We Flew Air Canada, Delta, United & American… Here’s What We Learned
“Air travel has become so corrosive to the human spirit, that we talk about it in the same way we once discussed war”.
Cathal Kelly
Cathal Kelly can turn a phrase like no other journalist, and he’s nailed it with this observation. I had his quote in mind as we completed a road-trip last month that included time on each of North America’s four largest “full-service” airlines. By pure fluke, we were also in a Boeing 737-800 for each of these four flights on different airlines. In another fluke, all four flights were on-time, and we (and our checked luggage) arrived at our destination without incident.
You all have horrible stories to tell about one or more of these carriers, so I’m not attempting to change anyone’s mind. I will say that the overwhelming majority (well over 90%) of flights go according to plan, and no significant grievances are accrued. But when things go wrong…!
STATE OF THE AVIATION INDUSTRY in NORTH AMERICA
- The adage in the travel biz is that if you live in Asia, you get 5-star airlines; Europe 4-star airlines; and in the Americas (North or South) you get 3-star carriers.
- Skytrax is an independent and international rating organization that surveys passengers and audits airlines for performance and service. Their results mirror the point above.
- Alliances and Code Shares. US airlines make a big deal about their partnerships with foreign carriers, but none of them can manage to get their act together on codeshare flights. This is when you buy a plane ticket on American Airlines (for example), but end up on a British Airways plane. You almost certainly won’t be able to select your seat in advance in such a situation. This is only ONE example of Air Alliance failures.
OUR EXPERIENCE
We were in a 737-800 on 4 different airlines, and were in business class with checked baggage in each case. We assessed the airlines on check-in, lounge, boarding, in-flight, and post-flight.
- Air Canada (Montreal to San Jose). The in-flight service and meals were very good, however as North America’s only 4-star airline, our expectations were a bit higher than for the others. The lounge was terrible, but that’s Montreal Airport’s problem.
- American Airlines (San Jose to Charlotte). Catering was very good. The hard-sell on the AA credit card was a bit tiresome after the 5 or 6th announcement.
- Delta Airlines (Salt Lake City to Vancouver). Check-in was the quickest of any of the airlines. They initially denied us entry to the lounge, because we didn’t have a Delta loyalty number. This eventually got sorted, but not without unnecessary effort.
- United Airlines (Grand Rapids to Denver). Boarding was quick and painless. I did think it was a bit strange to charge for internet on board for Business Class passengers.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
Did any of these four airlines stand out either for good or for bad? NO.
All of them had good points, and room for improvement. All of them are very clearly big, bureaucratic, oligopolies that are not particularly customer focused. I would not be inspired to patronize any one of these carriers more than others, so my top priority will be to purchase the most direct routing to where I’m going, followed by price.
The PODCAST: Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED
By pure coincidence, we recently flew all four of North America’s largest full-service airlines within a single month—using the same aircraft type (the Boeing 737-800), checking luggage on every flight, flying Business Class, and experiencing each airline’s lounges, boarding process, onboard service, baggage handling, and overall customer experience. Here’s our story:
In Case You Missed It:
INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS. Viking is one of very few ocean cruise lines that include shore excursions in your fare. What do you get, and should you upgrade those excursions?
https://pamperedcruiser.com/are-vikings-included-shore-excursions-worth-it/
ANTARCTICA. It’s the seventh and final continent for many travellers’ bucket lists. What are the different ways to get there, and what cruise lines have vessels there?
https://pamperedcruiser.com/antarctica-all-the-way-down-under/
SILVERSEA is probably the best example of classic luxury, so what can you expect on board, and how do they differentiate from others?
https://pamperedcruiser.com/silversea-classic-luxury/
Featured YOUTUBE Video:
ANTARCTICA: I was lucky enough to visit a few years ago, and we put together this video guide for selecting an Antarctica cruise. Just about all the things we talk about in this video are still valid, but there are many more options now, than there were a few years ago:
Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there. It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!
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Today’s Travel Opportunities
WINDSTAR YACHTING EXPERIENCES
If you like a smaller ship, with a casual atmosphere, then here’s some ideas from WINDSTAR.
TAHITI: Papeete round-trip departing week for 7-days
- Tropical Beauty, Remote Islands, Dreamy Lagoons.
- Start in Papeete, and visit Moorea, Raiatea (overnight), Taha’a, Bora Bora (overnight), and Huahine before returning to Papeete.
- Fares from $2693
- Here’s our video blog from when we did this cruise with WINDSTAR: https://youtu.be/ctytpPPx1tM
ICELAND: Round-trip from Reykjavik for 7-days
- Visit Reykjavik, Sertsey Island, Helmaey Island, Seydisfjordur (overnight), Akureyri, Isafjordur, Grundarfjordur.
- 2027: Depart July or August from $3468
If you’re a FOODIE, WINDSTAR is a member of the James Beard Foundation.
UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER COLLECTION
Uniworld has custom built ships to reflect the region in which they sail, and go to places the other river cruise lines don’t go:
ITALY’S VENICE LAGOON: Venice round-trip for 8-days
- Uniworld operates a river boat in Venice – the very best way to immerse yourself in that corner of Italy.
- Explore all around Venice (several spots), Mazzorbo, Burano, Chioggia, Bologna.
- Departures April through November from $2319
- Here’s a link to our video blog when we did this cruise: https://youtu.be/QRIHi6SED6g?si=IJvnYEJlqJt_iV4n
INDIA: Ganges River Cruise for 13-days between New Delhi and Kolkata
- Few countries simultaneously fascinate and frighten travellers as much as India, so visit it in comfort while still being exposed to the things that make this country so unique.
- Visit New Delhi, Jaipur, Agra (Taj Mahal), Kolkata, Cruise the Ganges, Kalna, Matairi, Murshidabad, Baranagar, Khusbagh,, Mayapur, Chandannagar.
- Includes 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and internal flights.
- 2026: Depart September – December from $7039
- 2027: Depart January – March from $6569
- OR do one week on the riverboat, and one week on the Maharajas Express Luxury Train from $21,599
SILVERSEA CLASSIC LUXURY
If you like butlers, and white-glove service, you’ll find it on Silversea:
MOROCCO, SPAIN & PORTUGAL: Barcelona to Lisbon depart November 30 for 9-days
- Visit Valencia, Malaga, Cadiz, Gibraltar, Casablanca (overnight).
- Fares from $4565
NEW ZEALAND & AUSTRALIA: Sydney to Auckland departing December 4 for 14-days
- Start in Sydney and visit Hobart, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Stewart Island, Dunedin, Akaroa, Wellington, Napier, Gisborne, Tauranga, and finish in Auckland.
- Fares from $11,610
Here’s our latest ship tour video of Silversea’s SILVER NOVA:
REMOTE EXPLORATIONS with HX
If you’re looking to go to the more remote corners of the planet, here are two suggestions from HX (both of which should be on your bucket list).
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS and Quito for 9-days
- 2-nights in Quito, then fly to Galapagos (included in fare) for 6 nights. Visit Mosquera Inlet, Santa Fe, South Plaza, Santa Cruz, Charles Darwin Research Station in Port Ayora, Espanola Island, Eden Islet.
- 2026: July through December from $6787
- 2027: January through December from $7358
- See our video blog from when we did this trip: https://youtu.be/3F38Km2EEjQ
ANTARCTICA round-trip from Buenos Aires for 12-days, with 5-days of landings
- Includes flights to/from Ushuaia (from BA) to board the ship.
- Start with an included flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, and embark your hybrid electric-powered expedition ship. Cross the Drake Passage and enjoy 5 days of scheduled landings in Antarctica before returning to Ushuaia followed by a flight back to Buenos Aires.
- Departures October 2026 through March 2027 from $9567
TAUCK PREMIUM GUIDED LAND JOURNEYS
US NATIONAL PARKS: America’s Canyonlands departing Phoenix to Las Vegas for 8-days
- Visit Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion NP, Lake Powell, Glen Canyon
- Departures March through October from $5290
- Click here for more details: https://www.tauck.com/tours/american-canyonlands-grand-canyon-escorted-tour?insider=mmjy-sue-bob-bradley-the-pampered-cruiser
SOUTHEAST US from Jacksonville to Charleston for 8-days
- Visit St. Augustine, Jekyll Island, Savannah, Beaufort.
- 2026: Departures in September and October from $5290
- 2027: Departures March through December from $5690
AFRICAN SAFARI for FAMILIES: Kenya, Tanzania for 10-days
- This is the perfect trip for those wanting to take children or grandchildren to AFRICA. Give them memories to last a lifetime:
- Visit Arusha NP, Tarangire NP, Masai Mara Village, Ngorongoro Crater, and take a balloon ride over the Serengeti.
- Do game-drives, visit a Maasai School, and a coffee plantation. You’ll see elephants, leopards, lions, buffalo, rhinos, giraffe, zebra, antelope, and many more.
- 2026: Departures August and December from $9,890
- 2027: Departures June through August, and December from $9,390
- Click here for more details: https://www.tauck.ca/tours/tanzania-family-safari?tcd=YZ2026&insider=mmjy-sue-bob-bradley-the-pampered-cruiser
Recently booked a Viking Cruise?
Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online, by phone, or on board. Our clients worry that if they book on-line, that they’re cutting us out, but if you let us know after you’ve booked, then we can still help you with your reservation (even if you booked ON BOARD).
We’ll check over your reservation to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we will also add some onboard credits that are not available on direct bookings.
We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any direct Viking reservation made in the last 60 days.
There is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line).
If you recently booked a Viking Cruise, please let us know as soon as possible.
If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
