Originally Posted by
jetsetr
UA 976 / UA 977 have been having some serious problems in the last few weeks. 976 IAD-DXB was cancelled on 14JUN, which obviously affected 977 DXB-IAD on 15JUN. And as I understand, there were problems on the same flights the following night. Will make me think thrice about booking UA to DXB the next time I have to go to the region.
I just had a conversation w a GS on my flight back in the lounge. We've been in flight just about 4 hours and he said he will never fly UA again to the mid east after just having bkfast on EK and then hanging out at a table with me back at the on board lounge. He said most people were advised of the cancellation so knew ahead of time but he came in from Karachi and he didn't know till he landed in DXB. According to him (a GS) UA lied to everyone about not being able to put them in non *A airlines, saying they would get out on UA over the next 3 days, they also grabbed whatever LH/OS/TK/LX seats were avail but this is low low low season in Dubai so flights out are very full (locals get out in the summer). Back to the lie. UA refused to put people on EK, BA, AF saying they had no agreement. Thats a lie but the guy I just talked to was in a full C tkt and had to fight to get in this flight. He wanted to pay the difference to EK and go from C-F but they would not do it at the airport (catering THEY (EK) says??)
Anyway. You say your going to give 2nd thought to flying UA to DXB for your trip. I know everyone always gives me the same reason but I can't understand why you would give them any thought (unless your in Y and even then w all these IRROPS). I know we are all Mileage Junkies but I give up over 100K BIS miles a year flying EK instead of UA (I get the miles to Skywards though but MP is better). I just can't see any rationale ANY!! for flying UA on this route unless you must fly American and when does that rule apply if you can't trust the American carrier to get you from A-B? If you or your company can pay for C (or even F) it just makes no sense. We are 3+ hours into this flight (w full wifi), I just had this huge bkfast cooked to order (w 2 more full meals to come whenever I want). There is a town car waiting for me at JFK when I land (paid for by EK), as I mentioned, there is that great bar/lounge behind C where I just had a cappuccino and cognac w that GS, and I am shutting down my iPad again, going to spend the next half hour in the ON BOARD shower spa and get into my pajamas, close the doors to my suite and sleep the next 8 hours
. Well worth the XXX miles I won't earn from UA today. (and the fares are almost EXACTLY the same w UA being a little HIGHER in F
