Originally Posted by
DutchMember
I tried US for the first time - paid first class tickets for me and the kids. What a big mistake! First of all, when I tried to check-in, I was directed to a kiosk. The check-in agent was very rude and unwilling to help when the machines didn't pull up my reservation. He was not doing anything behind the counter yet unwilling to help a FC customer (at IAH). The plane was an A321, very old and nasty, no in-seat power, no pre-departure drinks, poor service. The plane was delayed for more than an hour because the FA panel/ power didn't work. Perhaps time to replace the outdated equipment? Barely made it to my next flight, on an A319, same story, nasty old plane, poor service. Fortunately my return flights were on AA, and completely different experience from check-in, new planes, attentive FAs etc. Will avoid US unless no other OW airline is available.
Sounds like a lazy employee. I can't remember the last time I touched a US kiosk.
Mechanicals can happen on any airline.
Bottom line is that there are nice planes and nice service and the exact opposite in both sides of the house. We see what we want to see, and gravitate to the "better" option being what we're most used to.
I can more or less agree with most of what's been posted between the two. I find, more often than not, that the AA planes have a more tired feel to them than the US planes, but I like MCE and power. I'm also looking forward to international flights on AA's new 77W and US's A332.
I think US's inflight service has been more consistent in F than AA's, but I've also had good experiences with AA's Y service on the times I've sat in the back. US's F service has generally been prompt and good. AA's has been hit or miss. Like others have noticed, the PDB is a big differentiator and the drink service hasn't been as good on AA.
I've gotten thru much quicker to AA's PLAT lines than I have US's. There's a significant difference in wait times - AA has this hands down. Once I actually get thru to someone, both have done well in the service department.
My main annoyances have had to do with upgrades and the "well, it's an AA coded flight, but US sold it so I can't upgrade it" and vice versa bit. That and I'm still not a fan of OW.
Oh, and I hate DFW.
Wifi sucks on either carrier. I don't really care if it's available or not - Gogo just isn't usable without a 4G uplink.
I think there are things that both do well, but I don't think either does everything well. There isn't a clear winner in this "battle" IMO. I think I'm marginally happier on US metal, but it's not enough to make me prefer one over the other at this point when it comes to actual travel. I'm at the point where if AA works better, I take it. If US works better, I take it.
I hope they can take the best of both and merge it into something that improves everything. Time will tell if that actually happens though.