Korean Job Discussion Forums

hagwonnewbie · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Asia

I saw a cheap fare to go to the US over Christmas on United airlines. Has anyone flown on them internationally?

Can anyone comment on or recommend any of the following airlines:

United
Northwest
Japan
Continental
U.S.
American

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

United is all right. Generally just use them domestically, but I took them to Japan and Thailand last year. Surprised to find most of the crew to be Asian. While not on par with the best (Singapore, Cathay Pacific, etc), they're decent.

As for the rest on your list, US Air sucks. Poor service, and they charge for everything now, including water.

Haven't flown American in a few years, but it generally has been on the same level as United.

waynehead · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Location: Jongno

losing_touch · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Location: Ulsan - I think!

From your list, I would stick with JAL. All of the American carriers are cutting corners left and right. I have crossed the Pacific more times than I care to count. Once, I flew with United. I was seriously disappointed. The service was not on par with Asian carriers. To boot, they charge $5 per beer. That can add up on a 14 hour flight.

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Unless they've changed policy recently, United doesn't charge for alcohol on trans-Pacific flights, but Northwest does.

losing_touch · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Location: Ulsan - I think!

They have for years now .... At least they did from NYC to NRT when I flew with them.

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

snowgoose · Joined: 21 Oct 2008

I've heard from people I know that United is rather bad as far as service. I can't say about the qualifications and skills/experience level of the pilot and crew, but in-flight service is much worse than airlines in Asia (Korean Air - so nice, and they'll overlook quite a lot of excess weight on baggage but American ones are super strict and charge for even a little over the weight limit, Japan/Asiana/Cathay Pacific/Thai - all really nice and pile the food and drinks on). I've heard that attendants on a lot of American airlines aren't that pleasant or ignore requests, and you don't get much food, just a few snacks, really basic. Unless there was a fairly big price difference, I'd go with JAL - very nice and I've heard they've got a really good safety record too. But you could always go with the cheapest airline and just pick up a nice sandwich before you get on the plane or pack some good snacks and sneak on some beer or wine (that's where screw top bottles are better than corks).

rayjoy · Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Location: Dynamic Busan

I took United to China 3 years ago and it was a very cramped flight. I don't remember paying for many extras.

I've taken Northwest and US Air to Europe from the US and in both cases I got a new, spacious plane one way and a cramped old plane the other.

I've never had any problems with any of them. The only airline I've had real beef with is DELTA. Terrible!

FMPJ · Joined: 03 Jun 2008

I flew United for a decade, but will never do so again. In fact, I'll never fly with another US-based carrier if I can avoid it. So of your list, I'd choose JAL, which is a solid if unspectacular airline.

midiman · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul

I flew United a few times, it was decent

samd · Joined: 03 Jan 2007

I try not to fly with United or NW. Delta I've only taken domestically and it was OK.

When it comes down to it the Asian carriers are so much better.

dimnd · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: Western USA

I was a flight attendant for 8 yrs with UAL

I flew with them to Korea twice..nice thing about that is ...for each leg of the trip you can purchase for a real small amount..50 bucks to get an economy plus seat..out of coach...u pick ur seat and I had a whole row to myself..the flight attendants give u the left overs from business class..slippers, etc
they have a sale on now...

also if in the states u can go to BT store..found from lax 495 one way for United Airlines..includes taxes...

ChinaBoy · Joined: 17 Feb 2007

huh? what is BT store? what is economy plus?

Last time I flew United it was incredibly cramped, and the flight attendants were INCREDIBLY rude. Yelling at people, refusing to clean the bathroom...

ardis · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

I despise United. I've flown with them a few times and the flight attendants always seem unprepared and rude. When they make announcements, they sound like they have no idea what they're talking about "We'll uh...be landing in um....*silence* in a few minutes. It's 50...no...54 degrees....*silence* Fahrenheit in...in...Atlanta." Gee, way to make the clients feel reassured.

I took Delta recently and--even though United and Delta are on par when it comes to general things--they were super friendly.