United Airlines

I recently flew to Mexico with United Airlines, the first flight wasn't bad, the crew was friendly and quick (it was a very small plane) and the seats were comfortable with lots of leg room. The second flight was a bit more cramped, I am a smaller person and I could barley squeeze into my seat, I was very uncomfortable for the 3 hour flight, the crew completely skipped over me and didn't ask if I, or anyone in the row in front of me wanted a beverage until I stopped them and asked. Overall the service was ok but inconsistent, and some seats are too small for even average sized customers.

I booked with this airline because they used to be pretty good - I even paid a little extra for United. Experience: Food is awful on international flights. I was initially happy to see a gluten-free option for my meal, but it was dreadful. For breakfast they gave me a gluten-free cookie. My son (3 years old) received the ordinary meals and he did not like it. Our flight had 2 crew members for all of the economy section (for both Economy Plus and regular Economy). Food took forever to roll out and the beverage service was even longer. I bought 2 seats (1 for my 3 year old child and another for my 10 month old). I told United (on the phone, at the customer service desk, and also at the check-in desk) that when the child car seats are put into the plane seats, the person in the front cannot recline for their 7 hour flights. Each and every time they said they did not have the power to move me to the bulkhead. I accepted and sure enough this caused some frustration for the person who couldn't recline - and this happened on both the outgoing and incoming flights. I will fly anyone other than United.

I flew a round trip from Detroit to LAX with a connecting flight each way. There was a delay for all of the 4 planes I flew on, and on the way there, there was a 2 hour delay. On the way back, there was a 1 hour delay and we sat in the plane while they fixed the air conditioning, and it was incredibly hot. I understand that they had to fix the plane's air conditioning, but they should have done that before we got on the plane and had to sit in that heat for an hour. Then I missed my connecting flight, and I got on a new flight (after talking to a very rude lady at customer service), and that flight was delayed because they didn't have any flight attendants for that plane, so they had to wait over an hour until they could get a new flight crew to come. I had an absolutely miserable experience with United for all 4 of my flights with them, and I will never fly with United again.

I was very disappointed and astonished about the IFE. Some seats have no windows, there are no seat-back VOD (video on-demand) screens, or even AOD (audio on demand). No music, no personal screen, nothing. Instead, United Airlines thinks they can satisfy customers by putting super tiny full cabin projectors, virtually impossible to see clearly from a window (in this case "wall") seat that is farthest away from the screen, and play movies on them. I was okay with the movie selections, but little kids see this too, and most are PG-13. Very cramped seats with minimal recline made the trip even more uncomfortable. The Wi-Fi was not good either. Food was the ordinary stuff you get from United Airlines. Bathrooms take way too long to wait for, wherever you go. There are lines everywhere. Staff weren't very kind either. I will definitely avoid United Airlines Boeing 747s, if not United Airlines itself.

Coming back with my girlfriend, her daughter, and her daughter's friend - our original flight was canceled. We were then booked on different flights - I mean 3 of us were booked on one flight and one of the 15 year old girls were booked on a separate flight. We called to correct this and were booked together on a flight, but when we got to the gate they had only 3 seats! Thus, I had to send the women ahead of me, even though the only adult had really never flown, is afraid of planes, and was nearly in tears going onto the plane. Not to mention that I am their only way home once they get to their destination. I talked with a supervisor, and her response was I am sorry and the conversation is over.

United Airlines business class is the worst business class I have flown. They are far and away the worst US airline. Flight attendants are mostly awful. Planes are old and poorly equipped. Seats could not be smaller. Packed tight in business class. Their business class is barely above coach seating in a modern airline.

Boarding the plane was no problem. An old United Airlines Boeing 747 but clean and in good condition. Was sitting beside the galley which was very noisy for most of the flight. Food was standard, I had a vegetarian pasta dish for lunch. It was ok, but small. Pre-landing snack was a turkey sandwich which was passable. I was surprised to see snacks being sold during the flight between meals. Other airlines would give out snacks for free on an 11 hour flight. Most of the flight crew were unfriendly and there was little communication from pilots or crew. The biggest disappointment was the entertainment. United Airlines do not have seat back entertainment on their 747's in economy. Instead there were just a few screens around the cabin. The screens were too far away from most seats, especially if you were sitting nearer the windows. Very disappointing that in 2015, a major airline would still operate like this on a long-haul flight. Fortunately I had laptop with me to access entertainment from United Airlines website, but on a number of occasions, internet access cut out stopping the films. Overall, a disappointing experience. In future, I will try and stay away from American carriers on transatlantic routes as European airlines offer much better service.

Same aircraft all the way even though we changed in SFO. Fairly new Boeing 737/900 so was in very good condition. Late leaving LAS due to a computer fault on the aircraft so time in SFO for connection short. Very short first leg so only snack offered which was adequate. Made connection to Hawaii as did our bags so that was good flight from SFO to KOA uneventful food OK as was IFE arrived slightly early. No moans.

Flight departed early KOA and arrived early in SFO but advantage lost as our gate was occupied so spent ages on the taxiway. Flight was good, crew friendly enough, food was the worst of this trip. A cheese burger that looked and tasted as if it had been in the oven for days. Everything else was ok.

Old jumbo but in very good condition, seat 16A fantastic on top deck. IFE great, food superb, crew friendly and attentive and we arrived at Heathrow early. Couldn't have asked for more.