The temperature inside the plane was uncomfortably warm. I was surprised to find that the temperature was centrally controlled and couldn’t be adjusted individually. This meant everyone was stuck with the same warm temperature, which felt especially oppressive in a crowded plane. It’s always a bit of a bummer when you can’t cool down on a long flight, especially when you’re the only one wearing a long-sleeved shirt. I felt like I was stuck in a sauna. All three of my flights with ANA on this trip were the same – warm and stuffy.
A Standard Flight With Some Glitches
The flight itself was pretty typical, just another day in the air. I’ve traveled back and forth between Asia and the US many times, so I was well-prepared for the usual airline food and cramped economy seats. However, I had a frustrating experience when I landed in Las Vegas. The airline’s instructions about baggage claim were confusing, which led me on a scavenger hunt throughout the airport. A little more clarity would have been greatly appreciated!
Disorganized Check-In and Frustrating Seating Arrangement
The check-in process at ANA was frustrating and chaotic. I waited in line for an hour, and then the agent took our passports and vanished for another hour. We were worried about missing our flight and had to frantically search for her. The airline also separated my youngest daughter from me, placing her in the back of the plane while I was stuck in the middle. These issues made the check-in experience stressful and unpleasant.
Pleasant Flight with a Big Caveat
The flight itself was pleasant, thanks to the friendly and helpful crew and decent food. However, the enjoyment was somewhat marred by screaming children. For the majority of the ten-hour flight, one child, possibly on the spectrum, was making noise. While I felt for the parents, who were clearly trying their best, the constant noise made it difficult to relax. Of course, this wasn’t the airline’s fault, and we all need to be more understanding about these types of challenges. Still, I was exhausted from the flight and slept for fifteen hours straight when I got home.
A Disastrous Turkish Airlines Experience
My trip with Turkish Airlines was a total disaster. They wouldn’t let me board my flight from Istanbul to Miami because the gate closed thirty minutes before departure, even though I was there on time. This inflexible rule forced me to scramble for an alternative flight to Atlanta, costing me a whopping $1,342.92. When I reached Atlanta, I had to book another flight with Southwest Airlines for $270.98 because there were no direct connections to Miami. In total, I spent an extra $1,613.90 on flights and my travel time stretched to 35.5 hours. Turkish Airlines overbooked the flight and then unfairly prevented passengers from boarding without offering compensation, forcing them to buy new tickets. This practice is absolutely unacceptable, and I plan to report it to the Better Business Bureau and the relevant authorities.
A Mixed Bag in Sao Paulo
My regional flight in Sao Paulo was a mixed bag. The flight itself was comfortable, thanks to a modern 737 Max 8 plane, but the airport experience was less pleasant. The plane was parked on the tarmac, and we had to take a bus to get to it. Then, we had to carry our carry-on luggage up the steps to the plane. This isn’t what you’d expect at a major airport like Sao Paulo. The snack was just cookies, and you needed your own devices to watch movies on the plane’s Wi-Fi. Overall, it was a decent flight, but the airport experience left something to be desired.
