Let’s be honest, flying can be a rollercoaster of emotions. You’re excited for your trip, but you also know there’s a chance for things to go wrong. This time, my journey started with a few bumps in the road, all related to something you might not expect: temperature.
My first flight felt like a sauna! The cabin was surprisingly warm, and it seemed like there was no way to adjust the temperature. The air flow was minimal, and everyone around me, including myself, was feeling the heat. It wasn’t just a personal gripe – I noticed many passengers wearing sleeveless shirts, confirming that the warm temperature was a shared experience. Especially on a crowded plane, the temperature should be a little cooler, not warmer. Imagine, if you were feeling hot, there’s nothing you could do to cool down. It would be like being stuck in a sauna, and I felt the beginning of claustrophobia setting in. I flew on three different ANA flights on this trip, and every single one had the same warm cabin temperature.
Flight Expectations & A Luggage Mishap
While the temperature was a concern, the rest of the flight went as I usually expect. Flying between Asia and the US is familiar territory. Let’s be real: Asian airlines aren’t known for their gourmet meals (and most airlines aren’t either). The food is just okay, perhaps the altitude makes it a little less appealing. The seats were a bit cramped, which is standard for economy class, but the true annoyance came at baggage claim. The airport staff’s communication about baggage pickup was chaotic, and I ended up running around the entire Harry Reid Airport in Las Vegas to find my bags. A little better guidance from the airport would have been greatly appreciated.
Check-in Delays & Family Worries
Before even boarding, our trip was met with delays and frustrating customer service. The check-in process felt like an eternity. We waited in line for a whole hour. When we finally reached the counter, the agent took our passports and disappeared for another hour! We were worried we would miss our flight and panicked trying to find her. It got worse. My younger daughter was seated at the back of the plane, separated from me in the middle. It’s a little nerve-wracking to have your child separated, especially when the airline doesn’t inform you of this arrangement.
A Carry-on Chaos & An Unresponsive Agent
Our travel troubles continued to unfold. We had booked our tickets through Budget Air and the receipt clearly stated “economy.” My older daughter, who is neurodivergent, was carrying a small backpack, purse, and carry-on suitcase because of the “economy” label. However, when she arrived at the gate for her final flight, she was told she couldn’t board because her ticket said “no bags.” She has trouble processing information, and the sudden announcement of paying for bags completely shocked her. The agent, instead of trying to understand, was curt and inflexible. She told my daughter she couldn’t board without paying $160 or more! When I tried to speak with the agent, she refused to take my call and ignored my daughter’s pleas for help. It was a nightmare. My daughter was terrified, and I had to calm her down enough to ask the agent to take my credit card. When I explained my daughter’s special needs, the agent lectured me about the “ultra basic” ticket we purchased and told me we should have checked the fine print. She charged my card, pushed the phone back to my daughter, and told her to get on the plane. There were no apologies, no understanding, no empathy.
Upgraded Seats, But A Seating Disaster
We finally boarded, thankfully with an upgrade that provided more legroom and a meal. However, the seat designated overhead locker space was already used by others. The boarding was further delayed because staff was assisting disabled individuals. Unfortunately, my personal observation showed that three individuals were taking advantage of the system. They used wheelchairs to get on the plane, boarded ahead of all other passengers, but didn’t need any assistance once on board. On arrival, the same three individuals were walking freely near the baggage carousel, and one even helped with a luggage trolley. It was frustrating to see people exploiting the system, and I believe this behavior is probably widespread, not unique to any specific airline.
