United Airlines
Reviews and Complaints

Flying from LA to Sacramento, what should have been a simple 45 minute flight... First, our flight was delayed 1 hour. Then, we finally boarded only to circle the runway for another hour before de-boarding because the plane had mechanical problems. We were informed that the flight will be cancelled, but shortly after that announcement, we were informed another plane will become avalable. We waited in LAX for 6 more hours until we could resume a flight, arriving at 5AM. Because this was a business day, many of us were trying to get to Sacto for business meetings. I got one hour of sleep in a hotel with gum on the carpet, and an attendant with binoculars and a "billy club" on her countertop. All because of Untied's incompetancy, I missed my reservation at Homewood Suites. Way to prepare for the training I had to give for 3 groups the next day.

I followed up by calling the customer service number. They were a group of [indian] folks, with nearly incomprehensible accents, but with american names. The most they could offer was a $200 voucher for another of their flights. Yeah, I'm just dyin' to do that all over agian...

Today, we go to pick up my grandmother-in-law, also delayed overnight in LAX, by United. Why is it that United has over 40% delayed flights listed in the monitors in the airport, while other airlines do not?

A copy of Email to Continental Airlines:

Dear CONTINENTAL,

We traveled from Toronto to Cali Colombia via Houston on July 03, 2006. We left Houston at 5:40 in the flight number 820 to Cali.

Although we arrived on time to Cali, our luggage as the luggage of many other passengers did not. Little explanation was given by local staff, no assistance whatsoever was offered, and vague directions such as “give us a phone number and we’ll contact you as soon as the luggage arrives,” “just keep going home to your final destination and we’ll contact you some time in the next two weeks” (!)

Cali was not our final destination. We were booked to leave to the south of Colombia (Pasto) that same night. As a result, we lost the connection and ended up staying stranded, without clothing, belongings and work equipment in a city that we did not intend to stay at. We had to pay from our own pockets the hotel (160.000 pesos), pay our expenses (food, hygiene products, underwear, clothing, etc.) for that day and the next ten. The next day we had no choice but to travel to the south without our luggage!

I am a photographer, I had a contract to take some pictures for the company that I work for, but my equipment did not arrive (it was in my luggage), so I could not work as it had been arranged.

After ten days of struggle, finally Continental contacted us to say that they have sent our suitcases to Pasto. By then the trip was over, the photo equipment was not needed anymore, we have spent our money and time just waiting. Continental had ruined my travel arrangements and the entire travel experience. Continental had made us pay unexpected expenses. The only feedback we’ve got from you was a pathetic “Sorry.”

At this point we are just claiming for a fair compensation for the lost time and additional inconveniences resulting from our luggage 10 days delay. We were told by Continental staffers in Cali’s airport that a compensation of $25 per passenger per day was customary. We have not receive a cent from you yet.

Well, fortunately we live in a country of laws. I contacted more than 15 passengers in the same situation during that flight. All of them are willing to initiate with me a class lawsuit against Continental. Your Company should pay for this terrible abuse, which is by all accounts very common in the infamous flight 820 Houston-Cali.

Sincerely,

Juan Legarda and Elva Llemos
RE: Flight 820 Houston Cali
Luggage CO0005791128/27/29/30
36-760 Lawrence Avenue West
North York, Ontario
M6A3E7
Canada
Tel. [protected]

I have had terrible experiences with United over the years and swear I will never fly them again. But this last time takes the case.

I flew from LAX to Cedar Rapids, Iowa on July 2, 2006. I arrived an hour and half early for my flight. The lines were really long and not moving so I went to the self check in. It said I could not take that flight as my flight was delayed making it impossible to make my connecting flight in Denver. I had actually called one hour before I arrived and was told my flight would be on time. I was upset as I did not want to wait all day at LAX. So the very nice lady at the service phone told me I could catch a flight that would be about 45 min. later than my original scheduled flight and go through Chicago. The trick was that the next flight going out would not be until the morning, so I would have to spend the night in Chicago. I told her I did not want to pay for a hotel there and she assured me that United would cover the cost and that I just had to go to special services when I got to Chicago. I arrived in Chicago around 11:30 PM and when I went to the special services counter she told me about they said the were closing and could not help me and sent me down to baggage claim office. There was a long line there and I was tired. The lady said she could not help me and that I would have to pay for the hotel and contact United later about getting reimbursed. She then gave me a pink slip for a discount at select hotels. The next day I contacted United customer service and they said they could not reimburse me despite the fact I had the lady's name and ID. I also tried at the airport the next day with no luck. After numerous calls for help I finally got someone who said they would give me a $100.00 coupon for another flight. I did not want this, but since I could not get the money back I took it.

Now of course that means I have to use that stupid airline again. So I book a flight to Portland from Burbank online and put in my coupon number. I get back an itinerary that is not what I booked, but is from LAX to Portland and different times. I call the customer service again( and by the way I always get their India office and have to talk to people I can barely understand). They said they could cancel that flight and I would have to rebook it. I said what about my $100.00 coupon and he said I could not reuse it. After much argumentation and persistence and calling back I got a supervisor to rebook it properly with the discount. But when I saw my itinerary it charged me the full price. I had to call again and they assured me they would give me the $100.00 credit. After two days it finally showed up. But I spent about four hours on the phone trying to get a $100.00 discount which should have been reimbursed for my hotel. I swear I will never fly them again after I take this flight and use my 66,000 Frequent flier miles. I was saving this for Australia. After that I am done. I think more people need to write their complaints and while I was on this last flight I heard many customers complain and one took my name on a list where she is writing to Congress and the FAA about this airline. They do not care about their customers so why should we care about them.