Flying In The United States

Oh, the joy of flying! How marvelous it is that the heavens serve as the playground for travelers all around the world. Across the globe, individuals indulge in the lap of luxury while soaring thousands of feet above the earth, relishing in the delightful taste of wine while nestled in plush, reclining seats. Meanwhile, here you are, enduring a serpentine security queue at a bustling airport, fervently hoping to make it in time for your flight, assuming it isn't canceled! Let's face it, flying in the United States can be quite dreadful, and regrettably, it seems to be deteriorating further. But why is that? It wasn't always like this. Back in the 1950s, during the early era of commercial flights, flying was truly an opulent experience.

Seats were spacious and comfortable, airline meals were piping hot and delectable, and being a flight attendant was one of the most sought-after professions worldwide. However, there was a significant drawback to this golden age of flying - it was exorbitantly expensive. In fact, it remained a luxury reserved primarily for the affluent. Then came the era of affordability, efficiency, and enhanced safety. However, despite these advancements, the overall flying experience did not become more enjoyable. What caused this decline in the quality of air travel? Part of the issue was the transformation from an exclusive, high-end experience to something akin to mass transit in the sky. Today, numerous flights depart and arrive at the busiest American airports daily, necessitating a finely tuned operation. Consequently, airlines continue to strive to ensure smooth travel for everyone at a reasonable cost.

In the golden age of flying, seats boasted spaciousness and comfort, airline meals arrived steaming hot and tantalizingly delicious, and aspiring to be a flight attendant was among the most coveted careers across the globe. Nevertheless, there was a notable drawback to this era of aviation splendor - it came with an exorbitant price tag. In essence, it remained a luxury primarily accessible to the privileged few. Then emerged a new era characterized by affordability, efficiency, and heightened safety measures. However, despite these remarkable advancements, the overall flying experience failed to evolve into a more enjoyable one. What contributed to this decline in air travel quality? A significant factor was the shift from an exclusive, top-tier encounter to an experience reminiscent of mass transportation in the sky. Presently, numerous flights depart and arrive at the busiest American airports each day, demanding a finely orchestrated operation. Consequently, airlines persevere in their efforts to ensure seamless journeys for all travelers at a reasonable expense.

As time goes on, airplanes have become increasingly crowded, seats have shrunk in size, and the once luxurious meals have been replaced with modest boxed alternatives - if one is fortunate enough to receive them. More commonly, passengers are left with a meager packet of pretzels and a half-can of soda, if anything at all. Unfortunately, many aspects of the flying experience have undergone unfavorable changes. Considered one of the most iconic scenes in romantic comedies, there comes a moment when the male lead realizes his mistake in letting the woman he loves depart for Paris. With mere minutes remaining before the airplane departs, he hastily exits the taxi and swiftly bypasses the security line, determined to reach her before it's too late. Perhaps, if the gate has already closed, he may even bolt through the door and onto the tarmac, frantically waving down the aircraft.

In one way or another, he captures her attention, proposes, and the surrounding crowd erupts into applause! It's a classic Hollywood happy ending. However, in today's world, the outcome would be vastly different. Our romantic protagonist would more likely find himself swiftly apprehended by numerous guards and promptly escorted to the closest federal interrogation facility. Airport and onboard security measures have been significantly heightened, primarily in response to a series of hijackings, acts of terrorism, and other incidents aboard aircraft. Even as recently as the 1990s, people remember a time of lax airport security. Sneaking onto planes was once nearly as easy as boarding trains or buses, with some individuals daring to stow away in cargo holds in the past. However, those days are firmly behind us, replaced by various unpleasant aspects of air travel. And the "fun" begins long before stepping foot on the aircraft. What is the most anxiety-inducing aspect of flying in today's era? For many, it's the process of getting to the airport itself. Airlines typically recommend arriving up to two hours before the scheduled flight departure, allowing sufficient time for security clearance, check-in procedures, and ensuring that all items being carried are suitable for transport aboard the aircraft.

Since 2001, there have been significant changes in security practices, often resulting from reactive measures taken by the government upon discovering new threats. A notable example is Richard Reid's attempt to detonate plastic explosives concealed in his shoes towards the end of 2001. Even after twenty-one years, everyone is still required to remove their shoes at US airports as a precautionary measure. However, the security measures extend beyond footwear. Due to the risk associated with plastic explosives, passengers are only permitted to carry liquids that are under 3.4 ounces through airport security. This restriction applies to gels, creams, and pastes as well. Consequently, this means that you will have to discard your water bottle and purchase a $5 bottle of water from the airport kiosk after going through security. Moreover, it may also prevent Nana from bringing her homemade jams back home to share with the grandkids. Unfortunately, these examples merely scratch the surface of the issue. Once you successfully navigate airport security and board the aircraft, smooth sailing is not always guaranteed.

In the present day, it appears that every aspect of the air travel journey has become subject to pay-to-play schemes. This includes the privilege of checking bags, the ability to enjoy a substantial meal during longer flights, and even the basic right to select your own seat. Those who opt not to pay additional fees may find themselves scattered across the plane, relegated to middle seats far away from their travel companions. Unfortunately, this practice has even extended to families, where parents may have to shell out extra money to ensure their young children are not seated next to individuals wearing questionable attire, like the gentleman sporting an "Official Beer Inspector" T-shirt, for a grueling six-hour flight. It seems that if you wish to avoid such scenarios, it's best to provide the airline with their demanded bonus fees, lest you want your two-year-old sharing an uncomfortable journey next to that particular passenger.

And that, of course, assumes that you are fortunate enough to secure a spot on the flight in the first place. Cancellations and overbookings have become one of the most vexing challenges in air travel today. Flights can be canceled for various reasons, ranging from mechanical issues to unfavorable weather conditions. When one flight is canceled, the affected passengers must be rebooked, resulting in other flights becoming overbooked. This often leads to a scramble to accommodate individuals in available seats or, in some cases, bumping passengers from their previously booked flights. However, it is not always unforeseen circumstances that contribute to overbooked flights. Sometimes, this practice is intentionally employed. In what could be deemed as a questionable approach, airlines routinely overbook flights by accepting more reservations than the aircraft's capacity allows. Their assumption is that some passengers will not show up, thus ensuring the plane is genuinely full. However, it is not uncommon for all passengers to indeed arrive, transforming the flight into an airport version of the infamous "Lord of the Flies" scenario.

Initially, the airline attempts to entice passengers with offers of compensation or upgrades to take a later flight. However, if no one takes the bait, they resort to removing passengers from the flight they have already paid for. This is typically done by denying them boarding, although there have been instances where individuals were pulled off flights while already seated because someone else was deemed a higher priority. Air travel in the United States has been a source of frustration for some time, but in 2022, the situation took a significant turn for the worse. A blast of cold weather enveloped the country during the Christmas season, exacerbating an already chaotic flying period. However, what followed caught everyone off guard. Weather-related cancellations were rampant due to sub-zero temperatures rendering flying difficult, but most airlines eventually recovered—except for one.

Southwest Airlines, a mid-priced carrier with a significant presence in the western United States, faced substantial disruptions due to the weather. However, their recovery efforts resulted in a complete breakdown of customer service, making it one of the most severe incidents in airline history. The delays commenced on December 21st, as numerous flights were canceled due to weather conditions. Unfortunately, the delays persisted throughout the Christmas holiday, leaving tens of thousands of people stranded at airports. The underlying issues stemmed from understaffing and an outdated employee scheduling system, which left many employees clueless about their work locations and schedules.

On the day after Christmas, the airline proactively canceled thousands of flights, suspended ticket sales, and warned stranded passengers that it might take up to a week to accommodate them on a flight. Surprisingly, rebooking passengers on other airlines was not feasible because Southwest lacked a reciprocity agreement that facilitates such arrangements for canceled flights. The situation turned into a disaster, although it may not be entirely Southwest's fault. Many of the problems affecting the company are widespread, and the aviation industry continues to grapple with the lingering aftermath of the extensive shutdowns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic, air traffic significantly declined as people avoided traveling unless absolutely necessary, particularly for leisure purposes. Consequently, many individuals employed in the industry began reconsidering their career paths, and airlines faced challenges in maintaining adequate staffing levels, including security personnel and pilots. Prices have surged, primarily driven by inflation, and it seems that every aspect of the air travel experience is becoming increasingly unpleasant.

However, it is important to recognize that this situation is not inevitable. Nearly every airline in the United States presents similar challenges. They operate through the same airports, and unless you opt for an upgrade, you are likely to encounter a similar level of customer service on board. This holds true unless you choose to fly with budget airlines like Spirit or Frontier, where the situation tends to deteriorate further.

If you choose to fly with foreign airlines, you might have an entirely different experience. According to most reports, foreign airlines offer a significantly better flying experience in almost every aspect, often at a comparable price. So why does the United States struggle in this regard?

For those traveling transcontinental, foreign airlines typically provide full meals and slightly more space, even in standard classes. Understandably, on an eight-hour or longer flight to Europe, these conditions make sense. Economy class on a standard domestic flight in the United States, on the other hand, can be barely bearable even for a three-hour journey.

To witness the disparity in flight quality, one needs to look no further than our neighbors to the north. Oh, Canada, why do your airplane rides surpass those in the United States? It's not merely due to Canadian niceness. Air Canada operates as an international airline, offering frequent flights between the US and Canada as well as within the vast country itself. Many of its flights are longer, resembling international flights and providing better food options for purchase. This means you might find yourself sitting next to someone who can't resist the allure of Chicken Bacon Ranch sandwiches on the in-flight menu, but at least you won't go hungry or be squished up against them.

And that's just the beginning. Many foreign airlines still embody the luxury experience that flying once was, reminiscent of the early days of aviation. All Nippon Airways, the renowned Japanese airline known for its five-star service, offers a meal program that rivals elite Japanese restaurants. Meanwhile, on Lufthansa, the German airline, you can enjoy a delightful selection of continental treats and lighter fare as you soar above Europe. Your dining experience will vary depending on the class and duration of your flight, but it is likely to be a memorable meal in a positive way.

All of this sounds fantastic and harks back to the golden era of air travel. So why are Americans missing out on these experiences? Part of the reason lies in a series of laws enacted to protect US airlines from falling under foreign control. While some of these laws aim to address security concerns, others stem from good old-fashioned protectionism, leaving American flyers stuck in their own self-created quagmire.

The roots of these laws can be traced back to 1958 when President Eisenhower signed the Federal Aviation Act, which established the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to oversee safety in both civilian and military aircraft. While this was a crucial step in ensuring air travel's safety, it had unintended consequences. The act prohibits foreigners from owning more than 25% of a US airline, effectively excluding numerous foreign investors, including celebrity billionaire Richard Branson, whose British airlines are well-known. Additionally, the Fly America Act, passed later, requires US government-funded travel to be conducted exclusively on US airlines unless a pre-existing agreement exists with the country, as it does with the European Union. This means that British Airways was removed from the agreement when Great Britain left the EU.

However, these factors might not be the primary reasons for the lack of style in American air travel. Foreign airlines are prohibited from operating domestic routes within the United States, which shuts out many top-notch airlines from the world's largest market. Given the opportunity, Emirates Air, Lufthansa, and others could undoubtedly thrive by offering their unique flying experiences to customers willing to pay for it. Yet, the government's laws prioritize protecting US businesses. While international airlines do operate extensively in the US, they are limited to a small percentage of flights destined for international destinations.

One might argue that these measures aim to safeguard American industry. However, the consequence is a dwindling and rapidly diminishing level of competition. Does anyone remember flying with Continental Airlines as a child? How about Pan Am, for the grandparents out there?

Currently, only three traditional legacy airlines remain: United, American Airlines, and Delta. Together with the relatively newer mid-priced carrier Southwest, they transport over a hundred million passengers each year, often surpassing the combined numbers of any other US airline. While it may not be a monopoly since they compete with one another, they have essentially dominated the market, giving them little incentive to prioritize customer satisfaction. Most travelers book flights out of necessity rather than desire. Business travelers and those relocating across the country usually have limited options for travel. Leisure travelers have more flexibility, but alternative options typically consume significantly more vacation time. For example, flying from New York to Orlando, one of the most popular vacation routes, takes a little over three hours on most airlines under optimal conditions. However, opting for an Amtrak train, the next fastest option, usually takes around 24 hours without interruptions. Meanwhile, traveling via a Greyhound bus—the budget choice—requires approximately a day and a half, including transfers. Consequently, many people are now questioning if it's time for a change.

When browsing for flights, people primarily focus on prices. They may also consider on-time performance and other practical factors but rarely prioritize amenities since they are scarce. Major airlines have crammed passengers as tightly as possible, charge extra for comfort, and offer limited meal options, mostly on longer flights. Delta has a relatively better reputation for its food offerings, but even that falls short compared to international competitors. Unsurprisingly, airlines are reluctant to welcome additional competition. However, what about the customers? Nowadays, people seldom have positive things to say about the flying experience. After the significant disruptions over the holidays, their discontent reached new heights. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg faced numerous calls for resignation, despite experts acknowledging his limited control over the crisis caused by Southwest Airlines. The beleaguered airline itself suffered substantial stock losses in the weeks following the incident. While the government typically pays little attention to customer service complaints, this time may be different.

What would happen if the market were to open up? Three airlines would immediately benefit the most from an open US airline market: Air Canada, Volaris, and Aeromexico—the top two Mexican airlines. All three rank among the top twelve airlines in the United States due to their extensive short-haul flights across North America. Volaris, Interjet, and VivaAerobus are low-cost carriers in Mexico, while Aeromexico serves as Mexico's flag-carrier airline. Air Canada and Aeromexico could compete in regional markets, with Aeromexico targeting the southwest and Air Canada serving both the Northwest and Northeast. However, the question remains: would any other airlines dare to enter the market? Many of the world's largest airlines are unlikely to venture into the US domestic market even if given the opportunity. Three of the top five global airlines are Chinese-owned, and significant government involvement suggests that security risks would likely prevent any deals. As US-China relations continue to strain, Chinese airlines currently only offer direct flights between two destinations in the US and China. Additionally, in the eighth spot worldwide is Ryanair, the ultra-low-cost Irish carrier known primarily for its Dublin-London routes.

The US boasts an abundance of budget airlines, making it unlikely that Ryanair would find it worthwhile to expand across the Atlantic and compete. Consequently, the Big Four airlines will likely maintain their dominance, with the additional presence of Mexican and Chinese carriers. However, it's not solely about being the largest in the industry. In recent years, there has been a surge of nostalgia for the golden era of flying, with people wistfully gazing at images of luxurious Pan Am flights and pondering, "Why did we ever relinquish that?" The truth is, it probably wouldn't be the average person flying those routes; it would be celebrities and millionaires. Nevertheless, there exists a market for individuals seeking a more indulgent and serene airborne experience, rather than merely a utilitarian shuttle. This presents a significant opportunity for companies like Lufthansa and Emirates to establish their own niche.

Currently, the only option for those desiring a more opulent journey without private jet wealth is to fly first class or business class. While these options offer greater comfort, the amenities are still somewhat limited on shorter flights. Foreign airlines have the potential to disrupt this trend. If word starts to spread about the superior service provided by international carriers, there will gradually be a shift in passenger preference. And that is the worst-case scenario for major companies—slightly declining profits. The market demands constant growth, and cost-cutting is not always feasible when dealing with the intricacies of air travel. Thus, the only viable solution to compensate for the shortfall may be to enhance service quality. This could potentially put an end to the race to the bottom that the big four airlines have been engaged in for over a decade.

However, not everyone would welcome this change. Domestic airlines, naturally, would be the primary opponents, as they do not want to relinquish their domination over one of the world's largest markets. Unions also fiercely oppose this shift, fearing that it would jeopardize American jobs as global airlines bring in their own crews. Additionally, some government members aim to appear pro-American by maintaining a barrier to competition. They highlight the possibility that these foreign companies might be subsidized by their governments, enabling them to undercut US prices. While these concerns are valid, the benefits for US flyers could outweigh them.

Is this transformation likely to happen soon? It may not occur across the board, but there are signs of progress. The European Union has been advocating for the US to open its skies as part of an overall increase in trade between the two regions. As problems with US airlines continue to mount, public demand for change will only intensify. All that would remain is for the government to convene, develop an agreeable plan, and efficiently implement it. Therefore, it's advisable to brace oneself for enduring the current airport routine for a while longer. Curious to discover just how luxurious it could be? Explore "What Does the Most Expensive Airplane First Class Actually Look Like" or watch "How Teen Mailed Himself From Australia to Britain" for a glimpse into the lax airport security practices of the past.