terms of passengers carried and has the main suitable risk-free practices checklist.

Answer 5

You didn't mention US Airways/America West. Were pretty great when it comes to service. Pay $2 bucks extra and get on our flight, instead of SWA, and get unlimited drink service, movies, food for $5 excluding 1st class, thats free. But, really. We were voted #1 with INFLIGHT SERVICES. Also, we'll get you there in one peice. I'd have to be drugged to get on an American of United flight. Continental isn't bad, I hate southwest. WORST SERVICE! ALL THEY DO, IS READ!

Answer 6

FIRST of all you're comaring Capitalst and Socialit countries.

Many European and Asian Airlines are heavily sponsored and owned by the government, whereas in the US, the airline industry is 100% privatized.

SECONDLY, the economic status of US is far worse then in Europe or Asia...the airlines have problems with money

Answer 7

I agree. They are doing a horrible job. But, like it was first posted, the airlines have cut back so much just to give cheap fares, which really are not cheap at all anymore, that they have cut all of the services and food just to pay their bills and keep fares low.

Answer 8

Most American Airlines are barely able to pay their bills so have cut back on as many services as they can to help cut costs.

Answer 9

Maybe if people like you were willing to actually pay more than $99+ each way transcontinental, then the airlines would give you something for it.