What's changed with airlines/flights in the last 10 years

[5Miler]

DGF and I don't have so many issues with air travel these days since we made the decision a few years ago to bump ourselves up to First Class or Delta One when taking flights over 4 hours. We fly almost exclusively on Delta and take full advantage of Frequent Flyer perks and credit card loyalty programs.

We use the Digital ID program to expedite baggage as there is rarely any wait time for check in at the Atlanta airport. We do our boarding pass check in via the App and move boarding passes to the iPhone wallet to access more conveniently.. Then we make our way to the Delta SkyMiles club for a bite to eat and refreshments while waiting to board. Some are busy at times but Atlanta has 5 or more clubs to choose from and the App will tell you how busy each one is at the time.

Our credit cards provide each of us one First Class companion ticket each year (domestic and Caribbean) which more than covers the price of the cards annual fee. Medallion status also gives us multipliers on earned mileage. Another perk is for our planned trip to Miami in March for a cruise we booked main cabin as the flight is only 2 hours. Our FF status allows us to immediately upgrade to Comfort Plus when we book our tickets at no additional charge.

I realize that we pay a price for this kind of travel but we take enough flights each year to make it worth our while. It takes the stress out of our travel days and almost makes them enjoyable.

 

[Sunset]

I flew Spirit Airlines basic economy last weekend, and it has to be the ultimate in scaled down customer service. For comfort, I would much rather ride a bus. I don't know if it's all airlines, but the ones that I've flown recently require self-service in printing out your luggage tags and affixing them to your luggage. It won't be long until a machine will finish the process of check-in, and they won't need people at the front counter.

Spirit just declared bankruptcy.
Still operating, but the clock is now ticking.

 

[starry night]

I sure wish someone would forward this stream of conversation to airline customer “service” departments. Lots here that they should be hearing.

 

[audreyh1]

I sure wish someone would forward this stream of conversation to airline customer “service” departments. Lots here that they should be hearing.

You think they would try to improve customer experience? I don’t. Not as long as their planes remain full.

 

[brett]

One thing that has changed, depending on the jurisdiction and the airline, is financial penalties for certain airline delays, cancellations. Public pressure has made some jurisdictions act on carrier cavalier attitudes towards passengers in these situations. Cash penalties, not airline credit vouchers.

Over the past two years we have a total of about $2300 USD on two delayed and one cancelled flight. Just for taking five minutes to submit an on line claim.

 

[marko]

Our credit cards provide each of us one First Class companion ticket each year (domestic and Caribbean) which more than covers the price of the cards annual fee. Medallion status also gives us multipliers on earned mileage.

Have they changed? I have lifetime Diamond status with Delta and an AMEX Delta Reserve card. AFAIK, they give me a free coach companion ticket each year. I never check or use it because we won't fly coach but you say that they now hand out First Class companions?

 

[athena53]

The people have voted with their dollars. They want cheap. They may complain about the conditions but that's what they got.

It's also become accessible to more people, though. Dad said that in the 1960s it was mostly businessmen (yes, MEN) and the occasional military wife. We (family of 7) certainly never flew anywhere. With the mobility we have now, it's a good development that grandparents and grandchildren can fly back and forth and stay in each others' lives.

 

[marko]

The people have voted with their dollars. They want cheap. They may complain about the conditions but that's what they got.

It's also become accessible to more people, though. Dad said that in the 1960s it was mostly businessmen (yes, MEN) and the occasional military wife.

Funny story. Back in the 60s my company was AA's single largest customer. My early boss (who was way too straight to exaggerate, ever) told me that once, he was out with his boss and they just missed the last plane out for the day, from somewhere.

He was going to go to the phone and get a hotel for them. His boss told him to sit down, made a phone call, and within two hours, AA pulled up another plane (707?) and flew just the two of them back home that night.

Those were the days.

 

[brett]

Spirit Airlines filed for bankrupcy protection this morning.

 

[Diogenes]

I'd love to join a few of those online forums if I knew how to run my internet on the world wide web.

But my dial up modem stopped working a while ago and I can't get it to work with my flip phone.

I hand wrote a letter to my local newspaper guy who knows these things for help and I check my mailbox out front every day for a reply but nothing yet.

And then they closed Blockbuster so now I can't even watch a movie at home anymore and have to go to the motion picture the-ater and pay 20 bucks! We're going backwards!

Any help appreciated!

More or less. I still write in cursive, on the chalkboard, in front of my class. If the students can't read cursive, they can go ask Chachky-PT to translate it for them. My camera is a single-lens-reflex, which I focus by turning a ring on the lens barrel. But now the kids have cameras integrated with their pocket telephones, that use autocorrelation algorithms (one supposes) to focus... OK, good luck with that. Use them to photograph the board. Oh, and did I mention that the exams are oral? Students pick a question, on a slip of paper, from a bank of questions in a jar. Then they have an hour to work out their solutions (pencil and paper only). Then I quiz them one-on-one, privately. Chachky won't help them then.

 

[Ronstar]

Yup. The biggest changes in the last handful of years are all related to smart phones, apps, computers and automation, that obviate traditional human interaction... great if you're a whiz at Python and C++... not so great if you refer to these pocket computers as "telephones", and think that rebooting is the changing of one's shoes after they get wet in winter. Granted, this is the early retirement forum... but some of you folks are getting on in years. How do you manage this techy imposition?

I used to be up on all the tech stuff, but since retiring the tech stuff is starting to get a little challenging. I'm even having a hard time ordering a pizza online.

 

[5Miler]

Have they changed? I have lifetime Diamond status with Delta and an AMEX Delta Reserve card. AFAIK, they give me a free coach companion ticket each year. I never check or use it because we won't fly coach but you say that they now hand out First Class companions?

The AMEX Delta Platinum card offers a main cabin companion ticket. I cut and pasted below from my AMEX account re: the Reserve Card.

Companion Certificate​

‡View Benefit Terms

---

Benefit Details​

As a Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card Member, you’ll receive a Companion Certificate each year after renewal of your Card.‡*

How It Works​

1. Log into your SkyMiles account at delta.com and navigate to your Profile.
2. You can find your Companion Certificate under “Certificates, eCredits, & Vouchers”.
3. Select the Certificate checkbox and click “Continue”. Begin searching for eligible flights.

Good to Know​

1. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Basic Card Members receive a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America.
2. Both passengers must be booked on the same flights and dates.

*The Companion Ticket requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for round-trip domestic flights and no more than $250 for round-trip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.

 

[marko]

The AMEX Delta Platinum card offers a main cabin companion ticket. I cut and pasted below from my AMEX account re: the Reserve Card.

Companion Certificate.​

Good to Know​

1. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Basic Card Members receive a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America.
2. Both passengers must be booked on the same flights and dates.

Thanks. I never even checked. I see that they're there!

 

[rembrandt]

The last time I took an airplane was in 1995 when I flew to Amsterdam. The mugging left a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[CRLLS]

The AMEX Delta Platinum card offers a main cabin companion ticket. I cut and pasted below from my AMEX account re: the Reserve Card.

Companion Certificate​

‡View Benefit Terms

---

Benefit Details​

As a Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card Member, you’ll receive a Companion Certificate each year after renewal of your Card.‡*

How It Works​

1. Log into your SkyMiles account at delta.com and navigate to your Profile.
2. You can find your Companion Certificate under “Certificates, eCredits, & Vouchers”.
3. Select the Certificate checkbox and click “Continue”. Begin searching for eligible flights.

Good to Know​

1. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Basic Card Members receive a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America.
2. Both passengers must be booked on the same flights and dates.

*The Companion Ticket requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for round-trip domestic flights and no more than $250 for round-trip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.

This sounds very similar to Alask Air's CC benefits. With their card, you get 60,000 miles when you sign up, sometimes 70,000 miles, a companion fare with $5,000 in purchases in something like the first 90 days (?) A companion fare with $3k in charges each following year. Plus 1 free checked bag per person on every flight. It sure is tough to turn down .

 

[Koolau]

One thing that has changed is I no longer will fly a commercial airline. Did that for 35+ years all over the world and I am not going to put up with the frustration anymore.

I guess I won't be seeing you in the Islands then. Too bad. I could have shown you around. I'll let you know when they get the bridge completed.

 

[Koolau]

First off, I do hate flying, but it's the only (reasonable, sensible) way to get from The Islands to the mainland.

Pretty much every bad thing folks have mentioned here are true BUT it's not always true and rarely all true at once.

We have been springing for the relatively costly upgrade from cattle car to "coach plus" or whatever they call it. It gives you 4 more inches of leg room which doesn't sound like much - but it is.

TSA is TSA but they have a j*b to do so I just go along to get along. Only been "randomly" chosen for extra screening one time. They took EVERY item out of my carry on and checked it for explosive residue. I'm glad we were not in a hurry.

There are some differences in airlines and especially on some routes. Our preferred route is from HNL to ORD. That's sort of a "flag ship" run for United, so we usually have reasonable (and sorta friendly) service with them. They don't hassle much and seem (almost) happy to see you. DW and I are both disabled and we ask to be seated early and (so far) have not been turned down.

Worst problem I see these days is people carrying on what should be checked luggage bags AND a back pack that would topple me if I wore it. As folks waddle down the aisle, they swing their back-packs to and fro as they look for their seats and whack seated aisle passengers in the face and head. I've learned how to defend against this and nearly got into a fight because I pushed a guy's back pack out of my face.

It's no fun flying but I assuage my thinking this way: It's just two days out of a year I have to put up with this crap. To get 5000 miles and back, I'll do - but I won't like it. YMMV

 

[Sunset]

This sounds very similar to Alask Air's CC benefits. With their card, you get 60,000 miles when you sign up, sometimes 70,000 miles, a companion fare with $5,000 in purchases in something like the first 90 days (?) A companion fare with $3k in charges each following year. Plus 1 free checked bag per person on every flight. It sure is tough to turn down .

That companion ticket sounds enticing.

Do you know if I book say an AA flight on alaskaair.com (to earn the miles for distance + whatever), do other benefits also follow like 1 free checked bag pp ?

 

[marko]

As much as I love to fly, I've often thought that a 7 day ocean liner from NYC to London would be a great way to go. No jet lag, just a nice civilized, leisurely pace. A few good meals, a few drinks, a first class cabin....

And then fly home.

 

[f35phixer]

Marco, We've done a couple on Cunard and today we fly to Lisbon for three days prior to putz and then board Silver Moon, off to Canary islands, Three different island each day, then onto Ft Lauderdale....

Give it a try, Trans Atlantic usually cheaper..

 

[sengsational]

And then fly home.

Fly first, then cruise. The psychologists have proven the last part of a trip has an overweighted impact on memory.

 

[CRLLS]

That companion ticket sounds enticing.

Do you know if I book say an AA flight on alaskaair.com (to earn the miles for distance + whatever), do other benefits also follow like 1 free checked bag pp ?

Free Checked Bag Benefit is only available on flights marketed by Alaska Airlines and operated by Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air or SkyWest. Possibly on Hawaiian Air too in a few months. You will earn miles on Alaska airlines which can be used for free or discounted flights. You may want to read the fine print and not take my word.

 

[athena53]

First off, I do hate flying, but it's the only (reasonable, sensible) way to get from The Islands to the mainland.

I don't hate it when it works well (I'm in a Business Class window seat sipping wine and watching a movie) but I agree, there are annoying and nerve-wracking aspects and at least one pops up on every trip. I frequently see "I'll never fly again" posts but that would cut out most of the wonderful trips I've taken. I suppose I could drive to Alaska (one couple from our church did) and take trains to Patagonia (see Paul Theroux' "The Old Patagonian Express", although he did have to take one flight over the Panama Canal between Boston and Patagonia) but it would be cumbersome.

Having said that- I travel between KC and SC by car to visit family with one overnight stay. One brother doesn't understand why I drive but it's very freeing not to have that "If I'm delayed another 5 minutes I'll miss my connection" stress, to fill my trunk with my stuff and to have a car to use when I arrive. I may decide to fly next time depending on how much repair they've been able to make to the roads- right now they're best left to the locals and people who need to be on them.

 

[f35phixer]

What I HATE is all you people flying to much !!!!!!!!!!!

I have a great perk of flying standby and if seats are open i can get Polaris class !!!

Well since covid has ended people are flying and there are no extra seats for me to fly for FREE..........

Stop it please ;-)

 

[5Miler]

I will admit that I mostly enjoy flying but I believe it's largely impacted by how you approach the travel day. I fully expect to run into the normal aggravations so DGF and I allow plenty of time to deal with unexpected issues such as traffic, TSA backups, flight delays or repetitive gate changes. In addition to changing to First Class/Delta One we also utilize available lounges and sometimes resort to limousine service to/from the airport when it makes sense. Leaving on an 11 day cruise in March it costs just slightly more for round trip limousine service than parking at the airport but we do it for the convenience.

In April we leave on our 5 week dive vacation and a limousine is many times cheaper than airport parking. Not to mention the service is great, door to door with assistance with bags. Round trip service is now $180 before tips as we are 45 minutes across town from the Atlanta airport. Even offsite airport parking is ridiculous these days and who really enjoys those shuttle rides anyway. When traveling in Europe we often use private car services for pickup and drop off at airports vs trying to navigate shuttles, taxis or buses. It's not that much more in the overall cost of the trip.

We just expect to run into issues so we don't let it ruin our day when it invariably happens.