How to Spot the Worst Airlines Before It’s Too Late

Nothing beats air travel for convenience – you can cross the country in just a few hours. But when you wind up on one of the worst airlines, your experience can deteriorate quickly. Trying to sort out the differences between the best and worst airlines? Reading about customer experiences in online reviews can provide the answers you need.

Why You Should Always Compare Airlines Before Booking a Flight

It can be surprisingly difficult to spot the difference between the worst and best airlines since customers often have different goals – a quick, cheap flight is obviously very different than a transcontinental flight in business class.

Regardless of the type of flight you’re considering, airline reviews show that consumers can face various issues. One traveller on Reddit shared that the bag check-in line took over 2 hours, and the airline refused to let them on the flight. Another customer on PissedConsumer left a review #6747323 sharing that despite having a first-class ticket, they spent hours trying to get to a customer support agent.

The experiences described on platforms like Reddit and PissedConsumer.com show how nuanced it can be to find the best airlines. What typically makes a great flight – friendly staff and lots of legroom – can be ruined or at least diminished by rude customer service or excessive waits to check luggage.

What Are the Most Common Red Flags in Airline Reviews?

When we parse through customer reviews, the most common red flags in airline reviews are:

• Lost and damaged bags. According to PissedConsumer data, 18% of customers have dealt with this issue.
• Long delays. The U.S. Department of Transportation tracks this metric, and the percentage of planes delayed by more than three hours on the tarmac has increased.
• Refund policies and fees. Customers often complain about lost money and unexpected fees that airlines charge.
• Customer service. More than 15% of airline complaints center on poor customer service.

These red flags highlight the frustrations that separate the worst and best airlines, and airline customer service reviews often highlight common problems across flight companies.

Tips on How to Choose the Best Airline

The best way to choose an airline is to read customer reviews and determine which flight company offers positive customer experiences, reasonable prices, and comfort on the plane. Patterns in customer reviews can help you find the best airline based on your needs.

• Identify red flags in customer reviews. If there are many reviews mentioning inflated prices, surprise fees, excessive baggage prices, or difficulty with the refund policy, consider a different airline. If hundreds or thousands of people say there is a problem, there probably is.
• Look for reasonable prices. There are many apps and websites that allow you to find the lowest price across various airlines for specific destinations on particular days. Use an app to track prices or search across a range of dates to find the lowest prices on various low-fare calendars.
• Consider if extra fees are worth it. Often, the lowest prices have the fewest features on flights. When you compare prices, be sure to consider how much it will cost to bring your suitcase on board or if carry-on baggage is even allowed. Are there extra fees for your family to sit together? Design the flight experience you need to determine if the fees are worth the experience.
• Determine your comfort level. Different airlines have different amounts of legroom and padding on the seats. There are different sizes of seats available, and again, customer reviews can outline what to expect when you find your seat on the plane and settle in.
• Evaluate the customer service provided. Your own experiences can guide your thinking if you’ve flown on a particular aircraft in the past, and customer reviews can help you determine what to expect if you’re new to a particular company. No matter the cost of the ticket, you want to be treated well and with respect.

Buying the Best Flights

Airlines offer customers different experiences with different price points. But whether you’re trying to have a comfortable luxury experience or you just want to get from one place to another as quickly and cheaply as possible, customer service is essential. While you hope that everything goes smoothly on the day of travel, if something does go wrong, you want to know that customer service is available and willing to help.

The reviews from other customers will always tell you what to expect, so be sure to read reviews, check out what others are saying, and use all available resources to ensure a smooth travel experience.