Flight delays and cancellations are sometimes not the airline’s fault. Weather and mechanical issues happen frequently and it’s understandable. It’s what they make out of it what matters. My first incident with them a few years ago happened when I had booked a flight with them and they all of a sudden change the flight number but kept the same schedule. During this change the price for the flight had increased. Instead of keeping me in the same flight I had booked, the airline decides to put me on an earlier flight (a rather inconvenient schedule). When I called the airline to inquire about the situation the agent wanted to charge me $150 to change my flight! Even after explaining her what had happened, she said there was nothing she could do. I had to stick with the flight they chose to put me in.

During that same trip, but in another flight, the flight I was on was delayed for over an hour, supposedly because they were servicing the aircraft. When boarding time finally came, I wondered what type of servicing the aircraft had had. The plane was filthy, with gum stuck on the seats and tray tables, and the air conditioner was malfunctioning (under Miami’s scorching hot temperature that is an issue). After returning home, I sent them an e-mail addressing both issues. Their reply covered the “tidiness of their aircraft” and said they were sorry since that is something unheard of.

My next few flights with the airline were either canceled or delayed by more than two hours. I promised not to fly the airline again, but unfortunately, I had to due to conferences at my job and being unable to choose what airline I’m flying with. Fearing the worst, I was stuck with another flight a few months ago. This last trip was, by far, the worst I have ever had. Ever!

Heading out, my flight was canceled, according to them, due to weather. When I arrive at the airport, I wonder what weather they were referring to since it was overcast but no rain. It never rained. As a matter of fact, when I asked the agent as to why the flight was canceled, she said it was due to crew allocation. I don’t check bags but rather bring my carry-on precisely so I don’t have to pay the ridiculous baggage fee and because I hate waiting at the carousel. One of my coworkers brought his bag and was charged the stupid fee, even though the flight was canceled. We ended up arriving in Chicago almost five hours later than originally planned, almost at midnight, and we had to be up early to be at the conference.
The return flight was pretty uneventful–until I am boarding the plane. Check in was fine. Security was fine. Boarding the plane, however, the gate agent stops me dead on my feet and demands that I gate check my carry on bag because, according to her, it was too big. Mind you, this is a small, standard wheeled duffel bag, which I always bring with me and no one had ever complained about its size before. I ask her why. She wails at me that either I plane check the damn bag (those were exactly her words) or she would not allow me to board and instead book me on the next flight. I was outraged and told her it made no difference as the next flight was being operated by the same type of aircraft (an MD-82). My coworkers had already boarded so I had no choice but to give the bag up. To add to my dismay and shock, I spot several people inside the aircraft with luggage, not carry on bags, and trying to force them into the overhead bins when obviously they didn’t fit. So, this agent had the nerve to tell me my bag was too big, yet she let nine passengers walk into the plane with oversized luggage?
Finally, after arriving in New York, I had to wait for over an hour to wait for my bag. So did my coworkers.
When I arrived home I sent the airline an e-mail, to which they replied a few days later. Their reply basically said they were sorry (sure they were) and saying that the airline has to follow procedures, therefore my bag had to be checked and since there was no one to contest the agent’s words I had to comply with what she said.

After all these incident with the airline, I have no sympathy for it. I can’t believe they are still operating and that people are still flying them. I have stopped flying them and I am glad I have convinced my supervisors at work to stop booking us on American. Instead, I give my business to either JetBlue or Continental. They DO know how to please the customer. Yes, cancellations and delays are sometimes unavoidable, but again it’s how the airline handles the situation rather than what actually happens.

American Airlines, I don’t forecast a bright future ahead of you. As far as I am concerned, the airline’s name should be American’t.

A very similar thing happened to me just last night. Was looking for a place to vent and found this – as relevant today as it was three years ago. They haven’t improved one bit. I was stuck in Grand Cayman airport for seven hours yesterday (while other airlines had no problem getting in and out), and after an insane amount of hassle finially wound up at JFK at 2 am. Our connecting flight was delayed and we were told that our luggage would make it on the flight. That was about the 20th lie I heard that day from the mouth of an AA employee. They left us waiting at the carousel for nearly an hour without the basic common decency of letting us know that our bags did not arrive. Oh wait – there would actually have to BE someone there to tell us! Then the stupid bag claim people misinformed me for about the tenth time by telling me my luggage would be at my home approx. four hours after it got it (it got in at 10 am). I am still waiting for it. What the idiot neglected to say, at three am, after fully knowing where I lived, was that because I lived outside the boroughs my luggage would be arriving at some ungodly hour. I explained during my third phone call, which was when they finally told me this, that I had medication in my bag and hadn’t taken it in two days becuase they’ve had my bag. They couldn’t have cared less. If they’d been honest in Miami about our luggage, I would have taken the opportunity to remove some things from my checked baggage. They never gave me the opportunity to try and help myself make the situation better. And that has continued for the duration of the 36 hours of this nightmare. Let your readers be warned – travel AA at your mental and physical peril.

My story goes like this: I was trying to get back to Seatte from Baltimore with my connection at J.F.K.
My flight last Sunday, November 30 at 1:40pm from Baltimore Washington International was delayed and delayed until it was clear I was not going to make it in time to J.F.K. The American airlines agent,Diane, said there were no more seats on any flight on any airlines out that night. Just my tough luck. She booked me on United to get me to Seattle for the next day.

OK being naive, I thought when she said no other flights out B.W.I she meant no other flights. My Bad.

The next day the United flight was cancelled, I went back to Diane ( she was working the next day)at American Airlines. Again she said there were no other
flights on any airline that day that weren’t full. I would have to wait another day or risk my fate with stand by.

Called my sister who Check the SouthWest website and found two flights open. Yay!

I booked with SouthWest and promptly went to American and Diane again to get a refund. They only partially paid the Southwest Ticket. But when I asked why she had not directed me to SouthWest before, she just said she does’t see those flights on her computer. Well
Why coudldn’t she have said that and sent me walking over there!!!! Instead she lied and I could have been stuck another day just because she did not want to recommed SouthWest! I hate American Airlines

Made the mistake and flew them again (only airline to my destination) and was 90 min late coming home, and they lost ALL my families luggage (5 pieces). Received no compensation whatsoever because they said we were “home” and therefore not inconvenienced. All this after waiting till 3 am at the airport to report lost bags! They turned up 24 hours later with a broken handle!

Their staff is nasty and lies all the time. I would rather never travel again then travel this airline.

Tell everyone; stay away from American Airlines,
S