OT - American Airlines to the PH?

[SennaBrigante 92]

Has anybody flown AA to and/or from Asia to the US? I just realized that the flight I booked was a codeshare with AA and it's for the longest leg. I have serious reservations about AA since all the flights I've flown with them domestic were awful experiences.

I'm seriously thinking about canceling and picking another airline. Unfortunately, the only other option within budget is Korean Air and my mom just flew them 2 weeks ago and had a horrible experience. I don't know which of the two will be more bearable. I'm flying with a 2 year old so I just want to ask those with experience with one or both airlines.

I'm flying from DFW. TIA.

[DJ6372 111]

In my opinion, the national AA puddle jumpers and the international flights are miles apart

I have flown AA international many times and had no issues

My all time hated airline is United!

But people do have different opinions, thats mine

[SennaBrigante 92]

United is my preferred domestic carrier.

How's the food on AA? I'm biased towards Asian carriers (except PAL. Hate PAL) because of the food and the accommodating flight attendants. I've been reading reviews for AA but most of them are domestic. I'm so curious about their long-haul flights.

I have serious anxieties about this right now. We're flying in April.

[tyler007 26]

I always fly Korean (KOR) UNLESS they are too expensive at the time in which case I go with EVA -

[bowens44 214]

IMO compared to Korean air they are a nightmare but not as bad as Delta

[SennaBrigante 92]

Holy #######.

I called JAL earlier today to fix some of my personal details and had to wait an hour to speak with a human. I'm scared to find out how much the cancellation fees are and how long it will take to get refunded.

This is a nightmare and I have no one to blame but myself for rushing to make that reservation.

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

Just stick with it honestly. I usually fly American in the USA, and Qatar Airways outside the USA. Do not fly with PAL internationally, my wife and I made that mistake during the summer when we flew to the Philippines from LAX. I have had one good experience with United and one very bad experience with United as well. Delta wasn't too bad internationally, but I would prefer Korean.

[Brassballs 47]

Geez, it's only one day in your life. I've flown the JAL/AA code share 3 times from CMH-ORD-NRT-MNL. JAL flights were certainly better IMHO than the AA legs but in this day and age no airlines are great unless you can afford to travel up front. Food: all is tolerable. Don't expect a gourmet meal. Order the chicken / rice combo and be satisfied.

I'm not trying to be flippant to your concerns but what happens if you cancel, move to Delta or KAL and have bad experience with them? I'd personally recommend using the tickets you have and if required just tolerate what you get. But I'm pretty tolerant of what I get and seldom get 'high blood'.

Have a safe and enjoyable flight on whoever you choose.

[DJ6372 111]

Its a tin can

Airline food sucks unless you fly business

Book whatever suits you and is cheapest

[Greenbaum 12,259]

You are going to have a panic attack if your not careful OP. Like BB says, it's only one day out of your life. Don't you think you suck it up and make the best of it. It always comes down to how you make the best of things. If you have attitude you will get attitude in return. Just my 2 centavos.

[Teachers 12]

I've flown across the Pacfic perhaps 20 round trips in the last 10 years, almost all in coach. I would rate Korean far superior to the others I've flown (mostly Delta, with a bit of JAL, EVA, China Air, China Eastern). Korean typically has more spacious seating in coach, and better service. On one flight they had a restroom reserved for women, and an attendant gave it a quick clean after each use. Now that's service!

The only ones I'd truely avoid are the mainland Chinese carriers. The cramped seating and inadequate food are among the issues. That said, once I've booked a flight, I tend to stay with it. The stress and hassle of changing, or thinking about changing, is much worse that the difference in flight service quality.

Good luck!

Tom

[SennaBrigante 92]

My panic with flying AA is mostly based from my experience with them domestically. I tend to actively avoid flying with them. My main complaints are the in-flight entertainment and the attitude of flight attendants. If I were flying on my own maybe I'd be more tolerant but flying with a toddler (hello, terrible twos) on a 10+ hour flight tend to make me more particular with the well, particulars.

I'm on hold with JAL right now (54 mins and counting) to ask about their cancelation policy and penalties. If it's all reasonable, I'll switch to Korean Air since I'm more familiar with their service and their flight attendants are friendlier and more accommodating.

But given my luck, I'll probably end up not changing anything.

[SennaBrigante 92]

Thanks to everyone who took the time to give their insights.

[clairegie 265]

I always fly Korean (KOR) UNLESS they are too expensive at the time in which case I go with EVA -

How was EVA? I've been looking at ticket prices and this always pops up and I'm really curious

[Greenbaum 12,259]

SennaBrigante, on 20 Jan 2016 - 8:51 PM, said:

My panic with flying AA is mostly based from my experience with them domestically. I tend to actively avoid flying with them. My main complaints are the in-flight entertainment and the attitude of flight attendants. If I were flying on my own maybe I'd be more tolerant but flying with a toddler (hello, terrible twos) on a 10+ hour flight tend to make me more particular with the well, particulars.

I'm on hold with JAL right now (54 mins and counting) to ask about their cancelation policy and penalties. If it's all reasonable, I'll switch to Korean Air since I'm more familiar with their service and their flight attendants are friendlier and more accommodating.

But given my luck, I'll probably end up not changing anything.

I feel your concern. When my twins were younger, I took ever opportunity to make my life easier. I see your doing the same. Every airlines you mentioned I have had problems with but I still fly them as there isn't much out there that is better than the others. I can remember sitting on the tarmac for 4 hours in Dallas during a thunderstorm waiting to take off. They would not take the plane back to the terminal. That was previous to the laws that was pass a few years latter that after 2 hours they must return to the gate. I crawled into bed at 3 am from that trip. Thank you for the memories AA.

Flew them on my last trip to Phil and wished I had seen my dentist for a root canal. At least they give you something at the end of your dental visit. AA sure knows how to make my life miserable. Never again will I fly them Internationally. Your right FA are old and work with an attitude.