What does everything think about the competing arguments on the state of the US airlines? Last week the Times posted a blog from an American who currently lives in Asia and can no longer tolerate the miserable US airline service. That post was followed by a US airline attendant who fought back.
Compared to Europe, almost any service in the US is light years ahead. The US (among Europeans) is highly regarded for friendliness and service. However, nothing can really compare to the high level of service offered in Asia. Singapore Airlines, in particular, sets the global standard for service. All of this said, I would argue that the US airline industry compares better to Europe. I would also argue that European airline service is better. After the jump, links to the two opposing views and questions for readers.
Europe has plenty of bad airline service. British Air immediately jumps out and Alitalia is shockingly bad in every possible way. (How could a country that makes such perfect food produce glop that makes you hold your nose? It's that bad, really.) Other airlines such as Air France and Lufthansa almost always provide "correct" service, in my experience. Just because they don't smile with each question (this is an American behavior and not necessarily common in Europe) doesn't mean they are being rude.
(As an aside, I was thankful and impressed by an Air France crew earlier this month on my way back to Paris. I had the misfortune of sitting next to a very jumpy and agitated passenger who could not sit still and then argued with anyone and everyone. When I'm in the air I do not like loud and jumpy passengers. Especially when they are sitting next to me. After making the entire section of the plane nervous and after being nasty with the crew, the cabin director stepped in. He was polite - much more than I could have been - and asked him "what is your problem?" He took him to task and that settled the guy down for the remaining five hours.)
So after reading this view, on the sub-par standard of service from US airlines and this view on how they try their best, what do you think?
- Are they that bad or are customers just demanding too much? - Are consumers asking for too much or are airlines delivering too little? - Is it fair to blame attendants for the lousy airline quality? - If it's unfair to blame attendants, what's the best method for pushing airlines to improve? - What airlines do you prefer? Domestic and/or international?
