Anonymous wrote:I took the train the other day. It was astonishingly pleasant by comparison

There is no way a train ride to FL or the Midwest or AZ or CA is more “pleasant by comparison” than flying. We aren’t just discussing DCA-LGA.

You want people in formal attire to travel? Nope

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:US air travel is the worst. Airports are dirty, food is overpriced, unhealthy and generally nasty, lounges are packed because almost anyone has access, planes are dirty, flight attendants are rude, and then there are the fellow passengers.

It’s basically just a bus route at this point.

I guess you don’t travel internationally

Yes, curious where these dignified foreign airports are

There aren't many. Seoul - Incheon - is pretty nice. Singapore. Some of the newer airports in China aren't terrible.

But it is true that the American flying experience has declined drastically in recent years. They are basically credit card companies that do a little flying on the side. If you have a United card, great. But sometimes you need to fly American or whatever and you are now chattel. Every little thing is grossly overpriced. Everyone is annoyed and angry. You discover that you actually don't like most people.

And people do seem worse these days.

It used to be that a flight was a fairly pleasant timeout. Read a book. Watch a movie. Unreachable. Now it always feels stressful and unpleasant.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:US air travel is the worst. Airports are dirty, food is overpriced, unhealthy and generally nasty, lounges are packed because almost anyone has access, planes are dirty, flight attendants are rude, and then there are the fellow passengers.

It’s basically just a bus route at this point.

I guess you don’t travel internationally

Yes, curious where these dignified foreign airports are

I'm not a big fan of air travel even though we are fortunate enough to have some of the extras. But it is well worth it for the end destination so I just suck it up.

Saw a family today letting their baby crawl up and down the aisle. So many gross people.

Anonymous wrote:I took the train the other day. It was astonishingly pleasant by comparison

+1

I loathe air travel too these days but not because people are wearing sweatpants. The airlines are cramming as many seats as possible into planes these days and it is so uncomfortable.

How I wish we had high speed rail in this country.

The only way to fly with dignity nowadays is in a private jet. Any other way and you must expect to be disappointed.

Agree with lighting comment...everyone looks like zombies.

Anonymous wrote:Flying started going downhill expeditiously after 9/11. My parents lived a great distance apart and I flew to see my non-custodial parent every couple of months starting at age ten (mid-nineties). I’ve watched flying get worse…and worse…and worse throughout my life.

Same. Around when covid happened (when restrictions were lifted), people decided they HAD to have a bucket list, and all hell broke loose. Exactly what you would think would happen when just anyone traveled, happened, and people generally act like they have no parents, at all. Agree with other PP that planes now are what buses were and are. You can have all the points you want, but it is still the same subpar experience.

Anonymous wrote:US air travel is the worst. Airports are dirty, food is overpriced, unhealthy and generally nasty, lounges are packed because almost anyone has access, planes are dirty, flight attendants are rude, and then there are the fellow passengers.

It’s basically just a bus route at this point.

As opposed to European flights? They are the same.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I loathe flying and only do it when absolutely necessary. It's exactly like a Greyhound bus at this point. Rude TSA agents, rude flight attendants, and revolting looking people in their flip flops and sweats.

+100
I understand that they are catering to the lowest common denominator (mouth breathers who don't know to put their seat back up, pull out their laptop, etc., ) but I'm tired of being lumped in with them and sniped at.

So pay for clear, precheck and first class.

DP. I do this, and it still sucks sometimes.

First class deals with the same delays, cancellations, people movers at Dulles, and stinky humans. In fact, they are fatter up there.

💯

First class does not ameliorate the airport experience all that much

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to be laughing all day about the “harsh lighting” associated with airplane travel.

Airports really need better lighting - it’s like being in an Amazon warehouse

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:US air travel is the worst. Airports are dirty, food is overpriced, unhealthy and generally nasty, lounges are packed because almost anyone has access, planes are dirty, flight attendants are rude, and then there are the fellow passengers.

It’s basically just a bus route at this point.

Okay Donna! Enjoy Bethany Beach!

I’ve never been there. I moved abroad a few years ago but still own a house in DC so check in on DCUM from time to time. Mostly real estate forum. Flying is generally better outside the US. I’m 36 so my mom’s friends might be called Donna.

Ha ha never been on Ryan Air, have you? Biggest European carrier!

https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/three-ryanair-passengers-removed-flight-brawl-erupts-video

Is the only place outside the US Europe?

Well, I don't have the money to private jet over to my aging parents in Europe, and no time for a boat.

Sardine can it is!